Question: Do More People in our Culture Agree with Lennon or Hebrews?

I imagine that John Lennon wouldn’t much like the New Testament book of Hebrews.

True: both Lennon and Hebrews pay tribute to the idea of peace.  The benediction at the end of Hebrews begins with the words, “May the God of peace . . .”  Lennon’s longing for peace is well documented: “All we are saying, is give peace a chance.”

But, Lennon’s prescription for peace was to imagine a world in which there was no government, heaven or hell, and “nothing to kill or die for.” 

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today…

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace…

Contrast Hebrews.  The author insists that in a fallen world death is central.  Unless blood is shed, there is no remission of sins (Heb 9:22). .  The word “blood” shows up 14 times in Hebrews 9-10 alone.  And, the benediction in Heb 13:20-21 reads,

20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,

Essentially:

  1. The book of Hebrews argues that peace cannot be accomplished without Justice being satisfied. 
  2. Whereas, Lennon opines that we need to forget justice and live as one.

Now for those who read my blog all of this may seem to you like an exercise in the obvious.  But, here is my question for you.  Is it fair to say that the Gospel according to Lennon is winning the day?  Do the majority in our culture believe that John Lennon’s Imagine is the true path to peace?

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(P.S.  If you haven’t heard, The Beatles broke up.  It’s probably worth keeping in mind when deciding whether or not to agree with Lennon or the Bible).

Published by Chris

1 thought on “Question: Do More People in our Culture Agree with Lennon or Hebrews?”

  1. It is probably an easy guess to think that more people in our culture would agree with Lennon – just ask our new president. I “imagine” however, that in the past almost thirty years, John has probably changed his mind on a lot of things. He will be given the opportunity to sing a different “tune” at the last judgement. Unfortunately for him it will be too late.
    (I realize that I am making an assumption here that he never repented and accepted God’s free gift of salvation.)
    I think maybe I had heard about the Beatles spilt back in 1970 – isn’t it a pity? isn’t it a shame?
    MTB

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