Exploring the Goodness of God: A Harmony of Song and Theology
CeCe Winans’ worship song Goodness of God resonates deeply with its message of God’s enduring faithfulness and love. Yet, how does this contemporary portrayal of God’s goodness align with the majestic understanding articulated by A.W. Tozer decades ago? Tozer, in The Knowledge of the Holy, cautioned against reducing God’s attributes to something more relatable but less awe-inspiring. Is Goodness of God guilty of such reductionism, or does it reflect a biblically faithful portrayal of God’s goodness? Let’s examine.
Not a Critique, But an Invitation
Before we dive in, it’s important to note that this comparison isn’t meant as a critique of CeCe Winans’ fine work. The song’s heartfelt simplicity has undoubtedly drawn countless hearts closer to God, and its truths are firmly rooted in Scripture.
This exploration began on a lark—a curiosity to see how a modern worship song would hold up when viewed through the lens of A.W. Tozer’s rich theology, which we are currently studying in this blog. Yet, it quickly became clear that this exercise was more than academic. It revealed nuances of God’s goodness that deepened our understanding and appreciation of Him.
Tozer himself desired that every reflection on God lead to a greater knowledge of His character. As he wrote, “The whole outlook of mankind might be changed if we could all believe that we dwell under a friendly sky and that the God of heaven, though exalted in power and majesty, is eager to be friends with us.”
This comparison, then, is not a judgment but a joyful discovery—a journey into the depths of God’s goodness, as revealed through both Scripture and song.
The Goodness of God in Worship and Theology
Tozer defines God’s goodness as His innate disposition to be kind, benevolent, and full of goodwill toward humanity. It is not merely a response to human merit but an overflow of His nature. He writes, “The goodness of God is the drive behind all the blessings He daily bestows upon us.” This aligns with Winans’ lyrics:
"All my life You have been faithful,
All my life You have been so, so good."
Both Tozer and the song emphasize that God’s goodness is constant, independent of circumstances, and rooted in His character. However, Tozer’s work delves into the grandeur and immutability of God’s goodness, a truth subtly present but not explicitly developed in the song.
The Majesty of God’s Goodness
Tozer highlights the sheer magnitude of God’s goodness, cautioning against oversimplifying it into human terms: “Since God is immutable, He never varies in the intensity of His loving-kindness.” This perspective is less evident in Goodness of God, which personalizes God’s goodness in a way that risks making it feel transactional:
"Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me."
While the imagery is poetic and resonates with Psalm 23:6, Tozer might warn that such language could unintentionally diminish the magnificence of God’s goodness, making it appear as if God’s attributes are reactive rather than self-originating and eternal.
From an exchanged life perspective, God’s goodness is not merely something we observe externally—it is experienced through the indwelling life of Christ. The song touches on this truth with lines like, “I’ve known You as a Father, I’ve known You as a Friend.” Yet Tozer’s reflections challenge us to go further, recognizing that God’s goodness is both a relational comfort and a call to reverent awe.
Practical Implications: How Do We Live Out God’s Goodness?
Tozer emphasizes that God’s goodness is not only a source of comfort but also a call to transformation. His reflections point us to the prodigal son, whose return was met with a feast of welcome and celebration. God’s goodness draws us out of rebellion and into His loving embrace, where we can fully trust Him.
The same truth is echoed in Goodness of God with the lyric:
"With my life laid down, I surrender now—I give You everything."
From an exchanged life perspective, this surrender is not just an emotional moment but a daily yielding to Christ’s indwelling life. It is through this surrender that we not only sing of God’s goodness but also become vessels through which His goodness is expressed.
For example, consider someone walking through a season of loss. Tozer would urge them to see God’s goodness not merely in the promise of eventual relief but in His sustaining presence and sanctifying work even amidst the trial. Similarly, Winans’ song offers the assurance of God’s faithfulness: “In darkest night, You are close like no other.”
Conclusion: A Unified Reflection on God’s Goodness
The beauty of Goodness of God lies in its heartfelt simplicity, and its truths are undeniably biblical. Yet, Tozer challenges us to go beyond the personal and remember the grandeur of God’s goodness—a goodness that is self-caused, infinite, and eternal.
This comparison reveals not a clash but a harmony. The song and Tozer’s theology enrich one another, reminding us that God’s goodness is both deeply personal and magnificently infinite.
May this reflection lead us to sing with greater awe and live with greater surrender, knowing that the God who is good to us is also good in Himself—unchanging, eternal, and full of grace.