The hymn that we know as Amazing Love or And Can It Be was written by the prolific hymn composer Charles Wesley. I read varying accounts to the number of songs attributed to him, but it appears to be well over 5000.
Charles and his brother John were both ordained ministers and founded a holy group called "The Methodists" because of their methods of rising early and strict Bible study. Yet they were both caught in the trap of legalism. A mission trip to the American colony of Georgia proved to be disastrous and Charles came home broken and ill. After his return, both he and his brother made the acquaintance of Moravian Peter Bohler, who urged Charles to look more deeply at the state of his soul and who taught them about true evangelical Christianity.
In May of 1738, once again ill, Charles read Martin Luther's book on Galatians and was convicted. He wrote, "At midnight I gave myself to Christ, assured that I was safe, whether sleeping or waking. I had the continual experience of His power to overcome all temptation, and I confessed with joy and surprise that He was able to do exceedingly abundantly for me above what I can ask or think."
He also journaled, "I now found myself at peace with God, and rejoiced in hope of loving Christ. I saw that by faith I stood." Two days later he began writing a hymn that many believe to be And Can It Be (Amazing Love). The hymn's words bear this theory out, especially the words of verse four.
Charles and his brother John were both ordained ministers and founded a holy group called "The Methodists" because of their methods of rising early and strict Bible study. Yet they were both caught in the trap of legalism. A mission trip to the American colony of Georgia proved to be disastrous and Charles came home broken and ill. After his return, both he and his brother made the acquaintance of Moravian Peter Bohler, who urged Charles to look more deeply at the state of his soul and who taught them about true evangelical Christianity.
In May of 1738, once again ill, Charles read Martin Luther's book on Galatians and was convicted. He wrote, "At midnight I gave myself to Christ, assured that I was safe, whether sleeping or waking. I had the continual experience of His power to overcome all temptation, and I confessed with joy and surprise that He was able to do exceedingly abundantly for me above what I can ask or think."
He also journaled, "I now found myself at peace with God, and rejoiced in hope of loving Christ. I saw that by faith I stood." Two days later he began writing a hymn that many believe to be And Can It Be (Amazing Love). The hymn's words bear this theory out, especially the words of verse four.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
His love is truly Amazing! This is my prayer song today.
ReplyDeleteHis love is truly Amazing! This is my prayer song today.
ReplyDeleteThis is a particularly blessed hymn and full of the Spirit's love.
ReplyDeleteOur church is going on a UK Reformation tour next May, to explore and sites and lives if the great reformers from England and Scotland.
ReplyDeleteIt is open to all, if you are interested.
ReplyDeleteIt is open to all, if you are interested.
ReplyDeleteEV Free Fullerton is the church, Pastor John Coulombe will lead it.
ReplyDeleteEV Free Fullerton is the church, Pastor John Coulombe will lead it.
ReplyDeleteOur church is going on a UK Reformation tour next May, to explore and sites and lives if the great reformers from England and Scotland.
ReplyDeleteAnd Can it Be or Amazing Love. Great and wonderful words but does any one know of an alternative tune? Thanks
ReplyDeleteI love this old hymn of the faith!
ReplyDeleteIam in love with this hymn and its powerful message to us all.Rest in peace Charles Wesly the greatest composer of all time!My spirit has been uplifted and feel blessed!
ReplyDeleteThis is Aliona Mary Mawa
DeleteI have also experienced the wholeness of grace in my life and i appreciate God's Love and Mercy!
ReplyDeleteWe can never fully understand the amazing grace of God. Try as hard as we may, we can never understand why God loves us so so much. Why does God lavish His love on us? Why did He love us while we were yet sinners and dead in sin? Oh, the inexplicable but undeniable love of Abba Father! Lord, we are grateful, and we praise and thank You. I love You Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Help me to love You till I draw my last breath IJCNB amen.
ReplyDeleteIn England we repeat the last two lines of each verse, it seems to make the song much stronger, but which way is the way to Charles Wesley wrote it . He was responsible for the Methodist church starting up. I attended the Methodist church in the uk, where I learned to sing and love this hymn. So who sings it correctly - the English Methodists or the American and Canadians. I don't know, but I think I will always prefer the English version
ReplyDelete