A Re-imagining of "Imagine"

"Imagine" by John Lennon

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

You, you may say 

I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one

I hope some day you'll join us

And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people sharing all the world

You, you may say 

I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one

I hope some day you'll join us

And the world will live as one

Intro

This is a song that is almost universally loved. A song written by a man also almost universally loved. It’s an interesting song that, like its originator’s purpose, brings people together, albeit through its lyrics and music. 

It is a song, in some cases, embraced by peoples of all faiths and lifestyles. It is a song that asks us to think outside of our normal thought processes and simply, imagine. 

As a long-time Beatles fan, I’m well aware of much of the history of the group, and Lennon in particular. The movie that came out recently, “Nowhere Boy,” is a great movie based on his early years. Also, the documentary, “Love is All You Need,” was a great overview of Beatles history, with an emphasis on Lennon. Both of these can be found on Netflix.

Musically, the song is a simple, well-done piano and string driven melody. Lyrically, it is nothing short of poetic. 

Each time I hear it; though, I began to wonder how a song so universally loved, can contain such views. In some ways, the very things Lennon “imagines” are things that, given time and belief, have already been predicted to occur. Where were they predicted? The Bible. 

Breaking It Down

I realize even by getting into this discussion, that my views will not be reflected by everyone. But, my worldview is Christian, and as previous blogs will attest, I write primarily from that worldview. I think my views on this song in particular can still be accepted in the context with which I hope to write. 

If we take “Imagine” verse by verse and really think about what is being said, it can be very thought provoking. 

Let’s begin. 

Verse 1

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

Imagining there is no heaven or hell is a common practice of people these days. It was likely just as popular in Lennon’s heyday during the tumultuous sixties where war and violence were front page headlines. Many Christians in our day would do away with line one of the song since Heaven is the Christian’s great hope, but happily keep the idea of no Hell below us. While Hell is simply another method by which God can manifest his sovereign holiness, justice and glory, man shudders at the idea of a place of eternal punishment. But, as Matt Chandler writes in his book The Explicit Gospel, “The avoidance of the difficult things of scripture- of sinfulness and hell and God’s notable severity-is idolatrous and cowardly.” He further writes, “When you couple this avoidance with  some of the modernist theology that has Jesus floating around like a mystical Ghandi, never angry at anybody, a dispenser of bumper sticker platitudes and discount fortune cookies, you’ve got the perfect storm of those who have no awe, no respect, and no real worship for the God of the universe (Chandler 41). 

Of course, that aspect is in the context of the false Christian theologies that seem to manifest daily at this point. As Christians, many have left Biblical inerrancy for what feels good, and have twisted scripture to fit their own selfish needs. It is common in evangelical circles; as well as, the main denominational churches. It stretches the entirety of Christianity as Christians begin trying to please man above God with their beliefs. It is sad, but it is real. 

Lennon’s request for us to imagine living for today, is exactly what caused this problem within Christianity. Like the secular world, we would all love to simply get the Sunday church in, and then spend the rest of the week living in the present, focused only on today, and how we can satisfy our egos. There is no thought or hope to the future that God has predicted. Theology is simply tossed aside 6 days of our 7 day week, and in some cases, 7 of 7 days. In this way, we are much more like the world, than we are “aliens of this world,” as the Apostle Paul would say. 

Lennon asking us to imagine no Heaven, is likely tied directly to his desire that we had no Hell, as he seems to be ok with the sky. Many would embrace Heaven as a doctrine if they simply understood what the Bible teaches about it. Our pop culture has distorted the reality of Heaven, and made people desire to avoid it, rather than desire it. Biblically, we look forward to a New Heaven and New Earth where, like Lennon wishes, we all live in peace. Of course, this peace is possible because all unbelief at that point has been eliminated and consigned to the very Hell Lennon wishes away. In terms of a peaceful existence; however, the Christian Heaven is as close to Lennon’s wish of peace and harmony as any will ever reach. Those with no respect or belief in Christ’s clear teachings about this topic; however, will be as close to Heaven as they can ever get while here on our distorted earth. The afterlife for these, with God’s common grace and presence sovereignly removed, will leave a Hell much worse than our human minds can ever conceive on this side.

So, while the thought of letting our imaginations pretend there is no afterlife is appealing to popular culture today, it is ultimately a deceptive idea, and unfortunately will lead many of those wishing for Lennon’s reality into a reality much worse than Lennon imagines. 

Verse 2

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

We look around each day, and can clearly see there is no peace in the world. The common statement of the atheist (as Lennon had basically declared himself at the time of this song) was that religion was causing all the problems in the world.  Without religion, he implies in the lyrics, there would be nothing to kill or die for. In song context it sounds great, but a simple reading of those words reveal it for the idealistic nonsense that it is. There would be plenty to kill and die for with or without religion. Religion in and of itself isn’t the problem. The sinful nature of mankind is the problem. And, while Christianity has revealed this to us, even those who don’t believe in Christ, can see that something is wrong in the world. 

Now, religious fanaticism is nothing new, and Christians have likely been trying to separate themselves from the fanatics since the first days of the faith. We know too that Jesus often spoke against the religious legality of the pharisees. 

However, there is a huge difference between respecting and following God’s morality and legalistically checking off a list of how good we are for following it. 

Christians understand that we are in a relationship, not a religion. Our trust on the cross of Christ, is Biblically the ONLY thing that cleanses us from unrighteousness. We are dead in our sin before God quickens us in Christ. 

The problem arises when Christians, once made alive in Christ, feel somehow that their checklist of good works, makes them more faithful or “good” than others. As Mike Fabarez points out often, Christians are prone to lateral comparisons. 

It’s a common problem. It’s the main reason non-Christian (and some Christian) people do not believe they are sinful. They look at the person on the 10 o’clock news and say, “at least I’m not murdering people.” With lateral comparison, there is always someone worse than us. Our human comprehension then leads us to believe we are somehow “good” simply by not being as “bad” as that other guy. It’s a deceptive idea, and one that leads many to deceptive beliefs. The denial of Hell within the Christian churches is a direct result of not believing that our sin warrants eternal punishment. We can visualize the rapists and murderers and Hitlers in Hell, but certainly not the everyday sinner. Perhaps, this false view arising lately within the church could be eliminated, and the doctrine of Hell restored, if people understood that Biblically, God’s judgment is measured (Luke 10:13-14; Luke 12:42-48). Then again, questioning the God of the universe about our perceptions of “fairness” seems a bit arrogant. 

We are equally sinful to a Holy God. As Paul writes in Romans, “all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God (3:23). And just to bring the point home he further clarifies 3 chapters later, “for there is none righteous, no not one” (6:23). Paul’s context and meaning in the entirety of the book of Romans is a pretty clear assessment of man’s sin problem and the only way to remedy it. 

Lennon wishing away countries and religion to bring in peace is a fools errand. Those looking for peace in this life will be disappointed. We may see examples of love and peace from time to time, but a fully peaceful world is only possible with Christ dwelling among us. And, as the book of Revelation mentions, even when Christ is here for a time (millennial kingdom), people still manage to rebel (with Satan completely taken out of the picture nonetheless). If humans can’t live in peace with the Prince of Peace in their midst and the Father of Lies locked up, how can Lennon possibly think it would ever be possible now? Until these heavens and earth pass away, after the end of time, and evil is finally thrown in the lake of fire, there is no ultimate peace save for that found in trusting Christ for remission of our sins. This is more of a mental and spiritual peace than a physical world peace initially, so it makes sense those who don’t believe Christianity would continue their search for physical peace. The eastern religions continue trying to find inner peace with minimal success as well. 

Christ himself said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Mt 10:34; Luke 12:52). Again, hard to stomach, but Biblically true. The Gospel is only loving and “good news” after the initial bad news of our sin problem before a perfectly just and Holy God. It is good news that Christ came, because the news before that was that we were dead, lost in our sin. It makes Christ’s message and sacrifice that much sweeter for those willing to believe.  

Someday, after this life, those who trust in Christ will experience peace on earth. It will be in the context of the New Earth (Heavenly existence). Lennon certainly tried his best to bring about peace during his life, but in hindsight, his many efforts did nothing to bring about world peace. Just as Ghandi and other humans before him. It is not possible as fallen humans to bring peace. God himself didn’t initially come to earth to bring peace (in Christ), so why would we think we have the ability? 

Now, once saved, Christians are called to bear good fruit. Our salvation lends itself to helping others and mankind as a whole, so do not mistake the Christian life as a non-peaceful one. We seek to make the world a better place, we just understand it isn’t by anything we can DO that we find salvation. We are justified by faith and the proof of that justification is in our fruit. I’m not saying don’t care about peace. I’m saying, don’t expect a perfect world in this life. Biblically it just isn’t possible out of our own merits. Accept this, and seek to love others so that by our example in Christ, they can come to know the hope we have. Hope for a future peaceful existence with God. 

Verse 3

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people sharing all the world

Lennon’s final verse at face value, is another example of idealism. Possessions, in the context of being possessions are not inherently bad. Possessions when used to display power or hurt others is when they can become bad. 

God gave Adam and Eve the Garden of Eden to possess and subdue. Until the temptation and fall, there was no hunger or greed. There was perfect harmony. This is God’s original intent for mankind. 

It’s easy for man’s ego to cause him to blame God for the problems in the world. Sin nature prevents accountability and responsibility for ones actions in and of itself. We look to blame someone else. Why not just blame the one who created us in the first place? Man often ignores the fact that creation was perfect, until mankind chose to sin. We had it good originally, and through Christ, we will have it perfected again someday in Heavenly existence. Call it exclusivist of Christians or whatever, but it is Christ’s words, not ours. The ideas of a future, perfected Heavenly existence are Biblical. And, as mentioned during the analysis of verse 1, so is an eternal non-heavenly existence for those unwilling to believe. 

The third verse is not hard to imagine because its exactly what Christians were promised. No greed, no hunger, brotherhood, sharing of the world. Those aspects will someday again come to pass. But, like verse 2, not by our own merits or actions. 

On a micro level we can always help our fellow man, and Christians specifically are called to do so (Matthew 25:35). On a macro level, like all of Lennon’s other imaginations, we can do nothing ourselves, and must rely on God to bring about change. And, this change is exclusive to those willing to accept it.

Ironically, if God had told Lennon directly that all of his imaginations in the song would come true if He would simply believe in Christ, I doubt Lennon would have remained so skeptical. But, as it was, he probably grew up with bad experiences with hypocritical religious leaders and men seeking their own gain. It leaves a bad taste in anyone’s mouth. Just as Ghandi lamented, “I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians.” If only salvation was based on a dislike of hypocrisy, Ghandi and Lennon both could have looked past sinful man and to Christ’s perfection and offer of salvation. Man ruins it all. 

Christians do not rely on man. We understand that without God we are all hopeless. We embrace Christ so that our hopelessness can be transformed. We become a new creation, unwilling to remain in our sin. We may fall from time to time, but we have the promise that, “there is now no condemnation for those in Christ” (Romans 8:1).

Chorus:

You, you may say 

I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one

I hope some day you'll join us

And the world will be as one

Lennon was a dreamer. He was not the only one. Those two statements are the most accurate of the whole song. And, there is nothing wrong with imagining a better existence. Christians do it all the time. The difference is we imagine something we know we possess. It is just not in this exact moment. We look forward to and have hope for a perfected existence. As Paul questions in Philippians, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain...I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:21-24).

Paul recognizes the hope that he has as a new creation in Christ. He longs for the new existence with Christ that comes after death. Yet, he recognizes there is still much work to be done on earth, and so he comes to rest on the thought that staying around is ultimately more helpful to the believers at Phillipi and elsewhere.

The point is that as Christians, we must believe in life after death. Our hope as Christians come from the knowledge and promise of Christ that, “If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3). 

Now What....?

Lennon’s desires for peace on earth and men living in harmony are not misguided in and of themselves. In the context of Biblical thinking; however, they are misguided. There can be no peace outside of God, and even that peace is a promised peace, not one that is realized by man this side of Heaven.

While some of Lennon’s calls within the song, such as not being greedy are great suggestions, we must see them on a micro level. We can always live better and love each other more. Christians just understand that apart from Christ there is no real ultimate peace. 

People will inevitably question the Biblical worldview presented within this analysis, and that is nothing new. The denial of Christ’s clear statements as to who He was, are often ignored (John 14 and 15). We are sinful creatures, and will remain in that sin if we continue to ignore the Bible’s clear teachings. 

I like the song Imagine in its musical and melodic context. I think Christians should be able to feel the same. I don’t think Christians need to be accepting of his lyrics; however, as an acceptance of them will simply lead to more modernist Christian thinking. We will continue to wish away Hell. The pastors will continue to preach Jesus and love, not God’s holiness. Jesus's love without the context of our sin, is nothing. Anyone can be nice to someone. Christ loved those whom he called to repentance. Repentance from what? From our sin before a Holy and Just creator. John the Baptist, whom Jesus called the greatest prophet, preached unabashedly repentance for forgiveness of sins. Christ agreed. 

We can continue to sit around imagining how things would be different if we ran the world. Or, as Christ calls, we can embrace the Biblical truth that we are fallen and without excuse. We can be quickened, through God’s spirit, into a state of salvation by belief on Christ and the cross. We can live, Holy Spirit filled with a macro understanding of the entirety of God’s plan. And, as James points out, we can bear good fruit as a product of our justification. We can do our small part to make this world a better place, until God’s ultimate redemption comes to pass. 


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At the time of the original post, I had not stumbled onto Ray Comfort's documentary about Lennon called "Genius." Having viewed it now, it is certainly a worthwhile video to look at. Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron (From Tv's Growing Pains) have a great ministry. They are both accomplmished street ministers, often challenging people on the street to really examine their beliefs. The link is below, and they want it passed along so that more can hear the great message, so feel free to share it.