Hello, My Name Is BROTHER of the One True King

Matthew West is a terrific musician. I love a lot of his stuff and he has frequently ministered to my soul. This song in particular is one that has repeatedly lifted my spirits. I even used this song as part of a lesson to teach the youth at the church to appreciate the change in their identity that happens when they accept Christ as Savior.

Now I wish I hadn't used this song to teach. I still find the message of this song encouraging, but after I taught that lesson I realized that this song teaches heresy. It is probably unintentional, but it is still heresy.

You are NOT a child of the One True King.

Neither am I. The One True King has no children. Jesus Christ is the One True King. We are adopted as children of God the Father, brothers and sisters of the One True King.

The idea that we are children of the One True King could have its roots in one of many theological errors, but in my estimation the most likely culprit is monism. Monism teaches that there is no such thing as the "trinity". Instead, monists teach that the Father IS the Son IS the Holy Spirit. One being, one entity, one person, one personality, 3 different manifestations. In monism, when Jesus was walking around on Earth he was the only manifestation of God - the Father and the Holy Spirit did not exist at that time because God was walking around as Jesus. We are adopted children of God the Father, and Jesus is the King, but according to monism Jesus and the Father are the same person, so in monistic teaching we are children of the king.

Monism is a very old heresy and it just won't stay away.

Of course there are several problems with monism. One obvious problem comes when you read about the baptism of Jesus. If monism is true then who in the world was calling down from heaven and what was the dove? Another obvious problem comes with the crucifixion of Christ, when Jesus exclaims "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?". This statement makes perfect sense in the context of a trinitarian God, but is complete nonsense with monism.

I still like the song. I am still encouraged by it. In my head I just insert "brother" for "child" in the chorus as I am listening. But I do wish I noticed this glaring issue before using the song to teach the youth.