Written in the mid 1970's, this song captured the exuberance that was the mark of Mr. Stonehill’s early musical career. Perhaps it is good for us to remember that the term “evangelism” simply means “proclaiming good news,” especially since the term has gathered so much baggage in recent years. Keeping it simple and focused is a good thing. There is nothing to be shy or ashamed about, though the world would have us believe that we are being anti-intellectual, exclusivistic, too religious, anachronistic, politically incorrect, narrow minded, bigoted, and a host of other things. Admittedly, at times we have played into those caricatures. Randy thought that the world was perhaps beginning to get it (“learning”), but maybe that was youthful optimism. If not these things, what exactly is the “good news?”

In our study of 1 John we have come across some concise statements of what it indeed is:

This is all a reflection of the classic statement in John 3:16-17, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life; for God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” It is good for us to be reminded of this, and to re-focus the content of the message. It is not about condemnation, but about real life. The world keeps trying other solutions, and they keep not working. John also reminds us in his epistle that God’s love is perfected in us, as we love one another. While there are many ways we can choose to do this, ultimately the best way is to effectively communicate this good news. Maybe we need more of the innocent exuberance of Randy Stonehill’s youth, and to shed some of the baggage. Find and listen to the song online!