I've heard the wisdom from the wisely wise
Heard the stories of men who have died in their glory
Of their spiritual lives
Through the teachings of men who have lied
Chorus
But all I know is Jesus Christ
And Him crucified for me
About the sins that I did commit
For which Jesus died on that tree
And I've seen the priests and white robed masters
Claim that they knew it all
I've seen them try to climb the fence
Into heaven but they always fall
Chorus
I've heard the music from the rock and roll stars
Heard of spaceships that might come from Mars
Fancy speeches from those leaders of ours
Through the teachings of men who still lie
But all I know is Jesus Christ
And Him crucified for me
How He loved the people of this world
And died to set them free
Maranatha Singers songs compilation
All I Know Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The song "All I Know" by Maranatha! Music stands as a clear declaration of faith, featured within a Maranatha Singers compilation released on March 4, 2020. It presents a stark contrast between the myriad sources of human knowledge, wisdom, and belief systems found throughout the world and the singular, foundational truth that the songwriter embraces. The opening verse sets this stage by acknowledging the wisdom of acclaimed individuals, historical figures celebrated in their achievements, differing spiritual paths, and even the deceptive teachings of men. Yet, amidst this diverse landscape of human understanding and error, the central assertion is introduced.
The core message, powerfully repeated in the chorus, anchors the song's perspective: "all I know is Jesus Christ and Him crucified for me." This focus explicitly highlights the atonement—the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to deal with the sins the songwriter committed. It underscores the deeply personal nature of this knowledge, emphasizing that Christ's death was specifically "for me," linking His crucifixion directly to the listener's own need for salvation from sin.
Further verses expand on the sources of knowledge and claims of truth that are contrasted with the knowledge of Christ. The song mentions religious leaders, described as "priests and white robed masters," who claim ultimate understanding but are depicted as attempting to earn their way ("climb the fence into heaven"), ultimately failing. This imagery points to a rejection of religious systems based on self-effort or human works as sufficient for attaining salvation or divine acceptance, reinforcing the exclusive reliance on Christ's finished work.
The scope of worldly influences is broadened to include popular culture and societal figures, such as "rock and roll stars," speculative ideas like "spaceships that might come from Mars," and the rhetoric of political "leaders." These examples represent the various distractions, diversions, and potentially misleading narratives that compete for human attention and belief. Despite this overwhelming influx of information and influence, the song firmly reiterates the central, unwavering truth. The final repetition of the chorus shifts slightly to emphasize Christ's motivation, stating "How He loved the people of this world and died to set them free," connecting the crucifixion explicitly to God's love for humanity and the redemptive act of liberation from bondage.
The meaning conveyed is one of profound theological simplicity and focus. In a complex world filled with competing philosophies, religions, and sources of authority, the song asserts that ultimate, saving knowledge rests solely in the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly His death on the cross for the sins of humanity. It aligns with the Christian belief in Christ as the unique mediator between God and man and His atoning sacrifice as the means of redemption. The song's message echoes biblical themes found in passages like 1 Corinthians 2:2, where Paul declares his determination to know nothing among the Corinthians except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It also resonates with scriptures emphasizing salvation through Christ alone, such as Acts 4:12, stating there is salvation in no one else, and Ephesians 1:7, which speaks of redemption through His blood. The song serves as an inspirational declaration of simple, unwavering faith grounded in the power and sufficiency of the cross of Christ as the sole foundation for a relationship with God and the hope of eternal life, offering a clear and powerful message for website visitors and search engines alike searching for truth and meaning.