Photo by Casey Horner
Andy Park began his music career with Vineyard Music, a production company started by the Association of Vinyard Churches, a neocharismatic evangelical Christian denomination that begun the 1980’s. He served four years as the assistant pastor in Langley Vineyard church when it opened in 1985 and started recording with this movement, releasing Holiness Unto The Lord in 1989. He released I Saw Heaven in 1990, his first solo project. He released 18 studio albums under the Vineyard name and 7 solo albums. I could not find any award information.
His hit song In The Secret is one I remember listening on the radio multiple times. We even sang it at my local congregation, with fond memories.
Lyrics can be found in https://genius.com/Andy-park-in-the-secret-lyrics
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site! Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.
1. What message does the song communicate?
Judging from the lyrics alone, it is not immediately clear if Park sings about God or a girlfriend/fiancé/wife of his. There are no lines that would differentiate between the two. There is not a single hint that could possibly point to an attribute of God. What is clear is that this “you”, whoever it is, is the object of his affection.
Park’s desire is to be with them in a secret, quiet place, with him and this person, alone, without distractions. He wants to spend time with them, seeing their face, hearing the sound of their voice, knowing them better, and….touching them? Am I the only one who senses a sexual overtone here? Maybe I’m just overly sensitive, but I can’t but think that Park went way too far with this one.
I think what Park was going for is that he wants to spend time with God, removing distractions that get in the way of this intimate relationship. However, his delivery is a far cry from his intent. About as far as the east is from the west.
Score: 2/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
To give this review a fair shake, I will implement a two point penalty and assume “You” refers to God. Under that assumption, all the lyrics are Biblical.
[Verse 1]
Lines 1-5: Jesus gave us a command in Matthew 6:5-6, that we should spend time with God in prayer, secluded from other people. Of course, that doesn’t negate the importance of public prayer, but our motivation for the latter should not be fame. Jesus Himself often prayed alone in locations such as a mountaintop (Mark 1:35, Mark 6:46, and Luke 6:12), in the wilderness (Luke 5:16), and in a garden before His arrest (Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:35, and Luke 22:41). He desires to know the Father in a deep, relational manner. That should also be our motive, as indicated in line 5.
[Chorus]
Line 1: Essentially repeats Verse 1, line 1.
Line 2: The first of three senses in which Park wishes to know God. Though there are far too many Bible verses, replete with examples of Biblical characters hearing His voice, we know that God’s people will hear Him (John 8:47 and John 10:27), that faith comes from hearing His Word (Romans 10:17), and that hearing and obeying His Word results in blessing (Luke 11:28).
Line 3: Essentially repeats Verse 1, line 1.
Line 4: There is an account of a woman whose body was subjected to bleeding in Luke 8:43-48. She touched Jesus’ cloak and was healed due to her faith. We too should seek to “touch” God for spiritual nourishment.
Line 5: Jesus once said in John 14:9 that if we have seen Him, we have seen the Father. Fixing our eyes on Jesus gives us a solid foundation for life (1 Corinthians 3:11 and Hebrews 12:2).
Line 6: Essentially repeats Verse 1, line 1.
[Verse 2]
Lines 1 and 2: According to 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Philippians 3:14, and 2 Timothy 4:7, the Apostle Paul writes of the race called life, where, unlike other races such as the Olympics, where the winner gets a medal and fading glory, our prize is imperishable: eternal life with God.
Lines 3-5: Distractions keep us from focusing on Jesus. We should cut them off, especially if they cause us to sin (Matthew 5:29-30).
Line 6: Repeats Verse 1, line 1.
Score: 8/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
If I find it unclear, why should I expect an unbeliever to do better? They would find the one-night stand interpretation even more likely than us Christians!
Score: 0/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It sounds to me like it glorifies promiscuity a lot more than God. At least, that is what the Chorus tells me. However, I will give half credit for its biblical accuracy when assuming God.
Score: 5/10
Closing Comments
Any Park’s In The Secret contains some unfortunate missteps. Its lyrics are too ambiguous for a proper Biblical analysis, interpreted more likely as promiscuous sex than a deeply personal relationship with God; However, if we assume God, it has high Biblical accuracy. Though I understand Park’s intent, to put it mildly, the eventual product did not meet his goal. At least, not in my mind.
Given how much we sang this at church, I am highly disappointed.
Final Score: 4.5/10
Artist Info
Track: In The Secret (listen to the song)
Artist: Any Park
Album: In The Secret
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 2004
Duration: 4:37
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Updates:
10/15/2021 – I should give this song’s message a little bit of credit! So, I changed it to a “2”, raising this song’s overall score from 4/10 to 4.5/10.
09/16/2019 – Paul’s comments reminded me of the “two point penalty” policy I apply to section 2 when the lyrics’ pronouns do not clearly and implicitly point to God. After applying it, the score jumped significantly from 0.5/10 to 4/10.
Comments
Paul
Hi, I just found your site, it looks like it will be a great resource, and I have already saved it for future reference. I greatly appreciate the effort. However! I decided to comment here because I didn’t feel like you gave In The Secret a very fair or objective review. (I picked it simply because as I browsed your list of songs its very poor score stood out, and since I have heard others give a less-than-favorable opinion on it as well, I thought your review might be enlightening). Like yourself, I grew up worshipping with this song, I always liked it, but I don’t use it really anymore in our church’s worship sets. So I’m actually not here to argue that it’s a great song, nor to troll or debate – I was just hoping to see more here, good or bad, on this song than there is.
Two things stood out in your review: 1) No, I personally never was distracted by any sensual overtones from the lyrics. Although I see how one certainly could, but I think that has clouded your review. 2) While there are a couple of biblically questionable phrases/ideas in the song, there are plenty of ideas that refer to or point to scripture. I was surprised that as thorough as you were in other songs reviews I read (like Living Hope) that you did not explore either side of those ideas and scriptures. For example, a quick internet search will find plenty of scriptures referring to “being still” and “waiting upon the Lord”…
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
“For God alone my soul in silence waits.” Psalm 62:1
“To you, O God, silence is praise.” Psalm 65:1
“It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:26
Also, in Mark 1:35, Jesus himself gave us the example of getting away in a quiet place to pray. And in Matthew 6 Jesus instructs us to pray “IN SECRET.” Lastly, in 1 Kings 19 God passed by the mountain not as wind or earthquake or fire but in the small silence. To me, those things add up to at least taking a look at scripture in regard to lyrics such as “in the quiet hour I wait” rather than dismissing them entirely. Other thoughts – Jesus also said His sheep “hear” & know His “voice.” And Paul calls us to push on toward the goal and run the race as if to win and “receive the prize.”
Again, I’m not saying this is a great song, just that I would like to have seen it explored a little better. But the other reviews I’ve seen look great. Thanks for your efforts to keep our worship and songs biblically grounded!
-Paul
Vince Wright
Paul,
Thanks for your challenge! I agree that I did not take the proper approach as I had done with other songs. I’ll give this song a fair shake and see what Scripture verses can support it.
As for the sensual overtone, I agree, I took it way too far, especially since I gave it a big fat 0 for its message. In other reviews, I write section 2 before section 1, but I did this one in reverse. We both see how well that approach works…or rather, doesn’t.
-Vince Wright
Steve Barhydt
I have never fully understood the “Jesus is my boyfriend” complaint voiced by you (in other reviews not so much this one) and other commentators to Contemporary Christian Music.
The Bible, in both the Old And New Testaments, is full of comparisons between marriage and the relationship that we, as humans, have with an eternal God. I believe that this is because marriage (in particular a Biblically balanced Christian marriage) is the closest analogy that we have in understanding the love that God has for us and that we, in turn, should have for Him.
In the Old Testament, Israel is often referred to as a “wayward wife” of God. (Not just “cheating” on Him but actually prostituting herself with the false gods of the nations around her.)
In the New Testament, the Church is seen as the “Bride of Christ”. So, spiritually speaking, Jesus is not just my “boyfriend” but my fiance.
I personally believe that the problem stems from living in a hyper-sexualized society that has conflated the concepts of romance, sexuality, and intimacy.
If I say that “I love the hugs and kisses of my granddaughters”, this is a statement of intimacy but not of romance or sexuality (which would be perverse and sinful.)
If I say that “I love the hugs and kisses of my wife” there is a different connotation because of the context of the object of my love. This is a statement of intimacy and romance and, potential, sexuality. (which would be normal, healthy, and approved by the God who brought us together over 38 years ago.)
As a conservative, Christian male, I know to Whom I sing. Since I do not believe that homosexuality is a legitimate “alternative” lifestyle but is, as the Bible clearly states, a sin. I would not, could not sing the words…
“I want to know you
I want to hear your voice
I want to know you more
I want to touch you
I want to see your face
I want to know you more”
…to Jesus if there was any romance/sexuality inherent to those words. But, of course, there is not. These words are, however, very intimate.
Intimacy, not romance, should be the cry of the Christian’s heart. Intimacy is described as “marked by a warm friendship developing through long association” and “of a very personal or private nature”. There is a sexual component to one type of intimacy but not all intimacy is sexual.
As to this song, I believe that the second verse (when read in light of Philippians Chapter 3:7-15) clarifies the context that the lyricist had in mind when writing the song
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
I agree that one “Lord, I want to know you more” would have cleared up the ambiguity that could be attributed to this song. However, to call it ” an atrocity… interpreted more likely as promiscuous sex than a deeply personal relationship with God” is way too harsh and unfair to Andy Parks.
Additionally, if an unbeliever were to hear this song in a public place devoid of Christian context, they might misinterpret it. However, if heard in church during a worship service that set the proper context, I do not believe for a moment that they would think that “it glorifies promiscuity a lot more than God”
Many modern worship songs are based in a heartfelt desire for a more intimate relationship with our loving God. These songs should not be denigrated because the world around us has perverted and corrupted the meaning of love.
Vince Wright
Steve,
Thank you once again for your in-depth, well thought out analysis! Your comments have always been kind, challenging my own thoughts and exposing any potential biases I bring to the table. One more than one occasion, I changed my mind and updated a review after prayerfully considering what you have to say.
First, I agree with your Biblical references as examples of our relationship with God; However, I believe this more to be a marriage than a fiancee. Paul’s comments in Ephesians 5:22-33 demonstrate the role of men and women in marriage in how they show our relationship with Jesus, as the bride of Christ. He is our “husband” in a sense, though certainly not in a sexual manner. I too do not promote same-sex marriage as a Biblical concept, but that is another issue for another time. However, my main concern is the ease by which these lyrics could be interpreted as a boyfriend. At least, that is how I define “Jesus as my boyfriend”.
I also agree that we live in an over-sexualized society, particularly in the western world, where we replaced intimacy with casual sex. My concern is the ease by which an individual (Christian or not) could conclude promiscuous sex by reading its lyrics. While I believe that we can (and should) become intimate with God, the sexual overtone that I get from reading these lyrics are too much for me. Perhaps adding the word “Lord” would have eased it.
I agree that in a church setting, it perhaps does not promote promiscuity; However, I think within and outside the church with the question “what kind of message does this song send?” Without any clear identifiers to God, it seems easy for people to receive the wrong message.
Finally, I agree that I was too harsh on Andy. I updated the conclusion to use less harsh language, calling it an “unfortunate misstep” rather than an “atrocity”.
-Vince Wright
Richard P Towne
Aside from the issues discussed in the comments above, it’s a challenge to properly evaluate this song twenty five years after its release and outside of the context of the importance and role of Vineyard Music and the Charismatic Renewal in the mid-1990’s.
Arve
Thank you so much for the effort! Very few will appreciate this angle and the work you did. This is one of many songs why I left the modern worship music movement.
There’s so much of ‚I‘ that there’s almost no space for the Great I AM. They’re so antropo-centric that one could think this universe is about me.
Sadly, I’ve been with vineyard for many years, until they opened up for Todd Bentley and Bethel cult. Most of these people either left faith, spouse or sanity (joined NewAge movement).
Keep up the good work. 🙏🙏🙏📖⚓️
Vince Wright
Arve,
Thank you for complimenting me! I appreciate that you took time out of your day to thank me.
-Vince Wright
Brandon
Arve,
Truth worked into the heart of a believer by the Holy Spirit through God glorifying lyrics is timeless. That is what produces worship.
Context is very important for determining meaning and understanding references, but not for determining the quality of a song. The quality of lyrics is not graded on a scale. A song should not be considered “good for that time”. It’s either good or it’s not because it either skillfully/beautifully directs our attention to God or it does not. That is why many old hymns are still joyfully sung today and used by the Spirit to produce worship in a person. It’s not the age or the context in which it was written that makes it good (though those can both be endearing attributes of a song)—it’s the content. The only thing that context tells us about this song is that it is par for the course for the songs of that time. Too many songs emphasized individualism and a “me and Jesus” mentality rather than the corporate mentality spoken of in far greater proportion in the NT.
Brandon
Apologies! I read too many comments and got names mixed up. I meant to address the previous response to Richard P Towne.
Justin Mayfield
Interesting review! Lots of good thoughts on the scriptural analysis. I never once thought about there being any sexual overtones in the song, though. To me, that actually feels a bit irreverent to suggest because the song was always such a holy one in the context of worship back in the 90’s. I mean that it was (and really still is, in my mind) one of the few songs that embodied the Biblical call to a pious life of truly seeking God with all one’s heart, mind, soul, and strength. That is a holy thing.
As an aside, the Sonic Flood version was the one that got a lot of radio play. Maybe that version being so upbeat and poppy makes the song seem shallower than it really is. That was Sonic Flood’s thing, though, they covered worship songs in a rockified, poppy way.
That being said, I am sympathetic to the critique of many modern worship songs’ tendency to treat God as almost a romantic partner rather than the holy foundation of existence itself. The songs do become very people-centered and almost romantic in that they are not only relational but of the sort that emphasize the benefit of how the object of the person’s affection makes them feel (much like a single person speaks of their new girlfriend or boyfriend). You’d never know that the song wasn’t to a human being.
I understand that is part of your critique above, but there is a qualitative difference with this song in that it is rooted in scriptural concepts rather than poetic lyrics, and, most importantly, it emphasizes God’s worth by embodying the call to seek him (rather than merely acknowledge one’s good feelings about Him).
I’d be more curious to evaluate the song from a theological standpoint, rather than merely Biblical. I mean that, the idea of hearing God’s voice or seeing His face has Biblical precedent, but theologians have classically interpreted the idea of God’s face analogically to mean to look upon his unadulterated holy glory. The sentiment can be the same, and Moses himself asks to see God’s face, but the phrasing of the chorus also plays into modern Evangelicalism’s tendency to anthropomorphize God. I certainly struggled with that back in the 90’s when I sang this song in worship services.
Overall, though, this song is a gem if one is grounded theologically. I might change the “touch you” lyric because God does not have a corporeal body unless we’re talking about the incarnate Christ. Though, we might be inclined to give it a pass if we’re talking about His manifest presence. Either way, I’d love to see more songs written with the heart to know God.
Vince Wright
Justin,
Thank you for your comments! I couldn’t have said it better myself. You described more eloquently the tension that I felt when I reviewed this song.
-Vince Wright
Tom McCraw
Do you feel the Song of Solomon meets these same critical insights? What is the heart of our worship? Sometimes we may simply be overcome by the awesome love of God!
Vince Wright
Tom,
Great question!
The Song of Solomon is about two human lovers: Solomon and his wife (well, one of many of his 500 wives). it has sexual overtones that are appropriate within the context of marriage between a husband and his wife. This isn’t just in the Song of Solomon, but also in Scripture such as Proverbs 5:18 and 1 Corinthians 7:3-5. it’s not describing a relationship between God and man. Though human marriage reflects our relationship between God and His bride the church (Ephesians 5:22-32), and perhaps I’m too sensitive on this topic, this song seems to take steps too far in terms of sexual overtones between what is meant to be a relationship between God and man.
-Vince Wright