Creator of the Universe
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Comment: Lyrics section is unsourced and likely fail WP:NOTDB. Maybe WP:Wikisource? microbiologyMarcus [petri dish·growths] 12:29, 20 July 2024 (UTC)
Service hymn of the Space Force | |
| Also known as | Space Force Hymn |
|---|---|
| Lyrics | James F. Linzey, 2020 |
| Music | James F. Linzey, 2020 |
"Creator of the Universe" is the adopted hymn of the United States Space Force, composed in 2020 by Former United States Air Force Captain James F. Linzey.[1]
History
Linzey served the United States Air Force for 12 years, part of which was with the Air Force Space Command, as a chaplain. The Air Force Space Command was the forerunner to the United States Space Force which was created by Donald J. Trump.[2][3] After the creation of the United States Space Force in December 2019, Linzey, who served at Vandenberg AFB, now named Vandenberg Space Force Base, wrote a prayer in the form of a poem to the Creator of the universe, petitioning God for safety for the Guardians on each flight into space. This is how the Space Force Hymn received its name.[4]
The music would come later. Metro Voice News explained, "In the meantime Jim made a move to Kansas where he says God helped him put the finishing touches on the hymn. The branches of the military do not officially recognize hymns. Rather, they adopt them as their own based on their use in churches. Linzey says he reached out to churches across the country, praying they would use it in services. The hymn's acceptance really took off. Linzey said, 'The Baptist Press did a headline article on the Space Force Hymn. The Southern Baptist Convention embraced it. And then God's Learning Chanel Television Network created a video to go with the music.'"[3]
The Baptist Press said, "Hymns are not commissioned by the military, or it would be illegally engaging in the establishment of religion. Linzey explained that military hymns become gradually recognized in civilian churches and by military personnel for each of the branches of the military. After that, they begin to be played in military chapels and religious patriotic events."[2] "The chaplaincy and the spiritual aspect of the Space Force, involving space travel, is at the heart of the Space Force Hymn, asking the Creator of the universe for safety on each flight," Linzey said.[3] The Space Force hymn came to him while studying koine Greek at the California campus of Westminster Theological Seminary in the City of Escondido where he resided. "I was thinking about the awe and wonder of God. The words just flowed from my fingertips," Linzey said.[3]
The February 29, 2020, edition of the Coffeyville Journal gives more details on how the Space Force Hymn, 'Creator of the Universe,' was written:[5]
On February 12, 2020, Rev. James F. Linzey, who served as a highly decorated Air Force Captain, felt led by Almighty God to write the Space Force Hymn. He set his pen to paper the next day. He had been working on the hymn on an old upright piano that was out of tune in the former Dalton Museum building in Coffeyville, Kansas, which he was cleaning. On February 22, 2020, he completed the hymn, creating what many believe to be his lasting legacy for the Department of the Air Force, for which he served for 12 years. Coffeyville proudly serves as "Home of the United States Space Force Hymn, 'Creator of the Universe.'"
The Baptist Messenger stated, "Creator of the Universe joins hymns often recognized for the other branches of the U.S. military: Air Force: Lord, Guard and Guide the Men who Fly; Army: Eternal Father, Hear our Prayer; Coast Guard: Ruler of the Land and Sea; Navy: Eternal Father, Strong to Save; Marine Corps: Serving for Thee."[3]
Lyrics
Some of the lyrics to Creator of the Universe are as follows:
"Creator of the universe,
Watch over those who fly,
Through the great space beyond the earth,
And worlds beyond the sky . . .
"Eternal Father, strong to save,
In prayer before Thy light;
In solitude of sovereign grace,
Grant courage for each flight. Amen."[4]
Critical reviews
Jenny Rose Curtis reported, “Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) urges the U.S. Department of Defense to get rid of the hymn Creator of the Universe because of its faith-based lyrics,” but goes on to state that the FFRF was refuted by the Alliance Defending Freedom.[6][3]
However, when military officers, enlisted personnel, pastors, and the media began listening to Creator of the Universe, they expressed other opinions. Retired Navy Commander Don Biadog, who is a former Command Chaplain of MCAS Miramar, commented in a K-Love radio article on June 13, 2024, "Due to the creation of the United States Space Force Hymn, Creator of the Universe, many are thrilled about performing this new addition to their 'arsenal' of music."[5] The Baptist Press also stated that Linzey "saw the future when in 2020 he wrote Creator of the Universe ... The stately hymn in 2-2 time is a prayer for the safety and courage of Space Force crews."[3]
An active duty Navy Petty Officer, DC1 Heber Lima, who is also an ordained Southern Baptist Convention pastor, commented, "The Space Force Hymn is an inspirational hymn which motivates me to worship the Creator of the universe, and is useful in any church service as a standard hymn;" and former Air Force Sergeant Jonathan Sciano added, "I like Creator of the Universe and am glad that the Southern Baptist Convention and the Space Force have adopted it as the Space Force Hymn."[7]
Also, retired US Marine Sergeant Dennis A. Hall, Sr., commented, "With Linzey's background in the Space Command, it was fitting that he was commissioned to write the United States Space Force Hymn."[1]
Citations
- ^ a b Hall, Dennis (July 5, 2022). "United States Space Force Hymn, 'Creator of the Universe,' to be Gender Neutral". The Times Examiner.
- ^ a b "Space Force reveals official song: "Semper Supra"". United States Space Force. September 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Willoughby, Karen (July 3, 2024). "Space Force Hymn Writer Inspired by 'Awe and Wonder of God'". baptistpress.com.
- ^ a b Goforth, Alan (July 5, 2024). "Coffeyville, Kan., Celebrates Holiday by Sharing Space Force Hymn Written There". Metro Voice News. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Biadog, Don (June 13, 2024). "United States Space Force Hymn, 'Creator of the Universe,' Will be Sung Across America July 4, 2024". K-Love. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ "Atheists Urge DoD to Scrap Faith-Based 'Space Force Hymn'". Charisma News.
- ^ Biadog, Don (July 5, 2024). "Southern Baptist Convention and Military Officers Praise 'Creator of the Universe' (The Space Force Hymn)". Christian Newswire. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
External links
