I don’t understand how you can think this song isn’t Christian; it’s one of the most Christian songs I know. It really gets at the heart of what we believe, and is especially appropriate for Lent, when we are actively focusing on our sins. This is one of my absolute favorite songs; it soothes my soul. It is saying that God will accept us however unworthy or afraid we feel (and if you feel worthy of God, something is seriously wrong with you), that we just need to turn our hearts to God.

I absolutely agree. I don’t know what part of this song isn’t biblical, however I think it’s much stronger with the last verse. The last verse brings the song to its proper conclusion, just as Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension brings their reality of our “ashes” to the proper conclusion, and redemption at the eschatological conclusion of creation. This song speaks to the fact of our mortality and shows the results of the fall, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen 3:19). We have to face our mortality and our sinfulness before we can ever accept what Christ has done for us, and be transformed by His truth and love. I think that this song, as well as Ash Wednesday, speaks to that fact and helps us grasp it in a tangible way.

I’m not sure it’s absurd, Justin, but you might have to ask Tom Conroy what he meant.
I think of it in context at a service to distribute ashes on Ash Wednesday. The point of ashes is not just an exercise in humility, but an opportunity for growth in our Christian journey.
You could think of it as accepting our sinfulness and brokenness and transcending it through Christ.

What do others think?