Goodness Is Stronger than Evil
Goodness is stronger than evil love is stronger than hate
A declaration of the ultimate triumph of goodness, love, light, and life over their opposites. The text carries the weight of Tutu's personal experience of apartheid and reconciliation. Simple enough to be memorized, profound enough to sustain repeated singing.
History & Background
Text by Archbishop Desmond Tutu (b.1931), set to music by John Bell of the Iona Community (b.1949) in 1996. Written during the post-apartheid South Africa period.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 721
- Gather 4th Edition — 567
Bulletin Note
Goodness Is Stronger than Evil — Desmond Tutu/John Bell, 1996
Preaching Connection
Romans 12:21 — overcoming evil with good; appropriate for social justice themes.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Affirmation of God's cosmic victory: evil's defeat through divine goodness, kingdom establishment through justice, believer's responsive praise in light
Themes
Justice Peace South Africa Iona Resurrection