This week in Christian history: ‘Because He Lives’ first released, Bethel Bible Institute founded

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, October 15, 2023

'Because He Lives' first released – Oct. 18, 1971

Gaither and his wife Gloria have written more than 600 songs, many of which have become popular standards of Christian music, for which they were named ASCAP’s Christian Songwriters of the Century.

This week marks the anniversary of when the popular hymn “Because He Lives” was originally released by Gospel Music Hall of Fame couple Bill and Gloria Gaither.

While released in 1971, the song traces its origins to the 1960s, when the couple was expecting their third child and was worried about bringing a child into an unstable world.

“But when Benjy was born and the nurse laid that little guy in our arms, it was an ‘a-ha moment’ of sorts. We came to realize that we don’t get married, make a home, have babies and go about our lives because the world is stable. When has it ever been stable?” recounted Gloria Gaither in a 2021 interview.

“We live our lives with confidence because the Resurrection is true. We held our son and said, ‘We can do this. We can raise this child in this unstable world because of the power of life. Life wins! And because our Lord is alive, we can trust Him with our future.’ Honestly, it was a song we wrote for us.”

Awarded the “Gospel Song of the Year” in 1974, “Because He Lives” has since made it into numerous hymnals and has been performed by many different artists and choirs.