Chapman said that "He [Rubin] took those great songs you couldn't imagine ever redoing, everything from the Beatles 'In My Life' to Roberta Flack's 'The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face' [sic] and he even did a cover of Nine Inch Nails' 'Hurt.'

[2] The lyrical content of the 're:creations' remain mostly consistent with the original versions,[2] although some of them replace backing vocals, such as on "The Great Adventure (Re:created)".

[3] Chapman also addresses lyrical themes such as living life to the fullest on "Meant To Be",[4] his recent trials and journey on "Long Way Home",[2][4][5] and the foundation of faith on "All That's Left".

About.com reviewer Kim Jones gave the album five out of five stars, opining that "The darkness that rushed in from all sides in their [the Chapman family] private night that never seemed to end has given way to a sunrise of glorious proportions.

[6] Jared Johnson of Allmusic gave the album four-and-a-half out of five stars, commenting that "Songs like 'Dive', 'Live Out Loud', and 'For the Sake of the Call', known for their big production, are stripped down to their barest essentials and brought back with new instrumentation and new life.

As Chapman belts out, 'This is everything I want, this is everything I need,' you get the feeling these words mean more to him than they did ten years prior", also noting that "The original songs are just as strong, from the catchy first single 'Do Everything' to the laid-back island vibe of 'Long Way Home.

'"[7] The Jesus Freak Hideout reviewer John DiBiase gave the album four out of five stars, opining that "The positives of this release outweigh any negatives as the new songs are wonderful additions to the talented artist's catalog and the updates of the older, now dated songs are a nice touch", although noting that "longtime listeners who have an attachment to the originals might not embrace each one with open arms".

[5] Jeremy V. Jones of Christianity Today gave the album three out of five stars, commenting that "The absence of shiny, happy, radio-pop production improves several of these hits, including "Dive (Deeper)" and "More to This Life."

The restraint strips away original excesses to turn "For the Sake of the Call" and "Magnificent Obsession" into prayerful, renewed confessions of faith no matter what may—or has—come.