Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Take The Blindfolds Off

"There can be a certain dishonesty in christian music."--Dan Haseltine from Jars of Clay.

"There are two great lies that I’ve heard: 'the day you eat of the fruit of that tree, you will not surely die' and that Jesus Christ was a white, middle-class republican and if you wanna be saved you have to learn to be like Him."--Derek Webb, A King and a Kingdom.



I've been really digging Derek Webb lately, a christian artist whose lyrics are those of a prophetic rebel. No tiresome cliches or "skipping through a field of daisies while holding hands with Jesus" type songs. His lyrics make me uncomfortable, in a good way. He's artistic, creative, blunt, subversive, and asks the tough questions. He knows he doesn't do the church any favors by only being its apologist, but like any prophetic voice, he must also be the church's critic, to challenge the church to be what it ought to be and call it to repentance when its gone astray.

I stumbled across the video for Webb's facetious tune, "New Law." It reminded me that we need to stop trying to control people by teaching them what to think, but need to empower people by teaching them actually HOW to think for themselves. Anyway, the video and lyrics are compelling.
Note:To turn off the automatic music playing on my site so you can actually hear the video, scroll down to the very bottom of the blog where you will find my playlist. Just click pause or stop and then continue on your merry way.




don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music
don’t teach me how
to live like a free man
just give me a new law

i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me
i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law

don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies
don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law

i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me

i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law

what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything

do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Webb has been flying under the radar from sometime. Too "liberal" for many christian radio stations and too christian for secular ones. A voice crying in the wilderness, he is.

Anonymous said...

Sooooo glad you found him. I LOVE his music, and Sandra McCracken (his wife), too!

I knew I had found something amazing when I first heard his song "Wedding Dress" off of she must and shall go free.

I love when someone can be honest and poignant, and not afraid to shake things up.

Tia Lynn said...

He's definitely a rare-breed. Much of mainstream christian music grates on my nerves. I usually listen for who the christian stations have "banned" or "boycotted" at the moment, and then I find GOLD! :)

Free Spirit said...

WOW!! LOVE him! My heart leaps within in hearing these lyrics. It's So where I am now. As a mother of 4, and one who was born and bred in religion, I am only now finally breaking free from its hold on me. And yes, freedom is what I've found, and it's the most beautiful thing I've ever known! For me, religion and confinement are synonymous. I am glad I found your blog, as I have felt very "out there" in my new revelations that I blog about; don't seem to find much support. The sad thing is that religious people are SO afraid of truth, and of anyone who starts thinking for themselves. I'm discovering that we self-thinkers ARE the threat to their whole way of life. I don't mean to pit "we" against "them", but it's hard to miss the glaring differentiation. Those who want religion spoon fed to them vs. those who choose to feed themselves.

Unknown said...

I know zactly' whatcha' mean free, I escaped from the evangelical right some years back now. Mainstream Christian contempo is some of the most insipid drivel i've ever heard. And yes you're right, back at the ranch (the fundigelical right) they want to be told what to think and do 24/7.

Spiritbear said...

"Jesus Christ was a white, middle-class republican and if you wanna be saved you have to learn to be like Him."

That is so true in many Churches. Even if it isnt said. People push the lifestyle. Our goal should be 2.6 kids and home ownership and success in business if we want to be like Christ. I am sarcastic of course.

Long live the Christian hippies. (which I am not quite)