Here's another song I've been listening to extensively lately. It's 'Ballad in Plain Red' by Derek Webb. Great lyrics. It's an indictment of our 'Mega-church, best-selling, market-driven, billboard-messaging' modern evangelical culture. Sometimes when I hear this song, I nod my head with self-righteous condemnation, and other times I writhe in self-reproach of these sharp words.
I’m robbing Peter, I’m paying Paul
I’m changing my name back to Saul
I got to them and you know I’ll get to you
I’m turning shepherds into sheep
And leaders into celebrities
It’s holy sabotage, just look around you
‘Cause everything’s for sale in the 21st century
And the check is in the mail from the 21st century
Don’t want the song, I want a jingle
I love you Lord but don’t hear a single
and the truth is nearly impossible to rhyme
But I know the songs with all the hooks
And I know some lies that will sell some books
So grab ‘em fast, I’m running outta time
Just keep selling truth in candy bars
On billboards and backs of cars
Truth without context, my favorite of all my crimes
‘Cause everything’s for sale in the 21st century
And the check is in the mail from the 21st century
What works verses what's right
Hey, what's the difference tonight?
Take out the sign, forget the meal
We’ve got a gym and a Farris Wheel
I swear it's just like the country club down the block
‘Cause you can make your life look good
You can do what Jesus would
You’d be surprised what you can do with a hard heart
‘Cause everything’s for sale in the 21st century
And the check is in the mail from the 21st century
I think you’ve got trouble in the 21st century
So welcome to the struggle, it’s the 21st century
I never thought I’d make it to the 21st century
Lord, I love the 21st century
I write these words from the grave
‘Cause it’s the only place that I’m safe
And only the dead are permitted to speak the truth
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5 comments:
I loved this song from the moment I first heard it. Though I point my finger often at the church, I am part of her, and so the guilt lies with me as well. Distinguishing true faith and worship from our American, capitalistic, materialistic culture of Christianity seems to be getting harder as every year passes. For me, the answer is two-fold. First, the more I lose myself in the love of Christ the harder it is to find my identity in material wealth. Second, and this is a recent personal discovery, the rhythm of the Christian calendar (both in week and year) brings my focus back to the Gospel and away from a market driven Christianity. Though I deplore "Christian" radio and stores (I mostly always have) the subculture creeps through in other ways. Quick, easy answers and altar calls is one way. Christ's yoke is easy and His burden is light but faith is difficult and our culture does not make it any easier.
Thanks for sharing your love of this song. We are truly brothers here.
I'm going to think more on the 'Christian calendar'. There is definitely more value in that than I have given credit for in the past. I really appreciated the Advent readings/traditions in church over the past few weeks.
One of the ways I've approached ‘distinguishing true worship’ is alluded to at the end of the song. I read dead guys. To view our culture through the eyes of men and women who were outside of our modernity exposes areas in my life where I haven't even stopped to think there might be a problem, and materialism or shallowness is almost undetectably imbedded. And I try to combine this with your first point.
I appreciate your thoughts brother.
i appreciate mr. webb so much for his lyrics. they are so needed with all the empty christian songs out there today. and empty christian followers. i know i can fall into the emptiness as well. these words are a good warning and reminder.
thanks for sharing.
hey. what is your address? i have banana bread for you and yours truly.
its waiting to be delivered : )
email me your address.
mackenzierollins@gmail.com
i will drop the fresh loaf off.
: )
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