PODCAST
Finding Faith In All The Wrong Places
March 20th, 2011
Luke 7:1-10
Dan likes country music. In his preaching classes, he always tells his students to listen to country music. “It is the best theological music I know,” he says. “It is honest to a blunt point about the wrong being done, who did it, and why they did it. It celebrates genuine grace and is humbled by the situations life puts us in.” Dan’s had more God-moments listening to country music than all the cute worship ditties combined.
Jesus found faith where it was not thought to exist–in an exchange with a pagan centurion who was part of the occupying force in his homeland. These guys were thought to be as lost as you could get. In Luke 7, this soldier becomes the best example of kingdom-faith Jesus has encountered. Why? Because he takes Jesus at his word and does exactly what Jesus tells him to do. It makes me wish there was a Christian boot camp for the church of Jesus.
March 20th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Country music is very often degrading in lyrics to women, and to men. It portrays often lewd and suggestive language and immorality. I am not speaking of all and would like to know what songs you are refering to in this post. I know there are some country songs that are good and uplifting and so would need to know what the spectrum and specific music lyrics and songs “Dan” is speaking about here. I do not think there are many songs that are “theological”. More of a study of Anthropology and of Harmartiology or sin. I would refer you to the scripture that says “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.”
As far as the “cute worship ditties”.. I agree that there are many songs that are not very spiritual and I prefer the hymns in our Old Nazarene and Holiness church hymnals. They are found in the Baptist too and the other churches if they have not taken them out. I would say we need to get back to them and the deeper wonderful songs of the church that are available and then you would feel God’s presence more as you worshiped Him through song.
I do not relate to the glib terminology of the day such as “God moments” etc. DMcCarty
March 21st, 2011 at 7:16 am
David,
Of all the musical genres except for outright Christian music, there seem to be more songs referencing God’s grace in country music than any other. That is not to say that country isn’t filled with similar sleaze to everything else in the world. But I have never heard a rap song talking about Christ’s love or a metal song mentioning God’s provision. If you want specific examples:
Jesus take the Wheel-Carrie Underwood
The Little Girl-John Michael Montgomery
I Saw God Today-George Strait
Mama’s Prayers-Jeff Bates
One Wing in the Fire
Long Black Train-Josh Turner
That’s What I Love About Sunday-Craig Morgan
Me And God-Josh Turner
When I Get Where I’m Going-Dolly Parton and Brad Paisley
Unanswered Prayers-Garth Brooks
Three Wooden Crosses-Randy Travis
The list goes on and on, literally. As far as these songs being “theological,” i’m not sure what that word means in this context, but these songs (and tons more) certainly address the idea that we are created, fallible beings.
March 21st, 2011 at 12:25 pm
I think you are making much more of a simple comment than intended. All I was saying is that country music is bluntly honest about sin and its damaging effect on people. Sometimes the church is less honest about what drinking and cheating and lying, etc. do to people. As with the pagan centurion who knew more about obedience than the Israelites, those outside the church are often more direct in their declaration of the impact of sin. I also find that former drug addicts are tougher on those in recovery than Christians who never took drugs. We should recognize the hand of God wherever we see it. This is what Jesus did in Luke.
By the way, I’m not a huge country music fan, though I do like a few artists. I love the hymns of the church and sing them often. Because a person likes a style of music does not mean that she/he affirms everything in the genre. In my book The Worship Plot, I write about how sad it is that music styles divide the body of Christ when the act of worship is the one place we are meant to be united under the Lordship of Jesus. I fear that some people worship songs/styles more than God.