Bulldawgy

For the longest time, in my mind, Derek Webb, has sort of been the musical poster boy for the Modern Reformation. I really dig his songs - which run the gamut from love songs, to songs of lost love, to songs of faith and grace alone. He used to be with the band Caedmon’s Call, but they went their separate ways a few years ago. I remember at a Caedmon’s concert Cliff Young pronouncing it kind of like a church plant.One thing I’ve never really enjoyed is terribly political music. While I enjoy discussing politics and its virtues (or lack thereof), I never really have liked mixing it with music. Maybe musical communication is too personal to me. Maybe it is because most musical political expression seems to me to come from a perspective that is not my own. I don’t know what it is.

Anyway, I went to a Derek Webb concert recently with some buds from church. Derek sang a song which he wrote - the lyrics to which are at the end of this post. It had some political aspects to it - and it was tough to listen to. Really - what I wanted to hear was the gospel, in song - and in word, if he so desired to speak between songs. What I got was preaching in word and song on the viewpoints of Martin Luther King Jr. and his non-violent movement for peace and justice.

I guess my beef is two-fold: (1) If I’d wanted to be pounded by the pacifists at a rock concert - I’d have bought U2 tickets and let Bono rail on me. (2) I look at Derek Webb - and think to myself - is that where reformed theology leads people? Is this the result of liberty and moderation?

One word: yikes.

Here are those lyrics…..

i have come to give you life
and to show you how to live it
i have come to make things right
to heal their ears and show you how to forgive them

(pre-chorus)
because i would rather die
i would rather die
i would rather die
than to take your life

(chorus)
how can i kill the ones i’m supposed to love
my enemies are men like me
i will protest the sword if it’s not wielded well
my enemies are men like me

peace by way of war is like purity by way of fornication
it’s like telling someone murder is wrong
and then showing them by way of execution

when justice is bought and sold just like weapons of war
the ones who always pay are the poorest of the poor