My take on Derek Webb's "What Matters More" [PG-13]

Derek Webb has released a new song, through a rather lengthy controversy and publicity stunt, called "What Matters More," originally meant to appear (and still may, who knows?) on his upcoming album Stockholm Syndrome. You can either listen to it on YouTube (see below) or download it.


Here are the lyrics:
You say you always treat people like you like to be
I guess you love being hated for your sexuality
You love when people put words in your mouth
'Bout what you believe, make you sound like a freak

'Cause if you really believe what you say you believe
You wouldn't be so damn reckless with the words you speak
Wouldn't silently conceal when the liars speak
Denyin' all the dyin' of the remedy

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

If I can tell what's in your heart by what comes out of your mouth
Then it sure looks to me like being straight is all it's about
It looks like being hated for all the wrong things
Like chasin' the wind while the pendulum swings

'Cause we can talk and debate until we're blue in the face
About the language and tradition that he's comin' to save
Meanwhile we sit just like we don't give a shit
About 50,000 people who are dyin' today

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

My thoughts:
Some have read this as Derek denying the sinfulness of homosexual behavior. I'm not seeing that at all. Knowing that Derek usually has quite a conservative, Reformed theological perspective and knowing the context in which he is writing this (pay attention to the other lyrics), it seems like his main issue is the fact that it seems like "gay" issues are what the Church seems to focus so much of its attention on these days, without speaking about or taking action regarding the tens of thousands of people dying each day of starvation, thirst, famine, and preventable disease. Our vigorous attention to sexuality issues with total ignorance of world crisis is, I believe, the main provoker of this song. Moreover, some (such as groups like the so-called Westboro Baptist Church) have preached a message of hate against homosexuals rather than one of compassion for sinners who are just like us and need Christ.

Christ came to free us from sin and he gave us the Church to be his light and his caretaker of the world. Derek paraphrased a certain part of this song from a message given several years ago by Tony Campolo at Wheaton College. Campolo said (intentionally to shock), "While you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a shit. What's more is that you're more upset with the fact that I just said 'shit' than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night."

So that's my take on Derek's song. I've met the guy several times, and he's one of the nicest people I've ever met. I thank God for blessing him with some tremendous songwriting talent. What is your take on this latest effort?

Letter to God

Here is a video spot featuring Matthew Paul Turner author of (amongst other great titles) one of my favorite books, The Christian Culture Survival Guide. I like this a lot, and I think it puts into words much of what those of us ragamuffin Christians often ask... at least I do:

Matthew Paul Turner-On Questions from Cross Point Church on Vimeo.

Meme: Five Books/Scholars

Here's a reply to a meme Bryan tagged me in. The topic is five books or scholars that influenced how I read the Bible. Not knowing what order to go in, this may be a bit random. There are many more that I could certainly add to this list and justifiably so. However, this is an easier question that it appears because it does not ask for the TOP five books or scholars, which would be insanely hard for me at some points, but simply five books or scholars. So lets dig in.

• Leland Ryken in his books Words of Delight (certainly the magnum opus piece), How to Read the Bible as Literature, and The Literary Study Bible(which by necessity coveres a few areas not covered previously). Coming from a literature background, it always seemed to me that at least some element of recognizing literary elements, style, and certainly genre should be involved in reading and interpreting the Bible. At the time I first read Ryken on Bible literature, his affirmation of this truth without denying the authority of Scripture was a breath of fresh air. My ability and training in this area to do this drastically affected my approach to literature and eventually not only made my Bible-reading more enjoyable, but eventually led to my changed theology in certain areas (eschatology for one).
• John Piper. Simply put, Piper introduced me to Reformed Theology and to the supreme goal of God's glory. Therefore, though I don't agree with him on everything, books like Desiring God and his other writings have permanently affected how I read the Bible, and I am thankful for this pastor and scholar.
• . Zondervan NIV Study Bible Yes, the classic one. This was my very, very first study bible. Kenneth Barker is the head of a great team, and this is still one of the most thorough study bibles on the market, and I still recommend it highly, especially in its latest edition, amped-up even more, no doubt to compete with the ESV Study Bible and NLT Study Bible that came out around the same time as the reissue.
• The The ESV Study Bible and the NLT Study Bible... do I really have to separate these? They came out within months of each other and are both excellent in their own specific ways. The information within the ESVSB is extensive, the layout is attractive, the theology is solid (if I sometimes think they should substantiate their arguments more than they do), and the maps and illustrations are second to none. The NLTSB isn't quite as visually accessable, but its notes address all the key issues in an incredibly accessable way – more than any study bible I've seen (just like the NLT translation itself). Both have been key to my personal study in the last year.
• Steve R. Halla, former Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of The Center for Christianity and the Arts at Southern Seminary. This first-rate scholar, whose first book we are eagerly anticipating (but, as an insider, I can assure you will probably come within the next year or two), brought to light elements in the Bible I never paid attention to before and which have also changed the way I read the scriptures. From a well-rounded aethetic of beauty and the glory of God, to our commission as the imago dei to be creators ourselves, to the Biblical support for a vast variety and use of arts in worship and corporate worship as a multi-sensory experience (see the tablernacle!), and the history of art and aesthetic studies from the early church to the present, he finally led to reconciliation of my talents and my theology.

Notable Mentions: The Orthodox Study Bible, Craig D. Allert's A High View of Scripture?, The NET Bible, The Archaeological Study Bible, and Martin Luther.

So, who do I tag? Two of my good friends, whose conversations with me about the Bible and theology have been as influential as many books, Marty and Caleb.

I've Been Tagged

Ok, so my friend Bryan (whose blog you should most definitely read) tagged me with two memes. within the next day or so, I will respond to these two issues:

1. Funny things in ancient literature

2. Five books or scholars that had the most lasting influence on how I read the Bible

These will appear in separate posts, but I will rise to the challege of breaking my near-silence on here and actually posting.

My Stance on Translations

Over the last couple of years, I've devoted several posts here to the issue of Bible translations. While, in my personal seminary training, I do not yet have enough of a grounding in languages to comment first hand on one-to-one correspondence in English translations, I have sat under several professors here at Southern Seminary well-versed in the languages (indeed, they are some of the best scholars in the contemporary evangelical world), as well as having close friends much more advanced in this study than I, and also doing much reading on issues regarding Bible translations. Moreover, my background in English has played a heavier role than any in my assesment of a translation's final product. If we can't understand it in English, what is the purpose of translating it into English. And, after all, there is never going to be such thing as a fully literal (that is, a fully word-for-word) translation, as the languages themselves would not allow it.
So, after going through a long process of travel through various translations and issues regarding translation, what Bibles am I drawn to today? Drum roll, please.

Today's New International Version – After having fairly drastically reversed my position on this translation, I am now finding it extraordinarily readable and accurate. Idiomatic, though not as much as the NLT, it strikes a wonderful balance between extremes of literal and dynamic translation. It is a vast improvement over the original NIV, even if one does not agree with 100% of its updates regarding gender language. Those are a small portion of the revisions, and most of the complaints about those are truly unreasonable when looking at both modern English and the fact that the TNIV is, after all, dynamic-equivalent and is thus at liberty to make clear in English what is clear in the underlying text and not be so rigid. It is a real shame that protests by the Southern Baptist Convention and others have undercut this work that may just be, by accuracy and readability standards, one of the very best all-around modern English versions. I would have absolutely no problem preaching or teaching from this version. In fact, depending on the circumstance, I could think of no better one for me to use. Its clear, modern English is powerful and true, and I don't hesitate to admit that it stands among the translations I now read most often, especially as of late.

New Living Translation, 2nd Edition – I like this one, I really do. I've had to get used to it. The English is modern and, much of the time, quite colloquial, but there are instances where it really shines. Especially in narratives, the translation really comes alive (hence the title) because of the powerful, clear, concise English usage. This translation is the fulfillment of all that dynamic-equivalent translation should wish to obtain. The scholarship is top-notch, and the translation powerfully conveys the message of the Bible's truth in clear, moving everyday English. I would preach and teach from this probably more comfortably in some circumstances than others, but for narrative passages (which are my favorite to work with, anyhow), I could see some real strengths in using the NLT.

English Standard Version – Just because I have gained an appreciation of the TNIV and NLT does not mean that I have any love lost for the ESV. The English used in this translation in certainly literary, but it is far from unreadable, and stands head and shoulders in that regard over the other "literal" giant, the NASB (which often would not constitute as being real working English at all). The biggest draw, in my opinion, to the ESV is that it captures a cadence – a phonetic ebb and flow – in its wording, a legacy owed to the Tyndale/King James/RSV tradition. That makes it really great to use in corporate reading. I still am fully convinced that this is an excellent, well-rounded version and, having used it without issue teaching a youth group for well over a year, would preach and teach from it without reservation.

Revised English Bible – The tragedy about this version is that it has never received widespread use in the United States. However, it is the translation I most enjoy reading, as it reads like a good book. Indeed, C.S. Lewis was a literary consultant on the previous edition (the New English Bible), and his influence remains in the revision. Slightly but not intrusively British, literary but not lofty, the REB is accurate while making the Gospel story sound like what it is – a story, the greatest story ever told, with all of the emotion and power therein. There is a beauty to this translation that is unmistakable. The wordsmiths were as good at crafting the English as they were dissecting the Greek and Hebrew. This is one that is essentially a great read among Bibles.

All of the translations above have certain things in common. All of them are highly accurate in their representation of the Bible text and are trustworthy as such. All of them have an excellent use of the English language and are quite readable, whether they be totally contemporary everyday English (TNIV, NLT) or modern but literary English (ESV/REB). Outside of these criteria (accuracy to the original languages and accuracy in English), much of the decision comes down to personal preference and ministerial context. And that is for each of us to be the final judge.

Song of the Week: "Here in America" by Rich Mullins

This is new feature that I'm starting here. I'm going to post, each week, the lyrics of a song that particularly stick out to me. This week: "Here in America" from Rich Mullins' album A Liturgy, A Legacy & A Ragamuffin Band. Here are the music video and lyrics:


Here in America

Saints and children we have gathered here to hear the sacred story
And I'm glad to bring it to you with my best rhyming and rhythm
'Cause I know the thirsty listen and down to the waters come
And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America

And if you listen to my songs I hope you hear the water falling
I hope you feel the oceans crashing on the coast of north New England
I wish I could be there just to see them, two summers past I was
And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America

And if I were a painter I do not know which I'd paint
The calling of the ancient stars or assembling of the saints
And there's so much beauty around us for just two eyes to see
But everywhere I go I'm looking

And once I went to Appalachia for my father he was born there
And I saw the mountains waking with the innocence of children
And my soul is still there with them wrapped in the songs they brought
And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America

And I've seen by the highways on a million exit ramps
Those two-legged memorials to the laws of happenstance
Waiting for four-wheeled messiahs to take them home again
But I am home anywhere if You are where I am

And if you listen to my songs I hope you hear the water falling
I hope you feel the oceans crashing on the coast of north New England
I wish I could be there just to see them, two summers past I was
And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America

On the Horizon

The semester is over and it is time to put some side projects into full swing. In fact, the side projects may become the main projects and seminary may be something I finish "on the side" as these demand more and more time in my life. Here are upcoming things that I am particularly excited about:

1. A play. I am going to be purposefully sketchy in giving you details of this, but a certain true story really struck a chord this year with both my roommate and myself. We have decided, after much talk, to write a play based very loosely on circumstances in this story and, hopefully, later adapt it into a screenplay. It is a very timely tale of art, the church, the academy, conspiracy, scandal, and faith.
2. A book. Whether sooner or later, I am going to have to write a book on the relationship between theology and the horror genre. I think there is a case for redemptive value in many horror stories and films, and for theologically provocative reasons.
   
3. Sojourn Pastors School. A deacon who was my first community group leader at Sojourn and who had continued to be a big brother for me in the faith has encouraged me to enroll in the Sojourn Pastors School, something that has intrigued me since I first heard of it. I am not sure whether I will apply for the fall or spring semester, but I have no intention of leaving Louisville without going through this. In many ways, this does what seminary never can... actually train church leaders in the context of the church. I expect to get as much or more from this as I have from seminary.
4. A studio. A college friend and I have considered, off and on, putting together a small film and other artistic media production company, he running the business end and I running the creative end. The more I think about certain projects and goals of art and ministry I'd like to accomplish, this is looking more and more like the most plausible way of getting it done. If it goes through, the film version of project 1 might be the first movie.

More details on these as they develop. God is good, and I'm excited to see what doors he will open and close regarding these and other projects.