In my previous blog entry about Derek Webb's foul mouthed music, many commenters (here and in other places where the story was posted) thought that I was upset at Mr. Webb for using bad language and was pushing him away for acting "unChristianlike" with no regard for his content.
This is not true.
First, I want to say that I'm not interested in discussing the morality of bad words. I've been told that cuss words are not bad and that Christians should use them more often. Also, I've been told that Paul used curse words in the Bible (which isn't true). I'll let you read Colossians 3:8 and that will be enough for me - it's really not an interesting discussion. Since people associate bad language with bad habits, I personally avoid it.
I'm disappointed with Derek Webb because of his approach. Rather than lovingly encouraging his fellow believers he distances himself from them and talks down to them - there are other ways to get a message across.
If you haven't heard it, I recommend Jon Foreman's song, "Instead of a Show," which criticizes anyone who would put on a show at church by acting spiritual and then spend the rest of the week ignoring the poor and unloved. It sounds a lot like Derek Webb's platform, but Foreman's tone is loving and humble. (He was able to accomplish this by mostly quoting scripture.) His tone is also encouraging - rather than attacking the church he is giving believers direction and does not act superior or haughty.
Webb's language, by contrast, is very rude. But what you need to understand is that Derek Webb's approach would be rude even without the cursing. I'm not protesting the use of a swear word - I don't have that much time on my hands - but I am protesting the hypocritical dogma of a man who accuses his brothers of not showing love through a most unloving method. It's like kicking someone in the shin and saying, "That's for not being nice!"
It is not effective to stand outside of the church and yell and those who are inside no matter what they are doing wrong. Just as Jesus loved us when we were unlovable, we must love our church when it is not perfect.
11 comments:
I completely agree with your assessment. Attacking the church in such a public way (by Webb and others) is getting old and is clearly unedifying.
Thanks, Sam. I hope you are getting over your illness.
If the cursing is irrelevant, than why not treat it as irrelevant? You seem though to be treating the topic in a very underhanded way, begging the question.
Regarding though rudeness and "niceness" as loving and also particularly the outside critique, it seems that both have their necessary places within Christian spirituality. Indeed, vast portions of Scriptures are from an "outside" the body (as in those in a covenantal relationship) perspective which distance themselves from fellow believers, as well as are scathing, harsh, and "not nice". The Biblical portrayal of love, not just in the OT but throwout, seems to paint a picture of love that challenges our contemporary understandings.
As for accusation of Webb's hypocrisy and characterization of his critiques, are you sure you have a basic understanding of his position. I don't know whether Webb is a hypocrite, but some of your characterizations, specifically his lack of identification with some of his critiques of the church, seem to fail to grasp the actual content of what he's sang and wrote.
*throughout, not throwout
Josh, have you heard the Jon Foreman song that I mentioned in the post? It is very scathing and difficult to bear - but does not push away the church. I think Webb is unloving in his attitude. The fact that other songwriters can do this correctly shows us this.
I listen to both Jon Foreman and Derek Webb. I think that they are different but their messages sometimes are the same. Webb did use a bit of a harder way to get his message through, but it isnt the first time that he tries to give this message. His previous music has been different from his new music in some ways, but some of his music has been similar to Jon Foreman's music. I think that judging isnt the way to get to others. But if you are accusing him of such things arent you judging as well? The churches around us are falling apart, we need to try and change as a person and as a church. And I still think that Derek speaks with compassion not with anger and hate. Derek is human and so am I, and until today I still think I need to learn a lot . Dont you think the same?
I hope I am not being judgemental. I aspire to encourage our efforts toward more loving endeavors. I try very hard not be be condescending but to be instructive. If I sound hypocritically judgemental then I must have failed. Hopefully it doesn't seem that way.
I agree with you Adam we need love and when we have love we have compassion. But believe me Derek has love and so does Jon Foreman.
Ive seen and heard people talk and act with out compassion and/or love. It is harsh and sometimes they say that their answer will be "the truth hurts". But the truth is that we need love, and we need to say what is in our hearts in ways that we dont hurt others but we awake them.
Sometimes we use words or sentences that seem hard, but there is a limit for those situations and I dont think Derek has crossed it quite yet.
We can be firm with the words we pick but we do need to have love to speak to others, even when it can see hard.
Yeah, I am aware of Jon Foreman's love for the church, but Webb's words seem insulting and hateful.
Adam, more than usual, you said this all very well. I'm a fan of both men as well, but over the past year or so, I've found myself gravitating toward Foreman. Part of that, no doubt, is his musical style.
But another part of it is that I really think Foreman is finding a much more loving (which is more difficult than judgmental) and creative way to use his biblical, prophetic voice than is Webb.
And I really like the "Spring" album the best of the four. How about you?
As soon as I got Jon Foreman's EP's I put them on my computer and they all played randomly - so I don't actually remember which songs are on which album. I really like, "Baptize my Mind."
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