Comments on: Sing Freedom! Why isn’t Christian music more revolutionary?

By: Canadian Natasha

Canadian Natasha — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 21:10:27 +0000

In reply to Stephen Williams. Thanks for that song recommendation Stephen Williams! Just shared it with my church group- I think someone (aside from me) will definitely find comfort in the message.

By: Stephen Williams

Stephen Williams — Sun, 20 Oct 2019 03:14:43 +0000

Thanks for this conversation Mike and your brave voicing of it …we need a revolution for sure there is no alternative that anyone actually wants.
I led worship for some thirty years in a church I loved whose liturgical shape went crazy with escapist ex-carnational theology and the credibility gap widened in my soul to the point that to maintain my spiritual and mental health I had to withdraw from leading worship…something I had once loved and eventually I felt I had to also withdraw from the church I had loved and grown in for so long.

The following Andrew Peterson song captures it beautifully

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=andrew+peterson+the+rain+kept+falling

I tried to be brave but I hid in the dark
I sat in that cave and I prayed for a spark
To light up all the pain that remained in my heart
And the rain kept fallingDown on the roof of the church where I cried
I could hear all the laughter and love and I tried
To get up and get out but a part of me died
And the rain kept falling downWell I’m scared if I open myself to be known
I’ll be seen and despised and be left all alone
So I’m stuck in this tomb and you won’t move the stone
And the rain keeps falling
Somewhere the sun is a light in the sky
But I’m dying in North Carolina and I
Can’t believe there’s an end to this season of night
And the rain keeps falling down
Falling down
Falling down There’s a woman at home and she’s praying for a light
My children are there and they love me in spite
Of the shadow I know that they see in my eyes
And the rain keeps fallingI’m so tired of this game, of these songs, of the road
I’m already ashamed of the line I just wrote
But it’s true and it feels like I can’t sing a note
And the rain keeps falling down
Falling down
Falling down

Peace, be still
Peace, be still… My daughter and I put the seeds in the dirt
And every day now we’ve been watching the earth
For a sign that this death will give way to a birth
And the rain keeps falling… Down on the soil where the sorrow is laid
And the secret of life is igniting the grave
And I’m dying to live but I’m learning to wait
And the rain is fallingPeace, be still
Peace, be still(Peace, be still)
I just want to be new again
(Peace, be still)
I just want to be closer to You again
(Peace, be still)
Lord, I can’t find the song
I’m so tired and I’m always so wrong
(Peace, be still)
Help me be brave tonight
Jesus, please help me out of this cave tonight
(Peace, be still)
I’ve been calling and calling
This rain just keeps falling
(Peace, be still)
I’ve been calling and calling
But this rain just keeps falling and falling
(Peace, be still)
Is it You
Is it You
(Peace, be still)
Is it true
Is it You
(Peace, peace)

By: Gary Cook

Gary Cook — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 08:07:42 +0000

Amen Mike! Since watching “Soundtrack of a Revolution” about the way songs sustained the Civil Rights Movement, I’ve been on the lookout for songs to aid counter-cultural Christians when we end up on the “wrong side of history” or face up to vested interests by trying to care for creation. There is resonance with the latter in the story of the Levellers and Diggers in England- able to read the Bible for themselves and finding God on the side of the poor, not just giving the Royalty their “divine right”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK3lw7Rkfkc
I think singing about the world we want makes a better outcome than endless chanting “When do we want it-NOW!” Here is one candidate: “God is Love” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ05CgEAsZ0
Secular songs of protest for modern audience: https://windborne.bandcamp.com/track/the-diggers-song

By: Chris Hayes

Chris Hayes — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 02:56:29 +0000

I wonder where the next Jars of Clay is. And how long we might wait for it’s arrival. Andrew Peterson is someone I’ve listened to for years, and you are right to mention him in this thread. I’m struggling to think of anyone else – there was once a group called This Beautiful Republic (our out just two albums) that comes to mind. Matthew West has a great concept of writing songs set to letters he received (3 albums worth), though even that was someone romanticized. Switchfoot sometimes will sing “honest” songs too, especially when they sing about justice for kids left behind by others.

By: Terry Boyd

Terry Boyd — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 02:14:50 +0000

This is exactly why I have always enjoyed songwriters like Andrew Peterson (The Silence of God, No More Faith and many others). Also Jars of Clay – never afraid to express fears and doubts (Where Are You?)

By: David T

David T — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 02:14:28 +0000

Thanks, Mike. I also find it interesting that there are very few songs written about the 3-year ministry of Jesus. It is like we skip from birth to death/resurrection/heaven, and forget Jesus’ response to injustice, healing, day to day challenges, taxes, political and social issues of the day.
Yes we have come a long way from “Jesus is my boyfriend”, but we still have a way to go if we are going to call people together through songs and anthems about how we should live today – and how Jesus’ ministry years can call us to respond to the events of our day.

By: Val Clark

Val Clark — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 00:40:19 +0000

In reply to Val Clark.

Here’s another go at the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxzqBI7_30

By: Val Clark

Val Clark — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 00:37:41 +0000

In reply to Zoe Cromwell.

There are bands out there busting a gut with revolutionary songs! This song, Kingdoms Collide, by Interval, was written for the Justice More than a Word event run by compassion in Adelaide in 2013.

The band is now called Grey Hearts Red. You can find them on Spotify. Andrew is a gifted musician and songwriter, all the band members are followers of Jesus. They do not do the Christian/church circuits but the pubs and metal gigs.

By: Zoe Cromwell

Zoe Cromwell — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 23:57:22 +0000

Exactly what I’ve thought for years… it’s as if so many worship groups like to sing as though they were already in heaven and blinded to the elephant of this world in the room. I was recently among a group of Christian visual artists at a residency who all had to work in our shared studio to a sound track of annoying contemporary religious songs. The ones playing this stuff doubted my commitment to Christ when I wore noise-cancelling earplugs!

By: Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 20:42:32 +0000

Thank You Mike…..you articulate my innermost frustrations and desire for change