andrew dodson

I spent a good deal of time today listening to Derek Webb while I worked. For those that don’t know, he’s a former member of Caedmon’s Call. For those that don’t know CC, they’re a well-known Christian band (no links provided because I’m too lazy to provide them, right now. If you’re curious, use Google).

What intrigues me about Derek Webb is the same thing that intrigues me about John Piper. They’re unashamed to speak the truth. They’re not afraid to make you feel uneasy about your spirituality. Here’s a sample from one of his more well-known songs:

they’ll know us by our picket lines and signs
they’ll know us by the pride we hide behind
like anyone on earth is living right
and isn’t that why Jesus died
not to make us think we’re right

when love, love, love
is what we should be known for
love, love, love
it’s the how and it’s the why
we live and breathe and die

In another song, speaking of modern churches, he says:

take out the sign, forget the meal
we’ve got a gym and a farris wheel
i swear it’s just like the country club down the block

There’s plenty of other examples, including some that might offend most Christians. I’m guilty of a lot of what he sings about, but it’s refreshing to hear. It’s good to get a wake up call through a song and not a sermon. We tend to not expect that from Christian music today.