In some recent posts on hyper fundamentalism (IFBx), I pointed out a devaluing of discernment and also explored some possible reasons that many people are attracted to this movement. One of those reasons, incidentally, was the removal of discernment. With hyper fundamentalism there is less need of personal discernment. Rather, one simply must conform to all of the positions mandated by the big personality who is in charge of that particular branch of the movement. Professor Lucas said it this way, “Well, one reason has to be that they provide very simple, black and white, answers to the challenges that face most American families…”.
In my experience with this kind of fundamentalism, I found that many people really did not want to think through things on their own. It was easier to just go with what preacher said. And further, independent thinking, was not often explicitly encouraged, while conformity was.
I think that this mentality of choosing to follow a leader, rather than exercise personal discernment, is part of human nature. It is more than just a fundamentalist’s problem. It is easier to just vote on party lines, or follow each item on the party’s platform. And it is easy to just follow a leader (like John Piper–I am not exempt from this human tendency…) and adopt all of his positions.
We all need to be aware of this tendency and also need to understand that Scripture calls us to exercise wisdom personally. We must discern. Yes it is wise to get counsel, and following godly leaders can be wise. But ultimately we must answer for our own actions, and we men must lead our own families.
All of this is an introduction to a song which expresses this tendency well. It is a song I hope you will listen to and let its message sink in. May God keep us from being the kind of person who wants to find comfort in “a new law”.
I Want a New Law
Derek Webb
Verse 1:
Don’t teach me about politics and government,
just tell me who to vote for.
Don’t teach me about truth and beauty,
just label my music.
Don’t teach me how to live like a free man,
just give me a new law.
Chorus:
I don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy,
so just bring it down from the mountain to me.
I want a new law,
I want a new law,
gimme that new law.
Verse 2:
Don’t teach me about moderation and liberty,
I prefer a shot of grape juice.
Don’t teach me about loving my enemies.
Don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit,
just give me a new law.
Chorus (again)
Bridge:
What’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything.
Do not be afraid,
do not be afraid,
do not be afraid.
You can actually get the entire CD that this song is on for free by spreading the word to five friends by email. Click here for details. For a good review of that CD (Mockingbird) click here. For a free music video of this song, click here. For more info on Derek Webb, check out his website.
Wow! Talk about hitting a lot of hot buttons in such a short song! I might just have to look this CD up. (Or maybe borrow it from Ken since he seems to have everything.) Sorry, Bob, couldn’t resist. I’m done though – seriously!
Just watched the video! Very good! The masks were a great visual.
Don,
My favorite line is “Don’t teach me about moderation and liberty, I prefer a shot of grape juice.” Of course you might have guessed that would be the case with me!
Isn’t that the ONLY reason you like this song?
I guess I get to be the party pooper.
Honestly, I didn’t like the song. I think different lyrics would’ve conveyed the message better. (I didn’t care for the insinuation that those who have “shots of grape juice” don’t teach liberty and moderation – I’m assuming that was a jab at the teetotalers).
The lyrics were quite elementary, and they didn’t even rhyme! 😉
Also, I found the melody really annoying, and it seemed that the “do not be afraid” ending would never end.
Nevertheless, this is still one of my favorite blogs!
Ah!, Regler Joe, you are indeed one of my favorite readers!
I understand that many people are not used to this genre of music. It would make a really bad hymn or poem, but artistically it was a pretty good Christian rock song.
I think the lyrics may have said too much especially with the “grape juice” line. But they were intended to get us thinking, and I think it worked.
I agree about the never ending “do not be afraid”. I still don’t “get” that aspect to many CCM songs.
In days to come, I hope to start posting more about the CCM songs that I personally really like. This one is okay, but its message was dead on to those posts of mine earlier, so I wanted to post it. There are some really great CCM songs, that people unfamiliar with CCM would probably even like! I hope to showcase those kinds of songs soon.
Thanks for still reading! One of the things about blogging is you get to fellowship with people of many different backgrounds. You find you can agree with them on some things and strongly disagree on others and yet still enjoy Christian fellowship! I think that this glorifies Christ in that our union in Him and around His Word is more important to us than letting minor differences separate us to the degree that we do not fellowship at all!
God bless you richly in Christ, Joe,
Your brother,
Bob Hayton