Thinking Theologically About "Sweet Home Alabama"

Sounds interesting...

Russell Moore:

This week on “The Cross and the Jukebox” we’ll take a look at song that some have called “the anthem of the South.” For many who were born and raised in the state of Alabama, or the South itself, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” evokes a love of home. But there’s much more to this song than regional pride.

In this episode, we’ll take a look at what this song is reacting against and what it’s speaking to, and we’ll see how the conflicted sense of guilt reflected in the lyrics can only be made sense of within a Christian worldview. We’ll see how this song echoes something that is true about a Christian longing for a homeland, alongside a recognition that we are at the same time sojourners in a strange land.

Spirit-Filled Singing

Our teaching pastor at Desert Springs Church, Ryan Kelly, delievered a very good message today on singing in the church.  I would greatly encourage you to download it and listen. 

Christians and The Arts

(Disclaimer: It pains me to even post this picture, but it makes the point well.)

Kevin DeYoung:

Sometimes Christians make the mistake of thinking that for art to be valuable it must share the gospel or try to point people to Jesus. Such an approach usually makes for bad evangelism and bad art. Art is valuable because it can be beautiful and full of truth. We should not expect art to communicate in the same way that discourse does.

Read the rest of his good article.

A Discussion About Musical Preferences

Over at the Boundless blog there is an interesting conversation going on about musical preferences, styles, and what constitutes "good" music. Ted Slater's blog post initiated the discussion. He writes:

I had a conversation with someone earlier this week who was condemning the music of today's Christian artists because it's "loud" and "rhythmic" and "extreme." Such music, because it may provoke a physical response, he dismissed as "sexual." His judgment reminded me of Michal, King David's wife, who mocked her husband for the "vulgar" way he was "leaping and dancing before the LORD." God's judgment against her? Barrenness.

I'm learning not to be so quick to write something off as ungodly simply because it's not my preference. After all, the Lord's ways are not like my ways. And where Scripture doesn't express a clear judgment, perhaps I should be slow to express mine. At least in the realm of music.

Read the rest and check out the comments.

If you want to read my take on some of these issues you might want to read this series I did a few months back in reference to the book, "Can We Rock The Gospel?".

Christians Should Be The Ones Who Appreciate Art

Last night we had our first annual "For The Joy of Music and the Glory of God" concert at DSC. It was a great event. I think God was glorified as his creatures reflected his creativity back to him. We had a great turn out and they were very responsive to what we played. (Youtube videos coming soon).

As I was sitting backstage during one of the classical numbers, it occurred to me that this type of thing is what Christians should be all about. Of all the people in the world, Christians should be the ones who rejoice in and appreciate with gladness God's creation more than anyone else. Why? Because we know and are saved by the One who is supremely creative!

Christians should be the ones who appreciate art. Our God is supremely creative, thus we should rejoice in seeing his creativity reflected in his people.

Yes, we can walk the line of idolatry (Romans 1) through worshiping the creation instead of the Creator, but with those dangers fully in mind I think we need a revitalization of appreciation for what God has made through his people.

So I say let's get together and have more concerts, art showings, dance recitals and nature expeditions for the glory of God! Let's be known as people who fully embrace the distinction between Creator and creation (unlike the church of Oprah), yet are not dismissive of what God has made and are able to fully rejoice in it.

Who is with me?

An Interview with Steve Nichols on Getting the Blues

JT posts a great interview with Steven Nichols concerning his new book: Getting the Blues: What Blues Music Teaches Us about Suffering and Salvation. I encourage you to go over and check it out.