Glad you had a great time…and I’m glad we’ll be able to see you guys somewhat reguarly . I’m curious though, what truth have you found in the lyrics of Aaron Lewis? Does the writing of Aaron Tate not go in any way beyond that of Lewis in terms of truth? Interested to know what you mean…

Pez

Staind writes existentially from experiences of the band members’ lives—many of which are painful and tragic. In similar vein, Caedmon’s writes to express the grace and redemption they’ve experienced in their own lives. (They write about the hurt, too, but I’m being reductionist for the sake of brevity). That it is possible to experience God’s love and kindness does not invalidate the reality of pain and suffering.

Because art is by nature a subjective self-expression, I would steer clear of ascribing exclusive truth claims to any artist. Note that this is entirely different from a belief in the God of truth, who is unencumbered by the shortfallings and misconceptions that we inevitably experience. Our view of reality is skewed and contorted by our own subjectivity. His is not.

I think that the fundamentalist idea that there’s some sort of inherant inspiration going on just because I write a song that’s “Christian” is actually quite damaging. Artists write about what they feel and experience in the world around them and their perspectives should only be valued only as far as that. While I appreciate and relate to the lyrics of, say, Michael Card, they’re not the Scriptures.

“Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be mastered by anything.

(I know, his context was specifically about sexual immorality and the purposes of our bodies, but the overall emphasis of what K is saying applies on an intelectual/spiritual level- I also get the feeling that Paul was corrolating how our physical bodies need to measure up to the same standards as our spiritual walk – but that’s a topic for another time)…

*puts on his best Jode voice* – I guess the bottom line escence is… why would you listen to Aron Lewis? What are the motives behind that act. Trust me, K, I – an Eddie Vedder wannabe… well… a fading one at least – am not judging at all. There may be value, even spiritual value, to listening to Staind, given the proper context. For instance, if you are tuely hoping to minister to people in that genre of life, finding out what is motivating them and impacting them is extremely important. If Staind is where their salvation lies, you better understand what they say and sing before trying to explain the Absolute Truth.

I agree on one aspect entirely- since I’ve been tuning in to Star 99.1 so much lately; secular music, in general, is far more honest than christian music (in general). Don’t the Christian music artist realize that just singing “christian” bubble gum songs is defiling them! It is a sin, for crying out loud!

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me….

What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’

I would personnaly much rather listen to someone’s honest, but sinful or struggling heart, than to someone’s false worship!

And in the process of struggling with this myself… I find that my heart only is satisfied when listening to music with the precepts of God on my mind… most often leading to “praise and worship style” music (like sonicflood, matt reddman, deleriou5?, Kurios)…

Not that I don’t pop in Ten by Pearl Jam now and again, but I have to ask myself… “Jai… what’s the value?”- and if there is no answer beyond that I want to because I want to… then I guess I’m sinning!

Damn my sin to Hell!

I think I understand better what you are saying: Neither Michael Card nor Aaron Lewis are inspiried, and therefore do not write truth, but rather express through art their experiences.

I agree with that and agree with the subjectivity of any kind of expression, save God. You used the word “exclusive” which is different from absolute. Anyone can make the statement “God exists” and be making a true statement. That right is not limited to “Christian” artists. Your background and experiences do not change the fact that God exists. It is here where I was finding difficulty in your statment that you find as much truth in Staind as Caedmon’s call. Neither band writes truth, however one band, on occasion, declares truth. “No there is none righteous, not one who understands” is a declaration of truth. Granted, this declaration is in relation to the author’s “thankfulness” of his inability in life to merit any favor with God–an experience, and comes through his subjective veigns.

To conclude my ramblings, I see a difference between trying to understand and appreciate somone’s experiences verses “setting your minds on things above” (Col 3:1). The question becomes, can art, whether music or whatever, turn one’s mind to the things above? In this sense, yes, I believe there is a measure of truth (albeit somewhat skewed) to be found in music. Reading Staind may cause me to sympathize with the childhood of the author, and understand where he is coming from, but agreeing and hearitly singing along with “I’m so thankful that I’m incapable” is something else. I’m not saying that both aren’t valuable, I’m just saying they are different.

Seriously though, Ken your web site rocks. Always good stuff to be read here.

Its good to think!