Glocal Christianity

Metallica and Philosophy: A Crash Course in Brain Surgery

Well, well, the things you find. Got some hits earlier today from someone searching for "Metallica and theology", undoubtedly due to some of my recent comments on Metallica's Judas Kiss and the buzz that generated. Anyways, I thought, Metallica and theology, what a cool thing to search for, so I did. And lo, I discovered "Metallica and Philosophy: A Crash Course in Brain Surgery". Prompts me to think, maybe there's a bigger conversation to be had on metal, dark alternative aesthetics and Christianity.

Musical Theology

There is no biblically proscribed way to worship God through music, but in an article entitled "Musical Theology: Past lessons, present perspectives" Joan Averett suggests that a disconnect between music and theology results in churches that "tend to 'entertain' the person in the pew rather than equip him for a deeper understanding of the gospels." In the process there are some fascinating things said about the way Johann Sebastian Bach used to express sacred concepts musically.

Metallica's Judas Kiss

Call me a heretic but most of the time I much prefer everyday music to Christian music, particularly when it can be just as effective in opening up spiritual conversations, if you're open to it. Have a listen to this song by Metallica, Judas Kiss.

Metallica has been one of my favourite bands since the mid 80s. This song, Judas Kiss, is prompting comments like this on fan sites:

One fan: The song is most likely about being betrayed. And how jesus knew that inevitabley he would be betrayed by Judas, whether Judas knew yet or not. It also seems that in some places the story is told from the betrayers point of view and how Judas felt after he sold Jesus out and killed himself as repent. This is a great song and is one of the best on the album. Death Magnetic is a classic, the best thing Metallica's made as a whole since Master of Puppets.

Another fan: I don't think its talking all about one thing. I think he's mainly talking about the evil in all of us.

Yet another fan: So it's about someone (everyone?) who has or will give up and turn their back on the world will be tempted to betray everyone and everything. And it's more likely to happen than you think.

So, not only has it got people wondering about Jesus, it's got them wondering about the sin in us all. It may not be to your taste, but is the Spirit to be found here you think?

Michael Jackson, Divinized Already?

Earlier this evening on Twitter and Facebook I speculated on how long it would take for a Michael Jackson inspired religion to get started.

Well, surprise, surprise, the divinization process seems to be well underway already.

Michael Jackson has already appeared in a tree stump where he was declared to be on par with Jesus, been channelled from beyond the grave, been identified as the Archangel Michael and also as Saint Michael. Oddly, there are some cynics.

I wonder at what point the hagiographers will elevate him from King of Pop to King of Kings? Move over Elvis and Jesus.

Why the 'house' fixation in contemporary worship circles?

This is a serious question. Why do so many 'contemporary' Christians seem fixated on 'the house of the Lord' in their worship songs and online commentary? It's 'your house' this and 'this house' that. I keep coming across it and it all seems so Old Testament. Whatever happened to "a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem ... time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth"? I mean, I worship in a building most Sundays myself, so it's not as if I am anti buildings, but why this fixation? It just seems wrong to me, out of balance. And it disturbs me when I find this stuff infiltrating my own church. Is it just the megachurch influence? Any thoughts? 

St Paul's Castle Hill - New Album

I was interested to hear from Jeff that our old church, St Paul's Castle Hill, is gearing up to record a new album. One of the leaders, Keith Baker, has linked some videos which you can view here:

• St Paul's Castle Hill: Album Update 4
• St Paul's Castle Hill: Album Update 3
• St Paul's Castle Hill: Album Update 2
• St Paul's Castle Hill: Album Update 1

For me it's a bit of a blast from the past. I no longer drive sound desks or do the muso thing, it's not really my scene, but I still have a few friends that go there so I wish them well.

God Is Not A White Man

God Is Not A White Man, by Michael Gungor Band

via zoecarnate

Songs of Anabaptist Women

Been researching and reading and reflecting on Anabaptist spirituality. Seems the ancient Anabaptists wrote many hymns, though I am experiencing some difficulty in tracking down online translations. Have tracked down some of the Ausbund hymns though. Many of these hymns, understandably, focus on perseverance in the face of persecution. The following song is by Annelein of Freiburg, who was drowned and then burned in 1529.

1. Everlasting Father in heaven,
   I call on you so ardently,
   Do not let me turn from you.
   Keep me in your truth
   Until my final end.
2. O God, guard my heart and mouth,
   Lord watch over me at all times,
   Let nothing separate me from you
   Be it affliction, anxiety, or need,
   Keep me pure in joy.
3. My everlasting Lord and Father,
   Show and teach me,
   Poor unworthy child that I am,
   That I heed your path and way.
   In this lies my desire.
4. To walk through your power into death,
   Through sorrow, torture, fear and want.
   Sustain me in this,
   O God, so that I nevermore
   Be separated from your love.
5. Many travel along this road,
   The cup of suffering lies there,
   And also many untrue teachings
   Which try to turn us away
   From Christ our Lord
6. To you I raise up my soul, Lord,
   I depend on you in misfortune.
   Do not let me come to harm,
   That my enemy not stand over me
   On this earth
7. They have imprisoned me.
   I wait, O God, with all my heart,
   With very great longing,
   When finally you will awake
   And set your prisoners free.
8. O God, Father, make us like
   The five virgins of your kingdom,
   Who were prudently careful
   To wait for the bridegroom,
   With his chosen flock.
9. Eternal king of heaven,
   Feed us and quench our thirst
   In a spiritual way
   With your food of truth
   Which never perishes
10. If you withhold your food from us
    Everything is lost and useless
    Without you we bring forth nothing.
    Through grace we trust in you,
    It will not fail us.
11. I do not doubt God's power.
    His judgments all are true.
    He will not abandon anyone
    Who stands firm in the faith,
    And stays on the true paths.
12. Be comforted you Christians and rejoice,
    Through Jesus Christ forevermore,
    Who gives us love and faith.
    God comforts us though his holy word,
    On that we should rely.
13. I entrust myself to God and his church.
    May he be my protector today,
    For the sake of his name.
    May this come to pass, Father mine,
    Through Jesus Christ, Amen.

Song: When the Saint's

Not my normal style but I am finding the lyrics of Sara Groves really resonate with me.

Lord I have a heavy burden of all I've seen and know
It's more than I can handle
But your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones
and I cannot let it go

And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought

I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

Lord it's all that I can't carry and cannot leave behind
it often overwhelms me
but when I think of all who've gone before and lived the faithful life
their courage compells me
And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought

I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars

I see the shepherd Moses in the Pharohs court
I hear his call for freedom for the people of the Lord

And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

I see the long quiet walk along the Underground Railroad
I see the slave awakening to the value of her soul

I see the young missionary and the angry spear
I see his family returning with no trace of fear

I see the long hard shadows of Calcutta nights
I see the sisters standing by the dying man's side

I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
I see the man with a passion come and kicking down the door

I see the man of sorrows and his long troubled road
I see the world on his shoulders and my easy load

And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
and when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
I want to be one of them
I want to be one of them
I want to be one of them

Song: Savior On Capitol Hill

This music video by Derek Webb is called, "A Savior On Capitol Hill". Whether they're left or right politicians are all too human. Let's not forget that.

Oh, and I reeeeeeally love this other song by Derek Webb, "Rich Young Ruler". Have a listen. I think this guy is growing on me.

David Crowder Band - Remedy

David Crowder Band - Remedy

Third Day - Revelations Songs

Came across this promo video for Third Day, which I think I mentioned before, is one of the few Christian bands I actually enjoy. I was just thinking, can any of you recommend video links for other Christian bands you enjoy? If its edgy and emotionally raw, all the better.

Song: God of Justice

This song, God of justice, is more my style of worship music. Something that goes beyond self indulgence and actually says something about who God is and what he saves us for.

Song: The Christians and the Pagans

Hat tip to John Morehead for this find, a song about Christians and Pagans and interfaith issues.

Christian Music

I have been listening to Third Day this week and I think they’re beginning to grow on me. I don’t listen to many Christian artists. I tend to listen to artists on the strength of the music, not the depth of their theology, so only bands capable of secular crossover tend to make my collection. What’s your thoughts on that?