I’ll make you click through to read the possibly-controversial lyrics Eric wrote, but I want to quote his discussion of them after the fact:
These are potentially expensive words. I see how they could easily be misinterpreted or taken out of context without knowing the story’s backdrop. Hence, they may be expensive in that customers might want their money back after purchasing a “christian” album expressing such sentiments. I have no idea how the song will be received, as it is hopefully as honest in its narration as the true story on which it is based. The reality of humanity is that we owe to grace as great debtors. In our worst moments, we curse the blessing of our own skin, our own breathing in and out, the universe and Maker alike. In our best moments, we remain desperately in need of that which is beyond our frailty or capacity to bring anything good to the Mercy Table. I struggled for weeks, in the process of writing it, to allow the main character the red-blooded freedom to tell God, “I hated you that day.” That is not the sort of cheap, plastic, pre-fab line that floats easily upon the waters of this industry. I am trying to be as honest as I can, since I so personally and closely related to the story of my friend’s losing and losing, while in the midst of such tremendous anger, hostility towards God, loss of income and business, found himself spewing those very words with all the venom and bile his hard, tired heart could muster. And in the process, God still showed up with all the mercy and hope He ever possessed.
The emphasis is Eric’s, but that’s where I would’ve put it, too. I personally have written before about what doubt is to us as Christians, but I don’t think that writing about sinful things is, in and of itself, sinful. After all, Christianity teaches [or at least it should] that we are sinners, broken and needy. If we learn this through anything other than our own foibles with sin, we learn it through others’ experiences—and I have the feeling that this kind of song that Eric’s talking about, while it might be hard to hear, is what we need to hear. The lyrics he quoted struck within me ways that I’ve felt at dark hours, and it’s important to know that others have felt that way and moved on from there to right thinking and living. Not that any of us have attained all this…
All you northeastern/New England types … heads up.
New England, represent!
If you’re a fan of Andrew Peterson on Facebook, you got the following today:
Tentative Andrew Peterson Tour Schedule in July
July 10-OPEN
July 11- First Evangelical Free Church-Brooklyn, NY
July 12- Walnut Hill Community Church-Bethel, CT
July 13- Grace Redeemer-Teaneck, NJ
July 14-OPEN
July 15- Lakeside Community Church – Limerick, ME
July 16- Hope Baptist Church-Manchester, ME
July 17-OPEN
July 18- First Baptist Church-Portland, ME
July 19 (Morning Show)- Stroudwater Chstian Church-Portland, ME
July 19th (Evening Show)- First Baptist Church-Weymouth, MAWe are still looking for a church in Washington DC or Philly for July 10th.
We are also looking for a venue near Boston, New Hampshire, Vermont, or Rhode Island for July 14th (Tuesday Night) and July 17th (Friday Night).
The only thing we are asking for is a crowd of 250 or more, 1 night hotel for Andrew and I, and dinner the night of the show.
Any thoughts?
Email me-Josh@Centricitymusic.com
Thanks!
Josh Petersen (Andrew’s Marketing Guy)
Can you plug those gaps?
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