Derek Webb gets it right … and a lot of people will no doubt jump all over him for it
Several friends (thanks!) have sent me the link to this important and courageous song ... by Derek Webb. They saw connections between the song and a recent post I did on sexuality.
The sentiment of the song reminds me a lot of what I put in a post a while back, where I said ...
Many of you will remember the two lists I talked about on the tour - the list of intramural religious debates in the Christian subculture hanging on one wall, and the list of global crises hanging on the other. A year after the EMC tour, it's clearer to me than ever that many if not most Christians in the US remain focused on the "religious arguments" list. In one Q & A session after another since our tour, I've watched the conversation be pulled away from Jesus' gospel of the reigning of God in relation to life-and-death global crises, and turned toward controversies and inquisitions about doctrinal opinions and "theological correctness." Some nights, I didn't even realize what had happened until I went back to my hotel room and just wanted to cry.
If you really want to get depressed, read the comments below the music video and survey the online buzz about the song. With a few happy exceptions, so many people ignore the point Derek's making and start arguing about ... you guessed it. Sheesh.
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Robert McNamara … died July 6, 2009
I grew up seeing McNamara on the news. The documentary in which he plays such an important part -- Fog of War -- is deeply powerful. Here's a trailer:
After the jump, there's a well-written tribute to the man, by someone who formerly hated him and later grew to respect him, Jonathan Granoff. Worth reading.
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Hear Rene Padilla at Princeton …
If you're anywhere near Princeton University on August 4, check this out.
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Amazing price …
I just found out that Amazon is selling Everything Must Change for $8.80. That's the lowest price I've seen for hardcover ... I continue to hear good reports from people using the book for reading groups, small groups, church and seminary classes, etc., around the world. Might be a good time to stock up for a group this fall ...
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Back from Ireland …
What a tremendous event Summer Madness is! Wonderful people, a great spirit ... and we even had a few minutes of Irish sunshine. Highlights - there were so many - included hanging out with old friends like Jools Hamilton, Jason Clark, Sean Callaghan, and (too briefly) Andy Hickford ... meeting many new friends and having some good and deep dialogue ... great Q & R sessions (question and response) after my presentations ... and some tremendous live music. I was especially glad to finally hear and hang out with Foy Vance. His concert was absolutely amazing ... great work with loops, an uncannily powerful and versatile voice, finely crafted songs, and everything you want from a gifted performer - energy, humor, fun, and long sips of meaning as rich as Guinness from the tap.
Here are two wee* tastes of his work:
*proof I've actually been in Ireland: I caught a wee case of the contagious "wee."
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