The Arts

The purpose of this post is to discuss one of my current favorite albums and to feature a Christian musician who is not well-known but produces very thought-provoking lyrics. This album is entitled She Must And Shall Go Free by Derek Webb. According to Wikipedia and other online sources, the musician was formerly with the CCM group Caedmon’s Call but left a few years ago to pursue a solo career, leaving concert venues and large crowds to instead give small shows at churches. Derek Webb is a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) denomination; some of his lyrics allude to the Reformation or to Reformed theology. His music is often compared to that of Keith Green, although they are in reality very different aside from the thought-provoking, sometimes heavy-hitting lyrics. Derek Webb’s music is not targeted toward evangelistic outreach or for worship services; it is targeted toward the American church — addressing issues pertaining to Christians in the 21st Century. Derek’s musical style is solo vocal with acoustic guitar accompaniment, although some of the studio recordings have drums or other instruments. For those who are not comfortable with the style of the studio recordings, there are two that are solo guitar: The House Show and One Zero Acoustic. The style in this album is typically described as “Americana”, with elements of American folk, bluegrass, and country.

With that info as a background, here is a brief review of the She Must And Shall Go Free album, with comments on why I find this album to be particularly relevant.

1. The opening track is called “Nobody Loves Me”. At first glance, it might appear to be a country or blues song. However, the song actually carries the message that Christians should not be concerned that “nobody loves them” (aside from God) if they are holding to truth. The content of the song is based on Martin Luther, as is made evident by references to nailing indictments up on a door and preaching about sin and faith alone. As one who often tackles tough issues and posts about controversial topics, I appreciate the message of this song because if I am speaking the truth (which is not “an easy sell”) then nothing else matters as long as I am doing it under the blessing of God.
Quotable:
“I’m a dangerous crusader
because i need to tell the truth
so I’m turning over tables
in my own living room
then I might nail indictments up
on every door in town
because it’s not right or safe to let my conscience down”

2. The second track, which is the title track (“She Must And Shall Go Free”), is a little-known hymn from the 19th century, speaking of the church. Through the atoning power of Christ’s blood, the saints of God have been set free from bondage to sin. In addition, Christ’s blood marked the beginning of the New Covenant, fulfilling the legal demands of the Old. Therefore in Christ we can experience freedom rather than suffering under legalism. If we are following Him, we have peace of conscience through His grace. This is an important point to realize, as all too often we as Christians seem to think that we can somehow obtain greater blessings from God if we adhere to a higher standard than is commanded in Scripture. Now if the Spirit has led us to that point, then we must obey. But often we feel compelled (by something like a new law) to achieve something by our works. It’s not our works that earn us blessings. It’s finding favor with God by being identified with Christ, being washed in His blood, and being yielded to Him.
I tried to find one key quotable section but found that I couldn’t choose one specific section, so here is the song in its entirety:

“Mercy speaks by Jesus’ blood/hear and sing, ye sons of God/justice satisfied indeed/Christ has full atonement made

Jesus’ blood speaks loud and sweet/here all Deity can meet/and, without a jarring voice/welcome Zion to rejoice”

‘all her debts were cast on me,
and she must and shall go free’

Peace of conscience, peace with God/we obtain through Jesus’ blood/Jesus’ blood speaks solid rest/we believe, and we are blest

Should the law against her roar/Jesus’ blood still speaks with power

‘all her debts were cast on me,
and she must and shall go free’”

3. The third track, “Take to the World”, is a missions-minded song pertaining to the Great Commission. It serves as a reminder to “go in peace to love and to serve” (rather than going as conquerors, as was often the case with “missions” over the course of history). When we go into the world to fulfill the Great Commission, we do not go as salespeople that must “win souls” by our own words and power. Salvation is a work of the Holy Spirit, not something initiated by effort of man. We should go as instruments that can be used by God to have an impact on others’ lives. But do we usually have that attitude? We often think that we have everything and thus others should become like us — but have we ever considered the possibility that (on non-moral issues) there are areas where we could learn from others? The goal is not to convert and make people like us. The goal is for us to be like the Holy Spirit — and to be used as a part of God’s plan.
Quotable:
“Take to the world this love, hope and faith
take to the world this rare, relentless grace
and like the Three in One
know you must become what you want to save
‘cause that’s still the way
He takes to the world”

4. The fourth song, “Nothing Without You”, addresses an all-too-prevalent issue in modern society: those who have everything. Specifically, believers who have everything going so well for them that it is as if they needed nothing more. While this is certainly a lifestyle that I’m sure everyone might hope for, it comes with many pitfalls. If we feel like we have everything, and everything is going well, do we stop to think about our need for a Savior? In fact, all that we have will one day be destroyed — aside from what we have in Christ.
Quotable:
“I’ve got the race, got the election
but win or lose, I’ve got protection
I found a lobbyist in the devil
but I got salvation in a rebel
I’ve got everything, but I’ve got nothing
without you”

5. The fifth song, “Lover”, is written from the perspective of Christ to the Church. It specifically refers to Jesus’ earthly ministry, with underlying messages of both the freedom from captivity that we received through Christ and also an allusion to the future “wedding feast” that we look forward to in Heaven. The reference to the Jewish temple is especially strong in the words of the song: “I built it and I’ll tear it down so you will be set free.” Under the Old Covenant, the tabernacle/temple was the earthly place of atonement for sin. It was only a type foreshadowing the once-for-all sacrifice — Jesus’ death on the cross. After Christ’s death, the temple no longer had meaning or importance. The atonement was completed, and it became clear that the earthly temple was simply an imperfect type of the “greater and more perfect tabernacle” in heaven. It is through this atonement that we are set free — and as is clearly stated in the lyrics of the song, Christ “can’t lose one”. All who are atoned for will be set free and will spend eternity with Him in Heaven.
Quotable 1:
“…Just like these doves and sheep you will be set free.”
Quotable 2:
“But go on and take my picture, go on and make me up
I’ll still be your defender, you’ll be my missing son
and I’ll send out an army just to bring you back to me
because regardless of your brother’s lies, you will be set free”

6. The sixth song is said to be the reason why Derek Webb’s music is not well known, as it is this song that resulted in many Christian radio stations refusing to play his music. Why? The song is offensive. As is stated in The House Show, it even offends its author. But it refers to something that must be even more offensive to God — Christians who want to be publicly identified with Christ but at the same time want to have a part in the world. The song was written a few years ago in response to a popular book that was interpreted by many to involve “reading between the lines” in a particular Old Testament prayer, claiming the blessings, and expecting to receive great things from God in return. While it may sound good… is that really what God wants from us? Do we use Him (and identification with Him) as a means of getting what we want on this earth? It happens all the time — with politicians who put on the name of Christ in order to win their core base, teachers who advocate the use of Biblical promises in order to achieve material gain, and… with us. The song is called “Wedding Dress”, and is written in clear, precise language… language that is found in Scripture, but has been corrupted by modern society and thus is seen as offensive.

This is another song where I could not find one specific quotable excerpt. So, I am quoting the song in its entirety. Yes, it is offensive. But it’s also convicting.

“If you could love me as a wife/and for my wedding gift, your life/should that be all I’ll ever need/or is there more i’m looking for
and should i read between the lines/and look for blessings in disguise/to make me handsome, rich, and wise/is that really what you want?

I am a whore I do confess/but I put you on just like a wedding dress/and I run down the aisle
I’m a prodigal with no way home/but I put you on just like a ring of gold/and I run down the aisle to you

So could you love this bastard child/though I don’t trust you to provide
with one hand in a pot of gold/and with the other in your side
I am so easily satisfied/by the call of lovers less wild
that I would take a little cash/over your very flesh and blood

Because money cannot buy/a husband’s jealous eye/when you have knowingly deceived his wife”

The song is definitely hard-hitting — but relevant. It reminds me of the message in the Book of Hosea. It’s a message that needs to be brought up.

7. After the generally negative (or difficult) tone of “Wedding Dress”, the next song serves as a reminder of what it is all about. The general theme of the song is salvation — God’s grace calling one to Himself, and that soul being awakened to Christ. The song is not what one might picture in a salvation song — perhaps because we are often swayed by the Arminian/Pelagian influence in altar calls, and the emphasis on “making a decision for Christ” and “asking Jesus into your heart”. Instead, this song focuses on the spiritual aspect of salvation: God calls His elect (of whom He will lose none) and awakens that individual’s soul to a realization of Him, giving that individual the grace to respond in faith.

Once again, it seems most appropriate to list the lyrics in their entirety as there is not one particular excerpt that stands out.

“The image of God invisible/the firstborn of all life/before and within, He holds it all in/one name, one faith, one Christ
No one is good enough to save himself/awake my soul tonight to boast nothing else

I trust no other source or name/nowhere else can I hide/this grace gives me fear, and this grace draws me near/and all that it asks it provides

No seam in this garment/all my rags to hide/no less than your love for Jesus is mine

When I stand on the edges of Jordan/with the saints and the angels beside/when my body is healed and the glory revealed/still I can boast only Christ”

8. The next song, “A Saint and A Sinner”, is a change in thought from the other songs. It was written as an “honest love song” — no false, flowery language, just the truth about imperfect people being united in marriage. Marriage on earth involves two imperfect people. As unromantic as it sounds, there is no “perfect marriage” on earth — and perhaps many problems have arisen simply because people fail to realize this. There is a perfect marriage, however: the spiritual marriage of Christ and the Church. One is perfect; the other is made perfect.

From the perspective of earthly marriage, the song describes a very imperfect man to a potential wife. If she wants something good about this particular man, she has to accept something bad as well — because he is both a saint and a sinner. He is not perfect yet.

Quotable:
“…If you want my mystery you gotta take my clues
if you want my child you gotta take my kin
if you want my money you gotta take my rent

And it doesn’t get better once you see the light
you wake to find that the fight has just begun”

9. This song, “Beloved”, carries a powerful message of encouragement. It reminds the believer (the Beloved of Christ) that “these are dangerous times”. We are often blown around by various winds of doctrine, believing one thing or another, but missing the solid foundation. This results in uncertainty, and sometimes even a desire to “rather be a slave again than free from the law” as a modern doctrinal law at least provides a standard and guideline which one can achieve and feel safe.

But are these new laws (like an Evangelical Talmud) worthwhile? What is the end result of living according to a modern law? It can result in trading in the freedom found in the grace of God for moralism and legalism — and losing a vision of what freedom in Christ is really about.

The lyrics of the song carry a strong message toward anyone who would be tempted to participate in the latest “program” for achieving results (spiritual growth, answers to tough issues, raising a Godly family, etc.) — which really describes all of us: “Beloved listen to me/don’t believe all that you see/and don’t you ever let anyone tell you/that there’s anything that you need/but me”.
Even the most well-meaning teacher, and the most well-rounded seminar, can end up becoming a distraction from what God really has in store from each person. We tend to rely on that person, organization, or method… instead of God. If we rely too much on man’s well-crafted words, we tend to become gullible and desensitized — so that we are attracted to new and exciting teachings while lacking the discernment to verify if it is truly right. Can the teaching of man “circumcise hearts”? Or does it, at best, simply advocate a return to either the Law or else a modern equivalent? We desire blessings from God… but are we looking for blessings in the right place and for the right reasons?

Quotable:
“Beloved there is nothing more
no more blessings and no more rewards
than the treasure of my body and blood
given freely to all daughters and sons.”

10. This song serves as a reminder of the total depravity of man. Even if we try to look good on the outside — by identifying with Christ, saying the right words, and appearing as “model Christians” — we’re still depraved human beings. Sometimes we tend to try to play up the appearance of being good people so much that we lose a sense of “realness” with one another. Are we honest with one another about who we really are? Or are we content to just let everyone see how we live according to good standards and appear to be good people, without letting on to problems? Our lives look good on the outside, but what about the mind? The first two verses of the song describe a person who looks good to anyone, but struggles with capturing his mind and is comforted by bad things. Is he good because he appears good? No, because while man sees outward appearance, God sees the heart.

Even if we live the model Christian life… we’re still “crooked deep down”. We don’t need to dwell on the wrong — but we need to have humility and realize this truth.

Quotable:
“I’m not water but i’m not wine
you could say I’m just here for the party
with one thing on my mind
squeezing me and my camel through that needle’s eye”

11. The album concludes with a song entitled “The Church”. Written from the perspective of Christ (as a first-person narrative), it opens with the statement that “I have come with one purpose/to capture for myself a bride/by my life she is lovely/by my death she’s justified.”

The Bride of Christ may not always be faithful. Often it plays the part of a whore, forsaking its true calling for pleasures of the world. Still, Christ will not forsake those whom He chose from the beginning… He will redeem and cleanse us because we are valuable to Him. It’s not by our own doing, but by His choice.

“I have always been her husband/though many lovers she has known/so with water I will wash her/and by my word alone.
So when you hear the sound of the water/you will know you’re not alone.”

The chorus is a reminder to love one another… even though it might be difficult, if we don’t love one another, we show no love for Christ. Jesus commanded that we love our neighbor. Sometimes Christians advocate leaving the organized church to pursue alternatives such as individual family house-church worship or simply walk away from church altogether, regarding fellowship with others as a curse rather than a blessing. I believe this is to be wrong — fellowship with one another is a vital part of the Christian walk.

“‘Cause I haven’t come for only you/but for my people to pursue/you cannot care for me with no regard for her/if you love Me you will love the church.”

The second verse is a sobering statement about our condition — and our behavior. We have to wonder… what is there to love about depraved human beings? What do we do that makes us fit to be the Bride of Christ? No matter how hard we try… we fall short. Even the highest of standards and Godliest of ambitions won’t get us anywhere. It’s all through God’s grace, and not through any act of our will, that we’re still seen as holy in God’s sight.

“I have long pursued her/as a harlot and a whore/but she will feast upon me/she will drink and thirst no more.
So when you taste my flesh and my blood/you will know you’re not alone.”

We can’t earn our way to heaven. We’re fully at God’s mercy — but He won’t lose any that He has chosen; instead He will give the grace to persevere. As bad as any of us may be, He’s not done with us. Despite everything else, we remain special in His sight. We may struggle with one another and feel like it is impossible to love fellow believers — but really, everything else aside, each of us who are Christians are in the same position: Imperfect, but yet still justified and sanctified.

“There is none that can replace her/though there are many who will try/and though some may be her bridesmaids/they can never be my bride.”

This album can be downloaded from iTunes, or streamed over the Internet using a RealPlayer Rhapsody account (free). Another album that may be of interest is The House Show, which features acoustic music and short but solid messages (almost brief sermons).

This is not typical modern Christian music. It does not fit in either major genre (praise and worship music or “encouraging” music). It is not Christian easy-listening music that speaks of everything being good. The lyrics and concepts are deep. It’s not always easy to understand, perhaps also qualifying as a musical art form along the lines of impressionism or even Picasso. However, I find this particular album to be very encouraging in its own way, as it acknowledges the depravity of man and emphasizes the work of Christ and our total dependence on Him. This is something that is very rare in Christian music today.