Christian Overtones in non-Christian art

[christopher]

Does anyone else ever hear non-Christian music (sorry, I’ve grown dislike the word ‘secular’) and find Christian applications in them? This happens to me a lot for some reason. Here are a few examples:

Regarding marginalization of Christians that think different than we do, this verse from the song ‘Subdivisions’ by Rush resonates with me:

Growing up it all seems so one-sided
Opinions are provided
The future pre-decided
Detached and subdivided in the mass production zone
Nowhere is the dreamer or the misfit so alone.

This song is about high school cliques, but I can’t help hearing a truth about many (if not most) western churches as well. For some Christians (myself included) finding a community to “fit in” with is very challenging.



Also, related to my passion for unity of the Church, there is my favorite U2 song ‘New Years Day’ which says:

Say it’s true, it’s true…
And we can break through
Though torn in two
We can be one.

Though they’re likely speaking of either Ireland or world peace in general, I think of the church when I hear that line.



Another example from U2 is from the song ‘One’.

You say love is a temple, love is a higher law
Love is a temple, love the higher law
You ask me to enter, but then you make me crawl
And I can’t be holding on to what you got, when all you got is hurt.


Like the Galatians, how often do we invite people into the freedom of love that is in Christ, then burden them down with a bunch of ‘new laws’ to follow. This reminds me of a Derek Webb song (which actually is Christian):

A New Law
(vs. 1)
don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music

don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law

(pre-chorus)
i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me

(chorus)
i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law

(vs. 2)
don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice

don’t teach me about loving my enemies

don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law

(pre-chorus/chorus)

(bridge)
what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid



Anyway, I’d be interested in knowing whether this phenomenon of Christian overtones in non-Christian artistic expressions catches anyone else’s attention and I’d love to see some more examples.

[Alex]

I agree strongly with the premise. I think it points to a universality of what is valued in Christian teaching.

I also find it often reveals outlets for Christians to create beyond the traditional boundaries of their assigned genre.

I'll dig up some examples in my life.

[Josh]

I experience and appreciate this phenomenon all the time to the point that I can't easy separate "christian" music from "secular" anyway.

I'm a big fan of U2 and Dylan in this regard, but they don't really count as secular.

I have moments of worship often when listening to the Who-- even CCR (Walk on the Water), Blues Traveler, Live, the list goes on....

I posted a thread similar to this entitled Billy Joel Exegesis, if you're a Joel fan (I'm not a huge fan, but some of his songs have definitely had this effect on me)

Chris, your Rush reference made me think of an 80's song by a christian artist named Steve Taylor. Ever heard of him? He's one of my favorites because instead of doing the usual christian music thing, he pioneered new ground and served the needed (but largely unheeded) role of critic to some of Christendom's worst features during the 80's (along with my favorite band Daniel Amos) Among the issues he addressed (materialism, word of faith excesses, insular christianity, etc..) was the topic of cookie-cutter Christianity. You'd probably appreciate this one:

I Want to Be a Clone by Steve Taylor

I'd gone through so much other stuff
that walking down the aisle was tough
but now I know it's not enough
I want to be a clone

I asked the Lord into my heart
they said that was the way to start
but now you've got to play the part
I want to be a clone

chorus:
Be a clone and kiss conviction goodnight
cloneliness is next to Godliness, right?
I'm grateful that they show the way
'cause I could never know the way
to serve him on my own
I want to be a clone

They told me that I'd fall away
unless I followed what they say
who needs the Bible anyway?
I want to be a clone

Their language it was new to me
but Christianese got through to me
now I can speak it fluently
I want to be a clone

(chorus)

Send in the clones
Ah, I kind of wanted to tell my friends and people about it, you know
What?
You're still a babe
you have to grow
give it twenty years or so
'cause if you want to be one of his
got to act like one of us

(chorus)

So now I see the whole design
my church is an assembly line
the parts are there
I'm feeling fine
I want to be a clone

I've learned enough to stay afloat
but not so much I rock the boat
I'm glad they shoved it down my throat
I want to be a clone

Everybody must get cloned

Here's a website if you interested in Steve Taylor:

www.sockheaven.net/

[christopher]

Yeah, I heard him interviewed on the Drew Marshal show one time. I never listened to him though. I think I would like probably like it.

Hilarious song.