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November 22, 2005
Derek Webb Interview
I'll post further thoughts on the idea of a separate Christian "culture" later, but for now check out this interview with Derek Webb. Part one is here, this is part two. I like Webb's music a great deal. I'm thankful for his voice and his creativity. I think he can say important things to the Church in this day of bad Christian t-shirts and cliches.
But...if his idea of "social justice" were ever inacted, it would be an unmitigated disaster. The Biblical call to mercy and compassion for the fatherless and the widow is not fulfilled by confiscatory taxes and the false notion that the federal, state or local government will solve our problems. It's a wrong idea. Moreso, it's a dangerous one.
And don't get me started on this naive premise of Christian pacifism with which he's flirting...
"[Pacifists are] the last and least excusable on the list of the enemies of society. They preach that if you see a man flogging a woman to death you must not hit him. I would much sooner let a leper come near a little boy than a man who preached such a thing." - G.K. Chesteron
Posted by Matt at November 22, 2005 11:38 AM
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» Derek Webb from peterrieke.com
I’ve been thinking for a couple days about doing a post on Derek Webb after hearing some things about his new album, which comes out on December 26. You can read an enlightening interview of Derek by Tim Challies here. My current opinion is th... [Read More]
Tracked on November 23, 2005 01:03 AM
Comments
Sounds like he's preaching the Gospel, Good news to the poor, freedom for the captive, healthcare for the sick, a Day of Redistribution for all!
Thanks for the heads up.
As to Chesterton's remark, it is a mischaracterization of pacifism. Although it should go without saying, most pacifists would certainly intervene to stop the beating of an innocent (I have, for instance). But they'd do so non-violently or, at the least, without employing deadly violence.
No, that is a bad analogy. The better analogy for peacemaking/warmaking would be to say that, if a violence-as-solution believer saw a woman/man/whoever being beaten by another, they'd start shooting in hopes of getting the bad guy to stop.
The peacemaker, knowing that shooting may just as likely wound the oppressed as the oppressor would instead step between the oppressed and oppressor and sort things out if possible and serve as a buffer if not.
In the interest of stating things a-right...
Posted by: Dan Trabue at November 23, 2005 09:56 AM
"Peace by way of war
Is like purity by way of fornication"
"My first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man,
My first allegiance is not to democracy or blood
It's to a king & a kingdom"
-Derek Webb
Great stuff. I'll check in to him further (and just when I'd written off "christian" music...)
Posted by: Dan Trabue at November 23, 2005 10:02 AM
Matt,
You write:
But...if his idea of "social justice" were ever inacted, it would be an unmitigated disaster. The Biblical call to mercy and compassion for the fatherless and the widow is not fulfilled by confiscatory taxes and the false notion that the federal, state or local government will solve our problems. It's a wrong idea. Moreso, it's a dangerous one.
What is Derek's idea of social justice? I've re-read both parts of Derek's interview with Challies and I don't see mention of taxation or government solving our problems. What is the specific Derek Webb material to which you're reacting?
Posted by: Glenn at November 23, 2005 12:18 PM
Matt writes: And don't get me started on this naive premise of Christian pacifism with which he's flirting...
Oh man— not another Quaker-bashing screed. Don't you have anything better to do with your time?
Posted by: s9 at November 23, 2005 03:43 PM
Glenn: I've read many such comments in other interviews, and I know Webb is fond of Jim Wallis and Sojourners.
Posted by: Matt at November 24, 2005 11:13 AM