I’ve been a church-goer long enough to know that nothing gets people riled up quicker than talk about styles of worship. I once attended a church where, I kid you not, we sang Victory in Jesus every Sunday. Every Sunday. We sang it so much the kids and I made up hand motions just to give it a bit of diversity.
I can’t say for 100 percent sure but I think the first song I ever learned was Jesus Loves Me. The next one was Goodnight Irene. I remember that because it was the first 45 I owned. I’d listen to it over and over again on the plastic record player Mama and Daddy bought me. I still know the lyrics to that song.
God gave me a strong voice. It is this one here, behind the keyboard. I can sing but not so anyone would want to hear me. I do better in a choir, preferably one loud enough that it drowns out my voice.
Still, on any given Sunday, you can find me making a joyful noise unto the Lord. I enjoy praise and worship – humble as it may be in a Nazarene church. I like all sorts of styles of worship. I like formal choirs and fancy organ music. I like banjos and mandolins and guitar pickers, too.
I love me a little Matt Redmond or Andrew Peterson from time to time. I can worship to Kate Campbell, Gillian Welch or Jennifer Knapp. I’ve wept over Elvis Costello songs and drank coffee with him the next morning. Okay. Well he was sitting at the table next to mine. We weren’t actually talking. We were just drinking coffee. Him at his table. Me at mine. I have interviewed Michael W. Smith and I’ve been onstage with the Newsboys. My taste in music is so messed up, I can worship to a Grayson Capps tune or The Wiyos as easily as I can to Third Day or Casting Crowns.
But, despite all that, I have come to the point in life where I can no longer abide tunes that propogate a military mentality. Go ahead. Call me ugly names. If this makes me a Pacifist, well, buddy, let me quote you William Stafford — Every war has two losers.
Our worship team has recently introduced the congregation to a new song, which it turns out isn’t really that new, but did I mention I attend a Nazarene church? I like the tune of the song. I like the drum beat. I just cannot abide those lyrics:
My voice is the sound of a thousand bells
Hear me nations, hear Israel
My song is the water of the purest well
Hear me heaven, fear me hell
My dance carries thunder from the throne of Yah
Look at me, and know He is GOD!
Let our praises rise like a weapon in Your hand
Let our praises rise O God
Let our praises rise like a weapon in Your hand
Let our praises rise O God
I don’t want my praise to be a weapon in God’s hand. I, personally, don’t care much for the image of G.I. God. That’s not to say that I don’t understand the power of praise — I do.
Madeline L’Engle tells a story in Irrational Season of the boy who, while praying, says to God, “And God bless yourself.” Her point being that while all praise begins with God, it is only made complete when we offer up praise to God. Or as the old hymn says, “Oh, how I love Jesus because he first loved me.”
When my children were small I taught them the tune that everyone learns in VBS — I’m in the Lord’s Army. But that was some 10 years post-Vietnam and long before the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’ve heard one too many sorrowful tale from a grieving war widow or held the hand of too many dying veterans. Maybe I’m just tired of all this talk about the glories of war, and how successful we’ve been. Perhaps, I’m just jaded, but I honestly do not see how when you add up the number of lives & limbs & livelihoods lost, you could consider war a success.
Ever.
But then, maybe I’m just a cranky Jesus Freak. I don’t own a Rosary, much less a set of love beads, but I think it’s high time the church shed itself of its nationalistic and militaristic rhetoric. If that means singing Jesus Loves Me every Sunday, I think we could come up with some hand motions that don’t involve the use of weapons, don’t you?
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I share your concern regarding nationalistic (God loves us more than he loves “other” nations) songs. I also agree that, in the minds of many Americans, biblical references to “the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left” conjurs up inappropriate visions of RPGs and M16s.
Yet, we do have an enemy whose purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. As Paul says, “we are not ignorant of his schemes.” The planet on which we live is a war zone. And, as is said in many places, the church is the only “army” that shoots its own wounded. I’m concerned that, if we close our eyes to the reality of spiritual warfare, we’ll fail to understand the source of much of our own(and other’s) wounds and brokenness.
Thoughts?
Interesting, because that brings up the concept that praise creates a kind of ‘God zone’ where evil cannot exist (and thus is considered a form of spiritual warfare.) I have a hard time with the idea of being able to summon God’s presence (sounds like magic to me), especially as God is everywhere, not just when he is enthroned in the praises of his people. But maybe it’s like prayer – God’s will does not depend on our petitions to stir him into action, but maybe He just likes us to feel like we’re joining in, like a kid with a mother’s hand over theirs on the wooden spoon stirring the cake mix.
Good food for thought….need to chew on it a bit before commenting.
Good folks,
Seemingly, it is a short journey from praising the Warrior God, to acting out such war, not simply as a spiritual metaphor but as a violent reality. It is out of such space that righteous violence is rained down upon the enemy and that the mythology of redemptive violence is given root, i.e., goodness will resound only when evil is destroyed.
I served our nation as a military member for twenty years and well know the realities of what that means. So, I want to say, as deeply as I can, I honor that point of such sacrificial life … the willingness of my brothers and sisters, your sons and daughters and husbands and wives, to die for the life of others … even as we see on our news daily … and for their willingness to kill and to undergo the damage such killing does to one’s own psyche, for the protection of others. I believe it is a gift of selflessness that those who have never been asked to do such things, thankfully, will ever know.
No doubt, those who wage war, those who carry weapons and kill the enemy, do so because they deeply desire our peace. And yet, I also have to say, at some point along the way of those twenty years, I began to see, and it causes me great pain to admit this, that for all my deep yearning for peace, that for my willingness to kill in order that others might live, for all of my readiness to serve in such manner of war, the world did not become a more peaceful place.
And somewhere along the way, I began to hear, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
I honestly do not mean to offend anyone who might read this, for I think of you and know that you are a portrait of God’s grace, but somewhere along the way, I had to finally admit that the peace of Christ will never come about at the point of a weapon, but through the transformational love of Jesus, for it seems that our efforts to kill evil only appear to perpetuate evil, only breed more evil, only give evil more relevance in the world.
Back in 2006, the National Intelligence Estimate in part concluded, and I quote, “We assess that the Iraq jihad is shaping a new generation of terrorist leaders and operatives. The Iraq conflict has become the cause celebre for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement.” It was so in Iraq in 2006. It is so in Afghanistan in 2010. Somewhere along the way, I finally had to admit that that the only way beyond evil is by loving it out of existence.
I am not naïve. I know there are people who wish to kill us, who seek to totally obliterate us both in body and soul. I have fought them and my actions have led to their deaths. And yet, it seems there are more of them today than ever before, and in killing them, there is more of my darkness too.
I deeply love, respect, and honor the sacrifice of my brothers and sisters in Iraq and Afghanistan, waging war, as I have done, and I’m compelled to say, that these wars may transform the world, but not in the nature of Jesus and never on earth as it is in heaven. I’m ready to try another way, the way of non-violent engagement. The way of Christ.
It is time that our hymns, our liturgies, and our message finally encapsulates such love … a love that always flows from the point of forgiveness and sacrifice. That place where Jesus resides with hands open … unarmed … a place that might look like a cross, but never a bunker.
Thank you, Steve, for your service and for your own powerful message. I appreciate that you spoke your thoughts in grace and with much wrangling. Your post is better than the one I wrote. I hope everyone takes the time to read it. And to prayerfully consider it.
Karen,
You are generous and kind my sister, and I thank you for your tenacity, grit, and witness.
Peace and grace.
I desire to especially thank Karen and Steve for your comments here. You have stirred my thoughts.
There is no doubt in my own mind that centuries of history have proven the value of your words.
Jesus Christ did not lift a sword – and the world was changed. His life was and is more powerful than any sword. He died that I might have spiritual freedom from evil – then He rose again to show me the way Home.
Many men and women have died fighting for physical freedom – a freedom I’ve enjoyed the fruits of and am deeply thankful for. I honor them and appreciate them. And I’m watching that freedom disappear. Why?
I believe that the United States was founded by men and women who had a great reverence and fear of God. It was out of that spiritual richness that the colonies became a nation. They didn’t go out looking for a fight: the fight literally came to them, and they defended themselves. (And no, I’m not saying they did everything right. But there was a heartfelt desire to serve God. God honored that.)
I’m 78 and remember well World War 2. In the interim of the 70 years since that war began, we’ve seen a radical shift in attitude. One can analyze and see many reasons for this. My belief is that when men and women stopped walking in the fear of God, there was no protection from the evil around us. We are seeing this evil permeate every corner of the nation, and my heart breaks.
(Did you notice that when the US invaded Iraq, for the first time in our history the USA invaded a sovereign nation without receiving a request from that nation for help. Somehow that basic principle was ignored by the leaders of the nation: and by we the people. The USA was the agressor.)
When this happened, people here in Brazil on the streets, people I’d never met, would stop us in the malls or on the streets and ask us what in the world did the United States think she was doing?! How could we answer?
The lack of the fear of God has also permeated the church. Spiritual warfare is not standing and singing choruses like: “I came to the enemies camp and I took back what he stole from me.”
Spiritual warfare is weeping before the Lord, recognizing who we are and Who He Is, coming with clean hands and clean hearts and praying for HIS intervention. It is placing a limit on what the enemy can do: the limit is placed using the blood of Jesus and the power of His name.
When we, Christ’s followers believe His Word and walk in it, then God will move. He will bring about the change.
Politics, speeches, rallies, soldiers marching: none of these things compare with the power of the Great I Am.
Singing and stomping our feet doesn’t do it either
.
When the Holy Spirit steps in, there is spontaneity and joy (have you ever participated in a totally unplanned and beautifully organized Jericho March during a time of worship, all led by the Holy Spirit?) or in a meeting sat with others and wept before the Lord , or lay on the floor with your face in your hands, crying out to Him for the nations, the church, your family or your neighbors, because you love HIM and love them.
THIS is spiritual warfare.
Please forgive all my words, and if I’ve gotten totally off the beaten track. But my heart cries out for His people (including me) to walk in the fear of the Lord and totally depend upon Him and His Word, and walk with the Holy Spirit. Romans 8
THEN we will see our God move
I almost didn’t write this post because I thought folks might think it far-reaching to make an issue out of what many would consider harmless lyrics, just a song.
But your response, Voni, and that of others are so powerful — so much more powerful than my ramblings — that I am indebted to you all for sharing your experiences, your stories, and your own faith journeys.
That you all engage in the conversation in such a personal way reminds me that I am surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Thank you. Thank you for serving the people of Brazil, for battling for their souls.
Amazed. I’m simply amazed by your story. Thank you for taking the time to articulate so well why this matters.
Karen, how I appreciate you! I just thank God if what I wrote held together.
Just remember, it was what you wrote that got us all thinking.
Karen,
Strangely, from one who has been a Salvation Army Officer for 35 years and a 4th generation Salvationist,I share some of your uneasiness about war songs and imagery. However it is true that we are engaged in a spiritual warfare. Thank God that is is Jesus who is our Commander!
Wow Steve, Karen and all the other commenter’s, great writing and thinking to be done, grateful to Steve also for your service for us and all the other service people, I pray for all at night.
Ross: T
Thanks for joining the discussion. Interesting insights from someone who has been “on the battle front”.
I understand the spiritual warfare but I like the image of warfare that Voni presents, rather than the Rambo God version.
As an aside, how’d you ur way here?
Love it when you all participate in the discussions….
Love that spoon imagery.
Rick: While I do agree that we face a force that seeks to harm us, I do not subscribe to the “planet on which we live is a war zone.”
I am much more of the mindset of “Heaven on earth.” Or as writer Madeline L’ Engle so aptly put it: All I know is where God is, heaven is, and I if I don’t have a glimpse of it here and now, I’m not going to know it anywhere else.
Love this site Karen and especially this thread. I keep thinking someday a thinker who can write will open the door to deep thought to the rest of us. Many have and you are the first post I open after my mail from family and my Bible. Thank you. I feel I am sitting down with some great minds getting to listen in. We need to keep following the Prince of Peace and stand up for justice. In a way its simple, but not easy.
Thanks for writing, and thanks to commentors. Several weeks ago we heard Jere Van Dyk at Powell’s Books talking about his time as a captive of the Taliban. At the end of his talk he was asked where he thought the war in Afghanistan was going, and he didn’t have much encouragement. As if on cue, he brought up the work of Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea) and the Central Asia Institute as being the only way to break the cycle in Afghanistan or anywhere: in a word, the way of Christ. Are we willing to trust the way of Christ? Are we willing to even try it?
One of the early books in response to Iraq and Afghanistan was “War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning”. I fear that analysis is correct. And as Karen has shown, the imagery of war is easily called upon to give worship meaning.
How ironic that peacemakers are blessed in the Beatitudes! Not passive peace consumers, not peace enjoyers, not peace hoarders. Not warriors but peacemakers. Making peace is way harder than making war. It sure is not for those with weak stomachs and faint hearts. It requires blood, sweat and tears; but it has what war does not: Divine sanction.
Read Bob Herbert today: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/opinion/17herbert.html?ref=bobherbert
I’m puzzled by the national silence on this war. The only time I hear any discussion is if I bring up the subject. Nobody else I know does. If war doesn’t bring us glory, I’m wondering how silence about a war does anything different.
Maybe at last we have a start. Thanks, Karen.
Larry – Thank you for sharing your own heart and thoughts, and for stopping in here to share in this community. People who don’t know any better think that living a life of faith means putting your brain on the shelf, next to the Vanilla extract. But the truth is that leading a life of faith requires you to critically think your way through life. You don’t get to shove life into cruise. You know the weight of this life and how important it is to live it rightly.
I am thankful that we’ve all had the opportunity to hear from thoughtful souls. Hard stuff. But everyone seems to be thinking this one through..
I was thinking back today to a talk I gave in Atlanta in 2005. Over 500 suits in the room.
“How many will be enough?” I asked. “Will 58,000 names be enough before you decide that we had no business in this war? ”
The only person who applauded me was Nancy Grace.
Everyone else sat there slacked jawed.
I bet if I gave that same speech today I’d get a totally different response. I’m sure I would.
Just re-read the lyrics of John Kay (Steppenwolf) and Jerry Edmonton’s 1972 song “Monster”. Yes, I still have the vinyl LP and a Technics turntable to play it. The words are now 38 years old, written by an immigrant who lost his father on the Russian front in 1944 and who later fled Communism in E. Germany to get the the West, Canada and finally here. Sometimes it takes one not born here to see what we have and what we are in danger of losing. Words were written during Vietnam but fit as well today as ever.
I wonder how our church crowds would react if we sang “Monster” some Sunday? Just once… maybe right before election day… Might do us good.
Thanks,Karen. I agree. I’m uncomfortable with such lyrics myself. I do think it’s okay to refer to the spiritual battle and warfare we’re in, as long as it is quite clear that we are referring to that. And in this world, we need to go to pains to do so. We need to be clear that the way of Jesus is always the way of the cross.