Derek Webb Pulling No Punches

The talk of the web (well, at least in one of my circles) is the controversy that surrounds Derek Webb‘s latest album. For those who aren’t familiar with Webb, he is one of the lead singers and songwriters of the Christian band Caedmon’s Call. He has also gone solo and worked on some other projects, including some Indelible Grace albums.

The controversy started not long ago, as Webb left this message on his website:

“It seems I’ve finally found the line beyond which my label can support me, and apparently I’ve crossed it. [A]t this point we’re not sure when the record will come out and in what form. The majority of the controversy is surrounding one song, which I consider to be among the most important songs on the record …. [B]ecause of various legal/publishing issues we’re having to be rather careful with how we do what we’re going to do next.”

The “line” that he speaks of is using swear words on a song called “What Matters More”. You can listen to it here. The lyrics are:

You say you always treat people like you like to be
I guess you love being hated for your sexuality
You love when people put words in your mouth
‘Bout what you believe, make you sound like a freak
‘Cause if you really believe what you say you believe
You wouldn’t be so damn reckless with the words you speak
Wouldn’t silently conceal when the liars speak
Denyin’ all the dyin’ of the remedy

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

If I can tell what’s in your heart by what comes out of your mouth
Then it sure looks to me like being straight is all it’s about
It looks like being hated for all the wrong things
Like chasin’ the wind while the pendulum swings
‘Cause we can talk and debate until we’re blue in the face
About the language and tradition that he’s comin’ to save
Meanwhile we sit just like we don’t give a shit
About 50,000 people who are dyin’ today

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

Now, I totally understand what he means in this song. He is not saying homosexuality is okay or not a sin. He is simply saying, as Jeff Wright agrees, that we, as Christians, have been spending more time condemning homosexuals than we have spent taking care of the poor and malnourished. And I would agree with Webb.

However, my thought is that he did cross the line this time. I think there is always going to be tension between being legalistic and not being of this world. On one hand, we don’t want to hold to our colloquial expressions like they are law. And on the other hand, we don’t want to conform to this world. At the same time, though, why generate controversy that isn’t necessary?

Webb is no stranger to controversy, as he has previously written and produced a song called “Wedding Dress” that says, “I am a whore I do confess/I put you on just like a wedding dress”. He was speaking of the church whoring itself to other gods, and I completely agree with him. After all, it’s biblical! The controversy of that song was really unwarranted.

But this time it seems he is generating controversy just to stir the pot. I understand that he took some of the lyrics from a speech made by Tony Campolo about “making poverty history”. I’m not saying poverty isn’t something we should think about, pray about, and help alleviate. But does he need to use “strong” language just to make a point. As Christians, shouldn’t we be staying away from controversy as much as possible?

Let me clarify, there is a difference between stirring up controversy and telling the truth. Jesus told the truth, and it was thought to be “controversial”. There was no way he could avoid controversy, because it was a direct attack against the sinful practices of man, e.g. legalism. The same can be said of Webb’s song, “Wedding Dress”. But with “What Matters More”, Webb could have spoken truth without stirring up controversy.

So, in short, I totally understand the meaning in the song and why Webb said what he did. But I just don’t think I agree with it.

Thoughts?