Medication

Ok Time for another Derek Webb post. I just love this song. And the Piper video Jared posted just got me thinking about it again.

Medication words and music by derek webb
don't lie to me
tell me something true
'cause i'm only free
when i look at you
and you look so good it hurts
and love, i come undone
chorus
but i don’t want medication
just give me liberation
even if it cuts my legs right out from underneath
don’t give me medication
i want the real sensation
even when living feels just like death to me

don't paint my face
i need to see the scars
so i don't forget
the back of my tutor's arm
'cause i just can't keep it straight
which kills and which one saves

Chorus
but i don’t want medication
just give me liberation
even if it cuts my legs right out from underneath
don’t give me medication
i want the real sensation
even when living feels just like death to me

bridge
‘cause the truth is i need you just like the air i breathe
just like a freight train needs the tracks beneath
so i’d rather suffer my whole life and be this rich man’s wife
if loving you means suffering

Chorus
but i don’t want medication
just give me liberation
even if it cuts my legs right out from underneath
don’t give me medication
i want the real sensation
even when living feels just like death to me

Fun timeline of world religions

Piper on the Prosperity Gospel.

Update: Why this is important

The Coming End of an Era: Will Evangelicalism Survive?

The passing of Billy Graham's wife left me thinking: will "Evangelicalism" survive post-Graham? One definition of Evangelicalism I've heard is "anyone that likes Billy Graham." Billy Graham represented a new chapter when Fundamentalism moved from huddled shivering to partial engagement. But what institutions has evangelicalism built to proliferate itself? The National Association of Evangelicals seems doomed. It's failure would be on the same basis that many evangelical churches fold: it was based on one man, Ted Haggard.

In my analysis, I believe just as the last 50 years witnessed the split between Fundamentalists and Evangelicals, the next 50 will see a splinter into evangelicals, emerging church, and denominational realignment.

If the last 50 years witnessed a trending away from denominations, could the next 50 be the opposite? The previous generation of evangelicals were ecumentical (J.I. Packer, Billy Graham, John Stott, Chuck Colson, Bill Bright etc.) while the next seems polarizing (John Piper, Michael Horton, Albert Mohler, Mark Driscoll, etc.). As this older generation passes off the scene, don't be suprised if older denominations (such as the growing Southern Baptists and PCA) and newer networks (such as the Emergent Villiage and the Act 29 network) fill the void for a new sectarianism in conservative Protestantism in America.

Piper vs Wright

Mark Driscoll revealed a few weeks ago that John Piper is working on a book that specifically takes on N.T. Wright's position on justification. Another blogger has put together their writings in a faux interview to explore their thoughts on the issue (in Part 1 and Part 2).

Both these men have done major work for evangelicalism, Wright's The Resurrection of the Son of God and Simply Christian and Piper's Desiring God are all works which have made Christianity a reality for many people. Piper recovering Joy and Wright recovering the Resurrection. Wright, along with Alister McGrath, may be one of the most evangelical Anglicans in England.

One hopes this does not split evangelicals, as each of these men have avid admirers, as am I of both.

[To get a feel for these two great preachers, just right click and download Wright's sermon on the Resurrection here or for Piper download here.]

UPDATE 6/16: I think either some of this is over my head, or Piper may be defending a particular Reformed definition and nuance to justification. N.T. Wright wrote a paper in 1980, here, that details his view of justification, using the evangelical buzz words such as "a declaration" and "forensic." He defines justification as "God's righteous declaration in the present that the person who believes in the risen Lord Jesus Christ is a member of the covenant family, whose sins have been dealt with on the cross and who is therefore assured of eternal life."

So to find out what exactly Piper is attacking, we may have to just wait for the book...

Caedmon's Call reunion CD and Tour!!!

So they are not dead, but they are probably better theologians in their lyrics than some pastors: Caedmon's Call brought back Derek Webb to record a new CD with them and a Tour to follow! I am so there!!!! [give Caedmon's Call a listen here and Derek Webb here] :

CAEDMON’S CALL ANNOUNCES BIG YEAR WITH NEW ALBUM, NEW LABEL AND FORMER MEMBER DEREK WEBB RETURNS FOR PROJECT AND TOUR

NASHVILLE, TN…May 22, 2007… Caedmon’s Call will be releasing their 15th project Overdressed on Aug. 28. The group invited former member turned solo singer/songwriter Derek Webb to take part in this project and upcoming tour.

“It was definitely a no-brainer to record with Derek again, especially when we [Caedmon’s Call] joined INO, which has been Webb’s label for years,” says Cliff Young. “We all sat down one day and thought ‘I wonder what it would be like to make an album together’.” “We have all grown so much over the past six years, and I know for me [and I’m sure the others] it was a natural process to switch to INO and then have Derek re-join us for this project and upcoming tour.”

Overdressed is an 12 song cd collection that is unlike any other Caedmon’s Call record, being organically acoustic with emphasis on rhythm while maintaining cleverly-written lyrics. All songs were co-wrote between Andrew Osenga, Randall Goodgame, Derek Webb and Webb’s wife, musician Sandra McCracken.

...Also, There will be an exclusive limited edition 14-song version of the cd that will be offered as a pre-order only. Pre-sales for the record will begin on June 15th so check back for more details on how to get your copy!