Thread: Stockholm Syndrome

Has anyone else bought Derek Webb's brand-new album? What think ye?

Chris, I considered it, but think I'll wait and just buy particular songs. As I've said before, I like Webb's earlier stuff. I even liked some from his last album, but more and more he's gearing toward social stuff. That's not bad in itself, just not my cup of tea.

So, is this Derek Webb a Christian? I am confused because from my perusing YouTube just now it sounds like it yet there was cursing in at least one of his songs.

i've been a pretty die-hard Derek Webb fan since he went solo. He has always pushed some boundaries on his albums but this time he went to far with the cussing on his songs. I liked half the songs on the album but I have several reasons for why I think he went to far this time and I can't, in good conscience, support him or recommend him to anyone.

I just got Webb's new album and am enjoying it. It's very different musically from his earlier albums, it has a lot of synth/electronic sound in it-very experimental. Lyrically, I appreciate that he pushes CCM boundaries and isn't afraid to sing about what often needs to be said. I personally don't have a problem with his use of a couple cuss words (because of the context and how he uses them). I think the way words are used and the attitude of the heart behind them are more important than the syllables that make them up. I don't really see a difference between angrily exclaiming "Shoot!" and angrily exclaiming a cuss word-in either case it's an angry heart behind the word that is the problem, not the word itself.

Ergh . . . someone who is angry about injustice can swear in a moral way? With all due respect, how is that biblical?

Originally Posted by AThornquist

Ergh . . . someone who is angry about injustice can swear in a moral way? With all due respect, how is that biblical?

This has been debated in a number of threads. I don't really see a difference between using a culturally acceptable word like "shoot" or "dang it" when angry about injustice and using a word that has been culturally stigmatized as a swear word. I prefer to place the question of morality at the level of the heart and attitude rather than at the syllables pronounced from the mouth. And in general, I would agree that swearing proceeds from a sinful heart and attitude, and thus is sinful, but I don't think we can automatically chalk up every use of a swear word as sinful.

This is how a Puritanboard Freshman gets flamed. Observe.

I have the majority of Derek Webb's newest album memorized, because I listened to it multiple times daily for over a month. I love it musically, and I enjoy his lyrics because he simply calls the shots as he sees them.

As to his use of profanity, I have no issue with it. This video explains why. (There is a disclaimer attached to the video. Read carefully.)

http://www.youtube.com/v/YUtPBCELCZc&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0

OK, now I am officially an old geezer: Who's Derek Webb?

Stephen:

You broke the video.

If you are trying to post it from YouTube, just paste the URL in the "Insert Link" button pop-up (the third button to the left of the smiley face on your Quick Reply's user panel or, if in a normal Reply, right below it). The words that are automatically highlighted are the words that show as the title, so you can safely remove the highlighted words and type in whatever title you want. Then just hit reply.

[Edit - Now it's fixed ]

Originally Posted by strangecharm

This is how a Puritanboard Freshman gets flamed. Observe.

I have the majority of Derek Webb's newest album memorized, because I listened to it multiple times daily for over a month. I love it musically, and I enjoy his lyrics because he simply calls the shots as he sees them.

As to his use of profanity, I have no issue with it. This video explains why. (There is a disclaimer attached to the video. Read carefully.)

I clicked on the link and my browser crashed. So consider yourself flamed.

I'm not sure what to think about that video . . . I understand what Tripp means to say, but I don't think I agree. My first impression is to conclude that he has a false premise, that certain words are suddenly not crude or rude because of one's intentions.

He actually categorizes "bad words" as followed.

1. Damnation
2. Inherently sexual/violent
3. Simply impolite

If a word falls into category number 3, as the word in question does, THEN intention is the issue.

-----Added 8/29/2009 at 11:06:14 EST-----

I tried to embed....this place hates tags I guess

Derek Webb doesn't use his "cuss" words in proper context cause the definition of that word does not fit with what he is saying. Apparently he and the record company even recognize that the words aren't fitting since you can either buy his "uncensored" or "censored" version. Sure he has good points, but that doesn't make it ok, that's pragmatism. I would be more impressed if he could make his point without using those words. Go up to your mother, a cop, or your pastor and read the lyrics and see what happens

My mom didn't flinch.

My pastor would call it unwise.

I know no cops.

I LOVE Derek Webb. He is my favorite musician. I have not bought this yet, but I will. I don't like the techno sound (sorry, music snobs, if this is not actually techno--I guess I mean electronic) but I will buy it to support him and hopefully enjoy it eventually.
Plus, my husband likes the sound and equally loves DW.

I have sworn before () so it would be incredibly hypocritical of me to criticize him for it.

I'd rather listen to swearing in the lyrics of a non-Christian group. At least they are not being hypocritical in getting paid to represent the world's demeanor...

Martin Luther swore....does that count?

Luther didn't swear to sell records to a broader audience.

Even so, swearing from anyone (pick your favorite from Church history) is a work of the flesh, and is to be repented of, not profited from.

Originally Posted by Archlute

Luther didn't swear to sell records to a broader audience.

Even so, swearing from anyone (pick your favorite from Church history) is a work of the flesh, and is to be repented of, not profited from.

Why is swearing a work of the flesh??

And I doubt that DW used the S word in order to sell more records.

Colossians 3:1-10 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Several years back, LawrenceU told us about a saying either his dad, or some other authority figure told him. The principle of it has stuck with me since then, and it was something along the lines of "Cursing is simply the evidence that someone has a very limited vocabulary." It was much more poignant than that, but it was quite good.

If the world uses words that even it considers risque, why o why would we, who are to be separate from the world, engage in such shoddy behavior? This can't be likened to the consumption of alcohol, etc. since such things are not only permitted, but commended in Scripture. The use of vulgar language is never commended, and is, in fact, condemned. If we say that the use of vulgar language is not what the Scripture writers are talking about, then where do we draw the line? At what point is our language not okay any more? If we have other and better ways of expressing things, then why, as Christians, would we choose the more debased manner of saying them?

I like Derek Webb; I enjoy much of his message. Before joining the puritan board, I was heavily involved on the (Derek) Webboard. In fact, if you are sneaky enough, you might be able to figure out who I am on the new secret Derek Webboard (She Must and Shall No Longer Exist : the webboard reloaded - Index) because I still participate there occasionally. All that is to say that I find, in this album, much of the cursing is a bit contrived. It's to get a rise out of his audience but much of his audience already agrees with him so that makes the attempt pretty lame. The style of music is fine, I suppose, but I miss my folksy Derek.