Where Fools Rush In

Two things I would like to propose two pieces for those who think my provocations might be out in left field. One, a new book edited by John MacArthur, a well-respected and world-renown expositor and preacher. It is called Fool’s Gold. This is a summary from BAMM’s website:

In an age of open-mindedness, many believers have forfeited biblical clarity, exchanging it for confusion and compromise. They accept too much with too little discernment. But God’s Word makes it clear that not everything that glitters is gold. Doctrinal error is at every turn, and the temptation to embrace it is great. God calls us, as His people, to discern what’s good and what’s bad. In this hard-hitting, uncompromising book, the contributors lay a foundation for biblical discernment and use these principles to assess several current Christian trends. Readers will find honest, biblical analyses of some of today’s most popular Christian books, music, and ideas. They will be equipped with a foundation for biblical discernment that will enable them to make careful distinctions in their thinking about truth.

This book has just been released (March 2005), and I look forward to reading it. Maybe we can share input and ideas and read it together. Let me know if you plan on doing that. The publisher is Crossway, and the price is around $12.99.

Second, Derek Webb, former lead singer of Caedman’s Call has an album out called I See Things Upside Down. This album, along with most all Webb’s songs are provocative and profound, laced with Scripture and allegory and filled with insight and inspiration. I encourage you to get it and listen carefully to the words in songs that actually have weight. For instance, here are the lyrics of one below which are indicative of today’s church growth movement:

ballad in plain red

(words and music by derek webb)

i’m robbing peter, i’m paying paul
i’m changing my name back to saul
i got to them and you know i’ll get to you
i’m turning shepherds into sheepand leaders into celebrities
it’s holy sabotage, just look around you

‘cause everything’s for sale in the 21st century
and the check is in the mail from the 21st century

don’t want the song i want a jingle
i love you Lord but don’t hear a single
and the truth is nearly impossible to rhyme
but i know the songs with all the hooks
and i know some lies that will sell some books
so grab ‘em fast, i’m running outta time
just keep selling truth in candy bars
on billboards and backs of cars
truth without context, my favorite of all my crimes

what works verses what’s right
hey what’s the difference tonight?
take out the sign, forget the meal
we’ve got a gym and a farris wheel
i swear it’s just like the country club down the block
‘cause you can make your life look good
you can do what Jesus would
but you’d be surprised what you can do with a hard heart

i think you’ve got trouble in the 21st century
so welcome to the struggle, it’s the 21st century
i never thought i’d make it to the 21st century
Lord, i love the 21st century

i write these words from the grave
‘cause it’s the only place that i’m safe
and only the dead are permitted to speak the truth

Hope these two pieces prove to be enlightening and informative to you. These won’t be on Lifeway’s Bestseller list (because most people buy into half-truths) or on the Top 40 Christian pop music; however, for those who find such guideposts, they will find direction and discernment along life’s way. So where fools rush in, may God’s people be thorough in thought and practice so as not to be trapped by fads and trends that stigmatize us with superficiality.