Thursday, May 15, 2008
Every time I hear Green Day’s American Idiot I feel like sneaking down to Washington DC under the cover of night and slitting George Bush’s tires.
The pent-up frustration...
The anti-war sentiment...
The weariness the American public feels right now...
The song seems to capture it all.
But it’s the punk band’s 9 minute Jesus of Suburbia that unsettles me more than any song on their latest album.
Even though most evangelical parents will never hear it played on their radio stations, Jesus of Suburbia is one of the most prophetic rebukes of lukewarm Christian faith delivered in years.
Jesus of Suburbia begins…
I'm the son of rage and love
The Jesus of Suburbia
From the bible of "none of the above"
On a steady diet of soda-pop and Ritalin
No one ever died for my sins in hell
As far as I can tell
At least the ones I got away with
Green Day follows in the footsteps of legendary punk bands like The Clash, The Ramones and The Sex Pistols, so you expect them to be anti-everything.
But there’s something deeper lurking behind the words: It’s the thoughts of grown-ups raised in homes sprinkled with a veneer of Christian sensibility – homes with just enough Jesus to keep them off drugs while growing up, but not enough to fully convert the self-centered suburban lifestyles of their parents.
Jesus veneer + unconverted lifestyles of parents = disciples of the Jesus of Suburbia
Their creed? Their statement of faith? Read below…
Everyone's so full of sh--
Born and raised by hypocrites
Hearts recycled but never saved
From the cradle to the grave
We are the kids of war and peace
From Anaheim to the Middle East
We are the stories and disciples
Of the Jesus of Suburbia
Land of Make Believe
And it don't believe in me
Land of Make Believe
And it don't believe
And I don't care!
I don't care
I don't care
I don't care
I don't care!
Every time I pick up a Christian book on parenting the author is quoting some George Barna quote about how we better hurry up and help our kids make a profession of faith before they turn 18 years of age, or we’ll lose them in adulthood.
That’s stupid.
If there’s any hurry, any rush, any sense of radical urgency, it should be to live out the real deal in front of our kids first.
Otherwise we can help them make a zilion professions of faith before 18 and they'll still end up singing right along with Green Day...
Read other posts in this series:
Shuffling God In My iPod
Don’t Censor Me _ _ _ Dammit
Neil Young’s Million-Dollar Question
How To Raise Kids That Hate Christianity
If I Were To Lose My Faith Again, It Would Be Over This
How To Raise Kids That Hate Christianity
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14 comments:
If it was Al Gore or John Kerry, you'd get the same anti song. Understand GWB is not the problem, but the main point of your post is. Young ones (and a faction of each political party) will always trash the president.
I just wish they'd never forget 9/11. Hard to believe that is just 7 years ago and we are already to dumb to remember.
We are raising children in fake Christian homes.
The first gospel you children ever see is you.
Excellent and provocative points. I think we do our kids a major disservice in two ways: Not sharing the real and clear Gospel, and by living our lives differently during the week than we do on Sunday morning. If our faith is real then it ought to manifest itself in the way we live, love, work, donate, serve, read the Bible, pray, etc.
did you just buy this album or something? I think it came out in 05.
Brian-
Sounds like you need a new radio, or try 1380 AM about 7AM, then listen again at 2:30PM
or listen on line at http://www.holyspiritradio.org/index.html
Then get off U tube try God Tube here is the best.
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5
Viva Cristo Rey!
Gene
Brian - Excellent point and a perfect example.
I have only one criticism - you compared pop-punk prototypes Green Day with legendary bands like The Clash, Sex Pistols and Ramones. This is just plain wrong and you'll know how wrong when God punishes you with an entire losing season for Ohio State next year =)
Have a great day!
Jon
Rather than slash Bush's tires, maybe we could pray for him?
http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ppt_extra3_080508
After 14 years of youth ministry, I fully agree with your thoughts in this blog. Personally, I see more church attending parents interested in the events the church or others can offer their kids, than they are in their children's spiritual growth and love for Jesus Christ. Here is a great follow up to your this blog that helps parents discover how to disciple their children toward a passionate love relationship with Jesus Christ - http://ronklabunde.com/2007/07/17/parenting-teenagers-to-passionately-love-god/
Great write up Brian!
I can't wait to what Americans will say in 4 years when the little "O" or the "Lady" or the "old man" get in. We will wish GWB was still in office and realize what a great leader he is.
Challenge your kids (teens and preteens) to start making a real difference in their faith and their world. Have them read a book by 2 Christian teens about defying societies low expectations for them...
www.amazon.com/Do-Hard-Things-Rebellion-Expectations/dp/1601421125 - 254k -
It doesn't matter who is in office because God is sovereign!
Brian, right on the money with this one. I have felt the same way about this Green Day album since it came out. They have captured the essence of what is wrong with fake Christianity and fake politicians and exposed them for all the world to see. And it's great music (They did rip off The Ramones to a certain extent).
Little known fact: The title of their accompanying DVD "Bullet in an Bible" was NOT a commentary on the bible, but rather was referring to a museum exhibit they happened to see in Germany, an actual bible with a bullet lodged in it.
Related comment: Neil Young's "Living with War" is a great listen if you haven't yet. It came out in 06 and attacks some of the same issues.
excellent Brian.
"I walk alone" is one I have used for illustrative purposes..
I think that a key point to be made is that a Christian decision does not equal conversion -- i.e. there is more to conversion than just praying a prayer. Spiritual formation has been abandoned by the American church because it takes too long and is hard to quantify.
Sorry, didn't like the "W" comment. However your points on how compartmentalizing our faith affects our children are VERY important. Teaching our teens how God is sovereign over every aspect of our lives (school, work, church)is vital. Also,we are taking our teens to Spirit West Coast to hear many bands, including the teen authors of "Do Hard Things" (mentioned by previous blogger) Can't wait.
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