Gotta agree with Eric here. Now I generally like Derek Webb. “Somewhere North” will always be welcome on my playlist. And I can agree that this song makes an appropriate use of swearing.

But I also feel like Webb is capable of much better than this song. If it weren’t for the swearing in it, I really doubt anyone would be talking about it.

- I don’t do it in front of impressionable little kids
- I don’t say it to just SAY it, I use stronger language to deliver the point home, similar to Derek Webb

Outside of that, hmmm…I really don’t have any rules on my swearing.

So where and when did I pick up swearing? Was it the TV? (no, didn’t have one growing up) Was it my friends? (no, tightknit homeschool community where swearing was labelled a “sin”) Was it my parents? (Bingo Ringo!)

Their fighting, their verbal ramming of heads…this is where I learned such “bad words”.

I don’t have a problem with swearing because it is US who give words power, we say what words mean or don’t, but words are just words and if we empower them and they become stronger. If we took a “regular” word, say BANANA, and we said things like ‘shut the BANANA up’ or ‘what the BANANA’ eventually people would say stop saying BANANA! But banana’s not a “bad word”, it was just empowered and so it became something labelled as “bad”

If people quote to me the verse where it speaks of what comes out of our mouth says something about our hearts (roughly paraphrased, sorry!) I question them, not to egg them on (at least, not too much), how much of the Bible do they follow themselves? If they can say that verse at whim to me, how are they at giving to the poor or storing up treasures in Heaven where moth and rust do not destroy…or are they still being a part of a consumerist/capitalist society and doing what those who are in the world still doing?

Yes, I will be careful as to how I swear and the context of it, but for you follower of Christ who says it is wrong/sinful/bad/et al… “Judge not lest ye be judged”

~Nathanael

The word he used isn’t contrary to ANY passage of scripture to which Christians should adhere. It’s not “swearing” in the Biblical sense (using the name of deity as to give solemnity to an oath) OR “cursing” in the Biblical sense (consigning one to Hell or casting a damning curse upon someone – a curse that makes that person of no eternal effect or significance). It’s not “profane” in the Biblical sense (contemptuous or irreverent toward God or sacred things) OR “blasphemous” in the Biblical sense (impiously irreverent and profane). It’s nothing more than a common word that is said in a more sophisticated manner by people who prefer to speak in poly-syllabic words.

I don’t use it in social settings, since offending intentionally in this particular manner is not consistent with my own perspective on the Golden Rule – so I can’t applaud the artist here no matter his justification. There’s a difference between being edgy and thought-provoking and being an ass – another word that is not forbidden by any stretch in the Bible. However, it’s more of a shame, imo, that so many Christians get their shorts in a wad over the use of the word than that this man used it intentionally to offend.

“Turn the other cheek” seems like the proper response in this case.

I agree that Webb uses profanity appropriately, and the previously mentioned Campolo quote exemplifies his point as well.

But I do share your concern that bringing profanity into the Christian music realm may not bear all good fruit. I’m in youth ministry, and I want to be able to recommend Webb’s music and message without having to warn about explicit lyrics. Although what kids are listening to nowadays is much worse, that doesn’t mean we should just give in to that fact and melt into what culture is already giving them.

Thanks for the post!

Not that I always agree, but now and then for emphasis isn’t necessarily so awful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Campolo

TYD