Thursday, March 13, 2014

What Bible are they reading from?

I read a story about how the Rock Band Switchfoot was protested by a "Christian Church." Read it here. Now to be fair, I love Switchfoot.  Also, they have never claimed to be a "Christian" band.  They are a band who happens to have Christians in the band.  Their music is obviously influenced by their faith.

When you watch the video by the church it is obvious that they didn't come in love but came for a fight.  Jon Foreman the lead singer of Switchfoot (and devout Christian) went out to talk with the church in love.  It appears he had a case of bottled water that he brought for them too.  Foreman even thanked them for what they were doing.  The church just wanted to argue and condemn Switchfoot and anyone who listens to them.  Later in the concert, Foreman encourages people to treat the church group with love. Wow, what a concept?

Years ago I had the opportunity to interview Shirley Phelps-Roper of Westboro Baptist Church (or God Hates Fags).  John Stickley and I went there with the goal of trying to understand them.  You can watch the interview here.  I was amazed at how unloving Phelps and all of the protesters were.

When I look at I Corinthians 13:13 Paul says, "And now these three things remain: faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love"(NIV)  I wonder what Bible some people are reading from?  What good does shouting insults and displaying love do?  Jesus even said that God Loved The World!  When he confronted sins of those who needed it he expressed love for them.  If it is good enough for Jesus and Paul, it ought to be good enough for us.

3 comments:

  1. WoW! Won't this junk ever stop? Switchfoot is one of the most innocuous bands of all. There music is good; lyrics top notch; lifestyles (as far as I know) are impeccable. It is time to stop this hate.

    ReplyDelete
  2. But why be surprised at the Phelpses' attitude of hate? They were raised on a daily diet of the wrath of God, and bashings and threats from their vicious father- so, what do you expect? As for Paul, remember that he arrogantly expected married Christians to abstain from sex, on the fraudulent grounds that "the end" was imminent. He was wrong. Totally wrong. But natural urges will not be denied, as evidenced by the many millions of Christians in the world, who obviously pay no attention to that part of the Bible:)

    ReplyDelete