Comments on: Thoughts on Derek Webb and Stockholm Syndrome

By: Blackeye$

Blackeye$ — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:37:55 +0000

A true case of “Stockholm Syndrome” would have included the victim feeling something other than contempt for the bottom-feeding-artist who turns their pain into his profit.

By: brokentapedeck

brokentapedeck — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:28:52 +0000

Zach, I would say it’s both- Freddie is from the perspective of Jesus to Fred Phelps.

And to anyone who wants them, Stockholm Syndrome lyrics were put up over here- http://drakenjosh.blogspot.com/2009/07/stockholm-syndrom-lyrics.html

By: Zach

Zach — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:11:02 +0000

Ok, so somebody said Freddie was written from the perspective of Jesus to a follower, while someone else said it may be written about Fred Phelps. I guess I’m confusedthe most by the line ” you know you’re just a queer” or something along those lines. I love the new cd, but I can’t figure that song out

By: Derek Webb: What Matters More? « zoecarnate

Derek Webb: What Matters More? « zoecarnate — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:55:25 +0000

[...] some elsewhere on it, from Brian McLaren, Gospel Soundcheck, Michael Spencer, and Post-Restoration Perspectives, Denny Burk as well as a decidedly different take at Dustin [...]

By: Mike Morrell

Mike Morrell — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:26:26 +0000

Excellent review, Michael!

By: Frank Turk

Frank Turk — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:26:13 +0000

Just got to this, Michael. You’ll be surprised to see I disagree with you about part of it.

You said:
[QUOTE]
I’m just not sure I want to be pummeled by the law- and the truth about the church and culture- for an hour or two. And make no mistake about it, on the “law-Gospel” continuum, this is law and prophetic denunciation, delivered with relentless consistency. No one else is saying this stuff and Webb doesn’t miss his punches.
[/QUOTE]

No one else is saying that it turns out that we’re sinners judging others by a law we can’t ourselves uphold? I think the difference between Webb and the others who are saying this is that the others saying it aren’t just reproaching “conservatives” — they are also reproaching all the stripes of over-realized eschatology, all manner of phariseeism on the left and the right.

It seems to me Derek Webb is in his Calvinist adolscence, and he’s enjoying it. Don’t we all?

By: Jules

Jules — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:09:56 +0000

I personally have been a fan of Derek Webb for a long time as well. I think his art is to speak from a “prophet on the mountain top”. I think we have enough music out there to stroke our need to hear about grace. Heck,we even have enough to ego stroke us. I see Derek Webb as one to shake all that up. It is as though he is saying, “ok, guys, we talk about grace, but where is it?” I don’t think he comes off as having the full answers, but as someone coming from the question and I appreciate him for it.

His latest work is very abstract in nature and I think that is on purpose. If you have watched the video that came with some of the tiers I think that is clear.

I think what gets people’s backs up is that he holds up a mirror that contrasts what someone says and what they really do. Example: “If I could tell what’s in your heart by what comes out of your mouth
Then it sure looks to me like being straight is all it’s about”
Pretty forward and true. Even “Freddie Please”, although focused towards Fred Phelps is very upfront.

I don’t know. I just accept the art Derek offers. I love that I have to think about what he is saying and it isn’t fluffy. I have enough of fluff over the years.

Peace

By: kcillini77

kcillini77 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:48:17 +0000

RP – Sure, Jimmy has not so subtle ulterior motives in the song, but I don’t think the song is leading to that kind of inescapable conclusion. Even the most die hard Joshua Harris fan, when being truly honest, has to admit to times of sensual attraction where they wished their date would just stop going on and on about their passions and lean in for a kiss. I don’t know what about the song leads you to the conclusions you came to – maybe the drinking? I guess I say it’s fun because of a) the sound, and b) the fact that he’s exploring the common thoughts of a young guy and girl without feeling the compulsion to turn it into a heavy handed morality lesson.

Philip Winn – Thanks! You just completely decoded “Freddie, Please” for me. Now I feel stupid

By: links for 2009-07-12 | The 'K' is not silent

links for 2009-07-12 | The 'K' is not silent — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:02:07 +0000

[...] Thoughts on Derek Webb and Stockholm Syndrome | internetmonk.com Good stuff… I agree. (tags: article review music derekwebb) [...]

By: Headless Unicorn Guy

Headless Unicorn Guy — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:23:26 +0000

Yes, if you aren’t a Puritan preacher, your art is in trouble in many quarters. There’s a reason Calvin whitewashed churches. — IMonk

Just like how the Wahabi whitewashed the mosques?

Because this is Derek’s vocation was well as his ministry. If you want artists to be able to write, record and perform music for you to listen to, somewhere along the line someone has to pay something so they can eat and provide for their families. Otherwise, they have to devote full time to getting a different job that does not allow for the creative process as much. — Ragamuffin

Just like “Information Yearns To Be FREEEEEEEE! (TM)”?

(i.e. “Why doncha just upload all your music/art/novels to your website so I can download it all for FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE?”)

Or “It’s a MINISTRY (TM)”?

I just got back from visting my writing partner in rural PA. He’s pastoring two churches and trying to support a wife and three sons on minimum wage. (”It’s a MINISTRY…”) PART-TIME minimum wage. (they count each church as half-time, therefore he’s only “part-time” and can be paid as such.) He has turned the lot around his parsonage into a subsistence farm so he and his family can eat, and tells me stories about pastors’ widows in his denomination routinely eating out of dumpsters.

(That doesn’t mention the job offers he checks out that in the secular world would command six figures but upon further investigation are “Must Provide Own Support — It’s a MINISTRY”.)

In other words, I think Derek was talking about the Church’s overemphasis on emotions in worship. WHICH IS A MESSAGE THAT ALL OF THE CALVINISTS WILL SUPPORT!! — Brandon T Milan

Only if they were predestined to do so before the foundation of the world, Brandon.

The local Christian radio station here in our town has DJ’s who sound like they are always smiling, 24/7, and the music that they play just seems fluffy to me. — Cey

Make that “SMIIIIIIILING” a la Joel Osteen (blink blink).

You are right that there are a lot of really talented Christian artists out there, but they aren’t getting the air time and it is frustrating. — Cey

It isn’t just artists. I’m a writer, sick and tired of competing against the likes of Eragon, Twilight, and Left Behind. CELEBRITY (TM) Best Sellers or vanity press selling out of your car trunk, nothing in between.

I mean, I am sorry but something is wrong when the songs being played on Christian radio sound just like Brittany Spears or the Jonas Brothers. — Cey

Make that “Just like Brittney Spears, except CHRISTIAN (TM)!”

As a side-note, I *hate* the label of “Christian music” and resolutely have avoided any marketed, even the John Michael Talbot that my sister loved *mumblemumble* years back. Because it seems to be either the mushy, God loves us all and it’s all rainbows and puppies stuff, or bad imitations of the trends that were popular just before the current popular trend. — Martha

Martha, there’s a saying that you know when a business fad is about to crash and burn when Harvard starts graduating MBAs majoring in that particular fad.

Just like you know a trend has jumped the shark when the “Just like that trend, but CHRISTIAN (TM)!” knockoffs start hitting the shelves and airwaves in Christian Bizarro World.

Derek Webb is only a controversial because…

1. The Church as We Know It considered Derek as one of their one, a “real christian” who is now on the verge of straying.

2. The Church as We Know It as no clue as to the real controversial musicians (who openly identify themselves as following Jesus, but do not promote their music as Christian, though some of it is). — Leslie

“It’s The End of the Church As We Know It
And I feel fine…”
– How IMonk could filk REM