The Narrow Path Ministries

Here are the lyrics of the first tract of the new Casting Crowns CD, "The Alter and the Door". I love the group and their new CD, but wonder if anyone else finds the following lyrics controversial and what your thoughts are about them.

What This World Needs
What this world needs
Is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind
Another to bit politician telling lies
Another three ring circus society
What this world needs
Is not another sign waving super saint that’s better than you
Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth
Another profit in an armani suit

What this world needs
Is a savior who will rescue
A spirit who will lead
A father who will love them in their time of need
A savior who will rescue
A spirit who will lead
A father who will love
That’s what this world needs

What this world needs
Is for us to care more about the inside than the outside
If we become so blind that we can’t see
Gods got to change our heart before he changes our shirt
What this world needs
Is for us to stop hiding behind our irelevance
We blend so well that people can’t see the difference
And it’s the difference that sets the world free

What this world needs
Is a savior who will rescue
A spirit who will lead
A father who will love them in their time of need
A savior who will rescue
A spirit who will lead
A father who will love
That’s what this world needs

People aren’t confused by the gospel
They are confused by us
Jesus is the only way to God but we are not the only way to Jesus
This world doesn’t need my tie my hoodie
My denomination or my translation of the bible
They just need Jesus
We can be passionate about what we believe
But we can’t strap ourselves to the gospel
Because we’re slowing it down
Jesus is going to save the world
But maybe the best thing we can do
Is just get out of the way

What this world needs
Is a savior who will rescue
A spirit who will lead
A father who will love them in their time of need
A savior who will rescue
A spirit who will lead
A father who will love
That’s what this world needs

Jesus is our savior that’s what this world needs
The Fathers arms around you
That’s what this world needs
That’s what this world needs

I'd make the assumption that they're saying the gospel has truth in and of itself regardless of my particular interpretation of it. If I try to tell you that you must believe my interpretation of scripture in order to be a disciple then I've done what they're talking about--I think. I was in a denomination that did that. I left in short order but the real gospel is still available for me to study.

livingink wrote:I'd make the assumption that they're saying the gospel has truth in and of itself regardless of my particular interpretation of it. If I try to tell you that you must believe my interpretation of scripture in order to be a disciple then I've done what they're talking about--I think. I was in a denomination that did that. I left in short order but the real gospel is still available for me to study.

What did you think about this phrase:
We can be passionate about what we believe
But we can’t strap ourselves to the gospel
Because we’re slowing it down
Jesus is going to save the world
But maybe the best thing we can do
Is just get out of the way

It seems to be saying that the messengers are getting in the way of the message. Of course, this is true in a variety of ways. "Getting out of the way" of the gospel...how is it done? I guess it's the idea of living the gospel instead of always just *talking* about it.

It kinda reminds me of "Seen and Not Heard" from Petra...back some time ago. "Sometimes God's children should be seen and not heard."

But maybe the best thing we can do
Is just get out of the way

Maybe they mean that I need to get out of the way. Me, "Jane Doe," needs to get out of the way and let the Spirit love people and speak to people through me. At least, hopefully that's what they mean.

casting crowns has been reading Shane Claiborne, it seems. not that there's anything wrong with that. these lyrics remind me somewhat of the lyrics on Derek Webb's "Mockingbird" CD.

TK

But we can’t strap ourselves to the gospel
Because we’re slowing it down

Maybe the message is simple but the messangers try to be to theologically perfect that we obscure the simple message of salvation.

People aren’t confused by the gospel
They are confused by us
Jesus is the only way to God but we are not the only way to Jesus
This world doesn’t need my tie my hoodie
My denomination or my translation of the bible
They just need Jesus
We can be passionate about what we believe
But we can’t strap ourselves to the gospel
Because we’re slowing it down
Jesus is going to save the world
But maybe the best thing we can do
Is just get out of the way

Reminds me of something Gandhi said:
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."