I question song lyrics this closely. I don't know that I've heard this song yet or I'd be in the same swivet you are. (Swivet may be an exaggeration, it's the word that came to mind.)

I have to say I generally agree with everything you've said (though again, I haven't heard this song.)

The one that gets my blood boiling is Phillips, Craig & Dean's "I am a friend of God" song that our CCM station seems to play incessantly. Just so wrong on so many levels. Certainly we have a friend in Jesus - and what a friend He is! But no matter how we try, we'll never be able to be a friend back - He's our Master, Savior, Lord and King. And yes, our friend. But we are His children - His ill behaved, grace-needing children at that, the ones who hardly listen, rarely obey, and remain in the constant state of the terrible twos, our main words being "Me", "Mine" and "I do it". We're not His friend.

The one that gets my blood boiling is Phillips, Craig & Dean's "I am a friend of God"

Now, see...that's an interesting example of how we each have different interpretations of "poetic license," because I just don't react the same way to that song. As I recall, the lyric is "I am a friend OF God," and not "I am a friend TO God," and that seems to be an important distinction. The song goes on to say "He calls me 'friend'", which, to me, is God reaching out (as usual) to give me status that I don't otherwise deserve.

While the "God as friend" picture escapes me from a Scriptural reference perspective (help me out), He certainly has all the characteristics I'd like to use when choosing a friend (as you point out).

Maybe this is all semantics. But it does make for interesting discussion. And it affirms my decision not to be a professional lyricist. ;-)

The song loses me at the title.

Here, I'll offer a different perspective. I don't think I've heard this song, and I agree with most everything you said. But I read those lyrics (without any other context, aside from the title, which I don't like) as making a statement about pride...about people who attend the nice big church building (not Church, with a capital "C") with the pretty stained glass windows but forget why they are there at all. People who are more worried about stains on the carpet than welcoming Jesus into their hearts.

Oh, yeah, Gwynne, I have no doubt that's what the songwriter had in mind with those lyrics. And I'm certainly not arguing that my interpretation is superior to any others. My point is simply that hypocrisy is no more (or less) of a sin than, say, prostitution or drunkeness or lewdness or whatever goes on on Beal Street to get it included in this song, and to imply that Jesus had rather hang out with the latter sinners than the former is just a stretch, to my way of thinking.

However, to concede your point, the damage done to the effectiveness of the Kingdom by us when we claim to be followers of Christ but don't live that way is, in my opinion, just devastating. And from the perspective that to whom much is given, much is expected, our responsibility is greater.

Amen. :-)

I like what the song has to say -- it asks some good questions. I agree the "holier than thou" tone (literally!) is a little off-putting.

I like the song's message, even if there might be a better way to deliver it.

Did anyone ever tell you it's dangerous to hand the mike over to a writer-type?

My interpretation of the "stained glass crowd" in the song is that it's the songwriter's attempt at drawing a parallel between those "Pharisees and Sadducees and scribes and such" you mention in your post. And, yes, I think it's a valid parallel. There are those type of religious zealots that walk among us even today. That's where our discernment comes into play and becomes so important. It's something we should pray for on a regular basis in this day and time.

As for the church---ain't gonna be meeting God inside any four walls unless I bring Him there with me.
As for The Church---isn't it refreshing that our worship can happen alongside other believers inside any four walls we choose....or not?

One vote FOR on this song....IMHO.

My wife and I went to Beale St. two years ago and it was loads of fun. Music EVERYWHERE, old men playing trumpets at every restaurant, it was alive with a good time. IN FACT, I think I saw someone there who looked like ... naah ... but make no mistake ... this guy's talking about Beale St. in Memphis. Where you walk 10 feet off of "Beale". So yeah, he's gotta be talkin' Memphis.

Sorry, I've been out dancing my Baptist feet off.

Anyway, where were we?

I got no beef with anyone else's interpretation of these lyrics, and I appreciate everyone's willingness to share their views about them.

Jimmy, you're probably right about the song referring to Memphis. According to his website, Todd now lives in Memphis (although he's originally from Texas). He also looks much younger than his voice sounds, not that that has anything to do with anything.

Eric, I can't help but compare some of the discussion over this post, with the discussion you and I had over your response to Jimmy and his 'Dixie Chicks' post at "Sticky Doorknobs" ...

But, returning to this post ... one line of yours really hit home for me ...

"... I'm tempted to ask Todd why he sticks with a church that adheres to such standards ..."

Actually, it's very, very hard to make a break with your church ... to conclude that your church, rather than you, is at fault ...

I speak from first-hand experience ... after much time, and much prayerful consideration, our family finally broke with our church here, in Midland, and transferred our letter to another church of the same denomination, in Midland ...

Eventually, I grew tired of a church that complained about "those people" and, instead, joined a church that served those people ...

The change was especially hard because I was an Elder and - as I saw it - my departure also meant breaking the vows I had taken when becoming an elder ... (SIDENOTE: God bless a dear friend from First Prez-Fort Stockton, where we used to live. He counseled me through my decision, reminded me that I was an Elder for life and that the vow I had taken was not to a particular congregation - but to Christ and his Church.)

Actually, it's very, very hard to make a break with your church ... to conclude that your church, rather than you, is at fault ...

While I've never had to do this, I can imagine how difficult and painful a decision like this would be. Thanks for sharing your experience.

As far as Tod Agnew's reference to teh "Stained glass crowd" I think I can see where he is coming from. I'm sure there are people who go to church "just for the sake of going" they do it for social status or peer pressure. They do it cause all their friends do. They dress to the hilt and look important but ask them on Monday what the service was about and they wont know (or could think it was about themselves.. JK... Actually I'm sure there are people like that. I KNOW THEM! I am not catholic, but i have many catholic friends who tell me that they do not go to church for any other reason but to keep in with all the friends they have there. And because their kids go to school there. Also, many of my non-catholic christian friends will admit the same thing.. to me thats what it means to be in the 'stained glass crowd'.. And that just goes to show you of our different iterpretations of the song lyrics. wouldnt it be great to hear Tod explain that line in person!?

Jeff, I have no reason to dispute your interpretation, and, really, that wasn't the point of my post to begin with. My point was more that hypocrisy is no more or less a sin than those things that we might deem as "worse sins" in our human way of keeping score. But the truth is, even the "least" of those sins would be enough to keep us out of heaven were it not for the redeeming grace of God poured out on us through Jesus Christ.

And so I just can't accept Todd's apparent implication that Jesus would rather hang out with one kind of sinner than another. That might work for us humans, but not for the One Who died for both.

Anyway, I appreciate your taking time to share your thoughts.

It might be a sin like any other sin, but Jesus preached about wealth greatly.
Matthew 19:24
"Again I say to you, it is easier for a came1 to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

He tells us again and again that you cannot have wealth and not take care of the poor and be a follower of Him. He repeatedly tells us that money becomes a God, which breaks the commandment to not worship any other God.

I believe this song is about how the "stained glass crowd" spends more money on building beautiful buildings with stained glass and beautiful carpet than taking care of the poor and needy.

Review Matthew 25:31-46 (It's a lot, I'll just highlight the main idea)
"Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it unto me."

He does identify himself with the hungry, sick, and imprisoned. He clearly tells us that we must give up our life and take care of these.
Of course, that's just my opinion, but it is taken from Scripture.