Scott Freeman

I’m spotlighting what I believe are songs by secular artists that contain profound Christian truths.

This past Sunday night I was teaching through the book of Revelation. As we were discussing chapter 12 I made the statement that I don’t believe that Scripture teaches that Satan is a fallen angel. I’m never able to get far past that declaration without someone stopping me.

Ultimately, I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that God created evil. For me, it teeters at the brink of a dualism that I can’t quite embrace. The very idea of Theodicy, reconciling the existence of a loving God with the presence of evil, is very troubling to me. If there was ever an area where my faith could most be attacked, as for many of us, this would be it.

Theodicy is a process that is fraught with danger and unanswered questions. When we are honest we must admit that many of our conclusions rarely rise above platitudes and shallow theology. For many of life’s catastrophe’s there is no explanation, no justification for the heart-ache, pain, war and injustices that we wage against one another.

That is why my theodicy is best summed up from the writings of Julian of Norwich, “All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” That, to me, is the gospel. It is the hope that we have as children of God. It seems like such a simple saying but it is so profound and deep that it is many days the one thing that gives me hope: that all will be well. I would like to give a greater reading into Julian of Norwich and I might do so later. For now, look her up on your own. Her story is a compelling one. You will be blessed.

The power and resonance of that conclusion is why, over the past year, this song by Gabe Dixon has been on frequent rotation on my iPod. He crystallizes in four minutes the truth, beauty, hope and glory that we have that God is good and “all will be well.”

The new day dawns
And I am practicing my purpose once again
It is fresh and it is fruitful if I win
but if I lose, ooh, I don’t know
I’ll be tired but I will turn and I will go
Only guessing ’til I get there then I’ll know
Ohh, I will know

And all the children walking home past the factories
Can see the light that’s shining in my window
As I write this song to you
And all the cars running fast along the interstate
Can feel the love that radiates
Illuminating what I know is true

And all will be well
Even after all the promises you’ve broken to yourself
All will be well
You can ask me how but only time will tell

The winter’s cold
But the snow still lightly settles on the trees
And a mess is still a moment I can seize until I know
That all will be well
Even though sometimes this is hard to tell
And the fight is just as frustrating as hell
All will be well

And all the children walking home past the factories
Can see the light that’s shining in my window
As I write this song to you
And all the cars running fast along the interstate
Can feel the love that radiates
Illuminating what I know is true

And all will be well
Even after all the promises you’ve broken to yourself
All will be well
You can ask me how but only time will tell

You got to keep it up
And don’t give up
And chase your dreams
And you will find
All in time

And all the children walking home past the factories
Can see the light that’s shining in my window
As I write this song to you
And all the cars running fast along the interstate
Can feel the love that radiates
Illuminating what I know is true

And all will be well
Even after all the promises you’ve broken to yourself
All will be well
You can ask me how but only time will tell

All will be well
Even after all the promises you’ve broken to yourself
All will be well
You can ask me how but only time will tell
You can ask me how but only time will tell

One of the statements that was made this week at the ACU lectures was the fact that our current wave of contemporary hymnody is ill suited for subjects of social justice. To find songs that really capture the heart of Jubilee, the mission of the church we often have to go outside our own music.

Because my musical tastes tend to favor those artists who focus more on lyrics than polish and studio machinations I have a large number of songs that resonate deeply with biblical truths although they might not be written by Christians. Over the next few weeks I want to share some of those songs with you. I hope the words contained will enrich you and bless you. Note: Just because I spotlight a song does not mean that I endorse the artist and/or their oeuvre.

My first song is by Dolly Parton. It is from a movie that I have never seen: Transamerica. The song is about finding your place. It is about searching and seeking hope, clarity and meaning. My favorite part of the song begins at 3:32 and I never fail to get chills when she belts out “Oh sweet Jesus if you’re out there, keep me ever close to you” It’s one of my kids favorite songs.

The song makes me think of my own spiritual journey. Even now at the age of 39 I’m not sure what lies ahead for me and my family. Uncertainty with Cassie’s condition, my job situation and other issues bring up questions of our directions. We are all wanderers and the hope and promise that Jesus is out there cheering us on makes the journey so much easier.

I’ve been up and down so much over the past few months questioning my ability to preach and teach, wondering if I don’t belong in ministry, and questioning my worth. This song is such a blessing to me. One of my favorite lines is “redemption comes in many shapes with many kinds of pain.” There is still a lot of pain in our lives and in our search. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The path to Christ requires the pain.

Watch the video and read the incredible lyrics. For all the punch lines that Dolly Parton has been through the year she has always been an amazing lyricist.

Well I can’t tell you where I’m going, I’m not sure of where I’ve been
But I know I must keep travelin’ till my road comes to an end
I’m out here on my journey, trying to make the most of it
I’m a puzzle, I must figure out where all my pieces fit

Like a poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song
I’m just a weary pilgrim trying to find what feels like home
Where that is no one can tell me, am I doomed to ever roam
I’m just travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, I’m just travelin’ on

Questions I have many, answers but a few
But we’re here to learn, the spirit burns, to know the greater truth
We’ve all been crucified and they nailed Jesus to the tree
And when I’m born again, you’re gonna see a change in me

God made me for a reason and nothing is in vain
Redemption comes in many shapes with many kinds of pain
Oh sweet Jesus if you’re listening, keep me ever close to you
As I’m stumblin’, tumblin’, wonderin’, as I’m travelin’ thru

I’m just travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, I’m just travelin’ thru
I’m just travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, I’m just travelin’ thru

Oh sometimes the road is rugged, and it’s hard to travel on
But holdin’ to each other, we don’t have to walk alone
When everything is broken, we can mend it if we try
We can make a world of difference, if we want to we can fly

Goodbye little children, goodnight you handsome men
Farewell to all you ladies and to all who knew me when
And I hope I’ll see you down the road, you meant more than I knew
As I was travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, travelin’ thru

I’m just travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, I’m just travelin’
Drifting like a floating boat and roaming like the wind
Oh give me some direction lord, let me lean on you
As I’m travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, thru

I’m just travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, I’m just travelin’ thru
I’m just travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, I’m just travelin’ thru

Like the poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song
I’m just a weary pilgrim trying to find my own way home
Oh sweet Jesus if you’re out there, keep me ever close to you
As I’m travelin’, travelin’, travelin’, as I’m travelin’ thru

I appreciate all of the suggestions the last time around. I’ve listened to them all and have put them in a playlist. Keep thinking and giving me suggestions.

This song is, to me, a song of salvation. It ranks as my second favorite Springsteen song (behind the live version of “Thunder Road”).

I remember hearing it the first time shortly after he unveiled it on tour. I was at the Staples Center in L.A. enjoying the boss when he rolled out this tune. I was immediately struck by the power and scope of this song.

Very often we get the idea that salvation is reserved for the one’s who “have it all figured out.” That salvation is based on merit or works.

But Springsteen reminds us that the promise of salvation is open to all.

Grab your ticket and your suitcase
Thunder’s rolling down the tracks
You don’t know where you’re goin’
But you know you won’t be back
Darlin’ if you’re weary
Lay your head upon my chest
We’ll take what we can carry
And we’ll leave the rest

Big Wheels rolling through fields
Where sunlight streams
Meet me in a land of hope and dreams

I will provide for you
And I’ll stand by your side
You’ll need a good companion for
This part of the ride
Leave behind your sorrows
Let this day be the last
Tomorrow there’ll be sunshine
And all this darkness past

Big wheels roll through fields
Where sunlight streams
Meet me in a land of hope and dreams

This train
Carries saints and sinners
This train
Carries losers and winners
This Train
Carries whores and gamblers
This Train
Carries lost souls
This Train
Dreams will not be thwarted
This Train
Faith will be rewarded
This Train
Hear the steel wheels singin’
This Train
Bells of freedom ringin’
This Train
Carries broken-hearted
This Train
Thieves and sweet souls departed
This Train
Carries fools and kings
This Train
All aboard

This Train
Dreams will not be thwarted
This Train
Faith will be rewarded
This Train
Hear the steel wheels singin’
This Train
Bells of freedom ringin’

Copyright © Bruce Springsteen

This hits close to what I envision heaven to be: a gathering of souls who were beaten upon the wheels of living.

People who found little hope in this life but clung to the promise of something beyond.

People who struggled, languished and were forgotten.

People who needed the one True Companion to see them through the despair, loneliness and injustice of this life.

“Tomorrow there’ll be sunshine and all this darkness past”

May we bring a little bit of that salvation into the hearts and lives of those marginalized and cast aside.

Thoughts or other suggestions?

I love music and hope to pass that love on to my children. Tracy and I don’t share musical tastes at all, so I try to cram as much in when I’m alone with the girls.

I’ve been fairly vocal that I’m not a big fan of much Contemporary Christian Music. The reasons for that are plentiful. I tend to lean more toward folky-singer/songwriter type stuff. My first criteria for a good song is lyrical.

A lot of the music I like has a social conscience, so spiritual themes abound even if it is not explicity “Christian.”

The other night I was listening to a song by Carrie Newcomer while taking Chloe to basketball practice.

Chloe said, “Daddy, I like this song. Is it a Jesus song?”

I thought about it for a minute and told her that yes, it is a Jesus song. That conversation got me to thinking about the number of songs that have been recorded by secular artists that capture the spirit of Christ, often more profoundly than what is in CCM.

From time to time, I would like to share those songs with you and my thoughts. Take time. Absorb these lyrics. Find this song and download it (it’s available on iTunes and all other sites). It will bless you.

I Heard an Owl

I heard an owl call last night homeless and confused

I stood naked and bewildered By the evil people do

Up upon a hill there is a terrible sign

That tells the story of what darkness waits when we leave the light behind.

Chorus: So, Don’t tell me hate is ever right or God’s will

These are the wheels we put in motion ourselves

The whole world weeps and is weeping still

Though shaken I still believe the best of what we all can be

The only peace this world will know can only come from love.

Verse: I am a voice calling out Across the great divide

I am only one person That feels they have to try

The questions fall like trees or dust Rise like prayers above

But the only word is “Courage” And the only answer “ Love”

Chorus

Light ever candle that you can For we need some light to see

In the face of deepest loss, Treat each other tenderly

The arms of God will gather in Every sparrow that falls

And makes no separation Just fiercely loves us all.

Chorus

Carrie Newcomer 2001

This song resonates within me for I have often tried to reconcile hatred with the designs of God. As if the pithy aphorism to “hate the sin and love the sinner” is sufficient cover to mask my animosity toward those who have been created in His image.

I think many of us harbor hatreds that we have reclassified as something more benign. That way we can continue to harbor our prejudices and our intolerance without confronting the insidious blackness in our hearts.

But that’s not of God. As she sings, “these are the wheels we put in motion ourselves.”

Our propensity for hatred, for de-valuing others causes the world to weep. It is tragic by-product of our fallen state. Children in Lebanon, Darfur, Inner-City America mourn the loss of hope because of a world so torn by hatred.

And so, the only answer is for the church to live the presence of Christ. To be the in-breaking of the Kingdom. No government, no empire, no nation, no administration can be the incarnation of Christ in this fallen world. It is our job.

We must light the candle for we are the light of the world.

We must learn to treat all people with love, tenderness and respect.

We must understand that God loves all people, hoping that all would come to repentance.

In the first verse when she talks about the terrible sign on the hill I can’t help put picture the crucified Savior on Mount Calvary. When we turn our backs on the One all that waits for us is darkness. And hate.

Chloe asks for this song whenever we are in the car together now.

She says, “Daddy, will you play that songs that says “don’t call me hate?”

Of course, I play it for her. My prayer is that no one would ever equate my sweet and precious daughter with the hatred that is far too prevalent among us.

Yes, that’s a Jesus song, honey.

What secular “Jesus” songs have impacted you?