So, I was watching this show on GAC called “The Hitmen of Music Row.” Bob DiPiero, Tony Mullins, Jeffrey Steele, and Craig Wiseman make up the Hitmen. These guys are major songwriters in the Nashville Music/Recording Industry. Together they have written 39 #1 hits… These guys are amazing.
Jeff was talking about a particular song that he co-wrote with Steve Robson, “What Hurts The Most” which was recorded by Rascal Flatts. All the guys talked about how a song can spill out on a piece of paper and be great, but you have no idea what it is about. That was the case with this song. For those who have not heard this song, it’s one of those songs of “loss” that hits everyone at home. It was after Jeff’s 13 year old son died this past year when this song developed a meaning, or different meaning, to Jeff. Naturally, he had a hard time being able to perform this song without breaking down.
The beauty of music is the fact that it fits into each individuals schema; a psychology term that refers to the way an individual perceives the world. Everyone applies the song to their experience. This gives a song diversity.
This got me thinking because of what a friend and songwriter from work said to me. He told me, in so may words, that musicians are fickle and emotional. Duh! So when they write a song like “What Hurts The Most,” “Stay” by Sugarland, “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails or any other song on a personal level, they relive that moment that is addressed in the song. And when they play it over and over… No wonder why these people have substance abuse problems! Especially when these songs become hits. They’re trapped. They can’t escape their past.
Now, I am not saying all musicians have substance abuse problems, and I’m sure there is more to it, but I have a better understanding of why they get and stay depressed.
Everyone has an answer to the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?” The question is who do you say he is? As Pastor Mark Driscoll points out, many people, religious or not, would quote a philosopher, a T-shirt, a bumper sticker, or another religious leader before they would quote Jesus. It is peculiar that everyone would have a different view about man who lived some 2000 years ago. How does that work?
I have been studying this topic in order to present the question, “Is Jesus the only God?” in my predications next week here in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. I am putting it together as part of a twelve part series inspired by the book and sermon series, “Vintage Jesus,” as written and delivered by Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle.
The series really caught my attention when Pastor Mark referenced the theological points made by people all the way from the Dalai Lama to actress Pamela Anderson. But it was his in depth research into twelve ways that Jesus said he was God that helped encourage me to teach on this subject.
As a missionary that speaks little Spanish, it is difficult to interview the people here and get their opinions. I decided to ask the APSU campus, with more degrees than a Port-A-Potty in Iraq, what you think about who Jesus Christ is.
So here is the deal. This should be fun. Below online version of this article, there is a section to leave comments. This is how I want you to participate. No matter if you are a Christian, or Muslim, Atheist philosopher, or New Ager, I want you as students and faculty to respond. If you would like to leave your spiritual background or religious affiliation, that is fine.
Please be fair and respectful to all who participate. We reserve the right to delete comments that are negative, vulgar, or offensive.
Look forward to further material as I review the answers that come in and share them with you in a future article. Thank you for your participation.
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