I have the utmost sympathy for Derek Webb. He’s (judging by what he’s written) an evangelical Christian who recognizes that there are major problems within the evangelical movement. That alone makes me sympathetic. Then on top of that, his music is extremely antagonistic to Christian radio (which is one of the most godforsaken, artistically barren media outlet ever conceived). Here’s a couple of examples of his work:
For one, it’s good, rather than the cookie cutter shallow-worship-songs-w/-U2-style-guitar-riffs style that Chris Tomlin has–well, I won’t say perfected, but you know. It’s not a product; it seeks to be art. Moreover, his music is important. It says things that no one else is saying in Christian music. In an industry where every song is simply about how Jesus makes me feel, Derek Webb says, “Stop hating gay people.” And to a community that has sold its political soul to the right wing of the Republican party, Derek Webb reminds us that “you can always trust the devil or a politician to be the devil or a politician.”
In some ways, I’m pushing Derek Webb not just for his music (although it is quite good), but for what he represents. He is a white American evangelical, but reminds us that Christ is neither white, nor American, nor evangelical. Christ has called us to a mission, and it is a mission that takes no notice of the agendas of tiny men.
This sounds refreshing and new. Thanks for the introduction to Derek Webb.