RoboPreacher

i got my own nation oh yeah; stuffy people warning. I won’t quote any obscenities; but if you look up their lyrics there will be naughty words. (Do I need to put a warning up for that?) On of the proudest moments of ministry was late, up in the rocky mountains. I had done the wedding of two great friends. As their reception was drawing to a close, I asked the DJ to play one last song, my favorite Doomtree song: Fresh New Trash . And I rapped every line. My favorite line: “ even after death & dirt / let them know who said it first / put it on your favorite shirt / rap won’t save you / sell em absolution with a verse .” The next day folks seemed to be surprised I was so familiar with that genre, ersumthing.  Perceptions aside, I’ve always felt that those of us who are called to the ministry of the Word should have a deep love (or at least appreciation) of rap/hip-hop. Somewhere in his voluminous output Will Willimon quipped that words are all ...

When I read about Martin Luther I am always impressed by the way he approaches various problems. For him the solution always lies within the realm of religion; specifically faith, even more specifically ‘law & gospel.’ The New Pornographers are such a brill iant band.  Plenty has already been said about what makes them so great, by folks better equipped to make such pronouncements than I.  I will say, though, what makes this band so wonderful is on full display in their most recent album, “Brill Bruisers.” The album name is an homage to the Brill Building in Manhattan, where some of the finest pop music was written.  Make no mistake, though, this album is no mere love-letter to the Brill Building. No, this album is a manifesto. Brill Bruisers is a statement. Brill Bruisers is a piece of art from a band who believes the promises their craft makes. It turns out, Brill Bruisers is a confession . The New Pornographers preform in an era flanked ...