Derek Webb's Controversal song

[Unnamed Servant]

Has anyone heard the "Wedding Dress" song by Derek Webb (former lead singer of Caedmon's Call)? It has taken a lot of **** for his use of a couple of choice words in the song. I had my doubts about the song but after listening to it multiple songs, I have come to the conclusion that it is one of the most truth-filled and amazingly beautiful songs I have ever heard.

There is so much someone can take from this song, and I think his choice words he used in this song are needed and fuel the songs many points.

Love-In-Christ,

Unnamed Servant

 

[Reborn_in_Christ2003]

If your talking about the word "harlot", I don't see how it is offensive since it is used in the bible in the same context that the song is using it in. If you are talking about the word b@$t@rd, then I can sorta see it but it is used in a positive context.

 

[purplestars]

I think it is an amazing song. I am a huge fan of Derek Webb (and Caedmon's Call). He is using the words in their proper context, and was right in doing so. Like the OP said, it is beautiful and truth-filled.

On a lighter note, I hate having the chorus stuck in my head, because then I go around singing "I am a harlot."

 

[eutychus]

"Wedding Dress" is truthful. Derek's aim is to be real, and that's what this song is. He actually had used the word "damn" in another song on the CD, but the censors edited it (though it was perfect for the song). His upcoming release will be free of pansy-"Christian" censorship, and I'm sure his excellent song-writing will convey the same attitude he has always had: one of blunt honesty. Then again, he gave a hint of this in saying that his new CD will make the old one look like CCM. :-D

 

[BlessedMan]

I'm a huge Derek Webb fan from the early days of Caedmon's Call and think he enjoys pushing the envelope a little bit which is okay, but I do have a problem of mixing in obscenities like "damn" just because it's "real"...very much an excuse.

P.S.-Nothing wrong with an album just being "CCM" by the way...things don't have to be edgy or controversial to be good.

 

[Grolin]

"Damn" isn't always an obscenity... I mean, the idea appears in the Bible, and depending on your translation the word itself could be used.

Words are obscene when used to be obscene. A LOT of slang was created to be obscene and well... they're stuck like that.
But a lot of words aren't intrinsically obscene. Context is VERY important when you consider language.

 

[BlessedMan]

"Damn" isn't always an obscenity... I mean, the idea appears in the Bible, and depending on your translation the word itself could be used.

Words are obscene when used to be obscene. A LOT of slang was created to be obscene and well... they're stuck like that.
But a lot of words aren't intrinsically obscene. Context is VERY important when you consider language.

I guess as a parent, I beg to differ with you...if I don't feel comfortable with my 4 year old using a word, than I shouldn't be using it either...JMO.

 

[Grolin]

Of course you shouldn't go throwing the word around. That's not the point I'm trying to make. It's inappropriate for polite conversation or dealing with kids, etc. Context and audience are always important to keep in mind. I don't use such words either, just the way I was brought up. I really never have a use for 'em but sometimes there is.
For you, your regular "audience" involves a 4 year old child. Of course you're not gonna bust out a bunch of cuss words. No context for it and it's inappropriate given the point you'd want to make.

The point I'm trying to make is that words aren't intrinsically obscene or anything. It's meaning, context, intent, and audience interpretation which make up the effect of a word.

 

[Unnamed Servant]

I agree with grolin you have to understand that derek webb's target audience is not kids. I love a lot of his music and believe that he is one of the, if not the, best modern day christian music writers there are.

He choses the words he does for a purpose. It is to grab the attention of the problems with christians today that are so easily overlooked.

We need radical "sayings" and truths to wake us up from our complacency that we think is ok as christians.

Love-In-Christ,

Unnamed Servant

 

[BlessedMan]

I agree with grolin you have to understand that derek webb's target audience is not kids. I love a lot of his music and believe that he is one of the, if not the, best modern day christian music writers there are.

He choses the words he does for a purpose. It is to grab the attention of the problems with christians today that are so easily overlooked.

We need radical "sayings" and truths to wake us up from our complacency that we think is ok as christians.

Love-In-Christ,

Unnamed Servant

So shock value is what music has been reduced to? The Howard Stern mentality? The guy is an artist...surely he could come up with a "cleaner" way to get his point across. Does hearing a "swear" word make you listen and take notice more or does it tick you off like it does me??

 

[Unnamed Servant]

So shock value is what music has been reduced to? The Howard Stern mentality? The guy is an artist...surely he could come up with a "cleaner" way to get his point across. Does hearing a "swear" word make you listen and take notice more or does it tick you off like it does me??

Hearing a word that is a "swear" word catches my attention because society has made it so awful. For instance in Derek Webb's "Wedding Dress" song he says the word harlot. That will jump out of you because it is something that has been made as horrible in today's society.

Did you know that the word harlot occurs 79 times throught the bible (NAS), and the word harlot occurs 15 times (KJV). These words are synonyms and harlot is in the bible.

Another word, that perhaps would bring you distaste, that Webb uses in the song "Wedding Dress" is the word b@stard.

That word is used twice according to (KJV). In John 8:19, the Pharisees were literally calling Jesus a b@stard.

Brother, I know that many people can feel offended by the words he may use. We must search everything for the truth behind before we jump to quick conclusions. I myself judge quickly way to often.

Derek Webb's words are full of truth, whether involving true words that are considered bad by some people or not.

He is screaming out to the complacent Christians and church that we have used Christ and loved other things before him just as a harlot, and even though many of us appear fatherless as Christ did himself. We have a loving heavenly father who wants us to run to him as his bride.

Such a glorious amazing truth!

I love you, I truly do. I am praying for myself, you and all believers as I leave this computer that we may love and preach the gospel through Christ with the boldness unparalleled. Press on!

Love-In-Christ,

Unnamed Servant

 

[BlessedMan]

Hearing a word that is a "swear" word catches my attention because society has made it so awful. For instance in Derek Webb's "Wedding Dress" song he says the word harlot. That will jump out of you because it is something that has been made as horrible in today's society.

Did you know that the word harlot occurs 79 times throught the bible (NAS), and the word harlot occurs 15 times (KJV). These words are synonyms and harlot is in the bible.

Another word, that perhaps would bring you distaste, that Webb uses in the song "Wedding Dress" is the word b@stard.

That word is used twice according to (KJV). In John 8:19, the Pharisees were literally calling Jesus a b@stard.

Brother, I know that many people can feel offended by the words he may use. We must search everything for the truth behind before we jump to quick conclusions. I myself judge quickly way to often.

Derek Webb's words are full of truth, whether involving true words that are considered bad by some people or not.

He is screaming out to the complacent Christians and church that we have used Christ and loved other things before him just as a harlot, and even though many of us appear fatherless as Christ did himself. We have a loving heavenly father who wants us to run to him as his bride.

Such a glorious amazing truth!

I love you, I truly do. I am praying for myself, you and all believers as I leave this computer that we may love and preach the gospel through Christ with the boldness unparalleled. Press on!

Love-In-Christ,

Unnamed Servant

I appreciate your words and your prayers and I agree that we have a great commission to fulfill...let's do it together!

Regarding they lyrics, I understand what's in the bible...I understand the need to get people's attention, but if I have a problem with secular people using the language than surely I must have a higher standard for Christian artists. Yes I know it's "just a word"...but like I said before...it's not necessary. And no I don't necessarily put "harlot" in the same category as some of the other obscennities...I love Derek Webb ever since I saw him probably 10 years ago, but there's a better way to get your message out. Look how much pub he's gotten just because of a few words...is that what he intended? To be controversial or to get out a message? Do you have to have one tied to the other?

Keep the faith!
Blessedman

 

[Grolin]

Whenever we communicate, we pick and choose our words based on the message we want to get across. It's not just an artistic/publicity thing.

I can see where you're coming from because I personally don't like using words that have been turned into obscenities by the way most people use them.
But the words themselves aren't "unclean." And when you want to communicate a message, ESPECIALLY as an artist, you want maximum impact from each word you choose. Word choice is one of many factors in that.
If a work is well written, changing a word will screw the meaning up. Might not seem that big, but each word builds on the rest to create meaning.

Besides, what IS the message being brought across? We are all dirty, broken people who have made light of God's glory by trading it for idols, prostituting ourselves to the world in a self-centered hurricane of sinful behaviors. That's the truth of it.
When you consider how much we have insulted God, there is NO language strong enough to describe us humans and our sin. No language obscene enough to speak of the depths to which we have sold ourselves to selfishness.
There is no "clean" way to say how dirty we are without losing the impact of that. The Gospel itself is offensive because we don't want to hear how sinful we are, how disgusting our actions are to God.

The message of Christ isn't pretty. Not only are we terrible sinners, it involves the WORST crime ever committed; the killing of the Son of God.
It also involves a God of infinite grace who forgives our infinite rebellion and slander of His name. A God who not only forgives us, but welcomes us. Who desires to give us His all-sufficient riches if we would just give up our trash and ask Him for treasure.

But we need to address our brokenness before we can understand our need for God, and in this society, the language to bring that message may need to be quite strong, harsh... even offensive to those who don't want to hear it.

 

[Unnamed Servant]

I appreciate your words and your prayers and I agree that we have a great commission to fulfill...let's do it together!

Regarding they lyrics, I understand what's in the bible...I understand the need to get people's attention, but if I have a problem with secular people using the language than surely I must have a higher standard for Christian artists. Yes I know it's "just a word"...but like I said before...it's not necessary. And no I don't necessarily put "harlot" in the same category as some of the other obscennities...I love Derek Webb ever since I saw him probably 10 years ago, but there's a better way to get your message out. Look how much pub he's gotten just because of a few words...is that what he intended? To be controversial or to get out a message? Do you have to have one tied to the other?

Keep the faith!
Blessedman

If the message is the gospel of Christ, then yes it will be controversial. Just look at Jesus. Everytime he spoke, there was always controversy. What he spoke was radical.