What do you think of Switchfoot?

[esther18]

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Yep...I see exactly where you are coming from...! A lot of ppl that I know do not know they are Christian until I tell them too! I can verify some of the lyrics as Christian [because I am a Christian, and I know Christian values...and can put it in a christian perspective...] But, come to think of it...they are not trying to bring ppl to Christ...[if the only ppl who can understand the values of the song are Christian...then how in the world are they ministering.?!.?!] I read over a few of their lyrics, dismissed all of my Christian outlook, and I saw that if you do this, the lyrics have no Christian moral/value to them. To me [as a female] some of the lyrics, I could put a guy in for the descriptions...not God...why is it this way..? Why don't they put God in there, and specify it. They are beating around the bush! [ ] [Just] for the following lyrics, dismiss all Godly things from your mind...all knowledge...as if you were a non-christian...never know about GOD.
See what you gather!

Tell you where you need to go
Tell you when you'll need to leave
Tell you what you need to know
Tell you who you need to be

But everything inside you knows
Says more than what you've heard
So much more than empty conversations
Filled with empty words

And you're on fire
When He's near you
You're on fire
When He speaks
You're on fire
Burning at these mysteries

Give me one more time around
Give me one more chance to see
Give me everything You are
Give me one more chance to be... (near You)

Cause everything inside looks like
Everything I hate
You are the hope I have for change
You are the only chance I'll take

When I'm on fire
When You're near me
I'm on fire
When You speak
And I'm on fire
Burning at these mysteries
these mysteries...

I'm standing on the edge of me [x3]
I'm standing on the edge

And I'm on fire
When You're near you
I'm on fire
When You speak
(Yea) I'm on fire
Burning at these mysteries...
​

Okay...I am hoping that you read them. Fill in all the he's with [if you are a female] a guy you want to be near to...or a guy that you want to pusue. [Maybe in general, a guy that you would like to marry...no one in specific...just the description]. Fill in all of them [if you are a male] with a girl you think would talk about you that way...or a girl that you like...maybe want to pursue...the same as the girls, exept change the gender.

What did you come up with?

I came up with the idea that, yes, it does fit that description. [I AM NOT, BY ANY MEANS, SAYING THAT SWITCHFOOT IS COMPLETELY NON-CHRISTIAN OR NOT DOING A WORK FOR GOD...I AM MERELY STATING THAT SOME OF THEIR LYRICS, COME TO THINK OF IT, ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTIONING GOD. THEY DON'T. IF I WAS PART OF A SATANIST OCCULT OR SOMETHING, WHICH I AM NOT, I COULD VERIFY SOME OF THE LYRICS WITH THAT. IT IS ALMOST LIKE THE 'FILL IN THE BLANK' QUESTIONS ON A TEST. YOU CAN FILL IN A LOT OF THINGS WITH THE 'HE'S, SHE'S, SPIRIT'S, FORGIVENESS,ETC.'] I do believe that some of their lyrics do specifically mention Christ, but, I am also a little wary that they do not mention God on their site, at least not too visible! I mean, even some heavy metal artists will say in their AMA awards, that they want to thank God...!

By the way, have they ever mentioned their testimony? If so, what is it? [Every artist has some Godly testimony they share...every 'christian' one, at least!]

Oh, and I am not down on Switchfoot, as a matter of fact, I do like their music! I think it is rather awesome for a Christian to listen to! It is great! Better than a lot of stuff that is ungodly! I like their style too...I just looked from a non-christian perspective, and found a different Point Of View [POV].

Well, e-mail, PM, or reply!

Your Sister In Christ,
Heather

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I thnk that switchfoot are great band but its sad news if they are to step into the secular world.i like rock thats why i listen to christian rock as i started listening to gospel too.christian rockdoes have a good impact on rock fans but i believe that their lyrics should be more about God,which will eeasily be differentiated from secular bands!

 

[oddchild]

I think, they would sound sweet if they got harder... like skillet did

 

[fallenbutterfly]

I really like Switchfoot. Dad reccently bought me the "Beautiful Letdown" and I really like the songs Gone, Meant To Live, On Fire, and The Beautiful Letdown. They have such great lyrics, and I really enjoy listening to them!

 

[Glenn316]

You know, a choice like I haven't a clue would have been useful here.

 

[bleechers]

Again, I'll state the most of the parables were spoken to those who wanted to listen...

This is absolutely wrong. The parables were specifically spoken to those who did not want to listen. They were given as a judgment. Jesus clearly states this.

To his disciples in private He spoke "in plain speech" because they were beloved.

Jesus spoke a clear message to all who would come. When His message was rejected, He turned to parables so those who rejected His clear message "would not understand".

Paul was much more forward, as he really felt a calling to go out to the world.

A calling that we called to follow. Not just called, but commanded to follow.

"Woe unto me if I preach not the gospel."

"Preach the Word. Be instant in season and out of season [when it is convenient and when it is not convenient]"

Just as walking up to someone on the street and telling them "you are a sinner...repent now and give your life to Christ" is probably not the most effective way of evangelizing to the unsaved, singing songs where God is referenced every 5 words (directly) are going to ostracize the unsaved.

This is a red herring. Expecting bands that people want to call Christian to actually have a clear testimony and a clear message is not the same as requiring them to "reference God every 5 words." You've created a straw man to argue with, then you knocked him down.

As to standing on the street preaching, what's so bad about that?

Yea, Jesus was so popular that they crucified Him. Paul was just as popular so he was beaten, stoned, deported, whipped and beheaded.

 

[enelya_taralom]

Besides "Meant to Live" and "Dare You to Move" I personally am not a huge fan of Switchfoot. After I heard those two songs I checked out their albums, and found them to be a bit weak musically (but that's just my humble opinion). I was excited however, that another Christian band was making waves on secular radio so when I heard that they would be doing an interview on my local rock station I made a point of listening.

Needless to say, I was very disappointed in the interview.

I agree with the people who have said that they don't need to be pushing their faith down people's throats, but based on this interview, they sure seem to now be making an effort to hide it.

During the interview they had two chances to at least acknowledge the Christian elements in their music, but didn't.

The DJ had read that they had won a Dove award and asked them what that was. Rather than saying what a Dove was (an award given out to Christian musicians) they stated that they "hadn't won a dove, but got to meet the Foo Fighters and Radiohead." She later asked them again what a dove was, and they kept on going on about the Foo Fighters and Radiohead.

I'm not trying to judge Switchfoot, but rather show my disappointment. It's a bit discouraging to "see" bands like Switchfoot and Evancense write music that may be obviously Christian to Christians, but vague to non-Christians, and then seemingly try to hide their faith (I've heard Evancense at least say that "yes we're Christians", but then denied that their music had anything to do with their faith- which considering they were signed to a Christian label before a secular one seems like a lie to me), especially with, for example, bands such as Third Day, Newsboys and Rebecca St. James out there.

Not only do those bands write music that for the most part is a bit more obvious in their faith ( I don't think there's any misinterpreting "They don't serve breakfast in Hell", "And so we sing to the most Holy, the Lord, our God","For the Love of God, let this be my Motivation") but they are also outspoken about it. I've heard all three of these artists share in their testimonies at every show of theirs I've been to, and much more.

"Your in-depth research shows: drop the God emphasize the beat... God is NOT a secret to be kept!"

 

[Infernal Freak]

I love the song Meatn to Live. I have The Beautiful Letdown CD. I also like a song off of A Walk to Remember Soundtrack...'Someday we'll know..." It was kewl! I loved the beat of it!

-Heather

 

[Beoga]

i think switchfoot is really really good, though i voted that they are ok. i think meant to live and gone are really overplayed. i enjoy their older stuff. i pray that this jump to the secular realm will not make them like mxpx.

 

[saıvaтion is нere.]

On the 'Switchfoot Live in San Diego' DVD I recently watched, Jon [Lead singer] read parts from a book written by a Christian and talked about it and God and stuff... I really disagree with the view that Switchfoot try to avoid acknowledging God. I know that if they did have things about God constantly obvious in their songs, and people realised they were Christian, they would cease to listen to them.

Just a few quick lyrics, for anyone who's still interested:

The stars are alive
They dance to the music
Of the deepest emotion
And all of the world
Is singing in time
As the heavens are caving in
Mysterious ways
Why God gave his life
To put motion inside my soul - [Love is the Movement]

These carbon shells
These fragile dusty frames
House canvases of souls
We are bruised and broken masterpieces
But we did not paint ourselves
And where will I find You?

Where was I when the world was made?
Where was I?

I'm lost without You here
I'm lost without You near me
I'm lost without You here
You knew my name when the world was made - [the Economy of Mercy]

Oh, Spirit fall like rain on my thirsty soul
Oh, Erosion, would you wash away my sins? - [Erosion]

She said, he said live like no tomorrow,
every moment that we borrow brings us closer
to a God who's not short of cash - [Gone]

With all of our fashion
We're still incomplete
The God of redemption
Could break our routine

You're throwing your love across
My impossible space
You've created me
Take me out of me into
A new way to be human - [New Way to Be Human]

I look to find You
Down on my knees
Oh God, I believe!
Please help me believe - [Sooner or Later]

And I'm certain that He hears me
He listens even as I sing my song
I'm emphatic that He's near me
And I can see His touch in everything here - [Under the Floor]

Some lyrics might not be clear to some people who aren't in the mindset, but they are there, are were intended to be thought of in that context. I, personally, get more out of these kind of lyrics than of ones with the normal 'My Lord' type songs, and I think more people would listen to them this way than if they were different. This way, those who don't believe are able to listen to them, get to know and love the music, and then find out more of what they believe.

 

[bleechers]

This way, those who don't believe are able to listen to them, get to know and love the music, and then find out more of what they believe.

Thanks for the lyrics.

I just want to note that the line I quoted from your post is another red herring. It just doesn't happen that way. The lyrics you've posted could've been written by a Muslim. You were correct to say that YOU "get it" but let's not pretend that the lost are actually "investigating Christianity" because of this stuff.

Preach the Word, in season and out of season. If you don't want to do that in your music, then don't call it Christian.

 

[saıvaтion is нere.]

Yeah, I guess I agree with that. I think that a rare few may investigate, but it most likely would not work unless someone was actually searching for something in the lyrics. However, I think that it's extremely difficult to actually help someone to become a believer through music, because if it's too full-on, the listener won't want to listen - being most likely immediately turned off from the lyrics, and if it's not, they won't think anything of it. I guess Switchfoot mainly exist to assist believers, and get them excited about God.

 

[freezexbrand]

On the 'Switchfoot Live in San Diego' DVD

i was at that show it was at the SOMA in SD and all the other bands there were way better, thier stage presnce is horrible and you could hardly hear what they were saying when the did thier whole shpeel. you have to remeber that even live DVD's get a makeover befor they are released

 

[saıvaтion is нere.]

I'm sure it did 'get a makeover' but I liked what he said, and I liked the music they played, cos I, personally, think their music is great.

 

[Alissa]

I love switchfoot, they have great music