Sometimes people ask me which theologians have impacted me the most over the years. I have a few, but recently, I realized one who probably makes no one else’s list.

Steve Taylor

Ever heard of this theologian? Probably not. He hasn’t written any books of theology. He never got a Ph.D. (that I know of). He has long hair (longer than mine!). He doesn’t preach in any church, teach in any seminary, or even have a blog.

So who is he? How was I influenced by his theology?

Through his music. Steve Taylor is a musician. I didn’t realize how much his theology and ideas impacted me until recently when I pulled out some old CDs that I listened to twenty years ago, and was shocked by what I heard. He was singing my heart! The words of his song match the ideas in my mind.

So over the next few days, I am going to post a few of his videos, and make a few comments about them.

One Warning

If you decide to watch the videos, be warned. Steve Taylor sang in the 1980’s and his clothing and dancing reflect it. He’s kind of quirky. But deep theology and missional ideas are painted with words in nearly every song.

By the way, I don’t think any of his music is available on iTunes. He had a falling out with his Christian record label, and they refuse to put his songs on iTunes. Nice, huh?

Steve is no longer recording music. He is now a movie producer, and is coming out with his first full-length movie later this year. I am quite excited about it, and I’ll fill you in on a later post.

The first video I want to post today is “Jesus if for Losers.”

Lyrics:

If I was driven,
Driven ahead by some noble ideal,
Who took the wheel?

If I was given,
Given a glimpse of some glorious road,
When was it sold?

So caught up in the chase,
I keep forgetting my place.

Just as I am,
I am stiff-necked and proud.
Jesus is for losers.
Why do I still play to the crowd?

Just as I am,
Pass the compass, please.
Jesus is for losers,
I’m off about a hundred degrees.

If I was groping,
Groping around for some ladder to fame,
I am ashamed.

If I was hoping,
Hoping respect would make a sturdy footstool,
I am a fool.

Bone-weary every climb.
Blindsided every time.

Just as I am
I am needy and dry
Jesus is for losers
The self-made need not apply

Just as I am,
In a desert crawl,
Lord, I’m so thirsty,
Take me to the waterfall.

And if you’re certain,
Certain your life is some cosmic mistake,
Why do you shake?

And if you’re certain,
Certain that faith is some know-nothing mask,
Why do you still ask?

They don’t grade here on the curve.
We both know what we deserve.

Just as you are,
Just a wretch like me.
Jesus is for losers,
Grace from the blood of a tree.

Just as we are,
At a total loss.
Jesus is for losers,
Broken at the foot of the cross.

Just as I am,
Pass the compass, please.
Jesus is for losers,
I’m off about a hundred degrees.

Just as I am,
In a desert crawl,
Lord, I’m so thirsty,
Take me to the waterfall.

A Few Comments

Call us what you want. Sinners. Lepers. Losers. We’re all in the same boat, and until we recognize this, and accept the free gift of eternal life given freely by God’s grace through Jesus Christ, life is pointless.

Here are some other posts I have written about Steve Taylor’s music:

• Steve Taylor – Escher’s World
• Steve Taylor – Lifeboat
• Steve Taylor – Baby Doe
• Steve Taylor – Sock Heaven
• Steve Taylor – Cash Cow
• Steve Taylor – What is the Measure of Your Success?
• Steve Taylor – Blue Like Jazz the Movie

---

Do you want to live like Jesus within your community but do not know where to start?

Sam at Grace Ground has the best series on this subject I have ever read. It is better even than any book I have ever read on the subject.

Seriously, if you want to love your community, reach out with the love of Jesus, and reflect Christ to your neighbors, you must read this series.

Here is an excerpt from a recent post:
[Read more…]

My father-in-law, Al Sisler, died on Monday. Today is his funeral. He will be desperately missed, but thankfully, as I wrote on Tuesday, death was not the end for him. Below are a few things I will remember most about Al Sisler.

The first thing I remember noticing about Al Sisler was his smile. It was kind of a half-smile. Not a full-on toothy grin, but a gentle, warm, upturn at the corners of the mouth. It was as if he saw something beautiful and slightly humorous in life, and was smiling to himself about it. As long as I have known him, I don’t think I ever saw him without that smile. The smile represented everything that was “his way.”

I still remember when I asked if I could marry his only daughter. I was so nervous about what he would say, but he smiled that soothing smile and said, “Well, Jeremy, she’s a grown woman. We let her make those decisions on her own.” It was not an answer I expected, but it represented the way he lived his life and loved his family.

Such an answer also showed he way of trusting his children. He loved them so much that while he offered advice when asked for it, he let them make their own decisions, and follow their own path. He hoped for the best in all of them, and helped in any way he could to make their dreams come true.

[Read more…]

My wife lost her father last night.

While we grieve this loss, we rejoice in his gain. Please pray for Wendy, her mother, her brothers, and all our children, as they face life without such a beloved husband, father, and grandfather.

My favorite poet of all time is John Donne. He was a passionate poet preacher. While some of his poems will make you blush, others make you think. One of the latter is “Holy Sonnet 10” which he wrote about our victory over death.

Holy Sonnet X

Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so.
For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poor death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow.
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well,
And better than thy stroke. Why swell’st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more. Death, thou shalt die.

~John Donne

Wendy’s father really was one of “our best men.” But death has won no victory here. We look forward to the day we see him again in eternity.