Steve Taylor – One of my Formative Theologians

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