Now that I have heard, I am responsible

My new favorite album starts off with little fanfare: a piano chord, then an intimately recorded vocal confession:

"Walking, stumbling on these shadowfeet toward home; a land that I've never seen. I am changing: less and less asleep; made of different stuff than when I began"

The song is dramatic in it stark frankness - expressing the hopeful struggle of a journey down a narrow path, culminating in the redemptive reckoning of the re-creation:

"When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees, when time and space are through, I'll be found in you."

People often ask me about new music, but I rarely have a favorable opinion of any. Brooke Fraser is the latest of a small cadre of artists whose music I find satisfying on a variety of levels. I won't bore you with a lot of biographical information, but she writes surprisingly deep and insightful lyrics for a 24-year-old newlywed. The melodies are generally memorable (most songs have multiple hooks) and joined with well-crafted song structures.

She demonstrates uncommon vocal prowess - on par with Sarah McLachlan and Paula Cole and certainly drawing from their styles, while not derivative of either. On "Love, Where is Your Fire," she has been compared by other reviewers to Nora Jones. I disagree - it's a song you could certainly imagine being sung by Miss Jones, but Fraser's vocal power is wielded more overtly.

Another standout tune is "C. S. Lewis Song," which thankfully doesn't quote its title in the lyrics, but, instead, offers a reflection upon the author's musings (most likely God in the Dock):
"If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy,
I can only conclude that I was not made for here."
The composition, arrangement and production of this one, in particular, wouldn't be out of place on the new Cold Play effort or most post-Acthung! U2.

The title track, "Albertine" was written in response to her visit to Rwanda. Unabashedly orthopraxic lyrics [Look that up - seriously. If you're reading this you'll find it a handy word to have in your inventory.] and an astounding vocal performance are coupled in a synergistic package. "Now that I have seen, I am responsible - faith without deeds is dead," is her simple refrain.

The album ends with the austere "Hymn" - a prayer focused on what should be every disciple's goal with respect to their Master: seeking His face and imploring Him for transforming power until "I only dwell in Thee."

So there you have it - a short take on what could be a much longer and more effusive review. If you're frustrated with the artistic and theological poverty marking most "Christian music," give Brooke Fraser a fair chance to restore your hope - in more ways than one.

Scripture Reading in Christian Worship? How Unusual...

Yesterday I was asked if I was intentionally incorporating more scripture readings into the worship services I plan. I was almost dumbfounded - especially considering who it was that asked me - but I quickly discerned his discouragement regarding the disheartening lack of public reading of scripture.

(Pardon my excessive alliteration, but allow it to serve as a transition to another observation we made independently of each other.)

We have exchanged the Word of God for cute (and often over-alliterated) self-help lectures (albeit ones with scriptural proof texts). A few months ago I queried a class of about 25 non-traditional Bible college students as to whether or not they publicly read scripture on the previous Sunday (sermon prooftexting notwithstanding) and four raised their hands. FOUR! The use of the Bible in public worship is in a serious state of neglect!

I would also add that we have exchanged the praise, adoration, and thanksgiving - all full of humility and contrition - of Biblical worship for a few songs that suit our personal tastes and make us feel good about being God's people (or, more aptly, one of Jesus' friends). But back to my original rant...

I recently led worship services at a state prison, a nursing home, and a family weekend at a church camp. After each of these I received positive comments about the use of scripture in public worship. It seemed like a brand new idea to some; it seemed like a long - and regrettably - discarded memory to others. Shame on us that it should fall into either category.

The Church has been written into God's narrative. How will we know who we are, where we came from, where we're going, and what we should do now if we neglect his written Word? There is power in the Word - beyond what we know and beyond what we are willing to believe. Without it, can we even hope to better know and lovingly obey the Living Word?

Well?