I just pre-ordered Derek Webb’s new album, Stockholm Syndrome, last night. Along with the pre-order came the ability to download all of the original album immediately, so I’ve been listening to it ever since. There was quite a bit of contention surrounding the album. Here’s a blurb from an email I got:

Because of controversy with Derek’s record label, there will be two versions of the album released (a ‘clean’ and an ‘explicit’ version), hitting physical and digital shelves on September 1st, 2009. But directly from Derek will be the only way to get Stockholm Syndrome in its entirety and original sequence, including the controversial song ‘What Matters More’.

And why wait until September? All pre-orders come with an IMMEDIATE full digital download of Stockholm Syndrome.

Choose from SIX different pre-order options, including ‘digital-only’ packages with lots of digital extras, 3 different quality resolutions (including HD) of ‘Paradise Is A Parking Lot’ (the hour-long documentary film about Stockholm Syndrome), full multi-track stems of the entire album (in WAV format) for remixing, limited edition Stockholm Syndrome t-shirts and much more.

Pre-Order Now

I’ve really been enjoying the album, I love how Webb “pushes the envelope” when it comes to Christian music. In the past, his songs “Wedding Dress” and “I Repent” have blown me away with their authenticity and bluntness (sorry I couldn’t find “I Repent” on YouTube).

But back to the controversy. It centers around the song “What Matters More,” in which Webb uses the words “shit” and “damn” and talks about how he wants Christians to stop picking on gays. His label, INO Records, thought the song was too sketchy to be included in the album. This actually happens quite a bit in the Christian music industry, but Derek Webb did something most artists don’t: he made it public knowledge to his fans. I got an email about a month ago from Webb stating:

. . . . it seems i’ve finally found the line beyond which my label can support me, and apparently i’ve crossed it. . . . the majority of the controversy is surrounding one song, which i consider to be among the most important songs on the record. so we’ve decided it’s an appropriate time to break the rules.

but because of various legal/publishing issues we’re having to be rather careful with how we do what we’re going to do next. that’s really all i can say for now and i’ve probably said too much.

we have a plan and we’re moving ahead, but we’re not sure what kind of trouble we might be getting into. we’ll let you know as soon as we know our next move-
derek

Jeff Wright over at Pursuing Truth offers a great response I’d like to share:

Webb is basically saying that Christians ought to have bigger concerns than spending an inordinate amount of time condemning homosexuals. It’s not necessary to read into what Webb is saying and conclude that he’s implying that homosexuality is not a sin or that the issue is not important. I don’t know what his convictions are on those points. What he says is “If I can tell what’s in your heart by what comes out of your mouth, Then it sure looks to me like being straight is all it’s about.” Maybe you can say he’s exaggerating a bit to get his point across but its difficult to argue him on this.

The amount of time and energy spent confronting the issue of homosexuality is certainly greater than the time and energy that could be spent on matters that are equally important or more so. Webb speaks of the 50,000 people who are dyin’ today which appears to be reference to world poverty (MakePovertyHistory claims “50,000 people die every day from poverty-related causes”). Is it controversial to assert that Christians ought to focus on the hungry, poor and sick as much or more than we do the issues related to the growing acceptance of homosexuality? Its hard to believe that a damn record label would ban an album over such shit. Sounds like the issue has more to do with colloquial sensitivities than moral philosophy.

I leave us with the words of great apostle Paul who penned these inspired words of Scripture:

“But indeed I also consider everything to be loss on account of the surpassing knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, on account of whom I forfeited all things; and I consider them shit so that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8

Well said, Jeff – or should I credit the Apostle Paul?

With no further ado, here is the song “What Matters More” by Derek Webb:

Related posts:

1. Great Thoughts on Derek Webb and Stockholm Syndrome
2. Loaded with iTunes gift cards, but Christian music sucks