The Word Inside The Word

Album: Burning like the Midnight Sun (2010)
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Songfacts®:

  • With references to Gandhi and Buddha, this song by the Christian rock band The Choir sounds like it could be a defense of the Christian faith. To find out, we asked their drummer Steve Hindalong, who also writes their lyrics, to tell us about the song. Said Steve: "I have two daughters in college. They're both keen-minded, articulate, independent thinkers. As they observe the world, it has become apparent to them that religion is often a catalyst for dreadful conflict and destruction, as it has been throughout the centuries. Today, Islam has its hate groups, a small minority, misusing the Koran to justify acts of terror. There are violent white elitists in America calling themselves Christians. Ignorant intolerance goes on and on and on. Angry preachers of 'the gospel' behind pulpits and cameras, and all over the Internet quote passages of ancient text to condemn others according to their own prejudices. Have you read Leviticus lately? I mean the entire book? There are a whole lot of outlandish rules in there – irrelevant in this present context. Jesus loved people, not dogma. He said, 'By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another' (John 13:35). The word inside The Word is 'love.'

    I want my girls to find their own lasting faiths. I hope and pray they follow Jesus. At times I'm quite sure they've seen the light of Christ in my life – and at certain times – clearly not. I understand how the ugly, false face of Christianity repulses them. But in beautiful contrast, the body of Christ is a miraculous force for good in this world – when we move as one in the Spirit of love. We are His hands. We are His feet. Holy Spirit, whisper to the hearts of my daughters. Let them hear your true voice. Speak to me also, Lord."

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