The song was penned by Jackson Brown but according to him inspired by conversations w a buddhist friend. who when Jackson Browne asked about faith in his life said:
"I believe in the teachings of Christ…but these same beliefs are held by others.' One of the things that Christianity believes that I can't really adhere to is the idea that unless you are a Christian, you won't go to heaven. That's leaving an awful lot of people out."
Do you see what Browne is saying? He wants to side with Jesus. But Christians are making it difficult. Friends, this shouldn’t be.
"Jesus was the kind of person who attracted heathens and pagans. Why does it seem that American Christianity treasures many things above Jesus. And the consequence is that “the heathens and pagans” are pushed further away.
This isn’t an indictment on any one particular Christian. I’m not saying God is angry and disappointed with his people. He never sees his saints that way because for those who truly trust in Jesus, we are the apple of his eye. He smiles upon us and sings over us.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t have work to do. Both can be true.
What I think Browne exposes is that traditionally organized church systems and structures are set up to keep us more aligned with the institution and the status quo than Jesus."
And that’s not okay.
This song was NEVER a christmas song or intended for the Church and its disappointing that this piece pops up at the top of google. Jackson Browne never wished to take a tone of judgment, like this article does. He only wished
to be on the side of the Rebel Jesus. I applaud him for creating dialogue about my Savior amongst the heathens and the pagans. "he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie"
Posted in: "The Rebel Jesus" - Worst Christmas Song Ever?
The song was penned by Jackson Brown but according to him inspired by conversations w a buddhist friend. who when Jackson Browne asked about faith in his life said:
"I believe in the teachings of Christ…but these same beliefs are held by others.' One of the things that Christianity believes that I can't really adhere to is the idea that unless you are a Christian, you won't go to heaven. That's leaving an awful lot of people out."
Do you see what Browne is saying? He wants to side with Jesus. But Christians are making it difficult. Friends, this shouldn’t be.
"Jesus was the kind of person who attracted heathens and pagans. Why does it seem that American Christianity treasures many things above Jesus. And the consequence is that “the heathens and pagans” are pushed further away.
This isn’t an indictment on any one particular Christian. I’m not saying God is angry and disappointed with his people. He never sees his saints that way because for those who truly trust in Jesus, we are the apple of his eye. He smiles upon us and sings over us.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t have work to do. Both can be true.
What I think Browne exposes is that traditionally organized church systems and structures are set up to keep us more aligned with the institution and the status quo than Jesus."
And that’s not okay.
This song was NEVER a christmas song or intended for the Church and its disappointing that this piece pops up at the top of google. Jackson Browne never wished to take a tone of judgment, like this article does. He only wished
to be on the side of the Rebel Jesus. I applaud him for creating dialogue about my Savior amongst the heathens and the pagans. "he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie"