Lyrics

[topshot]

Solely based upon your album titles, one might assume you have Christian themes in your material. Do you have lyrics posted anywhere? Thanks.

Peace

 

[NickDivision]

I don't think the lyrics are posted anywhere. We tend to bounce off a lot of the topics that are close to us, and since we talk a LOT about life and death, the Christian themes come into play. However, we probably have more songs insulting all the things that the church has done wrong than what they've done right, so I wouldn't call us the next Stryper any time soon. haha.

Are you looking for a specific song or just overall?

Thanks for listening!

 

[topshot]

However, we probably have more songs insulting all the things that the church has done wrong than what they've done right
[snip]
Are you looking for a specific song or just overall?

Sadly there is a lot of hypocrisy from so-called "Christians". I was curious overall. Do you have any songs about being a true follower of Jesus (similar to your labelmate Theocracy, for example)?

 

[eaeolian]

From a personal standpoint - since I've written about half the lyrics in the past - a lot of my songs from the "Ascension" album are about internal struggles, so that can bring to light spirtualism and, by connection since I was raised that way, Christianity. None were written in an intentionally Christian way, though.

"Trinity" has much less of that on my part - the confict in the lyrics is usually more external. It's also quite a bit angrier.

Speaking only for me - I will not presume to answer for anyone else in the band - and answering your specific question: None of my songs are about being a true follower of Jesus.

Mike

 

[Matt Crooks]

Nope no lyrics about being a true follower of Christ. Theocracy is certainly a Christian band, but we are not, and I don't belive any of the other Metal Ages bands are.

The song Eleventh Hour on the new disc is about someone who embraces Jesus on their death bed, and the hypocracy that goes along with that.

There are several religious themes in my lyrics, but not many of them are very pro-christianity. That being said, there are NONE that are anti-Christianity. They just point out the hypocracy of the Church, or the struggles one has coming to grips with their own spirtual beliefs.

Hope that helps.... when in doubt smoke crack and worship satan! j/k

 

[topshot]

Thank you for the info. I hope you run into some "real" Christians someday to improve your views.

Peace

 

[Oogadee Boogadee]

I thought we just did.

And I think you just failed...

Like the rest.

Peace

 

[jaimek]

*rolls eyes*

You know, topshot, that just wasn't necessary. These guys are among the biggest-hearted, most accepting bunch I've ever met, and I wouldn't trade them for your "real" Christians for anything.

 

[Oogadee Boogadee]

The hypocrisy of mortal Christian man passing judgement on others is a major fuel for the lyrics and hatred found in the music he [I'm assumming] despises...

Anyway, wouldn't it be weird if, as a result of the "you're-all-going-to-burn-in-Hell"-religions opening up and becoming tolerant, 'satanic' metal and the like disappeared or refocused on politics or whatever?

blah.

 

[Cheyanne]

<agrees w/ Oogadee>
Yup.. failed miserably....
Belief systems have nothing to do w/ how good a person is...
And i rather like `em how they are, anywho

 

[eaeolian]

Thank you for the info. I hope you run into some "real" Christians someday to improve your views.

Peace

Actually, I've run into quite a few, all of whom considered themselves to be "real". I'm very tolerant of different belief systems - a trait I find to be rare, in my experience, with most people who use the word "true" (or "troo" ) to describe anything.

Yet another log thrown on that pile...

Mike

 

[scooterSST]

From a personal standpoint - since I've written about half the lyrics in the past - a lot of my songs from the "Ascension" album are about internal struggles, so that can bring to light spirtualism and, by connection since I was raised that way, Christianity. None were written in an intentionally Christian way, though.

"Trinity" has much less of that on my part - the confict in the lyrics is usually more external. It's also quite a bit angrier.

Speaking only for me - I will not presume to answer for anyone else in the band - and answering your specific question: None of my songs are about being a true follower of Jesus.

Mike

While it's late in the game, I'll pitch my two cents in with concern to the to songs that I wrote, "Society's Child" and "Common Bonds". My lyrical content even previous to Division has had some socio-politcal over tones. Both these songs have specific stories that inspired them.

One of the local TV stations in DC does a segment every Wednesday called "Wednesday's Child" dealing with hard to place foster kids looking for a new, permanent home. It amazed me that these loving kids were so hard to adopt, and Society's Child is a ficitious trace of one of those children though the "system" and winding up in prison with a death sentance.

Common Bonds deals with the abject stupidity of racism, after seeing a news article on a so called "Chirstian" organization that was a thinly disgused veil over a white supremicist organization. The Christian Bible says that all of the Children of God are the same under the skin (hence the line "Chalice of Life say's were all the same", and it's been genetically proven.

I don't undertstand racism and bigotry ( to include religious bigotry) I never have.

anyways that's my $.02, feel free to discuss...

 

[topshot]

The song Eleventh Hour on the new disc is about someone who embraces Jesus on their death bed, and the hypocracy that goes along with that.

Interesting take on that. Deron just sent me several CDs (quite a surprise I might add), including your's, so I read the lyrics and got just that impression from reading them. I had forgotten you mentioned that song in this thread. While it may be hypocritical in some aspects for a person to delay accepting Christ as their Savior and having essentially no life left to live for Him, God accepts them just the same. They may not have many rewards in heaven, but they'll make it, which is far better than the alternative.

I also seem to have struck a nerve with you guys. It seems you believe I was implying I was better than you or suggesting you weren't decent people. Some of you may indeed be saved (I'd guess Matt is based upon 'Left Behind'). By "real" Christians, I meant true disciples of Christ who do their best to follow His teachings. Your focus on hypocrisy suggests you've been around a lot of people that aren't doing well with that, whether intentional or not. Clearly, we all continue to sin in various ways, but we are to build one another up, not focus on our failings. My prayer was that you'd find more people that were living as Jesus did and improve your perception of Christianity. I despise the hypocrisy I see in Christians as well (even in my own church!), but we are to admonish them in love; that's tough to do without appearing judgmental. Hopefully that clarifies things, but if it's still clear as mud, feel free to email me.

I will play Left Behind on my show Sunday. Feel free to listen if you want. Time shown is Indiana so it's the same as central right now.
Rocksalt

 

[jaimek]

While it may be hypocritical in some aspects for a person to delay accepting Christ as their Savior and having essentially no life left to live for Him, God accepts them just the same. They may not have many rewards in heaven, but they'll make it, which is far better than the alternative.

That opens a whole can of philosophical worms, but we'll skip that for now.

While I realize that you're of the benevolent, well-meaning sort, the phrase "true Christian" immediately rubs me the wrong way, because what it really says is "what I believe is right and anything different is wrong/misguided." Your particular sentiments are not necessarily shared by thousands, millions of other Christians, because every group interprets the belief system as suits them best, and each one thinks theirs is the correct way.

This, I think, is what Mike was trying to touch on, despite the flippant answer.

 

[topshot]

the phrase "true Christian" immediately rubs me the wrong way, because what it really says is "what I believe is right and anything different is wrong/misguided." Your particular sentiments are not necessarily shared by thousands, millions of other Christians, because every group interprets the belief system as suits them best, and each one thinks theirs is the correct way.

Sad, but true. I find the divisions in the Church appalling. The number of denominations is proof enough of how disunified we are. I just have to think God, Jesus and the apostles are just shaking their heads at what the Church is like in general today. Not sure if you're familiar with the band Disciple, but their song "I Just Know" fits this topic perfectly.

Peace

 

[Matt Crooks]

Topshot -

Eleventh Hour and Left Behind do have some Christian influences in them. As a Christian those things come out in my writting. However, I try not to make the lyrics so blatant that they shove my beliefs down your throat.

If people stop an re-evaluate their own convictions after hearing one of my songs, that is great. If they go pop open another Red, White and Blue long neck, that is cool too.

I won't go into the "true-Chirstian" and church divisions part of this thread, because I really don't have anything useful to add.

I hope you're enjoying the CD.

 

[topshot]

However, I try not to make the lyrics so blatant that they shove my beliefs down your throat.

Matt,
Nor do they need to be. Music is a great opportunity to carry out the Great Commission, but actions speak louder than words. What people see you do on and off stage will have a much bigger impact than the lyrics to a song you wrote. Certainly people can be touched by the songs, but that won't hold water if you're not "walking the walk" so to speak. I bet you have an even greater opportunity than most Christian bands because you play in the secular venues all the time and they will rarely book a Christian band even if they are great. Anyway, I expect I'm "preaching to the choir" so keep rocking and being Jesus to those you meet.

Peace,
Michael

 

[Oogadee Boogadee]

As far as the band goes, I'll go out on a limb and say I might be the least Christian of all. So I can't speak for anybody but myself.

I'm of the belief that people should be good, selfless, and understanding to others because that is just the right thing to do, not b/c it's the mission of their religion. That's the walk that I walk, and if it happens to be on a different but parallel path (of Christianity) towards the single destination of a better world for all, then great. The difference between me and them is I act in the name of what I believe is right, and they act in the name of what God says is right. What bugs me are the folks that say I should jump over to their "path". Invitations are different - I appreciate those, despite any refusal on my part.

You're right about actions speaking louder than words. I just don't act in the name of any god nor give credit to any for the compassion that I have and give to others. It's not my intention to be Jesus to other people, or ask myself "WWJD"; and (I could be mistaken) I don't think Division aims to behave as such either.

We're all porn-loving drunks for heaven's sakes.

 

[eaeolian]

Well, I typed up a nice reply to this thread, which was promptly eaten, and I'm not typing it again.

Suffice it to say, Jaime is correct - I was being flippant, as usual, but that's exactly what I meant.

Topshot, I admire the strength of your convictions, even if I don't entirely agree with them - you seem to have understood the point of Jesus' sermons, which is lost on far too many "Christians".

Thanks for the airplay, and the exchange of ideas, as reasoned discussion is always welcome here.

Mike

 

[topshot]

I'm of the belief that people should be good, selfless, and understanding to others because that is just the right thing to do, not b/c it's the mission of their religion.

It's too bad not many people seem to be that way. But who told you it's the right thing to do? That's true only if there's an absolute moral truth and where did that come from if there's no God (I assume you do believe God is real since you referred to yourself as the least Christian in the group rather than an atheist)? I don't want to digress into a philosophical discussion, but I found Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis to be a nice read on that topic if you care to investigate.

What bugs me are the folks that say I should jump over to their "path". Invitations are different - I appreciate those, despite any refusal on my part.

Well, as long as your path includes truly accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior at some point, it makes no difference how you get there. Otherwise, I hope there's no God for your sake. Sadly, there are millions of good people and those who sit in pews on Sundays that won't see heaven. Matthew 7:21-23 is a good example of that.

And if you really do have a porn addiction, I hope it doesn't adversely affect your relationships as it did mine.

Peace