A quick thought on hip Christian music.

Cool. I get it. I understand your message. I don't have a problem with it. People write about various topics in many genres of music; I don't have a problem whatsoever with you talking about people being made from clay or being lifted up or something or whatever. Even the LDS music that I've heard, aside from hymns I mean, ok. That's fine. It's a little belabored but I dig your deal and continue on.

But for real. The only thing that would EVER turn me off from Christian music is the subculture surrounding it. I went to find lyrics to some Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken songs and BAM. There in almost every page. Hordes of emaciated, tattooed, dudes and girls smiling beguilingly. Every dude's gotta beard. Every chick has those loose, fly away bangs. They all look humbled and endowed with knowledge. Sigh. I don't know why this bothers me. I just think that this whole Shane Claiborne thing needs to end now. For every cool Christian in a suit and tie, there are twenty dudes wearing Red Wings jersies and torn jeans to services on sunday. It's like Jesus blessed the Last Supper and they sipped their local coffee house blends and nibbled on some pita and hummus. Maybe they did. But they sure weren't listening to Half-Handed Cloud and discussing the depth of C.S. Lewis.

I guess I just don't like the subculture because it's so desperately predictable. You guys are interesting people. I like hanging out with the people that I know that are in this lifestyle. I mean, half of Northern Kentucky is like this. That's great. But I like these people for a reason: for the people they are. And when I go to parties or concerts with these people, it's like I'm talking to one giant person, and all it wants to discuss is Rob Bell or Donald Miller. And everybody is so damn aloof. No I didn't hear the latest Mars Hill podcast, but I'm sure it was a doozy.

This was incoherent and more disgruntled than I intended it to be. I just really like people for who they are, not the Christian banner they wave. I'm a Christian. I love my religion. I love your religion. But we are not friends merely because of that aspect of our personality. I like you because you're intelligent and have a lot of funny stories/jokes/memories/ways to say things.

Two last ideas: This isn't about any ONE person. And this isn't about religion. Just the idea that we need to be starving, bearded, tattooed, pierced, and wearing a thrift store t-shirt to get into heaven. Holla at me if you wearin' a suit on Sunday. Holler.