We’ve been getting the Christmas music going on around here, but it’s come to the point where I think I need to take the step of banning a certain Christmas song from the house. It’s got nothing to do with Scroogish tendencies, and everything to do with bad theology. I mean rank. On one of those compilation albums of Christian artists doing Christmas songs (which includes some rather nice ones), Steve Fry keeps popping up singing “He Became A Man.” Not a horrible title, but I nominate it as worst Christmas song ever, mostly because there are more lyrics than just the title. Exhibit A — the chorus:
He became a man like me,
Laid aside his deity
to fill my every need.
And all the hurts I ever knew,
Jesus Christ went through
to live his life through me.
It just makes me want to upchuck. Can you blame me?
That’s what I thought… I rest my case.
Update: it’s been a while since my formal theological education, and I’ve been trying to figure out which major heresy is best represented by the second line — which (though the statement is too brief to be certain) probably misrepresents the doctrine of kenosis. It’s not quite Arianism, closer to Nestorianism (5th century), but not exactly that either. I’m thinking the third line is an issue dating back to the late-20th century…
Highly gag-worthy, I agree. Almost as bad as that Easter-ish song from a few years ago, Above All…
Like a rose trampled on the ground
He took the fall, and thought of me
above all…
I would submit: possibly more sacreligious than the Golden Compass? (yet, not as likely to generate as much hoopla…)
Thanks for the update, the picture had thrown me off the track about what had really bugged you about the song. I had a mixed reaction to the chorus, gag reflex to the first 2 verses, but I was thinkging that you were having a problem with verses 3 and on. My initial though was, “What’s he trying to say? Is he saying that we aren’t the needy ones? What was the Incarnation about anyway to ‘fix’ God or to ‘fix’ us?”
I can relate to your reaction though, I personally dislike that praise song where the chorus goes, “I’m Alive, I’m Alive, I’m Alive….” (repeat ad nausium).
Check it out … each third line is about me (no, really, me … not you, me):
“to fill my every need.” and
“to live his life through me.”
But, I guess since he became a man to do all that, and I’m a woman … none of it counts for me. No, wait … Jesus can be my boyfriend. LOL.
See how shallow it all is? It’s just sorta gross. I refuse to listen to any of it … on principle (or is it principal? I never get that one right).
I stick to the old ways … the old carols … and some Jewish music which is always fun!! Guess I’m an old f@rt …
Not a Christmas song but what about “To Ever Live Without Me” by Jody McBrayer for an ‘all about me’ lyric?
The last couple of lines in the chorus are amazing.
It was all about a man
It was all about a cross
It was all about the blood that was shed
so I would not be lost
It was all about the love
That was bigger than a life
It was all about a freedom that was given
through your sacrifice
‘Cause you would rather die
than to ever live without me
I cringe every time I hear it.
hmm, this is why we only listen to “Swingin’ Christmas 3”, cause then you don’t have to worry about bad theology;-) BTW, I think you and my hubby are twins seperated at birth… LOL
yes…bad theology indeed. That is why I like the surf-styled Christmas music of Los Straitjackets (well, mostly because I went to Jr. High with one of the band members).
Hehehe…yeah Brother maynard. I am not going to post all the songs that come to mind. It would take up to much space. I have just stopped concidering the Christian Music Industry as passing on good theology in general. And I am not going to go into that either because I am now a nice boy.