The Word Inside The Word

Album: Burning like the Midnight Sun (2010)
Play Video

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."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.