I’ve been listening to some good music lately. Derek Webb has recently released his third solo album and I haven’t been able to stop listening to it. But it’s not because I love his music. I do love his music, but it’s the strong opinions laid out in his lyrics that have kept me clicking “repeat”. I knew when I listened to the album for the first time that I would want to write about what he’s singing about, so consider this the first installment.

Let’s take a look at the song, “A New Law”

(vs. 1) don’t teach me about politics and government, just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty, just label my music
don’t teach me how to live like a free man, just give me a new law

(pre-chorus) i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me

(chorus) i want a new law, i want a new law, gimme that new law

(vs. 2) don’t teach me about moderation and liberty, i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies
don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit, just give me a new law

(bridge) what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything
do not be afraid do not be afraid do not be afraid

I should probably say that this is currently my favorite song on the album. This is mostly because of the theological and spiritual concept that Webb presents. A few years ago, I had a Sunday School teacher pose this question: Would it be easier or harder to live under the Old Covenant, rather than the New Covenant?

Now, most of the people in my group thought it would be much more difficult to keep every law articulated in the OT, rather than live under the forgiveness and freedom of the New Covenant. Only me, another person, and the teacher agreed that it would be, in fact, much easier to just keep the old Law instead of struggling with making our own decisions and following the Spirit’s leading on everything. The others were a bit puzzled, but to me, it’s a no brainer. How easy would it be to just keep a law system and have the confidence that you are abiding in God? Instead, we have to think for ourselves, search for God’s will, and try to listen to the Holy Spirit. And even then, we’re still not sure exactly what we should and shouldn’t do in our lives.

This is why legalism is such a major issue for us. We naturally want to have rules, so we don’t have to think about it. We want to know what we can and can’t do, so we can judge and rank our own spirituality and the spirituality of others.

So this song is a plea to receive a “new law”, so we don’t have to make hard decisions. Derek Webb makes some pretty strong statements and implications, but they are about real issues that I think every Christian either struggles with or is legalistic about. Politics, music, alchohol, and (I’m guessing) war are all touched on. It’s tough to listen to because these are all pretty “hot button” issues for the typical Bible-belter. But the overall concept is important to me and I would be interested to hear some other opinions. Would Old Covenant life be easier to keep than New Covenant?