A Moral Analysis of "Blank Space" by Taylor Swift

I am a youth pastor... And I am also a singer/songwriter. This provides me with a particular perspective on pop culture that is both creative and spiritual. With that being said, today I am beginning a brand new series on JHT where I will analyze songs from both angles given my background. 

This is not intended to be an endorsement of any given song, or a moral imperative to avoid it. I will analyze songs I love and songs I despise, and everything between. The decision to listen or avoid rests upon the listener's conscience. Furthermore, this is not intended to skewer or lambast any artist, but to investigate their anthems in a new light... So here we go. Our first subject is the pop hit "Blank Space" by Taylor Swift.

Nice to meet you
Where you been?
I could show you incredible things
Magic, madness, heaven, sin

This verse is Taylor's swift version of "Dark Horse"(by Katy Perry), essentially. She is promising the subject that her affections will bring about a spiritual or mystical experience. Kinda creepy.

Saw you there and I thought oh my god
Look at that face, you look like my next mistake

Women are capable of lust too, and this is what it looks like. This is no different than the hip hop star who pens a verse about the voluptuous woman he ogles in the club. The difference is that it's not considered sleazy if a girl does it.

Love's a game, wanna play
New money, suit and tie
I can read you like a magazine
Ain't it funny rumors fly
And I know you heard about me

When it comes to relationships, her reputation precedes her.  After all, the vast majority of her singles revolve around relationships and breakups. By the end of this track, we'll gain new insight into why these relationships tend to fail. Keep reading!

So hey, let's be friends
I'm dying to see how this one ends
Grab your passport and my hand
I could make the bad guys good for a weekend

Ok, here's the thing. Most pop divas use their sexuality as a marketing ploy. They leverage it for financial and personal gain. Many fans think that Taylor swift is a higher kind of pop star, rising above the likes of former stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilara, or contemporaries such as Katy perry and Rihanna.This is Swift's proclamation that they are wrong. She is not above the fray. She is your usual pop star wrapped in girl-next-door clothing, and she leverages her sexuality all the same. She likes flings and bad boys. She embraces poor choices in her relationships. She's part of the pop diva bloodline, clearly. 

So it's gonna be forever
Or it's gonna go down in flames
You can tell me when it's over
If the high was worth the pain
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane
Cause you know I love the players
And you love the game
Another "Dark Horse" rip off. She is warning her lover-to-be that he's stuck. Stay or pay. She's a black widow, a femme fatale of sorts -- she will chew you up and spit you out. This is the faux nice girl version of the Katy Perry hit. Morally, it's built upon the same bedrock: overstated promises of pleasure and unfair proclamations of ownership of the unfortunate lover.
Cause we're young and we're reckless
We'll take this way too far 
It'll leave you breathless
Or with a nasty scar
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane
But I got a blank space baby
And I'll write your name

In this chorus, Swift makes it clear that this relationship is a fling. She expects its demise right from the start. But nonetheless, she loves to play the field and her subject does too, so their predilections will complement one another. It's no wonder that this song is a hit, because hookup culture and the era of "no strings attached" is in full swing. Commitment just isn't hip right now.

Cherry lips
Crystal skies
I could show you incredible things
Stolen kisses, pretty lies
You're the king baby I'm your queen
Find out what you want
Be that girl for a month
But the worst is yet to come
Oh no

Another verse where swift brags about her ability to conceal madness beneath the veneer of being quaint and quirky. Once again, she promises to show the subject marvelous things, as if her sensuality has some kind of deeper power.

Screaming, crying, perfect storms
I could make all the tables turn
Rose garden filled with thorns
Keep you second guessing like oh my god
Who is she? I get drunk on jealousy
But you'll come back each time you leave
Cause darling I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream

She's a crazy ex girlfriend waiting to happen, and she's proud of it. Yikes.  Some would call this whole thing women's empowerment, but I don't think women really want to be empowered to be manipulative and conniving. I want my daughter to be an astronaut or the president, not this. 

Boys only want love if it's torture
Don't say I didn't say I didn't warn you
Boys only want love if it's torture
Don't say I didn't say I didn't warn you

In this final section, it's unclear if Swift is talking to the audience or the male subject. In any case, she suggests that men are attracted to the kind of bad girl persona that she secretly maintains. Sorry Taylor, but men are only drawn to you for the kinds of relationships described in this song-- fleeting, shallow, and fragile. 

In summary, Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" is a departure from her usual material about breakups, instead  granting insight into her romantic decision-making in general. This song shows how her relationships start; most other Swift tunes show us how they end. Now we know why.

Best of 2014!

2014 has been an amazing year in entertainment. Here's our roundup of favorites from the last 12 months-- Let us know what we missed this past year and what should've made the list.

Best TV Show of 2014

Brooklyn 9-9 is a mockumentary-style comedy show in the vein of The Office or Parks & Rec. It actually started in late October of 2013, but really gained traction in 2014. The beauty of Brooklyn 9-9 resides in the fact that it centers around a team of ragtag police officers and it often subverts the too-familiar tropes of shows like Law & Order or CSI. The entire cast is genuinely likable, and many of the characters add a slight twist to otherwise worn-out television archetypes. Take Terry Crews' character, for example: what if the usual bald, tough-as-nails NY police officer became a family man and was terrified of being injured or killed in the field? This subversion ends up turning Terry into one of the least macho people in his precinct. It's sheer genius! Overall, Brooklyn 9-9 is just outright fun, and that's all you could ask for, isn't it?

Best Movie(s) of 2014

This is where Hannah and I diverge a little. Without a doubt, 2014 has been a tremendous year for film, and you don't even want to know how many movies we saw in theaters. Nonetheless, a few rise to the top as truly remarkable works of story-telling. My obvious choice for movie of the year is the sci-fi blockbuster Interstellar. I could write a book on why, but let me be brief -- the acting is poignant, the visuals are stunning, and the cinematic score is luxurious. If you have children, this movie is a must-see. If you are a space nerd like myself, this movie will probably rival anything you've seen on screen. Seriously, it's the most believable depiction of other planets you can find, bar none. Interstellar is a hard science fiction piece, with real technology and realistic procedures. It's not fluff. The emotional gravity of the film is crushing, so be ready to have your heart broken about halfway through the film. It's still in theaters, so go see it now in theaters, so go see it now.

Hannah's pick for best movie is the film adaption of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I have to admit that I was a little hesitant about this film at first, but seriously... it's amazing. If Interstellar breaks your heart, The Fault in Our Stars will leave you dead inside. But, kind of in a good way. It takes every standard of chick-movie making and smashes it to pieces. The most important ingredient in this story is the issue of mortality -- the risks are high for two young lovers who decide to open up to one another, knowing they could die at any moment. The characters are expertly crafted and the plot floats along as effortlessly as the romantic relationship develops. On a side note, the male protagonist Augustus "Gus" Waters has some serious charm. Husbands, take some notes while you view this film, because you could learn a thing or two from this dude.

Best App of 2014

Prepare for your life to be ruined if you download this game. Hay Day is a farm simulation game that starts off simply -- plant some wheat, harvest it, sell it, and continue. However, the game quickly explodes into so many directions with new crops, new buildings, and so much more. I shudder to think how much time the developers spend on updating and expanding this app. Hay Day actually launched in 2012 but blew up in 2014 with a humongous update from the developers. There's just something so mesmerizing and relaxing about managing your little farm and developing it slowly over time. Considering that the game is free to play, with optional purchases inside, you can't find more entertainment for your investment. Just remember, I warned you.

Best Pop Song of 2014

We are admittedly slow to adopt new music. Instead of chewing up and spitting out new releases rapidly, as some listeners do, we tend to slowly and thoroughly appreciate whole albums at a time before moving on. I'm still listening to CDs from the early 2000's. Nonetheless, we inevitably hear the pop songs that dominate popular culture, and not all are created equal. Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" is a brilliantly composed song about the lasting nature of true love. There's something to be said about this composition because plenty of cheap love songs come and go, but a truly well-written and intuitive song stands the test of time. This one will last. As I mentioned before, this song is about a relationship over the long haul -- it's not your standard pop track about finding true lust in a dark nightclub. Sheeran ponders how his love will look when he's no longer famous or youthful. If you haven't heard this song, do yourself a favor and give it a try, and then share it with your spouse or significant other. It's amazing.

So there it is -- the Hartsfield nominations for what we enjoyed the most in 2014. Tell us what you think!

How the Ice Bucket Challenge Froze My Spirit

  As the ice bucket challenge continues to steamroll through the internet at record speeds, there are a variety of news articles and bloggers beginning to re-think and challenge this trend. Before I go any further, let me make it clear that I am glad to see this rise in charitable giving and I believe the cause is worthwhile. Money is being donated in huge amounts, and that's a good thing. However, this challenge has had a particular impact on me, and I want to share a little about how I feel on a very personal level. Hannah and I bare our hearts online for the world's benefit, and I refuse to only do it when the message seems pretty, neat, and nicely spoken.

   This summer will be remembered by a few things -- the riots in Ferguson, the rise of ISIS in the middle east, and of course, the ubiquitous Ice Bucket Challenge. I find myself in an awkward situation, because I tried to start a nonprofit this summer, and it has faltered so far because of a lack of funding. This summer, I will always remember watching my aspirations and efforts wither as a viral trend compelled countless people around me to give money to a cause that they hadn't even considered before. Obviously, finances aren't the issue when it comes to compelling the public to give.

    I am certain that I'm not alone. Out there in America right now, there must be plenty of churches who are on the brink of foreclosure. There's a pastor out there who's going to have to lay off a staff member due to funding cuts. There's a great ministry whose plans are indefinitely cancelled because of money problems. Meanwhile, these people are watching the congregation around them donate relentlessly to a cause because it got hitched to a viral sensation by happenstance. This doesn't make the Challenge wrong, but it is a tragic situation to find yourself in. It's the plight Hannah and I are facing every day.

    I didn't take the ice bucket challenge, but I feel like I have. I feel like I've had 10,000 gallons of cold water poured on my spirit and my enthusiasm. I feel like my vision has been stamped out like a cigarette butt. This may be uncomfortable to hear, but guess what? It's even more uncomfortable to feel.

     It's not the public's fault. The Ice Bucket Challenge videos are funny, I guess. I'm sure nonprofits will be shamelessly trying to emulate this fad for the next year, in hopes of striking it rich. In all reality, though, wasn't this just dumb luck? ALS, though tragic, is a relatively rare disease. It's not even close to the top of the leading causes of death list. The ALSA became the surprise beneficiary of a trend gone out of control. People aren't giving because they are passionate or informed, they are giving because the cultural whirlwind is whipping crazily.

     People do the Challenge for a variety of reasons. For some, they enjoy the attention that comes from a wet t-shirt contest that you're allowed to share on Facebook. Why else do it in a thin white t-shirt? I mean, c'mon.  For others, it's a way to broadcast their altruism widely for the world to see (Matthew 6, anyone?).  And for many, I'm sure, it's just a silly and amusing trend that happens to also benefit ALS research. It's not wrong, but it impacts my personal journey. That's why I have a lot to say about it.

    I'm sorry. I'm sorry my cause wasn't funny or trendy. I apologize that our project was centered around a solid vision and a worthwhile mission statement, and it lacked the social selling points to become successful. I am sorry that I failed to entertain the public in the process. I am not saying this with hatred or sarcasm in my heart, just disappointment. Am I frustrated? Yes, of course. But I realize that our community has spoken, and I've learned a lot about myself and the public in the process.

       This is not an aggressive appeal for giving. Honestly, I'm not concerned with that right now. I just want to make sense of the season I've just experienced, and I want to help others in the process. Many of our friends will read this, and this is for them, because they need to know where we stand and what we've been facing. This is how I feel, take it or leave it. Thanks for reading.

The Best Christian Film of 2014 is....

Comment sections are the best. Honestly, sometimes the comments on a website or news story are better than the original content itself. I was browsing on a movie website recently, and I saw a reader mention how he thought Captain America: The Winter Soldier was a better Christian film than Heaven is for Real, which was released around the same time. Being an avid Marvel fan myself, this set the wheels turning in my head.

I'm an advocate of looking for spiritual truth in unusual places. Too often, Christians view the world through lenses that parse everything into neat "Christian" and "Secular" categories. Movie studios and record labels leverage this in their financial favor by making films that fit into the highly marketable Christian niche. This year, we've seen a high number of faith-based films released in particular, but I believe we can mine out so much value from everything we view and hear.

The fact is, a movie can't be Christian -- only people can claim beliefs. Many so-called secular films contain elements of spiritual truth, if only you have the eyes to see them. With all that being said, I believe that Captain America: The Winter Soldier displays outstanding representations of the Christian faith through its main protagonist, the star-spangled warrior himself. Sounds crazy, I know, but hear me out. Here's three reasons why ol' Cap can teach us a lot about the faith.

1) Steve Rodgers (Cap) embodies Christ-like virtues.

Without a doubt, the hero of this film is a noble man. He fights for the innocent, never abuses his physical superiority and maintains a humble attitude despite his accomplishments. I don't have a man-crush on Steve Rodgers, I promise, but if you really examine the character, you will see much of what any Christian man wants to be. He was brave before he was strong. He's selfless enough to sacrifice himself for others. He believes that good can triumph over evil. Curiously enough, his weapon itself speaks volumes. Strategically speaking, why carry a shield? Why not a gun or sword or something else? Because he is a defender of the weak and innocent, not an aggressor.

2) He sees morality in absolute terms.

Rodgers was frozen in the 40's and thawed out in modern times. He awakes to find a cynical and jaded world, far from the moral clarity he knew from his past life. He is surrounded by people that see life in shades of grey, although he views justice in terms of black and white. Wrong is wrong, it is not relative to the situation at hand.  We see this juxtaposition clearly as he hangs alongside Black Widow (played by Scarlet Johannson), who seems to view her work in amoral, relative terms. Absolute truth has fallen out of style in our society, but Cap embraces it regardless.

3) He embraces the saving power of grace.

Okay, if you haven't seen the film, you might want to stop here. SPOILER ALERT, big time. In CA:TWS, we find our protagonists pursued by a deadly assassin called The Winter Soldier. We soon discover that this is Rodgers' old friend Bucky, who was captured, brainwashed, and experimented on to turn him into a rabid killing machine. When faced with the task of fighting his old friend, Cap questions his ability to kill Bucky. In the final battle of this film, Rodgers actually allows his old friend to defeat him, refusing to destroy Bucky for his own self-preservation. This display of grace actually breaks the fever of Bucky's brainwashing, and he saves Cap's life in return before wandering off to re-discover his identity. Cap defeats evil through grace, not violence.

CA:TWS is scheduled for release on DVD as of September 8th. Watch it, and more importantly, open your eyes to the lasting values you can find. Search for a revelation of Christ and you will discover it. Heroes come and go, but this film in particular shows us a character worth emulating in such a simple and universally palatable way.

Defying Your Biology

Awhile back, the relentless Matt Walsh wrote a blog post in response to a reader who emailed him, insisting that marriage was primitive, outdated, and unnatural. Matt proceeded to outline that, yes, monogamy is against a man's nature, and that is part of its beauty. This struck a chord with me, because our culture has recently found solace in what's natural, while losing all bearings of sound logic in the process.

If I had to explain the themes of Christianity (and countless other faiths, for that matter), one of the key components would be this: defying your biology. So often, we hear opponents of the faith proclaim that something shouldn't be considered immoral because, after all, it's natural. I was born this way, as Lady Gaga would say. Well here's a tip -- if you're looking at the female version of Marilyn Manson as your moral compass, you are in deep trouble.

Now that's what I call a poker face.

Whether something appeals to our flesh has no bearing on whether it is morally acceptable. Men are naturally aggressive, but that does not make reckless violence palatable. Many people desire promiscuity naturally, but this primal urge does not justify indulgence. If anything, your flesh should be considered one of the least trustworthy sources of divine and ethical truth. Defying your biology is a crucial part of rising above the beasts that roam the untamed wild.  It is what separates us from the rest of the natural world.

If you want to be natural, embrace your animal nature. Deny yourself nothing, do as you please, and live as a mindless and clueless beast. As humans, we are at a strange crossroads between the divine and the earthly. We are somewhere between angels and animals (Thanks, Oh Sleeper.) This is the tug we feel, and this is the source of our great moral battle within. We face a war between our biology and a higher calling, a desire for enlightened thinking and living.

So yes, I agree with Matt Walsh. Monogamy may be against the nature of man, but the nature of a man's instinctual desires is nothing worth honoring. We must rise above our own genetic make up. We must defy our biology.

Worship music isn't a big deal.

I can already hear the lighting of torches and the rustling of pitchforks as the Jesus Culture crowd prepares to hunt me down. Just hold on a second and hear me out. I don't think worship music is that big of a deal...

...and I'm a worship leader.

When you look into the worship guides and bulletins of many churches, what do they call that awkward time of singalong music that many people feel uncomfortable about? Worship. To the church at large, that's worship. Donald Miller recently posted a blog entry where he mentions that he "doesn't connect with God by singing. Not at all."  At first, the worship leader in me recoiled in horror. How dare he rebel against the institution of sacred music! Then, the idea he was putting forth slowly started to make sense.

I'm re-examining my long-held assumptions about what worship is and isn't. Honestly, I think the church presumes too much about worship music and neglects the greater concept of worship at large. I'm a believer in whole-life worship -- worship is a heart posture, not a segment of time where we do creative things. It involves both action and intentions. That whole creativity angle works for me, because I'm a creative individual, but I can tell as I peer into the squirming masses during worship that many people just don't get it. I see it in their faces.

Worship music is a cultural and economic force to be reckoned with. There's ministries designed around it, every church defaults to it on Sunday morning, and it causes a lot of money to change hands. It's an institution of its own, and I think we ought to re-examine it in detail.

Now, just because you don't prefer expressive, creative worship doesn't mean you shouldn't stretch yourself to try it and grow in it. I have to stretch myself too, for the benefit of corporate worship. I mostly can't stand the style of worship music. What is that, anyway? I would describe it as arena rock with U-2's guitarist in a v-neck and lots of melodrama. No thanks. So, by all means, don't think that this argument is a reason for you to suddenly disengage even further from creativity.  Everyone can benefit from creativity in some respect.

I wonder what it would be like if churches didn't presume that the music and teaching format was divine. What if we did other things on Sunday mornings instead? Like I said, I'm basically dismantling all of my assumptions about worship music, because I realize I've only held onto them because of my preferences. I prefer creative worship, so I do it. That doesn't give me the latitude to force it on everyone at the exclusion of other worshipful acts.

I'm going to keep exploring this, so bear with me as I unravel these ideas. And, for the love of Thor, don't tell Chris Tomlin I wrote this.

(If you enjoyed this post, check out my other blog here!)

Finding Christ Through The Hunger Games

    In case you didn't know, Hannah and I love movies. Seriously. The artistry that's poured into television and film is truly amazing to me.  It seems like these visual mediums are the artistic form of choice for our generation.  It speaks to us. Film is the native language of our culture, creatively speaking.  When I watch movies or television shows, I like to try and identify Christian concepts embedded within the so-called secular world.  The Hunger Games series is certainly filled with subtle tenets of our faith, and I want to show you all a little bit of what I see when I watch these movies.

   A few days ago, we bought The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on DVD, and despite the fact that we already saw it multiple times in theaters, the film moved us emotionally once again. After finishing the book series and watching it on DVD, I've realized that the same elements that move me in the story of Katniss are the most powerful elements of the gospel story.  In fact, I think that most powerful films have a representation of grace and redemption in them that reminds us of Jesus, because these concepts are some of the most universally touching experiences we can imagine.

   In The Hunger Games, we find that there are so many characters willing to die for the benefit of others.  They seem almost ready to die.  This is Christlike love, and it has a cost. We learn through this film that love is not simply the forlorn glances of affection and desired exchanged between young people. It requires sacrifice. If that doesn't have Jesus written all over it, I don't know what does.

    (Spoiler alert!) One of the primary conflicts in Catching Fire is actually centered around which combatant will die to let the other one survive.  Early in the film, Peeta insists that Katniss must prevail, and Katniss makes a deal with Haymitch to protect Peeta.  Then, Peeta wears a locket around his neck in the arena that reminds him to protect Katniss at all costs.  They're literally fighting to die for one another. That's love.

    Though the citizens of Panem appear to live in an amoral, religion-free society, they demonstrate the gospel story of love through their actions. We can observe a lot about the reality of John 15:13 through this movie. "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." It's beautiful, moving, tragic, and a little scary, but most of all.... it's true.

    I guess my point is this:  if you're looking for redemption, you will find it.  Grace and love are the most moving plot points that any creative person can weave into their own creations. You can find Christ in the most unlikely places, if you decide to look for Him. The gospel is everywhere you look, and I encourage you discover it and celebrate it wherever you possibly can. 

Barbie and the Culture of Aversion

Barbie. She's the icon of body image issues and the primary destroyer of self-esteem worldwide. Since 1959, Barbie has been spreading her agenda of unreasonable bodily proportions like a contagion to every innocent child that dares to own one. She's the problem, right?

Well, not exactly. Let me preface this article by saying that Hannah and I are still learning and growing with every passing year. We are constantly re-evaluating our own positions on cultural issues because we want to take nothing for granted. We feel like becoming entrenched in your own dogmatic opinions is bad for logical, sound, and healthy thinking. We used to be the kind of parents who poured out all of our parental angst on Barbie, neglecting to see the bigger picture of what's going on in society. We've had a change of heart, and here's why.

The war on Barbie is a bit of a strawman argument. That is, many parents channel their fury about cultural self-image problems through this little plastic figurine, neglecting everything else in TV, magazines, and even within their own family. Barbie is a scapegoat, an easy target for all of the ailments in our society regarding how women look. If we focus our efforts on advancing healthy body image into destroying the sales of one little doll, we're missing the forest for the trees.

Christians, in general, seem to enjoy hating stuff. You know this, because we see it everyday. We like to funnel our concerns into pet causes and campaigns instead of looking at the larger scope of the problem. Instead of hating the spirit of materialism, we refuse to participate in Christmas. Instead of discouraging irresponsible behavior, we rail against Halloween. We would rather superficially hate a cultural norm than take the time and effort to uproot the true problem beneath it. That's the Christian culture of aversion. That's lazy.

Instead of looking at the world as a minefield of things to avoid, perhaps we can use sound thinking and dialogue to embrace every moment as a teaching opportunity for our children.  If Hannah and I don't like the way a Barbie is dressed, we explain to Eisley that modesty is important and a more appropriate article of clothing would be a wiser choice. We approach the topic with a scalpel, not a hatchet. We want to use our best efforts to instruct our children on how to use discernment when dealing with cultural topics, because they're going to spend their lives facing issues in our society that require Godly wisdom.

We also want to teach our girls to think critically instead of approaching society with a sense of fear. By using a blanket argument to ban all Barbies, or anything else we don't like, we would lose out on many vital conversations with our children.  Talk to your children -- you can influence them in a much greater way than by merely avoiding certain toys.

Women's body image problems are a systemic issue in our society, and it starts in your own living room. The conversations that a wife has with her husband about her body (e.g. "I feel so fat!") having a much more profound impact than the curves of a Barbie. If we outsource our parental responsibilities into a diluted checklist that includes "Don't buy Barbies", we are doing a grave injustice to our own role as the formative force of our children's lives. I can do much more to shape my children than to simply avoid buying so-called evil toys.

I know what you're thinking. "Barbies have such unreasonable body types!" Well, the last time I looked through my four-year-old daughter's pile of toys, I didn't see a single anatomically correct design in them. Disney princesses have exaggerated eyes, Lalaloopsy dolls are sewn together and magically brought to life, and Veggie Tales characters are talking vegetables. That's witchcraft. But seriously, if our concern is scientific accuracy, let's be faithful to that concern. The real problem is how Barbie is different than other women, but I'd rather not sexualize my little girl's toy choices for her.  She has a lifetime of navigating through these issues ahead of her... I want to spare her for now.

When she holds a Barbie, she sees a plastic figurine that she can accessorize, dress up, and make believe with.  Children can discern the difference between make believe and reality, so Hannah and I choose to pour our efforts into a deeper and more substantial dialogue about body image issues. Our efforts don't revolve around Barbie, and that's why we're okay with them in our home.