"The Greater Cause" - John's New CD

[andreasbjerre]

You are right. I agree. We have 80+ percent claiming to be Christian and yet we murder more babies than Hitler, have over crowded prisons, do all kinds of squirrelly things under the covers.

Those were actually things i was thinking about when I wrote my answer to you. And again it's not to say my country is better. The youth of Denmark is probably (perhaps with England at the same point) the most alkohol drinking youth population in the world. NO countries in the world is truly christian, and lets keep it that way and instead try to tell people about our saviour!

[zak89]

Also I think that it's a problem to call a nation christian. No countries are supposed to be christian. You should not put religion into politics the way you do in America. If you look at the old church in the new testament, the church is FAR from being political. I don't say you should not be a politician and try to make good influence as a christian. But the american way to mix politics and religion so much, to claim a true believer is a republican etc. All these things that a lot of americans would claim....I think it is SO far from how we should be as christians.

Couldn't have said it better.

I know John has a great heart, and is just saying what he feels, and that's cool. But for me, I can't in good faith sing along with "I'm a citizen of this world and of heaven; Some things were meant to be together." Uh... What happened to "strangers and aliens," anyway?

"We gotta stay strong to save our way of life." Who's to say our "way of life" is something God wants us to "save"? I'd be the last to complain about religious freedom, and yet it seems to me that the net result has been laziness and complacency among the church. What is it's God's will what our way of life becomes more difficult and/or "gritty" in the future, to weed out the social/cultural Christians from the real ones?

My other concern with this particular track is that it's easily generalized. What "faith" is going to help us make it through? What God, or god (there are no capital letters in vocals )? Of course I know what John believes and what he stands for, but as a song, this track could be easily seen as ecumenical and purposefully vague. Almost any patriotic theist could pump their fists and get into this song, and that troubles me.

But in general, my perspective is the same as Andreas - Christian nationalism - for any nation - never sits well with me. Maybe because I have dear Christian friends who are not fortunate enough to be citizens of this great country, and I'd hate devotion to my country or their country to be something that separates us. If Mexico and the US somehow enter into a conflict with each other (not as far fetched as it once was) is my loyalty to "my country" going to divide me from my Mexican brothers and sisters? Is patriotism worth that sort of division? To me, it isn't. I'll be divisive about Biblical doctrine, about Christian life and practice, in necessary, but not for an earthly institution, no matter how great it is. It's just not important enough to me.

That said, with the exception of that track ("Faith and Freedom"), and "The Cross Remains" (sad... I *love* the sound of that track!), I found this an awesome album! Musically and vocally it's already exceeded my expectations. I sort of saw the nationalistic elements coming so I shouldn't have been too surprised, but all in all this is an amazing project.

[fcollazo]

yes we are the best nation in the world if it wasn't for america you will be speaking german today my friend

[r_karlsson22]

Great record! Some songs better than others. But overall a very good album that surpassed my already high expectations!
I could feel the Holy Spirit grabbing my heart when I heard Hope That Saves The World. Praise God that Jesus is the Hope... but, why can't we see?!

Been thinking about what crjensen said about song lyrics. Nothing wrong with the lyrics on TGC, but the Petheads are spoiled with really good biblical teaching lyrics from Bob over the years.

[crjensen]

Been thinking about what crjensen said about song lyrics. Nothing wrong with the lyrics on TGC, but the Petheads are spoiled with really good biblical teaching lyrics from Bob over the years.

Thank you, you explained my point. Lyrically, I was really expecting or hoping for something more - because, as you said, we have grown accustomed to good biblical teaching lyrics.
I like the muscal style of the new album. I don't like the songs Fatih & Freedom and The Cross Remains (as discussed above). And I must just admit that I had expected something more from the song lyrics overall.


Carsten,
pastor,
Denmark.

[andreasbjerre]

yes we are the best nation in the world if it wasn't for america you will be speaking german today my friend

I would probably not be speaking german, but YES we are VERY thankfull to the USA for what you did in WW2! But wars come and go, and I'm not very positive about every american war. The US has done wars they should not have not, and the attitude that you put out there is, in my opninion, not very christ-like. Question to you: "Is the greatest nation in the world the nation that are best when it comes to warfare? With christian eyes I don't think thats the case...
But yes The US is a good nation in many ways, but please let other people tell you that you are instead of talking so much about it yourself. For europeans and probably other people it just seems SO arrogant...

[andreasbjerre]

"Love won't leave me alone" and "Hope that saves the world" are really amazing track! What are your favourites??

[executioner]

Song by song short review.

1. Live- Great song to start off a rock album, the rap through me off a bit but its catchy and fits. 9
2. Take Me Home- this is probably the closest to having the Petra vibe, sounds like Good News from WUC. 9
3. Love Won't Leave- straight out of the 70's with a southern rock feel. 8
4. One of These Days- the song is growing on me, drums on this song is the best I've ever heard from Petra related material. 7
5. F&F- I like the message and verses are great, but chorus seems everyday. 6
6. End of Fear- Not really a fan, but it has room to grow on me. 5
7. Where I Want- Same as above, just seems ordinary. 5
8. Hope Saves- The strongest song on the album, John's vocals knock your socks off.10
9. Run- Love it, great southern blues feel. 8
10. Gift- I didn't think I would like it but its catchy with a personal attachment. 6
11. The Cross- Awesome closure song; the whole vibe is we will overcome how can as a Christian can you not like it. 10

My opinion on the lyrical content will come later, I'm reviewing.

[executioner]

"Take Me Home", "Hope Saves the World" & "The Cross Remains"

[fcollazo]

jesus kicked out the thieves from temple. is that christ like? it makes me sick people bash america when we are the country that has fought for the freedom of most people. We give more humanitarian aid than all other countries combined, still we get disrespected like this.

[andreasbjerre]

jesus kicked out the thieves from temple. is that christ like? it makes me sick people bash america when we are the country that has fought for the freedom of most people. We give more humanitarian aid than all other countries combined, still we get disrespected like this.

I didn't bash america just said that there are bas things as well, and that you shouldn't brag too much.

The bible says he threw them out because they were selling animals in the templeof God. And YES I think that is a very christ-like thing to do. If christ does it, it must be christ-like!

As I said I am thankfull for what you did in WW2! But I also think you have interferred in things you should not. And I think there are things in your country that are very sick! As there also are sick things in my country. But to always brag about the great things your country has done is very far from the humble christ I believe in. And as Paul says in galatians 6,14: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

I think it's okay to be proud of your country and thingsyour country has done and you have many things to be proud of in the united states of america! But I think this verse is very good to have in mind when it comes to attitude towards other people!

[brent]

Some of you are surprised that John's lyrics are not Bob's? Should you be? This is not a Petra record. Bob did not write it. Some of you are saying that Bob is writing the same way that he has been since day one. He is not. Again, look at J&H. I think some of you are over thinking things. Heck, C.S. Lewis didn't write deep stuff on the surface. He relayed Biblical concepts and truths through his writing. John is doing the same. Relax, listen to the thoughts, not the specific words. Gravy!

[Jan]

I like "Love Won't Leave Me Alone" the best and "Run" next. Love the music....rhythm. I've only listened once so far, will have to get into the lyrics later - the music is what I was waiting for! He wasn't kidding when he said it was going to rock!!! When I burned the CD, it would not play in my car, only on my computer.

[Preacherman777]

America is exceptional in the world and has been exceptional in so many ways. It's not a matter of bragging, it's a matter of declaring a better way. If we declare that the Christian way is better than the worlds ways, is that bragging or is it telling the truth? Yes, America has plenty of faults as well, but all countries have plenty of faults. The difference with America is that her exceptionalism far exceeds what we see from most countries in the world. We offer more freedom (at least so far), more opportunity, more rights, more charity, we have helped countless people throughout the world with security, education, healthcare, food, clothing and we have raised the overall standard of living for the entire world due to the success of capitalism and the freedom of the individual to be everything he or she can be. This is just a drop in the bucket of all the great things that have come from America due to the values and principles this country was founded upon and the fact is, those things that are bad about America have not come from those values and principles, but rather from a departure from them. If you research the history of this nation, it was founded by Godly men and the providence of God was obvious in it's succeeding as a nation against all odds. There is a reason that people come from all over the world to live here, it's because they get the message, America offers something better and they want a chance to live that dream. So again, it's not about bragging, it's about declaring a better way and being proud of something good in a world that is so filled with evil.

[Jan]

America is exceptional in the world and has been exceptional in so many ways. It's not a matter of bragging, it's a matter of declaring a better way. If we declare that the Christian way is better than the worlds ways, is that bragging or is it telling the truth? Yes, America has plenty of faults as well, but all countries have plenty of faults. The difference with America is that her exceptionalism far exceeds what we see from most countries in the world. We offer more freedom (at least so far), more opportunity, more rights, more charity, we have helped countless people throughout the world with security, education, healthcare, food, clothing and we have raised the overall standard of living for the entire world due to the success of capitalism and the freedom of the individual to be everything he or she can be. This is just a drop in the bucket of all the great things that have come from America due to the values and principles this country was founded upon and the fact is, those things that are bad about America have not come from those values and principles, but rather from a departure from them. If you research the history of this nation, it was founded by Godly men and the providence of God was obvious in it's succeeding as a nation against all odds. There is a reason that people come from all over the world to live here, it's because they get the message, America offers something better and they want a chance to live that dream. So again, it's not about bragging, it's about declaring a better way and being proud of something good in a world that is so filled with evil.

Very well said. I agree.