Why I write songs in parables, Part One
One of the most influential moments in life is when you share your own story. Your story is one of the most moving and powerful tools that you possess. The Bible is a book full of stories about people just like you and me, the good the bad, and the ugly.
When I was writing for my album Red in 2005 I was struggling. I wanted to communicate the truths of my faith in a way that people could easily understand in a three-minute song, as a preacher it’s a great tool to have in your toolbox. How many preachers do you know that can preach a sermon in three minutes? Not many!
When art (in the case of music) is more abstract or conceptual it allows the listener's imagination to apply the concepts to their own life experiences. I’m sure you’ve had those moments, right? You hear a song and it takes you back to a moment in time and you forever connect that song to that moment or emotion.
Anyway, back to my album Red. As I was writing one day I heard a voice in my heart that brought the answer to my struggle. “Write in parables, it was okay for Jesus and it’s okay for you.” That moment brought me so much comfort. It changed the way that I write songs and preach sermons. It made it easier for me to write and sing about the powerful concepts and principles from the Bible the same way that Jesus did, in parables. In fact, the working title for the album Red was “Parables”.
My friend Dr. Jim Richards in his book “Heaven On Earth” which I would encourage you to read, wrote this. “Parables convey spiritual reality by comparing natural principles listeners understand to spiritual principles they may not understand. Jesus spoke of farming, shepherding, weddings, and other common norms based on culture, morals, and values. If a listener had a repentant (teachable) heart, the stories were subconsciously adapted to spiritual truth with real-life application. While there are exceptions, parables usually only convey one or two key points which are more conceptual than behavioral.”
What? Do you mean I can communicate the truth in stories and be teaching people at the same time? The answer is a loudly shouted YES! Again from Dr. Jim RIchards speaking about how Jesus taught. “Through storytelling and intimate knowledge of God’s Word, He led people through personal transition without confrontation. He made truth simple to those who wanted it! Since the parables are principle-based, every person was allowed the freedom to hear, interpret, and apply from their own heart.” That is some liberating, and powerful stuff right there, that changed my life.
A final FYI, Dr. Jim Richards and I wrote my most popular song together, Bad Religion.
Peace,
Jimmie