Okay, hang with me here. This is going to seem a little disconnected but as it unfolds, it will all make sense.
In two days, those of us who are Americans will celebrate what we call our Independence Day. It will be barbequed chicken, corn on the cob, apple pie, stars and stripes, warm weather and fireworks across our nation. But the real essence of what we will be celebrating has come a long way from its origins. The people who drafted this nation were not thinking of any of these things. They were thinking of freedom, both personal and religious, and they were willing to pay for it with their lives if necessary.
Actually, they were radicals – rebels, all of them. They were throwing off the establishment, the system, the ruling order, for something daring and new.
So my thoughts of “Independence” over the next few days will be along these lines: What is radical and rebellious about faith, and what do we need to throw off to own it?
And to start us off – a sort of Christmas song by Jackson Browne that has come to be known as The Pagan Christmas Song along with some comments on why I think it’s not pagan at all. (Click on the picture if you’d like to hear the song.)
The Rebel Jesus
by Jackson Browne
The streets are filled with laughter and light
And the music of the season
And the merchants’ windows are all bright
With the faces of the children
And the families hurrying to their homes
As the sky darkens and freezes
Will be gathering around their hearths and tables
Giving thanks for God’s graces
And the birth of the rebel Jesus
Okay so far. In relation to the existing religious institutions of His day — the law and prophets and Pharisees and Sadducees — Jesus was most definitely a rebel. If he didn’t upend the religious structures of the day, He certainly advocated a radically different way of thinking about them.
They call him by the “Prince Of Peace”
And they call him by “The Savior”
And they pray to him upon the sea
And in every bold endeavor
And they fill his churches with their pride and gold
As their faith in him increases
But they’ve turned the nature that I worship in
From a temple to a robber’s den
In the words of the rebel Jesus
It’s hard to take issue with this when Jackson Brown is clearly quoting Jesus: “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers” (Matthew 21:3). He merely applies it to today’s church. Now some may think that’s too harsh, but he is certainly not the first to suggest that if Jesus were here today, He might have a few tables to turn in our own churches. It is certainly not a new idea.
We guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when Christmas comes
We give to our relations
Jackson Browne may not have realized this, but he is mirroring something Jesus said here when He pointed out how easy it was to love those who love us back. (Luke 6:32)
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if anyone of us should interfere
In the business of why there are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus
Now we’re getting more controversial. Helping the poor is one thing; changing the social structures that keep people poor is another. Mr. Browne is suggesting that those structures are so firmly implanted and controlled that to try and change them is to risk losing your life (what they did to Jesus) at the hands of those who are benefiting from them. Not a new thought either, and at the risk of ruffling the feathers of those who feel capitalism is next to godliness, it is a point worth making. Much harder to change the things that keep people poor than to hand them a few bucks now and then and continue to promote wealth for the few.
But pardon me if I have seemed
To take the tone of judgment
For I’ve no wish to come between
This day and your enjoyment
In a life of hardship and of earthly toil
There’s a need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure and I bid you cheer
From a heathen and a pagan
On the side of the rebel Jesus
I believe this is genuine well-wishing here. I don’t think Jackson Browne really wanted to rain bad cheer on anyone’s Christmas parade, but I do think he wanted to make a point or two, and in my book, any time this song is played, he does. And this last statement is worth the whole song, because he is actually saying that though he considers himself a heathen and a pagan, he is nonetheless eager to come alongside this Jesus — this rebel Jesus — who, as he has described him so far, sounds pretty much like the same Jesus of the New Testament – the one you and I know and love. And it may even be that his use of “heathen” and “pagan” to describe himself is for the benefit of those whom he thinks might consider him such, rather than something he would claim for himself in another context.
If this is a pagan Christmas song, then I’m a pagan too. I already joined up with the rebel Jesus a while back.
John Fischer The Catch 
I never heard this Jackson Brown song, yet I like it, I really like it!
John, you’re assuming he really is on the side of the rebel Jesus — and that Jesus really was a “rebel” in the sense that Browne intends. (And I’ve had plenty of occasions to give thought to this song over the last few years, so this isn’t an offhand observation.) Whether he is really on Jesus’ side is a critical question, and I have serious doubts about that he is. To say that he’s on the side of a man who “fought for the little guy” sounds quite romantic, of course. But I suggest probing deeper into his thought before coming to that conclusion. All I have to go on is his songs, and I have serious doubts about that conclusion. But I appreciate where you’re coming from, in the sense that too many believers will simply reject what Browne says without thinking deeply. Yet, it is equally true that I would hate for us to uncritically accept what he says, simply because he sounds certain needed notes of correction. Perhaps you know the man, and can testify that he is “not far from the kingdom of God.” I certainly don’t know him. I thank you for saying, “Don’t reject without truly hearing,” but after hearing as much as I’m able, I am reticent to affirm much of his message.
Great Catch!. I would agree with the comments from Johnny Cash regarding his recording of the Depeche Mode song… (“for ‘Personal Jesus’, that ‘s probably the most evangelical gospel song I ever recorded. I don’t know that the writer meant it to be that, but that’s what it is”.
Whether Jackson Browne embraces Christ or not is not for me to decide, but if his message in a paRTICULAr song does (and sometimes it does) I can certainly affirm that. Isn’t that what they say, that even a broken clock is right twice a day.
John…. A busted clock is useless if it’s only correct for two short moments each day! Confusion will reign! That’s like saying a nice, fat, ham & cheese sandwich is delicious and good for you…. all that tasty stuff between the bread…. but a poison pill, if buried in it, will go down quietly with the rest, and do it’s devious work inside. Since when do we get our lessons and guidance from pop stars and their music? Stick to our Bible will you…. and get a new clock while you’re at it. Ralph Gaily
Ralph… Ralph… oh bother. How long have you been reading the Catch? I have been quietly, carefully, even respectfully dismantling these arguments you popped off here for about ten years. I don’t know what to say that I haven’t already said. It’s exhausting.
Amen to that Andrew….. good discernment.
This is a new song for me, too. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, and thanks for your thoughts on it!
I hope I’m not off key here. But seems to me that Jesus didn’t come to change social conditions but to change (save) me. Along with every other individual. In doing so, His Kingdom on earth is etablished in which the Lord is surely moving hearts to work out his good and perfect will. Who is to blame for the poor and forgotten? How can it be made right? It appears to be complicated. It requires a new changed heart. I will follow Jesus. He said He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Not the “Rebel”. Thats not even cute!
Jesus was a rebel to the ruling religious authorities. He broke their rules and upended their system. That’s why they crucified Him. I think Jesus did come primarily to save (change) individuals, but changed individuals make an impact for change in society.
Forgive me. I’m not trying to make argument for argument sake. I guess I look at it that Jesus didn’t break any of their rules. But that He revealed Himself to them with authority, exposing their hypocrisy, flaming their arrogance which incensed them to silence Him. I believe He did enlist a few of them, after their change. I totally agree about individuals taking action making an impact in society, and non-action has an impack also.
The “rules” he broke were their interpretations of the law like healing on the Sabbath and allowing his disciples to pick grain on the Sabbath.
Yes, Gary, I think you hit it. The term “rebel” makes one think of someone who rebels for the sake of rebellion. Jesus was on a mission to save souls, to bring as many as would follow Him into the Kingdom of God. He plainly told us that the poor, the lonely, the destitute, would always be among us. Yes, we are to minister to them in any way we can, but our goal is to introduce them to our Saviour.
I agree with you Bev.
Amen to that Gary.
Regardless of who wrote it, it does invoke thought, and I personally like the message – because after all, isn’t it the message that’s important?
Thanks for your great thoughts here, John. Keep doing what you’re doing.
Terry
“Moderation” is the process of eliminating or lessening extremes. I am at a lose if all or part of my comment merits the label Extreme. Please School me. Rebel is a person who resist authority, control or tradition.(not my term)
Yes, which is exactly what Jesus did. He was always speaking out against and resisting the traditions of the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders of His day.
That was, and is, a great song!
But what’s this about pagan music – I didn’t realize there was such a thing! There’s just music! It was created by God and can talk about God and creation, good and evil, redemption and condemnation. But no matter what the subject, every song is a chance to introduce the living Jesus because EVERY song deals with the world He created.
Did I mention that I LOVE MUSIC, ALL TYPES!!!
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
“but what’s this about pagan music…. I didn’t realize there was such a thing”??!! Are kidding me? Do you pay attention to what is being passed off as “good music” these days? Look up the definition of “discernment” some time, Andy… and John! ….. think again please.