The Change - Steven Curtis Chapman

This video started out as a response to another video about Fred Phelps and Westboro Baptist Church. As a Christian it angers me to see folks like Fred Phelps use Jesus to harass and attempt to intimidate others by lying -- yes, lying -- about the Gospel. There is not a fiber of my being that believes that Jesus feels glorified when the folks who follow Phelps' teachings are marching, or picketing, or making their little songs. It's ugly and embarrassing to those of us who actually DO follow the teachings of Christ, which are, in a nutshell, "Love God, love others."

And I thought "What's changed about the people of Westboro Baptist Church? What about them would be attractive to an unbeliever that would make them come to WBC and ask about God?" And this song, by Steven Curtis Chapman came to mind. And I decided I would put together a video denouncing and deriding everything WBC stands for. And so, in a fervor bordering on obsession, I began.

But as I began to work on the piece I realized that while Fred Phelps and WBC present a hideous and distorted view of Jesus and Christianity, at least they're right out front about it. Some of us, while not openly hateful, are much more devious with our sin. We welcome a newcomer to our church while mentally insulting their clothes, or skin color, or accent, or car, or whatever. What about OUR change?

The way I understand sin is that, while Deuteronomy may list harsher punishments for some sins than others, to God a sin is a sin is a sin. Whether I murder 200 people or steal a nickel, but for His grace and Christ's death, that sin will keep me from His presence. I think that, in terms of sin, God equates the hatred of the gay lifestyle with the practicing of it. And I believe when I call someone an idiot on the freeway (even if they are one) He equates that with robbing a bank. According to scripture, the only people Jesus ever condemned were the hypocrites -- those who praised God with their lips and denied Him with their actions.

So this project, as so often happens, has been cathartic and eye-opening for me. As I went to pluck the splinter from the eye of another, I became painfully, and shamefully, aware of the log in my own. I pray that if you have a log, you'll become aware of it as well. And I pray that if you haven't experienced the love and grace of Jesus Christ, that this will prompt you to seek Him out.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Steven
• Curtis
• Chapman
• Change
• Westboro
• Baptist
• Church
• Hate
• Christians
• Christianity
• Homosexuality
• Sin
• Extremists
• religious

[OEKCVB]

excellent song but dont give too much credit to evil like Fred and his misguided and evil means, he will be judged. Let this song be something to move you to help, not reflect on others to use as a statement, the only thing clearly here is the Lord changes our hearts and soul, and we do good and are saved by the Lord Amen

[crosssxeyed]

@OEKCVB I think that was what I expressed in my initial comments. I started out to chastise Phelps and then took a hard look at me.

[dangerdantheone]

It is taught, Love the person, hate the sin. Fred Phelps doesn't understand that. Nor does his chruch. I love you My Brother (Fred Phelps) But learn to change or God may never let tyou into his pearly gate..

[chrystolite]

That's true. Jesus says to love our neighbor as ourselves: give them water when they are thirsty, give help to those who are poor, feed the hungry, don't steal, kill, covet, or lie (Ro 13:8-10)--Christian or not.

HOWEVER! Do not pat any sinner (including me) on the back saying that what they did was o.k. "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy to all them that call upon You." (Psalm 86:5)

[XtremeBass15]

What a boss! This video conveys how i feel! That when people pervert the Gospel and even Jesus himself, you must focus on the only things that matter: loving God and loving people! Then people will see Jesus for who he REALLY IS.

[Ghaiyst]

But I also must emphasize my other opinion about these pictures. A change to me doesnt always mean to make the poor rich directly. A change could be to apply your abilities instead of showing them off. I think that's exactly what Stephen Curtis Chapman was trying to convey. I have a few abilities that I'd like to one day apply to change something for the better such as preventing earthquakes or if I have the ability to make money, then thats when donation occurs.Iwanttobea structural engineer.

[Ghaiyst]

Love this song totally shows the problems in church. Some People look too good to be what they are and spread wrong influences. I get that feel around church sometimes. I'm like "these people just look good. They don't really feel motivated to serve anyone but maybe their parents or give into a social pressure." I admit that i'm not really a commited guy to a church, but seriously, like being a christian is really about commitment to the lord and wanting to change the world for the better.

[betharoniboo]

Hey. I appreciate you posting this video for the purpose you stated. Very cool.

[kenwayne96]

Fred Phelps is a heretic and a lunatic. I thank God that when the woman was taken in adultery she was brought to Jesus and not Fred Phelps.  Fred Phelps would've said "'Stone the bitchwhore." Pardon the lanquage, but that's the truth.

[MissSallyAnne1]

Boy, a lot of you missed the whole point ~ talk about judgement! (Matt 7: 1-5 ~ The Message says it best) Crossxeyed ~ I love your creation & posted it to my FB page. As Christians it's our job to share Christ with those who need him in their life. The beauty of your video is that it WILL reach those who may need His message in this format. (read ChachisNightmare's response!) You showed beautiful photos of people extending love, kindness, grace & mercy & how they can make a difference.

[OEKCVB]

@crossxeyed, 2nd part of my Change i blamed myself for her leaving, i begged her to come back my spirit was broken i was a mess thank the Lord i went to him and prayed for a recovery its happenin slowly, she refuses to let me see her kids which is horrible, the loser cheater she is with now lives with her and he left his daughter who is 14!! sad his wife and kid are really sad and he doesnt care like my now ex, get this my ex claims to be a Christian! i am not the judge but Lord have mercyon her

[OEKCVB]

@crosssxeyed Well thats a great way to look at it, i personally wouldnt want to be Fred and his westbro cult like church imop, very scary but the Love of the Lord is the best way to show that Jesus loves us, and evil will it will be destroyed, my wife of 5 years cheated on me a year ago, she ended another mans Marriage by his choice of 23 years!! i only had step kids with her i was there only dad though the real one left them, i was near death and thought i needed a Change i went back to church

[ChachisNightmare]

Cool video and awesome song! It makes me look in the mirror, and honestly, I don't like what I see. I need less of me, and sooo much more of Jesus. Lord, please help me to be more like you...