Just for fun...

I've heard this song on the radio, told from the perspective of man who admits that "I only talk to God when I need a favor." He seems to worry that he's unworthy to ask, and says "I'll pay for all I've done" as if he's under the impression that repentance or prayer is transactional.

Do y'all have any thoughts about the lyrics? What would you tell the song's protagonist if you were a pastor/priest/rabbi?

" As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs"

The Banned said:

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BonfireNerd04 said:

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AgLiving06 said:

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" As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs"

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LUTHER: So, if you can release souls from Purgatory early...

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I do like how even your fake Luther doesn't understand what the pope can and can't do

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You can blame ChatGPT for any historical inaccuracies.

AgLiving06 said:

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" As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs"

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Said no one ever.

Where is this from? It's full of error, but that is probably the point.

What is really interesting is the back and forth between Tezel and Luther- all a matter of record.

My father is an atheist, but he told me he prayed when he was flying in helicopters at night in Vietnam, watching tracer bullets fly by. I said "You're an atheist. That's a bit hypocritical." He said, "There are no atheists in foxholes."

That's not true. I've known plenty of atheists in the military and served in combat with them. No prayers. No later claims of prayers.

Aggie Apotheosis said:

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My father is an atheist, but he told me he prayed when he was flying in helicopters at night in Vietnam, watching tracer bullets fly by. I said "You're an atheist. That's a bit hypocritical." He said, "There are no atheists in foxholes."

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I see the parallel with this and the song lyrics. One common objection to the 'no atheists in foxholes' comment is that it conflates an emotional reaction toward self perseverance with sincere belief. I think its maybe some combination of human nature and of social conditioning that many people will 'pray' for something they need when they are in a hopeless situation.

So, I read the song lyrics as maybe something like a hypocrisy of only turning to God out of desperation. Like Bonfire suggested - I think its a criticism of seeking a certain type of transactional relationship with God. If the music video (which I just watched) is any sign of what Jelly Roll means, then I think I might be uncomfortable about the lyrics for another reason. The video has a dad visiting a sick (and presumed terminally so) child in a hospital. And then asks "who the hell am I to expect a savior, if I only to talk to God when I need a favor?" as though God might be choosing to save or not save a child based on the sincerity of the faith of the child's father.

kurt vonnegut said:

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Aggie Apotheosis said:

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My father is an atheist, but he told me he prayed when he was flying in helicopters at night in Vietnam, watching tracer bullets fly by. I said "You're an atheist. That's a bit hypocritical." He said, "There are no atheists in foxholes."

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I see the parallel with this and the song lyrics. One common objection to the 'no atheists in foxholes' comment is that it conflates an emotional reaction toward self perseverance with sincere belief. I think its maybe some combination of human nature and of social conditioning that many people will 'pray' for something they need when they are in a hopeless situation.

So, I read the song lyrics as maybe something like a hypocrisy of only turning to God out of desperation. Like Bonfire suggested - I think its a criticism of seeking a certain type of transactional relationship with God. If the music video (which I just watched) is any sign of what Jelly Roll means, then I think I might be uncomfortable about the lyrics for another reason. The video has a dad visiting a sick (and presumed terminally so) child in a hospital. And then asks "who the hell am I to expect a savior, if I only to talk to God when I need a favor?" as though God might be choosing to save or not save a child based on the sincerity of the faith of the child's father.

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I believe we all turn to God out of desperation.

ok, but would you say that you turn to God 'only' out of desperation.

kurt vonnegut said:

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ok, but would you say that you turn to God 'only' out of desperation.

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I think when you begin your relationship with God it is out of desperation because nothing else works. Then you are emdued with the Spirit and call on Him all the time.

I would not be honest with myself if I didn't admit that my prayer habits tend to be much better when I am going through a difficult time than when things are calm. I am better at remembering to pray when I need something than when I need to give thanks.

Psalm 50 was a good reminder for me today.

Psalm 50:23
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!"

10andBOUNCE said:

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Psalm 50 was a good reminder for me today.

Psalm 50:23
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!"

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Love that. Thanks.