Theology and Rock n Roll: Switchfoot's "World Where I Belong"

I had the chance to see Switchfoot live last night in Charlotte--the second time in the last month. While that might indict me as a groupie, I just saw it as taking advantage of two chances to hear some quality rock n roll from one of my favorite bands. Plus, I looked at the tour dates on the back of my new t-shirt and they're not going to be around here again any time soon.

I was impressed at how different the show was, too from just four weeks ago. Some songs from the new Fading West album were worked into the live show and some older songs (Meant to Live, Hello Hurricane, Your Love is a Song) were interpreted in fresh, new ways. It's inspiring to see a band growing and continuing to create even when they're playing a similar play list night after night.

My favorite song of the night was the last--World Where I Belong (have a listen above). As the last song on the Vice Verses album, it really completes an album that has a strong future hope emphasis. 

I love the mastery of these lyrics about the bodies we dwell in and and will give up when we die:

But I'm not sentimental
This skin and bones is a rental
And no one makes it out alive

The refrain, like a good Psalm, is filled with yearning and hope and resolution for how to live here and now:

Until I die I'll sing these songs
On the shores of Babylon
Still looking for a home
In a world where I belong

As I sing along, I hear Augustine's admonitions from the City of God to persevere and be salt and light in the earthly city given our not yet fully realized citizenship in the heavenly city. We press on to grow in Christ and participate in God's mission because of this future hope. In reading Kapic's Little Book for New Theologians, he adds that we also worship and think about God (theologize) because of eternity: "The praise offered now comes from those laden with anxiety, while in heaven all are free from concern; here there is hope, in glory 'hope is realized'" (p. 33).

Thanks Switchfoot for raising important questions in your music.