Alright folks, be kind because I am not great on the guitar. After watching months and months of Christians acting crazy on the internet, I thought I would update a classic hymn for the digital age. Enjoy!
Abby Norman
Former Teacher. Current Preacher. Frequently Opinionated
Abby Norman 
Please, please, post the lyrics. I can only halfway understand them given the quality of sound on my laptop–and my questionable hearing.
We will yell at each other
We will call each other names
We will misrepresent our brothers
We will falsify their claims
And we’ll do it with no graciousness
And all in Jesus‘ name
And they’ll know we are Christians by the way we throw stones, Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our aim
We will cling to our theology
We‘ll leave no room for doubt
We will draw all the lines to know
whose in and whose out
And we’ll spare no ones feelings as we proove we are devout
And they’ll know we are Christians by the way we throw stones, Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our aim
We will fight with each other
We will each take a side
We will claim that he’s a hereict
And we are the bride
And we’ll forsake our dignity
And cling to selfish pride.
And they’ll know we are Christians by the way we throw stones, Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our aim
We have denied the Father
From whom all things come
And we’ve cheapened Christ Jesus
His only son
And we’ve ignored the Spirit
When he’s called to make us one
And they’ll know we are Christians by the way we throw stones, Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our aim
And they’ll know we are Christians by the way we throw stones, Yes they’ll know we are Christians ’cause we’re jerks.
Thank you!! Did you write that? I know the tune is old, but did you write the new words?
Yup. I love parodies.
The Tom Lehrer of Southern Baptists…..
Maybe Tomasina Lehrer.
Nicely done!!
Thanks!
Oh, the truth hurts. But I’m laughing a little too. Thanks for sharing.
Oh yes. There is a reason I say WE. I am as guilty as ANYONE I am pointing a finger at!
Also, I posted the link on Facebook and a friend of mine was inspired to blog about it, thanks to your parody. Here’s the link to his blog: http://www.tomwadsworth.com/blog/
What? That is so cool, thank you. Going to read now.
I mentioned to some ladies in a church group once, that “we christians throw stones sometimes.” I said, “At least I have, haven’t you?” They each said, “no I never have,” Ouch that stone hurt.
I need to hang my head and beg for mercy. That’s when I receive grace.
Yes! Of course we all have, but the Christian blogosphere is NASTY. Like it is just really mean. If I were looking at Christians on the internet from the outside it would not be a group I would want to join!
The lyrics are convicting. But I also have experienced love and mercy at the hands of my fellow Christians. I hope my friends and family would say the same of me. When we obey the Word and listen to the Spirit, actions do show Christ’s image and glorify our Father in heaven. Put me down as one who is being transformed.
Of course they do, and I would hope that the whole of my writing in this space points to the truth that my friends and family show Christ to me all the time. ALL THE TIME. I am sure that I don’t even know the whole of the way that MRCC supported us when I was growing up. I certainly don’t want to negate any of that. I find that my one on one interactions with the “on the ground” christians are grace filled and beautiful. Perhaps I should have made it more clear that I was speaking to the way that major Christian organizations interact with each other and desenters on the internet. There were some tweets and blog comments that were NASTY this week, and then ended with “blessings.” None were directed at me but holy cow they were mean, like YOU ARE GOING TO HELL, blessing. That is jacked up.
I love the second great awakening which turned America’s Western frontierin of the early 19th century (the Alleghenies to the Mississippi) from a pagan culture to Christian culture. One of the watchwords of that awakening was:
in the essentials unity
in the nonessentials liberty
and in all things charity..
when we battle with isour brothers and sisters we must pick our battles carefully.
We should remember Paul’s admonitions to the Colossians:
Col 3:12-16 ESV Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (13) bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (14) And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (15) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God..