Tyler Childers Going Gospel on New Album ‘Take My Hounds to Heaven’
Gee, I wonder where you heard talk of this many months ago 😉 .
It’s official now. Tyler Childers is going back to his Gospel roots and religious upbringing in his latest album Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven, which is actually a collection of three albums in a unique concept where all eight songs are rendered three different ways. Announced Thursday (9-8), the 8X3 = 24 tracks of Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven will be released on September 30th in three distinct movements: the Hallelujah version, the Jubilee version, and the Joyful Noise version.
Tyler Childers explained both the inspiration and approach to the album in a statement:
I grew up Baptist and I was scared to death to go to hell. And a lot of that stuck with me. Filtering through that and trying to find the truth, and the beauty, and the things you should think about and expelling all that nonsense has been something I’ve spent a lot of time on.
This is a collection that came together through those reflections. In a lot of ways, this is processing life experiences in the different philosophies and religions that have formed me, trying to make a comprehensive sonic example of that. Working with the same song three different ways is a nod to my raising, growing up in a church that believes in the Holy Trinity: The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and what that means.
The Father being the root, the place from which everything comes from, and The Son coming to free up some of those things, allowing it to be more open and welcoming. And then you have the Holy Ghost once The Son is gone… that feeling that’s supposed to keep us sustained until we are reunited, in whatever way that looks.
In other words, Tyler Childers is keeping the beauty and hope in humanity inherent in the Christian faith, but ditching the fire and brimstone that result in much of the guilt and judgement people place upon themselves and others in certain interpretations of the religious texts.
Sonically, what makes Take My Hounds to Heaven special compared to Tyler’s previous works is he’s employing his long-time backing band The Food Stamps to help him render these three separate interpretations of theses songs. With his two recent studio records (not including Long Violent History), producer Sturgill Simpson worked with outside studio players on Tyler’s songs. No producer for the project has been named at this point, but it’s not Simpson.
The Food Stamps are bass player (and head bobber) Craig Burletic, drummer Rodney Elkins, “The Professor” Jesse Wells on guitar and fiddle, James Barker on regular and steel guitar, Chase Lewis on keyboards, and newest member, CJ Cain on acoustic guitar.
Offering up three separate version of the same songs is rather unique in the country and roots realm, however common it might be in the world of electronic music. Shania Twain did record three versions of all the songs on her album Up!, but peak commercial application is not exactly what Tyler Childers is going for here. It’s more a part of Tyler’s artistic expression through offering separate versions.
Of the eight songs, some will already be familiar to the audience. “Old Country Church” is an old Hank Williams song. The title track has been sung by Tyler Childers in concert for years now. “Purgatory” was the title track to Tyler’s 2017 album. “Way of the Triune God” and “Angel Band” (listen below) have both been featured live before as well.
Some may feel a little unfulfilled by only receiving eight songs on the new album, no matter how many versions of them they’re getting. Tyler’s last album, 2019’s Country Squire only had nine tracks as well, while Tyler has numerous original tracks he’s featured live over the years that remain unrecorded.
But Tyler Childers also remains bound and determined to continue to take an unconventional approach to a career that has seen him rise to one of the most popular artists in country music without the benefit of radio or major awards, while drawing fans live on the arena level. Some pointed to the subtle, but present drug and demonic imagery of Country Squire as troublesome from the Kentucky native. Now it appears he’s found religion again, and is ready to share that with a flock that has earned him multiple Certified Platinum records from the pulpit of an independent artist.
Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven? is now available for pre-order through Tyler’s Hickman Holler Records/RCA.
TRACK LIST:
LP 1 – Hallelujah
Old Country Church
Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
Two Coats
Purgatory
Way Of The Triune God
Angel Band
Jubilee
The Heart You Been Tendin’
LP 2 – Jubilee
Old Country Church
Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
Two Coats
Purgatory
Way Of The Triune God
Angel Band
Jubilee
The Heart You Been Tendin’
LP 3 – Joyful Noise
Old Country Church
Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
Two Coats
Purgatory
Way Of The Triune God
Angel Band
Jubilee
The Heart You Been Tendin’
September 8, 2022 @ 7:39 am
So if you buy 1 copy does that count as 3 ????
September 8, 2022 @ 7:56 am
The 3 versions bit is very strange, especially if it’s just studio layered accompaniment differences. Are strings the only difference between Hallelujah and Jubilee?
Starting to fear I’m not going to get that white hot studio version of “Take My Hounds to Heaven” that I was hoping for. Recent live performances were trending that way though.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:20 am
“Starting to fear I’m not going to get that white hot studio version of “Take My Hounds to Heaven” that I was hoping for.”
Well, you’ll have three chances.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:56 am
Haha touché!
September 8, 2022 @ 8:02 am
missed opportunity to cover Kinky Friedman’s “They ain’t making Jews like Jesus anymore”
September 8, 2022 @ 8:35 am
Oh man, he’d get “canceled” quicker than Morgan Wallen did 😉
September 8, 2022 @ 11:37 am
ironically, it’s definitely the christians who would do the cancelling because they don’t realize jesus was jewish. they think he was some white dude that looked like bradley cooper.
September 8, 2022 @ 12:20 pm
Have you ever even listened to the song?
September 8, 2022 @ 12:30 pm
the one where he quotes the racist viewpoints of some redneck and says as a jew he’s not going to turn the other cheek any more and then knocks the redneck’s ignorant ass out?
sounds like it would be as poignant and topical as ever. hell, the redneck basically calls him a communist/socialist right off the bat. some things never change. like missing the point of the song completely.
September 8, 2022 @ 1:36 pm
So Nazis will be offended by the sentiment, and groomers will be offended by the words used to express the sentiment.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:16 pm
First off every culture portrays him this way. Go to Africa and Jesus is black. Go to Asia and Jesus looks Asian.
Pretty sure they all know he’s not…
September 9, 2022 @ 7:39 am
lol. some people think jesus was american.
September 12, 2022 @ 7:49 am
A great American that literally wrote the Bible, just a few years before President Franklin invented electricity and freedom!
September 9, 2022 @ 9:42 am
I don’t think any practicing Christian would believe that. It’s pretty obvious when you read the Bible and all the stories are naming landmarks that are across the world that it didn’t take place in America
September 8, 2022 @ 8:07 am
The second that boy hollered out “Hallelujah” in that first video, I felt something stir in me I haven’t felt in a looooong time. I was raised Pentecostal and left it behind a long time ago, but I was reminded if how – even as a little fella – it was always the music that moved me the most. Still does. Y’know? It wasn’t ALL bad… Can’t wait to hear the whole record(s)!
September 8, 2022 @ 8:09 am
Interesting that Tyler Childers has made a gospel album, & apologizes for the Gospel.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:33 am
“Gospel album” in 2022 means “these folks make good music, I just don’t like what they believe”…
Can’t imagine a song about limited atonement would go over so well.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:44 am
Sounds a lot how these White Christian Nationalists behave.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:20 am
Look!^ A communist left an off-topic, political comment on a Country Music website.
I want to see Douglas complain about it.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:30 am
Any further off-topic political comments left by either of you or anyone else will be deleted. Final warning.
September 10, 2022 @ 9:03 pm
Pink haired leftoids have no place in country music, son. I dont want to have SJW country music.
September 10, 2022 @ 9:06 pm
Noseonthegrindstone,
As I have warned numerous people here, we are not veering into politics into this comments section. I did allow your other comments to go through because they were germane to the music, but these divisive back and forths are not relevant to the current conversation. Thanks for your understanding.
September 23, 2022 @ 6:50 am
Hey, my God will kick your god’s ass!!!!!
September 8, 2022 @ 10:18 am
“Can’t imagine a song about limited atonement would go over so well.”
Listen, if a talented country artist recorded an entire album about reformed soteriology, I would buy the absolute crap out of it!
Enough of the “laundry list” country songs (tailgates, trucks, beer, etc), I want a country song that lists the 5 points of Calvinism! Lol
September 8, 2022 @ 10:48 am
Van Lear TULIP?
September 8, 2022 @ 8:48 am
Pretty clear his appreciation for it and its role in his life. Does he need to tow a specific line to make it palatable for you?
September 8, 2022 @ 9:11 am
“Does he need to tow a specific line to make it palatable for you?”
A lot of us know what Tyler Childers is towing here.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:04 am
Yes. Gospel is a word. It has an objective definition. That’s the line.
September 8, 2022 @ 2:34 pm
Yes it does. It is the old English translation of the Greek word for “good news”. In general it refers to the first four books of the New testament. This is where we learn about the religion of Jesus, which incidentally has little in common with the religion about Jesus that grew in its wake.
September 8, 2022 @ 3:20 pm
Are you the same person going by ‘JT’ (vs jt) in this same comment section?
September 8, 2022 @ 3:50 pm
No.
September 8, 2022 @ 4:26 pm
jt (not JT),
If you hate Jesus’s church, you hate Jesus. Not incidentally,The Lord Jesus said you would hate his church because you hate him.
Luke 21:17 KJV
[17] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
John 15:18 KJV
[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
September 8, 2022 @ 12:03 pm
Perhaps you are drawing that conclusion from something else, but in the quote above he is in no way apologizing for the gospel. A good portion of why people think very little about Christianity is that it is very much misinterpreted and terribly represented by so many.
What he likely grew up hearing in church was far too Old Testament, and the gospel truly changed all of that. It can be a tremendous turnoff. I wish more folks studied it thoroughly and lived it. Good for Tyler – I hope this is evidence that he is in a good place!
September 8, 2022 @ 1:25 pm
God forbid there be any hint of contradiction present in the preaching of the gospel
September 8, 2022 @ 8:14 am
Ok, I’ve been a big Tyler fan since he was the opener for the opener at a show I saw in 2015. So I say this not as a critic but as a fan. I cannot stand his guitar player Jesse Wells. To my knowledge this is the first time he’s played electric on an album for TC and I can tell immediately that it’s him because he’s constantly off-rhythm, buzzing frets, missing notes, etc., apparently even in the studio. I’ve noticed this ever since his run of shows after Country Squire when he joined the Food Stamps.
I don’t know if it’s supposed to be intentionally sloppy/chaotic, but especially here in the Angel Band arrangements, it sounds so discordant and clumsy. I’m not saying TC needs a blistering picker to make the music good, but it’s really strange to me how jarring his guitar leads are. Does anybody else hear this or am I crazy?
Also, not to pile on here, but 8 songs recorded three times including an old song (so that’s four) is a very weird decision. I heard a rumor that Tyler self-produced this, so the indecision feels a little amateurish to me. Just pick one. These two arrangements of Angel Band are practically identical in mood/emotion – what’s the point?
September 8, 2022 @ 8:21 am
I was hoping for a greater distinction between versions. A first listen the only difference I hear is the strings replaced with organ. It appears to be the same performances and a very slight tweak in the mix. Hopefully there is more to look forward to than 8 songs mixed 98% identically.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:06 am
I honestly can’t tell a difference in these two tracks at all.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:39 am
You haven’t listened through the songs then. The instrumentation is completely different at the end. One is horns and strings and a boatload of reverb, while the other is more spare and has a pretty killer guitar solo to close out the song (a bit of Motown vs Stax, if I were going to compare the two). Honestly wish they were combined, as both have their high points.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:42 am
No, you’re not alone in your observations. I don’t have the greatest ear for instrumentation in music, but that electric guitar was EXTREMELY distracting in “Angel Band”; it clashed horribly and felt so disjointed. I also agree that three albums of the same eight songs with slight tweaks is an odd choice. While 24 different songs across three albums would have been a lot of work, it would have been the much better choice artistically and sonically.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:45 am
I wouldn’t say 3 different versions is amateurish when he gave a reason for having those 3. It seems well thought out and intentional. Whether or not you and other fans will like it is a different story
September 8, 2022 @ 11:11 am
I mean, it’s not Van Halen or anything, but the lead guitar playing here seems fine to me. Guessing Childers went for “raw” on the production here (whether by choice or lack of production expertise), but maybe this serves to explain/justify why the Food Stamps haven’t featured on Childers’ studio albums before. A live/touring band has a lot of more leeway in a live setting vs. the studio, unless a lot of “fixing” is happening in post. It is what it is.
September 8, 2022 @ 5:31 pm
Hard fucking pass. I guess the days of “Nose To The Grindstone” and the Purgatory album are long gone. What a shame. He used to write and sing from the heart like his next meal depended on it. Now he’s getting by on his name. He can do whatever he wants, but following the eclectic Sturgill route will definitely keep me listening to the old stuff and pessimistic about anything new
September 9, 2022 @ 6:37 am
I’m not at the “hard fucking pass” point, but I can relate to this comment to some extent. I’m not overly enthused about this project, although I will say that I liked the version of Angel Band that I listened to. But three versions of the same 8 songs, one of which I already have? And a $25 price tag for the CD version? I don’t know, man. I guess I’ll listen to the whole thing when it becomes available and make my decision then. Not a no-brainer.
September 9, 2022 @ 9:58 am
This is my biggest concern for this album, not whether it’s Gospel or not. Tyler is taking a very big leap of faith here (pun intended) but thinking he can sell the same song three times to people, including a Hank cover, one we’ve heard from Childers previously, and another (Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven?” that any Childers fan has worn out on YouTube three years ago. It’s just as much a packaging concern as one of approach. Shania Twain didn’t make you buy all three versions of “Up!” Either this approach will be a home run based off the strength of the material and make him look genius. Or people will wonder what the real difference is between the three versions, and feel like they were compelled to purchase something they didn’t want or need, like Garth’s endless repackaging of old hits. I’m going to remain optimistic until it hits my ears, but I think this is a fair concern.
September 12, 2022 @ 5:12 am
This is just my observation, but obviously the vast majority of music consumers use a streaming service, and then there is a much smaller subset who purchase vinyl as a collectible. For the streamers, music (past the cost of subscription) is free, so there isn’t really extra purchase here. For the vinyl buyers, however, (and here is where this is just what I observe, without any data to back it up) it seems like there is a vast appetite to purchase everything your favorite artists produce, including colored variants, deluxe versions, represses, etc… The biggest complaints I see in this group is when there isn’t enough of a release repressed and the price goes up in the after-market. I just don’t think the Childers loving vinyl buyers are going to mind ponying up for 3 different versions to compare/contrast.
September 9, 2022 @ 6:40 am
Well…his next meal did depend on it back then. I do think it’s really hard to sustain a career based off of writing from a place of misery. Sure, some artists have done that before, but a lot of them met an early grave, and the two seem related. I see a lot of artists sort out their personal lives and reach a comfortable financial situation and yes, make happier music that reflects that. It’s hard to ask for both authenticity and an artist to write low dow, lonesome songs while they’re happy, sober young fathers. I’m really glad we can keep returning to Bottles and Bibles era, and that Tyler can write from his experience, wherever that takes him.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:17 am
Just to clarify, this is not Gospel, but Universalist. The Gospel (good news) is that Jesus Christ, as the incarnate Son of God, is the ONLY way to salvation. (John 14:6)
“There’s Hindus, Jews, and Muslims
And Baptists of all kinds
Catholic girls and Amish boys
Who’ve left their plows behind
Up there in the choir
Singing side by side
Wondering why exactly
They been fussing the whole time”
“Going back to his Gospel roots” Naw, I don’t think so. This is a far cry from what we Baptists believe.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:34 am
Gospel is a genre of music where the written material primarily centers around the observance or praise of the Judeo Christian God. “Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven?” is a Gospel album. Songs from the album we’ve heard previously such as “Old Country Church” and “The Way of the Triune God” very much fit within that definition, as does the majority of “Angel Band.”
Not really interested in getting into a discussion on who qualifies to get into Heaven, but Jesus taught tolerance and love for all people, and it seems like that is what Tyler Childers is trying to convey with the line you quoted. Even sinners and those not exposed to the Gospel are still allowed to go to Purgatory (the name of one of Tyler’s albums, and a track on this album) to be cleansed and eventually allowed to make it to Heaven, so maybe we should allow the arc of the story play out before we pass judgement.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:43 am
You can believe that’s true and sing about it, sure, but you are just wrong about what “gospel music” is. Gospel music is singing about the gospel, literally the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is decidedly and explicitly NOT what your interpretation of it is.
This isn’t “gospel music” any more than FGL is “country music”. It might sound the same, but that’s it.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:22 am
The album “Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven?” by Tyler Childers is a Gospel album, full stop. You want to argue the tenets of the first four books of the New Testament and the interpretations thereof, be my guest. But when you’re talking about musical genres, you’re traipsing on my territory. Gospel music as universally defined throughout the music industry by chart managers, The Record Academy, et al, as music whose material is predominantly centered around Christian themes. This album and all the songs we’ve heard so far clearly qualify as such.
You can try to pull one stanza out of one song, and thus declare the entire work is not Gospel. But “Old Country Church” by Hank Williams is 100% considered a Gospel song, and has been for 70 years. “Way of The Triune God” is 100% Gospel if you pull up a live version and listen to the lyrics.
Now, you can believe that the souls of the people who live in the uncontacted tribes off the coast of Sri Lanka and deep in the Amazon who’ve never even heard of The Bible, let alone ever read it, are going straight to hell as soon as they die to burn in eternal damnation because they didn’t confess their sins to Jesus, just as Bill Monroe stood in the way of Jimmy Martin ever joining the Grand Ole Opry because he had the audacity to bring a snare drum with him up on stage. Be my guest. I don’t care.
But the Tyler Childers album “Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven?” is a Gospel album, and will be recognized so universally throughout the music industry, including by the Gospel community. Period.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:51 am
I’d argue that Gospel music doesn’t necessarily have to be about Christianity if it is still played in the style of Gospel music. I consider Billy String’s “Freedom” to be a secular gospel song, and I think I read that Billy thinks this as well.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:54 am
I can understand what all sides are trying to say in this thread. While the album as a whole may be sweepingly generalized as “gospel” (little “g”) in a sonic sense, a song like “Angel Band” is not “Gospel” (capital “G”) in a lyrical or theological sense. If one were to consider “Angel Band” as a “Gospel” song lyrically, we might as well lump in John Lennon’s “Imagine” in as lyrical “Gospel”. While we’re at it, why don’t we throw in Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” as lyrical “Gospel”, as well?
The point being: There is a difference between sonic “gospel” and lyrical “Gospel”; it absolutely matters to the listeners, but whether the RIAA or Billboard cares is a different matter.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:15 am
Yes, but we also know that some, if not most of the material on this album IS (capital “G”) Gospel, because we’ve heard it before. If you read the lyrics to “Purgatory,” it’s 100% within the Gospel tradition. So is “Triune God,” and these are original songs from Tyler. Now, you can pick out one stanza from one song and and use it to try and refute the entire record, but in my opinion, that’s disingenuous. What organizations like the RIAA, The Recording Academy, and Billboard do is go by a 51% rule. If it’s 51% Gospel, then it’s more Gospel than anything else, and that means it’s a Gospel album. Just from the song we know from this album, I think we can confidently make the claim it’s a Gospel album.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:34 am
Ok, I’ll stay in my lane, since you’re the expert. Me and everyone I know considers “gospel music” to mean music with words specifically centered around the Christian faith (literally Christian, that is, Jesus Christ). If anything this is Unitarian Universalism music mimicking the spiritual emotion of gospel music.
I really don’t have a problem with the song, and believe it or not the cultural appropriation (tongue -in-cheek; relax) doesn’t offend me, but to claim this is a gospel song when it is very clearly and deliberately not Christian gospel is, well, just inaccurate. Muslims don’t believe in the gospel. I guess the “industry” doesn’t make that distinction, so, whatever. In the real world, gospel music means something very specific.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:45 am
I would say that Gospel centers around the observance or praise of God by Christians. There can’t be competing “gods.” The Greeks reasoned that out two millennium ago. I’m not sure where the phrase “Judeo Christian” snuck into the lexicon. I’m guessing after Vatican II. I’m not sure what it means, but the two are pretty much polar opposites.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:07 am
What exactly do you mean by “The Greeks reasoned that out two millennium ago”. Just curious, as that’s my cup of tea.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:24 am
I can’t remember the Greek term, but it refers to the late Greek philosophers and the development of Logos, preparing the way for the coming of Christ. I think it was Xenophanes who first began to reason that there could only be one God. Paul first evangelized the Greeks (in Greek) because he recognized that their concept of God and Logos had prepared them for accepting Jesus.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:35 am
If I may – and this is no way is me disagreeing or devaluing your opinion.
I believe you are referring to the line.
“One god greatest among gods and men,
not at all like mortals in body or in thought.”
This quote has often been used to support the Greeks believing in one God too; to connect the Bible with the Classic thinkers (for those who read both Classics and the Bible, everyone would realize there was some plagiarism going on).
However, Xenophanes uses “Gods” in the first line. This means he is not proposing a single God, but rather the one greatest God (in his case meaning Zeus).
It’s an attempt to get away from Hesiod and Homer, with the plethora and chaos of the Greek pantheon; a form of hierarchising.
The first real – and very flawed – attempt to combine the Christian God with Greek/Latin philosophy is usually claimed by the neoplatonic thinkers, championed by Plotinus.
As far as I know, and have read; no classic Greek would dare to claim there is only one God up to the Roman conquest (and even after). As we all know, there were some very strict rules about how to go about defacing the pantheon.
It usually involves poison.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:39 am
You know more than me. I’m not a Greek scholar and I’m out of my depth on the history, but from the Christian perspective, the concept of Logos inevitably leads to the realization that there can only be one God.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:45 am
Don’t worry – like I said; no judgement here. If the Greeks thought us one thing, it is that you should not fight about whoever is right about their Gods.
I just found it refreshing to see a Greek influence on a Tyler post.
My hat goes off to you, good sir.
September 8, 2022 @ 11:18 am
It’s actually not Gospel music unless the the lyrics are written in Koine Greek and its sung with the inflections and intonations of an Aramaic speaker.
Also, since the New Testament dose not mention the earthly use of musical instruments in praising God, real Gospel music should only be a cappella.
Of course, reasonable people can differ on the propriety of commercially releasing Gospel music, there’s no need to be pedantic on that issue.
September 8, 2022 @ 11:51 am
Oh, i think you would get a lot of pushback on this train of thought from many Afro American, & Gullah peoples.
The people & descendants of the people who sing the most richly toned Gospel, in the world.
Also, depending on where you are getting your information, 1700’s Scots, also claim the Gospel genre.
But for my listening pleasure, give me Gospel songs sung by my Black brothers and Sisters, the world over.
And, Gospel sung by Elvis, is beautiful, as well
September 8, 2022 @ 12:42 pm
Wait are you saying that because so many people (informed by their histories and culture) bring their own meanings and traditions to the genre, we shouldn’t have strict definitions around what is and what is not Gospel Music? That instead we should celebrate anyone who wants to share the “good news”? That’s an opinion that seems both provocative and reasonable…
September 8, 2022 @ 6:04 pm
@ Reply Guy,
“Wait are you saying that because so many people (informed by their histories and culture) bring their own meanings and traditions to the genre, we shouldn’t have strict definitions around what is and what is not Gospel Music?”
Not saying that at all.
The African and Gullah peoples have great respect for the Bible, & the Gospel, as do i. As do a lot of people, worldwide.
It’s just that having experienced, & been in the midst of the richness of Black voices raised up, & praising the Lord is a Beautiful thing to behold.
Let there be no doubt.
Singing Gospel is singing praises to and honoring, the Lord.
September 11, 2022 @ 2:05 pm
Trigger,
I’m a long-time reader and appreciator of the site, and God help me (literally– I need it, now, and all the time!), this subject and comment thread have convinced me to finally write my first comment here! 🙂
I love country music, and Gospel music, and I’m a Tyler Childers fan, and a Catholic Christian convert. I certainly never intended for my first comment here to be on issues related to my personal faith, but Tyler *did* record a song and album named “Purgatory,” and now, he’s gone and made a Gospel album, so here I go! 🙂
I can speak from a lot of different perspectives to the issues and objections being raised by people here. Over almost fifty years, I’ve moved quite a bit (geographically and belief-wise), from hardcore atheism. to broadly evangelical Protestantism, to Catholicism, to strongly Reformed Baptist beliefs, and, then, twelve years ago, back to Catholicism, where I remain. I’m thankful for my time in each of these beliefs/groups/churches, partially because I’ve grown, and learned, and been humbled and enriched, in different ways, by each of them.
With all of this said, I do believe and accept the core Christian conviction that salvation comes by grace, through faith in Christ, and not by works, in the sense of “working one’s way to Heaven”. Despite what the anti-Catholic preachers of my youth said, we Catholics do trust in God’s atoning sacrifice for our salvation, and we worship the Triune God, not Mary!
Since Purgatory is a doctrine that is largely (but not always only!) held by both Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians, I can, hopefully, write with some helpfulness on the matter. for The Catholic view is that, as Scripture teaches, Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Anyone who *is* saved is saved by Him, and through His atoning work on the Cross, period. That is the Catholic teaching. Purgatory is *not* a denial of Christ’s atoning work, but rather, it is, the Church teaches, the “end point” of the process of sanctification, for most of the people who are *on their way* to Heaven, before actually *entering* Heaven. C.S. Lewis, not a Catholic himself, and read and loved by many Christians of differing beliefs, affirmed salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ alone, and he believed in Purgatory.
Where Catholics and Orthodox differ with many (not all!) evangelical and Reformed Protestants on the matter of the salvation of non-Christians is that, while we do strongly affirm the necessity of Christ’s atoning work on the Cross for salvation, we also affirm that it is *at least possible* for a non-Christian of good will, by God’s grace, who is genuinely following his or her best understanding of God and the good, to be saved without always, in every case, necessarily, professing explicit faith in Christ. I can already anticipate the objections from some people here (because I used to hold such objections myself, as a Protestant who didn’t even believe that Catholics were Christians!), but this Catholic (and Eastern Orthodox) understanding is *not* one of indifferentism to the Bible’s clear message of the need for Christ, and His saving work on the Cross, to be lovingly shared with those who do not yet know Him, in a saving faith way, but who are curious about Christ and willing to listen.
I don’t believe that all non-Christians are *unavoidably* damned to Hell *unless* they profess explicit faith in Christ. (I once did hold that belief, especially as a Raformed Baptist, but Catholics differ with it.) I *do* believe in and support Christian missions and evanglization, *carefully thoughtfully, respectfully done*, without any resort to intimidation, force, manipulation, or other forms of unChrist-like, deeply disrespectful behavior.
Has Tyler Childers made a Gospel album? It sounds like it to me! Will I agree with all of the theology found in it? I have no idea– I don’t even agree, now, with some of the theology that *I* once held! 🙂 I am interested in hearing the album in full though, and probably buying it, as a fan of his work thus far.
September 11, 2022 @ 2:31 pm
Thanks for reading and commenting!
September 8, 2022 @ 8:37 am
Man that’s kinda shitty of you we are all god’s children no matter our views race or how we choose to praise the lord even when some people choose not to and follow their own set of beliefs who are we to judge each other. Look at one’s character before turning away from man.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:05 am
The point is that the Gospel is a pretty clear and well-defined message concerning the atoning death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and the offer of salvation by grace through faith.
I understand that “Gospel” is also a genre of music, and at this point, the argument over whether or not this album is “Gospel music” may be semantics. But because Tyler Childers obviously rejects many of the claims Jesus Christ made about Himself, it’s fair for people to at least question how this can be an authentic “gospel” record when Tyler Childers rejects the Gospel.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:39 am
“But because Tyler Childers obviously rejects many of the claims Jesus Christ made about Himself, it’s fair for people to at least question how this can be an authentic “gospel” record when Tyler Childers rejects the Gospel.”
I think it’s irresponsible to make that claim about an album we haven’t heard yet. However, in this case, it is an album that we’ve already heard multiple songs from, and those songs directly refute your claim. “Old Country Church,” “Purgatory,” and “Triune God” very much fit within the Gospel teachings. “Take My Hounds To Heaven” is sort of a tongue-in-cheek song, so I’m not sure it refutes or affirms anything. But I think it’s disingenuous to interpret one stanza of one song as being against the Gospel teachings, which also include tolerance for all people.
I am no theocrat. But my understanding is that the intellectuals of the Christian religion struggled with the conflict that is created by the need to give your heart to Jesus for salvation, and the fact that so much of the world’s population is not being exposed to the Gospel. Even today this is relevant. Christianity and religion is illegal in China where 1.4 BILLION people live. This is where the idea of “Purgatory” came from, where people who live Godly lives are able to go as opposed to Hell so they can eventually make it to Heaven. It also happens to be that word is the title to a Tyler Childers album, and a song on this record.
When I watch the video for “Angel Band,” and the guy gets kicked in the head by the mule and ascends to Heaven, he is joined by people of different religions who despite not being Christian, nonetheless led devout, religious lives. To me, this all fits within Christian teachings.
Now, I also think the way it’s interpreted in this song is a bit, well, cheesy. It’s this diversity for diversity’s sake kind of thing, which turns a lot of people off. I also have concerns about how Tyler Is going to pull off selling 24 songs to the public, when you really only have six new compositions, and four they’ve never heard before.
I also appreciate what folks are saying, that this particular song “Angel Band” does not fit exactly into the Gospel teachings of The Bible. But I think isolating this song, or a specific verse from this song, and saying the whole album isn’t Gospel is being patently unfair to the balance of the material.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:53 am
John 14:6 KJV
[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Trig,
I’d be happy to explain every, single question you have, if you’d like to correspond via email. Of all the things you don’t understand, but that you insist on speaking about anyway, this is most serious. Shoot me an email sometime.
September 8, 2022 @ 11:02 am
> To me, this all fits within Christian teachings.
Ok, but, you’re wrong. I’m not trying to be mean, but you are just quite frankly very misinformed about this. Your loose interpretation of the Christian doctrine is not Biblical. You don’t have to believe it, I’m not preaching. My (and everyone else’s) point is that words have meaning, ESPECIALLY as they relate to dogma, and even when the concepts themselves are somewhat esoteric.
The “intellectuals” of the Christian religion have had an “answer” to this for centuries. I have never heard a Biblical argument that claims Muslims, who literally reject Jesus the Christ, go to heaven. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong, I’m saying if you believe that, that is not Christian “G-O-S-P-E-L”.
September 8, 2022 @ 11:18 am
Trigger,
I think your response here is very fair. Please understand, I am not here to label Tyler Childers a heretic or to dismiss this project. I’m quite fond of him and his music! I’m just sympathetic to the argument put forth by some who question if this is a “Gospel” album, and the reason to question that comes from the quote you cite in this very article:
“In a lot of ways, this is processing life experiences in the different philosophies and religions that have formed me, trying to make a comprehensive sonic example of that.”
I read that as him expressing that Christianity may influence *some* of his worldview, but he would not consider himself a Christian or a believer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead, the album will reflect a spectrum of religions and philosophies. Again, this isn’t me criticizing him; I just can understand why some here would doubt that this is a Gospel album.
At the end of the day, you’re right – I certainly haven’t heard the album, and I’m going on assumptions based on what he’s said and what he has released in the past. I can guarantee you one thing, though: I will be listening to this album in 22 days!
September 8, 2022 @ 10:44 am
Correct. Calling this a gospel album because the RIAA says so is like saying Lil Nas X is a country artist because of Old Town Road. Ok, sure, if you want to be pedantic about labels. It doesn’t make it true.
September 8, 2022 @ 11:14 am
Ah, but this is where you’re wrong. Billboard’s chart managers REJECTED “Old Town Road” as country. That is what stirred the whole controversy surrounding Lil Nas X. The Recording Academy’s screening committee also rejected “Old Town Road” as country. Granted, Billboard has also called things country that weren’t, but my point is there are rules when it comes to genres, and as a musical genre, this album will be considered Gospel.
And I don’t mean to keep belaboring the point, but I’m still waiting for someone to explain to me how one stanza in one song disqualifies the whole album as being considered Gospel?
We’ve heard five songs from it so far. I’ll just give you that “Angel Band” isn’t Gospel at all. I’ll also spot you “Take My Hounds To Heaven,” which is certainly religious in tone, but also silly. That still leaves you “Old Country Church,” “Triune God,” and “Purgatory,” which all three clearly sit within the capital ‘G’ Gospel tradition. That means the majority of the songs we’ve heard so far are Gospel. When the rest are released, perhaps we’ll revisit. But to say, “this album is not Gospel” is presumptuous at best, wrong at present, and is likely to prove to be false in the future.
September 8, 2022 @ 11:28 am
I don’t want to get in the weeds on this, because I don’t think you’re wrong per se regarding the specific industry label of the music, but I will be VERY surprised if Tyler uses the word “Christ” anywhere on this album. Lots of religions acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth.
That’s all I really feel like saying about it.
September 8, 2022 @ 12:07 pm
Trigger, I will ultimately defer to your expertise and lane when it comes to classifying genres of music.
My lane is that I am a pastor, seminary grad, and a big fan of authentic country music. I love Tyler Childers and his music. The quote you provided us in this article leaves me dubious that the project as a whole will be centered around Biblical Christian doctrine, but it may instead reflect Tyler Childers’ universalist philosophy. I could be wrong!
“Turtles All the Way Down” does not uphold Biblical doctrine whatsoever, yet Metamodern is my favorite album of this millennium. As a music fan, the question I have is, “will this album be good?” We’ll know very soon!
September 8, 2022 @ 10:07 am
We’re not all God’s children; we’re all his creation.
September 8, 2022 @ 6:58 pm
I agree with those who pointed out the stricter definition of the gospel and Jesus as the only path to salvation.
I do wonder about the line that refers to Amish boys who have left their plows behind. Could he be referring to individuals of various religious backgrounds who have genuinely been converted? If so this would fit with scripture.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:18 am
A gospel record? Goddamnit.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:29 am
Yikes
September 8, 2022 @ 8:54 am
Funny how some of you are bitching and moaning about Tyler not presenting a true gospel while y’all fawn over White Jesus and Trump.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:17 am
Anyone want to see the epitome of TDS, look no further.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:24 am
Anyone that wants to see denialism and Trumpism at its worst, just look at Jake’s comments.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:30 am
Name one comment where I mention him or denial. Plenty of reasons to hate on any politician, including him. But you manage to bring him into almost every story you comment on, regardless of it having NOTHING to do with him. Get a fucking life.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:33 am
This article and topic has nothing to do with Trump. The subject matter at hand is (apparently) contentious enough. Let’s please stay on topic.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:29 pm
White Jesus? If you pretend to care about other cultures you should know that they make Jesus black in black churches and Asian in Asian churches…i’m excited for the album and as a classic liberal who’s also Christian, your comment that only a Trump supporter would care about the Gospel being represented correctly is way off.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:55 am
I saw the music video for Angel Band this morning when it dropped. I think it is brilliant.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:59 am
Love the live version cover of Hank Williams’ “Old Country Church” that I’ve heard. Glad to hear we’re finally getting a studio version.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:38 am
Damn right Cap’n.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:00 am
“ “Purgatory” was the (non) title track to Tyler’s 2017 album that he chose to leave off.”
I’m confused what you mean by this. Unless my mind is failing me, Purgatory was definitely on his first album. I’m not sure what it was left off of?
September 8, 2022 @ 9:39 am
Total brain fart on my part. It’s been corrected.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:01 am
I have been planning on doing two full versions of every single on my next album (acoustic and electric roughly) but three seems like a bit much. As for who has exclusive rights to play gospel music that’s a pretty silly argument and borders on “how many Angela can dance on the head of a pin”! I spent years playing telecaster in African American churches and have done acoustic country gospel for many years, I have even turned down money from churches to play because I never believed anyone who truly believed the gospel could accept money if they truly believed. As for this project, I’m less interested in it than I am of relistening to his previous projects, but I don’t really see this guy as someone who will have a legendary impact on music, just another solid guy with a few great albums.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:40 am
Watched the video with coffee this morning and came over here for the ensuing shit show.
You all don’t disappoint. 100 posts by lunch defining every ones definition of gospel music? I see trumps been mentioned and TDS so we are off to a good start.
September 8, 2022 @ 9:53 am
8 songs with a 24 song price tag. Only in America. I can’t tell any diff in the song versions but what do I know. That being said, big fan of the album theme. Liked the release today. “Unfulfilled” pretty much sums it up though which has been the theme of his last two albums for me. Thank God for YouTube.
September 8, 2022 @ 11:10 am
The digital version is $11.99. The physical copies are more expensive though.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:06 am
Great song. As a long time prog fan I need to say that the mellotron sounds on the top version of the song are amazing. They fit with and add to what Tyler’s doing with the vox and lyrics, not to mention the storyline in the vid.
I don’t think I can recall the mellotron in traditional country but there must be some songs from the 70s. I might’ve seen Isbell use it as flavor live, too. But it was nothing like this.
Small point but adds to this new tune from Tyler.
September 8, 2022 @ 12:01 pm
Mellotron was much more prominent in rock than country, but Ray Stevens and Jim Stafford had mellotron on albums in the mid 70s. The Johnny Cash cover of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” in 2002 had mellotron. Lynyrd Skynyrd and other southern rock bands used mellotron much more. In the last few years, Dave Cobb included mellotron on several projects. John Calvin Abney, Matt Ross-Spang, and others in the Americana sphere have also included mellotron in the last couple of years.
September 8, 2022 @ 12:16 pm
Dave Cobb is strongly responsible for bringing back Mellotron in country, specifically on those early Sturgill Simpson records, and my guess is that helped it trickle down to guys like Matt Ross-Spang and other producers. Ironically, Cobb’s studio home is RCA Studio ‘A’ in Nashville, which is a cavernous space that was built specifically during the Countrypolitan era to record string arrangements, which the Mellotron looks to replace.
I think at least some of the string sounds we hear on the Jubilee version (the one with the video) are real string arrangements. That’s why they sound so good. I have a love/hate relationship with the Mellotron. Yes, if you want to add that string sound to something, it’s a cheap and easy way. But nothing replaces the real thing.
September 9, 2022 @ 8:11 am
Thanks for the 70s country recommendations. I went on a Skynyrd spin yesterday to hear some mellotron. And as Trig pointed out, Sturgill used it well… Turtles All the Way down hits it hard. Kinda specific but it’s a cool sounding instrument when used well.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:10 am
Will give this a chance, but I’m not the biggest fan of “concept” albums and “gospel” albums in country lately. Sturgill Simpson’s latest “concept” albums (besides the bluegrass stuff) and Brent Cobb’s latest “gospel” album left me cold.
I get the impression “concept” albums and “gospel” albums from artists like this are not unlike covers albums or holiday albums – just quickie stop-gap projects rather than genuine or sincere expressions of creativity or faith/devotion.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:11 am
I am surprised no one picked up that disc three will be “electronic” or at least with electronic undertones.
Lots of people harping (intended pun) about the nature of Gospel vs. Gospel Music (I’m sorry everyone, it’s the MUSIC part we’re talking about – for Gospel, there’s a certain BOOK you can look into), but missing the fact that Tyler freaking Childers is including electronic music.
No? No one?
I for one am super excited about that.
And… go!
September 8, 2022 @ 10:26 am
I’m here for that considering the electric version has been described as having parts of bluegrass structure, electronic influences, and even andy griffith soundbites
September 8, 2022 @ 12:17 pm
Yeah.. I will wait until I hear it before casting the first stone, but if he goes EDM, that would be the unpardonable sin!
I kid. If it’s that egregious to my tastes, at least it’s all relegated to a separate LP that I can just pretend doesn’t exist.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:17 am
The Jubilee version reminds me of The Band, mainly because of the horns.
Trigger, have you heard Anne Wilson’s My Jesus album? She’s a Christian country artist, well country pop style (probably not this site’s cup of tea). I liked it.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:58 am
What normal person was concerned about “demonic imagery?” The album was about drugs lmfao.
September 8, 2022 @ 4:23 pm
Colonel Tony Moore who has done lots of the art work for Country Squire. He created a cartoon baby baphomet pin that Tyler’s worn. He’s created other art on merch and as promo images that has some satanic symbols/imagery, alas.
September 8, 2022 @ 6:28 pm
“Satanic” has FOREVER been an adjective used to describe things people don’t like. So, so dumb.
September 9, 2022 @ 3:29 am
Colonel Tony Moore is incredible!!!
September 8, 2022 @ 11:02 am
Morgan Wallen deserves to be canceled because he sucks. Not so much as a human, but egreciously as a…whatever he is. I surely can’t call him and “artist” and he’s barely a “singer.”
In addition to Louisville, he one of the three most embarrassing things about being from Kentucky.
September 8, 2022 @ 11:37 am
Morgan Wallen is just fine.
This article is about Tyler Childers.
September 8, 2022 @ 11:33 am
Tyler is one of the best from a songwriting perspective, and I’ll absolutely give it a fair shot, but the concept doesn’t really do it for me.
And the $60 price tag for the vinyl release…. no thanks
September 8, 2022 @ 1:55 pm
Yeah, seriously. I went with the CD instead, but still feel kind of ripped off. Realistically, I’m paying almost full price for 3 near-copies of an 8 track album, near half of which is covers. I will now have 4 versions of the song “Purgatory”. I love Tyler, but this all feels like a dubious value.
September 8, 2022 @ 11:53 am
If this resonates with you, go get ’em. Happy for you. As someone who finds the idea of a god or religion pretty silly and dumb (and destructive and, well, evil), I just can’t get past this treacle. I can’t take this seriously. Not my cup of tea.
September 8, 2022 @ 11:53 am
Everyone who worries about the is it gospel or not are showing exactly what Tyler meant about “the fuss”…life is too short
September 8, 2022 @ 12:11 pm
Looking forward to the tracks that suggest “real Christians” are cool with gays, support abortion and socialism, don’t carry guns, and would never be conservative.
September 8, 2022 @ 12:20 pm
Hey Saul (and others),
Let’s please not veer this discussion into divisive political topics and name-calling. This is already a contentious topic due to to the religious nature of the material.
Thanks!
September 8, 2022 @ 7:51 pm
Maybe if you are worried about people’s sexual orientation then you shouldn’t listen to Tyler & The Food Stamps. Not everyone in the band is straight and no, I am not woke or whatever name you will throw at me.
September 8, 2022 @ 8:03 pm
Read your post wrong, exhausted over here
September 8, 2022 @ 12:32 pm
i like Angel Band (Jubilee Version) video.
Especially, the end.
September 8, 2022 @ 12:42 pm
Tyler has some fire records to release if he ever goes through writer’s block, what with the 400 or so unreleased tracks he has in the can
September 8, 2022 @ 1:19 pm
The Angel Band video is warm-hearted and funny.
“The Father being the root, the place from which everything comes from, and The Son coming to free up some of those things, allowing it to be more open and welcoming. And then you have the Holy Ghost once The Son is gone… that feeling that’s supposed to keep us sustained until we are reunited, in whatever way that looks.”
It’ll be interesting to see whether this gets any purchase on people’s imaginations.
September 8, 2022 @ 1:24 pm
I was disappointed with the lack of difference between the two versions
September 8, 2022 @ 1:46 pm
All the shit going on in this thread is exactly why I loathe religion. Damn everyone to hell that doesn’t explicitly follow my single flavor of the Lord!
September 8, 2022 @ 7:15 pm
I don’t think most Christians will ‘damn everyone to hell’ but these issues certainly cause fissures in the Church. There is one Bible (with countless translations) and billions of imperfect people trying to interpret the Word correctly. Unfortunately most think they are right.
September 9, 2022 @ 8:14 am
As a long-time Christian I have certainly met some Christians who are un-biblically contentious but I would be cautious about assuming ill will on the part of Christians for wanting to be clear about the grounds of salvation. The beauty of the gospel is this: That man had no ability of his own to restore what was lost between man and God when man rebelled, so the Father bridged the gap Himself by sending Jesus. His death in our stead dealt with sin so that we can made righteous- as we ought to be- not by our own work but by believing in His.
So what happens if we believe what Tyler sang in that verse? If people of all belief systems are saved *without changing their belief system to have faith in Jesus Christ* then presumably the grounds of salvation would have to be our own labors. And a world where we are responsible to save our selves is a world with no hope at all. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Or the other option would be there is no accounting for sin at all, and that means we would never be able to have the world truly redeemed. I absolutely believe there will be *former* Hindus, Jews and Muslims in heaven but they will only be there from having placed their trust in the shed blood of Jesus.
I am a little disappointed by this song and part of Tyler’s statement because I have been praying for him since I first heard the Purgatory album and the echoes of his upbringing that hovered all of it. I do get the impression that he grew up in an environment that made the all-too-common mistake of trying to lead people by fear of hell (which is real) more than the beauty of the presence of Jesus. I was hoping the influx of gospel covers around the same time he sobered up was pointing to a new birth experience but this makes me concerned he will settle for an idol of his own making or find false comfort in his own self-improvement instead of finding the real Truth. I will continue praying and I hope this is just a stop along his journey. I would care about his soul no matter who he was but his music has been a profound blessing to my life and I hope we will one day hear a sound come out of him that represents a genuine encounter with the one Saul of Tarsus met on the road.
September 9, 2022 @ 7:45 pm
See. This is where this whe comment section loses me. We are hearing one or two songs from an album by a man whom we’ve watched navigate several phases in his young life. We can see he’s searching. Why are we already deciding we know what he’s found? I’m pretty sure even HE doesn’t know that yet. There are seeds in him that were planted as a child. But the only person who can tend those seeds is him. A spiritual journey is just that. We learn, unlearn, relearn, and learn anew every single day of our pitiful human existence. And our journey belongs to no one but ourselves. Leave him be. All of you. This is serious business.. and it’s between him and God.
September 9, 2022 @ 9:32 pm
Like I mentioned, I am hopeful this is just a step in his journey. I just expressed concern because I believe that viewing Jesus as one of many ways to God is a dangerous place to stop. I’m absolutely pulling for Tyler Childers, and I thought I made that clear. Obviously I don’t know what you believe so we may be talking past each other here. I certainly am happy that he is less likely to die of an overdose than I once was concerned about but I know what he communicated indicates he has a little farther to go. I have hope he’ll make it.
September 12, 2022 @ 4:56 am
It seems to me like the interpretation you (and many others) offer here makes a lot of assumptions.
‘There’s Hindus, Jews, and Muslims
And Baptists of all kinds
Catholic girls and Amish boys
Who’ve left their plows behind
Up there in the choir
Singing side by side
Wondering why exactly
They been fussing the whole time.”
All that can known from this line is that people of different faiths end up in Heaven, and that something about their experience in getting there leaves them “wondering why exactly” they’d “been fussing the whole time.” Just allow some mystery to exist. You agree that a Hindu could end up in Heaven, the song doesn’t get into the specifics of how this happened, and what they’ve learned that changed their perspective re: “fussing the whole time.”
September 8, 2022 @ 1:59 pm
This is like a Taco Bell menu, 3 ingredients and all sorts of possibilities. Wish we had more coming down the line. But I’ll take 4 new tracks
September 8, 2022 @ 2:11 pm
I’m looking forward to hearing the studio versions of Triune God, Country Church and Hounds but I do prefer the live versions of most of his songs. Not really into Angel Band. It sounds a bit too contrived with the hallelujahs.
September 8, 2022 @ 2:38 pm
I just want to be the 100th comment. Saw that Loud and Heavy and Muscadine Bloodline got a spin on our local trash heap of a radio station. Good for Tyler Childers and enjoying the comments section today.
September 8, 2022 @ 4:42 pm
John 6:45-47 KJV
[45] It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. [46] Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. [47] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
John 14:9-12 KJV
[9] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? [10] Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. [11] Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake…..[15] If ye love me, keep my commandments………..
Exodus 20:3 KJV
[3] Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
September 8, 2022 @ 7:09 pm
Preach it Brother. KJV and all! Glad you’re not reading from the NIV. That version the Word is a little too polished for my liking. Hearing the NIV reminds me of FGL.
September 9, 2022 @ 6:53 am
Hello RJ,
The scripture I’ve quoted here shows three things that are being discussed here.
1. God is the only god.
2. Jesus is God, meaning Jesus is the only god.
3. If you love Jesus, your love is demonstrated by your obedience to him.
Tyler Childers neither knows God, nor loves him. He seems to be ashamed of his upbringing, and has chosen to create an idol to worship; a different Jesus. A lot of people fashion themselves a new Jesus to worship, because they hate the real one. They innately understand the creation, and they know they’ll have to answer to the creator, so they create their own creator; one that’s less “judgmental”.
These idol worshippers will fare about as well as the hypocrites, at the judgement. Those who deny God outright, like my buddy ‘Jbird’ will fare better than the idol-worshippers and the hypocrites.
September 9, 2022 @ 7:29 am
Some religions will do that to a person. There are a lot of corrupt pastors and congregations out there. Hard to sort the wheat from the chaff.
September 9, 2022 @ 7:54 pm
I just find it funny that you bring up “judgmental” while making the most judgemental comments in this section today. And you talk a lot of smack about what Tyler believes for someone who has absolutely no earthly idea what is going on in Tyler’s mind or heart. I’m a songwriter. Songwriters write a lot. 3 chords and the truth? Eh. Sometimes. Depends on whose truth you’re talking about. 3 chords and a story? Yeah that’s more like it. We spin tales an awful lot of the time, putting ourselves into the central character of the song. Is Tyler speaking in his own voice here? Maybe, maybe not. If he is, how long ago did he write this song? 3 months ago, or 3 years ago in the midst of an entirely different mentality? Stop trying to climb up Tyler’s nose and into his brain. Listen or don’t listen. Like or don’t. But holy mother of pearl, quit dropping your hammer of judgment on him, and read back some of your own comments. That log in your eye must hurt like hell.
September 11, 2022 @ 3:55 pm
When will you add anything resembling as intelligent opinion on this site? One awful take after another. Give it a rest already.
September 11, 2022 @ 4:02 pm
Jazznola,
I already shut this comments section down once after requesting people to refrain from posting divisive comments and engaging in back and forths. I opened it back up to allow people to leave more germane comments if they wished. Please only leave comments relevant to Tyler Childers, his music, and his social media teases.
Thanks!
September 8, 2022 @ 9:45 pm
Creepy nonsense
September 9, 2022 @ 6:39 am
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men … but when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your father who is unseen.”
christians love to pick and choose what they believe in the bible. your constant proselytizing is in direct conflict with the words of jesus. coincidentally based on everything you post on here, so are a majority of your actions. which this day in age, is very christian.
September 9, 2022 @ 7:16 am
Folks,
Individuals like this^ LOVE trying to use your values against you, by twisting them and applying them out of context. Don’t let them. Note the completely out of context verse that was quoted. The Pharisees of Jesus’s time were notorious for praying loudly and openly, to outwardly show how religious they were. Their purpose was not to proselytize, but to simply impress other people with their devoutness.
People like this commenter, are who drive people like Tyler to apologize for their own upbringing.
Here’s what Jesus said to his followers.
Matthew 10:27 KJV
[27] What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
John 3:18-20 KJV
[18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
September 9, 2022 @ 8:25 am
^ this comment has been brought to you by a complete and utter lack of self-awareness.
September 9, 2022 @ 9:01 am
Again folks, in an attempt to use my values against me, and “own” me, in a comments section, the individual above demonstrates a lack of understanding the difference between the following two things:
• Walking out into the public city center, with elaborate garments on, and openly praying, with the sole purpose of impressing people by one’s devoutness, while also being likened by Jesus unto a sepulchre full of uncleanness (Matthew 23:27).
• Obedience to The Lord Jesus, by preaching his Gospel to the world, wherever one may be.
September 9, 2022 @ 9:42 am
Hey Honky,
Keep quoting Bible verses to non believers. At some point you’ll bust through. I believe in you.
September 9, 2022 @ 10:04 am
Trigg,
I meant what I said in another comment. It’s frustrating watching you speak about things you don’t understand, and I would be more than happy to walk through some of the callouts you’ve brought up in this comments section. I realize I sound condescending, but that isn’t my goal. Shoot me an email if you want to talk through it sometime.
…”Keep quoting Bible verses to non believers. At some point you’ll bust through. I believe in you.”…
Are you suggesting I should use another source as a reference for what’s in the Gospel, while partaking in a discussion about what’s in the Gospel?
September 9, 2022 @ 11:22 am
hey trig, would you like to learn about the word of the one true jesus christ and his message of compassion and acceptance from honky? you know the guy that is tolerant and compassion towards all people? basically the walking embodiment of the lord?
lol.
September 9, 2022 @ 12:15 pm
..…”would you like to learn about the word of the one true jesus christ and his message of compassion and acceptance from honky? you know the guy that is tolerant and compassion towards all people?”…….
Folks,
Please take note of how this individual continues to dig in on trying to use my values against me, by using sarcasm to imply that my values aren’t compassionate, and therefore aren’t Christian, because Jesus was compassionate.
This demonstrates three things:
1. This individual doesn’t understand the compassion that comes from objective morality, which comes from God, who is Jesus, who is the author of all things, including morality and compassion.
2. This individual conflates enablement with compassion.
3. This individual conflates acceptance with forgiveness; the forgiveness that comes after repentance.
September 9, 2022 @ 1:34 pm
Folks, this is, by far, the dumbest thread I’ve ever seen on this site. Congratulations Honky.
September 9, 2022 @ 2:36 pm
How far? We need a precise measurement. Are we talking really really far? Like a football field far? I just need to know. Which thread is the runner up? How do you possess this knowledge? Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
September 9, 2022 @ 2:56 pm
Oh boy. Unwind your panties, kiddo.
September 8, 2022 @ 5:25 pm
Not sure what time we hit 100 comments but it went about as well as expected. Scripture quoting and everything!
Ironically, I found no reference by Childers written or otherwise that this was a “Gospel” record.
I wouldn’t play the albums backwards If I were you.
September 8, 2022 @ 7:46 pm
Haaa!!! Play it backwards!!!!
I can’t stop listening to this song. Tyler & the food stamps are A++++++.
Thinking about a last minute flight for Red Rocks unless it will cost me $800
September 8, 2022 @ 8:51 pm
It is a pretty fine song.. Tyler is really a pretty interesting fella. This seems to me to be a pretty positive project. I don’t see any controversy with it. Is this crazy comment section really just about defining what people think gospel music is?
September 8, 2022 @ 9:43 pm
This has little to nothing to do with the definition of “Gospel.” Certain people are pissed off at Tyler Childers for “Long Violent History,” and since I’ve forbade speaking about politics here, they have to find a different vein of attack since they have nothing better to do with their time than take to a comments section and vomit out their seething anger at people who are different from them. I wrote an article earlier this week about Tyler Childers teasing this project, and it immediately descended into people screaming at each other about politics when there was absolutely no political element to the story whatsoever.
It really sucks that we can’t even have meaningful discussions around one of the most important artists of our era.
And I’m still waiting for SOMEONE, ANYONE to explain to me how “Old Country Church,” “Triune God,” and “Purgatory” are not capital ‘G’ Gospel songs.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:11 pm
Old Country Church, yes.
Triune God, yes.
Purgatory, no. Not knocking his song. Nice that someone he cares about is praying for him.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:16 pm
The mournful sinner is very much a part of the Gospel canon. Classic Luke the Drifter.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:21 pm
Ok,
But that has nothing to do with Purgatory.
Maybe i’m not understanding your meaning, or if you are even relating that to Purgatory.
Help me understand what you are saying
September 8, 2022 @ 10:32 pm
Hank Williams, aka Luke The Drifter, I Saw The Light.
Yes, Gospel.
September 9, 2022 @ 8:34 am
Hey, Trig.
Might i point you in the direction of Tennessee Ernie Ford, for anything he sang, including Gospel (if you haven’t already heard him – which i’d be astounded if you hadn’t)
Such an amazing voice.
September 9, 2022 @ 9:02 am
& for some reason, always think of Jimmy Dean’s Big Bad John, when think of Tennessee Ernie Ford.
Love that song
September 9, 2022 @ 5:36 am
I enjoy your warpath on this and your openmindedness to establish a fact-based stance on the capital G. I think that a strong argument can be made that Purgatory the tune and purgatory the concept are nowhere to be found in the Gospel (new covenant) at all. If they are not, it does not warrant the capital G. You can read and interpret a bunch of different verses to support your viewpoint if you believe that purgatory is Gospel-based, but you can also do that in so many ways on so many topics that are just bananas wrong.
September 9, 2022 @ 7:27 am
….”have nothing better to do with their time than take to a comments section and vomit out their seething anger at people who are different from them.”….
This is a cope and a strawman on your part, Trig. You usually do a decent job at not levying emotional responses at people. Weird to see you let your guard down.
September 9, 2022 @ 7:58 pm
Omg you’re still talking
September 9, 2022 @ 8:19 am
Alright, since you’re so hellbent on keeping up the boxing match, and are now making it personal – I liked Long Violent History for the record, and I don’t vote – here’s my response to your semantics question.
Old Country Church is a gospel song (yes) about a building and people, not about Christ. I believe Tyler included this song not because he believes the gospel, but because he admires the devotion of the people he grew up with that do.
Triune God is about (judging by the liner notes that shed light on the lyrics) some ambiguous interpretation of the doctrine that was drilled into Tyler’s head as a child that he now otherwise rejects. Again, no mention of Christ or salvation (perhaps as a casual gospel music listener, here I begin to wonder when he’s going to get to that part).
Purgatory (conceptually) appears nowhere in the gospels and is not established gospel theology, and Purgatory (the song) is just about an apathetic Baptist taking precautions with the afterlife by dating a Catholic girl who might at least get him to a middle ground between heaven and hell. I think we can all agree that has no Biblical basis whatsoever.
I repeat my claim that if we’re going to call this a [something] album, just be accurate and call it a unitarian universalism album, or for something more palatable maybe we can create the Vaguely Spiritual Music genre. But it is not gospel music. A gospel album would, I dunno, probably mention something about the gospel (i.e., Christ Jesus) in it.
September 9, 2022 @ 9:53 am
I have absolutely no desire to continue the boxing match.
This Tyler Childers album will be considered a Gospel work by the music world and the music industry, meaning an album of primarily religious material rendered in accordance with the Christian faith, however much some want to dispute Tyler’s specific interpretation of the Gospel. I’m just stating this as fact on a website that is a music website, not a religious one.
I’ve seen numerous comments saying Tyler Childers hasn’t, doesn’t, and won’t refer to Jesus or Christ. There are Jesus references all over the place, just from what we’ve heard so far.
Angel Band:
Just took a walk with Jesus
Just touched his nail-scarred hands
Triune God:
Jesus said he’d go before
And come back when the house was finished
All that sinning and waging war
My God’s coming any minute
In Tyler’s statement about the album,
“Working with the same song three different ways is a nod to my raising, growing up in a church that believes in the Holy Trinity: The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and what that means.”
The son is Christ Jesus. The idea that he’s avoiding saying Jesus like they tell songwriters to do in mainstream country is just not true.
September 9, 2022 @ 10:31 am
There it is! I’ll have my church incorporate these songs into our Sunday worship.
I kid, I kid. I will say, I’m relieved to discuss whether or not Tyler Childers (actual talent, actual country artist) is releasing an actual gospel album rather than having to discuss with someone that what they listen to on the radio is NOT actual country 🙂
September 9, 2022 @ 10:57 am
Obviously, a song like “Angel Band” is probably not right for playing in a conventional Christian church.
But the fact that you have people saying that Tyler will not reference “Jesus” or “Christ” on this album, when he literally references Jesus in the very song in question is perfectly illustrative on how people are passing judgement upon this music without even having listened to it, or pondered it in depth. We aren’t discussing the Gospel merits of Tyler’s album. We’re discussing the gospel merits of one stanza of one song, while excluding the rest of the material in that song, let alone the rest of the album.
As a professional journalist and critic, I do not have the luxury of passing judgement on something before I’ve heard it. That would be damning to my opinion. But what I can tell you is that Gospel is a genre of music describing religious material based upon the Christina faith. There is no genre of music called “Universalism.” And so, this album will a Gospel album, because we know it’s primarily religious material based off of Tyler’s Christian upbringing. If you want to argue whether the album adheres to the strict tenets of the New Testament Gospel based on your specific teaching you experienced in your specific denomination, be my guest. But even that is presumptuous. Because you’re arguing against an album you haven’t even heard yet.
September 9, 2022 @ 11:04 am
Trig, I know your reading comprehension is good enough to understand my point. In the Christian faith Jesus the Man is not conceptually identical to Jesus the Christ and name-dropping the first does not make it a theologically sound gospel message. Everyone acknowledges that Jesus existed and was crucified. Tyler is not going to sing about Jesus the Christ on this album because to do so would be to acknowledge that the gospel message is true, which Tyler does not believe.
Similarly, just because he sings about the Trinity does not mean he is presenting a Biblical truth about it, and his commentary on the album proves as much. His “Triune God” concept is a bizarre reverse-engineered explanation of his Biblically unsound beliefs.
So, these song selections and lyrics are no accident. They are presenting a very precise set of beliefs that Tyler holds. I have no problem with that – I’m really not here to preach like other comments that I otherwise agree with; I don’t actually care what Tyler believes. But being accurate about what this “is” is important because it is very significant to a lot of people. It is for that reason I think even Tyler would avoid labeling this “gospel music”.
For what it’s worth, this is not a Christian issue to me, this is a religious issue. I would expect the same amount of pushback if he sang a bastardized interpretation of any religious dogma.
September 9, 2022 @ 10:22 am
Trigger, this is your site, not mine, but this is a very unfair take. I see very few people here trying to “vomit out their seething anger at people who are different from them.” I’ve seen few to no insults or anger in the “is this Gospel” discussion.
People have the right to like (or dislike) the music of Tyler Childers but disagree on whether or not this is Gospel music. People have a right to make plain, non-condemnatory statements based on what Tyler Childers has already said about his worldview and this album (cited in this very article). People have a right to seek the true definition of words, especially words that are central to their entire faith and worldview.
You of all people should be able to understand, because you publish verbose screeds contending for the true definition of “country music,” arguing that certain artists and albums are decidedly not “country.” How much more, then, do people have the right to gently state that Tyler Childers’ stated worldview does not appear to align with the Gospel, biblical Christianity, theological orthodoxy, etc, and therefore does not (in some of our minds) properly fit within what we consider Gospel music?
You take country music seriously. I take the Gospel seriously, as do some of my fellow commenters. We both/all love Tyler Childers. I hope this will be another great album!
September 9, 2022 @ 11:02 am
Maybe I was being a bit hyperbolic, but there is definitely a severe amount of acrimony moving towards Tyler Childers—not just here, but on Facebook, and the previous article I posted about him earlier this week, that is going to make it either prohibitive to impossible to talk about Tyler Childers civilly into the future, and I am very frustrated by that because he is one of the most important country music artists of our generation. Granted, Tyler Childers has some responsibility in that himself. But the mere mention of his name creates a funnel for unhappy people to leave negative-facing comments that makes any discussion upon his music unenjoyable for many except for the most strident and outspoken voices.
September 9, 2022 @ 4:04 pm
That is really frustrating. I did not know the full context of the discourse. He’s too good for any true fan of country music to deprive themselves of enjoying this season of his career for what it is in the genre at large.
I guess in some ways, he’s become the “Lebron” of the genre. Every article about him seems to generate feverish praise or illogical hate, when some of us just want to enjoy greatness for what it is.
September 10, 2022 @ 8:58 pm
Is it our fault or Tylers fault, Trigger? Non political music has no political overtones in it. Tylers last record was one of the most explicitly political country albums of the last decade, the title alone spells that out, the only song with words on the entire freakin record rants about how he loves BLM and we should support it, which is absolutely dumb nonsense for anyone who actually looks at the cases beyond the fake news hype. His last album was political. I hope this new one isnt. I love his first 3 albums. His last one was a bummer and a major turn off because he beat us over the head with his politics, which have NO place in country music at all. Nashville is not nor will it ever be socialist or communist. We dont want that crap here. Its garbage. If he wants to make something like those first 3, and this new one is in that vein, well Ill be listening to this like crazy. But the idea we cant discuss politics and you are flabbergasted anyone would bring it up is kind of silly, Kyle. If Isbell or Aaron Lewis announce a new album coming in 4 months, will the discussion be political in the comments? Hell yea. Those are political artists, past work has been political. They are explicitly political and let you know it. Tyler chose to wade into politics. He could have kept his mouth shut, kept doing the awesome and amazing charity work with his foundation and we’d all be copacetic, Instead he waded into the culture war with his SJW garbage and virtue signaling about how blacks are being murdered and its a genocide. If he doesnt want to be called out on that obvious BS lie of a stance, he shouldn’t have made that last record. As I said, I stand with ALL police officers, in every situation. I cant think of a single thing a police officer could do which I would disagree with. He can spout off his SJW MSDNC fake news all he wants, but we as consumers, as actual folks who can see true facts and his lies on this issue, can and will respond by posting on here and elsewhere. His stance is out of line and an outright lie. I do not stand with or for Black Lies Matter, and I dont view it as an organization or movement I want to support or be a part of in any manner. Its values and goals are not my own goals, in fact they are the opposite. Tyler made an entire record about this lie. He chose to wade into this. Not us. He needs to shut the hell up about politics, and play music, frankly. Im not into this woke BS country music like Isbell or Mickey or Karen Morris. I dont like and wont stand for being told that I am not welcome in country music because of the color of my hat or the man I voted for. I stand with Blue Lives Matter and all police everywhere in whatever action they choose to do, in ALL interactions. Police have my full and unconditional support.
September 8, 2022 @ 10:10 pm
What a bunch of blowhards! Just listen to the effin songs and the music, and leave your books, your version of god, your religion, and your beliefs out of it. If you like the songs and music, then listen again. If you don’t like it, then just STFU and stop trying to influence others. Is it Gospel or gospel or neither? Who the F cares and stop trying to label and categorize everything. You want to know what it is? It’s Tyler Childers. Love it or leave it…for Christ’s sake. And for the love of god, just stop quoting your book at us like it’s some kind of …bible.
September 9, 2022 @ 3:36 am
Why do people have this obsession with needing to put a label on every piece of music they listen to? I never understood that. It’s folk! No, it’s country folk! No, it’s the Bakersfield sound! No, it’s singer-songwriter! Do you people work at a farking record store and need to put everything in a category?
September 9, 2022 @ 9:08 am
Distinguishing the label “gospel music” is significant here because the actual *gospel* is important to a lot of people – so important that it is worth rectifying the issue when it is so erroneously interpreted.
I think it’s also worth pointing out that Tyler hasn’t called this a “gospel album” anywhere.
September 9, 2022 @ 6:57 pm
It’s only significant to Christians that can’t get over themselves or accept that people have the right to freedom on other or no religions.
September 9, 2022 @ 3:14 am
Trigger I don’t think it’s correct to say as you have that anyone with a problem with this song isn’t actually upset about the song, but upset about something else.
The issue I really do have with the song is that it’s cosplaying as a Christian piece of music while ultimately and utterly rejecting the Christian message. And despite all the people trying to obfuscate and claim it’s all a matter of interpretation it simply is not true. The verse about everybody ending up in heaven anyway and wondering what all the fuss is about is directly at odds with the explicit words of Christ:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
If anyone wants to write a song about whatever they believe, go ahead, I won’t listen to it but I don’t mind. But if someone writes a song claiming to represent Christianity (even by association) but presents nothing short of a counterfeit message through that song then at that point I claim the right to point out its shortcomings.
September 9, 2022 @ 5:12 am
This. You said my thoughts exactly.
And I am actually a major fan of the message behind Long Violent History. I thought it was incredibly written with a powerful message. I especially liked his words about the need for people to get back to the roots of their own heritage and learn a skill like gardening or fiddle playing. I wish more people would have focused on the wisdom in that.
But this is not in any way at all respectful of Jesus Christ.
September 9, 2022 @ 6:58 am
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’
It seems like the song is summing this up. God specifically says if you treated your fellow man right, you treated me right and you are welcome in the kingdom.
September 9, 2022 @ 9:25 am
This is so not the forum for this, but heck, we’re already in the weeds on this. I would encourage you to read the Book of Ephesians, Chapter 2: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, **created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.** (emphasis mine)
Jesus Himself makes it clear in the parable that the inheritance of the “sheep” at his right hand was given “since the creation of the world” – i.e. your “treating your fellow man” the right way does not impart righteousness.
This is a classic cause/effect question that is sufficiently addressed in scripture and further clarified in systematic theology.
September 9, 2022 @ 9:30 am
Then what is the Judgement Day section about? Why would Jesus even explain this righteousness if it is just preordained?
September 9, 2022 @ 8:17 pm
Ok. So is it faith, works, or blood? Which one gets me to heaven? Because there are so many scriptures getting slapped against the wall in this comment section that it looks like spaggetios and you’re all contradicting each other. I grew up pentecostal. I didn’t wear pants till I was nearly 20. The first time my mom wore a red dress in front of my preacher grandpa he said she was dressed like a streetwalker. Were we all really raised up in the way we should go? Because I’m old now and I’ve departed from it. The Jesus Christ that I prayed for salvation to at 9 years old isn’t holiness. The churches I grew up in would’ve branded him as a commie hippie and told him to cut his hair and buy some real shoes. I read my Bible and went to Sunday school and I like bread and fish and all that stuff, but when the rubber hits the road, what gets me in to the pearly gates when I die? Cause yall are confusing me.
September 9, 2022 @ 11:33 pm
There’s an old joke, a cowboy-looking fellow walks into a very stern church in blue jeans looking unkempt and at the end of the service the preacher man said “Son, before next week I expect you to pray and ask God what kind of attire would be appropriate to wear in here on Sunday.” Next Sunday the preacher is surprised to find the man in the same outfit. “I thought I told you to ask God what to wear”, said the preacher. Cowboy said “He didn’t know, He said He’s never been in this church before.”
I say that to say I know how unhealthy some places can be and I’m sorry if that was your experience. I hope you can get past that and remain in fellowship with the Lord. Jesus prays in John 17 for the world to realize that “You (the Father) have loved them (contextually His followers although we can establish that He loves the unbeliever too) even as
You have loved me.” (!) No human’s judgements matter compared to that reality. Blessings on your journey.
(To take a shot at answering your question the consistent teaching of the New Testament is that salvation is by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus (that is, “the blood”) and the good works then follow as the fruit. The Matthew 25 passage is a little tricky because out of context it could read like salvation is occurring based on behavior but the key to harmonizing it with all the faith-alone scriptures is that there is a division of (metaphorical) sheep and goats that occurs before the accounting. The sheep are being rewarded and the goats called to account so they are experiencing God’s justice in two different ways. I believe the sheep here have already received their forgiveness through faith, the goats have not.)
September 9, 2022 @ 5:00 am
I don’t understand why we would just STFU and not talk about this. Why is attempting to categorize this song/album and put it in a box frowned upon? Why do so many people want other people to STFU? The comments section isn’t being broadcasted over a megaphone. You can choose to stop scrolling at the end of the article. Trigger just released a massive article discussing the different genres of country music and I don’t think anyone was telling him to STFU in the comments section there for audacity of creating boxes. I don’t mind the comments section here. Let the best ideas rise to the top IMO.
September 9, 2022 @ 7:57 am
I like the sound of the song. Tyler’s voice is on point. But, his message & intention here is not Christ-based. I see this as a more universalist tone, which he explicitly states in that last verse & in his comments. It is okay to acknowledge this, but doing mental gymnastics to qualify this as a Judeo-Christian message is simply erroneous.
September 9, 2022 @ 8:54 am
Not sure if this has been brought up, but interesting that Tyler & food stamps chose “greatest story ever told” by the Dead….keeping with the theme of “religion”
September 9, 2022 @ 9:44 am
Yes, I feel like Childers playing this live has been part of this cycle into religious material. I was a little surprised he didn’t include it on this album since it only has eight songs, they offer a good interpretation of it, and it’s a underrated song. I do imagine they’ll continue to play it live.
September 11, 2022 @ 3:57 pm
I was so surprised when he started singing it at Willie’s Picnic. He was so into it! Hope he does it again at Red Rocks.
September 9, 2022 @ 10:48 am
Let the misconceptions about Christianity flow like river water…
I’m really hoping this is well done and truly in touch with what it means to be conscious of ongoing conversion. I hope it’s truly informed by the will of God.
September 9, 2022 @ 12:32 pm
Them: “How come you stopped going to church and walked away from calling yourself a Christian?”
Me: *Gestures broadly at this discussion thread*
All that said, I really like the song and the video, and — “gospel” or not — I’m looking forward to listening through all three versions of the album, simply because most of Tyler’s output has been fantastic. I’m glad he’s making art that actually means something to him.
September 9, 2022 @ 2:58 pm
If only there was a place people could go talk about religion , on a certain day, in a certain place that didn’t include people who came here to talk about music… If only a place existed.
September 9, 2022 @ 3:11 pm
You’re gonna get people talking about religion when the article is “Tyler Childers Going Gospel….” People aren’t really straying too far from the subject at hand.
September 9, 2022 @ 6:28 pm
Except the post never asked for peoples opinions. Talk about the music not your ideas of theology. The idea that you will convince anybody is on par with Jehovah Witnesses coming to your door and changing your mind about religion.
September 9, 2022 @ 8:18 pm
The content of this music IS about ideas of theology. Tyler is expressing his ideas and we are trying to interpret. I’m sure if the song was about Silverados there wouldn’t be as much to talk about. Are you suggesting we only talk about the musical composition and ignore the video and lyrics? My apologies if I’m misunderstanding your comment.
September 10, 2022 @ 8:45 pm
Looking forward to this! Those first 3 records are as good as modern country could possibly be. The last one, Long and Violent History, not so much! Not into that woke SJW nonsense and virtue signaling. His whole premise on the song is incorrect and misguided. White folks get killed by police all the time, it just doesnt fit the narrative so the news doesnt cover it. The idea that black people are being hunted is ludicrous and the facts prove this an obvious lie. The media and the leftoids jump to the defense of anyone shot by police including those who frankly deserved to die, Jacob Blake, Ahmaud Arbury, Rayshard Brooks, and George Floyd. St George, was a career criminal with a violent criminal history a mile long hopped up on meth and fentanyl and driving a vehicle for gods sake! I stand by all the officers in those cases and think they did the right thing. Whites in Tylers neck of the woods are killed all the time, by meth, by fentanyl smuggled in from China and Mexico, or by cops and no one says a goddamn word about it. Maybe he should take his own advice. Black Lives Matter is not a movement I support, tIm not down with criminals and thugs and hoodlums who riot and act like absolute morons because a legal case didnt go their way. I dont support that. I do support the Blue Lives Matter movement and back the blue in all cases, ALL cases. I wholeheartedly support Tylers charity/organization, but Id love it if he’d make an album about THAT. Those folks. Appalachian folk, poor folks in trailers, unemployed, scraping by, the folks in the Broken Window Srenade by WM. Yet he instead chose to make an album about the Burn, Loot and Murder organization. I dont support that crap. BLM is a terrorist organization akin to ISIS. They are domestic terrorists. They are killers. And I hope the next President goes after the organization via the FBI.
September 11, 2022 @ 12:46 pm
And we have a winner…
September 11, 2022 @ 12:52 pm
Thank ya. Going to be a good album I think. Unique for sure.
September 14, 2022 @ 7:14 am
Trigger,
My question is where will this chart at with Billboard? While these songs do have religious elements, (sin, redemption, etc) he is not singing “Amazing Grace” or “Bringing in the Sheaves”. If I am not mistaken, his team is responsible for submitting it in whatever category, such as country or gospel. I am of the belief that this is a country album with religious content. We know that each vinyl and each cd sale will count as 3 sales, I am curious to see if he will have a #1 country album or a #1 gospel album, or both. I do think it has a great shot at being a #1 in whatever category it is represented. I do know personally that he has people listening to him who have not listened before, so it will be interesting to see what happens on the charts!
September 14, 2022 @ 7:30 am
The tracks will be submitted with whatever metadata the label or Tyler Childers choose to slot them under, but chart managers also have the capability of making independent decisions, and slotting it wherever they feel it is appropriate. Remember, it was Billboard moving Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” from country to rap when they determined he had surreptitiously submitted it under country because there is less competition that stirred that whole controversy.
All I’ve been trying to say is that Billboard’s chart managers, they’re not going to make a distinction upon whether Tyler’s songs fit snugly within the specific teachings of the Gospel. They are going to say that it is religious material in the Christian faith, and it is going to be considered a religious, or Gospel album. They may also include it in country as well. In fact, that is what I would expect. But when it comes to organizations like Billboard and the Recording Academy, they are not going to take as hard of a line as the commenters in this comments section.
The 24 tracks will make it very interesting on how this charts. Obviously, the more tracks, the greater possibility of charting high. But since it’s only 8 songs, it could mean folks find their favorite version, and only listen to that.
I really have no idea what is going to happen with this release. But like you said, it should be interesting.
September 22, 2022 @ 8:57 pm
I just hope one of the three versions of the title track is recorded the raucous way he used to play it, fast and with some fire. The slowed-down versions he’s been playing lately don’t do it as much for me.
Something like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97d27yR7XKo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wRjPZulunU
September 30, 2022 @ 2:01 pm
Better art comes from pain, not the lord
July 1, 2024 @ 7:32 pm
I know this is an old post, but I was surprised to see no one mention that Old Country Church was not written by Hank Williams. ????