Grammy-nominated artist Crowder says the message of his latest album is simple but necessary for Christians living in a dark culture: “Everything’s going to be okay.” The cover of the album is Exilefeatures photographs of arid, desolate land; the album’s 30-second intro includes an ominous audio warning: “In case of nuclear or radioactive fallout, take shelter.” But at its heart is a hopeful message for Christians who, as one song puts it, feel like “strangers in a strange land.”
“It’s definitely harder here in America than it’s ever been in my short lifetime,” Crowder told Crosswalk Headlines when asked if being a Christian is harder in today’s world than it has been in the past.
“If your head is facing the TV or your cell phone, [then] It feels really, really challenging. [But] It doesn’t feel so hard when you have people in your neighborhood who know you, love you, and are trying to follow Jesus just like you, and I’m sure there are plenty of other places where it’s probably harder.
“But I think what’s happening now is the church is feeling the need to respond strongly in ways that maybe it hasn’t in the past. Given how loud other hostile voices are against the church, I feel like we’re reaching a tipping point where the voice of the church is going to become a little bit stronger and a little bit more reactive, because their voices are pretty loud.”
Three songs from the album have already charted: Grave Robber, Someone prayedand [DASH].
Exile It is the current No. 1 album on Billboard’s Christian Albums chart and is the second release in an album trilogy, the first of which is Milk and Honey And finally returnHe said the themes of the trilogy reflect the story of the Old Testament Israelites, who were given the Promised Land but were forced from it before being allowed by God to return, he said.
“Everything’s going to be okay,” Crowder said of the album’s main message. “He’s still in control. He’s still sovereign.”
truck Even in exile Lyrics include, “Fire by night, clouds by day / God in heaven directs my path / No matter how long it takes, I’ll keep praising / Even if I’m banished, I’ll keep going.”
The Bible is full of stories of God’s people finding hope in exile, he said.
“Daniel was captured in the lions’ den,“ Crowder said, “It’s an incredible story. It couldn’t have happened without the forced migration. Same with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Ezekiel was at the river and the heavens opened up.”
“So amazing, miraculous things happen when we feel like we’re lost and we know we’re not home yet. But we can have confidence and hope and faith in those stories too. God will save us, He is absolute. And that’s the story I’m trying to tell with this album.”
The lyrics are ExileAccording to him, it is more “horizontal”.“ It’s more “horizontal” than “vertical”.“
“Most of the lyrics on my records are vertical, singing to God and responding to God.“ He said. “…This record [The Exile] It should be more conversational and feel-good because it was born from stories, reconnecting with people who have lived through lockdown and the pandemic. [they’re] On the other hand, many of us have been through a lot.”
Photo credit: ©SWN/Capitol CMG
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
