A Matter of Life and Death



Yesterday, I was listening to different songs on Spotify. I picked up this majestic Metal maestro-like grenade of music: For the Greater Good of God. The bass-like footsteps, the guitar licks pick up. Then, soft like the pulling of the grenade pin, the singing starts, then explodes. And draws to a somber close. Damage done. And, that explosion serves an important strategic objective. Deal with hard questions. Don't evade.  


Iron Maiden has earned a hallowed place in the hearts of Metalheads for good reason. Songs like this are powerful musically and lyrically. Not be trifled with or dismissed.  The chorus asks: Please tell me now what life is, Please tell me now what love is,  Well tell me now what war is. Again tell me what life is. The song ends with this,  "he gave his life for us, he fell upon the cross, to die for all of those, who never mourn his loss, it wasnt meant for us, to feel the pain again, tell me why."  


How many people don't bother to ask? Well, if you don't ask, don't plan on receiving an answer from God. Life, Love, War, a little more weighty themes than "What's for dinner?" An existential hunger, not satisfied by a Happy Meal. 

Most Religion is man-made, cooked by priests, mullahs, gurus of every stripe, and distributed to or withheld from the soul-hungry for gain of the holy hierarchy. Even Christianity, whose founder eschewed earthly acclaim, riches, and power, has been subjected to the whims and craven desires of fallen man. Fast Food Faith. You want to be happy? How about holy? The cure gets buried by the illness. Time for the Holy Spirit to blow this to Hell. It is a matter of life and death.     




         

Comments

Carter Stepper said…
This whole album was a fantastic surprise to me. It's even darker than many of their previous ones, but then again, so is life. And this is why I love Maiden, because they're either telling compelling stories, or asking difficult questions.
April 23, 2012 at 9:28 PM
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