Why we love the Shanes...

We were dining at our table on the back patio as a family, enjoying a late breakfast and the cool temperatures of the autumn air. As everyone had just about finished eating, I opened up Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening so we could read and discuss the A.M. devotion (this has become one of our favorite Saturday family traditions). The focal verse was Galatians 5:1 – “For freedom Christ has set us free.” Of course, I cannot read that passage without hearing Shane and Shane singing, Liberty  (listen here) –

“For freedom you've set me free

And yes, I am free indeed

You rewrote my name, unshackled my shame

You opened my eyes to see that I am free.”

Since Mati was still working on her last pancake, I played the tune from my phone and informed the kiddos that the Shanes’ song had actually come from the very verse we were about to read.

Charles Spurgeon's Morning & Evening from 9/19 (Alistair Begg's ESV) 

We continued on with the devotion. We would read a sentence or two and discuss. Read a little more and discuss. My wife shared how we had not only been freed from the wrath of our sin, but we had also been freed to love and serve in the new life that has come through Christ. From this talking point, dialogue shifted to a couple of Spurgeon’s illustrations that described God’s Word as the bank of heaven and table of promise filled with treasure that we can draw from at any time without hindrance. The Prince of Preachers moved on to write, “You are also given free access to the throne of grace. It is the believer’s privilege to have access at all times to his heavenly Father.”

Our middle son, Chandler, commented about why we are still to pray, even though God knows the things we need, even the words we will say. We talked about some examples in the Bible of how men would remind God of the things He had promised, especially in seasons of doubt. This exercise not only tied in with what we were reading, but it reminded me of another, but much older Shane and Shane song, You Said (you can preview it here). So we talked about the premise of the song and resumed our morning devo.

After a good deal of conversing, we finally reached the last sentence, which spoke of our freedom from condemnation. We were each able to share different experiences of how it has been hard to believe that we’ve truly been forgiven. We tried to go back to the bank of promise and rest in this truth: though we often feel the weight of our sin and are prone to sulk in the shame it brings, we must cling to what Christ has accomplished on our behalf through His cross. And yes, that reminded me of yet another song – Embracing Accusation.

While this song is not one of the Shanes’ more recent hits, it is one that has made a deep impression upon my soul. The ballad tells the story of how Satan comes preaching only half a gospel sermon. He condemns by remind us of how we have each fallen short – how we each have failed to abide and trust God by following after our own wants and ways. Satan rightly points out that we are not deserving of salvation or intimacy with the Lord. But in the climax of the song, the cross comes to light, and the refrain is heralded – “Jesus saves! He redeemed us from the curse of the law!”

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As we concluded our time, before we went to put our dishes in the sink, we reminded our children of what I’d like to share with you now. We have listened to and enjoyed Shane and Shane for years now, but not just because of their sick harmonies and catchy lines, but because they have faithfully proclaimed the gospel through their music. They take Scripture, find a beautiful way to sing it back to the Lord, and then invite us to join in. While I have many preachers and teachers that I turn to and glean from, the Shanes are among my favorite gospel communicators. And as parents, my wife and I are just encouraged that we have the opportunity to secretly and yet not so secretly pour truth into the minds of our kids, praying that such rich truth might eventually permeate their hearts. Instead of, “Oh be careful little ears what you hear!” could we not be more intentional with what we place before them. And say, “Oh take to heart, little hears, what you hear!”

As we entered our time of worship as a family this past weekend, we had no idea where conversation would lead us. I didn’t yet have this blog or any other in mind for today. Though I love the Shanes, I wasn’t thinking about them at the time. Yes, my wife and I had our first date at one of their concerts; yes, they did ministry back in the day with Matt Chandler (where our middle child’s name originates). But despite the title, this blog really isn’t about Shane B. or Shane E. It is about the God of good news – the One whose Gospel the Shanes sing about – the same Christ crucified message of hope that Spurgeon expounded from his pulpit. The creative way they communicate the content of their music has stirred our affections for the Lord, and for that, we are so grateful. Yet it is the Holy Spirit that reminds our souls of the Scripture we’ve both read and sang, and for that we are beyond thankful; we are eternally indebted. So what do you listen to? Have you considered the Shanes?

Matt Fowler
Assoc. Pastor of Missions & Students
matt@nbchurch.info
@fattmowler

P.S. - For my NBC friends, fellow pastors and elders, it is pretty cool to see that they would describe their current season in life and ministry as one word: discipleship. Read about it here.

Spurgeon, C. H. and Alistair Begg. Morning and Evening : A New Edition of the Classic Devotional Based on the Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Rev. and updated / by Alistair Begg. ed. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2003.