dare you to move meaning?

mikeman4christ · 01-10-2005, 03:11 PM

hey everyone, im in a band thing for my youth group. its alot of fun but, the typical lord i lift your name on high, kord i give you my heart and stuff like that was getting old so i suggested we play dare you to move by switchfoot. Everyone was excited by the idea and the youth leaders were ok with it, but when the singer jared turned on the cd for us to get the idea of it before we played it, 1 of the youth leaders went over to the other and started whispering to him, and when the song finished the leaders said " what does that song have to do with christianity and praising God?" me and the singer tried to explain what we thought the lyrics message was, but they then said " how does this praise God? I dare you to move, I dare you to move, I dare you to lift yourself up of the floor?!?!" and i was so upset. what do you all think about what this has to do with christiantity?

**Skeeter** · 01-10-2005, 03:21 PM

"Dare You to Move" while Christian-themed, isn't a song that should be used for worship.

**mtlmouth** · 01-10-2005, 03:43 PM

I don't know either... I've wondered the meaning of "Dare You To Move" several times myself.

Who else thinks this should be in the Switchfoot forum?

psalm63adam · 01-10-2005, 03:57 PM

I think it should be.

I think Dare You To Move's meaning is dependent on whether Jon Foreman sings the line "Salvation is near..." in it. On the late night shows, he doesn't, so it probably means whatever you want it to mean. If he does, then perhaps there is some spiritual notion somewhere.

Nate · 01-10-2005, 03:57 PM

I still think Dare You To Move is a flatout denial of our sinful natures... but that's just me. About the only thing it could be used for would be an invitation / response song. It's definitely not a praise or a worship song.

In His love,
Nate

psalm63adam · 01-10-2005, 03:57 PM

It makes a darn good prelude, though!

Nate · 01-10-2005, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkway

It makes a darn good prelude, though!

Ahhh... I forgot about you and your crazy secular preludes.

Jay Tea · 01-10-2005, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkway

On the late night shows, he doesn't, so it probably means whatever you want it to mean.

Really? I guess I don't see that line as a huge deal as far as adding meaning to the song.

I see it as a song about not despairing over our the continued existence of sin in our lives. Recognizing that we don't have to somehow earn our way back into God's favor, but that "forgiveness is right where" we fall.

I wouldn't use it as a congregational song, myself.

EvenThen · 01-10-2005, 04:20 PM

I don't think it should be used in the context of worship, but one time the band did it for special music...

I don't think its a denial of our sinful nature... I think the message is about coming out of apathy and complacency and actually doing something for the Lord...

Opie · 01-10-2005, 05:36 PM

Theres a thread in Switchfoot about song meanings already...

Jonular · 01-10-2005, 07:25 PM

Moving to the Switchfoot forum...

~Jon

DT_Guitarist · 01-10-2005, 07:47 PM

Um, I don't know if it should be used for worship, though in my understanding it's like daring you to get out there and tell people about God, that's what I get from it personally.

**mtlmouth** · 01-10-2005, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkway

I think it should be.

I think Dare You To Move's meaning is dependent on whether Jon Foreman sings the line "Salvation is near..." in it. On the late night shows, he doesn't, so it probably means whatever you want it to mean. If he does, then perhaps there is some spiritual notion somewhere.

Actually, it's "Where you gonna go? Salvation is here", if you want to get technical.

bobthecockroach · 01-11-2005, 11:39 AM

Why do people always try to inject meaning into songs that isn't there?

Let's take a look at some lines from the song (with emphasis added).

"Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be"

"I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor."

The song, it seems then, is most clearly talking about becoming a better person (or perhaps receiving salvation, though it's too watered-down to tell) through your own effort. If it talking about merely becoming a better person, then it's just normal modern motivational speaking. If it's talking about salvation, then it's bad doctrine (or a bad representation of good doctrine) and borderline blasphemy. (We cannot save ourselves. To imply that we can seems dangerously close to considering ourselves to be as powerful as God.) Either way, I don't see how it's any good.

Josh · 01-11-2005, 12:07 PM

Bob, are you saying that you don't put any effort in to becoming a better person? God may have the power, but he still gives it to us to do the battle.

Josh.