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Toby: Nice groove, but what’s your eye on? Hello to my friends, including fellow servants and followers of Christ. About me – My name is Steven Henry. I’m a Bible student and a Bible teacher, a full-time worker, and a musician and song-writer. I’ve been on several praise and worship teams at a few different churches in years past. Many of you know me – Snapshots of a Disciple on FB -

www.facebook.com/pages/Snapshots-of-a-Disciple/140793325968043 Snapshot Designs on FB - www.facebook.com/pages/Snapshot-Designs/192218270813694 FEDBP (Foundations of Evangelism Discipleship and Biblical Preaching on FB https://www.facebook.com/pages/FEDBP/201110539903466

Or from other street-preaching and street-witnessing videos. Or from our website: www.incpu.org

Next topic – what’s the point of this study. Well, I’d first like to note that there are a few different types of what are typically lumped together as ‘discernment bloggers’. There are the kinds that use ‘new’ insights into false teachers or have found new false teachers to expose – for either thrill or a following. I’m in a different category. Those of you who know me, know that I don’t just go around trying to find something false to expose. That’s not my mission. I’m here to study and grow in following the Word of God and teach others to do the same. My only mission in exposing things is to help others to look at things around them through one lens and only that lens – the Word of God. If it fits the Word of God, great :) ~ If it doesn’t match God’s Word, then to keep following Christ as best as we can, we need to sort through what is right in it and what is wrong in it. Please keep in mind – I do not condemn anyone who wants to keep listening to Toby after reading my analysis. My main hope and prayer with this video and these notes (and the Scriptural references here) is to help people see things more clearly through a Biblical lens and then make their own choices from there. Check out the information for yourself – double-check the Scriptures I use and ask God to show you what to do. Make sense? :) Next question - why am I talking about an analyzing Toby? Good question :) ~ First off, let me explain about my history in music, and why I focus on it. My brother and I have been in music since we were young – started taking piano lessons back in 5th grade and singing and harmonizing not long after that. Music has been a big part of my life. In my short years, I’ve seen a lot of the main names in the Christian music market, and sadly, I’ve also watched a lot of ones who showed promise of a clear message instead turn to chase popularity and crash. Sadly, that’s most of the ones I’ve watched. I, for one, study that so that I (hopefully) don’t repeat that mistake. But, how does this apply to DC Talk? Simple – my family watched the rise of DC Talk around the time of their hit-song ‘Jesus Freak’, and then their slow decline and then watched their band fall apart. Now, we notice that all 3 guys –

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TobyMac, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max are now in lead-sing positions on other bands (TobyMac-Solo, Michael-Newsboys, Kevin-Audio Audrenaline) – yet, sadly, all of them have adjusted their image, but none of them have adjusted their heart to the genuine repentance and discipleship of Jesus Christ. And, only recently, did I notice that Toby actually lays out his thinking in some of his songs. So, I may do a study on the rise and fall of DC Talk and where the band members are today, and how we can learn to avoid their pitfalls – someday… but in this I just want to focus on Toby – his songs, and his message. A few more quick-notes, before we get to Toby’s songs: Toby’s got style – and a lot of it in his music, and he’s got a lot of charisma. Some people like his style of music, some don’t. I like a lot of his style, but style of music or the instruments he uses in his music are not the subjects here. Toby claims to be a Christian, and so I want to check to see if his message matches God’s Word of contradicts it, and I think you’ll notice that I’m not harsh in this analysis. My main point is to try to examine his lyrics through the lens of the Bible. If his words match the Bible – great! If they don’t , then we ought to see and recognize the gaps where he contradicts the Bible, either subtly or overtly. So with all that said, I hope you’ll join me as we analyze Toby’s music. I want to also note that in getting these notes ready for the final video here, I was pleasantly surprised to see at least one other person pointing out clear problems with Toby and how he’s handling his music career. You can find that link here for additional reading: http://newjerusalemchronicle.blogspot.com/2011/05/toby-mac-and-third-day-more-examples-of.html Okay discussion topics - Several questions to look through:

1> Does he mention Christ or Jesus in any of his songs? 2> Does he mention/teach on repentance in any of his songs? 3> What is his main message theme in his songs? 4> What are unBiblical things that he sings/teaches? 5> What’s Toby’s core message?

(parts 3-5 kind of blend together) 6> Conclusion – where do we go from here? How do we watch better?

I may have missed some things, but this is what I saw while going through a lot of his lyrics and listening/watching his music videos. And, btw, I got these lyrics from: www.metrolyrics.com, and a few from: www.lyricsmania.com. Songs that mention Christ – 1 Songs that mention the God of the Bible in another way: 1 (Adonai) Songs that mention God in general: most of them imply a ‘god’, but most don’t even use the word ‘God’. And one uses the ambiguous ‘Most High’ and ‘Father’ to refer to someone. Just because Toby calls someone ‘Father’ doesn’t mean that

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Songs that talk about repentance or salvation – 1 Main message: Hope for everyone – follow an unnamed God that we all can agree on. That’s a universal ‘god’ that excludes the real one who defines Himself in His Word – the Bible.

unBiblical themes:

gives approval to sinful music groups In ‘Made for Me’, Toby mentions two non-Christian bands, as though it’s normal, U2 and Coldplay in his song to his wife, and in ‘Extreme Days’, Toby states that he learned from Kiss and Led Zepellin – two more non-Christian (anti-Bible) bands. * ‘Made for Me’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/made-for-me-lyrics-toby-mac.html

* ‘Extreme Days’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/extreme-days-lyrics-toby-mac.html

Pride – boasting We’re unstoppable, and similar phrases (in ‘Unstoppable’ and ‘The Slam’) * ‘Unstoppable’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/unstoppable-lyrics-toby-mac.html * ‘The Slam’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/the-slam-lyrics-toby-mac.html

What’s the Bible say about our pride: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6) – literally: God wars against us when we’re in pride. “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” (James 4:13-16)

Praise with a non-repentant heart is an offense to God In ‘Feeling So Fly’, Toby says he’s always praising God, but God’s Word points out that when we’re rebelling against God, our praise is repulsive to God, but Toby never clarifies that. That’s at least a big gap, if not bad teaching. * ‘Feeling So Fly’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/feelin-so-fly-lyrics-toby-mac.html

God’s Word says a lot about this in Proverbs. Check this out: “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.” (Proverbs 15:8)

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“The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but the words of the pure are pleasant.” (Proverbs 15:26) “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.” (Proverbs 17:15) “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with wicked intent!” (Proverbs 21:27) “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.” (Psalm 66:18)

Praise… while partying? Among songs with a supposed/implied message of praising and serving the one true God (that he rarely names), he also has songs that push people to enjoy life and enjoy the party down here. You find this songs like: ‘Get This Party Started’ ‘Funky Jesus Music’ ‘Phenomenon’ ‘Showstopper’ and ‘Diverse City’. Toby doesn’t talk about Biblical fellowship or Bible studies. What about satan prowling around seeking to destroy us in our weak-spots – areas of willful sin and rebellion? Toby never talks about those. Toby also never talks about idols – only about not wanting the stuff of this world to become more important to him than God. But, that’s not what Jesus said: “‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first [greatest] commandment.” (Mark 12:30) And God describes satan this way: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (1st Peter 5:8-9) Another verse on this subject: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6; Judges 21:25) ~ and again: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:7-9) * ‘Get This Party Started’ - www.metrolyrics.com/get-this-party-started-lyrics-toby-mac.html

* ‘Funky Jesus Music’ - www.metrolyrics.com/funky-jesus-music-lyrics-toby-mac.html

* ‘Phenomenon’ - www.metrolyrics.com/phenomenon-lyrics-tobymac.html

* ‘Showstopper’ - www.metrolyrics.com/showstopper-capital-kings-remix-lyrics-toby-mac.html

* ‘Diverse City’ - www.metrolyrics.com/diverse-city-lyrics-toby-mac.html

Is this song to God or a girl? Many of Toby’s songs have a feel of a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship with the typical flattery and infatuation that happens in that kind of relationship. And yet, I think most Christians probably overlook those details thinking that the song is supposed to be to God. Examples: ‘Get Back Up’ ‘Changed Forever’ and ‘Me Without You’. Please note – if it does not mention God’s Name or Jesus’ Name, it might not be written to God or Jesus ~ :)

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* ‘Get Back Up’ - www.metrolyrics.com/get-back-up-lyrics-toby-mac.html

* ‘Changed Forever’ - www.metrolyrics.com/changed-forever-lyrics-toby-mac.html

* ‘Me Without You’ - www.metrolyrics.com/me-without-you-lyrics-toby-mac.html

A supernatural high? As DC Talk did in their days, Toby – in ‘Feeling so Fly’ - refers to feeling a ‘supernatural high’ from God… this comes across like a euphoria from a drug or an infatuation, rather than a genuine stable love for God. God’s Word reminds us of our need to leave more sin behind and rely on Him – it doesn’t give us an emotional high. Keeping a clear conscience feels clean, but that’s different than it seems Toby is describing. * ‘Feeling So Fly’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/feelin-so-fly-lyrics-toby-mac.html

Speaking life? In the song, ‘Speak Life’, Toby apparently describes what he likes to do – speak life into people and encourage them. But look closely and you notice that he’s not speaking the Word of God that is Life… so what’s he using? * ‘Speak Life’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/speak-life-lyrics-toby-mac.html

What prize? In ‘Eye on It’, Toby says that he’s got his eye on the prize… but the next question is: what’s the prize? Toby never answers that. * ‘Eye on It’ - http://www.metrolyrics.com/eye-on-it-lyrics-toby-mac.html

Which place? In Toby’s song ‘In the Air’, he uses light metaphors of something better on the other side, but never talks about Heaven in plain language, or Hell. How does someone get there? Toby never answers that question. In Toby’s song ‘J-Train’, which reduces Jesus’ glorious Name to the letter ‘J’ - (why?) And in this song, Toby talks about how he’s got a ticket to the other side… again, no mention of *what* is on the other side (2 places - Heaven or Hell), and Toby seems to imply that since he’s got a ticket to the ‘other side’, then he doesn’t have to worry about anything anymore – fears… or

obedience. Toby says: “Sit back, relax put on your travelin' gear, No need to doubt so put aside your fear, "Destination" out of this atmosphere, It's the J Train baby, we depart from right here, No lines to fight no ticket to price, I'm rollin' first class 'cause I've seen the light, Try as you may but your money can't buy, A ticket on the J Line to the other side ” - Yet, Jesus taught something very different: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” (Luke 13:24) -- and again: “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” (Matthew 7:21-23) * ‘In the Air’ - www.metrolyrics.com/in-the-air-lyrics-toby-mac.html

* ‘J Train’ - www.metrolyrics.com/j-train-lyrics-toby-mac.html

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What’s forgiveness without genuine repentance? In the song ‘Forgiveness’, Toby is joined by Lecrae, and they sing a pretty good song about forgiveness – it has a lot to do with self-serving reasons to forgive rather than obeying God in forgiving. Matthew West (Forgiveness) and Tenth Avenue North (Losing) both did similar songs teaching to choose forgiveness for self-serving reasons, rather than to please God by obeying Him. The other note here is that he’s wanting forgiveness for his mistakes. We don’t lie by accident – we don’t steal by accident – we don’t covet by accident – we don’t lust by accident or use God’s Name by accident. So, why don’t Toby or Lecrae talk about our need to repent from our intentional rebellion choices? What about repentance from intentionally walking in darkness – rebellion that we won’t let go of? Toby or Lecrae never mention either of those. ~ Remember God’s precious promise in 1st John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1st John 1:9) * Toby/Lecrae ‘Forgiveness’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/forgiveness-lyrics-toby-mac.html

Freedom from what? In ‘Thankful for You’, is a song apparently written as a Thank-You to God. We ought to be grateful because God showers us with His many kindnesses every day. :) But Toby’s thank-you also sometimes shifts to thanking his audience. Toby notes that he wants to set people free – but, from what? Toby doesn’t answer that. * ‘Thankful for You’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/thankful-for-you-lyrics-toby-mac.html

Losing himself? In ‘Lose Myself’, Toby talks about trying to lose himself and wanting God to take his dreams… wanting to lose himself to find God. The song has a lot of metaphors that apparently just show that Toby doesn’t understand what Jesus meant by taking up our cross and following Him, or losing the things here (letting go of our attachment to the creature-comforts here on Earth) to find eternal life, and a closeness in following and being able to really be used by God, not for a show. Remember, Jesus said: “Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:23-26) * ‘Lose Myself’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/lose-myself-lyrics-toby-mac.html

Open mind?

In ‘Get This Party Started’, Toby starts with this: “Everybody, everybody in the place to be, Open up your mind, and let your soul be free…” That’s not even covertly a Christian concept – that’s new age false teaching. God is the One who teaches truth, satan only teaches lies. To be ‘open minded’ is to pretend that both God and satan have truth… Toby – why are you teaching messages that are complete in contradiction

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to God’s Word? God isn’t partnering with satan – God is pure light and holiness, there’s no shade of darkness or rebellion in Him (1st John 1:5). “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore ‘Come out from among them [live set apart] and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.’ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2nd Corinthians 6:14-7:1) -- What Toby is (apparently) forgetting is that we are either a slave of sin, or we are a slave of Jesus Christ and righteousness – there’s no middle ground, no gray area with God – it’s right or wrong, truth or error/lie. * ‘Get This Party Started’ - www.metrolyrics.com/get-this-party-started-lyrics-toby-mac.html

Who has the illuminati? In the song ‘Ill-m-I’, TobyMac pushes some clever metaphors with illuminati meanings

– of which I’ve only been able to figure some of. The chorus says: “Ill-m-I and you, illuminati coming through” And in the last bridge, the song includes this: “And if you feel the vibe glide true it's on you, And if you need to drive right through it's on you, And if your screamin' "moi non plus" it's like What you tryin' to do when you can't fade the true one…” This song was mostly written by someone(s) else (Christopher E. Stevens, Glenn Galaxy, Toby Mckeehan), but Toby put it on his CD and online, and this is Toby’s

own version of it – including ending the last bridge with the words: “Savor every bite that TobyMac gave ya…” – This song is a metaphor and it’s got a code… but what is it saying? I pray in time, this will become clear to me and others. * ‘Ill-M-I’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/illmi-lyrics-toby-mac.html

** ‘moi non plus’ is French for ‘me neither’

Another metaphor song: Extreme days? Here are some words that just stand out as odd… they have meaning – but what’s the

code? “I got hip to Kiss and I tripped on Zepplin, So Mr. Therapist why did I go this direction, God had a plan, To end all my schemes, I had a dream, He said to be Extreme…” God said to be extreme? Which ‘god’? What verse? This song is dramatic, but the lyrics are very odd. And, you can see, as I noted above, where Toby referred to a couple of very evil non-Christian (anti-Biblical) bands here in this song – Kiss and

Led Zeppelin. A little later in his song, Toby says this: “Move out the way, Give up the mic, X for me is extremely Christ, Living up in me, Like it or not, Put an X on my chest, Because X marks the spot… [back to chorus] We're living, We're living, We're living in extreme days…” * ‘Extreme Days’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/extreme-days-lyrics-toby-mac.html

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Without who? In the song ‘Me Without You’, Toby wrote it in a way that could look – at first glance to be a song to God. But, that doesn’t add up, as we take the lyrics as a whole

collection, and thought. Here’s the chorus “Where would I be, without you? I'd be packin' my bags where I'd need to stay, I'd be chasin' every breeze that blows my way, I've been buildin' my kingdom just to watch it fade away, it's true That's me without you…” As you can see, this has a lot of feel of a boyfriend girlfriend infatuation type

song, and that really becomes clear with the ‘building my kingdom just to watch it fade away…’ – The kingdom Toby is referring to isn’t God’s Kingdom, because Jesus said this: “Therefore whoever hears these teachings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these teachings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27) ~ Either we’re building on Christ, and the rebels will hate us because of the conviction, or we’re joining the world, doing what’s right in our eyes, and our house is going to crash. Many people will here Jesus say to them: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23) It’s an either/or choice. There’s no fading away of our kingdom – it either stands because it’s not our kingdom we’re building – but Christ’s Kingdom, or it crashes because it is our kingdom, that we’ve been building – on a foundation of sand. * ‘Me Without You’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/me-without-you-lyrics-toby-mac.html

Reviewing DC Talk and his new endeavor In his older song called ‘Wondering Why’, Toby sort of reviews his life and why he wants to stay a Christian rapper, etc. He references Kevin and Michael… in an odd way, that leaves the rumor still going that the band (DC Talk) possibly fell apart because of them… who knows. Toby tells very clearly that his eye in at least some of his songs is on entertainment only. He admits that he likes to use the groove of music to move the emotions of the ‘black folk’ and move the ‘white folk’ with jokes. Here’s

his own words: “I’ve been rockin’ them black folks and tellin’ them white jokes…” And

again later in the song, he says it again: “I’ve been rockin’ them church folks and telling them same jokes…” ~ Okay Toby, I guess the jokes on us ‘church folks’, but, please may I ask one thing - what’s so funny? o_O * ‘Wonderin’ Why’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/wonderin-why-lyrics-tobymac.html

Selling his stuff In his song ‘Funky Jesus Music’, Toby is quite happy to sell his genre of music, which he says is Christian music (it’s not Biblical music – it’s self-help, ego-boosting music

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and message). Here’s how he puts it: “… None of that mumbo jumbo, Give me that hip hop funk soul, Give me that funky Jesus music, Give me that soulful gumbo, (then to the chorus) Give me that funky, Funky Jesus Music, Give me that hip, that rock, that funky soul, Give me that juicy flow, Give me that funky, Funky Jesus Music, Give me that hip, that rock, that funky soul, And watch this party grow, Let's go…” ~ So, please tell me: what kind of music would he be competing against? Is that the same kind of music that he is calling ‘mumbo jumbo’? Could it by hymns? Fancy way to sell his own version of music, huh? That’s what it looks like.

Another clip to notice: “No need to say what's already been said” – Hold up. That’s not what the Bible says. We humans follow our selfish ways often enough that we forget truth and have to relearn lessons again – that’s Biblical, but what Toby said is not. Here’s what God through Peter says: “Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.” (2nd Peter 1:15) God, through Paul, said it this way to church body in pagan city of Corinth “For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.” (1st Corinthians 4:17) Paul used the concept of reminding people of God’s truth several other times, as did Jude (the half-brother of Jesus). And, Jesus Himself also used this: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26) Most people forget that truth is tangible – in a way: we can gain it or lose what we do have. All of that is dependent on how much we value and request God’s truth and apply it to our lives – even making life-changing decisions based on obedience to God’s Word. “For whoever has [truth and values it], to him more [truth] will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not [value the truth he/she does] have, even what [he thinks] he has will be taken away from him.” (Matthew 13:12) – 1st soul in the parable of the soil – didn’t care about truth, satan was allowed to take it from them. This is why fantasy is so dangerous – it erodes us.

And one more thought on this – Toby started the song with these two lines: “Yo stick it in red, We got the cred…” ~ [cred = credibility] Stick it in red… that’s most likely not red ink or red paint – so, what is it? My only guess: blood. Who’s? Only Toby knows that, but it sounds out of place in a ‘Christian’ song that’s supposedly about hip-hop ‘Jesus’ music, because Jesus never taught His disciples to dip anything into blood – but the occult does… odd, to say the least. So, what’s wrong with this picture Toby?

And to add to those questions – why does Toby have these lyrics in this song? “Look at them freaks, they fashion loud, making that hotness, moving that crowd… we got this winner’s ball…” Those lyrics (all from the second verse) have very sexual connotations, and to think that Toby didn’t know that when he wrote them, I think would be naïve. Why did he put them in there? Sickening… * ‘Funky Jesus Music’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/funky-jesus-music-lyrics-toby-mac.html

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In ‘Family’, Toby seems to be having lyrical discussion with his wife to save his marriage… not sure, but that looks like the context. If that’s the case, it’s odd to see that he’s not building his marriage on the Bible, but on, as he puts it: “But I'm still

believin', The dreams we been dreamin', The hope that we built on, It's never too far, it's never too far, If we choose to turn, and let these walls fall down…” Did you see Scriptures mentioned as the foundation of his marriage? I didn’t either… is he building his life, his family, his career on God’s Word, or his popularity with people? It doesn’t look good… * ‘Family’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/family-lyrics-toby-mac.html

A new world? Toby wrote a song for the Narnia sound-track, called ‘New World’. It’s unique ~ it describes how no one believed the mystical land of ‘Narnia’ (full of pagan Greek mythology) was ‘real’, except to Lucy… Sorry, Toby pretending fiction is real makes his lyrics just a little confusing here. But in addition to that, Toby throws a few other

curveballs into the lyrics, like this: “She said she's walked her Babylon…” In the

chorus, Toby says: “I've seen a new world, like nothing before, just step through the door right, Into a new world, Into Narnia, I've seen a new world, like nothing before, just step through the door right, Into a new world, Into Narnia…”. Or how about this:

“But love came crusading, on the wings of healing sacrifice, He gave them something to believe” – what was that Toby? Toby, is THIS (Narnia) what you think is on the ‘other side’? Mhm… very odd, possibly very insightful. * ‘New World’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/new-world-narnia-album-version-lyrics-

tobymac.html

One world? - One world what?... In the song ‘One World’, Toby seems to describe a Heaven on Earth utopia with peace and all-love till we ‘all’ (it seems) go together to the other side and then

continue the party there… wowza ~ here’s the lyrics. You can see it for yourself: “We got one world, 'til its time to fly, So it's one love, 'til we say goodbye, We got one world, its enough to share, Til we’re called home, and we’re caught up in the air, we got One world, I'll look out for you, you look out for me, One world, Together we can be perfect harmony, One world, I'll look out for you, you look out for me, One world, And I’m a dedicate this song to everyone of God's children…” – One more question Toby – how are you defining God’s children? Because Jesus said that there are 2 families – all of us choose to be in satan’s rebellious family – only some find salvation through repentance and get adopted into God’s family. “I AM the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I AM the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the Shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I AM the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” (John 10:9-14) ~ and again: “Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I

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proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources [inventions], for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.” (John 8:42-45)

* ‘One World’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/one-world-siti-monroe-tobymac-tobymac-lyrics-

toby-mac.html

God wants to grant our dreams? Really? In the song ‘Do you know’, Toby strongly hints that God wants to make us happy and

things like that – he puts it this way: “God will light your path if you want Him to, Just emphasize His lead and your dreams will come true…” That’s not what God’s Word says: “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:4-5) And again: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7) ~ and again: “The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:11-12) ~ and again: “As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God… And the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:10-11, 17-18) ~ and again: “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) ~~ Our heart’s desires are not naturally in-tune with God’s desires, but are naturally opposed to God’s desires. So, God doesn’t just want to grant our ‘dreams’. God will grant pure desires that are focused on Him and growing closer to Him and serving Him ~ that’s a big difference. God gives a clear warning against twisting God’s Word – “Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” (Proverbs 30:6) ~ and again: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:20-21) * ‘Do You Know’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/do-you-know-lyrics-tobymac.html

Toby’s song ‘Burn for You’ really could have been written to a lady – it never mentions God. And if it’s written to a lady, the title takes on a sexual connotation… strange to say the least. * ‘Burn for You’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/burn-for-you-lyrics-tobymac.html

Like the line from a favorite song… Toby’s ‘Favorite Song’ is another unique one :) ~ not because of its style, but because he did a cross-over song that is very much a boyfriend/girlfriend song, with a

hint and flavor as though it’s to God… but, it’s clearly not. Check this out: “You sing

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to me and my heart comes to life, Beating for you every time (it’s beating beating), And how ‘bout I hear you oh I love the way, Your chorus gets stuck in my mind, Like the lyrics to my favorite song, You stick with me all day long, And when I’ve reached the end, I wanna hear it again…” And a little later: “I am man in me, You are my remedy, I love the way that you sing to me sing to me, Your soothing melodies, my heart is listening, I can’t wait to hear you sing to me sing to me…” That’s something a guy would sing to a lady… doesn’t apply to God. His Word is convicting – if we’re reading it. It’s not like a soothing message to the rebel heart – it convicts and transforms only through our repentance and growth in obedience. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2nd Corinthians 5:17) This song is just another example of Toby’s message, which is soothing, but a it’s not a gospel that can leave anyone to salvation. Sadly, he’s building on popularity with people, not on God’s Word. * ‘Favorite Song’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/favorite-song-lyrics-toby-mac.html

And all of that leads to the last song I want to look at: ‘Steal My Show’. >>Here are the lyrics first:

If You Want to Steal My Show (from Toby to God) 1st Verse: Another cold night Another Late Flight It's almost show time, and diverse city is waitin' on me We got a packed house, the crowd is callin' out They want the beat to drop, but what we really need is you (Chorus) If you wanna steal my show, i'll sit back and watch you go If you got somethin' to say, go on and take it away Need you to steal my show, can't wait to watch you go-o-o-o So take it away 2nd Verse: So now the crowd is hyped, that you showed up tonight Anticipatin', cravin', somethin' more than smoke and lights

So i'll step out the way, I'll give you center stage Alright, Spotlight give 'em what they came for Bridge: When you arrive, we come to life Our hearts collide, they're beating in the same time You're comin' through, all eyes on you Our hearts collide they're beating in the same time, Beating in the same time No matter who we are, no matter what we do Every day we can chose to say (Chorus) Ending: My Life, my friends, my heart, It's all yours, God, take it away,

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my dreams my fears, my family, my career, take it away, It's all yours, God Take it away, take it away, It's you I wanna live for

*_*_*_*_*

Okay, so I don’t know what you noticed at first glance, but I hope you’ll allow me to show you what I’ve been noticing in several weeks of analyzing this song (among others). Toby has 3 levels of logic in this:

1> You’re trying to steal my show (apparently to God) 2> I ‘need’ you to steal my show (also apparently to God) 3> Take it away – which has 2 connotations:

a. Steal it from Toby b. Cause some ‘emotional move’ despite Toby

Let’s look at each of them briefly. 1>> First level, if we’ve got a ‘show’ – we’ve got an act going on, and God’s not in trite pretending or masks. So, God will not steal that – if we want to become real and honest, He’ll teach us to leave that behind – but God Is not like man – God is not looking for the next best actor to take some diluted message for Him. God even gives strong warnings against those who would dilute the Word of God and teach others to practice the same sins. “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-10) And again: “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:19) ~ notice, God’s warning is against those who break God’s commandments (without repentance) and teach others to boldly break God’s commandments too. God takes that serious. God is certainly not trying to steal Toby’s act for money. 2>> Second level, Toby then twists it – he asks someone (supposedly God) to steal his

show. What does Toby mean by this? Simple – “If you’ve got something to say, go on and take it away…’ = basically: God, if you’ve got a better talent show, come on down and dazzle my audience. IF God has something to say? God’s message hasn’t changed – it’s not mystical, magical or entertainment. His Word is in the Bible – we can read it

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anytime, and need to spend quality time in it. Toby’s logic here clearly shows up in the second verse, but I want to save that for last. 3>> Third level, Toby asks someone (supposedly God) to take his show away… from him or for him? It gets blurry, but you can see those in the lyrics.

4>> Fourth level, the second verse gets very clear in what Toby is trying to do. “So now the crowd is hyped, that you showed up tonight, Anticipatin', cravin', somethin' more than smoke and lights, So i'll step out the way, I'll give you center stage Alright, Spotlight, give 'em what they came for…” If you didn’t catch it in his lyrics, Toby confuses a number of things here. 1st – God is always around us, He’s just not ‘in’ everyone, though He holds all of our molecules together. So, God didn’t just sponaneously ‘show up’ to Toby’s party – that was Toby’s hype. 2nd – Toby notes that what draws some of (most of?) his crowd is the smoke and lights. 3rd – So, now Toby does what looks admirable at first – he steps out of the way to give God center stage… hold up – look closer. Why was Toby centerstage in the first-place with his smoke and lights and groove? Toby showing himself off isn’t giving glory to God – just like any of us showing ourselves off isn’t giving glory to God – it’s getting worship for us. That’s wrong, and when we see it, we need to stop and repent of it. But, Toby doesn’t stop there – he continues. Toby then shines the spotlight for ‘God’

who’s now on center-stage and then says: “give ‘em what they came for…” Toby just admitted that they came for smoke and lights (and groove music). God never entertains – period. Jesus didn’t for Herod (night of Jesus’ crucifixion) “Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then Herod questioned Him with many words, but Jesus answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.” (Luke 23:8-11) Jesus didn’t perform for the people (after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000) “Jesus answered them and said, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.’” (John 6:26-27)

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And Jesus didn’t perform for satan either “… Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If/since You are the Son of God, [prove it] command that these stones become bread.’ But Jesus answered satan and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”’ Then the devil took Him up into the holy city [Jerusalem], set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If/since You are the Son of God, [prove it] throw Yourself down. For it is written: “God shall give His angels charge over you,” and, “In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to satan, ‘It is written again, “You shall not tempt the LORD your God.” Again, the devil took Jesus up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And satan said to Jesus, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.”’ Then the devil left Him [for a more opportune time], and behold, angels came and ministered to Jesus.” (Matthew 4:1-11) That last temptation that satan said to Jesus is what is written right into verse 2 of Toby’s song – offering God to use the platform that Toby built with his skills, his sounds, and his message. That’s an offer God will always refuse and the only response will be an echo, down here, but it will be thoroughly answered up there at the Throne of God. Those who go for entertainment, follow people like Toby for his smooth, non-convicting message of peace and joy and false comfort. Those who want the hard yet real truths and blessings of God, they seek out the music that convicts and reminds us to: “[pursue] holiness, without which no one will see the Lord…” (Hebrews 12:14) “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting [maturing in] holiness in the fear of God.” (2nd Corinthians 7:1) And, even better – those who desire the Word of God, they set aside quality time to be in the Word of God, because it’s important to them. Okay, so how do we move forward from here? Good question. I realize that the analysis here may come across tough to take in – that’s ok. It looks to me like Toby has a false gospel and that he’s actively seeking popularity with people and he’s on a downhill spiral. But, don’t take my word for it – check these things out yourself and come to your own conclusions. If in my analyzing Toby’s message against God’s message – and you start to filter more things through the Word of God alone, then I’ve done my job as a servant of Christ. Let’s pray for God to keep raising up song-writers who won’t care about

popularity, but will just write Biblical lyrics that help people get right with God.

Pray that God keeps growing our discernment – spiritual eyesight, so we can see through lies and half-truths more quickly and more clearly.

I pray for you all. Thank you for listening/reading and your encouragement and prayers. Take care ~ your brother/friend, a growing servant/life-slave of Jesus, SH :)