Andrew Peterson has succeeded in taking us from the cross to the tomb via a masterful musical work
In the first ever Tracks album review, I'll be covering one of the best Christian albums I have listened to in recent years. Actually, three of the best albums, but more on that later. First, a little background. I first heard about Andrew Peterson when his video for "Is He Worthy?" hit Youtube back in March of last year. It became one of me and my wife's favorite songs (granted she likes Tomlin's version better). I of course liked the original best. Give it a listen here:
One interesting thing about the video was that there was some controversy over the lack of diversity in the "congregation" at the end of the video. Peterson has responded to those comments here, and I encourage you to read the article before continuing. I think it helps you get a real since of who this artist is and what message he wants to present to his listeners. I will be covering topics about diversity and other related hot button issues in later blog posts, but for now lets focus on the music. Resurrection Letters is an album anthology that Peterson had been working on for over 10 years according to his website. The albums are meant to tell the story of Christ's resurrection and the after effects on the lives of the apostles and the church. Soaked through with scripture, these albums offer dense material for serious theological reflection. This review will focus on the first album in the anthology, RL: Prologue. Peterson has carefully crafted each piece to tell a specific part of the Gospel story. The interplay between Prologue's set up and Volume 1 and 2's resolution are extremely satisfying. I am deeply moved by the organic use of sound for thematic effect. Peterson's use of piano as a primary instrument in many of the songs is also a nice change from your typical CCM use of ambient background synths. The main content for each of these reviews is the Tracks section. Here I will go track by track down the album, highlighting what I found most interesting about it and any overarching themes I come across. I like to think of it as a railroad, where each new track takes you closer to the intended destination. Going Down the Tracks 1. Last Words (Tenebrae) In this first track, Peterson displays his excellent composition skill by interweaving the last words of Jesus on the cross into a multi-vocal tapestry over a mellow accompaniment. Tenebrae is the Latin word for darkness, and has historically been connected to Jesus's last days on Earth before the cross. Anyone who follows biblical textual analysis may know well the controversy over wither Luke 24:34 ("Father forgive them, they know not what they do") was actually in the book of Luke or added later, but I will leave that discussion for another time. Needless to say, this was a great way for Peterson to begin the journey for us. 2. Well Done, Good and Faithful
Anderson's magnum opus for this album, "Well Done, Good and Faithful" is essentially a Passion drama. Passion dramas are a common part of various Christian liturgical traditions. Rarely have I seen one so masterfully done. Utilizing Psalm 22 as a backdrop, Peterson walks through each stanza interweaving the sufferings of Christ with what "David once in anguish spoke" in beautiful parallelisms. The necessity of suffering as a part of Christ's work , one of the albums main themes, is on clear display. The chorus expands on this theme. "Why oh, why my God?", cried out by Christ on the cross in anguish, becomes the cry of his followers following his death. The answer to their question is given from Hebrews 12:2 and Matthew 25:21. Jesus knew that his suffering would produce joy in the end, not sorrow. Thus, he was obedient unto death, becoming the good and faithful servant. In this he showed his followers that to endure suffering , one must put their faith in the Living God, because he alone can work suffering for good.
3. Ninth Hour
Ninth Hour is an orchestral piece themed around the death of Christ "when he yielded up his spirit." Those who have listened to RL Vol. 1 may notice hints at musical themes from that album. Haunting and beautiful, this piece gives a nice interlude in the album's middle that links Christ's crucifixion with the aftermath of Friday night and the sabbath that followed.
4. Always Good
"Always Good" acts as a reflection on suffering in the Christian life and expands on the themes from "Well Done, Good and Faithful." Peterson uses the story of Mary's sorrow and Peter's ignorance to point out two divine qualities that must be understood in order to suffer well: God's goodness and God's wisdom. These two truths are the reason Christians have endured suffering throughout the centuries and why Christianity has out lasted empires. Mary's weeping over Lazarus's death and Jesus's weeping with her show how God is grieved by death. He is good and therefore hates evil and the effects it has on the people he made. Musically, the use of acoustic guitar, which creates a warm and personal atmosphere, emphasizes a closeness between Christ and the brokenhearted. These suffering people, knowing that God is good and close to them, cry out "Arise O Lord and Save me." However, suffering is not simply an issue of emotion. There is also the question "why did this happen?" Peterson addresses this as well. God is wise and allows suffering that greater good may come through it ("This heartache is moving me closer than joy ever could"). Because we are finite, we cannot understand what he is doing, as Peter did not understand when Jesus said he'd "come back on the third day/And Peter missed it again and again." Because God is all wise and all powerful, he is the only one who can turn evil to good, hence "to whom shall we go" but to the Lord.
5. God Rested Finishing off the album we find an often under-emphasized part of the Holy Week narrative: the Sabbath day. As with creation week, the importance of the Holy week Sabbath is its emphasis on God's finished work. Man was to follow God's pattern of working and, having completed his work week, rest. Jesus likewise labored 6 days on Holy week and then he cried "It is finish." As his work was better than their work (i.e. the Pharisees trying to get him killed all week), so his Sabbath rest was better than their rest. Peterson emphasizes this theme by pointing out the restlessness of all Jerusalem, including the Pharisees and Pilate, Peter and the disciples, and Mary and the women. Jesus, "the one who said he was the resurrection and the life", was dead. The body, "dressed like a wound", was placed in Joseph's tomb. And yet, the Pharisees and Pilate had guards placed at the tomb on the Sabbath (Matthew 27:62-66) for fear the disciples would steal the body. Peter and the disciples are not mentioned doing anything on the Sabbath, but they are seen locking the door to their dwelling the morning of the first day for fear of the Jews. Also, Peter running to the tomb suggest a grave concern for Jesus's body being stolen. Mary and the women are the only ones who seem reverent of the Sabbath day (Luke 23:55-56). However, even they go early on the first day, suggesting a great anxiety to take care of Jesus's dead body. All three groups are anxious on the Sabbath about a dead man. Yet Jesus rested. And that's how the album ends (on a V chord no less that only heightens the tension), with all creation waiting for the third day. End of the Line
So please check out RL: Prologue. Don't just listen on Spotify or Pandora, go out and buy a physical copy. Get the whole anthology honestly. It will be a fantastic addition to your music library. RL Vol. 1 and 2 will take a little while to be reviewed. I have a lot more to chew on with those projects, but rest assured this is not the last we will see of Andrew Peterson.