Screen Door

Rich Mullins

Compiled from discussions between July 26, 1999 and August 1, 1999 on the Rich Mullins Discussion Zone

Contributors: Janet, Jewel, Pammie Jo, Sharon Frazier, Shelley T, Chip Webb, Brian William

In "Screen Door", Rich takes the ridiculous image of a submarine with a screen door and turns it in a clever way to make an excellent point about the importance of works in the integrity of a complete faith. We agreed that the open a capella style it was sung and performed really fits this song and one suggested that it might make the message more palatable. The message that works are an essential aspect of our faith is generally underemphasized in many Protestant churches, limited to discussions about the role of faith versus works in salvation and seen almost as a divisive issue separating Protestants from perceptions of Catholics. Rich seeks to remind the church of the original Biblical understanding of the role of works in our lives by removing it from any discussion about salvation but emphasizing it as a vital sign of a healthy faith. Once again, Rich also finds a common ground between many different denominations, recognizing that as a Christians we all agree that a flourishing faith will reveal fruits. However, even in the midst of trying to emphasize the importance of works, the song still maintains a strong balance between works and faith. "One is your left hand, one is your right. It'll take two strong arms to hold on tight." Just as faith without works is useless, works without faith is also useless. The works must be expressions of our faith and our obedience to God's will, since without faith, works alone are just attempts to show our self-righteousness rather than God's righteousness. "Screen Door" is also a call for us to examine our own faith and the expressions of that faith. Before we get too puffed up on our own faith, we are reminded that we "really oughtta take a leap off of the ship before [we] claim to walk on water." Finally, someone related a story that Rich told about the writing of "Screen Door" that describes the challenges in expressing our faith through works. Apparently he was driving to a concert in the south and he picked up a hitchhiker on the way. The man began by complaining about the lack of air conditioning and then proceeded to move from one complaint to another and was generally angry at the world, feeling like he should have gotten a "better shake". Rich was initially iritated, telling the man, "Hey, I'm giving you a ride here so just lay off." But when the hitchhiker continued to complain, Rich finally told him, "Not only is it unpleasent to be around someone as angry as you are but it's just plain wrong for you to be this angry." He then launched into a sermon about how if we all got what we deserved, we'd be in hell so if you're this side of heaven, you're doing better than you ought to and followed it up with an explanation of God's mercy and God's love for us. When the man continued his unpleasant complaining, Rich finally lied and told him "This is my exit," dropping him off before taking the long way back to the highway so the man wouldn't know Rich lied to him. Rich then referred to "Screen Door" as an act of penance he had gone trough after this incident. So, while "Screen Door" reminds us of the importance of works in a healthy spiritual life, it also balances faith and works by recognizing the importance of each. The "cups game" was a clever musical move that incorporated a game Rich had learned at church camp from high school youth into the song "Screen Door" to make the song a lot of fun and to make the message memorable.



Return to Calling Out Your Name


In addition to the copyrights on the material presented here, the html code is copyrighted by Brian William, 1999. Please ask permission before electronically reproducing it.