The band members include lead singer and lyricist J. Jackson, guitarist/keyboardist Bill Hubauer, bassist Keith Haynie, and drummer Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner. The band played its first concert as ApologetiX in 1992, and its 1000th in 2007. All of the band members grew up in and around Pittsburgh PA, and that is where they make their homes and attend church.
ApologetiX rewrites secular songs with (often comical) Christian lyrics. Some of their parodies include "Corinthians" (parody of "In the End" by Linkin Park), "Look Yourself" ("Lose Yourself" by Eminem), "Smooth Grandmama" ("Smooth Criminal" by Alien Ant Farm), "Smells Like Thirtysomething Spirit" ("Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana), and "Bethlehemian Rhapsody" ("Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen). Smooth Grandmama is considered to be their most well-known parody. While maintaining the integrity of fundamentalist "grannies," the song pokes fun at certain aspects.
ApologetiX gets their unusual name from the word apologetics, which means "the defense of the Christian faith." It is based on the Greek word for defense, apologia. The word is used in 1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer (defense or "apologia") to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." (NIV). Their logo, a triquetra, is an ancient symbol of the Holy Trinity.
Visit their website for booking, concerts and contact them through email at www.apologetix.com.
One Way
ApologetiX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Matt. 7:13-14, 13:24, John 6:44, 14:6; Luke 13:23-24, Acts 4:12, 1 Cor. 8:5-6; Deut. 5:7, 6:4, Exodus 20:3)
It's been one way, take a look and see, up to Heaven, the Bible says it plainly
False faith and philosophy can't get ya to Heaven -- come back to Jesus
He's the way and the living truth
You realize that all those false gods couldn't help you
Yes indeed, He's forgiven me, and He can still get you saved if you say you're sorry
I think you're lookin' at also rans
But some of this superstition though it might be called religion
Finds find you sizzlin' with the devil in the fryin' pan
It's not like the Bible says it one time
More like 300 times it says there's only one avenue
First C'rinthians chapter 8:6, the Bible says this
You try to tell me that it's not true
I think you're makin' a mistake -- I'd like to take and wake and shake ya
Like to tell you how to find yourself the way there
Cause Jesus showed us and we know where every soul is gonna ago
Unless n' they confess Him as their Lord and Savior
I cannot help it if I think there's one way and you're mad
Tryin' hard not to sin but you're still bad
There's a time to die and after the funeral
Then you'll understand what I mean when it's too real
I have a tendency to stand behind John 14
John 14:6 could be my favorite Bible verse.
It's been one way, take a look and see, Deuteronomy says it pretty plainly
5:7 the passage reads: "You shall have no other gods before me"
(You can) read Exodus halfway through
You read that line in chapter 20 'cause it's there, too
Yes, indeed, chapter 20, verse 3
Now, it's written in two places for you, and you saw it (Catch your breath here)
Check into China — the Chinese Christians
They haven't done zip but they're chained up in prison
Cause they read their Bibles with the lights on or cause they prayed once
Or cause they spoke on their religion
In America it's more like getting dandruff, they see you stand up
They snicker when they see you passin' by
They'd cure us all of all our bad flaws -- They wanna make laws
But if they did they'd have us sterilized
They get upset at anyone who tries definin' God above
They're so alarmed they always try to start attacking
Their attitude is that you're rude and that no truth is absolute anyway, babe
So let them think the wrong thing
I cannot help it if I think there's one way into Heaven
Kinda hard to ignore Matthew chapter 7
I can find the line in Acts chapter 4:12
Cannot be saved by the name of someone else
I have First Timothy to verify my beliefs, there's quite a bit to read but 2:5's the verse
It's been one way, take a look and see, drop your guard and your pride and say I'm sorry
Bible says what you have to do
It says you just confess that Christ is Lord -- He'll come in you
Believe that He's risen, too, you'll realize you're born again, I wouldn't tease you
Yes, indeed, we can all be saved
But there will still be too many who won't say they're sorry
And still Jesus waits till we say we're sorry
And still Jesus waits so please say you're sorry
At least God don't speak in code like Hammurabi …
©1999 Parodudes Music, Inc.
ApologetiX's song "One Way" is a parody of Barenaked Ladies' "One Week" and the lyrics are a humorous yet insightful interpretation of Matthew 7:13-14, 13:24, John 6:44, 14:6; Luke 13:23-24, Acts 4:12, 1 Cor. 8:5-6; Deut. 5:7, 6:4, Exodus 20:3. The song emphasizes that there is only one way to Heaven, and that way is through Jesus Christ. False religion and superstition cannot save a person, only faith in Jesus can. The song also highlights the hypocrisy and persecution that Christians face in the world, but encourages people to confess their faith in Jesus and be forgiven.
The lyrics make clever use of various Bible verses to support the idea that there is only one way to Heaven. They cite Deuteronomy 5:7, Exodus 20:3, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Acts 4:12, and 1 Timothy 2:5. The song also references the persecution of Chinese Christians and the ridicule that Christians often face in America.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been one way, take a look and see, up to Heaven, the Bible says it plainly
The Bible clearly states that there is only one way to get to Heaven, which is through Jesus.
False faith and philosophy can't get ya to Heaven -- come back to Jesus
Believing in anything other than Jesus will not lead one to Heaven.
He's the way and the living truth
Jesus is the only true way to eternal life.
You realize that all those false gods couldn't help you
Worshipping false gods will not provide salvation.
Yes indeed, He's forgiven me, and He can still get you saved if you say you're sorry
Jesus can still save anyone who repents and asks for forgiveness, just as He has forgiven the songwriter.
Holy cow they got you hoodwinked with the pagan god thing
Worshipping pagan gods is a deception that can lead one away from the truth of Jesus.
I think you're lookin' at also rans
Believing in false gods is looking at alternative options with no real hope or future.
But some of this superstition though it might be called religion
Some people may call the worship of false gods a religion, but it is ultimately based on superstition.
Finds find you sizzlin' with the devil in the fryin' pan
Worshiping false gods will ultimately lead one to hell and eternal punishment.
It's not like the Bible says it one time
The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of believing in Jesus for salvation.
More like 300 times it says there's only one avenue
The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of believing in Jesus for salvation, with over 300 references in the Bible.
First C'rinthians chapter 8:6, the Bible says this
The Bible specifically states that there is only one God and one Lord, Jesus.
You try to tell me that it's not true
The songwriter challenges those who try to refute the truth of the Bible's message of salvation through Jesus.
I think you're makin' a mistake -- I'd like to take and wake and shake ya
The songwriter believes that those who do not believe in Jesus are making a mistake, and would like to help them see the truth of the gospel.
Like to tell you how to find yourself the way there
The songwriter wants to share the message of Jesus' salvation with those who have not heard it.
Cause Jesus showed us and we know where every soul is gonna ago
Because of Jesus' teachings, Christians believe that they know the ultimate destiny of every soul.
Unless n' they confess Him as their Lord and Savior
The only way to be saved in the Christian faith is through confessing Jesus as one's Lord and Savior.
I cannot help it if I think there's one way and you're mad
The songwriter acknowledges that not everyone will agree with their belief in Jesus as the only way to eternal life.
Tryin' hard not to sin but you're still bad
Despite efforts to live a good life, all people have sinned, but can still be saved through faith in Jesus.
There's a time to die and after the funeral
Death is inevitable and comes for everyone, leading to an eternity in either Heaven or Hell.
Then you'll understand what I mean when it's too real
After death, one will realize the reality of Heaven and Hell.
I have a tendency to stand behind John 14
The songwriter frequently references John 14:6 as a cornerstone of their faith.
John 14:6 could be my favorite Bible verse.
John 14:6 is a crucial verse to the songwriter, emphasizing Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life.
Deuteronomy says it pretty plainly
Deuteronomy emphasizes that there is only one God and one way to worship Him.
5:7 the passage reads: "You shall have no other gods before me"
Deuteronomy 5:7 emphasizes the importance of worshipping only the one true God.
You read that line in chapter 20 'cause it's there, too
Exodus 20 also emphasizes the importance of worshiping only one God.
Yes, indeed, chapter 20, verse 3
Exodus 20:3 clearly states that one should not have any other gods before the one true God.
Now, it's written in two places for you, and you saw it (Catch your breath here)
The Bible emphasizes the importance of worshiping only one God in both Deuteronomy and Exodus.
Check into China --- the Chinese Christians
The songwriter highlights the persecution of Christians in China, who are often arrested for simply practicing their faith.
They haven't done zip but they're chained up in prison
Chinese Christians are often persecuted and imprisoned simply for practicing their faith.
Cause they read their Bibles with the lights on or cause they prayed once
Simply reading the Bible or praying can be enough to get Chinese Christians imprisoned for their faith.
Or cause they spoke on their religion
Speaking openly about one's faith can get Chinese Christians arrested and punished for their beliefs.
In America it's more like getting dandruff, they see you stand up
In the United States, Christians may face ridicule for their faith, but are not generally persecuted or punished for it.
They snicker when they see you passin' by
Some people may mock or ridicule Christians for their faith.
They'd cure us all of all our bad flaws -- They wanna make laws
Some people may believe that laws can cure societal problems rather than a focus on personal growth and redemption through faith.
But if they did they'd have us sterilized
The songwriter implies that the consequences of over-regulation can be severe and harmful to individuals and society.
They get upset at anyone who tries definin' God above
Some people may bristle at attempts to define God, believing that their truth is subjective and cannot be defined.
They're so alarmed they always try to start attacking
Some who disagree with religion may start attacking and denigrating those who practice it.
Their attitude is that you're rude and that no truth is absolute anyway, babe
Some people believe that truth is subjective and varies from person to person, leading them to deny the existence of absolute truth.
So let them think the wrong thing
The songwriter acknowledges that not everyone will agree with their beliefs, but cautions against letting others lead one away from the truth of the gospel.
I cannot help it if I think there's one way into Heaven
The songwriter believes that Jesus is the only way to Heaven, and cannot change their beliefs to accommodate others' disagreement.
Kinda hard to ignore Matthew chapter 7
Matthew chapter 7 emphasizes Jesus as the only path to eternal life, which cannot be ignored by believers.
I can find the line in Acts chapter 4:12
Acts chapter 4:12 emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus for salvation.
Cannot be saved by the name of someone else
Only faith in Jesus can bring salvation; believing in someone or something else will not lead to eternal life.
I have First Timothy to verify my beliefs, there's quite a bit to read but 2:5's the verse
First Timothy supports the songwriter's belief in Jesus for salvation, with a specific reference to 2:5.
It's been one way, take a look and see, drop your guard and your pride and say I'm sorry
The songwriter emphasizes the importance of repentance and humility in coming to faith in Jesus.
Bible says what you have to do
The Bible clearly outlines the steps to salvation, including confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior.
It says you just confess that Christ is Lord -- He'll come in you
Confessing Jesus as Lord is the first step in coming to faith and being born again.
Believe that He's risen, too, you'll realize you're born again, I wouldn't tease you
Believing in the resurrection of Jesus and confessing Him as Lord is how to be born again and receive eternal life, and the songwriter is not joking about this message.
Yes, indeed, we can all be saved
Anyone can be saved through faith in Jesus, regardless of past actions or beliefs.
But there will still be too many who won't say they're sorry
While salvation is available to all, some may refuse to repent and ask for forgiveness for their sins.
And still Jesus waits till we say we're sorry
Jesus extends love, grace, and forgiveness to all, waiting for those who seek Him to ask for forgiveness and come to faith.
And still Jesus waits so please say you're sorry
The songwriter urges those who have not yet repented to ask for forgiveness and come to faith in Jesus.
At least God don't speak in code like Hammurabi …
God's message of salvation is clear and straightforward, unlike the code of Hammurabi, which is complex and difficult to decipher.
Contributed by Caden M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Flight Mode
God Bless you brother! Praise Jesus! Good song and message.
PrinceJediMaster
Glad to see you are making more video's.
REVW196
It aint suppost to be F'n Hilarious , Sharing the Gospel, via Humor , be careful or you's F'n laugh your self straight out of Heaven.,,
EDNOISE6
ACTS 2: 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.... 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another.... 8... how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? .... 11.... we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
leslie stavely
To Dyltar You are so disrespectful.. this is a Christian band doing Christian parody songs...prayers for you greatly needed!
Gershom Patrioticus
Not bad, I didn't like the slam against the Chinese Christians though. I think it was uncalled for.
Johnny T
Gershom Patrioticus, there wasn't a slam. More like their persecution prevents them.