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.
People
ApologetiX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
James was caught by Herod, Herod captured Peter
They were sharin' Herod's outbreak of attacks upon believers
James would have to face the sword and Peter would escape it
They were not afraid of dyin'; they both knew that they could take it
Thomas preached in Babylon and India they claim
Then the local folks impaled him with a lance while he was prayin'
And their story didn't have a chance but none of 'em were doubtin'
Why oh why would someone die if it was just a hoax?
Why then take the awful risk to tell us Jesus rose?
Simple men from Galilee would not have spoken lies
To get enrolled in history books as martyrs for Jesus Christ
Simon died along with Jude from arrows, spears or crosses
Someone gave Bartholomew a skin-removal process
Some of them were stoned alive like James the son of Alphaeus
And their stories are the evidence that none of them were doubters
Why oh why would someone die if it was just a hoax?
Why then take the awful risk to tell us Jesus rose?
Simple men like you and me would not have spoken lies
To get well known in all the books as martyrs for Jesus Christ
A lot of guys were crucified for calling Him Messiah
Philip died and Andrew did and possibly Matthias
Peter's was a most unpleasant death for being Christian
They would turn him upside down and then go through with crucifixion
Paul he was beheaded probl'y Matthew did the same
Well, they threw off of the temple top the other guy named James
They were all about to die but they weren't thinking much about it
That's a gorey bunch of evidence that none of them were doubters
Why oh why would someone die if it was just a hoax?
Why then take the awful risk to tell us Jesus rose?
Simple men from Galilee would not have spoken lies
To get enrolled in history books as martyrs for Jesus Christ
The song "People" by ApologetiX is about the martyrs of Jesus Christ who gave their lives in the belief that Jesus had risen from the dead. It mentions the stories of James, Peter, Thomas, Simon, Jude, Bartholomew, James son of Alphaeus, Philip, Andrew, Matthias, and Paul, who all died in various ways but remained steadfast in their faith that Jesus had risen from the dead.
The lyrics point out the irony in the fact that these men would go to such great lengths and face such gruesome deaths if the resurrection was just a hoax. They are portrayed as simple men from Galilee who would not have spoken lies just to become martyrs for Jesus Christ. The song suggests that their willingness to die for their beliefs is evidence of the truth of the resurrection.
The song also highlights the courage and conviction of these martyrs who face death without fear. They were not thinking much about it, but were focused on their faith in Jesus. The song reminds us that there were real people who suffered and died for their belief in Jesus, and their stories serve as a testament to the power of faith.
Line by Line Meaning
James was caught by Herod, Herod captured Peter
James and Peter were both captured by King Herod for their beliefs
They were sharin' Herod's outbreak of attacks upon believers
Both James and Peter were targeted for their beliefs in a wave of persecution
James would have to face the sword and Peter would escape it
James was sentenced to death by beheading, while Peter managed to escape punishment
They were not afraid of dyin'; they both knew that they could take it
James and Peter were not afraid to face execution for their beliefs
Thomas preached in Babylon and India they claim
Thomas is said to have preached in Babylon and India
Then the local folks impaled him with a lance while he was prayin'
Thomas was killed by locals who impaled him with a lance while he was praying
They were all about to die but they weren't thinking much about it
Although facing death, these individuals were not swayed from their beliefs and did not doubt their faith
And their story didn't have a chance but none of 'em were doubtin'
Despite facing opposition and persecution, the individuals did not abandon their faith
Why oh why would someone die if it was just a hoax?
Why would someone choose to die for a false belief?
Why then take the awful risk to tell us Jesus rose?
Why would these individuals risk their lives to spread the message of Jesus' resurrection if it was not true?
Simple men from Galilee would not have spoken lies
The individuals who spread the message of Jesus' resurrection were humble and unlikely to lie about such an important matter
To get enrolled in history books as martyrs for Jesus Christ
These individuals would not have sought martyrdom for personal gain or recognition, but rather because of their sincere belief in Jesus Christ
Simon died along with Jude from arrows, spears or crosses
Simon and Jude were killed by being shot with arrows, speared, or crucified
Someone gave Bartholomew a skin-removal process
Bartholomew was subjected to a painful process of having his skin removed
Some of them were stoned alive like James the son of Alphaeus
Some of these individuals, such as James the son of Alphaeus, were stoned to death while still alive
And their stories are the evidence that none of them were doubters
The fact that these individuals were willing to die for their beliefs is evidence that they truly believed in the message they were spreading
A lot of guys were crucified for calling Him Messiah
Many individuals were crucified for proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah
Philip died and Andrew did and possibly Matthias
Philip and Andrew died for their beliefs, and it is possible that Matthias did as well
Peter's was a most unpleasant death for being Christian
Peter was subjected to a particularly gruesome death for his beliefs
They would turn him upside down and then go through with crucifixion
Peter was crucified while upside down to further humiliate him
Paul he was beheaded probl'y Matthew did the same
Paul was beheaded, and it is possible that Matthew suffered the same fate
Well, they threw off of the temple top the other guy named James
Another James was thrown off the top of a temple
That's a gorey bunch of evidence that none of them were doubters
The violent deaths of these individuals is strong evidence that they truly believed in their message and were not swayed from their faith
Contributed by Leah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SPIKE
on Love the Jews (Parody of "Love Me Do" By the Beatles)
AWESOME!