Photo by Nicholas Swanson
Christian pop-rock band Building 429 has been playing music since 1999. Their name comes from a youth group idea known simply as the “429 challenge” which itself derives from Ephesians 4:29, which says the following in the NIV (emphasis added):
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
To date, they have released a total of ten albums:
- Building 429 (2000)
- Flight (2002)
- Space in Between Us (2004)
- Rise (2006)
- Iris to Iris (2007)
- Building 429 (2008)
- Listen to the Sound (2011)
- We Won’t Be Shaken (2013)
- Unashamed (2015)
- Live the Journey (2018)
As of this writing, they have only one a single Dove award: New Artist of the Year in 2005.
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Building-429-where-i-belong-lyrics.
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site! Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.
1. What message does the song communicate?
In short, Earth is not Building 429’s permanent residence. Heaven with Jesus is. There is a blessed assurance that they have and desire for heaven.
While a noble effort, I have a few issues with the message:
First, the assurance described in Verse 2 lacks an explanation. What is it that Building 429 is talking about? One might say that entering heaven is the assurance; However, this is not explained in the lyrics.
Second, when Building 429 describes entering heaven, it is only their own personal desire that they express. The lyrics have no explanation on how one might attain it and expects believers to simply assume and understand.
Third, the lyrics are not inspiring to me. It feels like a generic prayer offered to God, that they wish to enter heaven. There is little power in these weak and watered-down words.
Score: 5/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
Most of it is biblical; However, I have some concerns about the unclarity of Verse 1 line 3, the lack of explanation on their assurance at the end of Verse 2, and the Bridge only going halfway to express the Gospel.
[Verse 1]
Lines 1 and 2: An expression of feelings of spiritual deadness (2 Corinthians 4:3, Romans 1:18-32, Ephesians 2:1, and Ephesians 4:18).
Lines 3: Double negative notwithstanding, Building 429 has given up on seeking answers where none can be found. Where that is and where he is searching now are unclear.
[Hook]
Lines 1 and 2: Referring to their earthly dwelling, Building 429 understand that the earth is not their final home (John 15:19, John 18:36, Philippians 3:18-20, Hebrews 13:14 and 1 Peter 2:11-12).
Line 3: Building 429 trades the earthly, temporal, fleshy desires for heaven with Jesus (Matthew 16:24-26, Luke 16:9, and Colossians 3:2).
Line 4: Repeats line 2.
[Verse 2]
Lines 1 and 2: That is, regardless of one’s own personal scenario.
Line 3: What is this blessed assurance? Building 429 does not explain what this is.
[Bridge]
Lines 1 and 2: In other words, after Building 429 dies, their desire is to enter heaven where Christ is. Of course, only those who are born again may enter (John 3:3-5), but it’s good to know what Building 429 wants. Not everyone who desires heaven will enter (Matthew 7:21, Matthew 25:1-13, and Luke 6:46-49). Desire is great but what is unexplained is how one might attain heaven.
Score: 6/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Those who are not Christ followers will easily understand the intended message: Building 429 wants Jesus and not this world. In terms of strict interpretation, they have succeeded; However, without explaining the assurance and requirements for heaven’s entry, this will be of little to no benefit to unbelievers, regardless of interpretation.
Score: 2/10
4. What does this song glorify?
Though a noble effort to glorify Jesus, with mostly biblical lyrics, the problems outlined makes it more difficult to believe they were completely successful. I’ll give them half credit.
Score: 5/10
Closing Comments
Building 429’s Where I Belong is a jumbled mess. Its biggest asset is biblical accuracy; However, their diminished lyrics are unhelpful to those outside the camp of Christ. It did not explain Building 429’s seeking, assurance, or method to enter the Kingdom of God, significantly reducing the score in all categories.
Final Score: 5/10
Artist Info
Track: Where I Belong (listen to the song)
Artist: Building 429
Album: Listen To The Sound
Genre: Pop, Rock
Release Year: 2011
Duration: 3:20
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Comments
Steve Kuhn
A simple, uncomplicated message tastywallet. Some of my favorite songs fall into that catagory. Yes, all of the I’s are not dotted, and T’s not crossed. But I dig the overall song, and there were a fair amount of people building 429 was playing for in the video that seemed to really like it as well. I love this simple message – that I am not made for this world, and as a result of being saved have assured my place in Heaven. That puts a smile one my face all day long. Keep them coming bud!
tastywallet
Steve,
Thanks for your thoughts! This is why I put in the criteria page that a low rating doesn’t necessitate a bad song. It can just use….a lot of work!
-TastyWallet
Sharon Rose
Personally, I think you’re overthinking and overcomplicating a simple message the writer was conveying here: Our home is not here on earth, but with our Father; our Lord and Savior; in Heaven. We do not belong here, but with Him in heaven .We don’t want this world, or what it has to offer. This world can not give us the answers we seek. We can ONLY get those answers through our Lord and Savior and our Father in heaven when we go to be with both. This world is confusing for those of us who struggle with being in this world when what we really want is to be with our Father in heaven. I personally think the message conveyed was inciteful and made me think about y life and what I’m here for; for the Lord, NOT the world. ….”I won’t keep searching for answers that aren’t here to find”…. is quite clear. The answers I’m looking for can’t be found in the world, or anything it has to offer, but ONLY in my Savior; Jesus Christ. Stop try to overanalyze words to a song lyrics and actually think about what the lyrics are saying. This is obviously coming from the perspective of someone who has been through a lot and has had some trying times and the world has been a confusing place for them. They feel frustrated by what the world is offering (and not offering) and are looking for answers; maybe not always in the right places and they are inspiring themselves to seek out The Lord and NOT the world. Remember, that when writing poetry or song lyrics, the idea is to convey a deep message that makes the reader think about the lyrics and get a deeper meaning from the lyrics. I did this when I wrote poetry as a child. Sometimes, the message was so deep, that you would have to literally ‘read between the lines’ to actually understand what was really being said, and sometimes, even then, you will not get the full message. There was a hidden message, within the message. This is called a good writer. Someone who can convey several messages within their lyrics, is a deep thinking soul who is trying to get through to you on a deeper level than what can be conveyed in a simpler sentence. I personally love this song and have taken it as my new theme song when I first became a Christian because it hit so hard for me. I went from Pat Benetar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” being my theme song as a young teen, to this song being my new theme song when I became Christian in 2011. I love the lyrics and feel a deep connection to the words; especially the first verse, since it is exactly what I was feeling as a baby Christian. Building 429 created a song that most new Christians can relate to because it talks about a struggle we all have as baby Christians. Don’t knock them down for writing an inspiring song for those who have that struggle. They did a GREAT JOB!!
Karen Burns
What if this song was not written for unbelievers but for the encouragement of the body of Christ. I dont see Christian music as a way to evangelize but more for the edification of the body. Coming at songs from this perspective would this change your reviews on this or any other song? I am myself escaping from the charismatic movement and realizing that the theology of some of my favorite songs are wrong, but there are some while not explicitly wrong in theology are more for the edification of the saints. Just wondering what your thoughts are…
tastywallet
Karen,
Thank you for your thoughts! You ask an excellent question.
Evangelistic effort would only affect the third section as it deals with an unbeliever’s interpretation of the lyrics. Hillsong’s New Wine is an example of a review I have done that edifies while containing a low “outsider test” score.
My biggest gripe with Where I Belong is unclarity. Vague lyrics may edify some, but are problematic to me.
As for the first part of your question, this is a church policy issue. If the church is made up of mostly believers, then they should consider songs that are theologically rich, worship God, and are clear, even if first-time unbeliever guests may not comprehend it. However, if the church is seeker-sensitive, perhaps a more evangelistic alternative would be more suitable with their goals.
As part of my review process, I added outside interpretation to give a full range of considerations when choosing music, both for personal use and congregational worship.
-TastyWallet
Fay
In Building 429’s song All The Glory there is the “Best and Worst” bridge or part 2 after a long 30 second pause that they sound like they are clearly saying “He is the Best, He is the Worst” but I looked up the lyrics , it is written as You use the best, You use the worst”. This makes sense but when you listen to the song you cannot hear them sing those lyrics. it totally sounds like they’re saying “He is” not “YOU USE”
can you check into this? thank you
I know this song is from an older album
Vince Wright
Fay,
Thank you for your inquiry!
You might be referring to a live version, that puts together All The Glory with Best and Worst, both from the same album, We Won’t Be Shaken.
Anyways, I heard this song on Youtube and I hear precisely as you do. It sounds like “He is the best” and “He is the worst” upon listening. Sometimes I hear “He use the best” and “He use the worst” also. It’s probably an accent, but you’re not crazy!
-Vince Wright