Rich Mullins - Screen Door Lyrics
Lyrics
"It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith without works baby
It just ain't happenin'
One is your left hand one is your right
It'll take two strong arms to hold on tight
Some folks cut off their nose just to spite their face
I think you need some works to show for your alleged faith
Well there's a difference you know
'tween having faith and playing make believe
One will make you grow the other one just make you sleep
Talk about it
But I really think you oughtta take a leap off of the ship
Before you claim to walk on water
Faith without works is like a song you can't sing
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith comes from God and every word that He breathes
He lets you take it to your heart so you can give it hands and feet
It's gotta be active if it's gonna be alive
You gotta put it into practice
Otherwise
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith without works baby it just ain't happenin'
One is your right hand one is your left
It's your light your guide your life and your breath
Faith without works is like a song you can't sing
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine."
Video
Rich Mullins - Screen Door
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on July 18, 1995, as part of the album *Songs*, Rich Mullins’ "Screen Door" offers a profound and direct exploration of a foundational spiritual truth. This song, characteristic of Mullins’ unvarnished wisdom, cuts through theological complexities with disarming simplicity, asserting that genuine faith is inherently active, never passive. At its heart, "Screen Door" is a vibrant, rhythmic call to integrate belief with everyday living, using the unforgettable image of a useless screen door on a submarine to drive home its essential message: a faith that does not translate into deeds is ultimately without purpose or power.
Mullins confronts the common misconception that faith is merely an intellectual assent or a private conviction, declaring that "Faith without works baby, it just ain’t happenin’." This blunt statement immediately echoes the ancient wisdom found in the book of James, specifically James 2:17, which proclaims that faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Mullins masterfully distills this profound spiritual principle into an unforgettable image and relatable language. He asserts that a belief system detached from practical living is not just incomplete, but utterly non-functional, much like a sieve attempting to hold back the ocean. The song emphasizes that belief and action are like two strong arms working in unison, indispensable for holding on tight to one’s spiritual journey.
The song further distinguishes between authentic conviction and superficial pretense, stating, "Well there's a difference you know 'tween having faith and playing make believe." True faith, Mullins suggests, prompts growth, pushing individuals beyond comfortable assumptions into transformative experiences, while mere make-believe leads to spiritual dormancy. He challenges those who speak of great spiritual aspirations yet hesitate to act, urging them to "take a leap off of the ship before you claim to walk on water." This isn't a call to reckless abandon, but a powerful invitation to move beyond theoretical understanding into courageous obedience, demonstrating a willingness to trust and act on divine guidance, much like Peter stepping out onto the water in Matthew 14. It encourages an active, engaged participation in one's spiritual journey, rather than remaining a passive observer.
Mullins clarifies the source and purpose of this active faith, stating, "Faith comes from God and every word that He breathes / He lets you take it to your heart so you can give it hands and feet." This beautiful imagery reminds us that genuine belief is a divine gift, breathed into our spirits, meant not to remain sequestered within, but to empower us to embody God's love and truth in the world. It’s a direct application of Ephesians 2:10, which teaches that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. These works are not a means to earn favor, but the natural, overflowing expression of a heart transformed by grace. Living faith, therefore, "has gotta be active if it's gonna be alive," demanding constant practice and application, becoming the very hands and feet of Christ in a world desperately needing tangible expressions of compassion and justice, as reminded in 1 John 3:18, "let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
Ultimately, "Screen Door" is an inspiring and essential reminder that our spiritual journey is a dynamic interplay between belief and behavior. It is a clarion call for consistency between what we profess and how we live, urging us to demonstrate our allegiance not just through words, but through deeds. The song emphasizes that a vibrant, living faith is one that informs every action, shaping our purpose, guiding our choices, and becoming our very "light, your guide, your life and your breath." Rich Mullins, with his characteristic blend of wit and biblical wisdom, offers a timeless challenge: to let our faith be undeniably active, lest it prove as functionally absent as a screen door on a submarine.