Contemporary Christian Music's Sinking Witness: Lack of depth and reverence to the Almighty

Christian Post ^ | 08/04/2014 | BY CHELSEN VICARI

[SeekAndFind]

Admitting the problem is the first step towards recovery. So let's admit it: if we swop the lyrics of a Taylor Swift ballad with some of today's contemporary Christian worship songs, no one would know the difference.

Others have noted the "Jesus-is-your-boyfriend" style worship songs clogging the airwaves of contemporary Christian radio and Sunday morning worship sets lack depth and reverence to the Almighty. They're right. But there's an even bigger problem when contemporary Christian songs downplay, even scold Christian's public witness for the sake of couch-potato Christianity.

Last week a fellow pro-life, pro-family activist turned on his local "family-friendly" contemporary Christian radio station while driving his kids to camp. As his kids were belting the words to a new hit, my friend was shocked by the lyrics.

The song was Family Force 5's "Let It Be Love," number #14 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs list. Of course this means it is one of 20 songs that local contemporary Christian radio programs play over and over ad nauseam. The song's lyrics go:

I've never seen a soul set free Through an argument I've never seen a hurt get healed In a protest… It's not about the stand we take But the grace we give

For my friend, the first line "I've never seen a soul set free through an argument" couldn't be further from reality with the conservative Christian movement. In addition remembering that the Apostle Peter urged Believers, "[A]lways being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15)

My friend witnessed a life changed from a same-sex lifestyle to a redeemed follower of Christ thanks to a bold, counter-cultural argument presented at a Parents and Family of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX) event. A young gay man made the decision to offer over his life to Christ after listening to Robert Knight, Senior Fellow for the American Civil Rights Union, described God's love for humanity and purpose for sexuality and marriage.

Most devastating is the lyric's second line, which reads, "I've never seen a hurt get healed in a protest." I'm not sure what kind of protests these band members have attended, but they must not have been pro-life oriented.

A beautiful example of lives transformed at a protest is told by Wendy Wright, former President of Concerned Women for America and Vice President for Government Relations and Communications. Wendy spent many days peacefully protesting outside of abortion clinics. She and her fellow protestors not only offered hurt women prayer and side-walk counseling, but worked to save the lives of their unborn babies.

Wendy was blessed to come face to face with a young woman whose mother protected her from abortion because of Wendy's abortion protest. "After speaking to Generation Joshua home school students, telling stories of rescuing babies from abortion," explained Wendy. "A young woman asked, "Have you ever met one of those babies that you rescued?"

Shaking her head no, Wendy explained that while she hadn't she would love the opportunity. "I was rescued from abortion and adopted because of you," the young woman told Wendy.

Lives are changed, in part, through vessels willing to "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people" (Jude 3) Sadly you wouldn't know that based on the premise of this "Christian worship" song.

To be fair, Family Force 5 is correct that grace is a necessary component to lead others to salvation in Christ. But it alone it is not enough. Grace without substance is pity and nothing more. Behind our compassion must be a willingness to share the totality of Christ's character and His command to turn from sin.

Contemporary Christian music has a tremendous ministry opportunity that expands beyond the borders of the local church. Christians cannot present half-truths for the sake easy listening and broader audiences. As followers of Christ, we can do better. Or at least turn off the radio.

-- Chelsen Vicari serves as the Evangelical Program Director for the Institute on Religion and Democracy. She earned her Masters of Arts in Government from Regent University and frequently contributes to conservative outlets

[Organic Panic]

I said “I” can’t stand contemporary Christian pop music. I made no mention of what God wants to hear. I made no mention of what forbidden churches in North Korea and African grass huts sing. Thou doth presume much about things I have made no mention.

Regards

[LurkingSince'98]

knarf

I took a look at the analysis of that article and it actually pro Amazing Grace from a Catholic perspective. The author of the critical video, Michael Voris is a little overboard at times.

AMDG

[Iscool]

I think that was a pretty poor song/group to use for an example of contemporary Christian music...

[Iscool]

I consider Amazing Grace contemporary. I will not sing it.

Your loss...It's an amazing tribute to God...

[C. Edmund Wright]

and that makes what point?

[Rides_A_Red_Horse]

and that makes what point?

---

Ummm...

The original article concerned problems with contemporary worship songs including “’Jesus-is-your-boyfriend’ style worship songs.”

I guess it’s kind of vague how my post about a youth pastor singing a very disturbing “Jesus-is-your-boyfriend” type of worship song has anything to do with the original article.

I was hoping that everyone would understand that my point is waffles should always be served with bacon.

[Fiji Hill]

The tune is “Columbia” published in 1834.

Thanks for the update.

[Fiji Hill]

I gotta tell you, the tired old organ and the bored rote hymnal singing of mainline churches leaves me cold as a fish.

Our Methodist hymnal has a lot of good hymns in it, but many that are boring and insipid. Our denomination produced some great hymn writers--William Kirkpatrick, Charles Gabriel, Fanny Crosby and Daniel Towner, to name a few, but only a handful of their warks can be found in the hymnal--and there is nothing whatsoever in the book by one of the greatest hymn writers of our faith, Lelia Morris. At the Trinity Methodist Church in McConnellsville, Ohio, which she attended, they have had to paste into the hymnal some of her songs.

Let's hear some great oldies like "Hold the Fort," "Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah," "I'll Stand By Until the Morning" and "The Old Ship of Zion," as well as some great newies like "The Mansions of the Lord."

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

There’s a lot of good, God-honoring worship music in Christian Contemporary as well, and these are the songs that are typically the most popular. “We Believe” by Newsboys is the biggest Christian song in the country right now, for example. This article is akin to yellow journalism - pick out a target and mock it, ignoring the greater body of positive things.....hmmm, who does THAT sound like? (Full disclosure: I can’t stand “Jesus is my boyfriend” songs either).

[C. Edmund Wright]

I didn’t say you were off topic…..just that it didn’t prove a point.

BTW I like bacon with waffles myself...

[C. Edmund Wright]

on this you and I agree!

[C. Edmund Wright]

Amen - indeed….and that syrupy “Jesus is my boyfriend” stuff is only a teeny tiny part of contemp Christian music.

[Rides_A_Red_Horse]

Bacon has to be the best food item ever.

Oh...and a lot of contemporary Christian music is creepy and noxious.

[Ransomed]

Back in the day a guy once told me that the PDs for contemporary Christian radio used to judge songs on ‘JPMs.’ That’s ‘Jesus per minute’ as in how many times the word ‘Jesus’ is used in a minute. Songs with high JPMs got more airplay because they needed to let their audience know as soon as possible that it’s the place on the dial they are looking for. Supposedly the songs were so unremarkable that unless you had high JMPs everyone would just flip past if you were looking for Christian music on the radio.

I have no idea if it’s true, but it kind of makes sense.

Freegards

[Rides_A_Red_Horse]

Supposedly the songs were so unremarkable that unless you had high JMPs everyone would just flip past if you were looking for Christian music on the radio.

---

There was a Southpark episode where Cartman took pop songs and changed the word “Baby” to “Jesus.”

[boatbums]

Nevertheless it has anti Catholic references in it.

Here are the lyrics to Amazing Grace, why don't you point out what you think are all the "anti Catholic references":

Amazing Grace!
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.

'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.


Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come
'Tis Grace has brought me safe thus far
And Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yet, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall posess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

[boatbums]

This one gets me teary and gives me chills:

Bow the Knee

[boatbums]

This is the one that chokes me up:

Bow the Knee

[boatbums]

she is allowed whenever she can find a liberal, probably gay, commie priest who is in on it with her.

You mean like when she and Biden were given communion at the Vatican when Pope Francis was named???

[boatbums]

A church I went to many years ago had "Request Night" at Sunday evening service where anyone could ask for a particular hymn from the hymnal. Invariably, there were the same six or seven that got requested every time and they included those four. I agree that the truly GREAT, Spirit-filled hymns that speak to our hearts are few, BUT, I don't discount the Holy Spirit using just about anything to touch someone's heart at some time.