Posted on 08/04/2014 8:38:22 AM PDT by 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
Sure I do. It’s called the New Testament. Now please tell me which of the commandments(laws) that Jesus gave us you think are optional.
Well, in the most technical sense, under the grace of the New Covenant, they are ALL optional as far as salvation is concerned. And ALL OF US will FALL SHORT of them, and NO ONE can save themselves through the law.
Now, those who are saved by Grace will not continue to live a lifestyle opposed to the Commandments however. Really appears as though you are absurdly legalistic in your interpretation. Perhaps you are surrounded by those who flaunt and take advantage of Grace. Both mindsets are wrong.
I have no idea of which post you are replying to, but I think you have the wrong person. I never painted with a broad brush (that I remember).
I will say this - you are conflating two very different things - Catholics who use their faith and teachings to slam Protestants….versus Protestants who have clearly fallen. Not the same thing at all. Not even close.
But seriously, were you meaning to reply to me? To which post?
Post 179!
Now that's balderdash, a useful contemporary myth. (I should have said, it's straight from hell). Why confuse beauty with preference?
Yeah, I figured out that’s what you meant - and thanks for clarifying - but, but but - but - still it proves my point. There was no circling the wagons officially by any denomination around Jim and Tammy - there was no equivalency AT ALL. Jim and Tammy never went around proudly proclaiming they were part of X or Y denomination.
You are debating like liberals do on family values, with no comprehension on the false equivalency you are using to try and make your point.
“Bow the knee in the presence of the King”
great lyric
BTW when entering a Catholic Church before entering a pew we genuflect (bow the knee) and make the sign of the cross in reverence.
I often wonder why other churches threw that act of reverence out.
Regards,
AMDG
I am so GLAD I'm Catholic because I will never have to sit next to you in Church. If San Fran Nan was at a parish I was at I would leave the Mass and wait for the next one. Her soul is her responsibility not mine. Maligning millions of people on a daily basis because of some nut job, is exactly what liberals do. Maybe you should take care of your own house.
she worms her way into any Catholic photo op she can.
she a white female version of that news hound Jesse Jackson.
no faithful Catholic supports her or any liberal.
you cannot imagine how Catholics abhor her and her communist friends
but feel free to spin it any old way you wish
AMDG
No, you keep proving MY point - and can’ figure i out. Your dripping hatred is proof.
There is “no house” that I’m concerned with - that’s the difference between you and I. I worship Jesus. You worship your church. When people walk outside God’s will in our body, they are lovingly corrected, and if that doesn’t work, told to move on.
Catholics tend to circle wagons….Pelosi, Priests and boys, etc. Just sayin….
My hatred? Really? HA HA HA! What am I hating? You won’t even declare a church. I have never felt a moment of love from ANY non-Catholic on this forum ever! EVER!
so are you one of those protestants who ‘church themselves’ every Lord’s Day?
when you call Catholics on commmie Pelosie - you are just doing a public service here on FR
but when defconw points out that protestants have the same problems - well then he is ‘dripping hatred’
you sound like a liberal to me too.
AMDG
I am a Methodist, and I love you, as God commanded.
I am getting a migraine. To be continued! I won’t be able to read soon. Later.
I agree. I needed to be offended. I was raised with the notion that I had all the “necessary” steps covered. I belonged to the right church and jumped through the appropriate hoops...at the appropriate prescribed time/age periods.
I thank God He sent me a girl who was unwilling to compromise and was willing to be straight and true to the Gospel.
Sorry I didn't answer you yesterday, I was with my secular friends. FR is a place where we can openly discuss our concerns of the world and even learn things. I'm happy you show Jesus to the lost and live a life pleasing to God. I do too.
I don't have a problem with Christian singers singing secular songs. Now if they sang songs like many of today's songs that glorify violence, sex,......sins, then I would have a problem. My problem with Taylor swift and Amy grant is that they both had to publicly announce they think same sex marriage is ok. They are both suppose to be Christians and they know their statement will make big news. What they did was like a slap in the face to obedient Christians.
Who do you think Taylor swifts is trying to target when she sings, Jesus is my boyfriend? I don't know where Amy grants head is except I'm sure its hard to win lots of Dove awards and then feel forgotten among the crowd of singers.
We are to show love to all the lost, but also stand up to evil. Just so you know, I don't talk to my secular friends about their or others sins unless they ask. I do point them to the cross. I love christian music; Casting crowns, Mercy me... Old hymns, as well as some secular music.
I am in the middle of a discussion now with two boys 13 and 16 years old who I love very much, on God laws and why one of them thinks it would be a nice thing to let two men marry. Thank God they have heard the truth of the gospel throughout their lives, but have also heard feel good messages about ssm and see tv portraying all gays as only wonderful people. Young people tend to want to be like their friends and be accepted. So these famous people HAD to come out and tell their followers how this sin is ok. Since they both claim to be Christians, they deserve a rebuke, just like 1Tim says. My rebuke is not buying their music and letting other believers know they've become part of the world. Wonder how many Christians follow people, even while they are leading others to accept sin?
Honest question. Do people really think God all mighty, master of the universe, giver of all life, etc...cares about song lyrics? Isn’t it good that people are in church singing? Or listening to songs glorifying Jesus?
Seems to me that God would have bigger fish to fry so to speak.
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