Posted on 12/07/2004 12:06:09 PM PST by LouAvul
The growing clout of America's 100-million evangelical Christians is being heard loud and clear. Just turn on your radio, and you'll notice that a seismic shift in American culture is taking place.
Before, you could tune into different stations, which offered different music and different messages.
But now, as Correspondent Bob Simon reports on 60 Minutes Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. ET/PT,, evangelical Christian music is flowing into mainstream media -- and changing it. In fact, Christian entertainment now brings in $4 billion a year.
Rappers and rockers are making hits and making money while spreading the gospel to national audiences. Christian groups can be heard on secular radio and seen on "The Tonight Show." Earlier this year, the group Third Day even played at the Republican National Convention.
"The fact that there are Christian themes now emerging in rock and that Christians are in rock is just representative of a spiritual desire or a spiritual hunger in our culture," says Cameron Strang, publisher of Relevant Magazine, a religious publication.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
POD is Christian.
My band played at Tom Fest (a Christian music festival) a few hours before these guys rocked the house.
Oh, man. You are gonna get it. ; )
I have no problem with praising God, it's praising man that I have a problem with and many I know who applaud in church do it to praise the performer.
Oh, you are soooo gonna be Darned to Heck for playing that un-Godly Demon Backbeat from The Darkest Recesses of Hell... err I mean Christian Rock Music...
I've followed yours and Chad's banter for a hundred or so posts. I find it interesting that you deem certain music styles to have a net negative influence on listeners, example: your friend who was involved in satanism.
From what I read you think all "Christian Rock" bears no fruit?
I have seen it from a different perspective. Modern music (Pop, rock, Alternative) used as a unique and creative way to bring the Gospel to kids who have never heard the Gospel before. There are a lot of bands out there who serve without fame or radio play but preach the Gospel at their concerts.
I've yet to see where a kid was harmed by accepting Christ into his heart as a result attending a show, hearing a message and surrendering...which happens by the hundreds at some shows.
***From what I read you think all "Christian Rock" bears no fruit?***
I didn't say that.
***Modern music (Pop, rock, Alternative) used as a unique and creative way to bring the Gospel to kids who have never heard the Gospel before.***
That is an oversimplification of the issue. Take a look at the industry as a whole. Project the trends out 10 or 15 years.
Read this short article...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1165008/posts
***...which happens by the hundreds at some shows.***
I know of people who've played and had hundreds come forward. A year later the guys checked with the local church - not one conversion stuck. In the emotionally charged atmosphere of a concert that kind of result is not suprising.
I hope and pray this isn't always the case, but fruit isn't true fruit unless it remains.
Agreed.
"but you'll never reach a kid with that stuff.
If young people can get the message that becoming a Christian doesn't instantly turn you into someone very uncool, that's a good thing, imo."
I think the analogy of the band checking back to church a year later is skewed. The point is that the kids made the decision to accept Christ. They may be at other churches, they may be backslidden they may still be struggling, But they took the first step to change their lives as a result of being drawn into it by the music.
Oh heck, I've heard all the arguments. I've been slinging rock guitar since 1968.....and playing exclusively in evangelical church praise and worship teams for the past seven years or so. I'm no kid. I'm 49 years old and, if I may say, a pretty passable guitarist. I have the privilege of playing with some SUPERB musicians and vocalists, and NO one can hear what we do and accuse us of "watering down" the message of Christ's love and redemption. That is patent nonsense, spoken only by those who haven't a cluse what they're talking about.
The church I currently attend (I'm their lead guitarist) is pretty sizeable, and yes........we're well known for our music. We're loud, contemporary.......but we can play anything that helps a congregation enter into either praise or worship, equally. I've seen for years the effect music can have on congregants, and I've seen how it can draw people to church and help keep them there.
I wholly disregard the naysayers. Besides........remember this: If it's too loud, you're too old.
I usually show up in a sportcoat, slacks and turtleneck sweater during winter. Last week my wife and I showed up in jeans and I wore a solid color t-shirt.
Interestingly, last weeks sermon was from a missionary from indonesia. He was wearing what he called "Muslim" clothing. As he pointed out, it wasn't reall muslim, but what the people in that countries muslim "culture" would wear. He also pointed out that, just like many "Christians" in the US are not really Christian, many Muslims are as muslim as the Christians that only go to church on Christmas and, maybe, Easter, are Christian.
So much of it is just culture.
And, as for David being naked, oh ye literalist, he was for the times. He was without his royal garments/robes. There is dispute as to whether he was partially naked or totally naked, but the reality is that he disrobed to the point when his wife Michal thought him absolutely disgusting. You say he was wearing an ephod and he was but, do you tell others what an ephod is? It is an apron covering one to just below the waist or topping the thigh area. He stripped down to nothing but this ephod. Chances are all of his "business" was showing as these aprons are loose in their fit. I know that you aren't picturing him in a gown to his ankles 'cause if you are you are wrong.
They are still around, they had a CD in 2003 I think and I have heard them on a few movie soundtracks.
Ninety Pound Wuss is the one that is gone....
Oh, please note that what you call mantras, praise choruses, is often Psalms put to music. So, when you criticize the lyrical content you are criticizing the word of God.
I haven't heard of them. My sons "turned me on" to Pillar and Casting Crowns and I love them.
You might like Jonah33.
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