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

[C. Edmund Wright]

dang, you nailed it again…….2 for 2!!!

[HereInTheHeartland]

Hymns were new in their day. Every generation thinks modern music is somehow bad.

[kjam22]

Thanks :)

[Salvation]

Listen to the words. Very self-centered song in my opinion.

[buffaloguy]

Christian Contemporary is just fine and it is very effective in bringing people to Christ. I am one of them and we know of many others.

[greatvikingone]

I love me some Johnny Cash - but you need to check out Matthew West, Steven Curtis Chapman, Collin Raye and Jeremy Camp... Real issues brought before the Lord that others can relate to: rape, failure, death, failure, imperfect children, failure...

[C. Edmund Wright]

You make a good point. I will say this….there is too much touchy feely “can’t we all get along” type songs which are not really scripturally correct - and then there’s the scam of some Christian groups.

There is a very prominent group that runs an absolute scam with World Vision. It’s sad really.

[Colonel_Flagg]

The problem with far too much of Christian contemporary music is that it puts the seeker ahead of the Savior.

The theology in most of the great hymns of the Christian era is simply better than what is being done today. When church becomes more of a marketing exercise than a real worship experience which honors God, it fails.

[MamaB]

I do not listen to many current songs. They just do not do anything for me. Give me the old quartet style singing. Back in the 80’s and early 90’s, I listened to a Christian station here but there are none here that play real songs anymore. Have you listened to Dave’s Highway from MS? If not look them up. A brother and 2 sisters who have been singing for years.

[C. Edmund Wright]

Listen to the words. Very self-centered song in my opinion.

Amazing Grace…self centered lyrics? Wow, you are really reaching for something to be upset about. That statement is beyond defense and beneath response.

[reefdiver]

I’ve never met a musician that was playing in the band who did not wish they were playing in a blues, rock, or country band

[buffaloguy]

Amazing Grace was written the 1770s and was tied to the current melody in 1853. It predates much of what you think of as older, traditional music.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Have you listened to Dave’s Highway from MS? If not look them up. A brother and 2 sisters who have been singing for years.

______________________

Yes. They have a whole catalog uploaded to YOUTUBE:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=daves+highway

[MNDude]

you won’t consider Amazing Grace? Are you serious?

[kjam22]

I’ve never met a musician that was playing in the band who did not wish they were playing in a blues, rock, or country band

I have. I've met a few. But most of them played piano. And most of them played mostly funerals, or maybe a wedding when they wanted to really step out :)

[C. Edmund Wright]

The problem with far too much of Christian contemporary music is that it puts the seeker ahead of the Savior.

Perhaps true to a point, but then again, if they are seekers, they do not yet know to put the Savior ahead of themselves.

The theology in most of the great hymns of the Christian era is simply better than what is being done today. When church becomes more of a marketing exercise than a real worship experience which honors God, it fails.

Again true to a point, but after having been raised in a dead mainline denominational church for years with demonstrably dead music and dead singing of hymns the norm 2X per service - I welcomed some real worship for a change. Is there too much flesh in much of it? YES. Is some of it overly marketed? YES. Are some of the artists phonies? YES. Absolutely. I got into an email spat a few years ago with the leader of a prominent Christian band on that point.

But I gotta tell you, on balance, it speaks to me more than the old hymns, with a few exceptions of some of the great old hymns. Many are not great, just old.

[JoeDetweiler]

Close....Days of Elijah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUIa674GGCo

These are the days of Elijah
Declaring the word of the Lord, yeah
And these are the days of Your servant, Moses
Righteousness being restored

These are the days of great trials
Of famine and darkness and sword
Still we are the voice in the desert crying
Prepare ye the way of the Lord!

[ravenwolf]

The problem with any modern music is that if you listen real close you might be able to understand the words they are saying. No rhythm, just a bunch of banging and plucking.

And they sound like a bunch of stuck pigs.

I don`t listen to much music of any kind for that reason, if I do listen to music I will pick Autry or hank sr. or one who does not sound like a cut hog.

[C. Edmund Wright]

I’ve met a lot who play in secular bands and in worship at church. I have no problem with that. I trust God to handle whether their witness and faith is real or not. I’m busy with my own, and if music speaks to me, then who am I to worry about the singer, band, writer, etc?

[Lakeshark]

I used to call that “the nice doctine”. Loosely translated as: if you are always nice, that is the only way to be fully Christian; especially be nice to Pharisees and money changers, because it’s important we follow good examples.........