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 ...
I don't like the "Jesus is your pal" message of some of the modern Christian music I've heard, but I can't get past the sound anyway. I suppose there is real Christian rock out there, but I've only encountered stuff that would fit better alongside Michael Bolton. I like a lot of different music, but Michael Bolton ain't it. I'd rather hear good old country gospel that isn't square and doesn't back away from the sin and salvation message central to Christianity. So far, the rock I listen to is secular. It just sounds more "real" and vital.
I think that one reason alot of people have stopped attending church is that the music mixes shallow Christianity with a worldly beat. Then they amplify it so the neighbors a half mile away can hear it. Then there is the 7-11 music: seven word lyrics sung eleven times.
You are assuming I am only for traditional worship, when that is nowhere near the case. My husband used to sing on the worship team at church. I am not saying that all lyrics should be direct scripture quotes. I LOVE Christian Rock, a good part of my collection is of Christian bands. Don't assume I am speaking out against Christian Rock, just wanting the bands to keep on message.
GOD ROCKS!!!
I didn't know they were a Christian band at first - I didn't sit down and read the lyrics or anything -I just liked the music. (I'm a professional R&B singer, but I'm drawn to good rock bands lately and it's been a real period of discovery for me.)
When I found out they were Christians, I was thrilled.
Roll over Jee-Zus and tell Saint Peter the news!
Amen! Give me some good country gospel any day! Not saying that I don't like the other stuff, but, it's the country/bluegrass stuff that really gets me fired up for Christ.
Okay - but please don't miss the point of these bands, and don't think God can't use them because they don't fit your idea of what Christian music should be.
You are responding to sentiment that was not uttered. I was simply responding to one facet of the post. But too many kids today do believe that thinking Jesus is "cool" is enough. I know. I teach them. They think if they mumble a few words at a camp, they get a free ticket to Heaven. Of course, a whole ton of adults believe the same thing.
Yes. However, they've taken a lot of heat from the Christian world because of some of their Rastafarian references. But, they are Christians.
I'm not saying every song should be an altar call, but I would expect Christian artists to avoid "shallow christianity". Jesus is not my 'homeboy', He is my Savior.
>>It has been really satisfying to notice this. I recall walking into a mall in the late 1990's and hearing DC Talk on the music system.<<
During one of our prison concerts, the boys commented that one of the songs we played was on the radio. I was surprised by that. I never listen to music on the radio and depend on my guitarist (he used to be a manager at Mhyr records) to select music. I had never heard of Switchfoot until we started practicing "Meant to Live" a few months ago...
>>And to think the lame stuff that was circulating on cassettes in the late '80s. Yikes!<<
2nd chapter of acts comes to mind, but the guy had awesome pipes. I understand he finally made a solo attempt but it may have been too late.
Also, I have prayed with Sonny the singer and met them on several occasions. They are genuine.
"At one time the members of POD were voal about their faith. I do think that fame has watered them down a bit. "
I remember a Post Stryper interview that Michael Sweet gave about how they were still singing about Christ, but were not living like Christians at the time. It's sad how sucess has two sides, one the message my get out to secular audiences, but there is also a danger of falling away.
Indivisble
For all the people in the world that don't understand
Exactly what it is we have here in this motherland
See the Father's hand started up a master plan
There's been many through the test of time take a stand
But had they ran who knows where we would be now
I thank God it's something I don't have to think about
Instead my thoughts are on the ones who laid it on the line
KIA gave their lives to let freedom shine
But in the meantime I think of those of your kind
And wonder how it is you get things so messed up inside your mind
Just think a second how long it's been going on before you
They're the one's who even helped you have the right to argue
Stop complaining move along
Open your eyes and see what's going on
We need to get back to the ways of the days of old
One nation under God indivisible
Chorus
All the people let me hear you give a holler
In God we trust, In God we trust
We stamp it on our penny, nickel, dime, quarter, dollar
In God we trust, In God we trust
The people of the nation let me hear you give a holler
In God we trust, In God we trust
We stamp it on our penny, nickel, dime, quarter, dollar
In God we trust, In God we trust
The other day I saw the news somebody else complaining
They want the motto taken off of the Benjamin Franklin
They got a problem with my God and that I believe in it
But the don't got a problem with the money when they spend it
They're so offended by 4 words that need no explanation
In GOD we trust the motto of this greatest nation
Not just a motto but something that we truly believe
If you don't like it you can pack a bag and you can leave
One nation under God indivisible
You can't take back that, that was never yours
Years ago, at a concert by a Christian performer, may have been David Meece, he was playing and talking about playing in front of a group of blue hairs. He played some upbeat tune and they were complaining about it not being Christian. So then he went into this long, drawn out intor to a song which sounded beautiful, free-flowing and vaguely familiar. He played for about 5 minutes as he told the story. He said that the ladies siad, "Yes, not that's Christian music." He said, OK, let's sing along with it and proceeded to play the actual song. M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E.
Priceless.
>>However, thinking Christ is 'cool' is not going to get someone into Heaven.<<
My understanding is that they are not trying to make Jesus "cool." What I see is that they are trying to say what the scriptures say - make it clear to the "current" generation that Jesus is a human just like them and suffered the same temptations as them, and truly empathises with their human condition. Then they can call on the "God" Jesus for salvation.
Two words: Louvin Brothers.
He can be found in a mother's smile
He can be found in the eyes of a child
He can be found, He is everywhere
When we kneel in prayer, each plea He hears
He can be found in the air that we breathe
He always hears a heart that grieves
He can be found on life's stormy sea
He can be found in you and me
I could go on, but . . . great stuff.
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