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
God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It
lyrics by Edmann Neumeister, published 1718
tune by Johann Caspar Bachofen, published 1727
Stanza 1
God’s own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ!
He, because I could not pay it, gave my full redemption price.
Do I need earth’s treasures many? I have one worth more than any
That brought me salvation free, Lasting to eternity!
Stanza 2
Sin, disturb my soul no longer: I am baptized into Christ!
I have comfort even stronger: Jesus’ cleansing sacrifice.
Should a guilty conscience seize me, since my baptism did release me
In a dear forgiving flood, sprinkling me with Jesus’ blood?
Stanza 3
Satan, hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ!
Drop your ugly accusation; I am not so soon enticed.
Now that to the font I’ve traveled, all your might has come unraveled,
And, against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with me!
Stanza 4
Death, you cannot end my gladness: I am baptized into Christ!
When I die, I leave all sadness to inherit paradise!
Though I lie in dust and ashes faith’s assurance brightly flashes:
Baptism has the strength divine to make life immortal mine.
Stanza 5
There is nothing worth comparing to this lifelong comfort sure!
Open-eyed my grave is staring: Even there I’ll sleep secure.
Though my flesh awaits its raising, still my soul continues praising:
I am baptized into Christ; I’m a child of paradise!
MORE INFO and LINK TO A NICE PIANO RECORDING:
http://wmltblog.org/2011/05/gods-own-child-i-gladly-say-it/
Your “GET OFF MY LAWN” sign blew over. You better to put it back up.
Taylor Swift is considered a Christian artist. Ridiculous. Bob
My favorite Contemporary Christian Artist (Been around for a while and definitely different from everybody else) is Michael Card. Great Musician, and powerful lyrics!
That song is done by a band... and in big churches by an orchestra. You know...It can’t be a hymn???? :) Aren’t hymns done by just piano and organ... or maybe just the congregation singing...???..... Oh my goodness... a hymn that uses other instruments? IN church no less!
I am sure there were plenty of Southern planters and slave traders,people who owned slaved who enthusiastically sang what the author of this article would think are “correct” hymns in their Baptist, Presbyterian and methods pews. very reverential I am sure, right before they went home and beat, starved and abused their “property”. The BTK killer was a deacon who sung like songbird on Sundays those old timey hymns. The article and the author are utterly clueless about G*d, his nature, what’s important to him as he has said plain as day in his word. NOT WHAT YOU CAN DO, WHAT HAS BEEN DONE FOR YOU. No proper amount of music, behavior, devotions, rituals, church attendance makes you any more Holy. You are imbued holiness by the Lord Jesus Christ, he finished it on the cross. There is lots of great contemporary Christian music out there, with awesome, heartfelt, God revering lyrics..MercyMe, Chris Tomlin, Laura Story, etc. This kind of Pharisetical crappola in this article needs to be ignored, does not edify Christ or bring people closer to the Father..THAT IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT. Even Paul and the Apostles used the culture of the time to bring people to Christ.
**The problem with far too much of Christian contemporary music is that it puts the seeker ahead of the Savior. **
You said it better than I did.
Exactly what Amazing Grace is about — the seeker.
RE: you won’t consider Amazing Grace? Are you serious?
There are whole threads on the internet on Catholic doctrine and debates going on as to why the song Amazing Grace is unsuitable for Catholic liturgy.
See here for one:
http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=388286
I saw a an evaluation of the top 100 modern Christian songs vs the top 100 Hymns. Not surprising but words that were very common of the hymns included: “sin, transgressions, forgive, blood, we, church” The old hymn songs on average contained more than 2 and a half words than modern songs (not counting the repeats).
The more common words for the modern songs included “I, me, love, praise”
The word “sin” was very uncommon”
That isn’t too say that some of the newer stuff isn’t very good. “Revelation Song,” for one example, is very good and is in fact Scriptural. Fair ball.
But if you have time, look at the reviews for the book “Why Johnny Can’t Sing Hymns: How Pop Culture Changed Worship.” It’s a fascinating read.
“My favorite Contemporary Christian Artist (Been around for a while and definitely different from everybody else) is Michael Card.”
His Meditation #3 Shema is so beautiful!
I have a personal relationship with God. He is my salvation. That isn’t about me. It’s about Him. Amazing Grace is about the amazing grace of God, not the amazing grace of the person singing the song. God saved me from myself, and it is not self-centered to sing His praises for bestowing His grace upon me.
Perhaps that's why marriage is no longer a popular theme .... there's no other way to say, "I love you", and there's nothing else to say except Jesus loves me, this I know 'cause the bible tells me so
Most "contemporary christian music" (small 'c' intentional) is nothing more than spiritually drippy words set in rock and roll.
There's only one way to say I love you ... or Thanks ... or I'm sorry.
Get over it
All your marvelous electronic devices do is say ... I love you ... or thanks ... or I'm sorry.
Norman Rockwell wrote tomes with one illustration .. we don't need to go forward ... we need to go back ... THAT'S why we are going nowhere.
Interesting article. Not quite sure what to make of it. I think Christian music has vastly improved over the shallow, sound-a-like versions of contemporary music that it used to try to emulate pop trends. Artists like Natalie Grant, Jeremy Camp, and Chris Tomlin bring a fresh and original take on the genre in addition to much needed production values. After not listening to much out there for a long time, they have me paying attention again,
I don’t see anything wrong with a song that’s singing of one’s personal need for Christ. His referring to himself as a “wretch” is a much more accurate description of where we stand before God.
So many modern songs talk about the love we bring to God. There’s one song that goes “I’ll always, I’ll always stand!”
I’m sorry, but we have absolutely nothing to bring the almighty except our pride, our lust, our anger, our hatred, and our sin.
ME, ME, MY, MY, I, I, WE, WE, US, US VERY SELF-CENTERED
So was you first post if you notice.
Moreover, John Newton (1725-1807), whatever his theology (he was, in fact, a Calvinist) could very well have been referring solely or primarily to himself in the lyrics, in using the word "wretch," since it is well-known that he had been involved in the slave trade and had numerous other exceptionally unsavory personal traits (see Wikipedia: "Amazing Grace"). It is commonly thought, anyway, that he had himself in mind.
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