“Some Christians are upset—because they left out Jesus, because non-Christians were singing a song of “praise”, because it was all about money, because it’s another example of Christianity being “censored.” Other Christians are elated—because they put Jesus back in, because a praise song was heard by millions of people, because they see this as incredible evangelistic platform.
I guess I’m not really at home with either group. With all due respect, I don’t think that having a song like Shout to the Lord sung (even though I like it) is going to usher in revival. This reminds me of the fervor before the movie The Passion of the Christ was released. People spoke about this movie as if it was the ultimate opportunity for the gospel to advance. I don’t think it was. Was I glad that it was released? Sure. But I think that it’s too easy for Christians to think that any moment in the media spotlight on TV or in film is a bigger deal than it really is. We should welcome any opportunity for media to help spread the good news about Jesus, but I don’t think we should put too much stock in that vehicle. The gospel is going to advance as it always has—steadily as it is clearly proclaimed by believers in their words and modeled by their lives and actions. The gospel advances as local congregations receive and live God’s word for their neighbors to see.
So I’m more excited about Christians inviting their unbelieving friends over to watch American Idol together so they can build friendships and establish a platform for sharing the gospel in that relationship than I’m excited about an occasional worship song being sung on the show. If both happen, that’s cool, too.”
ht: Justin Taylor
Good example of the various apologetical methodologies.
Your observation illustrates how one’s starting point impacts their ending point, in this sense their ontological view. The”some people” in your statement would fall into the rationalism camp or evidential camp.
God can work through a song…but there’s a lot of songs. I think the impact of a “Christian song” on national TV gives it street cred. Yet…street cred isn’t dying to self and taking up your cross.
In the end, it comes back to relationship on the horizontal level…being ready to make a defense…to have a conversation with someone about the song, etc.
I think inviting someone over to watch is the hardest thing. What you’re saying is, “Enter my world, see how I live, see my wife & kids…” If that ain’t in order, what are you really sharing anyway?
Last week’s Desperate Housewives (my wife makes me watch, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it) had one of the characters asking why God allows suffering and some answers were actually given (theodicy?).
Though the American Idol song seemed disingenuous, I think it’s great that it gets people talking. It opens up the opportunity to bring it up around the water cooler at work.