Let me first say that there is nothing worse than typing a page worth of thoughts, only to have them vanish when the computer farts. I want to relay something I read recently, which caused me to think that Christian bands playing "positive" music, not naming Jesus, not talking about sin, judgement, salvation, etc is effective. As of today, this is where I stand.
I was watching Skillet's "Hero" video on YouTube. Some posted comments caught my eye. These comments were made by secular people, who had no idea that Skillet was a Christian band, had Christian members, or Christian lyrics. One poster said, and I quote, " I had no idea Hero was about God". The poster thought that Skillet's songs "should be offensive to anyone who isn't a Christian". This bothered me. Shouldn't bands with large audiences take the time to give an explanation?
Any lost person can be positive all day long, do good things, even be more good than the Christian struggling in their walk, but still bust hell wide open. Why would Christians find it acceptable to give the world a coded message, to make a commercially viable product sell easier? Thoughts?
Here is some history fer-ya'. Elvis re-recorded his vocals over some of a recorded and released Imperials record. Elvis gave the Imperials, JD Sumner & the Stamps Quartet a venue, a show within the show, to sing and do what they were all about. Elvis was instrumental in putting Christian music, contemporary Christian music specifically, in front of the masses. He always gave time for Christian music. He always gave time for the message of Jesus. Elvis, in his heart, while living like a rock star, would not think twice about covering up the Gospel. Why is it that these modern bands find it necessary to do so?
As of 10/09/11
The Bible is clear. God is a just god. We reap what we sow. We earn blessings, rewards, cursing, etc. We will answer for what we have done with what we have been given. This is haunting. It is a daunting task to make use of every minute of every day, to carry out the "Great Commission", the "Greatest Commandment" and all of the other stuff we are obliged to do. We commit sins of omission and commission. But, God is a loving god, who has freely given us grace. We do not have a license to do what we want. But, we can rest in the fact that God is God, and nothing gets by him. His work will be done, with or without us.
That said. My views have not changed. If you are a Christian artist, and you claim to be in the music biz for the sake of ministry, then do your thing. It never fails. Often I hear artists and fans of artists/bands wondering on forums about success. They want to know why some bands never made it as big as others, or why some bands received a bloody head from the Church, while doing the Lords work. It is simple for me to see. The more like the world you are, the more successful you will be. The more like Jesus you are (and blatant), the less successful you will be in the music business.
Few lost people want to pay hard earned money to be preached at. They want to hear their music, which enables them to elevate their lifestyle. Lost people make the music biz go 'round. Heck, even the Christian companies are owned by lost people and secular corporations. The Christian publishers are owned by lost people. I could take point out a bit more. Christian music is a minuscule percentage of the global music and entertainment market. Relatively few people who call themselves Christians listen to Christian radio, or buy the media. It is a hyper niche market, and people should not be surprised that there isn't much money there.
The music industry has changed, and has shrunk. We are buying nine BILLION dollars less music than we were one decade ago. Combine that with a failed economy, less discretionary income, natural disasters, etc, etc....there is less money to get from a Christian audience. So, if you are in music to make money, look elsewhere. If you are going to be in it to minister, learn to live a modest life. Whatever you do, please do not water down the message and dial back your life to be accepted for cash. You will be the biggest whore of all, for something that will burn in the big fire.
