Skillet is an American Christian rock band of the variety, I'm pretty sure, my parents wouldn't approve. Not soft rock. Not easy listening. Rock. So it might come as a surprise to read what the lead singer, John Cooper, wrote recently on the topic of well-known singers and leaders leaving the faith. Before I proceed, then, understand that I'm saying (for some) "Don't consider the source." Just look at what he wrote. "What is happening in Christianity?" he asked. "Outspoken leaders or influencers who were once 'faces' of the faith are falling away." He comments that it's strange that when they do they seem to do it loudly so they can influence others to do the same. And he specifies that he's speaking to Christians. "When it comes to people within my faith, there must be a measure of loyalty and friendship and accountability to each other and the Word of God." I'm heartened that a Christian rock singer would declare loyalty to "the Word of God."
He goes on to his basic concern. "We must STOP making worship leaders and thought leaders or influencers or cool people or 'relevant' people the most influential people in Christendom." (Emphasis his.) "We are in a dangerous place when the church is looking to 20 year old worship singers as our source of truth." Speaking of singers, he says, "We create a moment and a vehicle for God to speak. However, singers are not always the best people to write solid bible truth and doctrine. Sometimes we are too young, too ignorant of scripture, too unaware, or too unconcerned about the purity of scripture and the holiness of the God we are singing to."
He wonders why those who leave often do so with statements that basically come from Jesus.
They’ll say “I’m disavowing my faith but remember, love people, be generous, forgive others”. Ummm, why? That is actually not human nature. No child is ever born and says “I just want to love others before loving myself. I want to turn the other cheek. I want to give my money away to others in need”. Those are bible principles taught by a prophet/Priest/king of kings who wants us to live by a higher standard which is not an earthly standard, but rather the ‘Kingdom of God’ standard.In today's world his conclusions are simply stunning.
It is time for the church to rediscover the preeminence of the Word. And to value the teaching of the Word. We need to value truth over feeling. Truth over emotion."Preeminence of the Word"?? Can I just say, "Amen"?!!
In closing he writes,
Is it any wonder that some of our disavowed Christian leaders are letting go of the absolute truth of the Bible and subsequently their lives are falling apart? Further and further they are sinking in the sea all the while shouting “now I’ve found the truth! Follow me!!” Brothers and sisters in the faith all around the world, pastors, teachers, worship leaders, influencers…I implore you, please please in your search for relevancy for the gospel, let us NOT find creative ways to shape Gods word into the image of our culture by stifling inconvenient truths. But rather let us hold on even tighter to the anchor of the living Word of God. For He changes NOT. “The grass withers and the flowers fade away, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8)This is some good stuff. This is a firm grasp on the Word and a call for biblical Christianity rather than popular, cultural, or secular Christianity. He is speaking the truth.
Back, then, to considering the source, I am heartened that one in the Christian music industry and even ... dare I say it? ... rock music can be standing on such an important truth calling God's people to God and His Word. In this case considering the source only warms my heart.
10 comments:
As someone who's been a fan of Christian music for years, has friends/acquaintances in the business, I completely agree. Historically church music has been designed to teach theology and those who wrote it held to a high standard. Over the past 30 years, we've lowered the bar considerably for what is acceptable in corporate worship and haven't necessarily been as critical as we should be about the theology of our music. When you add to this the fact that these folks can develop a degree of fame/celebrity, we see stuff like this. It's certainly not new to see these artists take theological detours. But this is particularly interesting because hes stated reason for this change just doesn't make any sense.
I appreciate the guy from Skillet, taking this stand it's definitely needed. I also think we need to do a better job in selecting music for corporate worship. I'm not saying go completely back to hymns, there is plenty of bad in the hymnody as well, just that we need to apply something stronger than the American Bandstand test to songs we use in worship.
I agree wholeheartedly. (I've also noticed a trend in some circles of modern worship music to retune hymns. I like that.)
I also like using updated arrangements of hymns. I've found that they actually get more congregational engagement than many of the contemporary worship songs. I do think that there is a place for new music for corporate worship, and that there is some good music out there.
I also think that there is a vital need for Christians in the arts who can produce art that is of high quality. Whether that is CCM, or music that's not focused at the Church, or movies or books or whatever. I think it's important for Christians to pursue excellence in the arts, while still glorifying God.
In all of that, we definitely need to apply some more thought to what we use in worship.
I also think it's a serious mistake to mix "entertainment" with "worship." I think there is a lot of Christian music out there that is good to listen to -- spiritually entertaining -- but not good for corporate worship. In today's Christian culture we tend to blur the lines.
I was trying to communicate that in my previous comment. But I completely agree. I would expand that to include music, movies, and tv that isn’t explicitly Christian, but comes from a Christian worldview. One reason why I’d draw the line is that when used in worship the nature of the setting gives a level of endorsement to the theology in the music that may not be warranted.
I will say that there are definitely musicians out there that are much closer to the guy you quoted than to the Hillsong guy.
Just saw Tait on Fox and Friends say “If it’s Christian it ought to be better.”.
Can’t atg with that.
argue
I totally agree with the overall sentiments expressed in the post and comments following. I have a bit of a problem, however, with the idea of mixing entertainment with worship. That is, I have no problem with attempts to do so, so long as the Word is paramount and not diminished in order to entertain. If the Word can be presented in an entertaining way, all the better, for who prefers being bored to tears?
I remember the Whoopie Goldberg movie, "Sister Act". I found it very entertaining, though not at all something I would call a religious or "Christian" movie or message. But it is relevant here with regards to entertainment.
Assuming you're unfamiliar, the movie deals with a woman who is running from her mobster boyfriend after witnessing a murder and is in a kind of witness protection program by posing as and living with nuns in a convent serving a failing Catholic Church in the inner city. Being an "entertainer", she is encouraged to join the choir, which is horrendous. She is allowed to take over and whips the nuns into a tight and melodic choir of angels, so to speak. As they present themselves for their first "show"ing at the next available and routinely poorly attended service, their much improved singing attracts attention and the pews begin to fill.
Many people avoid church because it's boring to them. Many avoid coming to hear the word on the invitation of friends concerned for their salvation because the very thought is torturous to them. But to walk into a service and be greeted by good music well performed alters that perception dramatically, and keeps their attention long enough to get to the point...the reading of the Word and the following sermon that will hopefully show believers how it applies to their lives.
A good performance serves the idea of evangelism. It just shouldn't be the focus. But it does deserve to be on the list of how to do it. And while service is for the members and those who already believe, it also has a place in evangelizing.
Just some thoughts.
"Argue," Craig. Yes, I was able to translate.
Marshal, I'm talking about putting songs intended as entertainment into a venue intended for corporate worship. I'm talking about asking the church to sing things that only a well-trained, experienced singer can pull off. And I'm talking about the mixed intentions of entertainment -- aimed at amusing people -- and worship -- aimed at glorifying God. Two cross purposes.
The modern premise of the seeker-sensitive church is to compete with secular entertainment by providing "spiritual" entertainment. On the surface the approach seems sound, but in practice it hasn't worked. Churches attempting to be more entertaining are not producing more believers or more depth of faith.
If you're talking about inviting someone to a concert that has a salvation message hidden in their music, I'm fine with that. It's not worship. It's not aimed at that. But when we aim worship at entertaining the masses, we've completely, absolutely missed the point.
I agree that Christian worship should be done with excellence and in a way that engages the worshippers in more closely following God. As long as that is the goal and preaching the Word to equip the saints, I think that there is room for creativity.
It seems like this is a difficult course to walk and often ends up being more about creating celebrities and focusing on people rather than God.
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