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Friday, July 13, 2012

Be Careful What (Christian) Music You Listen To...

Spoke at the Lighthouse youth group in Paola, Ks Wednesday.

The director asked me to talk about music, and making decisions on what to listen to and what not to listen to.

I did.

I also mentioned that we (not "they") need to be discerning regarding "Christian" music.

To me it has nothing to do with loudness, beat, or any of that other closet-racism stupidity.

It does have to do with the lyrics, and what the song is "teaching."

Afterward a young lady asked me for an example.

I said that, off the top of my head, one of the dumbest songs I've ever heard is sung (and I assume written) by Michael W. Smith. This is not an attack on Smitty...I watched him when he was keyboardist for a teen girl named Amy Grant...

But this song is screwy. Won't bother to say why...listen to/read the lyrics and think (it took the senior high girl a little while to see what was goofy with the song):



6 comments:

Unknown said...

I don't get it Jack -- what part is screwy? The "thought of me" part?

Unknown said...

Oh yes! That song drives me crazy!

Richard said...

Paul Baloche Lyrics

Annie Law said...

Jack,

I listened carefully to the song three times in a roll and cannot figure out what you perceive to be screwy. The only thing I could think of might be that he didn't mention Jesus rising from the grave? Other than that I'm totally
mystified. Could you please tell us what it is you find screwy... What am I missing? As a rose trampled on the ground? That sounds right to me. He has been called the Rose of Sharon and His name has been and still is trampled on the ground by many. I would really be interested to know what caused you to think this because I will have no rest until I figure it out. Please inform us. We will still love you. ;)

Jack Hager jack.hager@gmail.com said...

"He thought of me above all"...I am not saying beloche or whoever wrote it was intentionally screwy; but that is a rather human centered approach to the gospel..Jesus was obedient to the Father's will..dressed himself in our filth so God's wrath could be executed on Him...Jesus took what we deserve so we could have what He deserves...but it was not because He thought of "us" above all..but because He was obedient; even unto death on a cross...

Annie Law said...

Thank you, Jack, for the explanation.

I guess I didn't see that because I was looking at it from a different angle. When the Godhead planned a way of salvation before the world began, it was to deal with man's sin. In this way, it was because of us (our sin), but also for us (our salvation), so that we could have a relationship with the Father through the Son, Jesus Christ. It was determined the cross and shedding of blood was the only way. A perfect, sinless sacrifice would be needed to satisfy the justice of a holy God who cannot have sin in His presence. Therefore He came to earth to become the sinless Lamb of God, to die in our place. He could have just let us all go to hell, but instead chose to die in our place. In this sense He thought of us above all. At the same time, I see your view because everything is for God's glory and purpose, not ours. Thanks again for the explanation. I like your blogs.