I don’t repost or link very often. However, I found Ted Kruck’s article thought-provoking and believe others would appreciate it also. Check it out here.
I am convinced that too many believers are confused about the nature of worship and many churches, musicians, and ministries are simply blurring the line even more.
May 6
Rest assured that she didn’t intend to offend.
Lady Gaga has released a statement to ease the concerns of Christians upset at her latest release. Don’t worry; the music video for Judas was never meant to be “a biblical lesson.” Even though it features a biker gang who wear the apostles’ names on their leather jackets and a leader with a sparkling crown of thorns. In fact, she never even viewed the song as a “religious statement.”
Still, it’s difficult to overlook lyrics that reference Mary’s humble act of washing the feet of Jesus, Peter’s three-fold betrayal, and Judas as “a king with no crown.”
Now we know that it’s only a “metaphor” and “cultural statement.” Does anyone else feel better?
For decades I have heard the cry, “Just change the channel.” If you were upset by the glorification of sin…watch something else. If a song’s lyrics offended you…listen to another station. If you found an image distasteful…simply look away. Yet a contemporary society that professes to want little to do with Jesus Christ continues to return to Him as a theme for artistic endeavors. Paintings, books, songs, films…so many avenues to denigrate, ridicule, and profane.
May I return the same advice to an unbelieving world? Find another subject. Don’t believe in a Creator God? Exclude Him from your book. Refuse the authenticity of Jesus of Nazareth? Find another historical figure to deride in your film. Reject the thought of Christ as the Savior? Leave Him out of your profane song.
However, it may come as a surprise that my real conflict is not with Gaga. Why should we expect anything else? Since when has the world been reverent toward the sacred? The genuine fault is with Christians and our responses.
We chuckle at her dress made out of meat or another outrageous, attention-grabbing stunt. We get excited when Glee promises to cover Born This Way and adjust our schedule so we don’t miss it. (Certainly enough fodder there for a separate article). Teens download the latest offering because everyone else is listening to it. Never mind the message of the lyrics. Christian parents offer only a mild frown of disapproval and declare, “It’s not my style of music, but the kids seem to like it.”
Where is the discernment? Isn’t there enough in what entertains us to disqualify it by scriptural standards? Should it take a blatant slap across the face like seeing your thorn-crowned Savior sitting with a six-pack and a scantily-clad woman draped across Him?
Yes, there really was One who wore a crown of thorns. He sacrificially wore that crown as He hung on a cross. He did that as payment for sin. He did it for you and me (and Lady Gaga, too).
In the song she concludes “I’m just a holy fool.” As long as she (or anyone else) rejects a God who loves her and a Savior who died on her behalf, she’s half right. For that matter, perhaps the title more accurately describes any Christian who’s content to sing along with the world’s message.
Philip. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
On most days the newspaper publishes articles about teenagers who commit a senseless crime against someone else. From theft to violent attacks and even murder, nothing is outside the scope of possibility. While I believe that the news media should report these facts, it breaks my heart to think of the strong bonds of sin that would compel teens to commit such acts. I shake my head and wonder what kind of future they will live out. Even worse, I question what the future holds for our society that produces such young people. We often wring our hands and wonder, “Is there any hope when mere children act in such a fashion?” If we are not careful, we can become discouraged to the point of despondency.
Then I look at the big picture and thank the Lord for His work in our lives. After a week at junior camp, I am reminded of the potential of those young children. What a privilege to see boys and girls trust Christ as their Savior and others dedicate their lives to serving Him. I am convinced that God can protect them from evil influences and set them on a course for an honorable and rewarding life.
I witnessed the hard work of our teen workers who generally serve without reward, or even much recognition. “Move those coolers. Unload that trailer. Set up the equipment so our kids can compete in a game.” Nothing more was needed to set them into action. No paycheck. No rewards from the campers who would benefit. Just a week’s full of humble service – and a lot of bug bites. I am convinced that God kept an accurate record of their labor and will reward far better than we ever could. I also believe that unselfish service is something upon which you can build a fruitful life.
Finally, this morning I sat around a table in the café with three young men. Each is between fifteen and seventeen years old. Each woke up on a Saturday (and a holiday) to attend a monthly prayer breakfast. Each bowed his head and spoke with the Lord, interceding for the needs of others. Each recognized with gratitude the freedoms they enjoyed and the Lord’s provision of them. Each mentioned the spiritual needs of others, either rejoicing over someone’s salvation or requesting that another would respond to the gospel message. In my heart the Lord replaced discouragement with a strong sense of confidence and expectation.
If only a newspaper reporter would have been there to write about them. I could provide him with dozens of similar subjects and hundreds of headlines. I simply would like the world to discover what I was reminded of again this morning. There is always hope – for an individual, a community, or the world – as long as our God is involved.