Did you watch Idol Gives Back last night? Did you give? I did, and I hope they surpass last year’s total.
I caught most of the show while I was doing other things. Some of the performances were very good, and Jimmy Kimmel’s assault on Simon was hilarious, although the comments about poking out Paula’s eyes was over the top and crude. (If you saw it, you know whereof I speak; if you didn’t see it, you are better off not knowing.) I was brought to tears with a few of the clips. I was inspired (despite myself) by Brad Pitt. [Note: I read in People Magazine that Pitt and Jolie give over $4 million each year to charity so despite other things about the couple that I cannot respect, I certainly give them kudos for this.]
Dianne asked me: “I’d be interested in hearing what you thought about the finale last night – the final song the Idol contestants sang together. Some Christian number – the name escapes me right now but I thought it was kind of tacky and out of place.”
I had gone into my office, thinking the show was over, and then I heard a choir singing, “Shout to the Lord.” I thought for sure it was an ad for a worship CD or maybe something on the news, but I returned to the living room to make sure. And there they were, the 8 Idol contestants backed up by a large choir.
So what did I think? Well, it was certainly a song I never expected to hear on American Idol, unless another Mandisa comes along. Stunned would be an appropriate description. And what followed was a feeling that it was inappropriate on Idol Gives Back because it wasn’t sung by a group of believers who were truly lifting the Lord’s name in praise. I know there is at least one Christian among the contestants, but I’m sure the majority are not followers of Christ. As for the choir, they could be just entertainers or they could be a Christian choir brought in for the night. Hard to know. They backed up Mariah Carey, too. All the same, it was a little disturbing, seeing Carly wrinkle her nose and belt out some lyrics without any regard evident for what she was saying. (That was just one example.)
On the other hand, Jesus might not be as bothered as I was:
Luke 9:49-50 John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.”
And, of course, the Bible tells us that if we don’t rise up in praise of Him, the very rocks will. The show was telecast all over the world. Maybe if even just one person found their heart responding to the truth it was worth it.
In case you don’t know the song, here are those lyrics:
My Jesus, My Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty loveMy Comfort, My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship YouShout to the Lord, all the earth
Let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love you, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in YOU!
So yes, it seemed an odd choice from the Idol producers or whoever made the decision. I wonder if it wasn’t uncomfortable for the Idol contestants who aren’t believers to sing those lyrics.
Tell me, what do you think?
-rlh-
Actually, Robin, I thought it was fabulous! Of course, I doubt all the contestants are believers but I don’t know either. That is one song that the lyrics could burrow into their brain and maybe reach their heart. How cool would that be? And yes, considering that it’s telecast all over the world? How cool is that?!?! Plus considering Dolly sang her Jesus and Gravity just last week, you never know what impact it could have.
I did not view the show but saw the final clip on Steve Camp’s blog. A subtle but important note: the words were changed to “my Shepherd” instead of my Jesus. That plus the fact that most of the singers were not publicly known to be Christians, makes me wonder?? I’d love to hear “my Jesus” sung. Just some thoughts.
Believe it or not, I used to get frustrated with people who never darkened a church door other than at Christmas or Easter, and I actually begrudged their once or twice a year visit to a church. I felt like everyone (meaning unbelievers) “used” these holidays, “our” holidays”–from corporations to employees expecting automatic vacations to families hypocritically celebrating because they had no faith connection. I’m appalled at my attitude now. I had no understanding and therefore no compassion for the lost in a wealthy nation. I am different now. So, the finale last night did not upset me in the least, but it would have a few years ago. Every one of those singers, believer or not, was born to sing His praies. They did not know it, perhaps, but they were doing what they were born to do last night! It was beautiful. I have faith in my God’s love for and constant wooing of any who do not know him yet–I believe that He used that song to speak into their hearts, maybe awaken an emptiness, a curiosity and desire to know the one about whom these powerful words are written. The more believers draw the line between what’s “ours” and “theirs,” no matter how we couch the terms (as in “inappropriate”) the more we marginalize and alienate. Non-believers (or “pre-believers,” as I have heard them called) feel just as deeply about things as we do. Jesus has so much to offer them, and one way He speaks to musicians is through music–so maybe Carly’s heart was burning with something we know nothing about last night, something between her and Jesus. He works in mysterious ways.
Linda, I agree with you which is why I gave the Scripture I did and said that God could and probably did use it in the hearts of others. Me, I had very mixed feelings. I felt joy because that is such a powerful worship song (even though they removed the name of Jesus). Maybe the dismay came because I was thinking about the “snide” comments that I knew I would read today (and did read) on other blogs.
But hey, Simon really disliked it when Mandisa sang a praise song, and this year, we not only had Shout to the Lord on this program but last week we had Jesus and Gravity from Dolly Parton.
They sang it again tonight, and I am sure they sang the name of Jesus. (I missed them singing it last night, and I did not read this blog post until after I heard them tonight.) I personally loved it. I guess I think the Scripture you quoted really applies here. Who knows exactly WHY the song was chosen or by whom, but God can use it (as He can anything!) to draw both the singers and the listeners to Himself, in spite of any weird motivations. Just my opinion, but you’ve got me thinking the other way, too…. 🙂
I never watch Idol, but I can see both viewpoints here. Sometimes it can bug me to see someone sing a worship or gospel song purely as a show, rather than worship. But other times I have been to secular concerts where they have had a gospel section, and I have truly known the pure power of the Lord is there in the beauty of the performance. I think of times I’ve seen a secular entertainer sing a song like Silent Night so movingly that I just know the Holy Spirit is touching them somehow.
As I started reading your post, Robin, the first scripture that popped into my mind was the one you quoted later on down. I also think of how Jesus’ message is sung all over the world at Christmas by non-believers, but the power of the gospel is there in a way that can’t be stopped. The word never goes out void. Also, I think of movies and TV shows (i.e. Little House, Touched by an Angel) where maybe the actors have no real experience of what they are portraying about the Lord’s grace etc, but as a believer I can really sense the presence of the Lord in it. Sometimes I’m overwhelmed with prayers for the actors, or in this case performers, that the Holy Spirit will speak the truths they are portraying or singing into their hearts. So I guess our response should be to pray for those hearing and those performing…and praise God that songs like that aren’t yet banned here in America on TV.
interesting conversation. i agree with those of you who said we were created to sing his praises and God can certainly use anything to his glory. i think my discomfort was for the performers, in that perhaps they might not be comfortable with such a choice. but then again, that could be true for music of any genre (does genre apply to music?)
I, too, first heard the clip on Steve Camp’s blog. He complained about the substition of “shepherd” instead of Jesus. Camp is big on the name of Jesus being in every song that is sung. I love Steve Camp, but he is also notorious for “throwing the baby out with the bathwater.” And then, lo, and behold, they sing it again on Thursday night, without the substitution! Did they get complaints?? I don’t know. Has anyone seen an explanation for the change between nights?
I saw several of the contestants who appeared to be worshiping while they sang. All of them, at least, appeared to “get into” the singing of the song, but that could, of course, just be good acting. Personally, I think it was cool to see our saviour being lifted up, even if on a secular (and sometimes Godless) tv show. Thing is, I think that a huge number of the show’s audience is Christian, as it is one of the few “family-friendly” shows left to watch. And the competition style, itself, is appealing. Thanks, Robin, for the scripture that mentions Jesus saying that whoever is not against him is for him. Nobody ever quotes that one. In fact, I had to remind my own pastor a few weeks ago that Jesus did, in fact, say that. Most people just remember the quote that says the opposite. We also need to remember that God uses whomever he pleases to work his plan. He even used a talking donkey once, didn’t he?