Friday, June 09, 2006

Can Christian Radio Challenge Us?

Back to my angry and ungrateful critique of the industry that helps to feed my family! I’ll probably go down in flames one of these days, but if you are reading this right now then that makes you one of about 5 so I should be in good shape for a bit.

In all seriousness I don’t want to sound angry and ungrateful. I am very honored to work in the areas that I do and I know that there are literally hundreds of guys in Nashville that would die to have the opportunities that I have been given. I don’t view this lightly. I think more than anything I want to document some of the thoughts that are rolling around in my head as I think about our faith and how it is presented in the business of Christianity. On with the negativity!!!



Generally speaking, Christian radio does not challenge. To me this renders it at best a means for encouragement, but at worst just a warm and fuzzy, superficial kind of listening.

One of the main slogans that you frequently hear from one of the Christian radio stations here in Nashville is, “Safe for the whole family”. I understand what they mean when they say that and I totally value the guarding of my ears and ears of my kids from profanity and sexual messages, but maybe we just shouldn’t use the word “safe” when it comes to Christianity. I have to ask, what is safe about the gospel? Would the martyrs listed in the book of Hebrews say it was safe? Would Paul say that the gospel is safe? It certainly wasn’t safe for Jesus. World missions is not safe. The crushing of my pride is not safe. Taking radical risks of faith for the sake of your calling is not safe.

With all it’s good intentions I fear that the underlying message of the “safe for the whole family” may be doing harm than good. I know that I cherish my safety and comfort. It’s the cultural air we breathe in the USA. In one sense I am very thankful for this, but it is also dangerous to my soul because I believe the God’s ultimate aim for his people is far from being “safe”. For the sake of the gospel I think we need less “safety” or cherishing of this ideal and more risk-taking crazy faith-filled endeavors.

Where is the challenge? As Christians don’t we need strong messages to wake us from our slumber and continue to fight for faith in our daily lives? There are some songs that do this and are extremely powerful. Ginny Owen’s “If you want me to” or Casting Crowns (though I’m not a big fan of the music) “If we are the body” are great examples of songs that are allowed to be played on Christian radio that challenge us to live different. (There are probably hosts of others that I am not thinking of) I am very thankful that these messages have gotten through on Christian airwaves. Unfortunately it’s not the norm.

Over the years I have been greatly encouraged by the ministry of John Piper. I know that for the sake of getting people’s attention he often times says things in such a way as to awaken people to say “huh?” This year at Passion06 here in Nashville I know that he had some people thinking that he was straight nuts, but I know this for sure, he got peoples attention and they were talking about it and thinking about it after the conference. This happens all the time in Biblical preaching. Why can’t it happen in Christian music and more specifically on Christian radio? It’s probably because Christian radio is dominated for the most part by money and God-glorifying preaching doesn’t have money as it’s bottom line. I know that music will probably never take the place of strong preaching, but I think that more strong preaching needs to take place in the music that we listen to as Christians.

Where are the messages in music on Christian radio that awaken us and rattle us? I think I fear that Christian radio at times sinks into the “what itching ears want to hear” category. I fear that radio stations are feeling like they have to give us Christians the warm and fuzzy messages that we need to help us “be positive” throughout the day and then the money will keep coming in and it all goes around again. At the end of the day though, I think this renders it potentially meaningless. Unfortunately, growth usually never happens when we are comfortable.

I few months back I turned in a song to my publisher that had the line “Sitting Sunday’s in the front and everyone they know them well, but do they know that their marriage is hell?” I was told that you can’t use the word “hell” in a Christian song. Why not? I could understand it a bit better if you just tell me that it’s not a well crafted line in my song, but please don’t tell me you can’t use very Biblical word “hell” in a song.

Solutions? – Writers need to be able to say things that challenge. Publishers need to take the risk of challenging those who will purchase Christian music. Jointly, writers and publishers need to know that they will have an outlet for this challenge. Radio station owners need to have the courage to give our people maybe a message that is a bit uncomfortable for the sake of growth, and since it’s a business there has to be money given to support it.

4 comments:

Hepzibah The Watchman said...

I agree with you, and where two agree, there God will be.

It is not just the music, but Christian sermons and public prayers are also watered down. We need paressia - boldness. Christians believe that 'putting on Christ' is like putting on a doormat ('just walk all over me - but make me feel good about it').

With fear of offending, Christians have adopted polictical correctness - even with the gospel - but Jesus was never politically correct and offended many.

I am an unpublished author. I recently finished writing my fourth book, and in frustration, I asked God - "What's the point?" His answer - "Does a farmer do more than plant the seed? Is not the germination, growth and harvest left to God? Do what I have placed before you and I will bring the results."

Ask God what he wants from you - then leave the rest to him. May God bless you, indeed.

Lew said...

My fiance and I had a conversation about this topic a couple of weeks ago. We were driving along and had the "family friend" radio station on (ironic, they play Christian music and have Christian programming, but don't call themselves Christian) and it was fund raising week. My fiance made the comment that she would never contribute to them because she'd rather listen to a CD often times then listen to the station because it can be so detrimental.

Her point was that so many of the songs are fluff. They don't present a biblical Christianity, but a bunch of positive thoughts to make us feel good about ourselves. I whole heartedly agree and think that Christian radio is a representation of american christianity, both of which is in a sad state. Gosh, that sounded self righteous, but I hope my arrogance doesn't take away from my point.

Anonymous said...

You mentioned that you were not to use the word "hell" in your song. I would be interested to hear why that is disallowed? I do recall the Derek Webb had similar struggles with the word "whore," although contextually it fit.

I do understand the use of the word "safe" by CR. I've always understood it to mean that you aren't going to hear any old George Michael "Faith" album songs.

I don't mind that the music is fluffy and safe...but won't listen to it much because it is fluffy.

Anonymous said...

it's so easy to become critical of others...especially Christians. I sometimes wonder about the Christian radio station. i listened to this lady dj once...and it made me want to puke. seriously. her soft voice...and her 'let's just pray for that need now.' and...afterwards i felt like crap b/c i wanted to puke b/c some lady wanted to pray for a hurting person. how evil am i? i'm not sure what the answer is on this. is God happy w/ this? are we all just trying to make ourselves feel good? what the heck? why is everything so confusing. why is my heart so critical? i'm not sure....but, i feel i need to repent of this attitude and see that God works through anything and everything and even though i don't like the radio station and this lady's fluffiness... despite it's weaknesses...God is working through it. he can and will. maybe a hurting person will find hope through this program...and who am i to sit and become frustrated? It's all about the healing power offered through the cross. this is all that matters. these are my thougths.