Christian Artists Music/Lifestyle

[n david]

There was a question posed to a group on FB and I thought it might be an interesting discussion here.

"""How do you all separate the life-style of the composer, musician, singer, band, etc. from the fantastic songs?"""

An example given was Israel Houghton, who has authored many songs sung in churches all around the country. He admitted to having an adulterous affair with a singer from his group and divorced his wife back in 2016. Around the same time and even prior to the divorce, he had met and began dating singer/actress Adrienne Bailon (Cheetah Girls, 3LW). Houghton was removed from his position at Lakewood (Joel Osteen's church) because of the divorce and rumors of infidelity which was later confirmed by Houghton.

I haven't listened to any of his new songs/albums since all that was revealed. Personally I won't support an artist who continues business as usual, showing little to no remorse, contrition, repentance, etc. They were posting photos of them vacationing on some island before they were married and within weeks of the divorce being official. He recorded another album but the tour was cancelled last year.

Same with VY, who has been on a crusade to "expose" her former lover after finding out she was a side chick. Her video and an interview she did online show no remorse for her sinful actions. Little is said about her sin, but instead the focus has been on him and how many women (and now allegedly men) with whom he's fornicated.

Again, the question:

"""How do you all separate the life-style of the composer, musician, singer, band, etc. from the fantastic songs?"""

Or is that considered at all?

[Scott Pitta]

When I was a youngster, I rubbed shoulders with people in show biz. Their private lives are none of my business. I do not pry, judge, or keep track of what anyone does off screen.

Enjoy the art. Ignore the rest.

[n david]

There was a man who preached at the church my father pastored. He was a DJ for a christian radio station and met most of the popular artists back in the 80s and 90s. He wouldn't listen to any CCM or christian radio because of his interactions with the artists. Said most are fake and not Christian at all, just using the genre to get a paycheck and have popularity.

Was especially critical of Amy Grant, Michael W Smith, TobyMac, and some others.

[Evang.Benincasa]

There was a man who preached at the church my father pastored. He was a DJ for a christian radio station and met most of the popular artists back in the 80s and 90s. He wouldn't listen to any CCM or christian radio because of his interactions with the artists. Said most are fake and not Christian at all, just using the genre to get a paycheck and have popularity.

Was especially critical of Amy Grant, Michael W Smith, TobyMac, and some others.

King David wrote a good portion of the Psalms and he was a murderer and adulterer. Most famous people are creeps. When you listen to Christian contemporary music they usually sing about being so blown up in sin, and God's mercy towards them. I would think because they are struggling with issues and therefore it comes out in their music. Casting Crowns song Voice of Truth has lyrics about a pretty sketchy walk with Jesus. I like the song, I understand what it is trying to say, but mainstream Christain music is pretty much focused on those lines. It might be because these song writers are struggling with their lives. Song writer who is a drinker, druggy, or living in blatant sin could be recognizing their life and while they don't line up with Christ, they are singing more about His mercy (that they are hoping they can get) rather than they lining up with the giver.

[Scott Pitta]

Most famous people are not creeps.

Those I rubbed shoulders with were ordinary people. People with the same hopes and dreams, same struggles and issues as everyone else.

The difference was their socio-economic condition.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Most famous people are not creeps.

Those I rubbed shoulders with were ordinary people. People with the same hopes and dreams, same struggles and issues as everyone else.

The difference was their socio-economic condition.

Scott, I have worked for them.

Let me tell you something Scott, every man's own perception is their reality. So, I will leave it at that. If all you could glean from my post was to defend the rich and famous, then you must of been focusing on only that. Go find Harry Morse.

[aegsm76]

Most famous people are not creeps.

Those I rubbed shoulders with were ordinary people. People with the same hopes and dreams, same struggles and issues as everyone else.

The difference was their socio-economic condition.

Have to say my experience was totally different.
Most celebs are jerks.
Not all, but most.
However, in their own field they may be a genius.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Have to say my experience was totally different.
Most celebs are jerks.
Not all, but most.
However, in their own field they may be a genius.

Yes, most, not all. I have found the longer they have been popular the more out of touch they become.

[Steven Avery]

Was especially critical of Amy Grant, Michael W Smith, TobyMac, and some others. Michael Card and Don Francisco seemed different. Michael Card later did an album with John Michael Talbot, which was a bit strange. Don Francisco had personal life struggles and came back some years later, with schmaltzy doctrine.

Keith Green. Second chapter of Acts, Lamb. Each situation is unique. We can agree that the commercial singing is checkered today.

[Michael The Disciple]

There was a man who preached at the church my father pastored. He was a DJ for a christian radio station and met most of the popular artists back in the 80s and 90s. He wouldn't listen to any CCM or christian radio because of his interactions with the artists. Said most are fake and not Christian at all, just using the genre to get a paycheck and have popularity.

Was especially critical of Amy Grant, Michael W Smith, TobyMac, and some others.

Amy was a favorite of mine during the Jesus Movement. When she decided to do "crossover" she began to fade. Never been a Michael Smith fan. Dont know much about Toby Mac.

Dom made a great point about King David. He fell into sin for a season but repented and lived a life of holiness thereafter. His praise and worship are enjoyed by millions today.

There are songs I like by people I may NOT like.

Some songs are great because of an anointing from God. Some are great because of the words. Some are great because of the singers voice, passion, or style.

We can be moved by any of these.

Yes I find myself at times separating the song from the singer.

[consapente89]

I don't follow modern music at all. Every now and then one of our young people will bring a song to me and ask if we can do it in church and I will look it up and listen to it. I don't know the artists so I don't know their lifestyle. My decision is always based on the sound of the song and the lyrics. Does it glorify God or flesh? Is it proclaiming a biblical truth? That being said, I frequently discourage our young people from listening to music by bands that dress and act like queers, devil worshippers, punks or thugs.

Personally, I think too much emphasis is placed on music in the Pentecostal church. If music would be secondary to prayer and preaching, I believe we would see a lot more discernment in the songs that are being sung and many times "performed" in our churches. JMHO

[jediwill83]

I don't follow modern music at all. Every now and then one of our young people will bring a song to me and ask if we can do it in church and I will look it up and listen to it. I don't know the artists so I don't know their lifestyle. My decision is always based on the sound of the song and the lyrics. Does it glorify God or flesh? Is it proclaiming a biblical truth? That being said, I frequently discourage our young people from listening to music by bands that dress and act like queers, devil worshippers, punks or thugs.

Personally, I think too much emphasis is placed on music in the Pentecostal church. If music would be secondary to prayer and preaching, I believe we would see a lot more discernment in the songs that are being sung and many times "performed" in our churches. JMHO


Ok before you get into my reply...Im not accusing you of having any of these mindsets. Just kinda processing.



I think that since people associate a platform with ministerial approval...that in itself opens the door to a lot.


Take into account where the early church had a entirely different setup...things were weighed and judged as they were presented...we got stuff being presented in ways it shouldnt by people that shouldnt singing things they shouldn't and Lord help us if we "quench the Spirit" which usually means"We got goosebumps happening at regular intervals lets just keep following the feeling and dont do anything to mess it up."


There are some music that I like more than others but my #1 question is "Is this spiritually profitable to me and is it truth?"


Whether or not it "sets the mood" concerns me not at all because God is God despite my mood and Ive had too many times where unaided He made Himself known with no music....no props....just me by myself and a God that loves me and any music would have just been getting in His way.


I think we need to get back to the purpose of why we meet together in the first place...are we to dance around our altar to try and wake God up and make a ruckus until we do?


Seems alot like the strategy of a team that lost that particular encounter...so once we cut out the mindset that,"We need to bring God down" THEN some things naturally start dropping a few levels down the totem pole of importance and priority.


"Well yes they are living in sin but we need talent."


Why? Cause you've fed into this mindset of we have to respond a certain way and build this atmosphere to get His attention so that then He will "come down" and meet with us.


Im not accusing you of having this mindset cons...just processing the topic out "loud".

[hometown guy]

I don't follow modern music at all. Every now and then one of our young people will bring a song to me and ask if we can do it in church and I will look it up and listen to it. I don't know the artists so I don't know their lifestyle. My decision is always based on the sound of the song and the lyrics. Does it glorify God or flesh? Is it proclaiming a biblical truth? That being said, I frequently discourage our young people from listening to music by bands that dress and act like queers, devil worshippers, punks or thugs.

Personally, I think too much emphasis is placed on music in the Pentecostal church. If music would be secondary to prayer and preaching, I believe we would see a lot more discernment in the songs that are being sung and many times "performed" in our churches. JMHO

Agree with you 100%.

[Esaias]

Ok before you get into my reply...Im not accusing you of having any of these mindsets. Just kinda processing.



I think that since people associate a platform with ministerial approval...that in itself opens the door to a lot.


Take into account where the early church had a entirely different setup...things were weighed and judged as they were presented...we got stuff being presented in ways it shouldnt by people that shouldnt singing things they shouldn't and Lord help us if we "quench the Spirit" which usually means"We got goosebumps happening at regular intervals lets just keep following the feeling and dont do anything to mess it up."


There are some music that I like more than others but my #1 question is "Is this spiritually profitable to me and is it truth?"


Whether or not it "sets the mood" concerns me not at all because God is God despite my mood and Ive had too many times where unaided He made Himself known with no music....no props....just me by myself and a God that loves me and any music would have just been getting in His way.


I think we need to get back to the purpose of why we meet together in the first place...are we to dance around our altar to try and wake God up and make a ruckus until we do?


Seems alot like the strategy of a team that lost that particular encounter...so once we cut out the mindset that,"We need to bring God down" THEN some things naturally start dropping a few levels down the totem pole of importance and priority.


"Well yes they are living in sin but we need talent."


Why? Cause you've fed into this mindset of we have to respond a certain way and build this atmosphere to get His attention so that then He will "come down" and meet with us.


Im not accusing you of having this mindset cons...just processing the topic out "loud".

:thumbsup :yourock

[jediwill83]

:thumbsup :yourock


I give annoying insufferable barely coherent rants