American Idol and Shout To The Lord, Take 2

Did you get a chance to see this last night's American Idol results show? The producers decided to open the show with "Shout To The Lord" again. This time when the final 8 sang it it had the correct word in the first line (My Jesus, My Savior). I, for one, applaud their willingness to correct the change they'd made originally. And God was again glorified before millions.

What do you think? Do you think this was a good move by the producers of American Idol?

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Comments (31)

It was a good move, and it shows that they really are trying to target mainstream Christians. I'm still not comfortable with worship music being "performed" like this (this is why I have qualms with some of the CCM industry), but I don't doubt God can use it to His glory.
You're pleased that they are "trying to target mainstream Christians"? You like that, to them, God is a marketing strategy? Here's what happened: they put their fingers in their mouths, held them up to test the winds, determined that some people were raising a stink about "Shepherd" instead of "Jesus", calculated their potential lost revenue and audience share, and decided to change the lyric.

I've gone from really disliking the whole thing to being pretty ambivalent about American Idol and somewhat disturbed at the reaction of the Christian community. At least I can excuse the show's co-opting a Christian worship song as intelligent marketing; they are in the business to make money and have no obligation to any religious beliefs otherwise. I don't know why Christians would be outraged that they took out "Jesus" in the first place (what do you expect?) or overjoyed that they played the song (trust me, it's "just a song" to them, no worship or God-glorifying going on) or relieved that they corrected the lyric (to pander to a marketing group).
As for secular coopting of Christian material for marketing purposes, like you I also have a healthy degree of cynicism. But consider that God can use ANYTHING, like Thorpe.

George Whitefield, the famous British travelling preacher in 1700's England/America, preached several times a day before thousands, but some would laugh and mock.
At Rotherham some men met in a tavern, making bets to see who could best mimic his sermons. Each had to stand on a table, open the Bible and pretend to preach like Whitefield, while the others laughed.
One named Thorpe was the last to act. He jumped onto the table saying, "I will beat you all." He opened the Bible and read the first verse he saw, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."(Luke 13:3) Suddenly he realised the solemn truth of the text, and was deeply convicted of his lost condition. He tried to preach, but instead of mocking, he spoke very seriously. A solemn quietness spread over the whole group, and those who'd come to scoff went away in tears.
Thorpe was saved by the Lord, later laboring for many years as a faithful preacher of the gospel.

Who knows who might've been touched by this arguable "mockery" of the truth of Christ sung on national television?
He works in misterious ways and in ways we will never know until we stand before him. The fact that it was sang again is a tribute to God and his never ending, ever giving love for us. In God's Grace John
Yes, I sure do!
I, for one, was thrilled that they saw the error, and downright silliness, of their ways. It was nice to hear the real lyrics, even though everything the program does is overdone and flashy.
I never watch American Idol so I'm glad I found the link here in the blogosphere. I thought their presentation of the song was very good. And didn't Paul say that however the gospel was proclaimed (for good or evil intents?) that that was great.

That's where I'll stand with it.
Yes, it was definately the right thing to do. Give credit where credit is due. Just listen to the words and worship JESUS. He is our Savior and Lord.

Amen
I was disappointed that they changed the original lyric. In fact, it sort of made me mad. But, like my wife said, "Why bother to sing it at all, correct lyric or not??" I don't watch American Idol to meet the next mega-uber-worship star. Heck, I don't even watch American Idol to meet the next mega-uber-anything. While there have been a FEW success stories from American Idol (Clarkson, Underwood, and Daughtry), I'm still not convinced it is lasting success. I highly doubt any of them will be household names in 20 years like the Rolling Stones, Beatles, George Straight, or Reba McIntyre. I also highly doubt that any of them are ever enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Of course, I'm also quite confident that in 20 years we won't remember "Shout to the Lord" let alone the controversy that was brought on by its lyrics being changed on American Idol.
"Shout to the Lord" is a song that has been aroundd for over a decade now. It's one of the most popoular worship song in the 90s, and is still used by many churches in the world as part of their worship services and small group gatherings. To say that it will be forgotten in 20 years' time is a bold, sweeping statement.
Philippians 1:15-18: It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

If it's good enough for the Apostle Paul, it's good enough for me :)
I loved it. Here's why. In the months before I met the Lord I heard Canned Heat singing "Spirit in the Sky", terrible theology, so-so rock band, new agey, but it got me thinking about the Lord. Same with the pop song "Jesus is just all right with me". I kept feeling that God was dropping all these clues. It seemed everywhere I turned I heard the name Jesus or words like Lord. Someone was trying to give me a message. It was my Father telling me He loved me in a thousand different ways.

Plus, one day every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Thy were just practicing for that day.

I Loved it.
I do think that in terms of what matters---the Gospel spread---it is a net benefit that the song was sung on American Idol. And this would have been true even if they hadn't chosen to elide the word "Jesus" the first time around. Many people who have never heard that song, or at least who have never considered it seriously, were exposed to a powerful declaration of Jesus Christ. Even with that one word deleted, it is hard to argue that someone would not know whom the song was about. What is more, it will be downloaded via iTunes, watched via YouTube, and discussed on blogs. (Indeed, blogs are the only reason I was aware of it!) The Gospel was, indeed, spread.

Christians need to be careful here, for two reasons. For one thing, I think it is pretty much beyond dispute that there was a strong marketing motivation for choosing this song. Christians are apparently a big part of their audience, and they want you to keep watching! They're wooing you. And on that score, I hope that those who watched it live were shaken awak eby Ben Stiller's f-bomb-laden performance that followed. Hopefully the severe shift provided some clarity: this is still cheap entertainment, gospel song or no.

And speaking of shaken, my second caution: Christians should be on the lookout for nonbelievers in their midst who were also shaken by that show---but rather, by the song and its gospel message. If their hearts were tugged, they may be looking for people to talk to about it. You could be one of those people. Be ready and willing!
Though it's not exactly the same as preaching, the Apostle Paul in In Philippians 1:15 - 17 rejoices and praises God that Christ is preached, whether in pretense or in truth. I feel kind of the same way about this. Some certainly sang it in pretense, and some likely sang it in truth; but, I praise God that the glory of Christ of declared. And, certainly some will be offended. Any declaration of the glory of the Lord in a public arena will create that.

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