The Corruption of The Christian Music Industry; East White Oak Bible Church

East White Oak
Bible Church
11922 E. 2000 North Rd.
Carlock, IL 61725-9684

Voice:

309.454.3833

309.376.6771
Fax:

309.376.1208

The Corruption of The Christian Music Industry

Dr. Jeff VanGoethem

There is serious compromise. Most of the Christian music labels have been bought out by secular record companies. This was done because of the profits involved - these larger companies see a way to make money from "Christian" singers. This compromise is of a spiritual nature since Christian musicians are in partnership with unbelieving people in the propagation of the Christian message. This is flabbergasting. What about 2Cor. 6:14? Would we put our local church Sunday School teachers under the direct supervision of secular minded executives?

There are numerous examples of serious moral lapses. Superstars like Sandi Patti, Amy Grant, Michael English, etc. have been involved in well publicized instances of adultery and/or divorce. There are documented cases of cocaine addiction and beer drinking parties on the part of "Christian artists." Almost to a person there has been no discipline or accountability. In fact, after a public admission, it is back to business as usual. In the low the standards of this industry, a public admission and a few public tears equate to biblical repentance. Now of course, those who sin need consolation and restoration in the body of Christ. But do we really think this kind of godly process has happened in most of these cases? If one of our local church pastors or elders were involved in any of these things, would they be back in business within the year with little or no accountability or supervision? If I, as the Senior Pastor of our church, given the prominence I have, was involved in any of these things, I would be finished in vocational ministry for life. How much larger are the profiles of many of these prominent artists who have lapsed? Do you see anything incongruous here?

There are lifestyles modeled in the movement which are antithetical to the Christian faith. We have "Christian alternative" artists today who embrace the lowest common denominator of our society's decadence in the name of Christ: body piercing, tattooing, immodest clothing and dancing, raunchy and shocking language, mosh pit mayhem, men wearing nail polish and eye-liner (transvestitism), etc. Yes, this stuff goes on at "Christian" concerts, even sometimes in churches -- there are numerous bands in this genre with a large number of "fans." The level of discernment is so low that participants rationalize their behavior in the name of "reaching" people in lifestyles which feature this kind of degrading indulgence. Yes, Jesus went out to the tax collectors and the sinners. Yes Paul "became all things to all men, to win some." But did Jesus adopt the dress, language, manners, and lifestyles of tax collectors and prostitutes? When Jesus identified with Matthew, did he sit in the tax booth with him and look the other way as he took bribes and extorted money? Did Paul embrace the full practice of Judaism to reach Jews? Did he bow down to idols to win Gentiles? There is no biblical injunction which permits us to embrace lifestyles antithetical to the faith in order to practice evangelism. How can we win them if we have joined them? And what will we win them to?

There is little accountability. It is clear that many within the industry do not feel they need to be accountable to biblical standards of conduct or doctrine for Christian leaders. There is no system in place of local church supervision. Yet many are viewed as Christian leaders. Think about this: there are many, many Christians, including many young people, who are far more likely to look to Christian artists for their example or inspiration than their own local church pastors or elders. Think about that awhile. Total strangers, about whom we know very little, become the standard for many of our young Christians and many of our church members. Isn't biblical discipleship all about life to life contact with the sharing of hearts and lives?

There is a pronounced disdain of the church. Many within the industry view the music scene as where it is really "at." Music is given over-prominence and the church is viewed as out of it, stodgy, and backwards. I have read many quotes from prominent artists who express these thoughts. They are critics of the church, with virtually no investment in it. Some have stated that God is using them to unify the church around music. Unify the church around music? There's a novel thought. By the way, don't be surprised when you hear these kinds of thoughts and attitudes expressed in the church. Because this industry is subtly corrupting our church people. I see signs of it all the time.

There is biblical and theological ignorance. Proof of this can be gained by reading or listening to the lyrics of many of the songs. I would suggest reading the lyrics since it is often difficult to understand the words when the songs are sung (that is another issue). The Dove awards recently changed their definition of what a "Christian" song is. It used to be a song that was obviously prompted and informed by a Christian worldview. Now it is a song that is apparently prompted by a Christian worldview. The reason for this change was a brouhaha that ensued when along with some others, songs like "Kiss Me" and "Love Me Good" were disallowed under the old definition. Ironically, the year that Michael W. Smith's song "Love Me Good" was disallowed for a Dove Award, it was the number one song on Christian radio! Think about that a while. What does it say about the modern American church?

There is a disregard for the standards and responsibilities of Christian leadership. . I have a lot more respect for a guy like Johnny Cash that many of these "Christian" artists. Cash is a singer and made a living singing plain old ballads and country music. He never stood up and said "I am a Christian singer." He said "I am a singer who is a Christian." He never claimed to be a Christian leader or one committed to propagating the Christian faith. But many of these others proclaim themselves "Christian artists" and thus immediately claim a platform for the Christian faith. That brings with it all the responsibilities of a teacher, pastor, or leader in God's church. If you are a Christian singer, you are proclaiming and representing the faith. Do we think for one moment most of these "artists" comprehend this responsibility? Are they trained in the historic commitments of Christian leadership? Do their lives, teaching and testimonies reflect biblical standards of leadership?

There is a proprietary attitude toward the "product." So merciless are these artists and companies, that we can not even record congregational singing without compensating them. Can you imagine Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby or Isaac Watts adopting such a posture? We should never be deluded that this industry is about ministry. It is about money. The moment that they sell tickets and market their product, and disdain the biblical and historic ethic of God's workers living by the gifts of God's people, they are outside the realm of ministry. This is a corruption of Christian ministry.

There is blatant celebrity-ism at work. . Look at the Dove awards. It is a straightforward aping of the Oscars and all the Hollywood self-congratulation that goes with it. Of all things that need to be abolished, this is exhibit "A." I have read accounts of "Christian" artists arriving in limousines, treating the "little people" like dirt and having all the arrogance and self-infatuation of any of the notorious Hollywood offenders. Are we so far gone that we are not sickened by this?

What should be done about this? Well, at a minimum, as shepherds of the flock, we must guard and protect our own from this corrupting influence. Blow the whistle! Refuse to give in to the corrupt values represented! Teach and enforce biblical standards in the church. Give discernment to the flock. That's why I refuse to moderate on this. As a pastor, I have a responsibility to God to prevent the corruption of God's church.

And it is clear the industry as whole needs total reform. It should be held at arm's length until reform is in place. In my view the following should happen: (1) the "artists" should stop selling tickets and live by the gifts of God's people; (2) there should be a system of local church endorsement and accountability (maybe even something akin to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability); (3) those who set themselves up to be Christian artists should provide a statement of faith and conduct, like all other ministries; (4) Christian artists should withdraw from record companies not owned and operated by Christians.

I am sure there are good and godly people working in this industry. That's fine. I hope their tribe increases and I hope they are able to bring reform. I have heard many attestations to the good many Christians in this industry are trying to do. There is also little doubt that lost people have been and are being evangelized effectively by some in the Christian music industry. Still, notwithstanding these laudable realities, the truth is that any fair scrutiny will conclude that the industry is awash in serious compromise. And it is subtly yet systemically corrupting the church. We need to be on guard. I see a corrupting influence in the church. I see a drift away from biblical standards and discernment. I see music given an overly prominent place - many people think music is really where it is "at." I see people who equate music with worship. I see people who seem to think they need a certain style or a certain song before they can enter into worship. I see a longing for celebrity-ism. I see godly pastors and elders being disdained in favor of "stars." I see feelings and emotions given more prominence that truth. Although not wholly to blame, the modern Christian music industry is part and parcel of this unfortunate and tragic decline.

I'm not interested in giving in to this. Until there is serious reform, we have to do our job of protecting the flock. I'm not interested in seeing the decadent values, shallowness, compromise, sin, and biblical ignorance of this industry come into the church. I urge you to be of the same mind.