 CCM
Parables are stories meant to teach a specific moral point. Jesus often utilized parables to teach by sharing stories that did not really happen but made the point. However, sometimes real stories and events can also be used to convey a moral message, just like a fictitious story. Over the last 60 years with the Christian culture of the western world and especially America, Contemporary Christian music has become a source for many believers of positivity, encouragement, and entertainment. But along with those good things have also come scandals, crises, and apostasies. My point in this post is not to throw the baby out with the bathwater but rather to think through how to guard our own hearts from the dangers of celebrity/ influencer culture. The music is not really the point. This post probably could be about the Christian film industry or celebrity pastor culture. But we must be on guard against being swept up in a fad, trend, or movement instead of following Christ our faithful shepherd! Down with the DC Talk In 1990, DC Talk released their second album “Nu Thang” which included the track “Down with the DC Talk”. The song was referencing that the group was breaking with the secular cultures rude and vulgar language in favor of decent christian talk. Many of the songs that the group released over the years dealt with the themes about being on guard against the temptations of fame and wealth as well as the need to strive for holiness through Christ. Some of their songs seemed to almost be a plea to their fellow musicians to flee the temptations to sell out to the mainstream but softening their boldness for Christ. Alas, over the thirty years since DC Talk’s most famous album “Jesus Freak” was released this band themselves have become a parable about everything that they had decried and warned against during those early years of zeal and faithfulness. In this post I want to just take note of where the three members of the group are today and the warning that this should be for all of us to flee presumptuous sins (Psalm 19:12-14) and heed the instruction of Scripture about our own susceptibility to slip and fall (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). Kevin Max Anyone who has listened to much of the DC Talk collection of material will easily remember the unique and powerful voice of Kevin Max Smith. After DC Talk, Kevin went on to have a successful solo career and was lead singer for Audio Adrenaline for a few years (2012-2014). However, according to his own confession his faith has evolved even to the point that he considers himself “exvangelical” and affirms a concept of a “Universal Christ.” My point is not to throw stones at Kevin Max or claim that I have the information or understanding of his life to assess the validity of his relationship to Christ, but his trajectory has not been one of biblical or theological faithfulness. Michael Tait Michael Tait has been the longtime lead singer of the decades old band the “Newsboys”. Most younger listeners probably associate him more with the Newsboys than DC Talk if they even know about DC Talk. Until recently most fans and average listeners would have probably considered him to be the model of a person who has remained relevant and in the spotlight of the CCM culture for decades with any scandal or controversy. However, in the last several weeks startling and sinful reports have come out against him leading to major distribution companies deplatforming his music. Of course, what is true or what is alleged may be difficult to discern but evidence seems to show that Tait was leading a long term double life. To my knowledge Michael Tait did confess and repent on instagram of these sins and so we should all hope for the fruit of true repentance and the transforming power of the gospel. But the lessons about the dangers of fame and fortune are still clear for the wise to heed. Toby Mac I chose to consider TobyMac at the end because thanks be to God, he has largely remained faithful amidst an exceptionally successful career. But his life has not been without its great struggles either. In 2019 he lost his 21 year old son. This kind of hardship and tragedy is not unique to fame and fortune and does not itself carry the same kind of warning as the early accounts about Tait and Max. Yet this does remind us that fame and fortune do not protect us against the struggles and hardships that are common to the human condition. Jesus Freaks The point I am calling us to understand is that it is fine for us to have singers or bands or podcasts or speakers or blogs or influencers or actors, that we prefer but we must remember that as Christians we must evaluate everything according to the standard of the Scripture and remember that our full allegiance must be given to Jesus Christ alone. Those who follow Jesus unashamed and unreserved are the true Jesus Freaks!
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