The War of The World

Many of you are familiar with “The War Of The Worlds”, the recently released Steven Spielberg movie starring Tom Cruise. Some of you (Those of you who are really old! Hey I’m just joking.) remember the mass hysteria created by Orson Welles radio broadcast in 1938 from New York. People really thought we we’re being invaded by some aliens (the really illegal type).

Well, I’m not old enough to remember the Orson Welles deal, but The War of The World thing this article is about is the one where battle lines have been drawn in the Christian music community about bands that cross over from predominately Christian venues to secular venues. You know, when you maybe saw a really cool band play at your church or a Christian music festival, and the next time you hear about them they have a huge hit on secular radio, and you never see them at your church again.

Some International examples are U2, and Jessica Simpson. Some National examples are Switchfoot, and P.O.D.

Well let’s dive in! What side do you want to be on? I usually enjoy a good-clean debate. Just make sure you keep it clean, I don’t want anyone wondering about the way you’re debating me.

I’m falling in on the side of hey, I love you guys, and I love the aforementioned artists. I really think its cool that the Church can count U2 and the others as brothers and sisters who have gone into the world. This is what Jesus did, right?

We all know plenty of Christians who have fallen short. After all, “we all fall short of the glory of God”. I can’t count the number of testimony’s I’ve heard where a friend was on fire for the Lord, he falls short, and finds his way back. These kinds of stories are legend; I mean really!

I have read many articles about U2, Switchfoot, and the others. After all that is the business I’m in. But what I have learned is that some of them are still very strong in their faith, they are just performing to larger audiences, and some of the others are just in their falling short period (Let’s pray for them!).

Being a writer for a Christian music magazine, I have been behind the scenes of large and small Christian music events. I have been behind the scenes in many of our Churches. Here is what I have found out; ‘It is sometimes easier doing business with secular music promoters and managers than Christian ones' (Hey, I said sometimes!).

Yea, I know that our brothers and sisters are the good guys, and the secular guys need some truth (The truth!), but lets be real. We are in a battle to win souls, and it sure makes sense to go into the world to do it. If you’re availing yourself of God’s will in your life, then he will use you, and he will use you in ‘The Battle of The World!’

Okay, so lets give U2, Switchfoot, P.O.D, the Skateboard Dude with the spiked hair, the Goth stand out, and yes; even Jessica Simpson, a big hug. Let’s not be like the blue haired ladies, and judge others when they walk into our church (Oh man, I just slammed the blue haired ladies; sorry ladies!).

-by da MC