« Loud Music Suit Filed Against Church | Home | Possible Perspective of Darlene Zschech »
“Shout to the Lord” on Tonight’s “American Idol”
By Jennifer McClure | April 9, 2008
Word on the Web is tonight’s “American Idol,” the special “Idol Gives Back” episode, will conclude with the worship song “Shout to the Lord” by Hillsong/Integrity’s Darlene Zschech. According to a few bloggers who claimed to have attended the show and a press release, the show was recorded Sunday at Los Angeles’ Kodak Theatre.
So I’m curious as to why this song. Though it is undeniably strong and powerful both lyrically and musically, I find it interesting that such a blatantly worshipful, praise-giving-to-God song was chosen. I’m just not sure how I feel about it.
On one hand, it’s great exposure for a beautiful Christian song that shows love, respect and awe for God. On the other hand, is it just a ploy the executives chose to appeal to a Christian audience in order to boost ratings? And still on the other hand, was there a Christian somewhere involved in the makings of this night who believed having this song sung might impact viewers for Christ?
I guess whatever the motivation for concluding “Idol Gives Back” with “Shout to the Lord,” God can use it. Perhaps I should go even further to say that it definitely opens a door or provides a springboard for a God-centered conversation with friends and family who aren’t Christians.
Topics: News |
April 9th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I question Fox’s motives behind the entire show of Idol Gives Back, to tell you the truth. I think it’s to get higher ratings and more publicity more than it is about helping the children. I guess it doesn’t matter that much since the result is that children are being helped and that’s what is important. I don’t know, I suppose I just respect someone more who does it just for the cause and not for the attention.
That said, who knows why they’re using Shout to the Lord. A couple weeks ago (during Dolly Parton week) they had a band on there singing This Little Light of Mine and then the song Dolly sang was blantantly Christian as well. A coworker of mine suggested that maybe it’s because it’s “cool” to be religious right now. Maybe the powers that be are missing the message of the songs altogether. Maybe it is a ploy. I doubt that the reason is to truly give praise to God.
Either way, I hope that in the same way that children are being helped dispite possible less-than-honest motives, that Christ is still honored despite them as well.
April 9th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
My wife and I were utterly amazed to hear the Idol contestants singing “Shout to the Lord”. They did a fairly decent job of it, too!
Downside, they changed the opening line from “My Jesus” to “My Shepherd”. Only changed a single word, but what a word to change.
On the upside of it, though, I can just imagine all the young and impressionable kids who heard that song, perhaps never having known that the song is about Jesus. If even one of them goes on YouTube or iTunes looking for the song, finds the unaltered version, and is led to Christ through this powerful, annointed song, perhaps the change would have been worth it.
Kudos, Simon. Kudos
April 9th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Is it not simply enough to not question the motives and reasons but answer that God is working in the world? I just finished watching the show, and I truly feel that this is God, not network antics. And that is the kind of faith we need to have.
April 9th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I just finished watching the American Idol Gives Back Special. The closing song “Shout to the Lord” was absolutely phenomenal. I admit my surprise in the airing of the genre of Christian music, but I am thankful that it, among several other genres were represented. The effort to reach those of different nationalities and religions during this airing in terms of giving back is the true essence of what Christianity represents. I am thankful for the powerful and bold move that American Idol and Fox made in including such an inspirational song within the songs presented this evening.
April 9th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I applaud the show for allowing Christian songs and messages to come forth. Our country has for years attempted to remove God from the public arena and I am glad to see that American Idol is not adhering to this trend. No matter what the motives are, when children are helped and the Lord’s name is praised it is a good thing.
April 9th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
“I doubt that the reason is truly to give praise to God”
“Is it just a ploy?”
Got cynicism?
I believe the *recipient* of the praise should judge the motives of the vessel. Why question the thoughts behind praising Jesus? May his name be glorified from everyone’s lips.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I honestly dont think that it was a ploy for ratings. There are just as many people who dislike christians out there as the christians watching. However, I don’t think it really matters. God can use it either way. I think it’s a huge step towards Christianity finally being accepted on television as something real and good and not like super religious and weird.
It’s interesting that it’s taken so long when other religions are excepted to readily.
But yea, I think it’s really great.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Just a question-I think I already know the answer…but does anyone know why they changed the first phrase to “My Shepherd” instead of “My Jesus?” Mariah Carey definitely did not hesitate to say it when she sang her song. I guess she’s a Diva and no one has to tell her what not to say. However, I am curious why the song was even sung if the TRUE meaning was negated-its’ personhood? Christians know who the Shepherd is, but it matters what/who it conveys to the rest of the world.
April 9th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
I love Darlene Zschech and Hillsong. What a great song choice. God was praised and the poor and needy are being helped. Why question it?
April 9th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Or maybe God is finally opening the door for real Christianity in Hollywood instead of confused theology that allows Mariah to sing a song about God and yet have a number one single called “Touch My Body” and other hypocritical thinkings. As Christians, we need to drop the skepticism and press in with prayer for God’s glory to come about.
Also, I think it smart to point out that if I remember correctly, the first part of the verse which includes “Jesus” was eleminated.
Oh and the group that sang “This Little Light of Mine” is called The Clark Brothers. They won the show called “The Next Great American Band” and were blatant with their Christian background and beliefs and their final song on the finale of that show was called “Still The Same” and was all about God’s love in the light of the craziness of this world. So, maybe we should even pray that someone has become a Christian with the 19 studio execs. Because that would mean one more for the kindom!!
April 9th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
They took out the name of Jesus!!! Wow, a public testimony of fear of the power of that Name. Lord have mercy. Somemone needs to find out if Hillsong and /or Integrity authorized “Jesus” to be removed from the song and start a boycott if so. What a public denial of Jesus Christ. But again, obviously the world stands in fear of the power of the Name Above All Names, Jesus Christ. Is there any other name that woudl have been removed?
April 9th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
I think it is ironic that a “Praise the Lord” song was sung after an entire show about how unfairly and needlessly innocent people are suffering and dying!
Why praise God for this!?
I would have chosen a song praising human compassion to overcome God’s indifference!
April 9th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
The song was edited. No?
April 10th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Satan has done it again… taking Jesus’ name out of HIS song, and following it up with choice explitives. CHRISTIANS! WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE…. One World Religion… here it comes!
April 10th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Ephesians 6:10-12
April 10th, 2008 at 5:42 am
Who cares how or why? God uses the foolish to confound the wise, and men will be used by Him whether they realize it or not. I think it’s awesome. No coincidence for sure….
April 10th, 2008 at 6:09 am
I have been a big Idol fan, but now, I think I will boycott the show. If I don’t, what kind of example am I setting for my children? Its not lukewarm, it is wolves in sheeps clothing trying to dilute, devalue,re-direct focus, blasphemy……….Oprah kind of religion. I don’t think some of the contestants even thought about this…….? Its a free country,I know, but “Christ followers” must listen to the Holy Spirit when these events occur and know that this is not Christ Jesus that is beng praised. Its “whatever” God you believe in. I am very disappointed, but not surprised. If I was a Idol contestant and professed myself as a “Christ follower”, believe that Jesus is God and he is the only way to salvation through repentment, commitment, and belief……….I could have never sang the song the way they did.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:24 am
Whatever motive they had, they still had to consider political correctness as they changed the lyrics at the start of the song … from “My Jesus, my Savior” to “My shepherd, my savior.”
April 10th, 2008 at 7:04 am
Just a quick response to EJ’s comment above (#11)…basically regarding the problem of evil and how there could be a just and loving God, when there is such evil and injustice in the world. Of course, people have taken entire books to answer that question, but I will attempt a brief response in just a few short sentences. The reason there is evil in the world is because humans chose evil over God. The reason we have death, disease, injustice, etc. is all because of our choice of evil as a human race. God allowed all of this so that in the end he might show grace to those who realize their sin and trust in him for forgiveness.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:42 am
This was NOT a Christian song!! Christian songs glorify JESUS, NOT take his name out of the song.
April 10th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Thanks Justin for the response!
I agree that PEOPLE choose evil over good too often. And this can be due to many factors. One of which is the lack of a sound moral education that leads to bigoted beliefs.
Bigotry is the intolerance of “opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from one’s own”.
I see bigotry quite clearly in statements made by people on this blog. People who believe modern Christianity is the ONLY correct and moral way to live. Take a look at other faiths… It simply AIN\’T.
Just calling it like it is.
Thanks.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I definitely agree about God using it because He will! I guess my problem with ‘American Idol’ using a worship song, is that they are there to promote or become an idols themselves, not give worship and honor to the Lord. It is a totally ‘look at me and judge me as the best’ show and it seems odd, I mean, “My Jesus, my Savior” come on.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:24 am
“Got cynicism?”
Towards Fox and American Idol? Heck yeah. I don’t trust anything they do.
But if you re-read the comment I made in the beginning I said that I hope Christ would be glorified and honored, no matter what the motives behind the whole thing are. I’ve no doubt that God can use whatever means He chooses to be honored, but that’s because HE is mighty… and has nothing to do with Fox.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:03 am
If I were God I’d choose to eradicate malaria.
Then you could properly honor me.
Seriously… would a compassionate God have people sing songs about his greatness… on a show about human suffering… when he could do something about it instead?
What self-serving narcicism!
April 11th, 2008 at 7:04 am
Thanks everyone for your feedback! I’m glad for the dialogue this post has inspired. EJ, I just wanted to let you know a post will be up shortly in response to comment 24. Somewhat insanely, I’m going to attempt to tackle addressing one of the toughest topics available.
April 11th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Jennifer,
I’m impressed!
I look forward to reading it.
Is it ok if I still comment?
Why is this question a difficult one to answer?
April 11th, 2008 at 10:07 am
EJ,
LOL! Of COURSE it is still OK if you comment! =)
Why is it a difficult question to answer? Well, maybe because it’s one of the greatest mysteries Christians have to reconcile when believing a compassionate God coexists with a suffering world.
I’m glad you checked back. The post is almost ready to go up, but with a crazy weekend ahead of me, there’s a chance that if it’s not up today it won’t be until Monday. But it will go up.
Please check back! =)