So I missed the live broadcast a few weeks ago, but the American Idol Finalists sang "SHOUT TO THE LORD" twice in a week. The first time, Jesus was conspicuously missing from the first line of the song, but the second time around, he was back in the lyrics.
Here a few of the various possible reactions that the Church (from all ends of the spectrum) might have had to American Idols singing the Hillsong classic praise chorus!
Option 1: How dare these idol-worshipers take such a sacred song and commercialize it! These songs belong to the Church and belong only in the Church!
Option 2: Awesome, I knew this song would be a popular cross-over hit! After all, Time-Life infomercials have been selling it too! When's the remix CD coming out?
Option 3: Truly, this is proof that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Every nation tribe and tongue will know that God is worthy of praise and glory! Hallelujah! Amen! Isaiah 45:23, Philippians 2:10-12
Option 4: Isn't this American Idol? How come they're singing a song by an Australian composer? And isn't American Idol a spinoff of Pop Idol from England? Where are all the original American ideas?
Option 5: That song is played out anyways; let's see one of the finalists sing a Chris Tomlin or Matt Redman song! Or Jehovah Jireh? Or the Papaya Song?
Option 6: What kind of politically-correct move is this that Fremantle/19 would include this with "Seasons of Love" from Rent? They have nothing in common, shame shame, tsk tsk!
Option 7: When a secular show like American Idol can bring more attention (and money) to the plight of AIDS/Malaria/Hunger/War/Suffering in Africa than my own church can, perhaps we need to stop arguing amongst ourselves and start praying and rolling up our sleeves to live out Matthew 25!
Which reaction did you have? Or did you have a different reaction? Post a comment!
If you missed it, check out both episodes on youtube here.
"Shout to the Lord" (Without Jesus)
"Shout to the Lord" (With Jesus)
"Seasons of Love" (That Archuleta kid messed up the words: "Times that she died"??? sigh)
