American Idol Genuflects

People "get" the Kingdom of God.  They can't avoid it.

Spend an evening focused on the "least of these", and something like this seems unavoidable.

Comments

[Shawn Bashor]

I don't watch American Idol, and at first I was trying to figure out which of two mega-churches in our area this was. It was the American Idol signs all over the place that clued me in.

[amy]

Geez, I'm sitting here in tears. Had I seen it live, I probably would have, quite literally, sobbed.
Did you see last week when Dolly Parton told Ryan Seacrest: "You've got Simon, but I've got Jesus!" It was pretty awesome. More so because it came just after the Clark Brothers completely rocked out on This Little Light of Mine, complete with the words Jesus and satan. We were pretty sure we'd crossed into an alternate dimension.

[Gergs]

It was good. But then did you notice the next celebrity they had on was Ben Stiller who dropped a bunch of F-bombs all over the place trying to be funny? Nice follow up, American Idol. Great show and they had to ruin it like that at the end.

[Brant]

I didn't see that, but heard about it. That's way lame of Ben Stiller, who was really funny in "Meet the Parents", which has been awhile, now that I think about it.

I thought this was a transcendent moment. I've been rooting for Carly to get booted off the show for some time. Can't stand watching her sing, etc.

Then it occured to me, watching this, how much God loves her. I know that's cliche, but it's a good one. Same thing for all these people, and for the whole foolish entertainment industry.

Did they totally mean what they were singing? Do *I*?

It also dawns on me that this is likely the highlight of their careers. It won't get better than that: Even with the industry silliness, they just finished being a part of a huge act of mercy, and they were doing it together, and they sang a soaring song about the Reason for mercy, in front of, likely, the biggest audience they'll ever sing for. That's as good as it gets. And spotlights and all, they had to be feeling it.

People are drawn to this, this mercy, humility, and adoration. The producers didn't do this for church folk, they did it because they knew it would give *everyone* chills.

[Becky]

I was totally shocked and not sure what to think. At first.

But, here's the conclusion I've come to. It was freakin awesome. The Lord was praised. On national TV. God is the judge of the heart, but my guess is that some of those contestants really meant the words they were signing.

I'm taking Paul's approach in Philippians 1:18:

"But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."

[MrPages]

Okay, if Brant can double-post, so can I.

I *still* think this is what Christ meant by the rocks crying out.

The pinnacle of consumerist pap-pop buy-what-we-jam-into-your-ears culture, and just because they decide to parade out a Christian song suddenly it's meaningful?

[From Brant: Okay, I'll double-respond...

Yes, that's exactly what A.I. is. The pinnacle of cultural vacuity. Or, at least up there somewhere, with TBN.

And yet...they can get it. It's not the parading of the Christian song, it's th parading of the Christian song in the context of what are clearly Jesus themes. The night was all about sacrifice for the vulnerable, the least of these, and even A.I. couldn't miss what that means.

And yes, to the extent the church fails to see its own mission, others might step up to fill it, a la the rocks. Worship isn't just singing. Jesus-themes -- the Kingdom -- was on display last night, in an unlikely place. I'd love to see this kind of focus for those of us who take Jesus's identity with us.]

[Bob Sacamento]

Can anything good come out of Nazareth?

I'm completely confused. If American Idol can do this, I just don't know who I'm supposed to hate anymore.

[Rob Smith]

I was shocked when they started singing. My 10 year old daughter immediately said, wow, they don't usually sing this sort of song. She and my 8 year old son then began to sing along without any prompting...getting emotional just typing this.

[Seth Ward]

That BLEW my mind.

[Sam]

I don't watch American Idol and couldn't get the video thing to work. Heck, I don't watch much television except sometime National Geographic channel or Discovery. So did I miss something?
I did hear it was supposedly a "Give Back" episode and wondered what they took.
-Sam

[Mike T.]

Did you notice the second word of the song was changed from "Jesus" to "Shepherd?" I know some people that would be offended. It doesn't bother me given the audience and the profoundness of the rest of the lyrics AND the fact that the focus of the evening was how we should be loving the poor. The evening was filled the movement of love toward others in need which is a primary goal of Christ. His name doesn't have to be present for his ways to be proclaimed and modeled.

[truevyne]

Did that really happen? Obviously, I do not watch American Idol...

[MrPages]

Brant - I do see what you're saying, but (at the risk of sounding like a cliche) you can do good things without loving Jesus, but you can't love Jesus without doing good things.

Which of those two choices was at the root of a feel-good moment by a multinational entertainment corporation that specializes in image manipulation to sell product?

And yes, it matters, even if good things are getting done.

I don't deny that good things were done and a song about God was sung to people who don't normally hear them. But I do want to keep a bit of restraint on the "Wow! That was a great moment for God!" sentiments. A great moment for God done for corporate gain (don't kid yourself that that wasn't the sole motive) isn't much of a great moment for God.

"Lord! Lord!"

Wow. I'm pretty cynical today. I'm off to go pat a puppy or something.

[From Brant: Sure 'nuff. Just make sure you actually know the motives of everyone involved, and also that your own motives aren't mixed.

P.S. -- Your motives, if they're like mine, are always mixed.]

[Grub]

What's Genuflect mean? Is that a form of heresy? Those darn AI Genuflectors! Please don't use words I have to google. My head hurts...

[Scott]

Wow. I could not get over this when I saw it live and seeing it again is just unbelievable. I think it was really fitting for the show's theme but it just surprised me they'd go there at all.

Stones cry out indeed.

[Pastor Astor]

I was searching for the sarcasm and found none. A serious piece Brant? Really?

[From Brant: Even Homer nods.]

[Tim]

Hey Brant!

I thought it was pretty powerful.
Actually, if you go back over the past two weeks, you'll find several instances where the very name of Jesus has been sung on the show. I just wrote a blog about it, called Jesus on American Idol. Come check it out when you get a chance!

[Paula]

I've heard a rumour that one of the competitors will be singing a Darlene Z song? I don't have foxtel anymore (that's the only way to watch American Idol over here) so can someone confirm/deny for me?

[Marie]

The fact that they censored "Jesus" out of the song sort of collapsed the whole moment for me.

[Scripture Zealot]

The name "Jesus" was taken out of the song and replaced with shepherd. Give it a listen again.
Jeff

[From Brant: I appreciated very much what Seth had to say about that.
http://fivecentstand.blogspot.com/2008/04/blown-away.html

Also, the full-length version "American Idol" version, on iTunes, includes the original lyrics. They halved the verses last night.]

[deemus]

If I was Ben Stiller, and I was a Jew like he is, I would have done the same thing. F-Bombs for everyone. None of that promoting another religion and having me follow it. They might think I have changed ships.

Much like Brant likely would do that if a Muslim guy was hyping up ol' Mo. Ok, maybe not F bombs, but you get my drift.

I do remember a certain post where Brant wondered aloud if a Jesus following Muslim could get into heaven. Did we ever figure that out? I'm sorry, but they didn't teach me any of that stuff at the First Baptist. We were not even sure if ol' Pete was gonna let in the Catholics.

BTW - you can know if a catholic is a good catholic if they obey Mary's words. When talking about Jesus, she told them, "Whatever he tells you, do it."

I wonder if the Muslim guy who follows Jesus does that? Maybe he is really a good Catholic? Can you be Catholic and Muslim? Can Baptists recognize one another at the liquor store? I know don't know anyone at the liquor store. Or I wouldn't if I went to one. You know. Just saying.

[From Brant: Would have been cooler if Ben Stiller would have milked a cat.]

[Christopher Lake]

Brant and others,

How does removing (replacing) the name of Christ, from a song that originally openly proclaimed Him, bring glory to God? Jesus says that if you don't honor Him, you don't honor the Father who sent Him (John 5:23)-- which means that you don't honor the true God. I understand that the sacrificial spirit of love in this night's show was "Christ-like," in the sense that Christ also sacrificially loved people. However, Christ's greatest example of sacrificial love and service to others was to lovingly bear the just wrath of the Father for our sins. I don't expect American Idol to allow the open proclamation of this message. With that said though, AI's decision to remove Christ's name from the televised song was dishonoring to God, because Christ *is* God, and according to Him, if you don't honor Him, you don't honor God. It makes me want to cry, not because God was honored and glorified in this move, but because He was dishonored.

[Michelle Van Loon]

They sang it again tonight. Didn't see last night's show, but watched 1/2 of it tonight - and saw them do the number. My husband and I sat there slackjawed.

[Deb]

What's *up* with putting all *these* words in *astericks* *?* I am *so* *ancient* !

[Jocelyn]

I tuned in to IDOL tonight to see how much money they raised last night on behalf of "the least of these".

The program opened with the contestants singing "Shout to the Lord" again. Much to my surprise, this time they didn't substitute any words, but sang the opening line with the original words "My Jesus, My Savior". Wow!

I agree...no matter the motives...His name was lifted up to millions. If we don't do it....He will use anyone and anything!