From: jblackwo@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (J P Blackwood)
Subject: Re: New MWS
Keywords: terrible, non-christian, deceptive
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1992 15:35:25 GMT

In article <1992Sep3.161027.2931@wheaton.wheaton.edu> rmbenn@david.wheaton.edu
(Richard M. Bennema) writes:
>
>Lyrics, terrible.  The discussion of this album should be moved to another
>board because it's anything but Christian.  He tries to get us to believe that
>humanistic love and friendships can save the world.  WRONG!  Been tried and
>sung about by people better than him.  He has every opportunity to present the
>gospel, but he either backs out or uses vague pronouns so that only Christians
>can understand what he's talking about.  Now I can handle just about
>everything, but that.  This album is deceptive.  The album title and the song
>titles are gonna make Christians think that he's coming back strong, when in
>fact he's weaker than ever.  What does that mean?  He's gonna be able to trick
>both audiences (Christian and secular) into buying his album, each thinking
>that he made this album for them.
>
>This is a totally non-Christian album.  My roommate named a couple secular
>bands (and not cross-overs (ie, non-Christians)) who portrayed God in a
>positive light more than Smitty did.  With 11 songs, I consider this to be a
>secular album with a bonus Christian song (Cross of Gold).  But even that's a
>joke because you can't take him seriously because you're wondering the same
>thing about him.  Good way to ruin a good song.  Should have let Steve Camp or
>Michael Card do it.  I'm just glad we got this album for free.
>
>

I am sick of hearing from holyer than thou types who think that If the lyrics 
aren't a fundamentalist sermon, then an album is worthless and should be 
shunned. This criteria basically translates to : "If it would minister to a 
monk, then it can be called good and acceptable, it is worthy of the name CCM"
This black and white thinking is the sort of stuff that keeps certain
christians locked off from the world and makes them impotent to spread the
Christian message.

And overmore, the criticism of CYW is totally invalid. The lyrics of this 
album, in toto, could be an inspired, even fundamentalist sermon.

Picture perfect: an uplifting message. Very reflective of Solomon's teachings, 
a good example of the dangers of idolatry.

Love one another. Oh I don't know it just mirrors Jesus' answer to what is the 
greatest commandment.

I will be here for you. Ohh, this ones evil no direct scriptur references come 
to mind (Oops I forgot Christians can't be sarcastic)

Color Blind. Christians like David Duke are disturbed about this one. "I an 
black but comely"


Somewhere somehow.  A love song that promotes faithfulness and fidelity.

Out of this world. Christian life can be fun. Promotes biblical themes of 
giving and love.

Somebody loving. A song reminding us that there are people out there hurting. 
People who need to be ministerred to. People who need to know they are not the 
only ones who feel un loved.

Give it away. Oh I don;t know... how about:

"There was a man who walked on water
 He came to set people free
 He was the ultimate example
 Of what love can truly be
 Cause his love was his life
 and he gave it away."

I wanna tell the world. A love sonfg, agasin proting fidelity.

Friends, a message of the strength of friends, the importance of making Godm 
lord and prayer.


OPen your mind, and relax...


J.P.
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian