From: caw@gtech.com (Christopher A. White)
Subject: Re: Amy Grant is NOT a dirty word!
Organization: GTECH Corporation, West Greenwich, RI
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 20:36:30 GMT

In article <low-220792102128@l32282.mdc.com> low%ewsvax.decnet@mdcgwy.mdc.com (Jerry Low) writes:
>As to the message the the "lost" are receiving, what exactly is the
>message?  From song to song, even on her last album, is there really a
>clear message that a non-believer can get?'

No matter how clear or obscure a meaage, the lost can only receive by God's
spirit. Therefore, a "clear" message is only of use to Christians concerned
with such things. It is better, I think, to give her the benefit of the doubt
that she is doing as God has led her, rather than as you would have led her
were you God (which neither you nor I are, Thank All that's Holy!). 
Therefore, since the direction and message is up to God, we must make a 
decision on how she is as an artist. Which brings us to .....

>I'm not really as down on her as it sounds.  It's just that I'm tired of
>hearing people make excuses for a watered down message, and no real clear
>direction (at least not a perceived one).  She's an okay artist, but from a
>pop standpoint is she any better than Mariah Carey or Debbie Gibson or
>anyone else?  Would you listen to her even if she wasn't a pop-artist who
>happens to be a Christian too?

As she has (easily) the finest female voice in music (period, IMHO), yes.
And lyrically, even her "pop" music is much more mature, picturesque, and
cerebral than either Mariah or Debbie (or nearly any other "pop" artist 
you care to mention). Musically she is untouchable by any "pop" artist in
existance. 

By classification, I'm a metal-head; however, I listen to and respect only
extremely well crafted music (which is why my favorite artist is Mozart). 
I do not settle for "run-of-the-mill" and as a rule detest "pop." I love
Amy Grant, though, for the reasons I've listed above. She passes my test
of "well craftedness" above and beyond most. That, I believe, was earned and
learned through years of hard work in music. Her best work from a Christian
perspective (as you have classified it), is not, by any stretch, her best
work artistically; further, it is neither better nor worse than anything else
in the eyes of God (that's a personal belief, I'm not claiming to be His
press secretary).

I find it interesting that so many know so much about how others should a)
run their lives, and b) write their music. If you know so much about their
lives, why didn't God put you in charge? If you know so much about how
they should be crossing over, where is your album?

What's so wrong with saying "Gee, I'm not so sure, but I believe that God
knows what he is doing in her life."? I wonder, when so many of you say
that you are going to pray for someone, how many of you pray that they will
do what you think they should as opposed to praying that God's will be done
in their lives? 

If you're praying the former, I'd think about praying for my own soul.

Topher
-- 
 Christopher A. White                    |"What's behind the words?
 caw@gtech.com                           | Images they know will please us.
 GTech Corporation, West Greenwich, RI   | I'll take what's real, bring up
 The opions expressed are mine alone     |   the lights." -- Queensryche
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian