From: gideon@cs.utexas.edu (Timothy Tin-Wai Chan)
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian
Subject: Re: mike wanke: lessons learned
Date: 28 Jul 1992 02:32:10 -0500
Organization: University of Texas at Austin, Dept. of Computer Sciences
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: ai.cs.utexas.edu


     My 2 cents on the lessons learned from the recent news about Mr. Mike
Warnke (some of these are kinda restatements from some other people's
points---yeah, I just posted a little later than they did):

     We should beware of idol worship.  It's just as likely for Christian
music listeners as forsecular music listeners to worship the artists as
idols.  We look to them instead of the message behind their music.  Never
place them higher than the Person they're supposed to exalt through their music.
     Incidents like Mike Warnke's remind us to be focussed on Jesus instead of
people.  We must strive to find the meaning and the lessons and the convictions
behind the songs and lyrics.  We thank the Christian artists for being the
prophetic voice to carry God's message.
     Also, Christian Artists can sin and fall as easy as anyone else, because
we're all human after all!  We are not in a position to doubt whether they're
ever a Christian.  What we should do is restore them by the love of Christ.
Pray for them.  Mail to their fan clubs to show concern.
     One of the most well-known Christian artists in history apparently
committed the greatest sins.  He's David, the author of numerous Psalms.  His
affair with Bathsheba and murder of her husband was later revealed through the
prophetic voice of Nathan.  The Lord punished him severely, but he submitted
to the punishments.  Also, immediately after David's repentance, the Lord
granted him a son, Solomon, from Bathsheba and a victory in a battle.  If our
God is the same as the God of David, let him handle the rewards and the
punishments.  We will serve as his voice of prophecy and urging for repentance.
     I would hate to see law suits arising between Mr. Warnke and Cornerstone.
Instead, we should urge, with Christian gentleness and love, for Mr. Warnke to
repent and rededicate himself to the Lord.  Call and mail the Warnke Ministries
and also pray for them too.  Pray for every Christian Artist that they will
continue to deliver the central gosepl message, bear fruit, and survive the
temptations of worldly glamor and popularity.
     Finally, I'd like to call you to the attention of two quotes, the first by
Mr. Keith Green, one of the artists I give the most respect to, and Mr. Mike
Warnke himeself:

"I am convinced that the potential of reaching people for Jesus through the
 media---whether it be records, radio, movies, or television---is monumental,
 simply because these are the things that have, and continue to hold, people's
 attention.  I truly believe that Christians who are completely sold out to
 God, using these tools, can bring people to their knees in repentance and
 lead them into the waiting arms of the Savior.
"But if their lives are NOT sold out, if their motives are mixed, and their
 hearts divided, then I only see ridicule and shame brought to the gospel."

                                                      -- Keith Green (1982)


"Being a stand-up comedian as well as a Christian, I will do anything to get a
 laugh and then ask the Lord to forgive me, because I figured it's a lot
 easier to get forgiveness than it is permission."

                                -- Mike Warnke ("Out Of My Mind", (c)1991)



Yours in Christ,

Tim

-- 
"So many laughing at Jesus/ While the funniest thing    | Timothy T. Chan
 that He's done/ Is love this whole stubborn rebellious | gideon@cs.utexas.edu
 world/ While their hate for him just goes on......"    | Dept. of CS
     -- Keith Green ("How Can They Live Without Jesus") | U of Texas at Austin