Comments for Matt Papa http://mattpapa.com Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:13:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on JESUS ISN’T SAFE: THEOLOGY, THE POWER OF SONG, AND A FEW EXAMPLES by Mr. Warshaw http://mattpapa.com/2012/02/jesus-isnt-safe-theology-the-power-of-song-and-a-few-examples/#comment-669 Mr. Warshaw Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:13:00 +0000 http://mattpapa.com/?p=1111#comment-669 I'm not trying to pick, so please don't take it as such--just trying to contribute. I don't want to be unfair to folks, either, and I would agree that ascribing motive to them without basis would be incorrect. What matters, though, is that experiencing music (or other arts) is, most of the time, not done with a view into the artist's heart. The message isn't the one they intended; rather, the message is what the song actually says. And so giving lots of grace and hoping that they do love Jesus, offering loving correction is appropriate. I have no intention of leading the youth that I work with astray, but I need correction if my words lack Gospel clarity. Correction =/= condemnation here. I’m not trying to pick, so please don’t take it as such–just trying to contribute.

I don’t want to be unfair to folks, either, and I would agree that ascribing motive to them without basis would be incorrect.

What matters, though, is that experiencing music (or other arts) is, most of the time, not done with a view into the artist’s heart. The message isn’t the one they intended; rather, the message is what the song actually says. And so giving lots of grace and hoping that they do love Jesus, offering loving correction is appropriate. I have no intention of leading the youth that I work with astray, but I need correction if my words lack Gospel clarity. Correction =/= condemnation here.

]]> Comment on Martyr Monday: Cambodia 1975, a teenage girl by Justin Hill http://mattpapa.com/2012/02/martyr-monday-cambodia-1975-a-teenage-girl/#comment-668 Justin Hill Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:39:00 +0000 http://mattpapa.com/?p=1126#comment-668 Ive always felt like God has called me to be a missionary to Cambodia. The language, Khmer, is somewhere difficult though. Especially because there's practically no one who could teach me it.. I suppose God will provide though. :) Ive always felt like God has called me to be a missionary to Cambodia. The language, Khmer, is somewhere difficult though. Especially because there’s practically no one who could teach me it.. I suppose God will provide though. :)

]]> Comment on JESUS ISN’T SAFE: THEOLOGY, THE POWER OF SONG, AND A FEW EXAMPLES by CVH http://mattpapa.com/2012/02/jesus-isnt-safe-theology-the-power-of-song-and-a-few-examples/#comment-667 CVH Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:41:00 +0000 http://mattpapa.com/?p=1111#comment-667 This is a good follow-up to your previous two posts on this. I commented on the second post and my thoughts on this one are similar. For those who have said they don't recognize the lyrics you posted, they're all songs by mainstream Christian bands that have been (or still are) on the top 30 charts in the last couple of years. The typical AC Christian station will be playing these songs anywhere from 20 to 50 times per week. That's a lot of cheap grace and lousy theology being broadcast. But as I said in my previous comment, it's not going to change as long as consumers keep buying it, going to the concerts and Christian radio keeps playing it. And whether you're looking at the record/publishing side of the business or the radio side, where is their motivation to change? McDonalds could offer a healthier burger but it won't sell like a Big Mac; schools could graduate smarter students if more parents got involved with their kid's educational experiences but as long as they push all the responsibility on the teacher and the 'system' to fix their kids it won't happen; there would be more intelligent discourse and action taken on the many problems facing our culture if people would turn off 'American Idol' and read a book (either the real thing or on a Kindle or Nook) but don't expect that to happen anytime soon. WE are the problem. And while we're at it, why not examine the horrendous deficiencies in the whole praise and worship genre. The P&W industry began in the early 70's as something distinct from the rest of the business but in the last 15 years the lines have blurred and today a proverbial monkey could write a worship song that people would love. Superficial, unsound lyrics, banal, repetitive music and marginal performances. I'm not suggesting that every song has to be a magnificent work of art, but come on! Tomlin's new record with Passion will be out soon; talk about a franchise that they're going to milk as long as they can. I don't anticipate a boycott at Christian bookstores or Christian radio. I doubt consumers are going to say, "Why would I buy that crap? He hasn't written a decent song since 2007." I agree that Christian radio bears some of the responsibility for the current state of affairs but so does every writer, A&R person, publisher, record label, artist, retailer and consumer who buys it. There's just too much money to be made. God? Mammon? Who says you can't serve both? e P&W industry has devolved This is a good follow-up to your previous two posts on this. I commented on the second post and my thoughts on this one are similar. For those who have said they don’t recognize the lyrics you posted, they’re all songs by mainstream Christian bands that have been (or still are) on the top 30 charts in the last couple of years. The typical AC Christian station will be playing these songs anywhere from 20 to 50 times per week. That’s a lot of cheap grace and lousy theology being broadcast. But as I said in my previous comment, it’s not going to change as long as consumers keep buying it, going to the concerts and Christian radio keeps playing it. And whether you’re looking at the record/publishing side of the business or the radio side, where is their motivation to change? McDonalds could offer a healthier burger but it won’t sell like a Big Mac; schools could graduate smarter students if more parents got involved with their kid’s educational experiences but as long as they push all the responsibility on the teacher and the ‘system’ to fix their kids it won’t happen; there would be more intelligent discourse and action taken on the many problems facing our culture if people would turn off ‘American Idol’ and read a book (either the real thing or on a Kindle or Nook) but don’t expect that to happen anytime soon. WE are the problem.

And while we’re at it, why not examine the horrendous deficiencies in the whole praise and worship genre. The P&W industry began in the early 70′s as something distinct from the rest of the business but in the last 15 years the lines have blurred and today a proverbial monkey could write a worship song that people would love. Superficial, unsound lyrics, banal, repetitive music and marginal performances. I’m not suggesting that every song has to be a magnificent work of art, but come on! Tomlin’s new record with Passion will be out soon; talk about a franchise that they’re going to milk as long as they can. I don’t anticipate a boycott at Christian bookstores or Christian radio. I doubt consumers are going to say, “Why would I buy that crap? He hasn’t written a decent song since 2007.”

I agree that Christian radio bears some of the responsibility for the current state of affairs but so does every writer, A&R person, publisher, record label, artist, retailer and consumer who buys it. There’s just too much money to be made. God? Mammon? Who says you can’t serve both?

e P&W industry has devolved

]]> Comment on JESUS ISN’T SAFE: MEET THE GOLDEN CALF OF CHRISTIAN RADIO by B Cuzbro http://mattpapa.com/2012/01/jesus-isnt-safe-meet-the-golden-calf-of-christian-radio/#comment-666 B Cuzbro Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:38:00 +0000 http://mattpapa.com/?p=1088#comment-666 After serving as a youth pastor, worship leader and multiple other positions in the Church. I have seen a multitude of concerts and events under the "guise" of the Gospel, but can honestly say that in my many years experience, have been to ONE youth revival where I truly believed God was moving among His people through worship. Oddly enough, there was no music! I have never seen anything more demonic and twisted as the adaptation of worldly music into the Church. The "Charismatic Ecumenical" movement that started obviously with the "Jesus Movement," with drug addicted hippies and street freaks, grew into a movement no one could foresee. Today, we have multiple denominations born out of nothing more than the Contemporary Music scene and all under a guise of Christianity. Truth is, for a great many years now, the church abroad has made merchandise of every portion of the church and sold it off to gain fame and fortune. After 13 plus years of study, I have logged thousands of hours into investigating this movement. Hundreds of studies concerning the "music" itself, and still others regarding the lyrical content. Today, there are "Parental Warning" labels on CD's in Christian bookstores. Could that possibly be God? Uh, no! For thousands of years, their was a "remnant" that actually obeyed the Word of God regarding the maintaining of sacred worship in the synagogue, temple or church. David knew the importance of the sacredness of it all, Moses also knew. So, where does this new age find in the Holy Writ that God has given us full liberty to express ourselves however we choose, and simultaneously forgetting entirely that it is about HIM, not us? Besides the multitude of evidence against this music in the Church, I wonder, how can we possibly defend its use knowing that it is a mirror image of the world? Where is our "new song," from redemption? Where is our joy, our thanksgiving when we enter His courts? Pleasure centered retail centers, a.k.a. The American Church, has long ago DIVORCED God from among them. God would not accept their "strange fire" or their selfish offerings, and the glory stopped. So, the church was forced to create distraction, diversion and imitation. Now, fog machines create an illusion to a glory cloud. The hype of the music, then the rhythm slows to near stop then people experience a euphoric like atmosphere that they believe to be God. How many have been "saved" under this deception? How many more must be lost before we stand boldly before men and say NO MORE? After serving as a youth pastor, worship leader and multiple other positions in the Church. I have seen a multitude of concerts and events under the “guise” of the Gospel, but can honestly say that in my many years experience, have been to ONE youth revival where I truly believed God was moving among His people through worship. Oddly enough, there was no music!
I have never seen anything more demonic and twisted as the adaptation of worldly music into the Church. The “Charismatic Ecumenical” movement that started obviously with the “Jesus Movement,” with drug addicted hippies and street freaks, grew into a movement no one could foresee. Today, we have multiple denominations born out of nothing more than the Contemporary Music scene and all under a guise of Christianity. Truth is, for a great many years now, the church abroad has made merchandise of every portion of the church and sold it off to gain fame and fortune.
After 13 plus years of study, I have logged thousands of hours into investigating this movement. Hundreds of studies concerning the “music” itself, and still others regarding the lyrical content. Today, there are “Parental Warning” labels on CD’s in Christian bookstores. Could that possibly be God? Uh, no!
For thousands of years, their was a “remnant” that actually obeyed the Word of God regarding the maintaining of sacred worship in the synagogue, temple or church. David knew the importance of the sacredness of it all, Moses also knew. So, where does this new age find in the Holy Writ that God has given us full liberty to express ourselves however we choose, and simultaneously forgetting entirely that it is about HIM, not us? Besides the multitude of evidence against this music in the Church, I wonder, how can we possibly defend its use knowing that it is a mirror image of the world? Where is our “new song,” from redemption? Where is our joy, our thanksgiving when we enter His courts?

Pleasure centered retail centers, a.k.a. The American Church, has long ago DIVORCED God from among them. God would not accept their “strange fire” or their selfish offerings, and the glory stopped. So, the church was forced to create distraction, diversion and imitation. Now, fog machines create an illusion to a glory cloud. The hype of the music, then the rhythm slows to near stop then people experience a euphoric like atmosphere that they believe to be God. How many have been “saved” under this deception? How many more must be lost before we stand boldly before men and say NO MORE?

]]> Comment on JESUS ISN’T SAFE: MEET THE GOLDEN CALF OF CHRISTIAN RADIO by Andrew http://mattpapa.com/2012/01/jesus-isnt-safe-meet-the-golden-calf-of-christian-radio/#comment-665 Andrew Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:19:00 +0000 http://mattpapa.com/?p=1088#comment-665 From someone that waited tables for 5 years as a Christian, giving tracts to your waiters does little to nothing. They end up in the trash can. Servers aren't looking for someone to hand them a tract. They are there to make money. Don't give your servers a tract, please! Give them a gracious tip and talk to them. Share and show the gospel to them. From someone that waited tables for 5 years as a Christian, giving tracts to your waiters does little to nothing. They end up in the trash can. Servers aren’t looking for someone to hand them a tract. They are there to make money. Don’t give your servers a tract, please! Give them a gracious tip and talk to them. Share and show the gospel to them.

]]> Comment on JESUS ISN’T SAFE: THEOLOGY, THE POWER OF SONG, AND A FEW EXAMPLES by John Mark Allen http://mattpapa.com/2012/02/jesus-isnt-safe-theology-the-power-of-song-and-a-few-examples/#comment-664 John Mark Allen Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0000 http://mattpapa.com/?p=1111#comment-664 You are correct. And I agree. The self centered attitude is wrong. Though reflecting on these things in and of themselves are not, to have our music based on self is wrong. I agree that there is better music to be heard. I listen to maybe, maybe an 8th (and that's pushing it) of Christian music on the Radio. I do prefer music that is more relational, Biblically based and honest. That's why I mainly listen to Lecrae and the Reach Records crew, Matt Papa, Gungor, and David Crowder. It is a more passionate worship experience for me than anything else when I listen to them. So I agree. In fact, I've agreed with Matt from the beginning, but I don't want us to be unfair to these artist when we don't know their heart. They could be just as passionate as Matt. We simply don't know. You are correct. And I agree. The self centered attitude is wrong. Though reflecting on these things in and of themselves are not, to have our music based on self is wrong.
I agree that there is better music to be heard. I listen to maybe, maybe an 8th (and that’s pushing it) of Christian music on the Radio. I do prefer music that is more relational, Biblically based and honest. That’s why I mainly listen to Lecrae and the Reach Records crew, Matt Papa, Gungor, and David Crowder. It is a more passionate worship experience for me than anything else when I listen to them. So I agree. In fact, I’ve agreed with Matt from the beginning, but I don’t want us to be unfair to these artist when we don’t know their heart. They could be just as passionate as Matt. We simply don’t know.

]]> Comment on JESUS ISN’T SAFE: THEOLOGY, THE POWER OF SONG, AND A FEW EXAMPLES by Jesus Isn’t Safe: Now What? | Matt Papa http://mattpapa.com/2012/02/jesus-isnt-safe-theology-the-power-of-song-and-a-few-examples/#comment-663 Jesus Isn’t Safe: Now What? | Matt Papa Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:24:33 +0000 http://mattpapa.com/?p=1111#comment-663 [...] to those of you who have joined me in this conversation thus far (PART ONE, TWO, AND THREE). Hopefully by now you have seen the problem aptly addressed, and also my heart in the [...] [...] to those of you who have joined me in this conversation thus far (PART ONE, TWO, AND THREE). Hopefully by now you have seen the problem aptly addressed, and also my heart in the [...]

]]> Comment on JESUS ISN’T SAFE: MEET THE GOLDEN CALF OF CHRISTIAN RADIO by Jesus Isn’t Safe: Now What? | Matt Papa http://mattpapa.com/2012/01/jesus-isnt-safe-meet-the-golden-calf-of-christian-radio/#comment-662 Jesus Isn’t Safe: Now What? | Matt Papa Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:23:32 +0000 http://mattpapa.com/?p=1088#comment-662 [...] to those of you who have joined me in this conversation thus far (PART ONE, TWO, AND THREE). Hopefully by now you have seen the problem aptly addressed, and also my heart in the [...] [...] to those of you who have joined me in this conversation thus far (PART ONE, TWO, AND THREE). Hopefully by now you have seen the problem aptly addressed, and also my heart in the [...]

]]> Comment on Jesus Isn’t Safe: An Appeal To Christian Radio And Its Listeners by Jesus Isn’t Safe: Now What? | Matt Papa http://mattpapa.com/2012/01/jesus-isnt-safe-an-appeal-to-christian-radio-and-its-listeners/#comment-661 Jesus Isn’t Safe: Now What? | Matt Papa Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:21:02 +0000 http://mattpapa.com/?p=1030#comment-661 [...] to those of you who have joined me in this conversation thus far (PART ONE, TWO, AND THREE).  Hopefully by now you have seen the problem aptly addressed, and also my heart [...] [...] to those of you who have joined me in this conversation thus far (PART ONE, TWO, AND THREE).  Hopefully by now you have seen the problem aptly addressed, and also my heart [...]

]]> Comment on JESUS ISN’T SAFE: THEOLOGY, THE POWER OF SONG, AND A FEW EXAMPLES by Dr. Mom http://mattpapa.com/2012/02/jesus-isnt-safe-theology-the-power-of-song-and-a-few-examples/#comment-660 Dr. Mom Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:37:00 +0000 http://mattpapa.com/?p=1111#comment-660 This is a circular argument, which is a logical fallacy. Moreover, one of the main themes that Matt draws out is the self-centeredness present in the selected songs. They are principally about us and our benefit. Matt says it perfectly that the issue at hand is not primarily because of the things they say, but because of the things they don’t say. Of course we benefit from Christ's sacrifice on our behalf, but the songs curiously leave out ANY reference to the gospel in its fullness. As a middle aged soccer mom (see Matt's previous article on the golden calf of Christian radio), I could drive around all day pumping this pablem into my soul, and I would be no better for it. I might feel a bit more "encouraged" temporarily, but the trite, pithy bumper-sticker theology that comes from these songs does no more for my sanctification than reading Ladies Home Journal magazine in place of the Bible. I think that the theological value of these types of songs is completely on par with The Shack. It may not be inherently wrong to listen to them, but why would we waste our time on junk when the availability of good, soul-stirring music is so vast? This is a circular argument, which is a logical fallacy. Moreover, one of the main themes that Matt draws out is the self-centeredness present in the selected songs. They are principally about us and our benefit. Matt says it perfectly that the issue at hand is not primarily because of the things they say, but because of the things they don’t say. Of course we benefit from Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, but the songs curiously leave out ANY reference to the gospel in its fullness.

As a middle aged soccer mom (see Matt’s previous article on the golden calf of Christian radio), I could drive around all day pumping this pablem into my soul, and I would be no better for it. I might feel a bit more “encouraged” temporarily, but the trite, pithy bumper-sticker theology that comes from these songs does no more for my sanctification than reading Ladies Home Journal magazine in place of the Bible. I think that the theological value of these types of songs is completely on par with The Shack. It may not be inherently wrong to listen to them, but why would we waste our time on junk when the availability of good, soul-stirring music is so vast?

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