Delirious for No1...please God No!

So the facebook campaign has started to get Delirious to No1 for Easter.  I have nothing against Delirious, I'm sure their music is very good (pleased to say that I have never listened to them - I know I'm narrow minded...) but i do struggle with the whole idea of wanting to promote a particular band because they are Christian. 

I firmly believe God is revealed in contemporary secular music,  I have had some deeply spiritual experiences listening to secular music and the explict nature of Christian music just doesn't do it for me.  It's too obvious, not subtle enough and usually (I'm sure delirious are the exception...) poor music. 

I struggle with the narrowness of the view point that says that we need to redeem the charts by having a Christian No 1.  I think that music can be a redemptive force for good in itself.  I have seen music bring disparate groups of people together.  I have shared music with people who are very different to me and the music has been our common bond.  God is in that moment and it is the ability of music to bring humankind together that I think speaks of God.

So rather than buying a delirious song spend the time listening to a piece of secular music on spotify, listen for signs of God in there, because believe you me God is living and working in contemporary music - we just need eyes to see and ears to hear...

let's not ghettoize ourselves

Comments

[Dot]

but rather than having to strain to listen for those who have no christian framework, if at least they hear something that is explicit - it might encourage them to listen for God in the rest of their lives.

this isn't ghettoizing ourselves it is actually saying we have something worth singing about and there is hope instead of hopelessness! and goodness knows we need it!

I agree there is a lot of good stuff in the secular music industry and people can indeed have a profound spiritual experience, but why not be obvious, do we not have something to be 'obvious' about? if stuff is too subtle, lots of people won't get it. no-one is saying we need to 'redeem' the charts all the time - but I personally think it is good to be reminded of Jesus especially at this time of Holy Week and Easter. Why should the devil have all the good music after all? why can't we rejoice that there are some people out there who believe in Jesus and who want to tell others about Him, - the subtle ways don't work for everyone! Some people need to be told in words of one syllable, others maybe not! There is space for everyone isn't there?

[benedson]

It may encourage 'them', or they may roll their eyes and be turned off for the rest of their lives.

Of course there is space for everyone. The redemption of the charts is, I would suggest, a sub-plot...We do need to be reminded of hope at Easter. I'm not disputing that.

This just feels like 'if we throw enough cr*p some of it is bound to stick...' ;-)

[Sallys-Journey]

Ben I agree 100% promoting a band simply because they are Christian is not only narrow but refuses to acknowledge the God who goes ahead of us, and whose creativity dwells within everyone created in his image!

[Janet]

There is nothing in it for the band; Delirious? disbanded some time ago and all the profits are going to charity. Also, History Maker is a brilliant track. Also, in case you haven't noticed, they hit No1 in the Amazon UK MP3 download charts and are, at the time I write this, at No3 (live version) and No4 (studio). This is free advertising for a song with a gospel message that is (did I mention it?) great music too.

[lizit]

Thanks! I'd like to push it a bit further and ask why is it we so often fail to see God at work in various ways throughout his world? It is so easy to somehow put ourselves in some kind of superior position as Christians and fail to see God except where we have decided he belongs.

[Fat Roland]

I'm pretty sure the Owl City guy is a Christian. He's certainly been a player in the Christian music scene, working with Matt Thiessen from Christian punk band Reliant K. Owl City's single a few weeks ago was a huge number one single and sounded very much like contemporary Christian music. But I guess, the Delirious nostalgia is a bigger draw.

[twitter.com/gentlemandad]

Personally, I'd like to examine the concepts put across by 'history-maker'. I'm not really sure I buy into the individualistic form of religion it expresses nor really like the notion of being a kill-joy when I don't want to participate in the twitter/facebook campaign. Seems to me it is just another example of pre-pubescent attention-seeking by a few individuals with nothing better to do with their time.

[Mark Tiddy]

Good to read on the church times blog that we unite with our lack of support for the campaign!

Owl City's Adam Young is a Christian and Matt Thiessen features on 4 songs on his album.

The problem with the Christian music scene in this country is there's no money in it so the majority of Christian music sounds awful...we've also settled with this soft pop-rock genre that drives me crazy!

In the states there's bands like Paramore (all Christian!), Relient K, Family Force 5, Owl City and Five Iron Frenzy (before their split) who are all Christian but don't always write cheese and the times when they do write something more 'Christian' they come up with some of the most profound stuff that really does challenge you. Equally I've been challenged by God through secular music far more so than through the latest 'buzz phrase' worship song from Redman or Hughes.

Anyway I feel I'd better stop ranting now and leave some space for other comments!

[Sarah]

I'm a Christian but I totally agree. I love music but its got to be good - and I don't rate them. They're ok but that's all - sorry lads!

[Tim]

Goodness me everyone!! Cant people see that this is the greatest opportunity we have had in this country for a long time to promote all things Christian and what we believe in!?! With all the rubbish going on in this country, cant we just support something 'Christian' for once without seeing the bad in it. Forget your own personal thoughts and get behind something that could have a major impact on our churches this Easter!
See the opportunity and not the negativity!

[Andy]

Amen Tim, Amen! :)

[Geoff]

Amen Tim!

We can sit at home and listen to music that stimulates our spirits all day long, but Jesus said Go into the World and Make Disciples.

One great way of doing that is by getting a song with a Christian message played on the secular media.

This campaign is not about promoting Delirious... they've broken up months ago. It's about promoting Jesus.

[Ian]

Tim, Andy and Geoff I agree its awsome to spread the message of Jesus.
But I don't think we can take any opportunity that arises to do this especially if it has negative effects.

However I think this is a great example of how many Christians there are in this country and how we are all united with our faith. Shame about the music we unite over! HA!

[alansmithee]

Hmmm, I seem to have been denied a voice.

Which tells me I hurt your feelings. I'm sorry if that's the case.

I won't come here again.

Goodbye. God bless.

[benedson]

alan, I welcome critique but if there is use of foul language then I delete it.