How about idols sing praise songs? Those sentiments seem fairly strange – almost as strange as the actual fact. The eight finalist on American Idol sang the popular praise song “Shout to the Lord” to close out their charity show last night.
I didn’t watch it live, as I stopped caring about AI a long time ago. However, the show has always been intriguing with a wide variety of singers from diverse backgrounds. You have had the bad boys and the ex-strippers, but most of the winners and a large portion of the finalists have been at least nominally Christian and began singing in church. While many have been overtly Christian and open about their faith. Others had experience in the Christian music industry such as last season’s winner Jordan Sparks.
I just thought it was interesting. Here’s the video. One thing adds to the oddity. They changed the opening line from “My Jesus” to “My Shepherd” while keeping all the references to “Lord,’ “Savior” and all the other obvious Christian imagery. I guess Jesus still is “a stumbling block.”
Exit question: Did they pass an offering plate?
Well, I have not liked all the references to Jesus in Idol this year, myself. I guess I just don't think that is the appropriate venue for such things.
I did not get to watch much of it this week, having been busy, but last week was ridiculous.
My wife and I were a bit shocked, and I felt bad for all of the non-Christian idols who had to pretend like they were enjoying themselves singing a worship song. I mean, usually, such events call for a non-sectarian, humanistic "we are the world" type of thing.
I didn't notice that they replaced "my Jesus" with "my shepherd" – since my wife and I were singing along with the 'regular' words. The original by Darlene Czech (sp?) is, of course, fantastic.
And I, along with many others are disappointed that Michael Johns went home last night. What about the other three sucky singers still on the show? (pick your own three ;) Travesty.
I am glad that many of the previous winners were Christian (Fantasia, Jordan, Ruben, Carrie, and probably Chris Daughtry), since it puts someone with ostensible morals into the limelight, and reflects well on xianity a bit as well. But this is really about singing – it's not "Christian idol" (that's what TBN's Gifted is.