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Sunday Edition


15
Aug
2003
A Different Perspective - What The Devil Intended For Harm


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Chris Unthank

The life of Joseph is a peculiar one. The beginning of his life was met with gladness and hope. God had promised him a prosperous life, one that would set him high above even his brothers. However, soon, Satan decided to try and end God’s plan for Joseph’s life. Joseph was greeted with more pain and agony than most of us endure in a lifetime. His brothers betrayed him, he was framed for a crime he didn’t commit, and he was sentenced to death.

The good thing about this story is that what Satan intended for harm and grief, God turned around. Joseph soon found himself second in command in all the land. He in turn greeted his brothers with forgiveness and love.

My point about this story is a simple one. The mainstream industry is often looked upon as satan-worshipping, idolization, half naked individuals dancing across the screen, etc. However, what I see is ample opportunity to take what the world has and put it to use in the Gospel music industry.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that our ladies need to skimp down their outfits or our guys need to start womanizing. What I am saying is that perhaps we can utilize some of the marketing, publicity, and advertising techniques that they have used and put them to our advantage.

It seems to me that the devil has had control of music for far too long. Why not take what the devil intended for harm and utilize it for God’s glory?

Some record labels and artists are already taking the initiative. I can think of couple record labels who continually market their artists the right way. Everything from the artist’s look to the album cover and packaging is cutting edge. Their artists look like they KNOW what they are doing.

Some artists are starting to market themselves OUTSIDE of the church walls. Amazing isn’t it? Reach an audience that would never hear you in any normal circumstances?

It’s continually amazes me how much we think we need to be AWAY from the world that we totally underestimate what the world is doing to help their businesses. Does a Christian accountant change his business ways so they are unique to a Christian worldview? Hardly. How about a Christian plumber, architect, or waitress? Are they going to abandon their training? Or are they going to utilize it and put it work like a good businessman/woman would?

To me, it’s simple. Why not take what the devil intended for harm and use it for God’s glory? Come on guys, we can’t live in this bubble forever.

Reader Comments

I agree. (this rarely happens)


Commented by sglive365.com RADIO On 08/18/2003
I agree Chris. When the Lord said we need to be "in the world, but not of it" we often forget the first half. We need to be IN the world, just like Avalon says in their song "In Not Of." It's hard to reach the lost for Christ when you're not in their face. Well said, Chris.


Commented by On 08/18/2003
AMEN!! I was talking about some of this very stuff just last night.


Commented by Hurley On 08/18/2003
Chris, you are right on! I couldn't agree with you more on this subject, and I couldn't have said it better myself! Thanks for speaking up on this!


Commented by John Lanier On 08/18/2003
Chris,

I cartainly agree that we should not "abandon [our] training" as you put it, for good and profitable business practices will surely benefit both the just and the unjust. But perhaps you would agree with me that, as God's people, we should take those practices that the world calls profitable and raise them to an even higher standard, filling them with godly integrity, and in so doing let our lights shine before men to the glory of God.

You're right: being separate from the world doesn't mean living in a cave. It primarily has to do with being separate from the "spirit" of the world, which has pleasing self as its ultimate goal. Thanks for the good thoughts.


Commented by On 08/21/2003
Our pastor has said on many occasions that if Jesus were walking on the earth today, he wouldn't be in the church house, he would be where the sinners are. Not doing what they are doing, but pointing them to the Father. I agree with him. You can't point sinners toward God from the church pew, because most sinners (lost) aren't in the church house. Good Article Chris.


Commented by On 08/25/2003
Great article Chris. In the last couple of month's Singing News I've noticed the different ads for groups. The more modern looking ones such as the Booth Brothers, Karen Peck and NR, etc. look very good. I'm glad to see this change and I believe this is one thing that you are referring to.


Commented by On 08/26/2003
I agree that at all times we should use the best in production and marketing techniques. I disagree that being a Christian does not change the way an architect, plumber or waitress does their business. It should be greatly affecting what they do in their business. It probably explains why Christianity is not affecting the world as it should if being a Christian is not affecting the way we do our business. Being a Christian should make a big difference in how we do everything we do. It should change the way we work, live and play.

It is certainly possible that we Christians may be inadequate in how we produce and market our music. However, I am not convinced that the secular music world has the answers we need to make our music better. It would be a misrepresentation to say that Joseph used the world's techniques to rise to second in command in Egypt. What he used was God's gift to him of accurately interpreting dreams. If he had used the gift to the same level as the local Egyptian dream interpreters, we probably never would have heard of Joseph. So, it wasn't the world's techniques that prompted Joseph's rise, but God's gift used properly. When it comes to music, then, do we use the world's techniques, or does God have something better for us?

Finally, I get a little nervous when people in the music industry start pushing Christians to follow the world's styles and techniques. There are so many references in the ministry of Jesus and in scripture that would push us away from doing that. And I wonder about the motivation of people who would push us to follow the mainstream industry's techniques. Are they really trying to bring the Gospel to sinners? Or, do they simply want to be part of the mainstream industry but their conscience or friends won't let them.

What I do agree with, though, is that Christian music should be the best, both in content and marketing. I also agree that it is a worthy goal that the devil should not be controlling the music industry. I just don't agree that following mainstream's techniques will make our music the best or help us overturn the devil.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit

- Galatians 5:25. 

My Blog



Commented by Keith Prater On 09/04/2003
Some great thoughts,.. and a well written post Keith.. You have made me think.


Commented by sglive365.com RADIO On 09/04/2003
If you will take some time to read all of Mr. Prater's posts you will find that he never has anything positive to say in regards to any article written on this website. You will also notice that the only thing on his mind is pushing his own agenda. You can find that out by checking out his website. It would appear that the only ideas Mr. Prater is in agreement with are his own.

As for Christian businessmen not opperatting to today's standards, that is a ludicrous idea. How would a Christian plumber operate his business differently than a non-christian plumber. They will both use the same modern techniques. Certainly the Christian plumber wouldn't be using the techniques of 20-40 years ago because his traditional father did when obviously the new techniques of today are better, more equipped and more efficient. This is the attitude that is being addressed in this article. Not the spiritual side.


Commented by On 09/04/2003
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