Divorced musicians

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by baptistforever:
What the point of the post was to show that God has called people to different areas of ministry or vocations. Yes, music is a vocation, and people are called by God to different vocations.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

And the point of my post is to ask what biblical basis is there for seeing God calling someone to a music ministry outside the local church? Just because a lot of people claimed to be "called" to something does not mean that it is biblically based.

 

To those who think Amy Grant should "step out of the limelight", I'm just curious: Should David have stepped down from the throne after he raped a woman then murdered her husband to cover it up?

 

David didn't have a moment's peace for the rest of his life after that episode. He paid for it the rest of his life, his kingdom and his testimony were ruined. He spent his life in mourning, writing songs begging for forgiveness, and died a miserable man. The comparison between David & Amy Grant's ilk is a reach.

 

So should he have stepped down or not? (By the way, the comparison is a reach-I don't think Ms. Grant has murdered anybody).

 

Being King of Israel isn't something you could step down from. God put him there, God kept him there.

And Amy Grant will have to live a very long time to make a quarter of the contributions to Christianity that David has.

 

I would remind everyone that David was taken from the throne for awhile, and Judah and Benjamin were carried away for awhile, but they were both restored.

Paul said if there is a brother overtaken in a fault then we which are spiritual must restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, lest we are also tempted.

Church discipline is for the purpose of restoration. Many of you talk as if this particular sin is beyond God's ability to forgive, and that any one is beyond his ability to restore.

Many others talk as if the "no one's perfect" cop out gives some a license to live in disobedience to God's righteous standards.

[ February 12, 2002: Message edited by: Aaron ]

 

I also must object to this comparison of "contributions." Christianity isn't about all of us going out and doing something all the time. It's about the Kingdom of God and how it reigns in our hearts. God desires truth in the inward parts, and causes us to know wisdom in hidden places.

It's time we took our focus off the outward appearance and judged according to truth.

[ February 12, 2002: Message edited by: Aaron ]

 

I have several friends in the metal recycle business. Some have been there over 25 years, and have been used by God there. Is being a factory worker a vocation described in the Bible? No? Can God call someone to be a dentist? How about an airplane pilot? A firefighter? Are any of these in the Bible? God has a different plan for each of us. God used David to write infallible, perfect, inerrant scripture. Who's to say that God can't use a man or woman to sing songs for his glory? I'll admit some of them being in such a huge spotlight is dangerous, yet none the less God is in control!

If God chooses to make someone a baker for 45 years that He may lead one person to Christ- who am I to argue? Who are you to argue of the ways of God? (ps-He has )

Soul winning is not our job gentlemen. It's the Holy Spirits. And despite the really dumb things we have done (I'm sure you can think of a few), He still will get the job done. If someone feels called into the field of music for the praise of God, I know that I am for one to ignorant to question God's will.

UNP
Adam

 

I agree.

The vast, vast amount of CCM is entertainment. Maybe entertainment that has the pleasant side benefit of have ministry opportunities, but entertainment, nonetheless.

My biggest problem is that so many who would condemn Amy Grant for her divorce (and, by the way, my big concern with Amy isn't the divorce itself, but that she continually refused her husband's and her pastor's plea for counseling and reconciliation) continue to embrace Sandi Patti, whose divorce was every bit as ugly.

 

What is your source for this information?

 

What is your source for this information?</font>[/QUOTE]She's come out now and admitted that she and Vince Gill were fooling around a couple of times but the best source are the CCM interviews.

CCM magazine devoted two issues to letting both Amy and Gary tell their respective stories.

 

I don't know. I just went to her website and it looks like she still keeps a pretty hectic touring schedule. It sure doesn't look like she's stepped away from the limelight.

Theresa, I'm not judging Sandi for her divorce. That's between her and God.

Like I said, I see her as an entertainer, not a minister but for years, she refused to acknowledge her divorce, much less repent and I just think it's funny that many of the same people who reject Amy Grant for her divorce won't acknowledge that someone who's considered a darling of the more conservative set has done the same thing.

If Sandi can sing, then she should sing. If Amy can sing, then she should sing.

All I'm saying is that people shouldn't judge one person so harshly and then let someone else off the hook just to suit their musical tastes.

 

I agree. Remember, I'm not defending Amy Grant, here.

Her last three albums were mainstream albums and she plays to mostly mainstream audiences now so I think it's fair to say that she has stopped being a Christian artist and has become an artist who is a Christian.

I think that's great but it's a very common misconception that Christian music is just one big happy family whose only goal is to do the work of God.

People who go into Christian music with this idea are usually in for a very rude awakening.

While their are some wonderful people in CCM who really are there for ministry opportunities, CCM as an industry is indistinguishable from mainstream music.

You forget, though, that I was involved in CCM on the production end for years so I have seen what goes on behind the scenes.

I've shared my experiences with the Creation Festival and it's parent company, Creation/Metro Concerts, many times here.

One of the pleasant by-products of CCM is that it may create ministry opportunities.

There are some artists such as Mylon and BrokenHeart which handled themselves as a ministry first and a rockband second but, by and large, it's still entertainment.

I agree. Again, I'm not defending Amy Grant, here but she's a singer, not a minister.

[ September 09, 2002, 03:05 PM: Message edited by: Smoke_Eater ]

 

CCM as an industry is indistinguishable from mainstream music.

This is one thing you and I agree on, Mike.

 

Let's make it three.

Except I would say that the mainstream industry doesn't try to co-opt the name of God to make a buck quite as much as the "Christian" labels.