I wish Brother Shawn would have read my entire letter so everyone would have understood certain points and would have understood the meaning better. I did not know, when he mentioned Christian music the week before, that he was only referring to worship inside the Church. It appeared that he was condemning artists that use their gift of music for God. However, you will note that in this video he compares Christians bands to worldly music. He also, later in the video, belittles Contemporary Christian bands like the Rez band, Petra, etc. How does that same logic apply when comparing the worldly practice of writing and selling Christian books?
One part of my letter that he completely ignored ... I asked, "If God can inspire you, Shawn McCraney, to write a book entitled "Born Again Mormon" and sell it, why can't God inspire someone to write a song and sing it, a poem and read it, or a picture and paint it?" Does God only work through the worldly practice of writing books while not making use of other mediums? What sets Brother Shawn apart from those that feel a calling upon their lives to share Christ through their gift of words and music? I never got an answer.
HERE IS THE LETTER I WROTE TO PASTOR SHAWN MCCRANEY:
The video, Music and Worship Pt.1, is lower on the page ... after my letter.
"I
have been watching your program since before October of 2012. I have
really enjoyed your programs and respect your quest for the Truth and I only I pray for your ministry and it's success.
I am
a bit perplexed by things you have said regarding "Christian
music". I do not understand your obvious disdain for it.
You have said that it's all about emotionalism and that you can
achieve that same emotionalism through Metallica. You continue
saying the lyrics within the Church should only be directly from
scripture and demonstrate this practice at CAMPUS. There's
nothing wrong with singing scripture but how can you promote secular
while demoting Christian? I feel this position is extreme and
zealous. Should we advise against Christian writings or poems
put to music while suggesting the equal from non-believers is fine?
This reminds me of the time when a Church of Christ friend explained
to me any music that worships God is evil while he was listening to
Nine Inch Nails. God has blessed certain individuals with the gift
of music and the gift of word and they choose to use it to glorify
God while they could decide to glorify themselves like so many others do. I
am unfamiliar with Mormon practices of worship but I would ask you if
this attitude or position could be the result of Mormon influence or
Mormon prejudice?
I am
curious how far you think the words and thoughts
of God extend in written or audible form? Do
you believe the KJV is
the only version we should use?
Do you believe that
the word of God is found in other formal
equivalence bibles
like the NASB? How
about those
like the NIV which
use both formal and Dynamic
equivalence?
Would you also include pure Dynamic
versions like the Good News version? You
have concerns with
evangelical ministers
when they lack
scripture in their sermon while containing
mostly personal analogies to demonstrate their point, and I agree
with this concern.
However, as I watch you minister, especially at CAMPUS, you use
analogies almost after every scripture read. I do not fault you
for this and think that you are doing a great job ... but you still
use them. Why can't
Christian music artists express themselves in this same
manner? If
you are a KJV onlyist, then I can see where
you would believe in only word for word worship in music.
If
your concerns lie with the industry itself and their greed for money,
I can relate. But,
if it is with Christians expressing God, biblical
beliefs, personal Christian struggles, justice or mercy, or even the
worship of God put to music then I do not understand nor believe that
this is sound teaching. How do you feel about the Rev. Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr.? You have said that ministers should not
be promoting personal justice(s) in
this fallen world.
This leaves
me wondering
your views on the
Rev. King. If
you feel he was teaching
in error, then I can
see where you would not support thought
for thought songs
about injustice,
mercy, and the love of God.
Do you believe that God can
influence individuals to write books, poems, or
literature? Did
God influence you to write a book entitled "Born Again Mormon"?
If so, how can it be
claimed God does not
influence those in which He has given
the gift of music to do the same? When you first wrote your
book you didn't know if it would be successful, middle
of the road, or a
failure ... so it can't be about the money because you could have,
and may have, done
very well with your book.
How about the writings of C.S. Lewis, Oswald Chambers, the Church
fathers, or contemporary authors like Dr.
Hugh Ross or Dr.
William Lane Craig? Is it only in books, literature, or
writings that you feel individuals are influenced by God and
He doesn't use other media?
To
compare Metallica against the ministry of artists like Keith Green or
Rich Mullins who gave incalculable benefits to Gods people is
immaturity. I could compare other Christian artists closer in
style and show the fruits of their labor. I, for one, felt the Holy
Spirits conviction on my life and accepted Christ at a Christian Rock
concert. Do not take away from the goodness and rightness of
gifted and inspired Christians expressing themselves through their
God given gift of music AND writing. I am not advocating for
“Jesus is My Boyfriend” but you appear to me to doubt all
Christian music and expect it to be word for word when nothing that
you have published or accomplished has been word for word.
Through
your testimony you claim that God inspired you to write a work in the
art of literature which is not word for word scripturally but you
turn around and demote the power of God to inspire through the
writing and the performance of song, which is just another medium,
and it appears hypocritical. Should I apply that same logic to your
book, that nothing outside the “word for word” rendering done by
King James translators in 1611 or the later 1780 is beneficial?
I
truly do love you as a brother and love your show.
Godspeed,
Kev
Lane"
