American Idol Got it Wrong but They Also Got it Right
Ok, this first part has nothing to do with theology and may not find much of an audience, but I have to say it.
American Idol got it wrong! Wronger than wrong. Sinfully wrong!
Michael Johns was the best contestant, in my opinion, that AI has ever had. Maybe he was just my style, and I understand that this year has better contestants than any year so far, but come on . . . what a surprise.
Second . . .
Once again, what is up with American Idol and Jesus?
Check this out . . . they sang this both last night and tonight. My man Bono is having an effect!
Maybe in pretense, maybe in truth, but I loved every second of it.
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Kevin Helems on 10 Apr 2008 at 11:09 pm #
Pretense or not, this song was listed as one of the top downloads from the show, which was I believe why they sang it again tonight. If it is pretense, well, can not the God of Heaven and Earth, work mightily through both the bad as well as the good? I do not have a bible for the exact ‘quote’ but you know what I mean.
Its interesting, many of the Christian blogs have mentioned the increased religious songs with Jesus being mentioned–what is sadly disturbing is most seem suspicious, offended or upset. Why is this?
Back to your original aspect of posting–Michael was great, and the next few weeks will just be even more gut-wrenching. I like each one. Maybe this is why I never ever allowed myself to be suckered into watching the show–it can hurt a lot.
KLH
Luke on 10 Apr 2008 at 11:31 pm #
Kristy Lee Cook sucks, she needs to go. Syesha also needs to go, and so does Jason Castro. The top 3 are David Archuleta, David Cook, and Brooke White…hands down. I would accept any of those 3 winning. America definitely got it wrong tonight.
Claudette on 11 Apr 2008 at 12:57 am #
I can’t believe how wrong they got it! I thought Kristy Lee Cook or Jason Castro should have gone home tonight. Michael Johns is so talented. My other favorite is David Cook. I’m a bit partial to that style of music, but I would also be happy with David Archuleta or Brooke White.
Brenna on 11 Apr 2008 at 4:58 am #
I, too, was shocked that Michael Johns left the show. I thought it would be Syesha …she’s already been in the bottom 3 more than once. Michael will probably be the next Daughtery.
Eric Stephens on 11 Apr 2008 at 5:41 am #
I’m torn as well. Its great that they played a blatantly Christian worship chorus. Aside from the fact it is perhaps the single most overplayed Christian song ever they did remove “Jesus” from the beginning which suggests a bit of pandering. Too bad if you ask me.
BTW - I predict that Cook will take it all. That boy rawks!
Greg Smith on 11 Apr 2008 at 5:56 am #
There is only one name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved, and they removed it from the song. This is a BIG deal no matter how bloggers are trying to smooth it over in the blogosphere.
I agree that Johns should not have gone. Kristy Lee Cook should not have even made the top twelve. But to say that Jason Castro should have been cut as one of the commentators has shows a complete lack of appreciation for the tremendous originality he has displayed. Archuleta is over-rated.
richards on 11 Apr 2008 at 6:20 am #
I think the fact that they removed “Jesus” and substituted “Shepherd” is a big deal. The words to that song are incredibly glorifying, but by stripping the specific identity of the Lord *Jesus*, it become anothers hymn to the great whatever. By saying “Shepherd”, anyone can applaud. If they had said “Jesus”, it’s no longer “inspirational” but “Christian”.
You’re right, Michael, Bono *is* having an effect.
JoanieD on 11 Apr 2008 at 7:28 am #
Nice song. I never heard it before. Who was the original artist/writer? What is the title? Thanks.
Believe it or not, I have never watched American Idol! I know so many people who won’t miss it though. I know what it’s about and have seen some clips about it.
Joanie D.
Kara P. on 11 Apr 2008 at 8:36 am #
This is one of my FAVORITE songs! This is one of the songs that made me start listening to Christian music 3-4 years ago.
Joanie D.:
“‘Shout to the Lord’ is a popular worship anthem, written by singer/songwriter Darlene Zschech in 1993.”
OKAY, I was so mad at America last night but then again I didn’t vote and if you don’t vote, you don’t have a voice. I voted last year but I kept getting text message SPAM, so I stopped. I wish they wouldn’t try to make more money off of you! I think it is $2 to vote, but they send you all these daily quizes and whatnot. My cell phone bill was over $200 from all the junk.
I think David Cook and Michael Johns should have faced off. I was so sad last night because only the most popular, very best singers go anywhere after American Idol. Isn’t that true in the real world? How come so few are selected? Think about all the unused talent out there!
JohnT3 on 11 Apr 2008 at 8:36 am #
Unless they rigged with the calls AI didn’t do anything wrong in regards to this poor poor singer.
I never watch the show but I hear people talk about it. You call into to vote and thenumber of votes determines who stays. If I have that right then it isn’t AI who got it wrong it is fans of Michael Johns who got it wrong.
They probably thoguht that he was going to get the required votes and did not. Subsequently he didn’t get the needed votes.
See Michael after you wife yelled at you for voting so manytimes you should have sneeked that one last call
So maybe it is your fault:)
C Michael Patton on 11 Apr 2008 at 8:41 am #
They did say “My Jesus” on Thursday night.
britphil on 11 Apr 2008 at 8:55 am #
Hi folks
My own take is that you maybe should be grateful to have such a great song played on such a top show.
OK so they took the Jesus word out and I understand the concerns about that, but I could just imagine the furore if that song appeared on Pop Idol here in the UK. Richard Dawkins and his mob would have the switchboard in meltdown!
One explanation I may be able to give is that maybe Simon Cowell has less objections to featuring Christian music in the USA than in the in the USA than in the UK. One of his close friends and a former panellist on the UK show is Sunitta, who I think I am right in saying is a member of the Hillsong church in London, closely linked with Darlene Zscech, who I think is an inpired songwriter..
Let’s hope that next week, Mighty To Save. one of the latest superb Hillsong offerings is sung….then you really will know you are in business!
Jeff B. on 11 Apr 2008 at 9:43 am #
I’ve been surprised at the mentions of Jesus in AI this season as well. Not only this “Gives Back” episode, but Dolly’s 2 nights had quite a few glances in Jesus’ direction. I personally do not care whether AI got it wrong or right…or what their motivation was. I think it is better to take a page from the apostle Paul when he was writing to the Philippians:
“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” [Phil 1:15-18]
I realize that the exegisis might be slightly out of context, but I don’t think it too far of a reach to make application here; “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”
Was Jesus replaced with shepherd? In one sense, maybe…in another sense, isn’t He THE Shepherd? If people download one song and like it, is there a possibility they may search out the artist and look at others? Is it possible seeds might be planted where there were none?
…the important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached (even if He is disguised by a reality show or misnomer).
jb
AJ on 11 Apr 2008 at 10:19 am #
Does anyone here get the feel that David Cook comes across as a bit arrogant? Brooke or David A should win.
C Michael Patton on 11 Apr 2008 at 10:27 am #
I replaced the video with the latest one that does say “My Jesus.”
C Michael Patton on 11 Apr 2008 at 10:28 am #
Which is very interesting that they changed it from night one to night two. What do you make of that?
I think it is awesome!
britphil on 11 Apr 2008 at 10:37 am #
….Awesome indeed Michael! Hope the morning has dawned fine over there in Oklahoma City. Its turning out quite nice here in Liverpool UK.
Maybe more people contacted them requesting the word “Jesus” be re-inserted than requested it to cotninue to be withheld.
A credible song with fabulous lyrics.
I just could not see it happening on mainstream UK TV.
But I may be proved wrong. I certainly hope so.
I do hope my shattering revelation elsewhere on the blog today that I have definite Arminian leanings will not herald the premature end of a promising fledgling transatlantic on-line friendship!!
By the way…what is your favourite flavoured jellybean! (See “Once Saved Also Saved” just in case you think I have totally lost the plot. - Wisconsin Josh and I have been comparing notes!
C Michael Patton on 11 Apr 2008 at 10:42 am #
Coconut.
Truthfully, I think most people here in America are quite surprised as well.
Arminian (wrong) or not (right)
you are ok my British friend.
C Michael Patton on 11 Apr 2008 at 10:56 am #
Here is a rant about why they should not have sung the song by what seems to be a nominal Catholic blogger on the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/emamerican-idolem-jesus-c_b_96176.html
What do you think?
britphil on 11 Apr 2008 at 11:06 am #
Hmm…interesting take!
I have to say playing it twice did seem a bit of an odd editorial decision…not that I am complaining!
It actually looks as though the guy is a practising Catholic from what he says, as opposed to a nominal one which makes his stance even more surprising.
I have seen on British TV shows of a similar ilk people perform “Ave Maria”. I guess he would have been OK with that and would have been up on his feet applauding rather than complaining…or am I being a tad unfair?
What I can’t get over is his passing reference to the show being devoted to ‘inspirational’ songs and then complaining when a really inspirational song is song.
I think he is in need of a jellybean…coconut maybe…watermelon even!!
JohnT3 on 11 Apr 2008 at 11:21 am #
So can anyone tells us what the big three thought?
How did they respond to the song?
While I still believe that the motivation behind the song selection is that CCM(contemporary christian music)has a large demographic and that is what drove the decision for song selection.
However, what ever their motivation I am with the Apostle Paul when he said that they may have preached the gospel for the wrong reasons but the gospel was preached.
So I am praying that the Lord will replace a dead heart with a live one somewhere out there in AI Land.
Chuck Miller on 11 Apr 2008 at 11:42 am #
Hey Michael, it’s me again, the curmudgeon. I just watched the film clip, read the previous posts, check out other links, so now I am prepared to comment.
When I was first saved, this song blew me away. It is one I still enjoy playing on my guitar. However, I am intrigued by this alleged controversy, entertainers (saved and unsaved) have been singing Amazing Grace in performance for years. No one squawks about that. I do agree that the name of Jesus will always rattle a few cages.
Now the curmudgeon - do you folks really watch this stuff?
C Michael Patton on 11 Apr 2008 at 11:43 am #
umm…my wife makes me.
AJ on 11 Apr 2008 at 11:50 am #
For all Michael Johns fans . . . see his videos with his former bands “Film” and “Cradle” on YouTube. Some fabulous stuff. This guy is going to be bigger that Daughtrey. Go Aussie!
rick on 11 Apr 2008 at 11:52 am #
perhaps the most wrong thing of the evening was the way Ryan gave him the send-off. To tell someone he got the lowest votes, then raise his hopes with hints of mercy, then turn around and tell him he is kicked off- seems a little harsh. A double whammy.
anna on 11 Apr 2008 at 7:54 pm #
Jason Castro sings and plays guitar at our church in Rockwall,texas which is named Lakepointe. It is important to him and his family that he keep a christian witness, while being in this contest. He truly does have his own kind of style.
Alyssa B-D on 12 Apr 2008 at 4:35 pm #
I might be totally off, but the Jesus thing actually freaks me out a little. I’m not anti — I don’t want to be anti! It just feels odd to me to have people sing gospel when they’re not Christians. It just feels…. odd. Sort of Constantine-ish. I’m sorry — I make no sense.
I’m actually about to mark 2 years with the TV turned off!!! So, maybe I’m just getting irrelevant.
You’re wife so doesn’t make you, Michael. You love it. The truth will set you free.
JoanieD on 12 Apr 2008 at 4:54 pm #
Alyssa, my husband decided not to watch TV anymore a few months after the US military went in to Iraq. He just got disgusted by what he was seeing as non-truths and said most things on TV were useless so he stopped watching. And he didn’t watch for a couple years. But he has started watching some things again. We like No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain. And a few of the cooking shows. And I have a couple favorites. But I spend way more time on the computer than I do in front of the TV. What I should REALLY be doing is MOVING my body to get rid of the excess weight dragging me down.
And I think I know what you mean about all those folks singing that song. Maybe the ones that “don’t believe” what they are singing decide that they are just singing a song. They probably feel they could sing a song about feeling suicidal and it wouldn’t mean THEY are feeling suicidal. Yet, it seems many people feel if you are singing a “religious” song, you must mean what you are singing.
Joanie D.
Sally on 12 Apr 2008 at 10:23 pm #
Good point about “Amazing Grace”. Seems like everyone, Christians and non, know the words to that one. Wonder what Darlene Zschech’s opinion is?
Jesus on Idol? Yes! « Questions and Challenges on 14 Apr 2008 at 12:12 am #
[...] was just alerted to this through my favorite blog Parchment and Pen, which asked: What’s up with American Idol and Jesus? and posted a link to [...]