Most of this site's readers are aware that biblical literacy in Evangelicalism is quite low. Many people claiming to be Christians are unfamiliar with Scripture, but another problem can arise for those who are well-acquainted with the Bible. There is a veil of familiarity that can cover its pages and cause us to miss the … Continue reading Scripture and the Veil of Familiarity
Perhaps we rely on entertainment in the church to keep things interesting because we do not trust enough in God to keep our gatherings compelling. Entertainment is easy compared to waiting on God because waiting on God requires that we come to church with hearts prepared, undistracted by the world, and with a desire to … Continue reading Simulated Sunlight: Entertainment and the Church
Carman Licciardello, simply known as Carman, who rose to Christian music fame in the late 80s has died unexpectedly due to complications following hiatal hernia surgery. Many have already written about his legacy and the details of his life and death. One article worth reading is this one at Christianity Today. Carman’s music and videos … Continue reading Carman: A Soundtrack of My Youth
Society is filled with voices trying to tell us what to think and how to live, and we often spend too much time trying to please the unpleasable. Too often, churches spend more time trying to charm the culture rather than serving our Savior. We seek to entice the lost with entertainment when they are … Continue reading When Christians Try to Please the Culture
For many evangelicals, it seems goosebumps are the litmus test as to whether a song is anointed, but an emotional reaction can be misleading. I once had a co-worker who loved just about everything Disney. He put a sticker on his car, and he would proudly wear Disney hats and shirts. He was one of … Continue reading Was That Worship?
This one is purely for fun. In 1985, in response to Band Aid and the gathering of secular artists around a cause, Steve Camp gathered upward to 90 Christian musicians to form the C.A.U.S.E (Christian Artists United to Save the Earth). They recorded the song, Do Something Now, and the accompanying video below. This video … Continue reading CCM Backbeat: How Well Do You Know 80’s Christian Music?
Bob Kauflin, formerly of the group GLAD, did us a favor and pulled out a song written in 1980 to reminded us how a song can stand the test of time and speak to us in our current situation. Even in quarantine, we have every reason to be glad. Here is what Bob wrote: A … Continue reading CCM Backbeat: GLAD in Quarantine
With everything going on, I thought I could benefit from a break from all the current events for a CCM Backbeat. Hopefully you will be encouraged as well. Here are five classic CCM songs of comfort. 1. He Will Make Always Make a Way - Farrell & Farrell (1984) Let's start with something a little … Continue reading CCM Backbeat: 5 Songs of Comfort
It is common these days to hear people who appeared to walk close to the Lord, announce to the world that they are embracing a sinful lifestyle, or that they have doubted their faith and are moving on to other things. Usually, these announcements involve a discussion of their happiness. They will allude to the … Continue reading The Role of “Happiness” in Leaving the Faith
Many people are familiar with the music of Dion (DiMucci) even if they do not realize it. In the early 60's he had a several rock hits. Two of his biggest were, Runaround Sue and The Wanderer. These songs made him a household name during this time, and in 1989 he was inducted into the … Continue reading CCM Backbeat: I Put Away My Idols by Dion
The Fight of Faith 