This week I bring you Lincoln Brewster’s version of Salvation is Here. After reading the posts underneath this video on Youtube I am honestly suprised. Apparently, there are people out there who don’t think this is a viable worship song. Their main argument seems to be that it is Lincoln on display and not God. I happen to have a couple of thoughts on that.
First, who gave Lincoln his talent and put it on his heart to pursue it?
Second, why does Christian music have to be lame to be God-honoring? Surely as Christians we have reason to pursue excellence more than other artists because we do not do so for ourselves.
Third, what is the purpose of the music video? Are you really capable of being in an honest state of worship while watching a music video on Youtube? No, probably you have eight tabs open linking you into your facebook, email, blog and whatever else you are on the internet to do. Face it, the internet is a good tool, but as a medium, is really weak at being a tool for worship. That’s what corporate worship, prayer and scripture are for. We live in a world that thrives on entertainment and some element of the video has to be entertaining for it to achieve its purpose as a video.
Finally, who is the video reaching with its words. If you want sweet hymnal style music, go find it, there is plenty out there. But chances are this song is a great bridge for our secular friends who also happen to be guitar snobs. Your basic Steve Vai or Stevie Ray Vaughn fan is not going to care for most worship music because the artist cannot play guitar like that. Yet, here is an honest, talented, Christian artist who can.
Chances are if you thought this song puts Lincoln on display over the internet, you would be just as upset sitting in his worship service. So, really evaluate, is his music selfish? Or is it a fantastic way to bridge the musical gap to our unsaved guitarist fans?
CounterSunk 