I was actually quite impressed with the show tonight. The idol contestants sang a praise song; they sang "Shout to the Lord" and it was quite nice. I find it encouraging to see them tying Christ to their season of mercy with Idol gives back. Granted, it doesn't mean American Idol is a Christian program or even that the contestants actually believe what they sung when singing the praise. Nevertheless, Christ's name was proclaimed to millions of people and for this I rejoice.

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Guys, that's not the same performance that aired on tv. In the one on tv, they're not all dressed in white and the version I saw and heard included the name of Jesus in the song; that's one of the reasons I was impressed by it. In fact, I've still got the program on my DVR.

Cool! My bad.


I'll delete the irrelevant posts then. So sorry!

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I just double checked to make sure I was right, and what I said is correct. I just went on Americanidol.com (please note I'm not that big of a fan. I just went to see what folks had to say about this). Anyway, somebody else noticed it too. Here's one comment I found:

Posted: 4/10/2008 5:54:00 PM Why did the lyrics to \"Shout to the Lord\" change from \"my shepherd\" to \"my Jesus\" in tonight\'s show? I am glad, but I was wondering why.

Timothy, I know what you're saying about getting sick with much of the praise music. Hey, I came out of the Calvary Chapel craze (even went to their Bible college). Actually, I'm one of those EP guys now. That said, I find myself rejoicing in the fact that one of the biggest shows on tv tonight praised Jesus as King. Again, whether they meant it or not, it's still glorious to know that millions upon millions of people heard the name of Jesus being proclaimed.

Hey, where did everybody's posts go? Now, it's just you and me Josh...

I deleted 'em in fulfillment to the promise I made in my apology.

My wife and I watch the show and we were quite shocked at the fact they sang the song. Plus the song actually has good words in it, and as you said it mentions the name of Jesus Christ in the opening line.

I'm with you in that I'm not ready to proclaim American Idol as a Christian program because it's not, but I was rather impressed with that choice of song tonight. And I must confess I'm a bit puzzled by it because of how strong the words are.

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You know, it would be one thing if the song just mentioned the name of the Lord. Nobody would think anything of that because everyone in the world has their own "Lord." But the song actually starts out mentioning the name of the ONE, TRUE LORD - Jesus Christ.

I bet what happened is Darlene S., the author of the song, didn't like the fact that they left "Jesus" out of the version they performed on 04/09/10. So she may have gotten on AI's case?

I like the song.

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I like the song and was absolutely shocked tonight, in a pleasant way. To hear these words on AI was really surprising.

My Jesus, My Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My Comfort, My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You
(Chorus)
Shout to the Lord, all the earth
Let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in
YOU!

(chorus)
My Jesus, My Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My Comfort, My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

(Chorus)
Shout to the Lord, all the earth
Let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in
YOU!
(bridge)
let the earth sing
i declare your great name
all of my life i will
with all of my breath
i will praise you
lift it up, life it up

(chorus)

nothing compares to you
i shout your praise
nothing compares to you
Nothing compares to the promise I have in YOU!

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I like the song...but my wife and I found the performance unnerving.

I can't completely put my finger on why...it has to do with the fact that American Idol likely sees their "giving back" as a religious thing...I guess I saw it as more manipulative than anything. Of course, the fact they used a song worshipping the One True God is very telling...even unbelievers can tell their good works mean nothing apart from Christianity.

Sorry to be the downer, guys...pagans using a song like that seems to be demanding judgement (not from me) rather than something to rejoice over in and of itself.

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I haven't made it a secret as to how I feel about American Idolatry. I'm with Craig on this one.

I like that song a bunch and having it on AI is manipulative. It's a gold ring in a pig's snout.

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Mmmmm - Bacon.

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I think it is great. Christ was sang to by pagans as King. I sang right along with them. They sing judgement upon themselves and those who sang to the Lord with right hearts sang Praise. The father can draw to Christ or judge as he sees fit. He shall be praised. Remember the unconverted that sang Hosanna in the Highest the day before he was crucified. They were calling for his crucifixion just a little later. And he accepted that praise saying if they didn't praise Him the rocks would call out.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth
Let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in
YOU!

I'm sorry, but hearing that rendition of Shout to the Lord on American Idol made my stomach churn. It was only one slight step higher than Miley Cirus' (aka Hannah Montana) little speech at the Kid's Choice Award claiming she is a christian. There was nothing wrong with what she said, but coming out her mouth it was pure mockery.

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Randy,

I know what you're saying...that's why I said pagans singing the song was no occassion to rejoice "in and of itself". I agree with you (in a certain sense). I will rejoice when God judges the wicked, and I rejoice that all creation cries out "glory!" to the King.

I do think the context of American Idol is significantly different than Christ being praised before His death...those unbelievers were moved by Christ (even though they didn't understand Him), American Idol was moved by the works of their own hands...ironic when out of the other side of the mouth they sing: "I sing for joy at the work of Your hands".

Some evangelicals will see the singing of that song as a "sanctifying" of the show making it more than what it is...I'm not saying you are doing this...or anyone else on the PB...just adding the voice of balance

Was the name of Jesus Christ positively declared in front of millions of people last night? Please, just answer me that question.

Read the words of the song that Adam posted and then answer me that one question. I'm not asking whether or not you like American Idol. I'm not asking whether or not they knew what they were singing about. I'm not asking what their motive for singing it was.

I'm asking one simple question - Was the name of Jesus Christ positively declared on national television last night?

I mean we've heard his name used in vain enough on television and movies, let's just be thankful that for once His precious Name was sung about in a right way.