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Christian Singer Wants to Be an Idol

Published April 16th, 2007 by Ingrid in Great Hymns, Idolatry

The pastor/father-in-law of an American Idol contestant sent out this email to Christian media. I received this letter this afternoon:

I am Phil Stacey’s father-in-law. Phil is a Top 7 finalist on American Idol. He is a devout Christian, family man, Navy vocalist, Christian songwriter, and a worship leader in his local church. We are asking all the Christian radio stations we can, to help air some of Phil’s music and encourage their listeners to support Phil. He has a great heart for God. Howard Stern, infamous “shock jock” has publicly vowed to use his program’s influence to get Phil off of American Idol. We need your help for Phil to continue to move up in the rankings, where he can have a great influence for the cause of Christ in the entertainment world. Hundreds of Christian stations began playing this high quality song of Phil’s last week, and encouraging viewers to support him on American Idol. More stations are joining in each day! I also have other Christian songs of Phil’s available for air play if you are interested in looking at them. Many of your listeners will truly enjoy hearing some of Phil’s Christian music on your stations. Thanks for your consideration and help!

Pastor Mark McIntosh
Evangelistic Center Church
Shawnee,Oklahoma

Question, Pastor Mark:

What is a “devout Christian” doing attempting to become an “American idol?” Is this what Jesus and the Apostles engaged in–winning applause from non-believers?Only in America do Christians believe they can have the screams of approval of the world while still obtaining the blessing of God. Christians in North Korea and China and other nations around the world know that following Jesus will cost them everything. Not so, in America. Our American idol (the god of evangelicalism) calls us to be personally successful, popular and all that we can be. The true Jesus calls us to die to ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Him. When you do that, you will lose the applause of the world, period. This hymnwriter had a whole different view than you, pastor. He had the view that comports with Scripture.

What is the world to me,
With all its vaunted pleasure
When Thou, and Thou alone,
Lord Jesus, art my Treasure!
Thou only, dearest Lord,
My soul’s Delight shalt be;
Thou art my Peace, my Rest—
What is the world to me?
The world is like a cloud
And like a vapor fleeting,
A shadow that declines,
Swift to its end retreating.
My Jesus doth abide,
Though all things fade and flee;
My everlasting Rock—
What is the world to me?
The world seeks to be praised
And honored by the mighty,
Yet never once reflects
That they are frail and flighty.
But what I truly prize
Above all things is He,
My Jesus, He alone—
What is the world to me?
The world seeks after wealth
And all that Mammon offers,
Yet never is content
Though gold should fill it coffers.
I have a higher good,
Content with it I’ll be:
My Jesus is my Wealth—
What is the world to me?
The world is sorely grieved
Whenever it is slighted
Or when its hollow fame
And honor have been blighted.
Christ, Thy reproach I bear
Long as it pleaseth Thee;
I’m honored by my Lord—
What is the world to me?
The world with wanton pride
Exalts its sinful pleasures
And for them foolishly
Gives up the heavenly treasures.
Let others love the world
With all its vanity;
I love the Lord, my God—
What is the world to me?
The world abideth not;
Lo, like a flash ’twill vanish;
With all it gorgeous pomp
Pale death it cannot banish;
Its riches pass away,
And all its joys must flee;
But Jesus doth abide—
What is the world to me?
What is the world to me?
My Jesus is my Treasure,
My Life, my Health, my Wealth,
My Friend, my Love, my Pleasure,
My Joy, my Crown, my All,
My Bliss eternally.
Once more, then, I declare—
What is the world to me?
Hymn #430 from The Lutheran Hymnal

Text: I John 2:15-17

Author Georg M. Pfefferkorn, 1667

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