not the first and certainly not the last

Pop music is not my first choice. I find it to be more of a testament to the skills of the producers than the artists themselves. All you have to do is come up with one catchy line, and then let the mixers go to work. Apparently, this formula works since artists continue to make millions producing song after song. And if you throw in a little unorthodoxy in your antics, you are sure to become a star. For me, I would rather listen to someone strumming on the guitar or piano while sitting in a chair. I don't need all the fireworks.

I bring this up in response to a rather disturbing quote I read from one of the biggest pop stars in the world at this moment. She was being interviewed about how her concerts seem to be a lot more than people gathering to watch a performance. In her words, she called her concert "a religious experience" similar to church except the church's name is pop culture. Personally, I am not surprised because people have been using all sorts of music to foster "religious experiences" since music came into existence. Music was created by God to aid of worship of Him, but (as we do with all God's gifts) we use it in ways to do the opposite. But this star didn't stop with mere "religious experiences."

"It's more self-worship, I think, not of me. I'm teaching people to worship themselves." Again, nothing she says should be surprising. I'm sure she is not the first artist to use their talents for such purposes. Since the Fall, every human being has sought after ways to worship themselves. It's been humanity's means of rebellion against the God who alone is worthy of worship. It serves as proof of how desperately wicked and arrogant we really are.

To one degree I want to give this artist credit for verbally declaring what many won't despite their lives saying the same thing, both Christians and non-Christians alike. She's not hiding behind any mask or trying to deceive anyone. She is bold about what she wants her music to accomplish. Both her music and her antics validate her stance. If you have a problem with it, you have the choice to go somewhere else for your listening pleasure. I wonder if I have the boldness to declare my intentions in the same fashion as her. Would I be willing to declare my life as Christ-worship whereby I am trying to teach others how they can do the same? Do I back up my actions of exalting Christ in my words and visa versa?

On the other hand, I am grieved by the comment. This artist has "hit the nail on the head" when it comes to identifying 21st century American culture. Everything about us (music, television, movies, clothes, money, advertising, entertainment, politics, etc.) centers on self. We either put ourselves or others on a throne, and then bow down in worship. We put a nice name on it, like getting in touch with oneself or achieving our true potential, in order to hide what we really know is wrong. Then we rejoice when others follow suit. We say it's the result of progress and enlightenment. The truth is our culture is disgusting.

If we were to read Romans 1:18-32, what would we see? Would we see a primitive people or would we see ourselves? Would we laugh at the thought of people bowing down to images or start seeing the images we prostrate ourselves before everyday? Would we shake our heads at those started the trend or weep because we have helped it to continue? Would we arrogantly declare our innocence or humbly confess our guilt?

Our culture is no different than the one before us. The problem remains the same: sin. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened (v.21). Everyone one of our problems branches off from this root. I think it's ironic that the problem we are so desperately trying to fix is the solution we celebrate and parade around as worthy of our worship.