It used to be that listening to DC Talk, Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline, and Carman could get you shunned by your Christian circle. Remember the days when they were considered edgy? Well, now they’re mainstream, accepted, and some even retired after a successful career. When it comes to music, the church’s ethic has constantly been changing (I recall an acquaintance once telling me they cannot wait until churches “allow screamo bands to lead congregations in worship”). But change can lead us into both good and bad directions; I wouldn’t equate change with progress. Progress is a positively charged word.
So let’s practice exercising some discernment- is this example of Christian music progress?
The song is called “Love Addict” and it’s written/performed by Family Force 5, one of the hottest Christian bands around these days.
Let’s get straight to it. Although I’m not purposely trying to single them out, their music video is an example of what I consider Christian values & the Gospel message being compromised for the sake of likeability. Or maybe they’re just ignorant of God’s word & not really in-tune with God’s Spirit.
It’s not the genre I have a problem with; I’m one that can appreciate a diverse spectrum of music. Their rock/rap-core seems appropriate for the industry. It’s not even their sattirical approach; their humor & choreography is creative (especially for Chrisitans).
But seriously, the hip-swerving, mini-skirt & scanty short-wearing girls are going overboard. Their dress is so far from modest (1 Timothy 2:9). Furthermore, the GIANT LIPS and the general glitz and glamor all suggest a romantic theme of love. What kind of “love addicts” are you guys? This video sure doesn’t seem to profess an agape or philo kind. It’s even beyond ambiguous- it’s quite suggestive. I mean, really.
I’ve written in a previous post that the church needs to be careful not to turn the arbitrary into the absolute. But to Family Force 5, and the world that’s watching, I have to say that your message of God’s love just got drown out by the worldly icons so prevalent in your video. Let’s draw the line here.
I understand where you are coming from in some cases, but honestly, the goal of Family Force 5 is not to push Christianity down people’s throats. They’re making their music for Christians and Secular people alike. Sure, the girls may not be your look at a Christian music video, which is okay, I understand. But the glamour is just who they are as a band. If you have ever seen any of their videos or interviews, you will know that they love to make things REALLY intense. They do it because that’s who they are, and they won’t let anyone tell them they are being too insane. Some people don’t like them because they are Christian, and some people don’t like them because in their eyes they aren’t Christian enough. In my opinion, their music is great, and some of their songs like “Face Down” are really uplifting. I won’t try and make you think otherwise because I don’t debate over things like this, but I am glad you want Christianity to be shown in their music.
In an interview with the band Soul Glow Activatur (their lead singer) says this. “Basically, our ministry is that we want to show the world that we can party just as hard as they can; but in a very, very positive manor. Because what we feel like is that Jesus Christ was the most severe person that did the craziest thing on earth and that was to die for us and raise again. So why should we play watered down music if he’s the most severe being and we’re supposed to model our lives like him? Why don’t we do very intense music?”
God Bless You,
Stephanie
Stephanie, thanks for your reply.
As I tried to convey in the post, I don’t have a problem with edgy/intense music. I don’t even mind Christians who write secular music. But what FF5 seems to want is the best of both worlds. The lyrics seem to suggest a “philo” love, while their video visuals communicate an “eros” message. Not to mention the girls. Our culture knows very well what girls like that are all about.
For these reasons only I am questioning the integrity of their music.