Discipling Artists Rather Than Idolizing Them

Lauren Daigle is making some waves in Christian circles right now after recently stating in an interview that she cannot say whether or not homosexuality is a sin. You can read more about this developing story at https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/2018/december/christian-singer-lauren-daigle-on-homosexuality-i-cant-say-one-way-or-the-other-im-not-god (This report will also allow you to find audio of the interview if you wish to listen to it).

After being asked if homosexuality is a sin, her response was not biblical, nor did it express an accurate understanding of theological truth about what the Bible is—a message from God in which He clearly states His thoughts on such questions. Until I hear some clarification from Ms. Daigle, I’m willing to consider that she was caught off guard by the question and didn’t answer exactly how she would have if given more time to form an answer. Haven’t we all, after further reflection, cringed over the way we answered a question? Could not Lauren Daigle be doing that right now? I’m anxious to hear some clarification from her and I hope that such clarification would be biblically accurate. I enjoy several of her songs, and my little daughter does as well.

My main point in writing, however, is not to linger on this story, but to point out how it is a symptom of a deeper problem in Christian music, worship, and the Church today. One reason why Lauren Daigle may have struggled to answer that question is that, to the best of my knowledge, she has no formal training in the Bible or theology (someone please correct me here if I am wrong). In that position, she has a lot of company in the modern Christian music world.

Much of the Christian music that is produced today comes from brothers and sisters who, though sincere, nevertheless have a rather shallow well of Biblical knowledge and theological precision to draw from. Some of this is not their fault—many of these artists are young people who are still learning about the depths of Biblical truth and how to express it clearly and artistically. And yet, because they can sing well or play the guitar with real talent, they are thrust into the spotlight and their songs are quickly adopted into church music lists because the songs are popular.

One result is that the ministry of music in the church, which should be a powerful teaching tool, has been largely given over to artists who do not meet the criteria that most churches have for their teachers—some display of skill in interpreting the Word, or confirmation of skill through a formal process (like an ordination or a training certificate or a theological degree). This is not to say that everyone who writes music must have a degree, but those who might lag behind in training themselves could work with believers who have greater Biblical knowledge. Keith and Kristen Getty are a good model of this kind of collaboration—they have stated before that they ask their pastors to review all of their lyrics before they ever perform them or record them.

I feel for Lauren Daigle if she has been thrust into a spotlight that she may not have been ready for. I call on the Church to consider how we can protect, disciple, and develop artists without idolizing them.