#‎Storms‬ In A Tea Cup

Ive got to be honest with you guys..i was taken by surprise at the public response to my previous write-up "‪#‎prodigal‬ sons" . Actually when i started the ‪#‎boomsha‬ series, my aim was to share some of my musings with friends on social media not spark up heated debate and controversy. However, judging by the number of likes,shares and comments on social networks as well as publications of my article on blogs, i realized i must have really touched on some 'sensitive' spots..
Oh well.. Controversy sells, my friends..it sells faster than cheap snacks in lagos traffic. I would rather avoid it though..but hey..here we go again. I would like to touch on another topic that has been the bone of contention among young christians on social media..i pray i dont lose some teeth..lol..lets get into it..
The question is whether a christian can choose to be a 'secular' artiste just like taking up any other job and whether a christian who chooses to go the 'gospel' route is allowed to sing 'secular' songs on the side? Well, i do not intend to tout myself as an authority in such matters. I only seek to shed some more light on the vexed issue and help us see things from a different perspective.
A good start would be to define the terms "gospel" and "secular". The word gospel is derived from the old English word 'god-spell' meaning "good news" or "glad tidings". What glad tidings? That of salvation for mankind through the life, death and ressurrection of Jesus Christ. It also refers to the message of Grace as revealed through the scriptures. (Source: Wikipedia)
How about the word 'secular'? It refers to the state of being separate from religion or not being exclusively allied with any faith.(Source: Wikipedia)
In contextualizing these definitions,i perceive a gospel artiste to be one who actively promotes the teachings of Jesus and the message of Grace through his music while a secular artiste is one who chooses to separate his music from his faith or does not wish his music to be exclusively allied with any faith for professional reasons. Both are artistes but with different mindsets..both standpoints have their pros and cons..To each his own.
Now back to the issues raised..can a christian choose to be a "secular artiste' i.e choose not to have his music exclusively identified with the Christian faith? Yes he can..Afterall, music can be strictly a career choice..Will he go to hell for that? Nope..He is still a child of God! but would he truly be fulfilling the great commission by choosing to use such a powerful source of influence for strictly 'professional' reasons? Would he have to account before the Giver of the gift as to how he used it? I would leave that for you to answer.
On to the next one, can a gospel artiste sing secular songs on the side? Well..going by our definition of what is secular,i perceive a secular song would be one which does not in anyway point to the person of Christ or promote the values of God's Kingdom in anyway..Well, in that case, the notion of a gospel artiste singing a secular song would be downright ridiculous!..dat would be going against the very foundation of his calling.
However, we must note that christianity is not a religion, its a way of life. Christ was not religious but He was spiritual. A song is not secular because it has no obvious reference to God or the Christian faith..Also, a song is not gospel just because it has an obvious mention of God in it! Lets get our definitions right!
Having done so we ought to also embrace the practical realities of what the christian way of life entails and reflect that in the music. Christianity should teach the world how to live in every respect; how to love God, how to love people, how to dress, how to party, how to do politics..how to do everything! So if we narrow gospel music to "church" music, we are barely scratching the surface.
So what is the conclusion of the matter? Should i be a secular or gospel artiste? Should i sing or not sing a secular song? Well..dats for you to decide, my friend. However, in the words of Jesus Christ himself in the book of Luke 18 : 29, He said and i quote" ..I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come". Did that help?..lol..See ya next week!
#Boomsha