When Is A Song Christian?

When the group, DC Talk does, ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’, is it a Christian song?

Was it a Christian song when the Doobie Brothers recorded it over 30 years ago?

Was it a Christian song when the Byrds recorded it a year earlier?

Of course, DC Talk reworked the original text some and the Byrds can be thanked for the arrangement which put the Doobie Brothers on the music map.

Is a Christian song one which carries a Christian message? Is done by a Christian Artist? Or, does it have to be written by a Christian?

What does make a song, a ‘Christian’ song, Christian? (For this discussion, just consider ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’! We can do more examples later…..)

The basic words of ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’ are at best innocuous, at the worse a meaningless repetition. I will get into words and their meanings another time. For this discussion we can say they are not anti-Christian.

If someone tried to convince me the Doobie Brothers held to a Christian ideal, I guess I would have to wonder what planet they came from. Any group wishing to name themselves after a ‘joint’ probably has more than just a few issues to deal with in life.

From exposure to the Byrd’s, before success found them, I would group them with the Doobie’s in the non-Christian camp at the time they did the song.

Does it matter neither group had a clue as to whom Jesus is? Is the song bad because they are? I am still trying to envision the Hell’s Angels sitting around guzzling beer to this song! Or maybe the Doobie’s held off on the song out of respect for their audience? Nah, probably out of fear.

Of course, Ann Reid Reynolds, the writer of the song, appears to have done quite a few other songs, such as, ‘5 O’clock World’. Not knowing her, I would toss her in the Christian camp for lack of negative press and her gospel songs she is known for.

Ok, decision time!

1. Is ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’, a Christian song because it was written by a Christian or because the words convey some understanding of Jesus - no matter whom records it?

2. Is the song only Christian because it was written by a Christian and DC Talk did a rendition of it?

3. If you believe Mark 9:38-41 has some relevance here, does it change your opinion?


Inquiring minds want you to comment!