Today is the day. Halloween. The Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Canton, NC will be celebrating the holiday with a book and music burning. Fox News broke the story last week and it has since been picked up by other media outlets. Here’s the story:
A statement on the church’s website (which is now back up) gives a more complete list of the things to be burned:
Did you see it in the list??? SOUTHERN GOSPEL!!! And if you follow the internal Southern Gospel link on the website, it takes you to this additional information:
The website also singles out Joel Hemphill, The Anchormen, and The Crab Family as examples of what it calls “Ungodly Southern Gospel.”
The few Southern Gospel artists with whom I’ve spoken were all aware of this “news item” and none agreed with the effort. All expressed concern that our industry could be seen as connected to this kind of thinking. One artist, who happens to live within “smoke smelling” distance of the event, commented in LOL format, “Hmmm. I see they’re having chicken and barbecue–I wonder if they need a bluegrass band.”
In another response, a reader of a local newspaper, The Asheville Citizen-Times, wrote:
“I was happy to read that the Halloween book and music burning at Canton’s Amazing Grace Baptist Church will be accompanied by barbequed chicken and all the sides. After all, there is nothing like the smell of well-cooked satanic influences to whet one’s appetite.
However, the item did not say whether or not the chicken will be barbequed in the book fire itself; and, if so, whether the celebrants would unknowingly be ingesting the evil spirits of modern bibles and country music.
That might be counter-productive.”
Cliff Yudell, Asheville
Hey, I’m just giving out the information, fair and balanced. “You decide.” Does this news affect Southern Gospel?
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Wow, I wonder how many people take into consideration that the English speaking world came about long before 1611? Which would mean that all of those earlier English speaking people that used Wycliff, or Tyndales version of God’s Holy Word would go to hell right? The two authors translated their English versions from translating from the Septaugint, and Latin Vulgate, which just happened to be translated from earlier translations, that came from the original text. Hmmm, I wonder how many “try” and play God, and decide whom it is that goes to Heaven, and has eternal life? As an “Imperfect Christian” I know that the Word of God says that in need of a Savior. The Word of God says that I am working toward perfection in the day that our Sovereign Arranger returns to make all things new and perfect. I am not the Righteous Judge, but a servant to Him. I am an inspector of the fruit. The Pharisee’s and Judaizers tried to bind people by the law, to keep them under their authority, and their law, rather than to pay homage to a Risen Savior, a Holy Spirit, and a God that is Father, and in that Trinity, God all by Himself with no need of help from an Imperfect Christian, scientist, or any other thought up, or make believe beings. As for music… I try and test the spirit, just as I do in everything else, to see if it bears witness to THE SPIRIT. I love my Savior, and my relationship with Him is more than just my yelling His name at people, and goes beyond me just being a good ol’ boy, it is a personal day to day relationship with Him. Yes, I desire to be a better witness, but I do not do so at the expense of “trying” to play God, or belittling others. I will pray for this church, and cults that are on a like mission, and limit there exposure to God. I play for an audience of One, and if He is pleased, then that is most important first and foremost. How many people would have not even considered trusting Christ if not for men like Rick Warren, Billy Graham, Greg Laurie, Skip Heitzig, and many others. Oh wait did Saul, later to be called Paul condemn Christians such as Stephen because he preached a different message? Where would we be without the Pauline Epistles? OK off of my soap box and on to church, I have a lot to pray about, and to give thanks for.
I don’t think it will affect SG, it may cause Gaither and The Anchormem to sell more CDs though. I hate it when other people make Christians look looney!!
hmmm, reminds me of a song…
If there’s nobody saved but me oh Lord,
If there’s nobody saved but me…
What kind of heaven would God’s Heaven be
if there’s nobody saved but me…
Pastor……….HELL IS GONNA BE A HOT HOT PLACE FOR YOU!!!!!!!!
What a loony pastor!!!!!! Some people just don’t get it! I’m so grateful I serve a God who loves me more than I could ever imagine, who’s grace is sufficient and who looks at the heart!
It turns out that their burning fizzled when the rain and fire codes conspired to keep them from actually lighting anything on fire. So instead they did this