Cephas hour, a small podcast featuring Christian music and pop, is having a bit of a return to the future feel for its past shows. I’ve been interspersing some commentary in-between music sets, much like I was doing with the show before it became a podcast-only program.
As an experiment, I’ve posted below the show’s commentary sections, each followed by a video of the first song played after each spoken word segment. The entire podcast can be listened to on-demand at the website. You also have the option to subscribe via Apple, Google or iHeart.
Before I get into the commentary, I should note the show’s opening stems from this Facebook post by the superb Christian singer/songwriter Bob Bennett.
It’s interesting; the tangents people go off on. It doesn’t matter if you are interested in religion, politics, pop culture, or whatever else. There seems to be an overarching desire to avoid ourselves.
I once heard a wise pastor talk about how it is simultaneously interesting and not surprising that out of all the sciences, the last two to emerge were first anthropology, a study of people yet impersonal and at arm’s length, and only then psychology, the study of self. Some look at themselves and think, “I am all I need.” Others look at themselves and think, “I am nothing that is needed.” Neither of these is true, yet they persist.
Truth is that we can still have goals and dreams but not self-destruction. Although, to make it complete, one must realize that both self-worship (and self-destruction) are closely related. We can see ourselves in the light of God’s love for us. At least occasionally, we can have fun with life. Even though we all know our lives will end one day, there is always a fresh start.
There’s been a lot of chatter lately regarding society’s increasing coarseness in interpersonal communication. Social media’s enablement of at least semi-anonymous vile and bile belching is often the culprit. Cyberspace friends can say things online that they might never say to their counterparts in real life. This would result in an urgent need for emergency dentistry.
However, this same disease is found in a significant number of Christians. These people sit on false thrones, pass judgement on others believers and do not follow the Scriptural guidelines for the proper handling of disagreements within the church. Christ minced no words when He said, “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If that person confesses, then you can get them back. If you fail, you can take one to two other people with you, and you will be able to go back. This way, you may have two or three more witnesses who confirm what you said. If they refuse to listen to you, then take the case to church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.” Not a lot of wiggle room in that now is there?
This recording was made a few days back by Diane Warren, the songwriter. wondered aloud via social media how one of the songs on Beyoncé’s most recent album could have 24 co-writers. Warren boasts a ridiculous number of achievements. Warren has written nine number-one songs and 32 top-10 songs on the Billboard Hot 100. She has won a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, three consecutive Billboard Music Awards for Songwriter of the Year, been nominated for thirteen Academy Awards, and this November, will be given an honorary Oscar. She has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. What do you think?
Warren admits she’s a bit of an odd monastic duck. However, Warren didn’t know that songwriting credits were provided to those who recorded songs from samples they had taken. This was used to be known as plagiarism. Now it is called sampling. It is actually an art form. It’s as creative as lip-syncing, but don’t tell that to the pop culture droolbags slobbering over their artist of choice in hopes that … um, they’ll gain recognition and validation by self-appointed association?
Now back to our story. The accusations came fast and furious that Warren was somehow “disrespecting black culture” for wondering aloud how one song could have 24 co-writers. Actually, when one looks at the contributions by black artists over the past century plus, including but in no way limited to such giants as Scott Joplin, Robert Johnson, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Chuck Berry, Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, and many more, the only disrespect shown to black culture is equating Beyoncé’s formulaic overhyped cash register pop to anything bearing the slightest resemblance to art.
It is easy to believe that success means something valuable. Talent does not depend on popularity. Grand Funk Railroad sold Shea Stadium quicker than The Beatles. Is there any comparison between the bands? Grand Funk Railroad is my favorite band. They are very much appreciated. But they’re not The Beatles.
Today’s pop culture high flyers are tomorrow’s hanger-ons — if that much. Today’s entertainment giants are tomorrow’s county fair fodder sandwiched between corn dogs and carnival rides. Illusions and delusions of grandeur crumble into dust when faced with God’s droll reminder that He remembers we are only dust. Tweets from sycophants are no substitute for treasures found in Heaven. Look for what really matters. Discover your identity and God’s creation as a Child. There will be nothing left on the planet. But love, love from a loving Savior and shared freely among each other … that will remain. Always.
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