Shout To The American Idol

In the last few days, I have had several church members e-mail me a link to an American Idol video. Apparently, at the end of the "Idol Gives Back" show, the remaining contestants sang a slightly altered version of Shout to the Lord (The name Jesus was replaced with the less offensive and more inclusive "shepherd"). My reaction to this is not nearly as excited as my Idol-addicted friends. It is a little more muddled. Specifically, I have three reactions:

(1) I am just not that excited about a bunch of people singing "Shout To The Lord" when I know they don't believe it, practice it, or even care. Is there and spiritual validity to that? Is it a sign that people are open to Jesus and Christianity, or was it a hook to go with the benefit proceeds? I don't know, but Jesus was removed form the song - so strike one.

(2) On the other hand, it was a song about worshipping God and, even though the singers may not have been God worshippers, at least part of the gospel was sung (nothing compares to the promise I have in You). OF course, with Jesus removed, it is an incomplete gospel - but is ti a redeemable moment? yeah...

(3) I was struck by the incredible irony of the song. 8 Idol contestants who, by definition are seeking to be their own idol, singing Shout to The Lord. It's interesting because the Bible says that they will sing that song at least once more. In the presence of Jesus Christ at the end of days, everyone will sing at least the first half of the chorus...

"Shout to the Lord all the earth let us sing
Power and Majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down, and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your Name."

Only then, they'll really mean it. Me, Idol contestants, Satan Himself, will all make this declaration of the utter sovereignty of God.