MUSIC

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A comment on contemporary Christian music from an unusual source

Many of us have grave misgivings concerning the nature of ‛contemporary Christian music’, believing it will have no place in any genuinely Christian congregation. Some years ago, the controversial musician and songwriter Jerry Lee Lewis (1935- ) made an interesting observation. He was an early pioneer of rock and roll and so his comments are worth hearing. Lewis made his first recordings in 1956 and is remembered by most people for his song Great Balls of Fire along with his outrageous behaviour on stage.

What is less well-known is his professedly Christian background. He is first cousin to the TV evangelist, Jimmy Swaggart. Lewis ’s parents mortgaged their farm to buy him a piano. He attended Southwest Bible Institute in Waxahachie, Texas where he was enrolled by his mother with the intention that her musically gifted son should play exclusively evangelical songs. He and his friend, Pearry Green, boogie woogied their way through My God is Real at a Church service. Whereupon they we both shown the door. Next day, Lewis was expelled from the school by the dean. Green was allowed to stay on because Lewis maintained, “he didn't know what I was going to do.” Years later, Green asked Lewis, “Are you still playing the devil's music?” To this Lewis made this reply, “Yes, I am. But you know it's strange, the same music that they kicked me out of school for is the same kind of music they play in their churches today. The difference is, I know I am playing for the devil and they don't.”

Those who know Gerry Lee Lewis, including Johnny Cash who professed to being devoutly Christian, said Lewis was troubled by the sinful nature of his own material, which he firmly believed was leading him and his audience to hell.

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