A prominent area newspaper hosts a weekly feature in which readers' comments regarding matters of local interest, concern and/or experience are posted under one of four headings: Rave, Rant, Roses (i.e., appreciative acknowledgement) and Response.
An item of recent area interest involved the proposed sale of a classical music radio station to a California syndicate whose plan was to change its format to that of contemporary Christian music. Being in the southern "Bible belt," the present locale was already served by four Christian stations (as well as others whose range extends into the area), while served by only this one classical station. The result was a concerted drive within the community to either dissuade the sale or persuade the owner to find another buyer willing to maintain the station's classical format - but to no avail. The sale was completed.
In the paper's present comment page we found a rather intriguing complaint under the heading of Response. The reader found much present religious music lacking in a desirable sense of the divine and sacred. At the same time, much of it lacked the musical quality as present, for example, in rock and roll. Against this backdrop, the area's loss of its classical station was thus to be seen in terms of an unfortunate turn of events.
At this juncture my first reaction tended toward a certain puzzlement regarding the gentleman's eclectic taste in music. As strange as it may seem, it nonetheless became a little difficult to totally disavow a certain resonance with his apparent uncertainty and sense of question regarding at least some religious programming.
While conducting the adult class of a midweek Bible study some years ago, the subject of religious programming arose. Seeking to address the issue in a positive way, I shared something to the effect that while aware of the benefits that such had often provided over the years, honesty required that I also acknowledge that much current programming tired me out and that, at best, such means were to be but supplementary to local church endeavor and influence of personal witness and example.
After the study, a man whom I respected as one of the finest Christians in the area approached me and thanked me warmly for my comments. He had experienced much the same response relative to considerable religious programming and had worried that it meant he was failing in his commitment to Christ.
This all came to mind this morning upon hearing a radio preacher call upon fathers to repent and thus assume responsibility, not only for their own sins, but for the sins of their familes as well. Where these guys get these things...?
Do we reject all radio and TV preachers? Of course not. And there are those who earn our respect. At the same time, we do not deny the fact of wearying pulpiteering in some instances (to little mention those with the "gift of condemnation," "gift of self promotion," etc.). During the night hours - in which we are oftentimes awake - we frequently find "Music Through the Night" with Mike Kellogg from Chicago's Moody Church uplifting. On other occasions we find BBC (the British Broadcasting Company) and its newscasts and interviews useful. And, on occasion, we listen to other types of meaningful music.
Did we sign the petition to retain the classical music station in our area? We did. I suspect that the apostle Paul, who not only read the Greek classics of his time, but on occasion quoted them in Scripture, probably would have as well.
Burl Ratzsch
