Whatever Happened to Sin?

This started out as an idea; a reaction to what I was hearing on Christian radio. Over the course of a few weeks, it felt like every time I turned on the radio, a new song about blessing, favor, and victory was playing. It bothered me that the overwhelming majority of the songs being played were all about what we get out of our faith. Before anyone objects, I want to be clear that I am not attacking or condemning those types of songs. Our musical diet should be filled with songs of encouragement. Yet, I found myself asking, “Whatever happened to sin?” Where were all the warnings and admonitions? Where were the prophetic challenges, the searing rebukes, or the calls to holiness? Whatever happened to sin in the music we listen to?

A playlist was born…

What started out as a reaction quickly morphed into an attempt to create a playlist with songs about the dangers of sin. (Because of course that is how I am going to respond.) I brainstormed, asked for outside input, and slowly started to put something together that felt right. The playlist we have curated is not meant to be comprehensive. And, to be clear, it’s not meant to be a guilt trip. But, I firmly believe that we need these sorts of reminders. We avoid talking about sin. We dress it up with more palatable names like, “struggle” or “failing” or “messiness”. It is imperative we get back in the habit of calling it what it is, a violation of God’s law.

We are not as strong as we think we are.

I’m sure there will likely be some pushback to the very idea behind this article and playlist I am okay with that. I believe that the overwhelming majority of the songs we chose for this playlist address sin in Biblical ways. They are not so much pointing fingers at the world as they are doing the hard but necessary work of self-examination.

We are prone to sin; prone to walking away from God. In the words of Rich Mullins, “We are not as strong as we think we are.” We desperately need to be confronted with our frailty and our tendency to wander. Not to leave us defeated and broken. No, these songs should leave us alert, on guard, and fully aware of our need for God’s guiding hand. As Paul put it, we are to “hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” I hope this playlist will help in that regard.

*The title of this article and playlist was taken from a Steve Taylor song with the same name.

Phill Lytle

I love Jesus, my wife, my kids, my family, my friends, my church, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, 80s rock, the Tennessee Titans, Brandon Sanderson books, Band of Brothers, Thai food, music, books, movies, TV, writing, pizza, vacation, etc...

One thought on “Whatever Happened to Sin?

  • March 18, 2021 at 9:50 am
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    Thanks for taking this on, Phill. I think it brings some needed balance to the issue of our sinfulness. Have a great day!

    Reply

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