Amy Grant, called the “queen of Christian pop,” was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors at a gala event on December 4. It was the first time that this “top cultural distinction was given to a contemporary Christian musician” (Religion News Service, Dec. 5, 2022). Also awarded were actor George Clooney, singer Gladys Knight, composer Tania León, and the rock band U2. All wore rainbow banners to show their support for homosexual rights. Grant has been a ground breaker in dissolving the biblical wall of separation between the flesh and Spirit, the world and Christ, in Christian music. She was the first “crossover Christian musician” to have a No. 1 hit on the secular music charts in 1986 (“Next Time I Fall”). In 1985, she said, “I’m trying to look sexy to sell a record” (Rolling Stone, June 6, 1985, p. 10). A few years later she said, “Christians can be sexy. What I’m doing is a good thing” (People, July 15, 1991). But clothing is a moral language. The Bible speaks of “the attire of an harlot” (Proverbs 7:10). Grant has also been at the forefront of tearing down doctrinal walls of separation that God’s Word requires. In 1997, Grant joined Roman Catholic Kathy Troccoli and 40 other CCM artists to record Love One Another, a song preaching an ecumenical, one-world church theme. In April 2015, Amy joined with the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Roman Catholic Matt Maher, Sanctus Real, and others for a Unity concern at Eastern Michigan University. In March 1999, Grant filed for divorce from Gary Chapman, her husband of 16 years, and in March 2000, married Vance Gill, who traded his wife, Janis Oliver, for Amy. In typical CCM fashion, Grant lashed out at those who judged this as wrong. Grant has promoted yoga, Roman Catholic contemplative prayer, and homosexual rights. In 2021, she said, “I was invited to a table where someone said, ‘don’t be afraid, you’re loved.’ … Gay. Straight. It does not matter. It doesn’t matter how we behave. It doesn’t matter how we’re wired” (“CCM Icon Amy Grant,” Relevant Magazine, July 12, 2021). “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets” (Luke 6:26).
(Friday Church News Notes, December 16, 2022, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)
