Related articles and links |  1 of 5

Evangelical leaders join criticism of Chevrolet's sponsorship of Come Together & Worship Tour
Two weeks ago, when Weblog covered Chevrolet's sponsoring of the Come Together and Worship tour with Michael W. Smith, Third Day, and Max Lucado, the critics were Jewish watchdog groups like the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee. Publishers Weekly's Phyllis Tickle was a critic, too, but the main voice was the AJC's James Rudin.

But the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, and Tickle were all responding to reporters' questions. They didn't take the initiative as critics. Now, however, some voices are proactively criticizing the Chevrolet sponsorship. And — surprise — they're evangelical leaders.

Perhaps most critical is Christian singer Steve Camp. "Undiscerning believers think it a profound ministry strategy to join forces with unregenerate people in forwarding the gospel," he wrote in a six-page open letter to the contemporary Christian music community. "Unwittingly, they harness Jesus Christ, the Worthy One, with Belial or Satan, the worthless one, in an unholy alliance—the very essence of being unequally yoked. … Allowing the world to sponsor and partner in the work of the ministry is foreign to any biblical writer. I don't know of any other singular event that has allowed the world to conduct its business or trade where the worship of the Lord is to be given and the gospel proclaimed. … Has the church traded the great theme of 'Holy, Holy, Holy' and adopted as their new song of praise, 'Like a rock'?"

But Camp isn't just critical of the sponsorship. He's upset with the tour itself; specifically, that it's charging an admission fee. "We have now actually digressed to charging people money to worship the Lord," he complains.

Surprised by Camp's reaction? You don't know Camp. The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music notes that he has always been an activist and a critic of the Christian music world, but in recent years has stepped up his criticisms. On Reformation Day (Oct. 31), 1998, he famously (infamously?) issued 107 Theses for reforming the industry. "Most biblical scholars and Christian theologians would regard Camp's arguments … as certainly sectarian and probably unscriptural," wrote encyclopedia author Mark Allan Powell, professor of New Testament at Trinity Lutheran Seminary.

But Camp isn't alone. Not by a long shot. The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) has put together an open letter to automobile executives, signed by more than "100 heads of denominational and senior religious leaders," and will even run television, radio, and print ads in Detroit criticizing the company and tour.

"Through this gospel tour, Chevrolet is promoting certain vehicles that get very low gas mileage and produce significant pollution, harming human health and the rest of God's creation. Is this loving your neighbor?" says EEN executive director Jim Ball in a press release. "The real problem is the cars, not the concert. If Chevrolet wants to promote family values, then they should start by creating a healthier environment for our children to play in. … We're asking the artists and audiences to take a good look at what's happening here, and to ask, 'What Would Jesus Drive?'"

So the EEN has launched WhatWouldJesusDrive.org. The organization's Call to Action statement is there, but so far there's no list of those denominational and religious leaders. For that, apparently, we have to wait until the ads are revealed November 20. Nor does the site include the EEN's letter to the band Third Day, which says, "We think it would be a shame if many of your fans were influenced by this tour to buy such Chevrolet vehicles."

next page... |  1 of 5

share this page

November (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46