... I'll never bow down and you won't buy it...
Pillar, Fireproof

But what if they offer to buy it? Then what do you do. That is the question of the hour.

Pillar burst on to the scene two years ago and just keeps on rockin'. Both of their albums, Above and Fireproof, have garnered Dove Awards as the best "Hard" album in Christian music. And success in the word of Christian rock means one thing these days: a crossover deal with a "secular" label. Signed to MCA (which has since been merged into Geffen Records), the band re-mixed and re-released Fireproof onto the general market this summer and will produce a follow-up project next year.

While Pillar has thus far written bold lyrics and issued no compromise testimonies in interviews, the true test of their mettle has just begun. Their smash #1 hit Fireproof proclaims that they will hold fast to their beliefs even under persecution, but what about more subtle temptations. A record contract with Geffen is not equivalent to making a pact with the Devil, but it may create a conflict of interests. The label's top priority is making money. In contrast, Pillar frontman Rob Beckley has said "Our number one goal as a band is to further the kingdom of God." These two purposes may occasionally coincide, but what happens when they come into conflict? Jesus himself said, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Contractual obligations to a business with goals divergent from your own may can make for sticky situations down the road.

Before going any further, it is important to clarify something. This article is not attempting to single-out Pillar as traitorous turncoats. Indeed their record has been brilliant thus far. As I said, it seems that every successful Christian rock group must take its show to the broader public. In fact, I chose them because of sparkling record. It is one thing to sadly recognize that Evanescence has left Christian music and another to try to hold a faithful band's feet to the fire. It is the latter activity that fuels this article.

P.O.D. Switchfoot. dcTalk. Chevelle. Lifehouse. Project 86. All of these bands share a common link with Pillar: a recording and distribution contract with a secular label. This status has emerged as the definition of success for Christian artists. Less than fifteen years ago, Amy Grant's decision to enter the mainstream with her Heart in Motion release caused a major stir throughout evangelical Christianity. Yet now, this sort of crossover is the norm. Admittedly, on one level this development is rather exciting. "I think that the Christian community just wants to know that there's somebody cool on our side," Beckley explained. "I can say it because I know I feel that way sometimes. "

Unfortunately, feeling cool can have consequences. Three possible effects of entering the mainstream should be considered: neutering the message, lending credibility to immorality, and relegating Christian music to second class status. Though Pillar has certainly considered these factors, a more detailed examination is exactly the purpose of this forum.

Watering Down of Message
This hazard is readily identified as the preeminent one with which a crossover group has to address. "Our lyrics will remain the same," Pillar's press release announcing their deal with MCA assured fans. "We won't be going through the album and watering down the message." Of course there will not be any explicit censorship, but the next time Pillar enters the studio there will be the pressure to record a couple top ten rock tunes. It would be simply incredible if Beckley did not take this into account when writing the next album. This is how the vague lyrics like P.O.D.'s Alive come into being. Read the words here. Great stuff. As a Christian, I realize that Sonny is praising God with his song. But a non-Christian, especially after watching the music video, would ascertain that it is a run of the mill love song to a girl. There is nothing wrong with love songs, but this is not being sold out with a message of redemption in Christ. Although I hope I am proved wrong, Pillar will likely follow this model and despite what they may claim this constitutes a watering down of their message.

Bush League Effect
As any twenty-something can tell you, Audio Adrenaline was the epitome of the youth-group-friendly Christian rock band in the 1990s. In 2000, Audio Adrenaline, in keeping with the usual career path for aging musicians, founded their own independent label, Flicker Records and soon signed Pillar. Audio Adrenaline had first been signed by Forefront, the label of 1980s rockers DeGarmo & Key. The Christian music industry appeared to be successfully regenerating itself. But now that Pillar has moved to Geffen, the cycle is broken and is thrown into another light. Now Flicker is just another independent label waiting for its bands to be discovered by one of the big boys. If that is the case, Christian music ceases to be an alternative and becomes a farm system. To use a analogy from the world of sports, Christian music used to be like the old USFL, an upstart league that occasionally stole big stars like Reggie White, Doug Flutie, and Jim Kelly from the established NFL. But Pillar's move signals that Christian rock is becoming more like baseball's minor leagues. Every star for a minor league will eventually head to the majors. This ends up in relegating the farm league to second class status.

Tacit Endorsement of Immoral Lifestyles
Pillar's contract with Geffen means that they will have to tour with people who stand for very different things than they do. This can send mixed signals to the audience. Beckey explained, "I don't have the same beliefs as Godsmack, but I love their music. " I know that Jesus ate with tax collectors and other sinners, but performing in godless venues could serve to weaken Pillar's witness. This is something to be prayerfully considered.

Conclusion
The crucial nature of this question cannot be exaggerated. It may indeed be the most important issue facing evangelical Christianity today. How do we get out into the world and minister without compromising our core beliefs? I pray that Pillar will be a sterling example of how Christians should impact the culture and prove that they are fireproof.