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I love a capella music. I heard a college group a few years ago singing some doo-wop, and I bought their CD (”Get Ready”, 2001). The group is “Cornerstone“. They’re from a southern Christian college in Montgomery, AL (thanks for the link, Heather!).

Half the album is gospel, which was a surprise because that’s not what they sung on stage. The songs are deeply moving and meaningful for a Christian. But every time I hear these lyrics I think how useless they are for non-believers. They appear to be aimed at non-believers, but they do a lousy job of reaching them. Here’s what I mean. Take this section from the song How Can You Say No?:

Thorns in His head
Spear in His side
Yet it was a heartache
That made Him cry
He gave His life
So you would understand
Is there any way you could say no to this man?

If Christ Himself
Were standing here
With His face full of glory
And His eyes full of tears
And if He held out His arms
And His nail-printed hands
Is there any way you could say no to this man?

How could you look in His tear-stained eyes
Knowing that it’s you He’s thinking of
Could you tell Him you’re not ready now
To give Him your life
Could you say that you don’t think you need His love

That’s pretty moving for someone who already believes in Jesus Christ. But, for just a moment, imagine you’re not a Christian. (OK, you atheists stop your snickering). You don’t believe in Heaven or Hell, you don’t believe that your soul needs saving, and you don’t even believe you have a soul.

But Jesus does. And he died (painfully) on the cross. Let’s say you can even come to believe that part, but since you’re an atheist, you just think he was wrong and he died in vain.

This song, then, implores you to look to this Man, Who was arguably full of love for you and all mankind, Who endured pain and torture and death for you. And because he did this, you are supposed to love Him back and pledge your life to Him. And He’s dead.

The atheist says, “Who asked him?” And he’s right. This isn’t compelling. It’s not converting. It won’t draw anyone in who doesn’t already believe. What this song does, like what The Passion of the Christ does, is to make believers feel something (guilt, love, compassion) for Jesus’ sacrifice. And yeah, I guess that serves a purpose.

But remember that these things that recall the passion are just for believers. It doesn’t do anything at all for non-believers.

And I really do love a capella…