Newsboys Members Speak Out on Deconstruction in Christian Music
- Michael Foust Crosswalk Headlines Contributor
- Updated Nov 21, 2024
Two members of the award-winning Christian band Newsboys are speaking out on the topic of deconstruction within their industry, saying their first response to such stories is rooted in compassion and introspection. Michael Tait and Jeff Frankenstein serve as lead singer and keyboardist, respectively, for the legendary band, which launched in the 80s and has won multiple Dove Awards and earned four Grammy nominations. Tait and Frankenstein told apologist Sean McDowell during an episode of the Sean McDowell Show that deconstruction within CCM has multiple causes.
Although neither artist addressed specific stories of deconstruction, several prominent artists have either left Christianity or said they've deconstructed. Among them: Jon Steingard, former lead singer of Hawk Nelson; Kevin Max, formerly of dc Talk; and Marty Sampson, a songwriter and worship leader for Hillsong.
Christians have "made a lot of grave errors when we react to hearing about other believers deconstructing," Frankenstein said.
"We've started with judgment first instead of approaching the situation with compassion," he said. "When I hear another story come out … the first thing I'm thinking is, it's a compassionate response. I'm going to put myself in this guy's shoes. …I kind of side of maybe digging deeper. How can I be a better friend? Did I fail this person in some way?"
Sometimes, Frankenstein said, individuals deconstruct because they never were given an opportunity to ask questions about the faith as a child.
"You weren't given that free will to decide for yourself," he said.
But Frankenstein said the "number one" reason individuals deconstruct is due to hypocrisy within the church.
"I think Christians, we are guilty of being very hypocritical," Frankenstein said. "… The number one thing that probably turns anybody away from Christianity or Christians is hypocrisy."
Tait cited author Brennan Manning's famous quote, which was once included in a dc Talk song: "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
McDowell suggested that musicians are often elevated to the spotlight based solely on their talent rather than the depth of their faith.
"We often value competence and giftedness over character and depth," he said.
Frankenstein agreed, saying that "especially in CCM and churches when you mix business with theology -- and they both have to coexist in this world -- that's a ripe place for hypocrisy."
"A breeding ground," Tait added.
Sometimes, Frankenstein said, Christian musicians are turned off by the business side of the industry, thus impacting their faith.
"There's a pattern that you see happen, and it happens in pop music, too, where, like, this pure thing that you brought to the table now has to be marketed and manipulated and put into the system with these gatekeepers who control it, and then profits have to be made on the other side for it to continue to grow in a certain way," Frankenstein said. "It loses its innocence."
McDowell suggested that musicians, by their very nature of being creative and rebellious, may be prone to questioning their faith. Tait and Frankenstein agreed.
"My creativity works in every area of my life, whether I want it to or not," Tait said. "... So your mind goes there on every level. …We're a little crazy in the brain. If it's not bridled by the Holy Spirit, it can go awry really quick because we are creative minds."
Some doubt, Tait said, is "healthy." Peter was a famous doubter, Tait noted.
"But God knew his heart knew where his head was," Tait said. "... We are saved by grace, through faith, and that's it. And sometimes it's just hard to believe, but thank God, it's true."
Tait said he asks questions of God while lying in his bunk on tour as the bus drives down the road.
"But sometimes you have to search in the Word for the things that are hidden for us, not from us," he said. "When I start to doubt, it makes me dig deeper. It makes my prayers even more intense, like, 'God, show me your glory today, speak to my heart today' …I understand how it can happen because man is flawed. Man has free will, and man wanders. But at the same time -- for me and my house, so to speak, I'm going to believe and trust God."
WATCH: Why Do Musicians Deconstruct? Newsboys Speak Out!
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Sean McDowell
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
