Arrrgghhh. I was more than a bit frustrated by Lift Every Voice on BET this past weekend.

The theme was about overcoming trials and CoCo Brother interviewed Marvin Sapp and LL Cool J.  Now, Marvin Sapp offered a beautiful discussion of God’s ability to keep us and bring us through trials.  He focused on the power of Christ and His grace, which is great for a Christian program.

Up next was LL Cool J, who did not say the name “Jesus” or the word “Christ” at any point in the interview.  He said “God” a couple of times after first referring to Him as “the Divine” and “the Creator.”  Fine.  When asked how he has overcome past trials and temptations, he responded: “it’s not what happens in life, but how you respond to it.”  Further, he said that (paraphrasing) when tests have come, he has moved forward by pursuing his dreams.

Ok, so here’s my issue.  I do not believe these two approaches are in harmony. They are, in fact, subtly contrary to one another… just subtle enough to pose a problem.  Marvin Sapp stressed that his deliverance from drugs and alcohol was found in Christ.  LL Cool J’s responses suggest that freedom and success rest solely in your responses to a situation– like, self-saving, I guess.

Now, I take no issue with LL Cool J.  I like his music and have appreciated his acting through the years.  Further, I am making no judgments about his relationship with God (or Jesus Christ).  I have no idea what he actually believes.  For all I know, he could have had an old-fashioned revival service in that interview and they edited the whole thing.

My issue is with BET or Lift Every Voice.  My understanding was that the show features Christian folks and Christian viewpoints– period.  I have no problem with programs that don’t do that, so as to display diversity of thought or something.  But that’s not what this show has ever purported to be doing.  So, don’t do that, especially without letting people know you’re doing it.

See, the Bible makes it clear in the New Testament that counterfeits of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would come with a frighteningly similar look and feel to the Truth.  That’s this.  And the danger in it, then and now, is the confusing similarity of it!

And it’s not that LL Cool J’s approach– positive thinking and encouragement of self– are inherently wrong either.  But, I’m disappointed that the show made it seem as if it were presenting two consistent concepts of how Christ can bring somebody out of a rough spot, when one-half of the program focused on self-effort and blatantly omits the name of Jesus or even the mere concept of a Messiah.

Not cool.  And, not Gospel.

Thoughts, anyone???