22 Comments
In a former life I published a magazine called New Attitude. In it I used to do a cartoon called Jiffy & Lou about two immature, self-centered teens. My cartoons used to get me in a lot of trouble. My readership didn't always get the joke or the fact that Jiffy & Lou weren't supposed to be role models. Yesterday, I had a conversation with a student at my church who told me he really liked Tobymac. When I told him I used to listen to dcTalk he rolled his eyes and said, "Ugh, I don't like those guys." That made me feel old. Anyway, the conversation reminded me of this Jiffy & Lou cartoon I did in 1996 on Christian music--this was back in the heyday of the CCM scene. Hope it makes you smile. To all my friends in Nashville, no hard feelings. (Click on the cartoon to enlarge it).
Update: After reading some of the comments, I wanted to add a few clarifying comments. First, p
lease don't read too much into this cartoon. It's just a cartoon and it's supposed to be humorous. I'm grateful for Christian artists and I do think it's possible to honor God as a musician and hope more people will do so. That being said, I do think there's a lot to poke fun at in the Christian Music industry (especially back in 1996). That's all I was doing. I don't have a problem with rock music (someone seemed to interpret the cartoon as a criticism of any type of modern music). So, no, I'm not saying a certain style is wrong. I was mocking the way bands are sometimes marketed and the way many Christians assume music is worthwhile or helpful just because it's labeled "Christian."
But again, it's a cartoon meant to elicit laughter. If it doesn't, don't give it a second thought. Peace.
22 Comments
Love it. And we haven't learned anything in the intervening 14 years.
A-Men and amen. How about some more of these?
+1
Was just having this conversation with a friend recently. If only more Christians understood this, we wouldn't have had to suffer through Stryper.
often true and very funny. but there are some true christians out there writing awesome worship music. just trying to be real:) not every christian music band or performer is a fake
Nice toon Josh. Only these days it applies to rockstar pastors too! One in Houston comes to mind.
Funny, but didn't you do the same with the cartoon that the cartoon itself criticizes? By creating a sanitized Cristian version of Beevis and Butthead?
BTW, hope all is well!
I was one of your New Attitude subscribers - I remember totally cracking up at that cartoon and then showing it to my mom and being disappointed when she just didn't get it. =)
Thank you for this delightful cartoon.... down here in Australia we have our fair share of dodgy young people trying to make it big on the world stage and in some respect... walking away from what it means to follow the Lord. To me that says they were not Christian in the first place... I totally agree with the cartoon. The "Christian music" scene can be so deceiving especially in this day we are living.
Hahahahaha... I'm still laughing at your reference to "The question that Larry Norman posed" - it's so true that everyone thinks it's his question!
As one who has been a Wannabe Pagan and a Wannabe Christian and still struggles in the middle ground of this age old debate I have come to enjoy the fact that the BEST Musician I know happens to be the ONE who created every note from vast nothingness. I can’t wait to hear the heavenly sound – where Beethoven blends his ideas with those of TobyMac and Bono! Oh what a day is coming when the temptation to want to be a “Rock Star” will fade into the distant past as we sing, play our instruments and never tire of writing new songs about the Lamb who was slain…
Very funny.
Very sarcastic, but very funny.
DC Talk Rocks! =]
Nice comic too.
Sooooo true that youth pastors often have a hard time relating to their students. Have you guys seen the movie To Save a Life trailer? It looks pretty incredible - going to be a great film on the impact of youth ministry in teenagers' lives. http://tosavealifemovie.com/
can i repost it? please. thanks!
Very funny! hahaha I tend to be a bit confused when I hear a "christian song" that its message is supposed to be for God yet it could be sung to anyone. Well may God bless you all!
Ah, I say I used to listen to D.C. Talk too... and I'm not that old... or at least that's what I thought. :>) (You know you're getting old when you don't know it anymore.)
-Marshall Jones Jr.
Very Funny.. It looks pretty incredible - going to be a great film on the impact of youth ministry in teenagers. May God bless you all! Youth for Jesus | Nothing is Impossible with God
Isn't Sovereign Grace producing the same kind of music that you criticize in your cartoon? I actually agree with your cartoon. Do you agree with it?
That was too funny :). But it threw all my plans of being a genuine Christian artist out the window. I'll have to try something else... maybe an astronaut?
it's when their lifestyle is shown, that we realize if they are a "Christian" Band. We can have the best lyrics sung by a band but if there is no fruit then we watching a great show.
Hey, everybody. Please don't read too much into this cartoon. It's just a cartoon and it's supposed to be humorous. I'm grateful for Christian artists, but I do think there's a lot to poke fun at in the Christian Music industry. That's all I was doing. I don't have a problem with rock music as someone seemed to imply. I'm not saying a certain style is wrong, I was mocking the way bands are marketed and the way many Christians assume music is worthwhile or helpful just because it's labeled "Christian."
But again, it's a cartoon meant to elicit laughter. If it doesn't, don't give it a second thought. Peace.
Joshua
Hi Josh!
Thank you for your great help in my life.
You opened the eyes of my heart for the meaning of love in the love life. You have been used by God in a big way. Excuse my poor English. I do not speak English, I'm from Brazil, but could not acknowledge the blessings you brought to my life.
Fique com Deus e que Ele continue te iluminando sempre.
Rosiane
Belo Horizonte - MG - Brazil
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