Is There Too Much Jesus On American Idol?

Last night, Danny Gokey sang Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take The Wheel.” As expected, he sang it well, although I don’t think it was his best performance.But in light of the media focus this week on the Christian aspect of this season of American Idol (from MTV and MSNBC via the Associated Press), I wonder if his choice of song came off as a bit too deliberately religious?

Don’t get me wrong; every week he picks lovely, inspirational songs that accomplish what he has always said he wanted to do: tell his story of hope and joy and love for his wife. And my money is on him to go all the way to the finals.

Any other year, no one would even notice that a contestant sang a song with the word Jesus in it, and the song is a huge hit on mainstream radio. But I wondered as he sang last night if, for the non-Christian viewers, it might be over the top.

What do you think? Has the media attention on the number of Christian contestants become too much focus on faith? Can that emphasis end up backfiring?

And if you want more American Idol show recap, visit my Idol blog at NewChristianVoices.com.
MTV Features Gospel Soundcheck In A Story on American Idol
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