Cal Thomas: A heritage of praise

LINDSAY MAST, HOST: Today is Thursday, February 15th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Lindsay Mast.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: And I’m Mary Reichard. Up next: WORLD commentator Cal Thomas sings the praises of a new PBS documentary.

EPISODE 1: [INTRODUCTION]

CAL THOMAS: If you are tired of TV shows like The Bachelor where women demean themselves by competing for the “love” of a man; if you are sick of all the shootings and explosions on TV, the canned laughter on sitcoms that mostly aren’t funny (which is why they have to insert canned laughter in the first place); if you want to have your spirit lifted out of the mundane and into the heavens, there is a place you can go.

Visit PBS for the brilliant, fun, entertaining blessing of watching a new docuseries called GOSPEL.

Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., GOSPEL traces the history of gospel music, which has sustained African-Americans through toils and troubles. Gates is a Harvard professor, not a seminary professor, so he misses some theological distinctions. But he has created an uplifting program that will bless all but the hardest of hearts.

“Musical styles come and go, says PBS, “but there’s one sound that has been a constant source of strength, courage, and wisdom on any given Sunday. GOSPEL … digs deep into the origin story of Black spirituality through sermon and song.”

As I’ve written before about Gates’ work, he doesn’t judge people for the historical plight of Black Americans. Instead, he presents facts and lets viewers reach their own conclusions. His is a soft touch but with a powerful message.

What amazes about GOSPEL is that in the midst of much suffering–from slavery to more contemporary discrimination and hate–there is so much joy. Historians and other scholars fill in the facts about this unique musical style, but it’s the music itself that lifts viewers to another level.

When I have visited Black churches, I have experienced something decidedly different from what I encounter in majority white churches. First, I am usually greeted by people who clearly identify me as a visitor. The spiritual energy is noticeable from the start. The preacher doesn’t just preach a sermon. He (and sometimes she) exhorts. No one falls asleep in the Black church.

Gates’ program recalls how some of these great gospel hymns were written. He even demonstrates the influence some of the music has had on rock and roll. Chuck Berry makes a brief appearance with his famous guitar riff. As in more staid hymns, many gospel songs were inspired by pain and suffering, but those twin experiences are overcome by hope and then joy.

Some critics of this up-tempo music once called gospel as well as rock and roll “the Devil’s music,” but Gospel music isn’t about the Devil, but God and Jesus. While emotional at times, its theology is often solid. Listen to Mahalia Jackson sing “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” which she sang at the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr. There is no Devil in that song.

JACKSON: Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me to…

Here’s a thought: how about a performance of gospel songs during halftime at next year’s Super Bowl? It would beat some of what we’ve witnessed in recent years, including this year.

GOSPEL is viewable on your local PBS station or at PBS.org. If you aren’t smiling, joining in the singing, and experiencing a blessing, you may want to check your vital signs. GOSPEL is more than great TV. It is a warm spiritual bath.

I’m Cal Thomas.

EPISODE 4: You are the source of my strength. You are the strength of my life. I lift my hands in total praise to you. Amen.

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