Mark Lowry Credits His Theology to Hymns He Sang as a Child
By Movieguide® Contributor
Mark Lowry recently spoke with Kirk Cameron about his journey to music and why he thinks churches should reintroduce hymns.
Gospel singer Lowry has had a long and illustrious career. His history with music dates back to when he was 11 and landed his first recording deal.
“I sang my first time in church when I was 4, and I had my first recording contract when I was 11,” Lowry told Cameron. “I was singing at the international song festival…[and] I got a recording contract the next with the Benson company…Then, when I was 14, I finally met who I’d been singing about; I went to church camp and met Jesus.”
“Of course, that changed everything because then I started running the lyrics through my mind, and I believed every bit of it,” he added.
Lowry credits the hymns that he was singing with helping him come to faith. By reflecting on the words in those songs, he came to know the Father and what it means to be a faithful Christian.
“A lot of my theology from my youth comes from the old hymns I sang in church. That’s one of the things I miss most about music and churches today,” Lowry explained.
However, the gospel singer understands that modern songs connect with the younger audience and help them draw closer to Christ. Rather than sulk about not hearing the songs he grew up with, he instead focuses on the impact these new songs have.
“I’m so glad I came to Jesus when I was a child because I have really honed my skeptical skills, you know. I can sit out there and if I’m not careful, start judging. Well, listen, what I tell all old people… instead of getting ticked off when you see lyrics up there that don’t even rhyme well, look at the young people, turn your head toward the young people. They’re getting it, and it will bless you watching them be blessed,” he said.
“Don’t be so selfish on Sunday. I do it all the time, I could have written that in my sleep, but then I turn and look at the people, all the young people. They’re getting it. And then, all of a sudden, I get it and then I’m joining them in this worship experience, you know. But you can’t sit there and judge everything,” Lowry continued.
Nonetheless, Lowry believes churches should consider bringing the hymns back and mixing them with modern songs. That was the tradition for years, and there is a reason hymns have endured.
“You ought to sing ‘Amazing Grace’ every now and then. It wouldn’t kill you, and you might learn something,” he said. “The kids need to know ‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found. I was blind but now I see.’ Oh, my goodness, how can you not love that.”
Lowry is also a comedian and believes music and humor can be tools for the gospel.
“So music, harmony and humor are just so much a part of my life that I don’t know how they interplay,” he told the Gospel Music Association. “I don’t know where one stops and one starts sometimes. But they are all just tools to get the Gospel out, I think. That’s why God gives us a tongue so we can communicate, sing and be funny with. Thank God for the tongue.”
No matter what he does, Lowry wants to share his faith.
“My one goal, my one thread that runs through everything I’ve done…the thread is that a man rose from the dead,” he explained. “That is the thing that I’m trying to convince or persuade or cause the world to believe, that a man rose from the dead. If I can do that, I’ve done my job.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Lowry:
Mark Lowry, like many, was a rambunctious child, but thanks to his mother’s help directed his energy to something useful, which ultimately led him to a career as a Gospel singer and comedian.
Lowry recounted on Kirk Cameron’s TAKEAWAYS as a child how his mother would be playing piano and singing at church where she would catch him doing “standup comedy” for his friends.
“She’d be loving God and having a great time until she spotted me in the balcony. And above the singing, I’d hear her clear that throat and I knew it was a battle cry,” Lowry joked.
His mother taught him to sing and encouraged Lowry, who was diagnosed with ADHD “before they knew how to abbreviate it,” to get involved with musical theatre as an outlet for his spiritedness. He proved to be successful, but there was one problem: Lowry was Baptist and being involved in musical theatre many parts required dancing which wasn’t allowed in his church.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
