Known for her idiosyncratic costumes splayed across magazine covers and on stage, Pop Icon Lady Gaga rose to worldwide fame with chart-topping hits like “Just Dance” and “Poker Face”. Recently, however, Gaga made headlines for a different reason. Her current “Judas” track (from the Born This Way album) has critics claiming she’s gone too far. In it, she sings: “I’m just a Holy fool, oh baby he’s so cruel, but I’m still in love with Judas, baby … I wanna love you, but something’s pulling me away from you, Jesus is my virtue, and Judas is the demon I cling to.”  Gaga’s nerve to use Christ’s betrayal as a cryptic message for the world to decipher appeared blasphemous. Then, an E! News interview revealed a different story: Judas represented ex-boyfriends Gaga repeatedly returned to, even after multiple betrayals.

Typically, I wouldn’t judge a non-believer for worldly actions, because my beliefs are foolishness to those without the Spirit. My qualm: Gaga knows better. Raised Catholic, she’s well aware of the sacrilegious content she shovels to make a buck. In fact, she’s making quite a few bucks. A rumored $10 million was pumped into her distorted and unintelligible “Judas” video – the most expensive music production in history.

Gaga explained to Ellen DeGeneres, “Pop culture is our religion and through self-worship … you can have more faith and more hope in life and in the future.” However, she contradicted herself in the HBO Monster Ball Documentary, stating: “I looked into that crowd and I’m like, when the F*** did this happen? … Who created this? I for sure didn’t. It’s God. It’s for sure Jesus. It ain’t me because I’m not ridiculous to think for a second I’m that powerful.” Backstage after the show, she dabbed away tears and explained how she still felt like a loser. She broke down and prayed: “… Dear God, give me courage … Do not let me give into my own insecurities. Allow me to walk in your light …” Although her theology is skewed and dialogue offensive, it sounds like she’s working through her personal demons in the public eye.
But I have to wonder if Gaga knows that she either serves God or man? “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear,” (2 Timothy 4:3NLT).

Like her or not, one thing is certain: Gaga needs our prayers more than condemnation. Likewise, we need a music revolution. Pray for our industry – the producers, artists, a stronger competitiveness in this business and that Gaga’s heart changes to reach souls, instead of self-gratification. Imagine if she monopolized headlines with: “Gaga Sings Different Tune: Now In Love With Jesus?” Oh, the millions she could reach.

Check out these songs and feed the Christian industry:
Swing Song (Tal & Aacia)
Freedom (Run Kid Run)
Cut (Plumb)
One More Time (Disciple)
Make Some Noise
(Krystal Meyers)
Hide and Seek (Imogen Heap)
Identity (Lecrae)
Stereo (4th Avenue Jones)
Destroy (Worth Dying For)

Dabney can be reached at [email protected]