Kris Allen, American Idol, and humility

by Barbara Rainey

When my children were growing up I was a TV Nazi.  High control, off the charts.  Only Little House on the Prarie and Mr. Rogers Neighborhood were allowed when they were small.  As they became older they watched sporting events or news features with their dad if they were interested, but little else.  As parents we refused to get cable or buy Nintendo.  We were "the only parents" this strict, of course.

When our last child left for college a few years ago our responsibility for monitoring what went into their hearts and minds left with her.  We now had to police only ourselves.  So we signed up for cable, mostly for my husband's interest in more sporting events and the hunting channels.  Our kids all thought it terribly unfair and contradictory that we should change our values now that they were gone.  A parent's prerogative, we replied with a smile.

With our evenings free from all the constrictions of homework, school activities, and bedtime rituals, we discovered the time to become fans of American Idol.  Our good friend Bob, who loves music, was an addict from the beginning and kept talking about how much he and his wife and sons loved watching it. We finally began watching out of curiosity the year Jordin Sparks won.

This year we are even voting.  And it's a great year for us to be engaged as one of the two finalists for tonight's (Tuesday) finale is from Conway, Arkansas, just 30 miles from Little Rock.  And his success has all the elements of a great American story.  Being from a small town in middle America, Kris Allen has been the underdog all along even though he is clearly talented.  His opponent and the judges' obvious favorite is a young man who appears the opposite of Kris in every way.  Adam is from a big city, has the backing of Hollywood, and sports an edgy look with heavy eye make-up and black nail polish.  Kris is married and is the worship leader of a growing church, while Adam remains mysterious in his gender identity and spiritual leanings. 

A most revealing moment occured several weeks ago when the show's creator and brutally honest judge, Simon Cowell, asked Kris what he thought about still being in the competition.

Kris replied that he was surprised because all of the top 10 were incredibly talented and he was grateful that he'd gotten this far.  Simon responded that it was time to stop being humble!  He advised Kris to become more self-assertive and to quit the humilty bit.  Kris shrugged his shoulders and tilted his head as if to say, This is who I am.

If I still had teens at home that would have been a powerful teaching moment without having to actually teach!  The obvious contrast between Kris's humble self-confidence and the judges' perception of what that means would have been enough even without parent/child interaction.  But had we had that opportunity, we would have paused the DVR long enough to ask, "So what did you think about that dialog between Simon and Kris?"

Millions of viewers will be watching Tuesday night and we will be among them.  It will be a classic "David and Goliath" battle.  Kris will be getting our votes not only for his talent and because he's from our state, but because he is the kind of role model our kids need. 

We will be voting for humility.

Comments

[Brad Huebert]

Good thoughts. True humility is like pure gold these days.

[Bert]

He has my vote! Go Kris.

[Linda]

I think if you read a transcript of Kris' comments and Adam's comments, you would find their words equally kind, generous and gracious. Both are very talented. Both compliment the other. Both give the credit away. You seem to be able to see the good in Kris and not Adam.

I thought it was a great season and it is the one show that my teenaged kids and I enjoy watching together each week. Both Kris and Adam are winners and I used your blog as a teaching moment with my kids about not judging based on nail polish and eyeliner.

[Debbie]

I was so glad to read the comment on what a valuable lesson was taught about not judging the outward appearance. I am so glad God gave me the opportunity to come as I was and he changed the inside first. Our outward appearance may not always be pleasing to everyone but God knows the heart. We are warned in the bible not to judge. I am thankful that Kris can be a great role model for many but I feel dissappointed that anyone could write such negative judgemental comments about Adam. God love Adam just like Kris.

[adrienne]

If you look at her comments, I don't think she was referencing anything about his kindness as a person. She was referencing (1) the role model he would be in encourage the coolness of being edgy and a look that can encourage young people to develop a rebelious anti establishment attitude (notice I said a look that could encourage it - a look - not a heart - but the look can encourage this) and the concerns about being a role model in terms of how he may or may not choose to deal publically with any gender identity issues. And (2) about the confidant, front runner with the outgoing personality versus the quiet small town underdog.

I don't think she referrenced or implied that Adam was not gracious or kind, as he seems to be both. And I do care about and love him but that is not the same and thinking that he is the kind of role model I would want for my kids. However, that does not mean I wouldn't vote for him, but her point was how great it was to have a good role model and her appreciation for Kris understated humility and unwillingness to change who he is. That doesn't mean there are not things to appreciate about Adam, but just that she was stating those things she appreciates about Kris.

[Laura]

Presentation is everything. Adam has presented from day one a bigger than life persona on stage. Kris has quietly played his music and become the boy next door.

I think the point in the article is you have two completely different approaches here. The fact that Kris remained humble in light of the criticism from Simon really is the point. Not the nail polish or guy liner. (Adam didn't earn the nick name Glambert for nothing.)

Both have been gracious toward the other. I have only seen each of them say positive things about the other.

There is no judgment in the fact that they really do represent two totally different lifestyles. It's just the facts.

[Mom of Teens]

Amen and praise the Lord for good role models! Stay true to the Lord, Kris, I pray.

Mom of Teens

[Jannette]

I find it amazing that "Christian" women are bickering over two reality TV people. I don't think that the Lord ever said in the Bible that we could never use our judgment. I believe the Word encourages us to use wisdom in our decisions (Proverbs 24:3), We must make choices everyday based on the Word or the world. Some people use the Do not Judge (Matthew 7:1) passage as a way to condone all sort of behaviors that God is not pleased with. We must examine every part of our lives and make judgments (decisions) on everything from what we allow our kids to watch TV to what we allow ourselves to watch. And those decisions are made after approaching everything with prayer and God’s Word as our guide. At the end of the day nothing else matters except the impact we have made for Christ, through our children and through our Godly influence and our ability to “be in the world but not part of it. (Romans 12:2)

Thank you Barbara Rainey for being such a great role model and teacher in my life as I know you have been in countless others. Family Life Ministries is truly making an impact on a culture that is overflowing with desserts and little to no main course. God Bless YOU!

[BJ Cannon]

Yes..no bickering ladies like secular blogs, agree to disagree but I saw pics of Adam on Utube, he needs prayer. Also, Adam very worldly being said to be gay, etc. Kris, the cleancut all-American married role model we all want for kids now. Too many Hollywood types that are loose in alot of ways like money, drugs, sex are kids role models like Brittney Spears and Jessica Simpson, the last saying she is a Christian. Anyway, having said all that, I was drawn to Adam, maybe that easy smile. It went thru my mind that sometimes darkness is disguised as an "angel of light". Although he wore alot of dark and some thought he was goth, who really knows his heart really?!? Only God does. Some of the worst men in history, got saved, many in our Bible. So people pray for Adam alot if u care about his eternal soul and also for Kris, for his marriage and that he will use this opportunity to the glory of God. from an oldie ps pray for Danny also, together, think of the good they could do on the tour plus help Adam

[Barbara]

I so appreciate all the comments on my post.
It is good and healthy for us to think about the relavant issues and events of our
day and how God's word applies to this reality. American Idol was a great
diversion from the difficulties of the economy for the millions who watched this year.
And there is no question that Adam is a likeable young man with an amazingly talented
voice. He was very entertaining to watch and will have many doors opened to him. But it
was truly a moment of joy when Kris was announced as the winner. Dennis and I gave each
other high fives and cheered, relishing the momentary victory of biblical values over
Hollywood's choices.