The Micah Challenge is a global campaign to encourage Christians to “care for the poor and speak for the powerless”. They have produced the Heart Life Voice album, a collection of Christian songs with a focus on issues of social justice. According to their website, the purpose of the album is to,

“Challenge us to live out our faith radically through our speaking, giving, praying and doing.”

This is a noble goal, but I’ve resisted the temptation to give the album an easy pass mark simply because of that. Musically, it’s very much a mixed bag. Production values are solid throughout, but the early tracks show a lack of imagination, and some are frankly quite bland. The latter songs show some class and style, especially the marvelous blues track, Cry out for Justice and the earthy Coming Soon. I really wish the album had started with one of those songs, but perhaps that would have been too risky for the typical Christian musical palette.

This is an album of ideas - Christian ideas - so the lyrics are important. There is a lot of range here - from the inspired, through the banal, right down to the borderline secular. A song like Call for Mercy reflects a scripturally informed approach to the subject of suffering. By contrast, the much vaunted lead track, Beggar’s Hand, is sentimental tosh. The chorus says,

“I held the beggar’s hand and I found God.”

Theologically, this message is indefensible, and it shows no understanding of the gospel at all.

The Micah Challenge should be commended for it’s efforts on behalf of the poor and oppressed, and it is a good thing for Christians to be involved in these areas. I’m a bit ambivalent about the album, but I think there is enough good material here to justify a purchase. Just listen with discernment.