I have been accused of many bad personality traits in the last 14 months of blogging. Most of them are accurate and if those people really new me they would find out I am worse than what they imagine, however I am not quite as quick to judge as most of my critics would presume. I don’t post flippantly and try to have some concept of what I am talking about before I do. I have been sitting on a topic now for several years mulling it over in my mind trying to decide if my thoughts were accurate or even worth posting. Being in and around music and the Christian music industry for most of my life has its blessing and its curses. So I am going to do a series on problems I see with church music over the next few weeks. It will not be exhaustive, but will be full of my opinion.
I recently received an email from the publicist for Lee Nash. Some of you might know Lee from the “Christian” band Six Pence None the Richer. They had a hit with the song “Kiss Me” which is now played mostly at NFL and MLB games so 60,000 sports fans can watch old people kiss on a 75 foot tall screen. Lee’s publicist was asking if we would promote Lee’s new “Christian” album here at Fide-O. While I had no plans to do so I did take a minute to check the links to the free song downloads and see what this new album was all about. This new “Christian” album was all songs about Lee’s new son. The songs were produced well and it was obvious that much time and money had been placed into making this new “Christian” album. While I don’t want to pick on Lee her album had a huge flaw that I see in most of the Top 40 Christian music I hear. There was nothing uniquely Christian about this album. It could have been embraced by Mormons, Muslims, JW’s, moral atheist, or sentimental Satanists.
Air 1, a local radio station recently changed their slogan to “The Positive Alternative”. They formerly promoted themselves as a Christian station. Some of my church members were upset with them for the change, but I appreciated the fact that they saw their own hypocrisy and tried to fix it. I would have preferred they play more uniquely Christian songs instead of the CCM top 40, but apparently their audience wouldn’t like that as well.
I asked the question several weeks ago “should songs have to be in context to be understood as Christian songs?” My answer is no. If we are going to define Christian music as “Christian” music then it should profess something uniquely Christian. If everything we do should bring glory to the Father then our songs must do that. Bring glory to the true God of the universe through biblical truth, not some generic version of God or Christ that can be embraced by anyone who might claim some form or religious morality.
While I am not against moral music, love songs, sentimental songs, or some other secular music let’s at least call it what it is.
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36 year old husband, father, pastor, singer, musician, reader, eater, rider, watcher,
I mostly agree with your assessment, but I just wanted to ask some provocative questions: Is the book of Esther a uniquely “Christian” book? How about Eccesiastes? Job? After all, Jews, Mormon’s and JW’s can all embrace these books.
Does a truly Christian song, book, viewpoint, etc, always have to be unnacceptable to Mormons, Jews, etc, for it to be Christian? Does it always have to be uniquely Christian to be Christian?
I’m not criticising, but just thinking out loud, I suppose.
Brother, I am with you in your assessment of music; it is either Christian or it is not. I see things as only black or white. The same goes for preaching, it is either Christian or not. The first thing a preacher needs to realize is he preaches to the glory of God, and that #1. It seems to me that the same should be for music that labeled as Christian. If there is another alternative is it really Christian?
Scott, I mentioned at IsaiahSix.org today (well, late last night/early this morning) about MercyMe’s recent performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The song they performed, “So Long Self”, almost passes as a testimony to the power of God. Almost.
I point out that as entertainers, they’re not bad. But as a source of theological influence, many (most?) CCM performers leave us looking for more.
It seems that Christian CCM is really just “moral” songs which I will take over the majority of secular music. That said, I do not expect these 17-25 year olds to write theologically deep lyrics either. I think the sad thing is that their lyrics reveal the preaching and teaching that they are under, and the depth (or lack of) that they are at with God. Which is as light and airy as Air1.
Scott, you are absolutely right. I would add that anyone who speaks (or sings) publicly for Christ bears the responsibility of aquiring a solid theological education. The same standards of Biblical accuracy that apply to preachers apply to musicians.
Scott,
I appreciate your wanting Christian music to be just that. CHRIST-ian. I myself have been disappointed with some of the music coming over the airwaves for the same reason you expressed. While I instinctively share your reaction I have come think a little differently over the last couple of years. If God is a God of truth, than all truth belongs to Him because it is true, regardless of who stumbles accross it. If God is a God of beauty, than all man-created beauty displayed in the arts ultimately finds its source in His image in us. If God is a God of goodness, then likewise, all goodness originates with Him. The music of Johann Sebastian Bach has no Christian lyrics yet the sheer beauty of it lifts my mind to God, to truth. On the other hand, some “Christian” music, regardless of lyrics, is simply ugly and while listening I find my thoughts centered on myself. Perhaps what is true, beautiful and good is more authentically Christian even when it does not mention Christ than is something explicitly Christian that is less than true, beautiful and good.
Thirsty David that will be my third post.
As I said before this would not be exhaustive and even though I am drew a black and white line I did so on a large topic and I understand that. However, I am trying to deal in philisophical not necessarily anecdotal terms.
Hobbes, I would say that Esther, Job, Ecclesiates etc are all uniquey Christian books. I do not believe these books can be properly understood without Christ as part of the context. While the philosophy may be helpful by itself all those books point to Christ.
I am black and white when it comes to “Christian” music as well. I spent some time this afternoon looking at lyrics of a few of the bands listed on this site (http://www.christianlyricsonline.com/) and did not find many that I would consider Christian. Perhaps the shallow or non existent theology in many of these songs is a result of shallow or non existent theology in the preaching and teaching in many churches today.
I am okay with the contemporary sound for the most part. I draw the line when it becomes irreverent. I have heard some old hymns that were played to a more upbeat tune and enjoyed them. Scott, do you know of a contemporary tune to A Mighty Fortress?
I have 2 books one titled “101 Hymn Stories” and the other 101 More Hymn Stories” that I enjoy reading from time to time. I wonder if there have been any stories worth publishing that inspired some of the “Christian” music we hear nowadays.
Bill
Scott I don’t mean to get all OCD with you but the correct spelling of the young lady’s name is Leigh Nash.
So there are two options that I see in the life of person like Leigh Nash. She is either singing to glorify God or she is not.
Ryan Carpenter,
So if Leigh Nash sings songs about her new son and not songs filled with theology then she’s not glorifying God? Is that really what you believe?
If we follow that to it’s logical conclusion then anybody doing work that is not specifically Christian in nature can’t bring glory to God through their efforts.
Just because her music doesn’t qualify to wear the “Christian” label doesn’t mean she can’t glorify God by singing about her new son, her dog Jake or the garden she planted in the backyard.
Whoa, get ahold of that leash.
I can appreciate where your comming from. I would agree that there are songs that attempt to pass as Christian but are not. This is true in all areas (books, movies, etc.)
To me this just drives home the point that the CCM cabal is a marketing racket. And, I say that as one who enjoys the music on occasion, has bought the CDs in the past and gone to concerts. I support Christian music. But I see “Christian” music as a way for some decent and many sub standard musicians to find an audience because they have some Christian words in their songs. Conversely there are really good musicians out there who don’t explicitly quote scripture or rehash hymns and I am cool with that.
Basically what I would offer as a solution to this is for Christians to find ways to continue to break down the barriers between the church and the world without diminishing the division between the secular and sacred in order to reach people with truth.
This has been hinted at – but the fact is that natural law and creation speak to God’s Glory. We can write songs that contain a subtle message of God’s design and even some songs that are overtly praising and descriptive of our daily worship. Some songs can be written for solos and others for corporate praise in the church.
This is a great example: I leave you with the lyrics of the song “Indescribable” by Chris Tomlin. I purchased his new CD recently and every time I play this song, my soul longs for more of God! This is the chorus line:
“Indescribable, uncontainable, You put the stars in the sky and you know them by name. You are amazing God! All powerful, unchangeable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing God, you are amazing God… Indescribable, uncontainable, You see the depths of my heart and you love me the same You are amazing God!”
Scott,
I agree. Very cogent assessment.
Shouldn’t the music also be considered? I mean, if the music detracts from the messsage, or the message, if there is one, is entirely drowned out by the music, is it still considered “Christian”?
Thank you.
Jeff that is also a future post.
Church Dog,
I am sure that Leigh Nash is a very nice person, she may even be saved.
All as I was saying is that only people like her know whether or not they are singing to the glory of God. Now, she may be. I hope you see that I was using her as an example. The harm comes if people do not sing to the praise of God when they are writing music. My belief, the preacher should preach from the Bible, so the musician should sing music from the Bible as well. I really think how close he or she stays true to the Bible determines how Chrisian the song may be.
ryan, your comments imply that one is singing, they must always sing theology-soaked songs. Consistent with your statement, I assume that you also believe we should read nothing but the Bible (not that there’s anything wrong with that…
) Or, we should do nothing that is not totally focused on doctrinal content. Church dog’s comment is relevant, and I don’t believe you have responded to it in total.
That said, I do agree with Scott’s underlying contention, which (I believe) is: if someone claims something (song, book, etc.) is “Christian”, then it should be somehow *explicitly* centered on Jesus.
An aside: I saw Leigh Nash perform back in July. She sang many of the songs from the new album. Very pretty music. She stated that the songs were centered on her child. But her other between-song conversations indicated to me that she is indeed a Christian (which should be no surprise, although I couldn’t say that for certain about some of the acts I saw that same week).
Oh, and she sang “Kiss Me” as her encore song…
—-
bill
Brothers and sister’s,
All as I can say is that we need Christian music that is grounded and rooted in the Bible or at its most about the Bible. If it does not lift up the Lord somehow it is not Christian in my book. We especially need this in the local church.
Thanks for those comments Scott. I would agree that many “Christian” songs don’t have much or any Christ in them. I am at the point in my life now that I really listen to the lyrics. I go on heresy patrol when listening to the local “Christian” radio station. It is amazing how many songs either have heresy in them, or could be misunderstood that way. May we all strive to put Christ in all we do–Dirk
Interesting. Perhaps I’m too indoctrinated with the semi-Christian stuff I’m surrounded with, but I don’t view some of these things as a sharp Christian/secular division. To me, it is entertainment and sometimes gains too high of a standing. I don’t mind those songs on the radio while I’m running errands, because I like some of them and I don’t mind my children repeating the lyrics. Some of the ads the Christian radio station runs where people call in and say how much the station blesses them for bringing the word of God into their dark days…those bother me. Unless those people are listening to different programming. It REALLY bothers me when I go into a church and these songs have taken over the worship service.
It’s like watching veggie tales in Sunday school. What belongs in the “acceptable entertainment” category does not belong in church worship or education.
I’m only speaking of the “light” songs that may or may not ever even mention God or when they do not very specifically. Not those songs which do teach something, but it is something false.
What is wrong with inclusive love for the Creator? Why does it have to use the name Jesus? That name isn’t even his name. It means son of Zues in the Greek. Je (son of)zues…was an easier way to combine the prevailing beliefs Greek mythologies God–Zues of the day.
Indescribable by Chris Thomlin is the best song I’ve heard in a long time. I’m filled with Joy when I listen to it. David’s music would have been something awesome to listen to. His songs were inclusive and showed true heart too. Why are Christians always worried about whether someone else is saved? If I thought I was among a tiny sliver…a fraction of one percent of humans to be saved, I would be miserable. How can that be Love? How can anyone smile at the banquet table when the masses of unfed watch you eat? I have enough trouble eating in front of my dogs without sharing.