what is christian music?
Have you ever wondered, or been asked, "what is Christian music"? Well, I found this gem of a definition last night while reading Pop Goes Religion, by Terry Mattingly. According to the Gospel Music Association, Christian music is "music in any style whose lyric is substantially based on historic orthodox Christian truth contained in or derived from the Holy Bible; and/or an expression of worship of God or praise for his works; and/or testimony of relationship with God through Christ; and/or obviously prompted and informed by a Christian world view."
Mattingly goes on to outline "six or seven competing definitions of 'Christian music'":
1. "Christian music" consists of hymns.
2. If music can be played or sun in worship services, then it's "Christian."
3. "Christian music" can be found in all genres of music, except rock. Anything with a strong backbeat is off-limits.
4. All forms of music are acceptable, even heavy-metal rock or rap, as long as the songs contain clear evangelistic messages.
5. "Christian songs" must contain some clear "God-talk". Many Contemporary Christian Music industry pros call this the "Jesus per minute" rule.
6. "Christian music" is music made by artists who are publicly identified as believers, and their art - to one degree or another - reflects this Christian worldview.
He concludes by noting that Bono doesn't think "Christian music" exists. "Why? It's arrogant for sinful people - he put himself at the top of that list - to sell their music by using the label 'Christian' as a marketing device."
fr'nklin
2 Comments
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (2)
This is a good subject to open up for me right now. Being a worship leader, I obviously do the Sunday thing. We do both hymns and 'contemporary' stuff. Now we are adding a couple people and taking music out to the community (bars, parties, etc.) We will not be doing 'Christian Music' but will be deliberate in choosing songs that are not lewd or offensive. We'll basically be a classic rock band who will add some songs from bands like Jimmy Eat World, 3 Doors Down, and some others. When we go out we will not deliberatly evangelize. We'll play our music, enjoy ourselves and entertain as best we can.
At this point the folks at church are supportive, but I think some may be under the impression we'll be doing the rockery kind of stuff we do at church. We also recruited a bass player from outside our church who I have know idea for sure if he knows the Lord or not. Our first party is in February and then another in March. This next year should be interesting.
So does this taint what I do at church? I don't think so, but I guess some could.
In some ways I have to agree with this. I have listened to some lousy music that is embraced by Christians simply because the bands say they are Christians and promote their music as such. This remark makes me think of a South Park episode where the kids put together a 'Christian' band by taking random songs and substituting the word Jesus into the lyrics. They become an instant success. My husband and I talk often about how there is an abundance of "Christian" music that seems like it has been produced to be the clean, Christian-approved version of something a secular group has already made popular rather than being music that not only has its own original flavor and style but is also of quality as good music in general.