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."