Friends…I thank you for your patience in my redesign.  Things got worse with my computer this weekend and my Dad had to disassemble it to fix the video card.  But, we are on the brink of functioning.  Yaaay!  For now, I’m limited in my computer usage so I’m recycling a post that refers to many of the topics raised in the awesome comments last week on my post “Five Reasons You Should Give Christian Music a Chance.”

{Originally posted here}

This isn’t really just about music.  It’s about faith and how we express our faith, in public and in private.

 

What makes an artist “Christian”?

The answer to the question is quite simple: the defining characteristic of a “Christian” artist is simply that they are a Christian.

What is it that differentiates a “Christian” artist from any other?

The lyrics.  Christian artists, in general, sing songs about faith, God, songs of praise and worship. But, they also sing songs that are just about life.  However, they avoid lyrics and ideas that are immoral, degrading or profane.

How would you identify or define a “Christian” artist?

Most “Christian” artists are identified by the record label that produces their music.  However, there are also some Christian artists that aren’t on strictly “Christian” labels.  So, it also comes down to marketing.

Does it matter?

If someone is a Christian in the music industry they shouldn’t have to label themselves Christian.

Your Christianity should be evident through your words and actions, even if you don’t sing “Jesus loves me”.

There is a fine line between purposely hiding your faith and letting your actions speak for themselves.

As we are encouraged in Matthew (5:14-16),

¹⁴You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  ¹⁵nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  ¹⁶Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

To apply this to the music industry, I would say that a Christian could sing songs that don’t even use the word “God” or “faith”, but still profess the Truth.

Further Musings

Allow me to respond to some of your thoughts about what I’ve just said before you hijack the comment thread.

I don’t like Christian music.  It’s just not as good as the other stuff.

First of all, I can really identify with this statement.  I’ll admit, there is no Christian equivalent to John Mayer.  No U2 either.  Haven’t found a Coldplay cover band singing about the greatness of our God.  But, the genre has vastly improved in recent years and is continuing to improve.  It may take a little work to find the artists that satisfy your musical sweet tooth.  But, there is way more talent and selection than ever before.

Secondly, this statement reminds me of what I learned from Bob Kauflin at the Christian Musician Summit when he spoke of how Music Becomes an Idol, especially for Christians, and even more especially for Christians in church!

One way we know that music has become an idol is when a love of music has replaced a love for the things of God.

If a certain type of music, or even a certain artist or radio station

is the only thing that gets you through the day,

is what you turn to when you’re feeling down,

defines your lifestyle,

is the primary tool you use to make and keep friends;

then could it be possible that music is becoming an idol in your life?

Well, do you listen to Christian music exclusively?

No,  I don’t.  But, for me, listening to secular artists doesn’t really build me up or strengthen my faith.

It’s kinda like candy.  Tastes good, but doesn’t provide the vitamins and nutrients I need.

If I’m gonna be fed spiritually through music, it’s gonna have to be music that points to God.

Well, if I’m being “fed” elsewhere, why can’t I just listen to secular music?

Personally, I’ve discovered that music has very strong effects on me.

The membrane around my heart and head is very permeable when it comes to music.

I have a strange knack for learning a song quickly and easily.

Then it gets stuck in my head, for days.  The lyrics will slip out of my lips when I’m not even thinking about it.

And, if it’s a principle that’s not in line with God’s principles, I find that my walls slowly start to erode.

Maybe this doesn’t happen to you.  Or, maybe you don’t realize this happens to you.

Does everything have to be about my faith?

I think everything in my life should be an outgrowth of my faith.  But, some things are just things.  The laundry for example; there’s no Christian way to do laundry.  You separate the whites from the darks.  Pour in the detergent.  Switch on.  Shut the door.  Don’t think that involves my faith too much.  But, I can do it with a good attitude and a spirit of gratitude for God’s provisions.  In that sense, it does have to do with my faith.

But, what about being “in the world and not of the world”?

Hmmm, that sounds a lot like something I used to say when I was in high school and wanted to convince my parents to let me do something I know I shouldn’t do.

This is one of those areas where we as Christians like to experiment.  We celebrate certain things because of “freedom in Christ”, but we forget that we should be “slaves to righteousness”.

I can’t really answer this one for you.  It’s between you and God.

For me, music causes me to dwell on certain ideas, facts, and issues aren’t in line with God’s best for me.  That’s why I don’t spend a lot of time listening to secular music.

I’m sure some of you would say in that sense, I shouldn’t spend ANY time listening to secular music.  And, maybe you’re right.

So, if you’re an artist that’s a Christian, shouldn’t you sing Christian music?

If we say that, then we have to say, if you’re a Christian, shouldn’t you be a Christian plumber, or a Christian janitor, or only teach in a Christian school?

Your faith should guide and drive how you do your job, but it doesn’t have to BE your job.

That being said, I think it would be really hard to be a Christian in the secular music industry.  In the name of selling records, I would imagine that an artist would be hard pressed to sing about things that aren’t in agreement with their beliefs.

The Bottom Line

We as Christians mistake music for worship.  This is why many people believe that a Christian musician should only sing Christian music. We think that music and worship are one in the same.  And, if that were true, singing “secular” music is worshipping something or someone other than God.

Singing about something doesn’t equate to worshipping it.

And, music isn’t the ONLY way to worship God.  If it is the only way you are able to worship God, again, refer to my post “When Music Becomes an Idol“.

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Do you agree or disagree?  Do you have more to add?

• In My Words: Better than a Hallelujah?
• In Your Words: Can Secular Music Be Used for Worship
• When Music Becomes an Idol
• 5 reasons You Should Give Christian Music a Chance

I’m still working on my redesign and, unfortunately my computer has contracted a major virus and I’m majorly bummed about it.  So, not sure if the relaunch is going to happen or not on Friday.  I’ll just have to keep you on your toes!  In the meantime, be sure to fill our my quick and painfree survey to make Pop Parables a better place.

For now, you can read one of my earliest posts from over a year ago.  I don’t even know if I agree with myself anymore, but that’s the beauty of growth and change.

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The idea for this post came from an all too common conversation I have had with numerous people, which goes a little something like this:

Me: I just can’t get enough of Needtobreathe’s new album.
Uncool person: Really? Who’s NeedtoBreathe?
Me: Oh, a newish Christian band that I love. Maybe you’ve heard of them?  They’re touring with Taylor Swift right now.

Uncool person: Rolls eyes and then says, Um, I don’t listen to Christian music.
Me: Really? How come?
Uncool person: Because it’s totally lame and only for people my parents’ age.
Me: Wow, you just called me totally lame AND old!

In an effort to avoid a repeat of said conversation, I have written the following

Top Five Reasons You Should Give Christian Music a Chance

Reason #1:  It’s actually much better than it used to be
As a child of the ’80s, I remember the early days of Christian music when the selection was minimal, the lyrics boring, and the expertise virtually non existent. No disrespect to the early pioneers like Steve Green, Sandi Patty, or Petra, but Christian music as a whole has come a loooooooooooong way since I was wearing t-shirt clips and L.A. Gear. Nowadays, there are 40+ Christian music labels out there producing a plethora of musical selections to satisfy a variety of tastes. Some secular labels (i.e. Sony BMG/Columbia, Atlantic) even produce Christian artists who have achieved crossover appeal, including NeedtoBreathe and Switchfoot. And more importantly, the musical prowess of many artists is comparable to music in the secular arena, currently garnering six separate categories at the Grammy awards under the umbrella of “Gospel”.

Reason #2:  It’s family friendly
As a mom of three who spends a lot of time in the car, I try to be aware of what my kids are hearing and listening to. I find that if I tune my radio to the Top 40 station, there is often content that I don’t want my kids repeating. I just don’t like hearing lyrics like “You’ll have me suicidal, suicidal” coming out of the mouths of my little men! Christian music lyrics are completely G rated and you won’t find a “Parental Advisory” icon on these albums.

Reason #3:  It’s inspirational and aspirational
On a bad day, Christian music can lift my spirits. Focusing on God rather than myself can bring fresh perspective and motivation for a difficult situation. When I was living in Louisiana, I had a particularly hostile work environment. Every day while driving to work, it was a variety of worship albums that gave me strength to face the day. I can also think of times in my life when I just felt down about myself. There were very specific songs that helped me to look beyond myself and focus on God’s purpose for my life.

Reason #4:  It’s praise and worship
I believe we were made to worship God, and are commanded to do so. In I Corinthians 10:31, Paul encourages Christians by saying, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Our pastor has often referred to “worshipping yourself strong”, an idea that it’s through genuine worship to God that we gain strength to fulfill His purpose for our lives. Christian music is imperative to this effort, after all its’ primary intention is to glorify God. And that doesn’t mean that you have to listen to only “worship” music. Some of my favorite artists’ songs would never appear in a worship set, but they are truly worshipful in the sense that they bring glory to God.

Reason #5:  It’s relevant and relatable
A quick glance at this week’s Billboard Top 10 reveals the following themes: painful breakup, beauty of a woman’s body {to put it nicely}, getting rich, abusive relationship, sexual fantasies, egotistical rants, intoxication and substance abuse. Hmmm, none of those things are relevant to me. Of course we all have had times in our lives, such as a painful breakup, where a song just so vividly expresses your feelings that you want to listen to it over and over again, for therapeutic reasons of course. But, really, do you want to revisit those emotions every time you turn on the radio? I sure don’t! But, with Christian music, I find themes such as reconciliation, forgiveness, hope, and perseverance. These are things that are relevant to me, things I can relate to day after day that just don’t get old because they are what propel me on in the journey of faith.

What are some of your fav Christian artists?  What is your reason for listening to Christian music?  Can you think of some secular artists who satisfy all of the reasons listed above?