Christian Music Reformation
I am sitting here in my living room on a quiet Saturday morning thinking not so quiet thoughts. I have been listening to my local Christian music radio stations for sometime now as I drive 30 minutes to and from work. I have noticed a dangerous and jolting change in what I hear. It seems blatantly obvious to me that Christian music has made a turn for the worst. The songs I hear are so general in their theme I might as well listen to my local secular radio station (the music is better there too). I did not hear the name of Jesus one time this week in a song. Instead I heard lyrics like this:
‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I’m so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I’m free to be me and your free to be You
Another One…
Don’t ask me how I’m doing, if you don’t want to know
I stayed out late woke up ate oh you know how it goes
Give off the vibe that is everything is fine if you don’t look in my eyes. It’s all going so perfectly wrong
Hey, hey, hey what can I say, it just been one of those, one of those days.
I-I-I-I…
Why is it if the purpose of making “Christian” music is to bring other to Christ that these lyrics are so vague? Why are Christian artists the same as secular ones, they just have their own radio station? It is rare I see a Christian artist speak the name Jesus.
I was once at a concert of a very popular Christian band and not once did they even mention God. Good grief, don’t call yourself a Christian band, just be a band. We fail to glorify Him when we speak and sing of the benefits of the gospel, but fail to proclaim the Gospel itself. – Steve Camp
Now, I by no means am saying secular music is bad. It’s not. I like it, I listen to it, but at least there my expectation will be met that God will not be mentioned. I never thought listening to Christian music that God would not be mentioned.
One of my great influences is Steve Camp. He spent a lot of time with Keith Green, this is the guy who paved the way in Christian music and ticked off a lot of people doing it. He broke down barriers and walls and busted out of the Christian bubble. He not only accepted homeless drug addicts (which was unheard of in his time) he told them the gospel! The thing about Keith was he never compromised in his music. He was constantly giving the gospel and bringing others to Christ. I know that there are some Christian bands out there doing that very thing, however, the vast majority is blending into the bland wallpaper of vague.
Steve wrote what he calls the 107 thesis to the Christian Music Industry. I love it! Take some time and read it. http://www.solideogloria.org/beliefs/stevecamp/index.htm
It is not nice, and I totally agree!
Christian music companies are owned by secular people. How in the world can you have a ministry to the unsaved ran by unsaved people?
In this Christian music world we have what is called the Dove Awards. What? Seriously? Why are we giving each other awards for writing good songs supposively about God? We are honoring man instead of God. Isn’t our purpose to give Him all the glory and honor?
We fail to glorify Him when we praise the servant through awards and accolades rather than exalt the Master. “I was but a pen in God’s hand and what praise is due a pen?” (Baxter) God will not share His glory with another. (Psalm 115:1; Isaiah 42:8 ) - Steve Camp
God is very clear in scripture that He will not share His glory. This is a very dangerous line to mess with. King Nebuchadnezzar was struck down dead because he took God’s glory for himself. Yet, another example of the Christian music world blending into the lines.
As Christian musicians we should be different. I mean we have the creator of the universe inspiring us to write and play. Our songs should be better, they should be ahead of the trend instead of years behind. An unsaved person should be able to listen to our songs and give his life to Christ right there. Why isn’t the gospel being presented at the majority of Christian concerts? Why is it that instead of pleasing God the tide has turned to pleasing man and his ideas of what this should look like?
Here is my plea, if you are a Christian band, making Christian music that neither brings people to God or His presence. Do us all a favor and take the title Christian off everything you do. Otherwise, through down the secular influences , refuse to compromise and run without shame into the hurting world and use your God given gifts to bring other into His kingdom. This is our purpose!
Tricia said,
January 31, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Amen sister girl!! If we, as Christians, are not drawing people to the cross then WHERE are we drawing them to? Our mission is to serve others with our gifts towards Christ and no one else. Well said
)
Keith Mohr said,
February 1, 2009 at 6:45 am
This is a tough subject. Some are seed sowers, throwing out songs that are from a Christian worldview, but do not proclaim the name of Christ in them. Some are harvesters, who at their concerts do altar calls and see people come to Christ.
In my opinion, both are valid, needed, and good. God can use it all, He even used an ass to speak into a life. Surely, He can use a love song to draw people to Himself.
Actually, He doesn’t need music at all, but He chooses to inspire believers to write songs about life. Life is not pretty, but at least these artists are not writing about drinking, drugs, and satan.
Let’s cut em some slack. I call what these artist do “pre-evangelism.” They are plowing the ground, softening the heart, so another can speak into their lives.
On the other hand, I tell independent artists (I communicate the thousands of them often through articles in Christian Musician Magazine, and my Indieheaven organization) that is is dangerous to want to be loved by the world. Yes, we are to be IN the world, yet not OF the world. But especially, do not set out to be LOVED by the world. The world rejects the cross because the world does not understand the word of the cross.
Like I stated above, this is a tough subject, but instead of skewering the CCM industry for what they have done, let’s pray for those in the CCM industry, many who are currently losing their jobs and careers as the old music industry machine grinds to a standstill.
I thought Camp’s thesis was interesting, yet it was coming from an artist who has been a part of the machine, sold his records through the machine, and now that his popularity has wanted, sounds like a bitter person because he can no longer be a part of the machine. Steve offers no solutions…
What is the solution? As an independent artist, BE and STAY independent. Do not sign your rights away to be a can of oil in the machine. Don’t get signed to PRIDE RECORDS, the largest label known to mankind. Reach people in your world first before trying to reach THE world. It’s a big world, and God can use you right at home first.
All the best!
Keith Mohr
President
Indieheaven
http://www.indieheaven.com
Jason said,
February 5, 2009 at 5:36 am
Great blog post. Keith – I appreciate your desire to bring a balanced insight and whole heartedly agree that we need to pray for those in the Christian Music industry. I do have a little bit of a tough time with the idea of “pre-evangelism” as I am unaware of anywhere in scripture that supports this notion – but would love a few references if you have any. God doesn’t call us to plow the soil, rather to sow the seed on all soils and through His power the seeds will take and grow. The parable in scripture I think you were referencing says that some will sow a seed, some will cultivate it (water and feed it), others will reap the harvest. But none of those steps (again, unless i have missed it) include tilling the ground before sowing the seed. I’d love and appreciate add’l thoughts you might have and scripture to dive into to better understand the idea you are representing.
Blessings,
Jason
Joel Frederick said,
February 6, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I’ve got to say, with the coming of the iPod to my house, I’ve given up on Radio in general.
Now, to address the post. You are right, few of the record companies are there to not make a profit. This is true if you are talking about Word which is owned by Sony or some little self owned label. A profit means that those who work there eat, sleep, live out the American dream, etc.
A different option, however is something like Noise Trade (http://www.noisetrade.com).
Maybe the real problem is the use of the word Christian as an adjective. We have Christian Radio, Christian Bookstores, Christian music… You get the picture. The word “Christian” was used to describe the actions of a group of people… “Little Christs”… How can a thing be a “Little Christ”… Only a “Who” can.
Here is where I have a beef… You are right about some of the fluff you hear on some of the religious broadcasters (see, I got around it). While they play the sort of fluff they complain about, they would never play U2’s 40 which is taken from Psalm 40. — It comes down to do I intend to glorify God with these lyrics.
Beef #2 is those who look at their form of music as acceptable and yours not. The typical case is Contemporary vs. Traditional vs. Classical. I went to a conference years ago where the guy condemned any sort of Rock music but was promoting traditional hymns and classical. I know about the lifestyle of some of the classical composers… There was nothing glorifying to God.
Scott said,
February 20, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I have to agree with you. After having played in Christian rock bands for a number of years…I have seen the shift to play to a mainstream audience. Keith Green was one of the first Christian artist I listened to. His music still affects my soul after all these years.
Have you seen Seventh Day Slumber in concert? If you get a chance… go see them. Joseph Rojos the lead singer has a very powerful testimony and shares it boldly. We had them in our small town in a downtown parking lot and 50 people came to know the Lord! Amen!
A friend of mine and I have recently start a Christian artist booking and management company and our hope is to share your sentiment with bands that we contract. You can NEVER go wrong putting Christ first and the music second.
Thanks for sharing!