The Problem with Christian Music

[Jumi]

I listen to a wide range of music that is commonly labeled “Christian”—from Gregorian chant to Eastern Orthodox praise

I loved those even when I was an atheist. Though I disliked the kind of music we had in our church... it always sounded like going to a funeral.

 

[Socratic Berean]

I loved those even when I was an atheist. Though I disliked the kind of music we had in our church... it always sounded like going to a funeral.

Funny to hear that. I currently attend a tiny nondenominational Bible church that is as near rock solid as they come in terms of exegetical interpretation of scripture and expository preaching (hard to find today), and that has genuine fellowship akin to true family, but the praise is more inline with death dirges than joyful worship of a creator. (Some believers revel in the somber, it would seem.) Doesn’t sit well with me or my family members. That said, we’ve made the hard choice to forgo more enthusiastic (and enjoyable) music at church in exchange for the hard-to-find, top notch teaching (including a seminary trained PhD of New Testament studies and a separate expert in early church history, in addition to our pastor (an excellent OT teacher deeply steeped in Jewish custom, history, etc)). For music, I just thank God for the internet.... At Easter, I streamed Syrian and Egyptian believers offering praise through their ethnic music traditions and native tongues. What a treat. (And no “problems” perceived in that Christian music either.)

 

[Orbit]

Christian rock is invariably awful as a genre. Rock by regular bands with Christian overtones is often quite good though (think U2's "Gloria")

 

[BilliardsBall]

Personally, I don't listen to Christian music so I have no opinion of it. However, I happened on this video by chance and thought the Christians here might be interested in taking a look.


As pointed out, it lacks creativity. In fact, other than a difference in the lyrics, it doesn't seem one wit different from secular music, and maybe this is done on purpose. Both seem to lack an astounding amount of originality. So, excluding the differences in lyrics, perhaps a better title here would be The Problem with Today's Popular Music.

Give a listen and let me know what you think.

.​

Skwim,

You don't believe the Christian God exists, so why would you expect some divine spark of creativity in any particular Christian music?

And I don't go around posting "the problem with atheists' music", and you're not a Christian, so what is your problem?

 

[sayak83]

Personally, I don't listen to Christian music so I have no opinion of it. However, I happened on this video by chance and thought the Christians here might be interested in taking a look.


As pointed out, it lacks creativity. In fact, other than a difference in the lyrics, it doesn't seem one wit different from secular music, and maybe this is done on purpose. Both seem to lack an astounding amount of originality. So, excluding the differences in lyrics, perhaps a better title here would be The Problem with Today's Popular Music.

Give a listen and let me know what you think.

.​

Black church music is good.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Black church music is good.

It's no wonder black people made soul music, lol.
Myself, I'm fond of Gregorian chanting. It is explicitly Christian, but also requires some serious vocal talent, and probably also a degree of a genetic luck of the draw (or males being castrated before puberty, who made up a chunk of singers in the ancient world). And then there are those such as Beethoven. Great composure, with definitely a sizeable chunk of his compositions being Christian.

 

[Skwim]

Skwim,

You don't believe the Christian God exists, so why would you expect some divine spark of creativity in any particular Christian music?

Is that what you think creativity requires, a divine spark? How odd, and how very sad.

And I don't go around posting "the problem with atheists' music", and you're not a Christian, so what is your problem?

Sorry, but I don't consider you to be a paragon of appropriate posting. You post what you want, and I'll post what I want. Don't like what I post? Don't read it. Simple as that.

Interestingly though, the crux of your anger here appears is be the fact that I happened upon a video that revealed what you've known all along, but wanted to keep under wraps, and I've somehow embarrassed you by bringing it up. Fact is though, in light of the responses from of your fellow Christians here (almost 50 posts so far), it's a subject that deserved to be aired and is worth discussing. So I'm quite satisfied with having posted it.

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[sealchan]

Personally, I don't listen to Christian music so I have no opinion of it. However, I happened on this video by chance and thought the Christians here might be interested in taking a look.


As pointed out, it lacks creativity. In fact, other than a difference in the lyrics, it doesn't seem one wit different from secular music, and maybe this is done on purpose. Both seem to lack an astounding amount of originality. So, excluding the differences in lyrics, perhaps a better title here would be The Problem with Today's Popular Music.

Give a listen and let me know what you think.

.​

My experience of Christian music is that it is always limited by the concept of what might be offensive to the most child-like attitudes.

 

[sealchan]

It's no wonder black people made soul music, lol.
Myself, I'm fond of Gregorian chanting. It is explicitly Christian, but also requires some serious vocal talent, and probably also a degree of a genetic luck of the draw (or males being castrated before puberty, who made up a chunk of singers in the ancient world). And then there are those such as Beethoven. Great composure, with definitely a sizeable chunk of his compositions being Christian.

I recently purchased the complete works of Hildegard of Bingen...awesome stuff.

 

[Vee]

Some Christian music is good, some is bad. Same goes for mainstream music. The great thing today is that we have so much to chose from, we don't have to listen to music we don't like. Most of us if not all have access to music we enjoy, so lets enjoy it

 

[Skwim]

Black church music is good.

And I'll take your word for it . . . . .with some reservation.

My experience of Christian music is that it is always limited by the concept of what might be offensive to the most child-like attitudes.

And that's very reasonable. One would have to cater to the least offensive denominator.

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[Shadow Wolf]

And that's very reasonable. One would have to cater to the least offensive denominator.

I'm not quite sure it's something you'll understand. It's not so much catering to the least offensive denominator as it is having a very strict moral guideline you're supposed to follow. The Evangelical crowd especially expects Christian music to reflect Christian values, and when it doesn't it does get widely panned within that community. It's also built upon the idea of "wolves in sheep's clothing" and "be not of this world," and bands who don't even claim to be Christian who are perceived as such (e.g. Creed) will also face scrutiny as newsletters and conventions use these bands as examples of knowing the difference between music that remains true to god's word and music that is of this world. They may not necessarily condemn it, but they'll make sure everyone knows.

 

[Skwim]

I'm not quite sure it's something you'll understand. It's not so much catering to the least offensive denominator as it is having a very strict moral guideline you're supposed to follow.

Then these strict moral guidelines would define the least offensive denominator. Understood and no biggie.

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[Trailblazer]

Partly the music, but probably mostly the hosts and advertisements. And the bad theology. Also the whole fake-feel good vibe they got going on....

Yea, I think its that fake feel good thing that bugs me most. And it's so common in churches and religious events, music, etc. blah >.<

I can certainly agree with you about the bad theology and the fake-feel good vibe.
Often I turn off the radio during the talk portion...
I just listen for the music and I tune out the theology that comes through the music, all the stuff about saved and forgiven, the resurrection, Jesus loves you, etc.

 

[Deeje]

For music, I just thank God for the internet.... At Easter, I streamed Syrian and Egyptian believers offering praise through their ethnic music traditions and native tongues. What a treat. (And no “problems” perceived in that Christian music either.)

Except of course that Easter is not something ever celebrated by the first Christians.....so is all music that purports to be Christian, really "Christian"? Christmas is in the same category....how much Christmas music is there? The first Christians never celebrated Christmas either....so where do Easter and Christmas come from? What are people really celebrating? None of it is from the Bible....it has all been adopted from pagan worship.......but who cares...right? Maybe God does. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

When Israel wandered off into false religious practices, God said to them...

"I hate all your show and pretense—
the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.
22 I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings.
I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.
23 Away with your noisy hymns of praise!
I will not listen to the music of your harps." (NLT)

What is the point of the music if the true God is not honored?

 

[BilliardsBall]

Is that what you think creativity requires, a divine spark? How odd, and how very sad.



Sorry, but I don't consider you to be a paragon of appropriate posting. You post what you want, and I'll post what I want. Don't like what I post? Don't read it. Simple as that.

Interestingly though, the crux of your anger here appears is be the fact that I happened upon a video that revealed what you've known all along, but wanted to keep under wraps, and I've somehow embarrassed you by bringing it up. Fact is though, in light of the responses from of your fellow Christians here (almost 50 posts so far), it's a subject that deserved to be aired and is worth discussing. So I'm quite satisfied with having posted it.

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I don't listen to Christian music often. But I know when someone is open on a forum and when someone comes to mock. Considering the Christian God doesn't exist, you sure spend a lot of time whining about Him and His followers. Why? I mean, I COULD do post on atheists who do lame music, but is that the ISSUE?

 

[David T]

That industry feels like they are trapped by a very small cone of possible lyrics.

Oh like pop music isnt? Banal. Keeping up with banal is well banal.

 

[David T]

Personally, I don't listen to Christian music so I have no opinion of it. However, I happened on this video by chance and thought the Christians here might be interested in taking a look.


As pointed out, it lacks creativity. In fact, other than a difference in the lyrics, it doesn't seem one wit different from secular music, and maybe this is done on purpose. Both seem to lack an astounding amount of originality. So, excluding the differences in lyrics, perhaps a better title here would be The Problem with Today's Popular Music.

Give a listen and let me know what you think.

.​

Here is a lame christian song for ya thats popular. Ed sheeran and eimneim. Its jimmy swagart weepy.

 

[David T]

Personally, I don't listen to Christian music so I have no opinion of it. However, I happened on this video by chance and thought the Christians here might be interested in taking a look.


As pointed out, it lacks creativity. In fact, other than a difference in the lyrics, it doesn't seem one wit different from secular music, and maybe this is done on purpose. Both seem to lack an astounding amount of originality. So, excluding the differences in lyrics, perhaps a better title here would be The Problem with Today's Popular Music.

Give a listen and let me know what you think.

.​

now this one is actually a good christian song.

 

[Cacotopia]

Oh like pop music isnt? Banal. Keeping up with banal is well banal.

I don't listen to pop, so I don't know what they sing about.