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I just feel the need to write about this since I’ve gotten this quite a bit at my work lately. The topic, if you haven’t already gathered from the title, is Christian music. More specifically, legalism in the Christian music movement. This note might be what most of my friends want to hear, and might push the buttons of others. Whatever the case, I hope it’s enjoyable. I may throw a verse or two in here, but this isn’t so much a Bible study as it is a practical viewpoint on the music culture in general. Just thought I’d clear that up before people thought I lost my Bible or something.
One phrase that drives me up the wall is “This song doesn’t sound Christian.” Really? It’s probably good I hear that phrase mostly at work, otherwise that individual might be subjected to a brutal wakeup call. Honestly, what’s Christian when it comes to music? Words aside, is there really a beat, tune, singing style or loudness that makes a song less spiritual? Psalm 33:3 tells us to “sing a new song” to God, and Revelation 14:3 speaks of the choir of Heaven singing a new song to God. God hosts a band of musical revolutionaries in Heaven that would put The Beatles to shame! If God’s open to new styles music, why shouldn’t we be?
In response to my earlier question about something making a song less spiritual, the answer should be clearer now. No style is against God. Hard Rock and Heavy Metal came as a way of bringing raw emotion to music. Punk Rock came as a means of rebelling against the norm. Hip Hop and Rap came as a way of putting spoken word to a beat. All of these can be used for God. In fact, some of the most worshipful songs I’ve heard have been Rap songs. As for Rock music, they have more honesty in their music than most Christian have in their little finger. How often do you hear Christians openly talk, let alone sing, about how they struggle sometimes in their faith? People need this. One of the major problems in Christianity are the people with problems. They get into a spot in their walk where they think they’re the only ones going through what they’re going through. Something can be said of people who come forward and are honest about what they are feeling and experiencing.
A common argument I’ve heard is that hymns are the only holy form of music. This simply comes from the fact that they go so far back and were written by such godly men and women. What people fail to realize is the origin of the hymns. Most of our hymns are either former bar tunes with new words or based on the sound of bar tunes. This has everything to do with the style that was popular at the time. Many of the popular singing songs were drinking songs. The people that wrote these amazing hymns that we have today recognized the fact that it’s simply the words that matter. The style can be anything, but it all comes down to what the song is actually communicating.
How do you measure how Christian a song is? Remember, style can only scrape the surface of it. The real truth comes down to the words. Do they point you toward God or tear you away? Hopefully this brings a new perspective to this ever-growing debate.
Colin
