Christian Music
(Updated February 13th, after reading Scott's comment)*
So I have to really knock this one out of the park and then head to bed quick but I need a little break to write and “speak on it.”
Music of the Day(s): So 5Fe off and on the last couple days, but lots of Electric Light Orchestra, Punk Rawk, with a little Plank Eye thrown in there, and Queen. I have been listening to “A Night at the Opera” by Queen which is awesome it has “Bohemian Rhapsody” on it which is arguably their best song ever but another song that I think just rules and I have been listening to a lot is ”39”. I don’t think it is one of there more famous songs but it rules, really cool sounding and pretty cool lyrics. Two other highlights, Queen’s “No One but You” and Plank Eye's “Beautiful.” Sweet Songs!!! (well you knew I had to say it once)
A note on Hemmingway, I liked the story that is all I was saying I don’t really care about his life or what he was trying to say or what anyone else thought he was saying… I just liked it, I hope I did not imply otherwise…
Now on to the subject of Christian Music. I am not sure what I was originally saying was totally understood, maybe it was but let me sum up and give a good example. A lot of super popular bands lyrics are not very good and we like them because we are told we should when there are artist out there who say it better and with more heart and passion but they don’t look the part and are thrown to the way side.
Example: Big House by Audio Adrenaline and World Without End by Five Iron Frenzy
Both are songs about the hope we have in heaven but look at the lyrics which one exudes the passion you want expressed about the one place we will finally feel at home in? I guess that was my point that I wish more Christian artist would write stuff that had some depth. And it doesn’t just have to be “Christian” stuff. It can be the hurt and pain and doubt and struggle of the Christian life. But again so many of the “big” songs about this just leave me lacking and wanting more. No offense to AA but I guess I have grown…
Also I love “secular” music. The Foo Fighters are one of my favorite bands and “Everlong” is one of my all time favorite songs, that song rocks… Can God use a secular artist to bring them to know him? I think that’s kind of a dumb question, God can use anything, heck he could even use me which is ten times more amazing considering I have no talents, especially compared to some the amazing artist that he has blessed with amazing gifts, not only in music but in other stuff (sorry Eileen that sentence was long but that is just the way my mind works). I don't like it for the same reason I like most Christian music I listen to but I still love it. More on this in two paragraphs…
O.K. other general thoughts on Christian music. First I will say this I don’t know their hearts I am just connecting the dots from what I have seen or read to come to these conclusions. I understand that God can and will use any band but that being said, I think we should hold Christian Artist to a Higher Standard then Non-Christian Artist even though it might be more difficult for them.
Artist that are not making music for the glory of God are making it for their own reasons, like money, power, fame, or enjoyment. Let’s call this purpose A. When I listen to music made by people searching after purpose A music then any enjoyment I receive from it is cool, but I don’t have that expectation going in. If it brings me closer to God so be it. One thing I believe strongly about this type A music, it should never be used in church services. Romans 14:23. Why use music like that when you could use music that people had intended to Glorify God (purpose B).
But when someone is attempting to make type B music and I am listening to it, it is O.K. for me to expect that this music should move me in some way, hopefully. Side note not every song on a CD needs to be a “spiritual” song and not every cd needs to be a worship cd. It is O.K. to write songs about life and girlfriends and silly songs about where you live, but there should be more than just that. In fact I don’t like worship cd’s that much, I would rater listen to a band that can write about Jesus, friends, heartaches, life, death, loss, love, random crap, important issues and other stuff and it moves me to worship.
I think the problem that Christian music runs into is that the lines are getting blurred. Like Scott probably more eloquently pointed out the Christian music industry is just that an industry and what is the purpose? It is to sell a product.
I will pick on one band here that most people like but totally turned me off a couple years ago and maybe through this you all will be able to see why. The band is Third Day. I loved the Offerings album I thought it was cool. It had a Bob Dylan cover on it which was nice and the song “Ten Thousand Hills” was a team theme song my first year in China. But on the album “Come Together” there was something on it that changed the way I saw them and their music. In the cd notes they thanked their stylist. This is a person you pay to fix your hair and pick out your clothing so you have the right look. Some people have tried to say well they are very busy, but I’m not buying, they are going for a look. Why are they going for a look? Well the conclusion I came to was that they are selling a product. Which makes their music fall into category A. It was an interesting turn of events and I don’t know if that is truly their intentions but the Chevy sponsorship doesn’t help their case and their treatment of roadies at the 2003(?) Lifefest is another strike against them. Anyway it changed how I looked at there music and them. I am sure they are nice guys and who knows maybe there is a reason that they are paying someone to dress them, but you got me…
*So what does this mean for me? Well I will probably not buy anymore Third Day cd's or go see any Third Day shows. Does that mean you shouldn't? I don't really think so, but I know I was never able to look at them the same. And it is true for a lot of bands. I guess I would like to avoid supporting Type A music that is claiming to be Type B. I don't know it is tough and I don't have it all figured out, just my thoughts...
My point is this, how does the Christian music industry balance being “rock stars” with being Christians called to humility, looking at others as more valuable then yourself and exulting Christ. How do they stay out of category A? It’s tough, few bands and individuals have done it. Keith Green was the original and he got it right. If you don’t know how he did music, learn (I mean that learn you can start by clicking on his name find out how much he chaged for cd's and compare to today’s bands, you will be shocked). Five Iron copied him a lot so you can learn from them to, but much props to Keith Green for being ahead of his time and for doing it right. His music was pretty good too.
Last thought sorry this is long and I know it has a ton of mistakes and incomplete thoughts. Every comment made is automatically e-mailed to me so I read them all, even the ones making fun of me and I smile, cause I know I am dumb. I wanted to get it out there for conversation and I want to hear from people, and I mean that, if I don’t respond this week forgive me school and work and all it won’t be until next weekend that I will for sure have time to check back.
I guess I will leave you with a similar thought as last time, Christian music should be ahead of secular music. Bach was, Steve Taylor was, Keith Green was, I believe Five Iron was, and I am sure there are hundred of other great examples but don’t just eat what the record labels are telling you is good. God is bigger than any band and just because they say His name doesn’t mean anything, look into things for yourself. Don’t just accept things as they appear, hold Christian artist to a higher standard the same way I believe God will because they had a voice, maybe not the same as pastors but... Christian Rock Stars are our generations pastors, and the preaching lacks depth. I’m done I promise… Don't settle for Type A music!!!
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela
Blue Mix
R.Roper
So I have to really knock this one out of the park and then head to bed quick but I need a little break to write and “speak on it.”
Music of the Day(s): So 5Fe off and on the last couple days, but lots of Electric Light Orchestra, Punk Rawk, with a little Plank Eye thrown in there, and Queen. I have been listening to “A Night at the Opera” by Queen which is awesome it has “Bohemian Rhapsody” on it which is arguably their best song ever but another song that I think just rules and I have been listening to a lot is ”39”. I don’t think it is one of there more famous songs but it rules, really cool sounding and pretty cool lyrics. Two other highlights, Queen’s “No One but You” and Plank Eye's “Beautiful.” Sweet Songs!!! (well you knew I had to say it once)
A note on Hemmingway, I liked the story that is all I was saying I don’t really care about his life or what he was trying to say or what anyone else thought he was saying… I just liked it, I hope I did not imply otherwise…
Now on to the subject of Christian Music. I am not sure what I was originally saying was totally understood, maybe it was but let me sum up and give a good example. A lot of super popular bands lyrics are not very good and we like them because we are told we should when there are artist out there who say it better and with more heart and passion but they don’t look the part and are thrown to the way side.
Example: Big House by Audio Adrenaline and World Without End by Five Iron Frenzy
Both are songs about the hope we have in heaven but look at the lyrics which one exudes the passion you want expressed about the one place we will finally feel at home in? I guess that was my point that I wish more Christian artist would write stuff that had some depth. And it doesn’t just have to be “Christian” stuff. It can be the hurt and pain and doubt and struggle of the Christian life. But again so many of the “big” songs about this just leave me lacking and wanting more. No offense to AA but I guess I have grown…
Also I love “secular” music. The Foo Fighters are one of my favorite bands and “Everlong” is one of my all time favorite songs, that song rocks… Can God use a secular artist to bring them to know him? I think that’s kind of a dumb question, God can use anything, heck he could even use me which is ten times more amazing considering I have no talents, especially compared to some the amazing artist that he has blessed with amazing gifts, not only in music but in other stuff (sorry Eileen that sentence was long but that is just the way my mind works). I don't like it for the same reason I like most Christian music I listen to but I still love it. More on this in two paragraphs…
O.K. other general thoughts on Christian music. First I will say this I don’t know their hearts I am just connecting the dots from what I have seen or read to come to these conclusions. I understand that God can and will use any band but that being said, I think we should hold Christian Artist to a Higher Standard then Non-Christian Artist even though it might be more difficult for them.
Artist that are not making music for the glory of God are making it for their own reasons, like money, power, fame, or enjoyment. Let’s call this purpose A. When I listen to music made by people searching after purpose A music then any enjoyment I receive from it is cool, but I don’t have that expectation going in. If it brings me closer to God so be it. One thing I believe strongly about this type A music, it should never be used in church services. Romans 14:23. Why use music like that when you could use music that people had intended to Glorify God (purpose B).
But when someone is attempting to make type B music and I am listening to it, it is O.K. for me to expect that this music should move me in some way, hopefully. Side note not every song on a CD needs to be a “spiritual” song and not every cd needs to be a worship cd. It is O.K. to write songs about life and girlfriends and silly songs about where you live, but there should be more than just that. In fact I don’t like worship cd’s that much, I would rater listen to a band that can write about Jesus, friends, heartaches, life, death, loss, love, random crap, important issues and other stuff and it moves me to worship.
I think the problem that Christian music runs into is that the lines are getting blurred. Like Scott probably more eloquently pointed out the Christian music industry is just that an industry and what is the purpose? It is to sell a product.
I will pick on one band here that most people like but totally turned me off a couple years ago and maybe through this you all will be able to see why. The band is Third Day. I loved the Offerings album I thought it was cool. It had a Bob Dylan cover on it which was nice and the song “Ten Thousand Hills” was a team theme song my first year in China. But on the album “Come Together” there was something on it that changed the way I saw them and their music. In the cd notes they thanked their stylist. This is a person you pay to fix your hair and pick out your clothing so you have the right look. Some people have tried to say well they are very busy, but I’m not buying, they are going for a look. Why are they going for a look? Well the conclusion I came to was that they are selling a product. Which makes their music fall into category A. It was an interesting turn of events and I don’t know if that is truly their intentions but the Chevy sponsorship doesn’t help their case and their treatment of roadies at the 2003(?) Lifefest is another strike against them. Anyway it changed how I looked at there music and them. I am sure they are nice guys and who knows maybe there is a reason that they are paying someone to dress them, but you got me…
*So what does this mean for me? Well I will probably not buy anymore Third Day cd's or go see any Third Day shows. Does that mean you shouldn't? I don't really think so, but I know I was never able to look at them the same. And it is true for a lot of bands. I guess I would like to avoid supporting Type A music that is claiming to be Type B. I don't know it is tough and I don't have it all figured out, just my thoughts...
My point is this, how does the Christian music industry balance being “rock stars” with being Christians called to humility, looking at others as more valuable then yourself and exulting Christ. How do they stay out of category A? It’s tough, few bands and individuals have done it. Keith Green was the original and he got it right. If you don’t know how he did music, learn (I mean that learn you can start by clicking on his name find out how much he chaged for cd's and compare to today’s bands, you will be shocked). Five Iron copied him a lot so you can learn from them to, but much props to Keith Green for being ahead of his time and for doing it right. His music was pretty good too.
Last thought sorry this is long and I know it has a ton of mistakes and incomplete thoughts. Every comment made is automatically e-mailed to me so I read them all, even the ones making fun of me and I smile, cause I know I am dumb. I wanted to get it out there for conversation and I want to hear from people, and I mean that, if I don’t respond this week forgive me school and work and all it won’t be until next weekend that I will for sure have time to check back.
I guess I will leave you with a similar thought as last time, Christian music should be ahead of secular music. Bach was, Steve Taylor was, Keith Green was, I believe Five Iron was, and I am sure there are hundred of other great examples but don’t just eat what the record labels are telling you is good. God is bigger than any band and just because they say His name doesn’t mean anything, look into things for yourself. Don’t just accept things as they appear, hold Christian artist to a higher standard the same way I believe God will because they had a voice, maybe not the same as pastors but... Christian Rock Stars are our generations pastors, and the preaching lacks depth. I’m done I promise… Don't settle for Type A music!!!
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela
Blue Mix
R.Roper
Labels: Music, Rants and Raves, Serious Stuff
posted by Caleb M. Saarela at 10:20 PM
3 Comments:
Nice post, I totally agree. Christian bands who don't strive for type B music are essentially the same as those striving for type A. God can use both of them in people's lives, but then there shouldn't be a distinction between secular and Christian. Being a Christian band basically means that your CD's sell for $3 - $5 more because of where they need to be bought. If "Christian" bands weren't so concerned about success they wouldn't feel the need to join these labels that are really not Christian at all. Here's my point: American Christianity believes its tunes need to be successful in order for the gospel to be spread. It believes that it needs money to actually spread the Word. Chrisitan music totally feels the need to do the same things secular culture does. But because the focus on being cool & popular they are totally lame examples of spreading the Gospel.
Sorry, there is a lot of pent up opinion after working at a certain Christian boosktore chain for way too long.
I'm cut to the quick with the news that my dear Third Day is actually a band full of pansies. What guy needs a stylist anyway? Stupid metrosexuals! I still will continue to enjoy their music though. Just because we hate the way a certain actor may play a character, does that mean we completely throw out the screen play?
Scott, what you said about Christian bands seeking to be successful by becoming like the rest of the music industry can apply to individual Christians as well. How many times do you see TV evangelists going for the experiential powers of healing, laying on of hands, and a bunch of other theatricalisms right up there with psychic hotlines and aroma therapy?
Again, I'm gonna shout-out to my girl Becky Pippert for her book Out of the Saltshaker and Into the World. I sent an email to the small group girls about our attitude as a Christian community, especially in light of evangelism, and I believe one of the elements I discussed applies here: Christianity needs to get out of the sales business and into relationships. The Gospel does not need to fit a mold of cultural acceptability in order for Jesus to work.
Heck no! There is a verse in the Bible about severe punishment for adding or subtracting to the Scriptures (don't know the reference). Our aim should not be to hack Christianity into post-modern acceptable appeals, for then when one converts, does it even look like the Christianity of the Bible at all? No. It has been perverted. A lot of the attitudes of "Christians" within the music industry have let themselves, and their messages get perverted to suit left-wing standards of tolerance and consumerism.
I'd write more, but I'd be late for class. Get the book and read it... it is really enlightening. I can share more this Tuesday night. I'll even bring the two copies I have for those who want to look through it. Off to Evangelism and Missions class! Woot woot!
I couldn't agree with Heather more here. The reference to Third Day as metrosexuals is awesome. She is so right that Christians use outlets and means to their goals that are clearly do not glorify God.
I just want to clarify that when I say postmodern, I don't mean New Age, psychics, or other lame excuses for entertainment, ways of life, what have you. I am refering to the culture change that began during the 1920's but never really gained steam until the 70's and became the way of life in America around 1995. I'm referring to postmodernity, the opposite of modernity.
Hopefully this won't take long. Modernity, defined by an empirical view of the world, took control when the Enlightenment happen. The highlight of this cultural phenomenon is that in order for things to be true, they had to proved by empirical formulas. For Chrisianity this was positive, for it made us look at Christ and the Bible without taking things for granted. Thus we get, a little late but still a great work, "A Case for Christ" by Strobel. It was also, though, bad for Christianity as others felt they could prove the Bible was empirically incorrect. This caused them to reject Christ.
Many Christians feel that if they stray from modernity they will die. Seriously. But postmodernity challenges Christians to have more faith than modernity and also challenges us to really implant ourselves in the lives of those who don't believe. Now we are called to believe in things that we cannot prove or see. This is because in postmodernity truth becomes defined by experience rather than proof. So the person who has a positive experience with Christ and Christians validates that experience as being true no matter what can be proved.
This of course, leads to relativism, which so many Christians freak out about. Yet these same people want an "Acts" church without realizing that the culture for that church closer to postmodernity than modernity! So how did the church grow....obviously because followers of The Way were honest, humble, servants, and selfless. With much thanks to Western culture and to right-winged Christianity, this view is completely opposite of what many non-Christian or post-Christian Americans experience with God today.
If we reject postmodernity as just inherently evil not only are we doing the same thing Christians living around the times of Enlightenment did to modernity, but we also reject Christ's call to be in the world. I agree that too many people, to be comfortable, pervert the Gospel and act as they are "of the world". This is completely wrong, clearly. There are results of every cultural phenomenon that Christians should not adhere to, but without understanding the tides of culture, ministry of the Gospel will never be effective.
I have read different chapters from Pippert's book, she is great and so is her book. I should totally read the rest of it. A great book on how to do postmodern evangelism is called "Ancient-Future Evangelism", but I cannot remember the author. Also Donlad Miller is a great postmodern Christian author.
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