Christians+Secular Music May 17, 2008
Posted by peak9 in Christianity, Culture, Music.Tags: album, Art, billboard top 100, Christianity, Church, concerts, Culture, dr. dre, entertainment, God, jon foreman, life, love, Music, nirvana, oasis, pearl jam, Random, Secularism, smells like teen spirit, Switchfoot, thoughts
trackback
What kind of music should Christians listen too? For some, including myself, this can be a struggle. I have put aside a lot of music and musicians in recent years due to my changing perspective. Four years ago, I replaced Nirvana with Switchfoot as my favorite band after hearing “Meant To Live” on a secular rock radio station. I no longer listen to Eddie Vedder and Co., but I still listen to The All-American Rejects and Jimmy Eat World.
Where is the line drawn? Is “secular” to be divided into differing categories of “Good, Questionable, and Bad?” I have not formed a definite opinion on this, and am not indicting anyone. Right now, I will say it is a personal choice. If a Christian is comfortable pumping Dr. Dre’s The Chronic into his/her ears, do it. I have left this album behind as it is no longer relevant to my existence. Just how far into the world should Christians venture? Scripture can give some insight:
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)
It is important to know that “the world” represents sinful desire and not people or the created world around us. In the context of music, not all is created equal. Aerosmith’s “Love In An Elevator” is a bit different than Sara Bareilles’ “Love Song.” Even within the same band the difference can be profound. Oasis’ “Wonderwall” is different than Oasis’ “F*****n’ In The Bushes.” Does this fact abrogate Oasis’ entire catalogue from a Christian’s iTunes Library? I cannot say at this moment. I can say this: today’s Christian Rock, and even Gospel music, is influenced by secular artists. This means that Christian musicians have been paying attention to the Billboard Hot 100. Without a “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” there may have never been a “Meant To Live.” Without a Kurt Cobain, there may have never been a Jon Foreman. God does work in mysterious ways.
[...] is always a hawt topic for believers and being in a recent conversation with one of my blogging friends got my brain a [...]
“I can say this: today’s Christian Rock, and even Gospel music, is influenced by secular artists. This means that Christian musicians have been paying attention to the Billboard Hot 100. Without a “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” there may have never been a “Meant To Live.” Without a Kurt Cobain, there may have never been a Jon Foreman. God does work in mysterious ways.”
Excellent point! Nice post!
Sporting the shades. Nice.
8)
giving up my “choice” of music was by far the hardest thing I had to give up since being born again… & trust me… I had a lot of stuff to give up. Sad, but very true. Music is my passion! I love it, but it’s so true that #1-some of it just isn’t condusive to my life change anymore & #2- I’ve discovered some really awesome bands by giving the Christian world of music a chance. I am ashamed to admit that I had no idea that bands like Switchfoot, Delirious, & Barlow Girl were so friggin’ rockin’.
Vanessa,
Welcome to my tiny blog.
I have found that Christian music today is at highest level ever and will continue to get better. When I was in high school, Christian music was lame. I am not dogging the message, but musically, the quality of talent was not good. There was no way it could compete with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, etc. Today, it can. God is really doing some amazing stuff with Christian artists like Switchfoot, Delirious, Barlow Girl, and beyond.
I feel blessed to have a local Christian rock station (Power FM) to listen too here in North Texas. It is one of only a handful in America. There are kids giving their allowances to this station to keep it on the air. This is awesome to me.
You are right that leaving behind bands that you have listened to for years is tough, but with all the great alternatives today, it is easier to do.
Our Christian station kinda sucks. They play the same favorite few over and over and over and over again.
There are kids giving their allowances to this station to keep it on the air.
Now, that is heart warming!
Check out Power FM. You can listen to it over the internet.
Guess what Levi is now listening to as he is working on a project! :-D