I originally posted this in the contemp. christian thread, but I figured Id post it here too. I just want to hear people's opinions and what not. Not really looking for a debate or anything. I'm just bored...and curious
No. If it were conforming to the world, it would try to be good.
All kidding aside, I don't see a problem with CCM (other than that there are very few CCM acts that I consider to be good musicians), but then again I don't see anything wrong with contemporary music as a whole.
This is a topic we're discussing in our church right now. Al Mohler has also tackled this issue a couple of times.
I went to our local Christian radio station's website and took a look at their playlist. Out of the top ten songs, not one of them say anything about repentance, the cross, the blood, or God's holiness.
The first song is called "Say What You Believe" and I can't find anything in the lyrics to indicate that it's a Christian song at all. The second song is just as bad. There's nothing in the lyrics to indicate that it's a Christian song. Neither one of them even mention Jesus.
The third song is called "The Shelter" and I guess it's at least a step in the right direction because it at least mentions God. But the theology in the song is horrible. According to the song, we don't come to Christ for forgiveness or to be reconciled to God, but because we're "broken" and want to have a better life. If I were a lost person, I'd have no idea from listening to this song how to come to Christ or why Christ should even matter, but I'd also come away thinking Christ is nothing more than a life enhancement program for a bunch of basket case whiners.
Going downhill from there is a song called "Take You Away". What makes this song Christian? The gist of the song is that you've had a really bad day and somebody's coming to get you and take you somewhere? Where? Who? For what purpose? What if we don't want to go? For all I know, they could be coming to take you to the local bar to get drunk and drown your sorrows.
Next is "Something Vague"...er, I mean, "Something Glorious." What makes this song Christian? The only reference to God is "the maker of it all". At least, I assume that's supposed to be God. But which God? Don't Muslims believe their god created it all? Don't Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses believe their god created it all? And what does any of this have to do with us? OK. God created everything. Now what?
That's just the top five. Sadly, it doesn't get any better.
Why can't CCM produce a song that glorifies God or that can at least be easily identified as a Christian song?
Within CCM, there are differing types. There is Christian rock, rap, pop, etc.
Then, there is contemporary worship music. And, some "Christian" radio stations also emphasize something called "positive hits" (or "Family Friendly hits").
The first category tend to be artists who at least some of the time try to incorporate Christian theology into their lyrics. It might be something as simple as mentioning God's goodness, grace and mercy or it may provide deeper insights into atonement, morality, etc. It is worth noting that just because an artist is considered CCM, that does not mean that every song will discuss Christian theology, nor does it mean that the theology will be plainly stated and obvious to a casual listener.
The second category tends to be more outspokenly Christian. The purpose of CWM is to focus the listener's thoughts on the goodness of God and whatever aspect of God the songwriter wants to focus on. These might be hymns rearranged in a contemporary format or they might be new songs. You are more likely to find rich Christian theology in CWM than you are in CCM.
The last category is music by "secular" artists that are known for producing music that is not contrary to Christian values, do not use obscene language, do not sing about topics that would be offensive to Christians, and tend to focus on "positive" topics.
Each Christian radio station has a different mix of each. Some stations play mostly the first and third (sounds like the station you are talking about). Some play mostly from the first and second. And, some play a decent mix of each.
