Christian / secular distinction?

[dms1972]

I know this way of classifying isn't going to vanish soon, and I think its not always wrong and sometimes necessry to distinguish, so in a way I agree with it and yet it seems puzzling too.

Are these genres? If not what are they?

Not seeking to be controversial.

Genres to me are Rock, Classical, Jazz, Country, Soul etc... and variations on these, not really into classifying things in a very detailed way. Sometimes it interesting to hear what something is, but I hardly would know what industrial is? or Techno? - some other classifications are more obvious I think.


Some people seem they can't stand any categorising, or maybe its over categorising they don't like - Jazz-Techno-Hiphop-Funk fusion

I don't mind that much really - I think some basic genres are indispensible though.

I don't see how christian songs can leave out a dimension of ordinary time. Maybe you can also have God songs - most of these would be worship hymns.

Secular to me is neutral - or should be neutral, about this world - but not saying this world is all there is. Maybe that would be agnostic music?

For instance a song like : Green green grass of home (by the way I know there is more to this song than the lyrics suggest - or at least you have to listen quite closely to get it)



Where should I discuss : Eric Clapton's - Will there be tears in heaven?

Or Mike and the Mechanics - Beggar on a beach of Gold?

"Here the voice say, stand up, get up and join me on the glided sand"

Silent Running (Can you hear me running?): "Don't trust the church and state, and everything they tell you...Pray to God the Father, and the Spirit will protect you.


Genesis - Land of Confusion. "There's too many men, too many people, making too many problems, and not much love to go around..."

Or their song: No son of mine

Some of these songs are tragically honest - maybe all they serve to do is depict life on earth as it can be sometimes.

[Edit]
Or maybe they are to make people see the consequences / damage before they say something, do something?


Moving on to 'secular' stars that have become christians

Chynna Phillips sings (with Vaughn Penn) - One Reason:

"I'm a fighter and I don't like to quit - But I've got orders from Heaven, and believe me, I'm listening. Jesus tell me again, whats its gonna to take to sink in, that you're my one reason."




Maybe I should discuss these in separate threads?

 

[seashale76]

To me, the distinction of secular is much more broad than is sacred Christian music. I agree that secular music is a neutral category. In my opinion, Christian music is sacred music meant specifically for worship in the Church. Most of the Christian themed music out there these days is what I consider secular music. I consider a good majority of that Christian praise band stuff people have in their churches secular and don't think it is worship music. I know plenty disagree with that, but my views as to what constitutes worship in the Church setting is much more narrow than what you'd find among your average non-liturgical Christian.

Example:

This is sacred Christian music:
Trisagion (In English) - YouTube

This is not sacred Christian music. It is Christian themed secular music:
Worship Time with Third Day at Southeast Christian Church - YouTube

 

[dms1972]

Thanks.



Ok. Firstly my post was muddled a bit for I went from talking about music genres to lyrics. It also may contain misconceptions of what secular means. I am simply using it as "this day-to-day world".

I have a couple of books by Eastern Orthodox writters, but I have only glanced at them.

This is interesting - why is the first sacred and the second secular?

The first is singing, but no instruments.

By the way I think your way of distinguishing is better than mine. I agree there are many types of secular music / songs.