Non-Christian Music?

[Axver]

Please don't think I'm stupid but what exactly is Christain music?

That's what this whole debate rests on really. Fact is, the idea that there is a line clearly defining the boundary between Christian and secular music is a farce. I can prove it with U2. Are they a Christian band? No. Are they a secular band? No. The line's too blurred, if there is one at all. Debates like these are a waste of time.

If we're going to define Christian music as modern CCM, then I really would like to know your definition of music. Most CCM stuff is just plain awful. I always thought music involved creative lyrics or inventive sounds or just ... anything involving talent. CCM is safe and predictable and not creative or inventive in any way. That's why it's so successful in some quarters - people are too afraid to look outside their bubbles. But that's a whole new rant.

 

[clayrichard]

This is a crock, and what does it have to do with christian music being boring. Do you defend televangelists as well, 'cause I would have those parasites shot. You still have not addressed the topic, and that fact remains that most christian music is of poor quality, period.

If a person does not accept the historical tenants of Christianity, they will naturally find music about them boaring.

 

[oldrooster]

Please, the music is 4th rate, written by hacks and played by children. Inane lyrics, and poor instumentals. The Lord is offended by such pap. I accept every tenent of the faith, but I still think that the music is poor....plus it is spelled boring.......

 

[ulyssesbrother]

Christian music is terrible, most of the time.

"Ain't no God... like Jehovahhhh!" Can't stand that.

Nothing's wrong with secular music.

1) IMAO is there anything wrong with some secular music?
After seeing the posts on this thread that outline the pitfalls of some secular music how can you say that?
First I assume you're not saying that nothing's wrong with the chords, instruments, style etc of secular music, because this goes without saying. Most people, in fact all on this forum that I can see, would agree that nothing is 'right' or 'wrong' about music itself, Christian or or non-Christian. Also there is musically bad secular music and musically good secular music so I assume you'd never make such a generalisation about 'secular music'. Just so we're crystal clear, I'll say I have to assume you're talking about whether there is anything *morally* wrong with secular music.

How can you say there is nothing wrong with music that condones suicide, murder, drug abuse, materialism, sexual immorality (unless you believe nothing is sexually immoral u have to agree some music condones sexually immoral behaviour) etc etc??? This music is morally bad, there's no doubt about that. And there's a lot more music that's in a kind of grey area which I could also call morally bad: music condoning lust, spite, revenge, promiscuity, and selfishness mostly dominate the top secular music charts today. How can you say this music is wrong?

2) IMAO Is it ok to listen to secular music?

Listening to this music is a slightly different issue from whether it's good or not. Each one of us must examine himself/herself and decide how the music we listen to affects us. Can you honestly say to God that that negative, harsh, cynical music you listen to? E.g. I'm a big fan of Linkin Park, some may disagree but I think they are great musically. However there are those times when I feel angry at someone or just sad about life in general and I want to turn on that Linkin Park or blindspott and papa roach... those guys play great music but if I listen to music that expresses a desire for revenge when I'm angry and a music with a lustful attitude when I want someone I can't have...is that going to have a good effect on my life? Check out 1 Corinthians 10: "Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial....Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do (e.g. listen to secular music) do it all for the glory of God". I think continually listening to morally bad music (which may include some Christian music!!! be discerning) will only have a bad effect on a person, each one of us can only answer the question 'is this right or wrong' by ourselves. On the other hand continually listening to morally good music (which includes some secular music - groups like black-eyed-peas promote love and peace in at least one of their songs, regardless of whether you like commercial hip-hop or not) can encourage a person to live in a morally good way. It's fine (permissible) to listen to non-Christian music, even bad music under certain circumstances, just ask, are you doing this to the 'glory of God' (eg to have common ground with non-Christian friends, to develop an appreciation for high-quality music) or are you doing it for a selfish reason (eg you want your music to tell you revenge and selfishness and lustfullness are ok, you want to be like everyone else).

3) IMAO why is most Christian music ****, and is there good Christian music?

Finally on the debate about whether all Christian music is ****...of course mere statistics say Christian artists are a minority. assuming all musical talent is spread fairly equally of course there's going to be more good non-Christian music than Christian music. (Actually Christians have more than their fair share of of good artists, though they're still a minority. in New Zealand where I live bands like Steriogram, Wash and artists like Brooke Fraser and Nathan King from Zed had musical skills that were nutured by the church worship scene - that kind of gives Christian music an 'unfair advantage') But *personally*, this is more a personal thing than something I'd impose, listening to Christian music or good secular music, even if it isn't quite as good, is a good thing because it encourages me to be more like Christ.

 

[clayrichard]

This seems a little off topic, doesn't it?

Of coarse it's on topic. Much of Christian music states these truths. If you reject them, you won't like the songs. Like it or not, that is the beliefs of historic protestantism. Read Luther, Calvin, Arminous, or any other early church theologan and they hold them as fact

I know for certin the following bands do:

Audio Adrenalin
DC Talk
Skillet
Steven Curtis Chapman
Bleach The Katinas

It is also in most of their music, so it's only natural you will not like their music.

 

[clayrichard]

This is a crock, and what does it have to do with christian music being boring.

Please, the music is 4th rate, written by hacks and played by children. Inane lyrics, and poor instumentals. The Lord is offended by such pap. I accept every tenent of the faith, but I still think that the music is poor....plus it is spelled boring.......

Sorry if I misunderstood your last statement. I thought you were saying the trueths I stated were a crock. Did you mean my seeing them as a reason some hate christian music is a crock? Because regardless of your reason for hating Christian music, clearly anyone who rejects those as fact won't like music that procaims them.

 

[oldrooster]

Im sorry, I just do not see anything wrong with secular music, when it is better paid, then Christian music will have some listenable performers as well......

 

[clayrichard]

One reason many hate Christian music(though certinly not the only reason):

1Peter 2:5 ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.

7 For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner;

8 and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.


1 John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

 

[nadroj1985]

If a person does not accept the historical tenants of Christianity, they will naturally find music about them boaring.

Not necessarily. Music can be separated from its message, if it's worthwhile to do so.

 

[clayrichard]

Not necessarily. Music can be separated from its message, if it's worthwhile to do so.

Then it might as well be just instamental. Part of what makes music (thats more than instamental) great is it's an expresion of ideas as well. Art isn't just pretty pictures or cool looking shapes, it's an expresion of ideas. Thats why the soviets so hated it, unless they controled it. That's why, as an evangelical, Christian music is so special to me. It expresses trueths I hold VERRRRY dear.

1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

 

[nadroj1985]

Then it might as well be just instamental. Part of what makes music (thats more than instamental) great is it's an expresion of ideas as well.

Instrumentals can express ideas too, and vocals can be enjoyable even if the lyrics are not agreeable. The point I'm trying to make is that, while the lyrics of a song can be important, they don't have to be. Therefore, Christian music, if the actual music is good on its own, can still be intriguing to a person with non-Christian beliefs.

 

[Bayhawks83]

i like gospel reggae ( http://www.live365.com/stations/eiradionetworks ) you really should try it

 

[oldrooster]

You can listen to all music, and still be a Christian, period.......

 

[prettyrose436]

I listen to secular music -- just nothing with offensive language