Author Topic: What makes Christian music Christian?  (Read 6779 times)

Offline SomeKittens

  • Tournament Host
  • Trade Count: (+10)
  • *****
  • Posts: 8102
    • -
    • Northeast Region
What makes Christian music Christian?
« on: August 18, 2010, 11:14:59 PM »
+1
A secular friend of min just asked me.  Let's have a good 'ol debate, boards style.

(11:04:26 PM) *ommited*: What makes Christian rock Christian? I notice a lot of Christian rock doesn't really mention God explicitly, so I figure it's something else.
(11:05:59 PM) randawgnsalt: that is an interesting question
(11:06:15 PM) randawgnsalt: many argue about that
(11:06:20 PM) randawgnsalt: there's no right/wrong answer, really
(11:06:47 PM) randawgnsalt: there's bands who are explicitly Christian (DC Talk)
(11:07:20 PM) randawgnsalt: DC Talk - Jesus Freak (original version)
(11:07:34 PM) randawgnsalt: Bands with Christians in them, but not explicitly Christian lyrics
(11:08:11 PM) randawgnsalt: Project 86 "My Will Be A Dead Man"
(11:08:27 PM) randawgnsalt: Project 86, they do have a deeper Christian meaning
(11:10:04 PM) randawgnsalt: Reliant K, who has the occasional "Christian" song
(11:10:06 PM) randawgnsalt: Relient K- Sadie Hawkins Dance
(11:10:18 PM) randawgnsalt: Relient K - Getting Into You
(11:10:56 PM) randawgnsalt: and finally, Evanesance, who started out Christian, but were secretly wiccan, and came out about that after they became famous.
Mind not the ignorant fool on the other side of the screen!-BubbleBoy
Code: [Select]
postcount.add(1);

Warrior_Monk

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2010, 11:28:49 PM »
0
I would broadly define Christian music as music on a Christian label.
I would not-so-broadly define Christian music as music that directly speaks about God and Christian life, not just good living.

Evanesance are wiccans? wow. Taking Over Me just died.

Offline Alex_Olijar

  • 16plus
  • Trade Count: (+15)
  • *
  • Posts: 8124
  • This guy is my mascot
    • -
    • Northeast Region
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #2 on: August 18, 2010, 11:32:20 PM »
0
I googled Evenesance and wiccans and got no significant results (and we all know Google is God).

Offline jtay

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 518
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2010, 11:32:31 PM »
0
I say Christian music should first and foremost be defined by who is in the band.  The band members should all be Christians and be interested in serving God with their music.  Almost anything goes beyond that, excepting anything that would not be honoring to God.  Maybe they'll write worship songs that are explicitly about God; maybe they'll write rock songs that have more cryptic lyrics which are recognizable as Christian to any other Christian but maybe not to unsaved people; maybe they'll just write about silly stuff; or maybe they won't have any lyrics at all.  If they're serving God, the specifics of their music shouldn't matter much.

If I were in a band, I would probably go with either cryptic lyrics or no lyrics at all, but that's just a personal preference.
Epic pouting maneuver!

Rawrlolsauce!

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2010, 11:33:45 PM »
0
If it uses the words "God", "Jesus", or "Him" is capitalized on the lyric book, it is Christian. If it doesn't, it is neutral. If it is rap, rock, prog rock, heavy rock, metal, prog metal, techno, hiphop, or heavy metal without the aforementioned words, IT IS SATANIC AND MUST BE BURNED BECAUSE IT IS CORRUPTING THE MINDS OF OUR YOUTHHHHHHHHH.

Offline SomeKittens

  • Tournament Host
  • Trade Count: (+10)
  • *****
  • Posts: 8102
    • -
    • Northeast Region
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2010, 12:00:11 AM »
0
I googled Evenesance and wiccans and got no significant results (and we all know Google is God).
And we all know Reliant K is secretly Googlist.
Double checking on the Amy Lee/Wicca thing, it turns out that I'm wrong (if Yahoo! answers is to be trusted).  I heard that word of mouth, so no idea on it's accuracy
Mind not the ignorant fool on the other side of the screen!-BubbleBoy
Code: [Select]
postcount.add(1);

Offline disciple_drew

  • Tournament Host
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • *****
  • Posts: 445
  • I trade through pay pal
    • LFG
    • Southeast Region
    • Deck Metrics
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #6 on: August 19, 2010, 07:33:06 AM »
+1
A christian band should really live and examplify a christian life & lifestyle. A band that brings Glory to God through their music. Not just label it a christian band because they say their christian. There is a difference when it comes to baring fruit and saying you have fruit.

If they bare fruit, and know enough of The Word, to speak enough of The Word, getting their money right (tithing & offering), and worshipping God through their music... would really bring Him Glory.

If they're just saying their christians and not living a godly lifestyle and not obeying the Bible... they're just pretending. If they're not expanding His Kingdom they're expanding their own kingdoms and expanding their own bank accounts through their own vain fame & fortune. That's not right, they'll be held accountable for that. Because if you use what God gave you for your own glory and not His Glory, you're His enemy.
Visit www.Facebook.com/DeckMetrics for deck analyses, even for other games

Warrior_Monk

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #7 on: August 19, 2010, 09:23:39 AM »
0
A christian band should really live and examplify a christian life & lifestyle. A band that brings Glory to God through their music. Not just label it a christian band because they say their christian. There is a difference when it comes to baring fruit and saying you have fruit.

If they bare fruit, and know enough of The Word, to speak enough of The Word, getting their money right (tithing & offering), and worshipping God through their music... would really bring Him Glory.

If they're just saying their christians and not living a godly lifestyle and not obeying the Bible... they're just pretending. If they're not expanding His Kingdom they're expanding their own kingdoms and expanding their own bank accounts through their own vain fame & fortune. That's not right, they'll be held accountable for that. Because if you use what God gave you for your own glory and not His Glory, you're His enemy.
that's extremely difficult for listeners to judge.

Offline Master KChief

  • Trade Count: (+9)
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6963
  • Greatness, at any cost.
    • -
    • North Central Region
    • GameStop
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #8 on: August 19, 2010, 09:33:01 AM »
0
there is no such thing as christian music. music cannot be christian. christian is a relationship with god.
"If it weren't for people with bad decision making skills, I'd have to get a real job." - Reynad

Offline Lawfuldog

  • Tournament Host
  • Trade Count: (+14)
  • *****
  • Posts: 2266
  • Hearthstone Semi-Pro
    • -
    • South Central Region
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #9 on: August 19, 2010, 11:29:05 AM »
0
there is no such thing as christian music. music cannot be christian. christian is a relationship with god.

Boom goes the dynamite.

"Christian Music" by my understanding is just a broad term encompassing the "clean" music genre as well as "Worship Music." The way I see it; what makes a band fall under the Christian Music category is if they themselves are Christian (which thus, they are generally on a Christian label).
Booster Draft king once upon a time.

Offline Alex_Olijar

  • 16plus
  • Trade Count: (+15)
  • *
  • Posts: 8124
  • This guy is my mascot
    • -
    • Northeast Region
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #10 on: August 19, 2010, 11:30:43 AM »
0
Typically in my expirience, the term "Christian Music" has usually mean "says Jesus a lot."

Offline xCaLeBx

  • Trade Count: (+10)
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1440
  • There's no crying in hardcore!
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #11 on: August 19, 2010, 11:41:44 AM »
0
I personally like the more cryptic songs (see A) but there are some bands that are good at worship style (see B and listen to the whole song) there are many bands who call themselves christian. But, they either fail at it/go cryptic lyric wise/ or they are the one in a million that are good at some worship style music.


A: A Plea for Purging-Shiver:
A Plea For Purging "Shiver" Music Video

B: The Devil Wears Prada-Assistant to the Regional manager:
Assistant to the Regional Manager (Video)


lyrics for A:
Cheap steps make for easy regrets, but keep your words of contempt.
You are no friend, my enemy, you tear me down, keep me weak.
I wear no crown of weakness, His is no crown of weakness.
I wear no crown of weakness, hide in your own contempt.
Iron sharpens iron, but your judgment's dulling me.
I answer to no man. You're no gods or masters of this world.
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm damned. I pray I don't wake up in hell.

If I were God we'd all be dead. If I were God we'd all be dead... We're all dead.

The devils hands have been busy. The devils hands have been busy.

Grace sustains, but I thirst for revenge. The world would be destroyed if I were God.
Demons are fallen angels. Remember that when you think youre a saint.
Demons are fallen angels. Remember that when you think youre a saint.

Fallen angels, Im coming for your wings. Fallen angels, Ill cut off your wings.
If I were God wed all be dead. If I were God wed all be dead.
Lord knows Im a cynic, but I wont give up, wont give in.
Lord knows Im a cynic, but I wont give up without a fight.
The devils hands have been busy, turning liars to masters, demons to gods.
But were no gods, were no masters. Were only fallen angels in this world.

Lyrics B:
THESE WRITINGS ARE TO THOSE WHO HAVE WEEPED.
THESE WRITINGS ARE TO THOSE WHO HAVEN'T LOOKED DEEPLY ENOUGH INTO THE CORRECT RESOLUTION.

WRONG AGAIN BUT STRONGER NOW,
WE CAN FACE THIS.
FIGHT LIFE WITH LIFE.

ALL GLORY TO THE ONE IN EXISTENCE.
BRING UPON YOUR NAME, YOUR GRACE, YOUR EVERYTHING.

HOLD HANDS AND STARE INTO THE CIRCLE.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT?

RUMORS AND RUMORS AND RUMORS.
ASSEMBLY: DISINTEGRATION. PERISH.

TOMBSTONES SERVE AS MIRRORS AND THE GRAVES ARE INFINITE.
TAKE A LOOK THROUGH THE LENS AND THROUGH YOUR EYES.
END THE PARTITIONING.

WRONG AGAIN BUT STRONGER NOW,
WE CAN FACE THIS.
FIGHT LIFE WITH LIFE.

ENEMIES, WE'LL GO FOR YOUR THROAT.
(sorry for all caps but I'm to lazy to rewrite it all since all I did was copy and paste it)


EDIT: also the rare christian band to be honored by the secular world is awesome. i.e. MxPx/The Devil Wears Prada/As I Lay Dying
"Someone died in the bathroom, didn't they." -Dwight
l>

Offline SomeKittens

  • Tournament Host
  • Trade Count: (+10)
  • *****
  • Posts: 8102
    • -
    • Northeast Region
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #12 on: August 19, 2010, 12:23:52 PM »
0
I really liked the first one.  Good message, I've never heard of the band before.
Mind not the ignorant fool on the other side of the screen!-BubbleBoy
Code: [Select]
postcount.add(1);

Offline xCaLeBx

  • Trade Count: (+10)
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1440
  • There's no crying in hardcore!
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #13 on: August 19, 2010, 12:33:33 PM »
0
Yeah may I just say I went to the scream the prayer tour this year (quite possible best concert ever. EVER. Super fun time) and they were amazing live. AMAZING!
"Someone died in the bathroom, didn't they." -Dwight
l>

Offline JDS

  • Tournament Host
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • *****
  • Posts: 602
  • Type 1 Personality
    • -
    • East Central Region
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #14 on: August 19, 2010, 12:49:04 PM »
+3
So wait, we've determine that Evanescence isn't in fact wiccan?

Need quick reply, I currently have Amy Lee tied to the stake.

Offline xCaLeBx

  • Trade Count: (+10)
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1440
  • There's no crying in hardcore!
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #15 on: August 19, 2010, 12:51:18 PM »
0
I don't think they are. Do I think they're christian? Lyrically, no. As far as members go maybe...
"Someone died in the bathroom, didn't they." -Dwight
l>

Offline SomeKittens

  • Tournament Host
  • Trade Count: (+10)
  • *****
  • Posts: 8102
    • -
    • Northeast Region
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #16 on: August 19, 2010, 01:04:10 PM »
0
Quick, get her autograph!
Mind not the ignorant fool on the other side of the screen!-BubbleBoy
Code: [Select]
postcount.add(1);

Offline Daniel TS RED

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3461
  • If God be for us...
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #17 on: August 19, 2010, 03:14:58 PM »
0
When interviewed, I'm pretty sure they cussed when asked if they were a Christian band.  It takes Christian lyrics to become a Christian song or to be Christian music.  If no Christian lyrics are used, it's just Christians singing secular songs.  I guess you could have Christian songs without lyrics ( like in a Christian movie or Christian play or something ), but you're probably not talking about that. 

Daniel

 +1
My Teams: Atlanta Braves, NY Giants, Miami Hurricanes Football, Duke Basketball, Cleveland Cavs

Offline xCaLeBx

  • Trade Count: (+10)
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1440
  • There's no crying in hardcore!
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #18 on: August 19, 2010, 03:21:41 PM »
0
I REALLY disagree there. If they don't include the word god or jesus or a get saved message in each song then they're not christian? This mentality is why christian musicians (85% probably) are laughed at because no person that likes music wants to hear a worship song just sound ten different ways. They want originality not just in sound but lyrically.


Now I'm going to stand up to the firing squad and say Bob Dylan was a christian singer. Yes he was liberal to say the least but I think from lyric standpoint he believed in god/christ (he was catholic and to each his own so I don't want to hear bangin' on catholics or beliefs). Now just because you don't believe as catholics do, that doesn't mean you can go calling them evil influences and they're all going straight to hell. Because they're not. It's their belief with their morals and their fundamentals. But, Catholics have no problems with drinking, and are liberal in some other areas. So maybe thats why Dylan was liberal. But still, lyrically, I think he was christian.
"Someone died in the bathroom, didn't they." -Dwight
l>

Offline Alex_Olijar

  • 16plus
  • Trade Count: (+15)
  • *
  • Posts: 8124
  • This guy is my mascot
    • -
    • Northeast Region
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #19 on: August 19, 2010, 03:26:34 PM »
0
Quote from: Minister Polarius (paraphrased)
U2 is the greatest Christian band ever.

Offline Daniel TS RED

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3461
  • If God be for us...
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #20 on: August 19, 2010, 03:26:51 PM »
0
There's a big difference between being a Christian and singing Christian music.  A Christian could sing some anti-Christ lyrics, but that doesn't make that song a Christian song just because a Christian sings it.  It's about the song more than the person singing it.  Churches have a lot of non-Christians singing their Christian Songs every weekend.

Daniel

 :thumbup:
My Teams: Atlanta Braves, NY Giants, Miami Hurricanes Football, Duke Basketball, Cleveland Cavs

Offline xCaLeBx

  • Trade Count: (+10)
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1440
  • There's no crying in hardcore!
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #21 on: August 19, 2010, 03:28:55 PM »
0
There's a big difference between people who sing non christian music (as in no message clearly visible) doesn't make them a non christian band.
"Someone died in the bathroom, didn't they." -Dwight
l>

Offline Alex_Olijar

  • 16plus
  • Trade Count: (+15)
  • *
  • Posts: 8124
  • This guy is my mascot
    • -
    • Northeast Region
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #22 on: August 19, 2010, 03:30:17 PM »
0
Churches have a lot of non-Christians singing their Christian Songs every weekend.

Was this really a necessary comment?

In the end, Christian Music has no definition, and this thread proves it. It is also a great example of why relative truth works for most everything except morality. Everyone has their own defition, and there is no truly right answer, but people just tned to think they are right because they are prideful.

Offline Daniel TS RED

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3461
  • If God be for us...
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #23 on: August 19, 2010, 03:37:02 PM »
0
There's a big difference between people who sing non christian music (as in no message clearly visible) doesn't make them a non christian band.

You can be a "Christian Band" and sing secular songs.  That happens a lot as well.
Churches have a lot of non-Christians singing their Christian Songs every weekend.

Was this really a necessary comment?

In the end, Christian Music has no definition, and this thread proves it. It is also a great example of why relative truth works for most everything except morality. Everyone has their own defition, and there is no truly right answer, but people just tned to think they are right because they are prideful.

I believe that comment helped to show that non-believers can sing Christian Music.  Not sure what relative truth is, but if you mean truth, then what the Bible says is the truth.

Daniel

 :thumbup:
My Teams: Atlanta Braves, NY Giants, Miami Hurricanes Football, Duke Basketball, Cleveland Cavs

Offline Alex_Olijar

  • 16plus
  • Trade Count: (+15)
  • *
  • Posts: 8124
  • This guy is my mascot
    • -
    • Northeast Region
Re: What makes Christian music Christian?
« Reply #24 on: August 19, 2010, 03:39:23 PM »
0
How? It's an accusation that many worship leaders are not christians. While this may or may not be true, I don't see how it added anything to conversation about what Christian music is - it just leveled accusations and allows for some to be upset that they (if they are a worship leader) to feel insulted.

 


SimplePortal 2.3.3 © 2008-2010, SimplePortal