When I was little I heard many Christians claim that we should only listen to Christian music. What they meant was only explicitly Christian in its reference to Jesus or God. But, I think we limit our understanding of music, worship, and who God is when we do this. For example, when we view the earth, we don’t hear the words Jesus, but it’s definitely pointing to the fact of a creator. Even war, when in the right context, (and definitely a more mature topic) can point to our need for a redeemer. Ultimately, regardless of whether a song is “Christian”, we need to consider music an art form, and the good music is what propels a person to worship God. This is why different people are drawn to different kinds of music, based on their experiences and relationships. It is the same way with a drawing. A drawing can promote an idea of chaos and confusion. It can also stir up feelings of order and beauty in an appropriate fashion. In the same way, music or another form of art doesn’t have to be a song that says Jesus to point us to Him. It can be a song about character, or appropriate justice, or no words at all and still fit into this category. All it has to do is point a person to embracing the truth of who they are and who God should be. And with this as the definition and this understanding, it opens up the possibilities to who God is to more than our black and white, cookie cutter idea of Christianity and how He shows himself to us. And it also doesn’t allow us to control something and call it Christian that God never intended.
Thinking out loud…anything you might add or disagree with?
“Ultimately, regardless of whether a song is “Christian”, we need to consider music an art form, and the good music is what propels a person to worship God.”
I think this is a cool post. I’ll simply add a thought I would append to the statement above:
People may have differing views of what makes music “good”. This can be said with practically any statement of value. I could easily argue that Mozart, Carlos Santana, Franz Listz, Zepplin, etc are superior in their talent to organize and execute the contents in what make music an art and execute it properly and sufficiently within those pre-set notions of what comprises “music” : melody, harmony, tone, progression, etc. What I can not do, is persuade someone to believe that it is “better” than the sound of their 4-year old child banging 2 cymbals together in wreckless fashion. A statement of value is a statement of value and there isn’t much we can do about it. The problem lies beyond…
If someone believes–dare I say “knows”–that a certain song, comprised of melody, harmony, and lyrics is a good song and ultimately points to Christ 2 ever-important questions must be raised: 1. What does the song say, and 2. Is what the song says consistent with what the bible tells us of God. If the songs’ declaration is not a biblical declaration of God, the person and work of Christ, the work of the HS, etc. then it is not good at all–but heretical and idolic.
I believe that this should be applied to both the musical and lyricial aspects of Christian Music. Though, I’ll add, the importance of lies tremendously on our words and perhaps less on the music itself as that pertains more on culture.
Though, some styles of music I wonder the presence–moreso the absence–of in the courts of heaven…
Then again, a statement of value is a statement of value.
Great post Scott. I enjoy reading your blog.
Totally agree Charlie. Thanks for your thoughts.