I lived for many years with the impression that I should only listen to Christian music, that is music with lyrics that address Christian ideas or beliefs. I have since changed my opinion and would welcome comments. Here are some quotes from a man I respect that have led me to change my perspective, Francis Schaeffer:
"When I was a teenager I used to be proud of the fact that I didn�t listen to �secular� music. I would tell my friends that I only listened to �Christian� music. The truth is, however, music is neither secular nor Christian�people are. That is to say, people can be Christians not music (although, I would add that music, by nature, is a great good, in virtue of the fact that God created it). Christ calls people, like you and me, to help redeem the culture through living out our faith in the culture."
�I am afraid that as evangelicals, we think that a work of art only has value if we reduce it to a tract.�
�We are not being true to the artist as a man if we consider his art work junk simply because we differ with his outlook on life. Christian schools, Christian parents, and Christian pastors often have turned off young people at just this point. Because the schools, the pastors, and the parents did not make a distinction between technical excellence and content, the whole of much great art has been rejected with scorn and ridicule. Instead, if the artist's technical excellence is high, he is to be praised for this, even if we differ with his world view. Man must be treated fairly as man.�
I have concluded that for me, as long as a piece of music/art does not cause me, or my brother if he is with me, to stumble, I can appreciate the divine nature that exists within the artist who can create works of music/art.
As I discovered growing into reading the Bible more and more I came to the same realization myself that how God blesses people and causes many to have gifts and talents that they use in this world applies the same to music.
A lot of Christians ask themselves how they could do more for God but I doubt few take into consideration how often music has saved someone's life before. From attempts of depressed suicidal intentions or not. A song doesn't necessarily have to be famous. or Christian. or popular. or have words.
Music is music. And peoples hearts are touched by things they can relate towards and told or shown in different ways that they just needed to see, or feel, or in this case hear, at that time...
How do Christians really think God is going to judge secular artists who's songs helped prevented those lives that retracted their thoughts on extra drastic measures to cope with life when they instead found their comfort in melodious tunes of music instead?
As far as the positives reach out for this go. There are also negatives that I'd never agree to however. Such as Anti-Christ themes in music. I disagree whole heartedly of anyone who would try to make a point for those artists who try to attribute such a stance with their music. I don't even consider it to be music really. Just propaganda.
I think it depends where you draw the line of what's christian music and what's secular music, because I think secular music made by Christians can be a wonderful tool.
There's a lot of people out there that are put off by christian music and I really believe that God inspires musicians to try and reach these people. I've experienced it myself in school when people found out that some of the songs I like are from christian bands. You could see them get uncomfortable and just try to brush it off that it's not their kind of music. Then it feels like they put up this wall and don't want to talk about it anymore with me. But I've had better luck sharing music with them that are made by Christians but are much more subtle about it in their songs. And then after we become music friends, it gives me an opportunity later to mention that the songs they like were created by Christians who believe in God.
So I'm grateful God inspired these artists and bands to help people that don't believe in him yet. I wish I was good at converting nonbelievers but in the mean time I try to use this music to eventually show them that what they're missing in life is God and the music that's helping them can only ease the symptoms but not fill the gap for which God can cure.
I'm not sure how I feel about non secular artists but I kind of agree with ProverbialTrigger that if it helps people and turns people away from sinful things then its not necessarily a bad thing.
Common sense would tell you that if it doesn't glorify God whom created us...you shouldnt fill your spirit with garbage..kinda like feeding your physical body trash..dont forget the the enemy whom deceives is real.
You might want to check out Satan's first occupation. He was what the world would call a "music artist." Keep in mind that he was Very influential and was able to convince one third of the angels to war against their creator. Today, we call them demons.
Music is very powerful, and it is a weapon. Weapons can be used for good or evil.
You are 19 years old and you might want to talk to someone who has faced these questions of what is appropriate music and not, and has decades of experience.
Here's another thought: That same musical artist that I spoke of earlier deceived Eve in the garden. You must be very careful.
You live in a free country where Christians do whatever they want, as though their is no judgement in the future. If you don't believe that, just look at some of the profiles of so called Christian men on this site.
Can I give you some good advice?
Always ask this question before listening to music of any kind: "Is this pleasing to the Lord?"
Final advice....find a godly man that fears and loves the Lord, that has experience in life and the battle scares to prove it. Then as he follows the Lord, follow his leadership.
If you do these things, Satan will not easily deceive you, and lead you down a path of good intensions, but ultimately destroy your testimony, and your peace.
Remember, he came to kill, steal and destroy. And Satan can use a handsome man that goes to church so be on guard my sister.
I find a lot of "christian music" leaves me cold and unfulfilled, it's as if it has had all the spirit drained out and lifelessness pumped in, I avoid most christian music, having said that, a lot of traditional hymns now turn me on and lift me up, without a whole debate on who plays the tune ? I am of the belief that God works in whatever way he is able to to reach us, cue donkey's as-s, I feel I must qualify my starting point, I'm an ex muso who still produces music so the production ethos is always where I start.
If God can produce a Choir of angels to make the most heavenly music that transcends all ages and genres then why do we need to put on the emperors new clothes every few years, you can hear when God is at work, he stops you causes you to listen and then speaks truth that is in agreement with His principles and Word, if he wants to do that through "secular music" then so be it, if he struggles with "christian music", then that is just a sad reflection on our own desires, Matt Redman apologised to God in one Hymn for what he'd made worship to become, worship of self, idolistic, that's the problem with a lot of christian music today, who can tell the difference ? that's why I tend to like old Hymns as they are without guile or modern production values, well that's true for the most.
Truly, I find Abba, the band, shows that God is able to reveal his creation in music than quite a few worship bands.....
if it sounds secular then it must be ???
well here is my fave Christian artist, left field and unknown, with the ability to take you to a place that is close to God......
I find a lot of "christian music" leaves me cold and unfulfilled, it's as if it has had all the spirit drained out and lifelessness pumped in, I avoid most christian music, having said that, a lot of traditional hymns now turn me on and lift me up, without a whole debate on who plays the tune ? I am of the belief that God works in whatever way he is able to to reach us, cue donkey's as-s, I feel I must qualify my starting point, I'm an ex muso who still produces music so the production ethos is always where I start.
If God can produce a Choir of angels to make the most heavenly music that transcends all ages and genres then why do we need to put on the emperors new clothes every few years, you can hear when God is at work, he stops you causes you to listen and then speaks truth that is in agreement with His principles and Word, if he wants to do that through "secular music" then so be it, if he struggles with "christian music", then that is just a sad reflection on our own desires, Matt Redman apologised to God in one Hymn for what he'd made worship to become, worship of self, idolistic, that's the problem with a lot of christian music today, who can tell the difference ? that's why I tend to like old Hymns as they are without guile or modern production values, well that's true for the most.
Truly, I find Abba, the band, shows that God is able to reveal his creation in music than quite a few worship bands.....
if it sounds secular then it must be ???
well here is my fave Christian artist, left field and unknown, with the ability to take you to a place that is close to God......
Something else to consider.... Secular artists are on that stage to gain fame and glorify themselves...and of course to become as wealthy as can be. So honestly it doesn't matter if there lyrics include God or even maybe mention Jesus somewhere..if its not done totally for Gods worship and his kingdom its not of God..for you cannot serve two masters..Matthew 6:24
King James Bible
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
but have you considered that a worker is worth their hire ?
whatever your job you want to get paid, in the same breath we could say any pastor that is paid is serving mammon..... I suppose it's a perspective thing, I personally don't go with the idolisation thing, but I have done in the past, we live in a packaged culture now and if you are in the public eye you need a degree in lion taming...... if you are all about the money then yes it's who you are serving, but some "christian artists" are about the word and doing his will, at that point one would have to consider that the Lord can make rich without adding any grief to it, after all Solomon was rich man, as I said I think it's about perspectives and it would be so easy to jump into blanket judgements concerning those types of pursuits, I know I have, now I just shrug my shoulders and say it'll work itself out in the end and the Lord will reveal who is his and who is not...
A famous Minister who loves to wear white clothes and do give-athons always made me feel uncomfortable, I expressed my difficulty with brothers and sisters and was informed that my discernment was off and I shouldn't concern myself with it, even my Wife loved to here him preaching.... now I hear that his ways have come to the attention of the world and his ways are made plain before the congregation, God has a habit of revealing to his own who belongs to him and who does not, the rest, well I'll just shrug my shoulders and let God work it out for them or not as the case may be.
Here are a couple of quotes from one of my favorite apologists, Francis Schaeffer:
"I am afraid that as evangelicals, we think that a work of art only has value if we reduce it to a tract."
"Art is a reflection of God's creativity, an evidence that we are made in the image of God."
Anything that is not obviously wicked, i.e. pornography, is evidence of God's work in the human soul. We should seek truth in all places, especially within those who bear His image. I find truth in many "secular" musical artists including Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath.
