I’ve been ruminating…on ‘CHRISTIAN’ SONGS??
Is there such a thing as a ‘Christian’ song? Or a ‘Christian’ book?
I don’t think there is. While I might be accused of just playing with semantics, let me explain.
A song can be written by a ‘Christian’ (Christ-one/follower of Jesus).
A song can have words that talk about God or the Christian life.
A person can sing a song as an expression of ‘worship’ (adoration/allegiance) to God.
But a song can’t be rightly called a ‘Christian song’ any more than we can talk about a ‘Christian dishwash’ or a ‘Christian car yard’ or a ‘Christian meal’ or a ‘Christian movie’.
Why? What makes something ‘Christian’? Perhaps the tag ‘Christian’ should only refer to the person/people doing the action or creating the work or art? If they are ‘Christian’ the assumption made is that they are seeking to love or worship God in everything they do. However, it doesn’t automatically follow that all they do will be right or good or totally consistent with what God wants.
Why is this important?
Primarily because using such language makes it too easy to produce ‘blanket’ or ‘black and white’ judgements about particular activities, items or even people. It encourages us to look at life in a simplistic, rather than a discerning way.
Just because a song is written by a Christ-one, doesn’t mean it contains lyrics that are either true, good and/or pleasing to God.
Neither does it guarantee that when a Christ-one or group of Christ-ones sing that song they are honouring God in the singing of it.
Just because the lyrics of song use ‘bible language’ or explicitly mention God doesn’t automatically mean they are true or good.
Neither, by the way, does it guarantee that the music is ‘good’ (as in displaying good song-writing or musicianship – which in itself honours God).
So…
We might say, “This song really expresses ideas or sentiments that honour God”
We might even say “This song helps me to express my love and worship to God”
But let’s try to resist saying, “This song is a ‘Christian song’ because it was written by a Christian or contains lyrics that speak about God” and therefore implying that it is automatically honouring to God.**
Can songs written or played by people who are not followers of Jesus be ‘good’ or help us to love and worship God more?
Absolutely.
God made music and he made it good.
God also made us in his image – complete with gifts and abilities. When we use and develop these gifts we actually honour and please God – the giver of these gifts.
However, we are all a flawed and broken image of God’s nature and character. This means that we often use God’s good gifts for less-than-good purposes. For example, a person may have the ability to be a public speaker. In itself, this is a good gift that God has planted in the person so they can communicate effectively. However, it is also the kind of gift that can be misused, distorted by selfish ambition and indulged without restraint. The person can become excessively dependent on the buzz of the crowd and the thrill of gaining recognition. It can even lead to manipulating people. What started as a God-given ability can become corrupted.
So it is with music. How someone with God-given musical gifts employs those abilities significantly influences whether their music is God-honouring or not.
Lyrics are one part of this equation, but the way a person performs (the attitudes they exude) is also a critical aspect. So too is the degree of application employed in developing excellence in their ‘craft’.
We can appreciate, be inspired by, even assisted in giving adoration to God, through music – regardless of whether the person is a ‘Christ-one’ or not.
We can also be ‘de-inspired’, misled, and lured away from adoring God.
All music has the potential for good or for bad. All music can be uplifting or destructive.
Every time I hear someone who uses their gift of music it causes me to praise God for the incredible way he has gifted the person. In other words, I am able to honour the one who I know has been the source of the talent I’ve just witnessed. (Even if the musician is unaware or unwilling to acknowledge that God is the origin of their abilities.)
Are we more likely to be inspired and helped to turn our attention to God, through the music or performance of a ‘Christ-one’ than someone who doesn’t follow Christ? Probably, though there is no guarantee. One would hope that their lyrics, attitudes and in fact their determination to bring honour to God through the employment of their craft would increase the chances of it reaping a positive benefit. After all, God delights in accepting our genuine offerings to him and using them for good.
“Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 (CEV)
“…you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Phil 4:8 (The Message)
**Tangential Footnote!
To use another example, just because a President of the USA is a ‘Christian’ doesn’t make it a ‘Christian presidency’ – as though everything they do as President is somehow right or good or honouring to God because the person is a Christ-one.
If we believe this we get into serious delusion. And it becomes a short jump to then justify bad or destructive decision-making/behaviour in the name of God – simply because the person claims to be a ‘Christian’.
(Neither does having a ‘Christian’ who is the President in any way guarantee competence.)
Part Two – Why I feel uncomfortable with the ‘worship music’ industry
In the last few years a whole industry has grown in the evangelical subculture called ‘worship music’. It has even developed its own niche in the ‘Contemporary Christian Music’ (CCM) scene.
There is nothing wrong with writing songs for the specific aim of assisting people to turn their attention and focus to God. Neither is there anything wrong with musicians receiving payment/income from the fruit of their labour.
However, I think that much so-called ‘worship music’ simply reflects a culture-bound, self-absorbed, individualistic, privatized and consumerist theology and the way in which it is promoted, sold and talked about is also a reflection of this.
Not only this, but the words and images/metaphors that many of these songs are written in, seem (in my opinion) to lack depth and understandability. They also frequently fail to connect with everyday life and the challenge of worshipping God through the ‘Monday to Saturday’ of life – encouraging instead a metaphysical experience in a stratosphere divorced from real life.
I also struggle with the phrases ‘worship song’, ‘worship album’ and ‘worship band’. Every time I hear them it grates on me though I still find it hard to pinpoint exactly why. Is it because of the presumption inherent in the phrase – as though it’s assumed that this song or album or band are going to cause me to worship? Or perhaps it’s because I feel that the word ‘worship’ is used in such a dreadfully limiting way (as though singing is the only or primary way of worshipping God? I’m not exactly sure, but I find myself squirming any time I hear these phrases.
What do you think?
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