To Whom It May Concern,
What is the purpose of Christian music? In case you are not aware, the purpose of Christian music (music that is Christian in content and theme) is three-fold:
We can all agree that just because someone says that they are a “Christian” does not make it so. Likewise, just because something is labelled as “Christian” does not make it so. So how can we determine what is and what is not “Christian” music? For anything to be called “Christian”, it must follow these principles as set forth in God’s Word:
If you are truly a Christian artist or a Christian band (as opposed to an artist who is Christian or a band of Christians), you should be putting the Word of God to music in order to edify the believer and evangelize the lost. Martin Luther once said, “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through music.” That this is true is evident from Psalm 119:54: "Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." We evidence this in our hymns, we evidence this in the music of Petra, and we evidence this in the music of such rappers as Cross Movement, Flame, Lecrae, Shai Linne, Timothy Brindle, Trip Lee, and Voice (to name a few). The Great Commission says to "Go and make disciples" (Matt. 28:19). How can you do this if your lyrics never mention Christ Jesus or speak of biblical principles?
When looking for genuine Christian artists or Christian bands, one should ask: Do they have a “look at me” or a “look at God” attitude? Do they appear to be seeking fame, money and self-glorification or do they glorify God and His Kingdom? Do they portray pride and arrogance or meekness and humbleness? Do they claim to know God but never sing about Him, His Kingdom and values? Is the artist pointing their life, ministry and performance to Christ? Anyone can say they are a Christian, know God and sing Christian songs, but does their life reflect Christ (1 John 2:6)? Hell will be full of people who honoured God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him (Matt. 7:15-23; 15:8). If your life is not in step with the Holy Spirit and characteristic of what the Bible declares a Christian to be, then you are not a Christian artist or Christian band.
When listening to artists who are labelled as “Christian”, one should ask: What does the song say? Is the message clear? Can I understand it? Can I tell the group is singing about God and God’s truth (scripture and scriptural principles—God, Christ Jesus, salvation, the Bible, Christian doctrine, our personal testimonies of how God saved us, and Christianity in general)? Does it draw me into a closer relationship with God and provide a desire to know more of Him? If it is lacking in all of this, it clearly is not Christian music. If people cannot identify you as being Christian from your music, you are not a Christian artist or Christian band, although you may be an artist who is Christian or a band of Christians.
If you claim to be a Christian artist or a Christian band, then step up and man up. Preach Christ with boldness, conviction, and clarity, being unashamed. If you truly love Christ Jesus, then demonstrate it for all to see. Salvation is the greatest gift that you could have ever received, yet you feel the need to obscure this from the world. Quit straddling both sides of the fence and pick a side. If you want to be "main stream" and be accepted by and popular with the world, then put both feet in. Quit pretending to be a Christian while being in love with the world and the things the world has to offer. If you want to glorify Christ Jesus, then put both feet in. Let Him be proclaimed in your music so that both the saved and unsaved are directed toward Him. If I purchase a CD from an artist who labels themselves as "Christian", I expect to be hearing about Christ somewhere in the lyrics. If Christ and His truths are not present, it simply is not Christian music.
To hear a song that has the same concerns I have, you can listen to it here.
What is the purpose of Christian music? In case you are not aware, the purpose of Christian music (music that is Christian in content and theme) is three-fold:
- to exalt (glorify) God,
- to edify (build up) the believers, and
- to evangelize the lost.
We can all agree that just because someone says that they are a “Christian” does not make it so. Likewise, just because something is labelled as “Christian” does not make it so. So how can we determine what is and what is not “Christian” music? For anything to be called “Christian”, it must follow these principles as set forth in God’s Word:
- Music must bring praise, honour and glory to God’s name (Ps. 9:2; 61:8; Heb. 2:12).
- Music must direct the listener toward God (Col. 1:18), both saved and unsaved.
- Music must be edifying to the listener and build the listener up (1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 5:19-20; Col. 3:16) by drawing the listener closer to God.
- Music requires understanding (1 Cor. 14:15; Ps. 47:7) and must not be confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). In other words, its message must be clear and precise.
If you are truly a Christian artist or a Christian band (as opposed to an artist who is Christian or a band of Christians), you should be putting the Word of God to music in order to edify the believer and evangelize the lost. Martin Luther once said, “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through music.” That this is true is evident from Psalm 119:54: "Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." We evidence this in our hymns, we evidence this in the music of Petra, and we evidence this in the music of such rappers as Cross Movement, Flame, Lecrae, Shai Linne, Timothy Brindle, Trip Lee, and Voice (to name a few). The Great Commission says to "Go and make disciples" (Matt. 28:19). How can you do this if your lyrics never mention Christ Jesus or speak of biblical principles?
When looking for genuine Christian artists or Christian bands, one should ask: Do they have a “look at me” or a “look at God” attitude? Do they appear to be seeking fame, money and self-glorification or do they glorify God and His Kingdom? Do they portray pride and arrogance or meekness and humbleness? Do they claim to know God but never sing about Him, His Kingdom and values? Is the artist pointing their life, ministry and performance to Christ? Anyone can say they are a Christian, know God and sing Christian songs, but does their life reflect Christ (1 John 2:6)? Hell will be full of people who honoured God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him (Matt. 7:15-23; 15:8). If your life is not in step with the Holy Spirit and characteristic of what the Bible declares a Christian to be, then you are not a Christian artist or Christian band.
When listening to artists who are labelled as “Christian”, one should ask: What does the song say? Is the message clear? Can I understand it? Can I tell the group is singing about God and God’s truth (scripture and scriptural principles—God, Christ Jesus, salvation, the Bible, Christian doctrine, our personal testimonies of how God saved us, and Christianity in general)? Does it draw me into a closer relationship with God and provide a desire to know more of Him? If it is lacking in all of this, it clearly is not Christian music. If people cannot identify you as being Christian from your music, you are not a Christian artist or Christian band, although you may be an artist who is Christian or a band of Christians.
If you claim to be a Christian artist or a Christian band, then step up and man up. Preach Christ with boldness, conviction, and clarity, being unashamed. If you truly love Christ Jesus, then demonstrate it for all to see. Salvation is the greatest gift that you could have ever received, yet you feel the need to obscure this from the world. Quit straddling both sides of the fence and pick a side. If you want to be "main stream" and be accepted by and popular with the world, then put both feet in. Quit pretending to be a Christian while being in love with the world and the things the world has to offer. If you want to glorify Christ Jesus, then put both feet in. Let Him be proclaimed in your music so that both the saved and unsaved are directed toward Him. If I purchase a CD from an artist who labels themselves as "Christian", I expect to be hearing about Christ somewhere in the lyrics. If Christ and His truths are not present, it simply is not Christian music.
To hear a song that has the same concerns I have, you can listen to it here.