Contemporary Christian Music . . . What is it?
of
mud and mire, cast all my gods away, and I am brand new today, I make my
resolution." (The Supertones)
"I don't deserve this love but, I hear your voice, Lord, Jesus, ‘Go and sin
no more...’" (Rebecca St James)
"So I promise to be true to You, to live my life in purity as unto You;
waiting for the day when I hear You say, ‘Here is the one I have created
just for you.’" (Jaci Velasquez)
What's the difference between Christian Rock Music and Secular Rock Music?
Christian rock and secular rock sound very much the same. Some stop here
and draw the conclusion that "There's no difference." But the difference
is unmistakable. Bible based truth underlies the message of Christian
rock. Secular rock often revels in life without morality or God, may
glamorize death and suicide, and often teaches sex outside of marriage as
the ultimate. Christian rock, on the other hand, says that God IS life.
It preaches hope through the cross and heralds a Savior as the fountain
from which all joys find their greatest fulfillment. In fact, it is for
this reason, the Bible preaching lyrics, that secular radio stations give
for NOT playing the majority of CCM: its message is a "turn-off" to the
public. Likewise CCM can be an ultimate "turn-on" to those who are
hungering and thirsting for spiritual truth.
But I can't even hear the words!
It is true that in much (but certainly not all) of modern rock the
instrumentation is the dominant feature. But let us ask, "What is the
dominant feature in classical music?" What about any instrumental music?
Clearly any music may be enjoyed just for the music's sake and this is not
wrong. However, the reality is that young people can and do listen to the
words of Contemporary Christian Music. Devoted Christian youth choose this
music primarily because of the godly lyrics, not just the beat. "There is
no doubt," states one parent, "that my little daughter will one day be
singing along to her favorite songs. I would much prefer they be lyrics
that bring honor to Christ." May this be every parents wish for their child.
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