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Why Quest for Christian Music? Part 2

© Paul Landkamer

So why Christian music and not secular? I'm coming to realize that behaviors define who you are. If I'm a Christian and don't act like one, I'm the hypocrite people talk about when they give reasons for not being churched. One shouldn't act like a Christian only in church, then go home and blend in with the world. I might say, "Oh, I always try to follow the Ten Commandments." But I must also avoid furthering ungodly causes by refusing to watch, read about or listen to those who push such things. That brings me to thermo-christianity (a term I made up, but I think it's kinda catchy).

I've gotta think, "Am I one of those lukewarm hypocritical Christians?" Am I one of the stumbling blocks to potential Christians? I hear things like, "He or she calls him or herself a Christian, but: Listen to that language; He goes to those strip-clubs; She reads those trashy romance novels; He buys those "men's" magazines and so on:" even, "He listens to that junk on his stereo." Jesus only likes a lukewarm Christian as far as He can vomit one (Rev. 3:16). I don't want to be one of the lukewarms.

I know some of you are saying, "All rock's not bad." You're right, but listen to yours. Does it bring people closer to Jesus or drive them further into worldliness? Does it glorify or bring honor to God or does it make light of things holy? For the most part, secular rock music has followed society in its moral decay. Rock's come a long way from the Hollies' "Please Share My Umbrella" (actually talking about marriage and commitment) to the Beastie Boys' fighting for their "right" to party and Aerosmith's making love in an elevator. I could have used far more graphic examples, but you should be able to see what I'm getting at. That's why I'm seeking music with a better message. Join me on my quest for good Christian music.

Here's a little direction to get you questing on your own, followed by a recommendation. I've been using Amazon.com and mp3.com quite a bit to hear the music before buying. (See my links section) Many of the individual record companies have listening features as well. Try these bands for starters: Big Tent Revival, the Benjamin Gate, GS Megaphone, Grammatrain, and Audio Adrenaline.

So far, I've purchaced all the full-length CDs of Audio Adrenaline, and I'll get their new releases, too. I highly recommend all except their self-titled CD and Don't Censor Me, which have way too much rappish stuff on 'em. Those were their first two albums, and they were still young. Bloom, Some Kind of Zombie, Lift, and Underdog are great! I'd call 'em rock to hard rock. I don't "want" to call 'em hard pop, but, that's a possible description, too. They'd blow the doors of lots of the heavy metal pioneer groups. My daughter, 16, calls 'em "alternative", as did my son, 19, who now says they're "just pop". Today, he dropped by my work and we shared musical thoughts. He admitted that he really likes Audio Adrenaline. That comes from a secularized college student whose musical taste includes Soundgarden, Bush, Lenny Kravitz, Collective Soul, Incubus and, of course, Jimi Hendrix (classical training he got from me). My son's taste runs fairly close to mine, but his is secular. I'll be tapping on his thoughts when I make many of my comparisons.

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