The Changing face of Christian Secular Music?

Music is one of the greatest influences on the spiritual development of teenagers in the world today. The broad range of styles and genres of music that are accessible today create for a flurry of worldviews that each teen is faced with on a daily basis. Today more than ever music is the preferred medium for all kinds of emotions, ranging from anger to romance, from spirituality to sexuality. This broad range of exposure that music creates makes it one of the most influential forms of media on the planet.

Often, adolescents attempt to deny the impact of music on their daily lives, using phrases like "I don't listen to the words anyway", or "just because I hear it doesn't mean it affects me". When I was in Junior High ten years ago I attempted to argue that secular music should be played at my Christian schools events. I argued that I didn't listen to the words anyway, but just liked the rhythms and beats of the music. One of the teachers I was talking to combated my argument by saying "well, if you don't listen to the words anyway, then what's the difference between Christian and Secular music?" She was right: if I was in it just for the music, then why should I care if I was listening to Christian or Secular songs? The reality of it is, we do listen to the lyrics, and they do affect us. Today, the lyrics of the songs are what teens are listening too, they're not afraid to admit it, and the music is simply the outlet that they use to shout to. In addition, the lyrics of songs are much more controversial than they were 10 years ago as well, opening teens up to various new aspects of life that they must try to comprehend, and it happens at an increasingly younger age.

When I was growing up, the lines between secular and Christian music were very distinct. Those outside the church did not listen too, and for the most part, did not even know that Christian music existed. Those in the church had an overarching feeling that Christian music was their music, and any movement away from that was wrong or sinful. Today, however, the lines are not so clearly drawn.

One of the founders and arguably the most recognized name in Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), dc talk, has struck several hits on mainline secular radio stations. Ten years ago, a Christian artist targeting his or her songs at a secular audience to be played on mainline secular radio stations would have been unheard of. Michael W. Smith, another highly popular name on the CCM charts was criticized for "selling out" when his song "Place in this World" became popular on the secular radio stations. No one could predict the surge of Christian artists who would move away from their "Christian shells" and have a serious impact on Secular music culture.

Most recently, Christian artists have all but forsaken their former "Christian" record labels and have signed on with the more popular secular labels. Christian bands like P.O.D. (Payable on Death) have opened up shows for hard-core secular bands like Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock. Sixpence-none-the-Richer had a couple of hits on the secular stations back to back, with "Kiss Me" topping the charts in 1998 and "There She Goes" following suit a year later. Jars of Clay and dc talk also had several hit songs each on the secular pop charts. So if these so-called "Christian" bands are recording under secular labels for secular stations and secular audiences, then what makes them "Christian"?

Bryan Belknap, in his article "What makes music Christian?” seeks to answer this question. He notices that a recent definition of what makes an artist Christian included that an artist or band is "Christian" if they are signed with a "Christian Label". Already, most of the bands listed in the previous paragraph are excluded from this definition. Belknap calls for a refined definition of what "Christian Music" is, by saying this:

Any music in any style that supports a biblical worldview and brings listeners—both believers and non-believers—closer to Christ. It's music that prompts our creator to say, "well done". (Belknap, p. 84)

This working definition of Christian music helps to clear up some of the common misconceptions of Christian Music. Indeed, P.O.D. heralded much criticism for opening for such secular bands, but in doing so, their can be no denying that they exposed a number of fans to the Christian message who would have otherwise had no contact with it, especially in that form. In that sense, they did bring people "closer to Christ".

As human beings, our natural tendency is to try to define things that are confusing to us. Belknap's definition of what Christian music is aids us in trying to understand the phenomenon of Christian Secular Music, and yet also runs us into some other problems. A song a few years ago by the popular rock group Creed called "My Own Prison" is a good example of where Belknap's definition breaks down. A portion of the lyrics of the song goes, "I cry out to God seeking only his decision/Gabriel stands and confirms I've created my own prison". For some, this was a realization of the sin in their own life; it was true, their sin had created a prison that only God could rid them of. Others, however, saw this song as a cynical reaction to the strict devout Christian parents that lead singer Scott Stapp grew up under. Is it possible that lyrics to a song can cause some to come closer to Christ, and others to move farther away? And aside from this, who is to determine whether or not the creator has said "well done"?

It is obvious that the question of what is Christian music, and just as important, what is not Christian music is a very complicated question indeed. So how do these changing styles and definitions of music affect spiritual development? The answer is as complex as the question.

Because the lines between secular and Christian music were very drawn when I was forming my spiritual identity, it was easy to decide whether to listen to music that would edify me, or music that would bring me down. I would simply choose a Christian artist, or a secular artist. There was no in-between. Today, however, the choice is not that simple. There is not a strong distinction between much of what is biblically correct, and what sounds biblically correct. Most teens don't have enough biblical knowledge to decipher the difference even if it was clear enough to see. It is somewhat simple to see how this affects their spiritual formation.

In an article from Ebony magazine, Joy Bennet Kinnon writes about the popular R&B singer Joe. In the article, she mentions that Joe's parents are both Pentecostal Preachers. He was raised in the church, and has brought up around Gospel Music and had experience leading his church choir. Now, Joe says that he believes that "this [R&B] is my ministry now." But how do Joe's lyrics reflect his "ministry"? Joe's most recent hit song was entitled "I want to know", and though it did contain some positive messages of listening to and respecting women, there were also definite sexual undertones in the lyrics. It may leave teens questioning: does Christianity condone pre-marital sex? Is it okay for me to explore my sexual desires, and still hold firm to my Christianity? These are two conflicting messages coming from this popular artist. While it is not my place nor anyone else's to question whether Joe is a Christian, or whether he believes he is doing the Lord's work, it is still a cause of confusion for adolescents trying to form their spirituality, and sometimes, looking to music for the answers to their difficult questions.

Clearly, there can be much confusion between what is Christian music and what is not. While Christian artists broadening their horizon's into the mainstream may have a very significant impact on the culture, we need to make sure that we are not relying solely on this medium for the spiritual development of adolescents. Teens need spiritual counselor's who will help them to decipher the good from the bad in this time of spiritual confusion in general society. It is good that non-Christian teens are exposed to Christian music more now than they ever were before. But in this relativistic culture, we must make sure that Christianity does not get thrown in as just another option among many.

Works Cited

Belknap, Bryan. "What Makes Music Christian". Group Magazine, Sep. 10, 2000. 79-84

Kinnon, Joy Bennet. "Joe, Young Singer Brings Back Romance". Ebony Magazine, October 2000. 172-178

Song Lyrics from "My Own Prison", written by Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti from the Album My Own Prison, Creed. Wind-Up Records, 1992