What Makes Music Christian? Part 1
Some say that Rock music is the devil’s music. Some say that only organ-playing choir songs can be Christian music. Some even go as far as say, “Music is entertainment therefore, it doesn’t honor God, only our voices.” Yet one of the loudest thoughts out there today is that only hymns are ‘worthy enough’ to be sung to God.
Is this because we get buried within a ritualistic ‘traditional’ mindset? I mean, history tells us that some of the tunes and arrangements of songs we call hymns were taken from old bar tunes… an idea which sounds like opening comments found in several Psalms to me, as well as countless songs by today’s Christian artists.
As a teenager and later as a worship leader, I struggled to find music to express my own experience with Jesus that will share my heart. All the while trying not to become stuck in a box creating a ‘formula presentation’ to follow perceived tradition. Everyone wants to be the one to break the chains that lock us to all that. Some push the boundaries in the attempt, but many simply acquiesce because that’s “just the way it's always been done.”
As I have moved through this life working at Effect Radio previously, now back after 20 years, as well as running tours, a band, producing music and leading worship in the time I was away from the Effect, I have come to realize the grip that certain production formulas have on people. I’ve begun to learn how hard people fight to maintain nostalgia rather than to become part of a God-given, God-created change in our creativity.
Music, like radio, can be nostalgic. Because it can ‘take us back’ we have a tendency to become trapped within reminiscences of what once was. Perhaps we tie our ‘type’ of music, what we like, or our preferred ‘worship music’ style, to memories and feelings now past. Is that what causes us to create a limited definition of what Christian music should be?
Possibly. Over the years, fellowship with youth pastors/youth leaders, younger worship leaders and even young pastors, reveals that approach is far too common. It produces rejection. Rejection, by the church establishment, of the gift that God has given seems to be the very heart of the struggle. That kind of rejection is the bane of existence to the young men and women who are called to the service of our Lord. If you’ve encountered it, let me encourage you to lean upon 1st Timothy 4:12.
Peter was taught by God through his dream in Acts 11:9 “But the Voice from heaven spoke again: Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” That idea applies not only to things given by Him, but especially where we return those things to Him for His glory! Isaiah 43 and Revelation 21 speak of God being more than just ‘okay’ with change. “Behold, I make all things new...” Consider Peter’s dream, and God’s promise of making – or – remaking things new and hear Ephesians 1:10, “And this is the plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and earth.”
Dare I say it? If a believer created music of any sort and has the courage to share what God has done in them with his brothers and sisters, and even share that with the World, is it Christian music?
The answer may be found in these questions. Does it reflect the heart of God? Does it encourage people or meet God in their place? Let’s not forget one of the Holy Spirit’s main works for followers of Jesus. Does it provide comfort? Is God honored? If yes, we must stop trying to tear down what God has made clean and new. Instead, let’s follow Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.”
