Perhaps, some of you have heard of this radio station called K-Love. It’s a national radio station that plays all Christian music. It plays artists like Chris Tomlin. Mercy Me, Casting Crowns, stuff like that. When you listen to this station, it is clear that the people on the station and the music artists are not Catholic. Some of the stuff they say does contradict Cathlolic teaching. Is this type of music good for Catholics to listen to or is it something that should be avoided?
During a time when I was transitioning from being a Catholic by habit and upbringing to a Catholic by choice I listened to a lot of Christian rock. I listened because of their joy and commitment to the Lord.
I don’t know the answer to that…but I always thought it was funny because to me…City on Our Knees by TobyMac…describes the Mass:D
Non-Catholic Christian music is at least as okay as secular music for Catholics to listen to. In many cases preferable since there is a distinct absence of profanity and other objectionable content.
I have found some songs to illustrate Catholic theology beautifully. But you should always by on guard as other songs actually are subtly contrary to sound doctrine (this is due to their insistence on personal interpretation).
Until a Catholic station started broadcasting in my area, my radio was tuned to either K-Love or Air1 (their edgier sister network).
Christian music is outstanding and I love the inspiration of messages by Joyce Meyer as well,
Depends, actually.
A blanket “YES IT IS ALL OK” is not good direction. Same when it comes to non-denominational/protestant preachers. Coming from a background in Christian media I would advise you to be careful in your choices 'cause it’s not all the same. There’s good and there’s bad.
I don’t see why not? It is made for God. Certainly we have our disagreements with Protestants but we cannot deny they are our brothers and sisters in Christ and they too seek to praise Him.
I wouldn’t, necessarily, care to hear their music in Mass (it tends to be very self centered - look what God did for me, look what God does for me, look what God can do for me, etc. or they tend to be too upbeat. Music that makes me dance isn’t really appropriate at the feet of our Lord bleeding on the cross… don’t you think?), but when I’m hanging around the house I love any kind of Christian music (rock, etc) that uplifts my mind and soul to our Lord. 
I often belt out Protestant choruses while cleaning the house. Some of them will always have a special place in my heart.
PS: I would NOT seek this station for advice for anything spiritual and I would take their theology with a huge grain of salt but if you’re just listening to the music, I don’t see the harm.
I know that there are some Catholic artists on K-Love such as Matt Mahr (spelling?).
I think that a lot of the Christian music is beautiful. I really don’t know the answer to your question, however I do know that if it puts our hearts in a spirit of prayer and increases our desire to go to Mass – then it is okay. Many of the Christian songs for me are like prayers and are a great way to pray while in the car. Interestingly some of the lyrics come from the Catholic liturgy and some of the protestant/non-denominationals might not realize this.
Neden
For those of you who wonder if ‘Christian’ music is okay for Catholics, just listen to Be Born In Me by Francesca Battistelli.
I’m pretty sure she isn’t Catholic but the song is amazing and would make a fantastic communion song.
Look at it this way…
There is less objectionable material in standard christian music then there is in secular music.
I think you answered your own question.
Luna
what does “okay” mean?
is it a sin? no?
can perhaps 5% of the lyrics be a danger to the faith of an uneducation Catholic? possibly if they even listen closely to the words and are not taking any steps to further their Christian formation.
Is it beneficial compared to the other garbage on the airwaves? most definitely. If you don’t have access to Catholic radio it is a great alternative, but be careful of the talk shows by non-Catholic preachers.
Use your best judgement. No need to be overly concerned.
I do wish there were more Catholic artists, though. There are so many Catholics in the world, why so few Catholic artists? Matt Mahr’s name pops up over and over again, but not much else… I don’t get it! BTW Matt is very good… very creative, just not my style of music.
I really wish I was the artistic type, because I would do it myself.
Well, you just named 3 of the best artists/bands in Christian music, so it can’t be that bad of a station 
As a poster above said, there are some songs that are a little self-centered. Most of them though will be songs about God or prayer songs (songs directed to God). Just remember that they’re not meant to be theology lessons and you should be fine.
Is it really ok for Catholics? Well, for some perspective, we just had a conference here in Canada (Rise Up) that had a lot of time dedicated to prayer through singing these types of songs (it was actually mostly Hillsong, which would probably prompt several people on this forums to immediately call the Bishop. You didn’t have to look far, he was sitting in the front row about to give a talk :p). Over the 5(ish) days, it would add up to several hours worth (including some during adoration one evening). It’s not everyone’s cup of tea and some people are (visibly) uncomfortable with it, but there’s nothing wrong with it.
I love Contemporary Christian Music. Now that I am in RCIA I listen more as I know longer attend contemporary worship at my old church and I don’t hear it at church anymore. Actually as an incoming Catholic I find significance in the lyrics I did not sense before even if the artists themselves wern’t thinking in Catholic terms. Songs like Here With Me by Mercy Me or Heart of Worship by Michae W. Smith remind me of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament. I think listening to music that glorifies God while working or driving around is a good thing!
Val
I was listening to the local Catholic station yesterday and they played one of Mercy Me’s songs as an interlude between programs. 
I absolutely love this song especially for married couples! Here’s the link on you tube.
youtube.com/watch?v=NtTa81LyuQM
Here are the lyrics
I was nineteen, you were twenty-one
The year we got engaged
Everyone said we were much too young
But we did it anyway
We bought our rings for forty each
From a pawn shop down the road
We made our vows and took the leap
Now fifteen years ago
We went dancing in the minefields
We went sailing in the storm
And it was harder than we dreamed
But I believe that’s what the promise is for
“I do” are the two most famous last words
The beginning of the end
But to lose your life for another I’ve heard
Is a good place to begin
'Cause the only way to find your life
Is to lay your own life down
And I believe it’s an easy price
For the life that we have found
And we’re dancing in the minefields
We’re sailing in the storm
This is harder than we dreamed
But I believe that’s what the promise is for
So when I lose my way, find me
When I loose love’s chains, bind me
At the end of all my faith, till the end of all my days
When I forget my name, remind me
'Cause we bear the light of the Son of Man
So there’s nothing left to fear
So I’ll walk with you in the shadowlands
Till the shadows disappear
'Cause he promised not to leave us
And his promises are true
So in the face of all this chaos, baby,
I can dance with you
Matt Maher is a Catholic on Spirit 105.3
Great lyrics.
I have a group here called God in Pop Music, with some great lyrics posted on that as well.
Click on my name, go to Group Memberships and click on God In Pop Music, if you wish.
Gads, I hope so. I listen to Christian metal, and wouldnt trade that for anything. I’d much rather listen to Demon Hunter over Rob Zombie, Becoming the Archetype over Cannibal Corpse. (you get the idea:D)
Perhaps because the church is officially hostile or at best indifferent to pop music styles being played in her churches? I remember back to my high school jazz band most of the kids who were featured as soloist back then had already earned their performance experience by playing in church. As they grew up most would go into secular music but some remain in Christian music and those kids who grew up playing popular styles of music for their local church are now the source of CCM, Urban gospel, Christian Rock and Hip-Hop that Christian popular music stations play…