Christian Music

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mango_2003

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What are all of your thoughts on Christian music. I LOVE it. I used to loathe it back in the day, but now I love bands like Skillet, Reliant K, DC Talk, Newsboys and others.

What do you all think about it. I’m especially interested in Roman Catholic (name removed by moderator)ut.

~mango~
 
We are fortuneate, no, blessed to have the quality and quantity of Christian music available today. While my personal tastes may vary from yours, (I like Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, Silars Bald, Big Daddy Weave, Kutless, etc.) I’m thankful for the availability of such positive and well crafted music. I don’t think of the music much in terms whether it is Catholic. But, I know Michael Talbott is a Catholic who performs contemporary Christian music. I also understand that Rich Mullins was well on his way to conversion to the Catholic Church prior to his untimely death.
 
Sorry, Mango, I’m not a CCM fan at all. I think the last really good CCM artist died outside of Peoria, Illinois.

I used to love 2nd Chapter of Acts and Keith Green. I guess I’m still stuck in the 80s. (I’m 47.)

I still love Larry Norman’s music and testimony, and I saw him in person a few years ago. Last I heard, he was in very poor health with a heart condition.

I’m not saying that others should stay away from CCM or that it is “bad.” I just don’t care for it. My kids used to play a game called “Girl or God.” They put together snippets of songs, and then asked, “Is it talking about a girl (or guy) or God?” It’s amazing how most of the time, you really couldn’t tell. CCM is often very “fluffy,” and I dislike anything “fluffy” (except marshmallow peeps).

Soapbox. One thing I will say and stand by: rock music is NOT good for little children (up through age 5). It is not melodic, it is far too polyphonic for them to be able to hear a melody, therefore it fails to train a child’s musical ear. I really encourage parents to keep their children away from rock music, even children’s rock music, until they are old enough to process it. Stay with simple, one or at most, two voice (voice and piano, voice and guitar, violin and piano, etc.) music pieces for your children. I work with children in a (secular) community choir, and believe me, we can tell when a child has been raised on rock music. They can’t sing.
 
Depends. I really like a lot of the praise and worship music (in the vein of Awesome God, Shout To The Lord, etc), but I really dislike what I call “testimony songs” (“I was lost, la la la, but now I have Jesus in my life, la la la”). It comes across to me as rather self-absorbed. I also see little value in “kerygma” songs where an attempt is made to deliver the entire gospel in 3 1/2 minutes (“We are all sinners, do de do; Jesus came to save us do de do”). As a Christian, it is much too basic. When I was a non-Christian, it grinded on me as preachiness.

I also tend to like songs that have a challenging message. The aforementioned Rich Mullins was a master at this.

I hasten to add, by the way, I speak entirely from personal preference and not as a put-down of those who have different tastes. 🙂
 
I dislike most of the so-called “praise music” and other CCM I have heard, simply because it is not very good music - kind of tired and trite and predictable.
Instead, I listen to a lot of bluegrass music - much of which has a gospel message. It has so much variety and really great musicianship that I never grow tired of it. Also, the kind of faith-based subjects, conflicts and feelings expressed in traditional bluegrass are usually much deeper and more mature than those in CCM. But then again, I’m an old fogie so my opinion doesn’t count for much. 🙂
Paul
 
As a former Presbyterian, I have my sentimental favorites from my high school days. But other than those, it all sounds so similar to secular pop music, what’s the point? I like the Old Amy Grant (Lead Me On), a few Michael W. Smith songs (his instrumental stuff particularly), but I LOVE Steve Taylor, why doesn’t HE make more records?

I do also like some of Michael Card’s music, particularly Starkindler and the CD he made with Catholic musician John Michael Talbot “Brother to Brother.” But he is not particularly popular in the CCM sense, that is, you don’t hear him played on the radio. When I was a kid I used to like Benny Hester and Psalty. Anyone remember them?!

Nowadays, I only turn on Christian pop music radio if my kids are in the car and they are tired of listening to Catholic Answers or if the topic of the day is inappropriate for them. Otherwise, I listen to classical or a CD. Disney Princesses vol. 2 again anyone?

I do understand that CCM serves a purpose in providing clean content for those who enjoy that kind of music. But it’s not for me and I am only 32. Guess they figure people my age are too broke buying diapers and paying the mortgage to shell out money for new music CDs. They’re right!
 
I guess I am a middle aged reactionary.

Palestrina, anyone?

Justin
 
Love most all christian music. I finally have a great station for my kids and I to listen to.
 
I actually used to dislike Christian music…and then while flipping stations I heard a song I liked…and began to listen for it. Then I heard a song that made me cry. Little by little it grew on me and now I listen to it a lot.

I like Sela, Point of Grace (although I recently bought a CD as I like a song that’s on it…but it’s very Pop-like…not the recording I enjoyed.). I also enjoy Michael W. Smith and a few random others. I’ve found some groups to be “One-hit Wonders” but I guess that doesn’t really differ from a lot of secular groups.

I, too, enjoy Bluegrass and the spiritual message that accompanies a lot of the music.

Some music is inspired, some is cheap and boring, even trite, but in my humble opinion, if it reaches one soul and pulls it toward Jesus, then it has done its job. 🙂
 
The Hidden Life:
I do also like some of Michael Card’s music, particularly Starkindler and the CD he made with Catholic musician John Michael Talbot “Brother to Brother.” But he is not particularly popular in the CCM sense, that is, you don’t hear him played on the radio. When I was a kid I used to like Benny Hester and Psalty. Anyone remember them?!
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Hello,

Michael Card is definitely one of my favorites as is John Michael Talbot. I’ve been listening to both of them for years and, you’re right, they aren’t popular with the modern CCM crowd. For those of you who aren’t familiar with them, give them a listen. They are two of the most lyrically sound folks I know.

Do I remember Psalty? My kids grew up on that stuff 👍 I still have some of the videos and cassette tapes tucked away downstairs. I even have the last Psalty video where he is more “animatronic,” meaning that he looks more like a real book and not some bearded dude (Ernie Rettino) with his head sticking out of the spine of the book 😃

Benny Hester? I loved his music, especially “Nobody Knows Me Like You”,“When God Ran”, and “To Fill Our Empty Hearts.” I still own the albums. He left the Christian music scene to produce a kids show for Nickelodeon called “Roundhouse” which was pretty popular in the mid-90’s, but recently came back to the music. Fact is, Crystal Lewis, another CCM artist, was part of the cast of Roundhouse. Benny’s website is here: Benny.

Peace,
CM
 
In addition to my previous post, I should also add that while much CCM is pleasant to listen to, as Catholics we should be aware that most of it is by Evangelical Protestants and that the lyrics often reflect, sometimes very subtly, their theological views. I don’t criticize them for doing this, but it is there. An example is a song from a few years ago called Wish We’d All Been Ready, which is a song about the Rapture and the remorse of those who will be “Left Behind.” This reflects a “Rapture theology” that is against Church teaching in several ways.See here for more details:

carl-olson.com/rapture_articles.html

There are several examples I could cite where you hear doctrines like Faith Alone, Scripture Alone, Once Saved Always Saved, etc, but you get the idea. Like I said, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying this type of music, but it should be done with a critical ear.
 
I also like the newsboys. I also like carmen, 4-him, and michael W. Smith. Third day also is pretty good. I also think that Josh Groban’s song “you raise me up” is very beautiful.Being catholic I also have to like John Michael Talbolt.
 
First of all…hi to the forums…yeah, now that that’s out of the way…being a teenager, I love Jump5 and Avalon ( I listen to a variety of it all, but I like Jump5 and Avalon the most!)
 
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1962Missal:
I guess I am a middle aged reactionary.

Palestrina, anyone?

Justin
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I tend to fall into the same category. I prefer my worship music to be a bit more “sacred” if that’s the right word. Nothing against modern christian music, it seems to be pretty well done.

I have a problem listening to christian rock music. I guess I have trouble with rock music with christian lyrics. For some reason it just creates a certain “cognitive dissonance” in me. Just a bit too weird grooving on rock with a religious theme. I guess growing up on rock in the 70’s I expect it to be a certain way.

I like my rock & roll like rock and my sacred music sacred.

I know, I’m weird. Comes with age, I guess. :whacky:
 
I’m an old guy (44) and still really like CCM. I also like the praise and worship stuff and go back and forth between them. I’ve always been a big music fan, but decided over 20 years ago to start listening exclusively to CCM when possible. It just helps me keep my mind on Christ. With most groups, though, I find the lyrics to be very Protestant, theologically. I wish those Catholics artists would get with the program! 😃
 
I like some Christian artists but when I hear FFH Fly Away, I have to shut off the song because it is not BIbical.
(The Rapture).

Here is a suggested website:
sacredheartradio.net/
Check it out!

Go with God!
Edwin
 
Well, this is a bit of a late response to this thread, but I have been intrigued by Mango 2003’s posts, so I thought I would respond.

I like contemporary Christian music. I especially liked it when I was in my 20’s, as I could listen to a pop-style that I enjoy but not have to hear about sex all the time. As I’ve mentioned in other threads, I listened to evangelical Christian radio for years before we had Christian radio in our area, and I still listen to certain programs and when the Catholic radio programming doesn’t interest me.

Wayne Watson is my favorite Christian artist. I recognize some subtle non or anti-Catholic theology occasionally (but nothing I can be sure of), but his music focuses clearly on walking with Christ. I like “A Beautiful Place,” “Almighty God,” “Master’s Hand,” and “Walk in the Dark,” among others.

Ellen
 
Ellen Marie:
Wayne Watson is my favorite Christian artist. I recognize some subtle non or anti-Catholic theology occasionally (but nothing I can be sure of), but his music focuses clearly on walking with Christ. I like “A Beautiful Place,” “Almighty God,” “Master’s Hand,” and “Walk in the Dark,” among others.
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Great choice 👍 Wayne Watson is one of my favorites too. I particularly like songs like “Born In Zion,” “New Lives For Old,” and “Water-Colored Ponies”, but can honestly say I love them all. I don’t know where you hear any anti-Catholic messages though :confused:

Peace,
CM
 
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Churchmouse:
I don’t know where you hear any anti-Catholic messages though :confused: CM
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I would love to be talked out of this one. In one of his songs (I can’t remember which, but I think it’s on the A Beautiful Place album), he has a line about seeing a picture or a statue of “Jesus on the Cross,” but then saying “but if He still is hanging there I’m helpless, I am lost.” I found this to be a reference to the crucifix, and I know that many protestants object to this image. Otherwise, I just love his music. I find it inspiring, encouraging, and challenging. I also like “When God’s People Pray,” and “Home Free.”

Ellen
 
Ellen Marie:
I would love to be talked out of this one.
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Your wish is my command 👍
In one of his songs (I can’t remember which, but I think it’s on the A Beautiful Place album), he has a line about seeing a picture or a statue of “Jesus on the Cross,” but then saying “but if He still is hanging there I’m helpless, I am lost.” I found this to be a reference to the crucifix, and I know that many protestants object to this image. Otherwise, I just love his music. I find it inspiring, encouraging, and challenging. I also like “When God’s People Pray,” and “Home Free.”
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Well, I’m not familiar with those lyrics, but remember Wayne doesn’t write all his lyrics and not all his songs are his own. Secondly, I don’t know how you got the impression that this could possibly be anti-Catholic and it doesn’t sound like he’s referring to the crucifix, but rather to how Christ conquered death. If Christ were still hanging on the cross and never conquered death, we’re all lost. I truly believe that’s what he meant to convey.

“Home Free”? That’s a great song 👍 What about “Somewhere In The World”? Any parent with a growing child can relate to that song.

Peace,
CM
 
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