Christian Rock Concert

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To be fair, the guy went on a little long in the beginning about good he was. It’s one thing to humbly sing your best for God, and another to brag about abilities you don’t have.
 
My Protestant wife took me to a Hillsong United concert. Not normally my cup of tea, but I did end up enjoying myself… and as we were leaving I spotted four Sisters in habits who had been in attendance.

I think it’s fine as long as you’re aware of any possible conflicts with your Catholic Faith in the messaging.
 
The main problem with Christian Rock is Christian Rock. I don’t know what it is, but they use a sound that just doesn’t appeal to me.
 
I kinda like this new one, friend of a friend plays drums, I saw this band (Frank’s Red Hots) live.

Not metal but some catchy bluesy stuff

 
on_the_hill said:
The main problem with Christian Rock is Christian Rock. I don’t know what it is, but they use a sound that just doesn’t appeal to me.
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It’s produced in a very cheesy way for starters.

I’ll take some Christian metal and some good ol’ gospel over most of the recordings of “Christian rock”.

The Christian rock songs can be decent if performed live by a band that has a guitar, bass, drums, and knows how to play well. The local parish version of “Lion and the Lamb” about blows the roof off. When I listened to the same song in studio recorded version on Youtube it was yucky. I feel the same way about most of the studio recordings of St. Louis Jesuits; we used to make them sound much better with a band of about 6 acoustic guitars and 10 girls belting out the songs.
 
Momof4 said:
I was invited to go to a Christian music concert with a group of girls who are Protestant. The group was Hillsong Young and Free which I didn’t know but I thought a night with friends would be fun and Christian music should be good for me. I found out later that the concert was at a Protestant mega church and the group We are Messengers would also be there. I hadn’t thought much about the concert until a few hours before I started wondering if this Protestant music was inline with Catholic theology. I did go to the concert and it was a very different experience for this cradle Catholic, midwestern girl. Everyone was raising their hands up above their heads and singing to the songs in worship of Jesus. Is it okay to go to a Christian rock, worship concert or did I do something wrong? Is Christian rock music good to listen to or is it like any secular music where there is some good and some not so good? It seems that Christian music should be better then a lot of pop music I listen to but I also don’t want to be worshiping God or singing along to a song that goes against my Catholic beliefs.

Thanks!
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Generally speaking, the lyrics (and the theology behind the lyrics) of most Christian Rock and Christian Pop Music isn’t too deep and almost all the time it doesn’t go against tenants, doctrine and dogmas of the Catholic Faith so it’s generally safe and okay to listen to it. It’s usually praise music (praising God) and affirming that God is the singer’s savior. Again nothing that’s contrary to Catholicism in general.
 
Mr_Freeze said:
“Christian rock” does not make Christianity any better…it just makes rock worse.
I would avoid for many reasons, both theological and artistic.
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So true!
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From that King of the Hill episode where that quote initially came from there was a touching moment (even for a non-believer like myself):

Hank pulled his son Bobby away from a Christian rock concert. Bobby was upset, but then Hank brought out a box from the garage. It had rememberances of fads past: Hank wearing a Members Only jacket. There was a photo of Bobby dressed a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. The box had Bobby’s old Tamagatchi. Hank explained that fads come and go and he wanted to make sure that the Lord didn’t end up in that box.
 
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Young and Free is Hillsong’s brand of music directed at teenagers, and it’s less rock sounding and more like trendy electropop. This is a good sample:


I think most of the lyrics are pretty theologically vague.
 
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When I get bothered about “Christian rock” being a drag, I’m reminded that there are many great songs with Jesus/ God themes that didn’t get tossed in the “Christian rock” bin. It’s just a matter of ferreting them out.

Fire and Rain - James Taylor
Psalm 9 - Trouble
After Forever - Black Sabbath
A Crick Uphill - GBV
When I Pray - Todd Rundgren
Jesus is Just All Right With Me - Doobie Brothers
Jesus - Velvet Underground
Missa Brevis - Malignus Youth
God - Prince
Jesus Christ - Big Star
Spirit in the Sky - Norman Greenbaum

I know there are a ton more out there…
 
PeterT said:
Generally speaking, the lyrics (and the theology behind the lyrics) of most Christian Rock and Christian Pop Music isn’t too deep and almost all the time it doesn’t go against tenants, doctrine and dogmas of the Catholic Faith so it’s generally safe and okay to listen to it. It’s usually praise music (praising God) and affirming that God is the singer’s savior. Again nothing that’s contrary to Catholicism in general.
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There are occasional theological problems though. For example there is one song by Jaci Velasquez (whom I like) that contains the line “impossible to fall from grace”. (It’s off her Diamond album) Obviously a Catholic would disagree with that.
 
Mr_Freeze said:
“Christian rock” does not make Christianity any better…it just makes rock worse.
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This is a direct quote of Hank Hill from King of the Hill. He told this to Bobby. Lol! And I absolutely agree.
 
I agree

It’s not my cup of tea but if you like it go ahead and listen.
 
Momof4 said:
I did go to the concert and it was a very different experience for this cradle Catholic, midwestern girl.
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It’s good to experience different things. Also Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

I don’t listen to Christian Rock but there’s nothing sinful about it. I’m not sure why you would even suspect this? Unless it was blatantly Anti Catholic.
TheLittleLady said:
Mocking people who are genuinely trying is simply cruel.
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Well said.
 
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I guess if you enjoy it, then there is nothing wrong with going to these concerts. The only thing I would do is check to see if the people performing have written anything against the Church.

For example, Keith Green was pretty outspoken against Catholicism, so you wouldn’t want to give money to someone who feels that way about your faith, I assume.
 
QwertyGirl said:
It is all just so embarrassing
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My older brother, the Catholic one, says it just gives people one more reason to stay away from church. Search You Tube for Christian Break Dancing and you’ll see what he means. LOL
 
Momof4 said:
I was just trying to have a night out with friends. I have learned I need to do a little more research before I just say “sure I’ll go listen to music”. I don’t think I will go to another one of these concerts. I really just listened, clapped along some and tried to take it all in. I am just wondering if this is ok for Catholics to do?
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Haven’t read the whole thread yet–sorry. Have to get ready for Mass!

Our parish sends youth groups to these concerts–the ones that are done by Catholic rock artists! They sing along and do the hand raising and the whole deal!

I believe that Christian rock is offered at the Steubenville youth conference (I’m 62, so not likely that I will show up at one of those conferences. I don’t think I would get anyone to believe that I’m a teenager!)

Try Matt Maher and Audrey Aussad! I especially love Audrey Aussad’s music because she plays piano and sings! Many of her songs are ancient texts (religious, of course) set to pop/rock music. Really deep stuff.

A lot of Evangelical Protestant and Pentecostal Protestant churches have their own Christian rock bands (not just Praise and Worship bands, but real honest-to-goodness rock or even rhythm and blues bands!), so you might have attended one of these concerts. I personally would avoid this if I were you (unless you are interested in the music business and following the careers of your local musicians–I am interested in this in our city because I play piano).

But if the Christian rock band is nationally or internationally known, I see no reason to avoid the concert if you enjoy this style of music. Just be aware of the lyrics. I think it’s GOOD for knowledgeable Catholics to challenge their faith by putting it up against Protestant teachings and figuring out what’s lacking in the Protestant teachings. I also think that Catholics should be prepared to give an ANSWER to Protestants who challenge their faith. There are plenty of good Catholic apologists (e.g., Tim Staples) who have written wonderful books and have CDs out there that are written for laypeople, not seminary students, and these resources can help you to prepare to talk with your Protestant friends. You might be the catalyst for their becoming Catholic (you and the Holy Spirit using you to teach them the truth about Christianity!).
 
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