Why is “Christian” Music so Awful?

[Kouyate42]

I used to be a worship musician and to be fair, most of what I played was terrible. But I’d be wrong if there weren’t the odd times that I heard and played some very moving, powerful songs too.

 

[Lochias]

I’m a little mixed on what I think of the stuff, and it’s mostly colored by experience with people who drank CCM like it was spring water, “loved on Jesus”, and were ultimately very, very shallow and cruel. That’s not any real metric to judge by, but it does make many of those songs extremely hard to listen to.

If I listen to any kind of contemporary Christian stuff these days, it’s usually Thrice. Their messages have some actual depth to them, and sometimes are positively Catholic in their execution.

Otherwise, I love my beautiful Catholic hymns and liturgical music.

 

[LittleSoldier]

I grew up with Gregorian Chant, hymns in Latin, and all that. And much of it is beautiful and moving and touches my soul.

I listen to Country Christian music. And much of it is beautiful and moving and touches my soul - especially when performed by people such as Collin Raye (who is Catholic).

I also listen to Classical Christian music, such as *Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring *by J.S. Bach. And much of it is beautiful and moving and touches my soul.

Different people like different forms of music. As long as it is beautiful and moving and touches one’s soul it can’t be bad.

Unless it’s rap. Or disco. But we’re past disco, right? That just leaves rap. Uck. I don’t mean that. I do loathe it but if someone finds it beautiful and moving and it touches his/her soul it can’t be bad.

But if I EVER hear our awful choir sing about the “cherAbim” again I am going to start screaming and pulling my hair out! It’s “cherUbim!” Get it straight, people!!!

 

[Elisabeth51]

Translation: Here I am to be entertained

Translation: Just kidding. Bowing would be too Catholic

Translation: Because You need my permission.

Perfect I’ve had the same thoughts on that particular song.

I have never liked the contemporary, when I was Protestant I preferred the old hymns, I remember once as a child sitting and reading through the hymnal and reading the tiny print…all my favourites were based on chant, attributed to Catholic authors, hymnals, etc. I always found most of the contemporary music to be shallow and/or towards “I” rather than worshipping God. And no one would ever tell me why we didn’t every kneel or bow when we constantly said that in the “7-11” songs (seven words repeated 11 times).

Too many think they’re there to be entertained and it’s a performance.

 

[septimine]

I think the reason that a lot of Christian media sucks is that for the makers of the media, it’s all about the message. It’s as though they think that if a piece – be it TV, movie, music, or game – is not explicit in being Christian, it’s not Christian at all. I think it’s a wrong assumption, the most powerful pieces of media are those that deal with a theme, not those that thwack you over the head with it. Christian media is about hitting its themes hard, don’t want people mistaking it for devil music. so it’s so into giving the message that it forgets to be other things as well. Like good music. Most of them are not that great of musicians. Not much of an ear. It’s like 4 chords tops.

 

[batman1973]

I listen to Christian metal, metalcore, Christian (un) black metal, and Christian Deathmetal. nothing awful about it.

 

[Diana_Catherine]

Ditto. I couldn’t stand singing the same awful 5 songs every week. I used to purposely come in late, or be a greeter outside, just to avoid hearing

“Here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
All together worthy,
All together wonderful to me”

For the umpteenth time! Yuck!!

I know exactly what you mean. I used to go hide in the restroom.

Here is a Parody of Evangelical Church worship by some Evangelicals
youtu.be/3RJBd8zE48A Looks like the Christian community out here called Reality L.A. !!

Oh my gosh, love that.

 

[Diana_Catherine]

Aww how could you guys not love this?].

ha ha, funny.

But outside of the group I rather get into a prayerful mood by listening to this.

Awesome.

 

[Jessup]

I grew up listening to all kinds of music. But most often I listend to Oi! and street punk/ metal ect. With you being on the topic of Christian music, there are some hard core bands that are typically slanged called Christ core.
Its a lot of the same hard core music with out all the pessimist lyrics to go with it. But rather mostly songs filled with more positive lyrics and moral. But at the same time not overly preachy, like you’d find in a lot of old school country. I don’t personally think that the genre has a place in a church as much as it does a weight room or i-pod.
But; wI don’t get is why this genre isn’t recognized by the Christian community?

 

[smp501]

I listen to Christian metal, metalcore, Christian (un) black metal, and Christian Deathmetal. nothing awful about it.

batman, you are my type of guy. Seriously, though, not all Christian music is Hillsong/Cris Tomlin/Casting Crowns-style garbage. I grew up Evangelical and burned out of that stuff early on. Rich Mullins is my one exeption

Some artists have really deep lyrics, or lyrics that are not expressly Christian but are deep and contemplative. Bands like Extol, Living Sacrifice, Soul Embraced, and As I Lay Dying are just a few examples.

 

[Kristin234]

Translation: Here I am to be entertained

Iggy, SO TRUE!!!

Yeah except it really isnt “SO TRUE!!”

My church plays music like that and some weeks, a lot of weeks, they play hymns. Sometimes it is just 1 song and sometimes it is 5. I do not go to church to be entertained. I go to church to worship God with all of my heart whether it is by singing the same “awful” songs or just by praying.

I am insulted that people accuse us that we only go to church to be entertained because we sing songs like that. I know a lot of people that say they actually prefer the old hymns over songs like that, so no most of us do not go to church to be entertained.

 

[Kristin234]

batman, you are my type of guy. Seriously, though, not all Christian music is Hillsong/Cris Tomlin/Casting Crowns-style garbage. I grew up Evangelical and burned out of that stuff early on. Rich Mullins is my one exeption .

Oh wow. I don’t care if you think the music is horrible because everyone has their own opinions, and sure some of the songs can be annoying after a while, but calling something garbage when it is about loving, worshiping, and praising Him is really sad.

 

[prodigalson2011]

Yeah except it really isnt “SO TRUE!!”

My church plays music like that and some weeks, a lot of weeks, they play hymns. Sometimes it is just 1 song and sometimes it is 5. I do not go to church to be entertained. I go to church to worship God with all of my heart whether it is by singing the same “awful” songs or just by praying.

I am insulted that people accuse us that we only go to church to be entertained because we sing songs like that. I know a lot of people that say they actually prefer the old hymns over songs like that, so no most of us do not go to church to be entertained.

I’m going to side with you on this one. I think it is a bit presumptuous and very disrespectful to assume that anyone who enjoys that kind of music of only going to church to be entertained. In fact, I have no doubt in my mind that many people who attend just such churches are extremely devoted Christians.

I say this with the caveat that, as a Catholic, I don’t believe that CCM belongs in the Holy Mass.

 

[prodigalson2011]

Oh wow. I don’t care if you think the music is horrible because everyone has their own opinions, and sure some of the songs can be annoying after a while, but calling something garbage when it is about loving, worshiping, and praising Him is really sad.

I have to agree with this, too. The tendency to mock and demean others’ means of expressing or experiencing their faith is wholly unChristian, in my opinion. Though I must also admit that I have some reservations about the motives of much of the Christian music industry. But if someone genuinely enjoys the music for spiritual reasons, all the better for them.

I, myself, most regularly listen to jazz, fusion, classical, or more experimental types of rock music (prog, psychedelia, indie), but there are a good handful or two of CCM artists I have come to really like, including that horrible Casting Crowns.

 

[MartinJordan]

Why is “Christian” music so awful?

Because those songs all pale in comparison to my signature

MJ

 

[Lochias]

Oh wow. I don’t care if you think the music is horrible because everyone has their own opinions, and sure some of the songs can be annoying after a while, but calling something garbage when it is about loving, worshiping, and praising Him is really sad.

To add my own two cents, I don’t think the music is all that bad, for what it is. I do think, however, that such songs are ultimately rather shallow, in terms of what they can offer a person of faith. Part of why I love the hymns and liturgical music of the Catholic Church is because it serves, in part, as instruction and encouragement in the ways of our faith, not just as a simple statement of loyalty or pleasure or love.

I’m not running such statements down, and I think they certainly have their place, but actions have always spoken louder than words for me, and songs that help me to know how to act, and give me strength to do so, are much more important to me.

 

[Slinger]

To add my own two cents, I don’t think the music is all that bad, for what it is. I do think, however, that such songs are ultimately rather shallow, in terms of what they can offer a person of faith. Part of why I love the hymns and liturgical music of the Catholic Church is because it serves, in part, as instruction and encouragement in the ways of our faith, not just as a simple statement of loyalty or pleasure or love.

I’m not running such statements down, and I think they certainly have their place, but actions have always spoken louder than words for me, and songs that help me to know how to act, and give me strength to do so, are much more important to me.

While the content of the songs are typically simple they are chosen for that fact because it allows a person to easily learn the words and be able to focus their mind on the Lord in worship. That is what we are encouraged to do where I attend church. Substance is given in the teaching.

I guess you could compare it to Catholics praying using the rosary. I have read on this site that the repetitive prayer allows one to focus their mind on the Lord and not having to think of what they are going to say next.

 

[Lochias]

While the content of the songs are typically simple they are chosen for that fact because it allows a person to easily learn the words and be able to focus their mind on the Lord in worship. That is what we are encouraged to do where I attend church. Substance is given in the teaching.

I guess you could compare it to Catholics praying using the rosary. I have read on this site that the repetitive prayer allows one to focus their mind on the Lord and not having to think of what they are going to say next.

I can understand this viewpoint, though I am not sure I can get behind it completely. Being as it’s late, I’m not sure I’ll make the attempt tonight concerning the CCM music + substance only in the teaching. Too many cobwebs.

I will say that the comparison to the Rosary isn’t very apt, at least in my experience. In terms of focus, I am very aware of what the prayers are, as their content is what helps me to meditate on the life, ministries and death of Jesus through the various Mysteries of the Rosary. And, too, the Rosary’s form came about partially as a shorting of the Psalter, which was/is reciting ALL the Psalms in one go, so it’s a little like comparing apples to oranges.

Thank you for your words, whatever conclusion I may come to. I appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut as, to be frank, such explanation and dialogue without rancor helps me to build my trust in my brothers and sisters in Christ across the Tiber again. God bless ya.

 

[Slinger]

I can understand this viewpoint, though I am not sure I can get behind it completely. Being as it’s late, I’m not sure I’ll make the attempt tonight concerning the CCM music + substance only in the teaching. Too many cobwebs.

I will say that the comparison to the Rosary isn’t very apt, at least in my experience. In terms of focus, I am very aware of what the prayers are, as their content is what helps me to meditate on the life, ministries and death of Jesus through the various Mysteries of the Rosary. And, too, the Rosary’s form came about partially as a shorting of the Psalter, which was/is reciting ALL the Psalms in one go, so it’s a little like comparing apples to oranges.

Thank you for your words, whatever conclusion I may come to. I appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut as, to be frank, such explanation and dialogue without rancor helps me to build my trust in my brothers and sisters in Christ across the Tiber again. God bless ya.

I agree the comparison is apples and oranges but the thought behind it is similar. I can only base that on a comment I read from this site though so you can take that with a grain of salt!

I think it is difficult to understand people being critical of one style of music over another when it really depends on what a person makes of it. One CCM song can “entertain” someone and to another it becomes an avenue to worship the Lord. One solemn hymn can be sung by someone without feeling or understanding while to another it speaks a blessing. It really is what you make of it.

I count it a blessing that variety is out there to serve the varied needs of all Christians!

 

[kslat]

I can sympathize, but I’ve found a few exceptions. J.J. Heller is pretty good; she’s more Christian-folk than Christian-rock or pop though. Audrey Assad, a Catholic musician, also writes some pretty sophisticated, top-tier pop, though I’d call it more adult-contemporary than pop.

Oh my goodness, thank you for these two. Looked up Audrey Assad first, fell in love. Way past my bedtime, but just looked up J.J. Heller and she’s great too.

Chris Rice has some nice stuff, as well.

I love “Lemonade.” Not a huge fan of the other stuff I’ve heard of his, but that’s not much.