Question:

Dear Rich,

I'll touch on a favorite area of yours. I've always loved good music of all kinds (i.e.- secular and Christian), but appreciate Christian music that builds faith and allows musicians to explore their musical gifts. Particularly in light of recent choices made by Christian artists (divorce, etc.) and the shallow messages of a large number of Christian artists, why is it so difficult to find fulfilling Christian music? Even outside of shallow lyrics, what should our attitude/response be toward artists who continue to produce "Christian" music after divorcing their spouse, having an affair, etc.? What Biblical standard should they be held to? Of course we must accept genuine repentance, but am I looking in the wrong places or is my sincerity shifting into pickiness in lyrical messages? Many of the big-name artists seem to fail to understand even basic fundamental truths and fall into shallow messages.

For his kingdom,

J_________

My Answer:

Dear J_______,

The answer to your question revolves around the reason for Contemporary Christian Music. Is CCM truly an ordained ministry of God or is it merely clean entertainment for Christians? I submit that, for the most part, CCM is primarily good clean entertainment. And like any good entertainment, it occasionally uplifts.

At the very least, those involved in CCM, who claim to be Christians, should be held to the same standards other Christians are. They should be expected to live a godly, humble life, following the commands of Christ their King. And, like all Christians, we should expect them to fall short at times.

However, if CCM truly is a ministry, then the artists should be held to even higher standards -- the standards that Christian leaders must maintain. They should be expected to live up to the qualifications listed for pastors, elders, and teachers (1 Tim. 3:1-14; Titus 1:5-9), not because they are pastors, but because they are perceived as spokespersons and leaders of the Christian community. Like Paul, they should "give no cause for offense in anything, in order that the ministry be not discredited, but in everything commend themselves as servants of God" (2 Cor. 6:3-4).

The problem for most artists can be summarized in this one fact: Contemporary Christian Music is big business! Because of this it is largely market-driven. When the market defines what is good, truth usually suffers -- truth has never "sold" too well with consumers! Even though many in CCM state that their goal is to minister Christ, the bottom line is profit. Do their records and concerts draw profit or result in loss? However, before we are too hard on CCM, we must remember that a large section of Evangelical churches are also market-driven due to the influence of church-growth gurus like George Barna and Bill Hybels. The difference in the church is that the profit is not actually dollars but larger congregations! But the motive behind both is the same: find out what the consumer wants, give it to them, and, hopefully, in the process, slide in a word or two about Jesus.

Obviously, there are a few exceptions in the Christian world. But they are the exceptions rather than the rule. For the most part, I gave up on CCM years ago. I couldn't stand another song addressed to the Living God that sounded like it could be sung to a teenage girlfriend! CCM rarely deals with the harsh realities of life. These things do not sell. Instead, we receive a constant stream of fluffy, feel-good, unoriginal, rehashed tripe. The most creative and most sincere artists rarely have broad market appeal. The best Christian artists will probably be the ones least known. It is the same way in the music world in general.

My advice: If you like CCM, find an artist with integrity, humility, creativity, and talent. Listen to their music, and thank the Lord for their God-given abilities. Support them with your prayers. Write them and commend them for not towing the party line. And above all, recognize that most music with popular appeal is simply crap! Recognizing this makes you long for heaven all the more -- the music there will be incredible!

Your brother in Christ,

Rich

  © Richard J. Vincent, January 6, 2000