The definition of “Christian music” has always been a little hazy. Some think of hymns and old church choruses, while others would call anyone who claims religion a “Christian artist”. Many teenagers have argued against their parents for the latter, while many “Christian artists” have been bashed for not keeping the standards of the former. But what is this undefined thing known as “Christian music”?
The most common assumption I’ve heard about “Christian” music is that it always says “God”, “Jesus”, “Lord”, “Christ” or some variation in every song. I’ve been asked plenty of times “How is this Christian? What does it have to do with God?” Well I know this may be a huge shocker to some, but a song can still be considered “Christian” without including the word “God” or any variation.
Second Timothy 3:16 says “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” The entire book of Esther does not mention God one time!
So how can you call a song or band “un-Christian” for not specifically naming God, when an entire book of the God-breathed Bible doesn’t even do that? Well, by being wrong. But that’s not really the goal here.
Another thing that’s often used to define “Christian” music is its sound. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard “That doesn’t sound Christian!”, usually in reference to some style of rock.
Well, when you show me the passage of scripture that says “Thou shalt not distort thine guitars”, “Thou shalt not scream”, or “Thou must conform to the style of music that sounds most peaceful and calm to thine ears”, then I’ll listen to that argument. But for now, I’m sticking with Psalm 150:2-5: “Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.”
The clash of cymbals? Resounding cymbals? That doesn’t sound like Amazing Grace to me. These verses tell us to praise the Lord with all different styles of music, so how can we say that a sound is “un-Christian”?
There are also four different verses -- maybe more -- that command us to “sing to the Lord a new song” (Psalm 96:1, 98:1, 149:1; Isaiah 42:10). The old classics in the Baptist Hymnal are great, but we’re told to sing a new song... to use the creativity God has given us, and not just go along with what Christians have always considered to be the holy style of music.
So now that we know what does not define “Christian” music, what does define it?
My first rule of Christian music is that it’s made by a Christian artist. Am I saying that all secular music is bad to listen to? No, but why would you even call it “Christian” music if the artist, and therefore their music, has absolutely nothing to do with Christianity? It just would not make sense. Thanks, Captain Obvious.
I’m gonna go slightly off-topic for a minute here. Now I know I said that not all secular music is bad to listen to; and it’s not. But I do think it’s a bad idea for Christians to be too supportive of and involved with a secular artist. Music has an impact on most people; it can affect the way we dress, the way we talk, the way we walk, the way we think. I mean, how many stories have you heard of the girl who didn’t kill herself because her favorite band said not to? Or she did because her favorite singer did it? In today’s society, people depend on music for their identity, for motivation, for opinions. And bands depend on fans to support them. Most people think of marriage when they read 2 Corinthians 6:14-16: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.” That doesn’t just apply to marriage; it applies to every aspect of life, including the dependency between you and your favorite band.
Back on topic. Ephesians 5:1 basically defines a Christian’s goal in life: “Be imitators of God”. As I mentioned earlier, the “God-breathed” Bible is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). As imitators of God, our words should also be useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, and so should the words of Christian artists.
Sometimes a formerly Christian artist will decide to go more mainstream by incorporating ungodly things into their music, like inappropriate content or profanity. At this point, it really can’t be considered “Christian” music anymore because it goes against God’s word. Does that mean their old CDs you bought 5 years ago are now “un-Christian”? No.
A common misconception is that “Christian” lyrics always have to be happy, because depression and sadness don’t glorify God. Take a look at the book of Psalms. David, a man after God’s own heart, was depressed sometimes... and he wrote songs about it! Or look at the book of Lamentations. Just the name of the book sounds like a downer.
The idea of “Christian” music isn’t to disguise or hide all the bad things in life; the purpose is to glorify God, despite those things. A “Christian” song can be about anything from crying to God in a time of hopelessness, to expressing affection for something or someone.
I’ll end with this: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8)... and sing about them, too.
