Music?

I may have to get on a little soapbox I have hanging around here today.


While cleaning up from dinner and listening to the Christian radio station this evening, my 7 year old walks through the kitchen and says, "Mommy, what are you listneing to?"

She sounded so serious and almost horrified in her response to the music she was hearing.  And I must admit that the lyrics did mention the Lord, but the music sounded completely like the music of the world - with drums, electric guitars, and an artist who was hollering more than singing.  I quickly changed the radio to a quiet worship cd and thanked my daughter for bringing that to my attention.


I often listen to a Christian radio station that is braodcast nationwide, especially while I am working in the kitchen.  Most of the time the music is fine and the lyrics are obviously speaking of a relationship with Christ.  I have noticed recently though, that the music is more 'edgy' and the lines of some songs are blurred as to whether this song is speaking of our Savior or a love interest of another kind.  


What bothers me most is that the music today that claims to be 'Christian' sounds just like the music the world is blaring.  Unless you listen closely to the words, many times you cannot tell a difference.  


      "Do not love the world or anything in the world. 
       If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."        
                                                                               I John 2:15    

I am worried that our Contemporary Christian music industry is slowly embracing a culture that is counter to the things of God.  This is made evident in the recent issues of CCM magazine.  As a teenager, I read this Contemporary Christian Music magazine believing that the artists mentioned were earnestly seeking to honor the Lord in their music, (and they were 'cool' at the same time).  However, recently I received a free copy of the magazine and was appalled to see advertisements throughout for MTV.  These were not small, discreet ads, but in some cases full page advertisements for the incredibly sin laden music videos and television programming of MTV. 

This slippery slope of worldly conformity is also seen in the music videos that Christian artists are producing.  A few years ago I helped teach a Sunday School class for youth ages 7th through 12th grades.  In preparation for our study based on Max Lucado's book "It's Not About Me" I was searching for a video to go along with the lesson.  My father had given me one of the 'Wow' video series, where Christian artists performed their songs.  I was incredibly disheartened to find that none of the videos on the entire tape were appropriate for that lesson - in fact, the videos showed quite the opposite (it's all about me).  Most of the videos were of the artists crooning into the camera from different angles, wearing different outfits, or 'rocking' with their very loud guitars and drums on stage surrounded by adoring fans.  None of the videos showed compassion, mercy, helping those in need, or even God's creation. 


Many Christian artists today have a true heart for the Lord and it is evident in their lives and music.  There are also many artists who blur the line between Christ like and worldly.  My hope and prayer is that the name of Christ is glorified.  Please join me as I pray for myself and those who have a much larger platform, that Christ would be made first in all things and that we can shine like cities on a hill proudly proclaiming His name in a manner worthy of that high calling.  Also, may our children bear witness of the light that they see in us, and know the love of Christ.



(Soap box time is over now.  Thanks for your patience.)