Christian Music: Irrelevant

There are many who have been going to church since birth. I, however, didn't begin to grow and attend church until I was a freshman in high school. It was in the church youth group where I was first exposed to Christian music. Over time I found that I could only listen to a few Christian artists, but the majority of Christian music was just too cheesy and out of touch with the world in which I lived. Today very little has changed in the world of Christian music. I still find that 99% of Christian music is irrelevant to the struggles and suffering we experience here on Earth. So why is Christian music so irrelevant in the 21st century? Why can't Christian music critique or lament about the struggles of everyday life?

*

First, Christian music has to be perfect. Some years ago there was a popular Christian artist named Michael English. He was topping the Christian charts and nominated for lots of Dove awards. But his career suddenly came to an end when it was discovered he had committed adultery. What is it with this notion that if you don't live a "perfect" life, then you can't perform Christian music. What if Michael W. Smith smoked or chewed tabacco or even used foul language in times of frustration? What if Casting Crowns went to the casinos for a birthday party? What if Third Day had a couple of glasses of alochol at dinner? Their album sales would plumet to nothing. They would be cast out of the Christian music business forever. Christian music can finally be relevant when it admits it's just as sinful as the rest of us.

*

Two, Christian music is about money. If you listen to Christian artists on the radio or at concerts, then you often hear them say that they are performing for God and not the money. Bull! The Christian music business is a milion dollar business. If this is their only job, then it is all about the money. At least secular artists admit they're in it to make money. If we could only have more Christian artists like Rich Mullins who gave all his earnings away, but artists like Mullins are so rare in Christian music today. Though Christian artists don't earn as much as secular artists, it is still more money than most of us will ever see. Glory may go to God, but the checks go to them.

*

Third, We live in an imperfect world. There's war, aids, cancer, and terrorism filling the world with suffering. Christian music pretends as if everything is all sunshine and roses. Yes it is ok to sing about the mansion over the hilltop, but we can't ignore the starving single mother here on Earth. We may feast on milk and honey one day, but there are some who need bread and water here and now. Christian music needs to be addressing these issues and stop pretending that everything is ok. If you think you can relevant by ignoring the plight of those around you, then you are kidding yourself.

*

There are some Christian artists worth listening to. Audio Adreniline(old stuff), Third Day (old stuff), Cademon's Call, and Sara Groves. But for a band that is profoundly Christian and relevant I would suggest of course, U2. A band that critiques and loves at the same time. A band that sings of hope and yet despair too. My hope is that more Christian artists would follow U2's lead because U2 is a band that is real. U2 is a band that is relevant.

*

CJE

Coming Tomorrow: Spiritual Adultery