Now, if you glance over to the "music" section, you'll see that they deal almost exclusively with "Christian music"; to get included in this section, you either must be blatantly/explicitly Jesus-centered in your music or you must have a well-known tie to Christianity (for the second category, see Johnny Cash, Scott Stapp & Sufjan Stephens). I have poked around and can find no reviews of albums or any interviews with musicians who aren't somehow connected to Christ. Obviously I have no issue with Christ-centered music or Christ-centered anything. But...
Why the disparity between movie-watching and music-listening? Why is Christianity Today willing to explore "wordly" movies from a Christian worldview but unwilling/unable to do the same for music? I believe the answer points to some of the things that are wrong with the way we approach the arts & worship, myself included. Two thoughts, only one original:
1. The evangelical church has radically compromised the worship of God, focusing on entertainment rather than the Word & the means of grace. By including musical instruments in worship and by chasing after the next big fad in worshiptainment, we have been part of the birth of Christian contemporary music (not a good thing - not because it's Christian but because it's generally very poor). By focusing so much more on music in worship, we have fostered an attitude that for music to be honoring to Christ or even worth listening to, it must be worship music. Since movies haven't become as big a part of worship (yet), we haven't consumed them into the worship culture (yet).
2. From Steve Turner's Imagine: a Vision for Christians in the Arts:
One of the great hindrances to the development of biblically informed mainstream art has been the perception that Christians should make "Christian art" and that "Christian art" is always explicitly religious. Understood this way, "Christian art" is not distinguished by a regenerated outlook on the whole of life but by a narrow focus on Bible stories, saints, martyrs and the individual's relationship with God. "Christian art" in this sense is usually either an aid to worship or a means of evangelism.Hmm.
5 comments:
That's an interesting observation about modern Christianity, music and worship.
Per the quote you inserted at the end, it's like our conversations. Our conversations can be glorifying to God without explicitly mentioning Him. Also, I can honor God through hospitality/cooking without cooking religious-themed meals.
I am not discussing the whole how to worship God. This is more evangelistic. Don't you think we can use more secular music to reach non-believers. Like switchfoot and others. Not worship but evangelism? I am just curious what you think. I ask because there aren't a lot of teenagers that will be converted by the Psalms. Not many care for religion anymore. Sad, but true. :(
Jared,
I'm so happy that you are looking into this subject. I read Steve Turner's book a few months ago and found it both enlightening and encouraging. Next time we get together we should discuss the Christian's role in the arts more at length.
hey this is random but i'm assuming that your not comming down for out going away party? Its fine if you can't or don't or what every i was just wondering? Ok well some one told me that my comments are to long :) so i'm making this one short.
God Bless
I found a magazine called Relevant (yeah might not be the best source for theology) that examines secular music. I've heard their podcast, and it seemed pretty cool.
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