Contemporary Christian music: Difference between revisions

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	{{Christian music}}		{{Christian music}}
	'''Contemporary Christian Music''' (referred to frequently by the abbreviation '''CCM''' and sometimes called '''Christian pop music''') is a genre of ] which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the ]. The term usually refers to the highly profitable ]-based ], ], and ] Christian music industry, represented by artists such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ], among a host of others. This industry is represented in ]'s "Top Christian Albums" and "Hot Christian Songs" charts , and also the ]'s Inspirational genre).		'''Contemporary Christian Music''' (referred to frequently by the abbreviation '''CCM''' and sometimes called '''Christian pop music''') is a genre of ] which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the ]. The term usually refers to the highly profitable ]-based ], ], and ] Christian music industry, represented by artists such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ], among a host of others. This industry is represented in ]'s "Top Christian Albums" and "Hot Christian Songs" charts , and also the ]'s Inspirational genre).

	The term "CCM" originated in the ], referring to the emerging ] and ] "]" movement, which was the musical outpouring of the ] ] of the time. Pioneering artists such as ], ], and ] were among the first to express their ] faith in the form of popular music. ~~] was the first of these artists to record with the ].~~		The term "CCM" originated in the ], referring to the emerging ] and ] "]" movement, which was the musical outpouring of the ] ] of the time. Pioneering artists such as ], ], and ] were among the first to express their ] faith in the form of popular music.

	Some Christian music falls outside of the CCM genre, such as underground ] Christian music (for example, see ]). Artists who do some Christian work to complement their mostly secular work (e.g., ]) are usually not considered CCM, although individual songs or albums may be. Finally, artists who write music with a borderline Christian theme are usually considered CCM based on their other work and history: for example, ], ], or ] are considered CCM, whereas ] or ] are considered not.		Some Christian music falls outside of the CCM genre, such as underground ] Christian music (for example, see ]). Artists who do some Christian work to complement their mostly secular work (e.g., ]) are usually not considered CCM, although individual songs or albums may be. Finally, artists who write music with a borderline Christian theme are usually considered CCM based on their other work and history: for example, ], ], or ] are considered CCM, whereas ] or ] are considered not.
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	This position states that Christians should embrace pop and rock music more as an art form than a preaching tool. Followers believe that the music originates from the artist's relationship with God, and is meant to help the listener in his or her such relationship.		This position states that Christians should embrace pop and rock music more as an art form than a preaching tool. Followers believe that the music originates from the artist's relationship with God, and is meant to help the listener in his or her such relationship.

	Journalist Lev Eakins explains that with artists in this camp "hat separates these artists from the incidental definition is that their own spirituality acts as the main (but not exclusive) engine for their work, fuelling their desire to continue expressing themselves." ], a Christian musician and producer, summed up this view well when he said that "You can sing about the Light, or you can sing about what you see because of the Light. I prefer the latter" . Musicians known to hold this position include ], ], and ]. Many artists who hold this view experience frustrations with the CCM industry for a lack of originality, creativity, and depth; in fact, some have cut ties with the industry altogether (e.g. ]), questioning the need for a separate Christian music "ghetto".		Journalist Lev Eakins explains that with artists in this camp "hat separates these artists from the incidental definition is that their own spirituality acts as the main (but not exclusive) engine for their work, fuelling their desire to continue expressing themselves." ], a Christian musician and producer, summed up this view well when he said that "You can sing about the Light, or you can sing about what you see because of the Light. I prefer the latter" . Musicians known to hold this position include ], ], and ]. Many artists who hold this view experience frustrations with the CCM industry for a lack of originality, creativity, and depth; in fact, some have cut ties with the industry altogether (e.g. ]), questioning the need for a separate Christian music "ghetto".{{fact}}

	===The incidental position===		===The incidental position===
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	Some critics of CCM often discredit the music as too imitative of mainstream secular music, thus lacking originality. They say that with music so similar to the mainstream, it is a blatant attempt to be popular or relevant to the world. Others believe secular-sounding music to be unholy, and unfit for Christian themes - many ] take this position (For instance, ], prohibits its dormitory students from listening to CCM).		Some critics of CCM often discredit the music as too imitative of mainstream secular music, thus lacking originality. They say that with music so similar to the mainstream, it is a blatant attempt to be popular or relevant to the world. Others believe secular-sounding music to be unholy, and unfit for Christian themes - many ] take this position (For instance, ], prohibits its dormitory students from listening to CCM).

	Defenders point to the fact that almost all artists~~, non-Christian ones included~~, draw from their influences from and imitate other artists. Additionally, they say, many Christian leaders have historically encouraged Christian music to have a contemporary sound; such leaders include ], ] and ] of the ], ], and perhaps even the writer of the biblical ] (though, strictly speaking, that writer was Jewish, not Christian).		Defenders point to the fact that almost all artists, draw from their influences from and imitate other artists. Additionally, they say, many Christian leaders have historically encouraged Christian music to have a contemporary sound; such leaders include ], ] and ] of the ], ], and perhaps even the writer of the biblical ] (though, strictly speaking, that writer was Jewish, not Christian). These views would depend very much on one's denomination and interpretation of Christianity as religious practice, dogma, and ideology.

	Some Christian artists, as well as local church pastors and worship leaders, refer to Luke 16:9, where Jesus told His disciples to "use the wealth of this world" to influence those around us with eternal impact.. Others refer to 1 Corinthians 9:20-23, where Paul says that he tries to make himself be more attractive and like those to whom he preaches, all in the name of spreading the gospel. ;		Some Christian artists, as well as local church pastors and worship leaders, refer to Luke 16:9, where Jesus told His disciples to "use the wealth of this world" to influence those around us with eternal impact.. Others refer to 1 Corinthians 9:20-23, where Paul says that he tries to make himself be more attractive and like those to whom he preaches, all in the name of spreading the gospel. ;
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	Noted critics of CCM include ], Dan Lucarini (the author of the book ''Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement''), and Kimberly Smith (author of the books ''Oh Be Careful Little Ears'' and ''Let Those Who Have Ears to Hear'').		Noted critics of CCM include ], Dan Lucarini (the author of the book ''Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement''), and Kimberly Smith (author of the books ''Oh Be Careful Little Ears'' and ''Let Those Who Have Ears to Hear'').

	Another common criticism of CCM is it is losing creativity as new artists mainly listen to, and draw inspiration from, other CCM acts, thus depriving themselves of the musical influence of more highly-acclaimed secular artists. This can lead to CCM artists "all sounding the same" as happens in all music styles where artists do not take a wide range of influences, and are happy to simply imitate other acts.		Another common criticism of CCM is it is losing creativity as new artists mainly listen to, and draw inspiration from, other CCM acts, thus depriving themselves of the musical influence of more highly-acclaimed secular artists. This can lead to CCM artists "all sounding the same" as happens in all music styles where artists do not take a wide range of influences, and are happy to simply imitate other acts. Others go so far as to say that Christian musicians parody and copy secular artists. This is especially evident in harder musical genres of Christian music.

	==CCM websites==		==CCM websites==
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	==Record labels==		==Record labels==

Revision as of 16:22, 16 October 2006

Template:Sermon

{{Infobox music genre|name=Contemporary Christian music|color=lightgreen |bgcolor=black |stylistic_origins=Gospel - Hymns - Country - Folk - Pop - Rock and roll - Alternative - Punk - Hip hop |cultural_origins=early 1970s - Jesus movement - Popular culture - Evangelicalism North America |instruments=Guitar - Bass - Drums |popularity=Limited until recently depending on genre, has gained much popularity in recent years |derivatives= |subgenrelist= |subgenres= |fusiongenres=Christian rock - Christian alternative rock - Christian hip hop - Christian metal - Christian punk - Christian hardcore - Christian ska |regional_scenes= |other_topics=Lists of artist: Non-CCM Alternative rock - Hip hop & rap

Christian music

Roots and beginnings

Modern genres

Fusion genres

Chant

v t e Christian liturgical chant
Eastern	Armenian Byzantine Coptic Ethiopian and Eritrean Galician Obikhod Kievan Prostopinije Syrian Znamenny
Western (Plainsong)	Ambrosian (Milanese) Anglican Beneventan Celtic Gallican Gelineau Gregorian Mozarabic Old Roman Ravenna

Lists

Views

There are several different attitudes regarding the subject of Christians in popular music, but these can be generalized into four groups: the purist, spiritually reflective, incidental, and separationist positions. . Oftentimes, however, listeners do not neatly fit into any specific view, encompassing a few at once. Most listeners and artists, for example, all fit into the "purist's position" (an emphasis on evangelism), spiritually-reflective position (an emphasis on one's relationship with God), and the incidental position (an emphasis on the sound of the music itself).

The purist's position

In this view, Christians should use music as a tool of spreading the gospel of Christ to others. Steve Camp.

The saying "Why should the devil have all the good music?", used as a lyric by Larry Norman, is frequently attributed to Luther (clearly an "enhanced" version of the original Luther-quote above); however, it cannot be found in his writings (more below under Criticism). Many Christians sight the reason for this being that Lucifer was Lord of music during his time in heaven and that music is therefore there to tempt us.

The "spiritually reflective" position

This position states that Christians should embrace pop and rock music more as an art form than a preaching tool. Followers believe that the music originates from the artist's relationship with God, and is meant to help the listener in his or her such relationship.

Journalist Lev Eakins explains that with artists in this camp "hat separates these artists from the incidental definition is that their own spirituality acts as the main (but not exclusive) engine for their work, fuelling their desire to continue expressing themselves." T-Bone Burnett, a Christian musician and producer, summed up this view well when he said that "You can sing about the Light, or you can sing about what you see because of the Light. I prefer the latter" . Musicians known to hold this position include MxPx, Danielson Famile, and Sufjan Stevens. Many artists who hold this view experience frustrations with the CCM industry for a lack of originality, creativity, and depth; in fact, some have cut ties with the industry altogether (e.g. Sam (Leslie) Phillips), questioning the need for a separate Christian music "ghetto".

The incidental position

This position holds that the artists' intent is irrelevant. In other words, Christians can find beauty and truth in certain music, regardless of the author's intent or spiritual stance. An example of this is Jeff Buckley's cover version of "Hallelujah" (originally written and recorded by Jewish singer Leonard Cohen), a song that resonates with many Christians but was sung by an artist not normally associated with the CCM industry. Eakins explains that music of this sort "is allied to no spiritual or Christian tradition and may form its inspiration from any source. Where as the purist or spiritually reflective positions have inspiration in God, any Christian music produced from the incidental position is precisely that, incidentally created."

The separatist's position

This position states that Christians should not be listening to or making pop/rock music at all. Many that embrace this argument trace rock's roots to Satanism, and claim that any association with it is wrong. Jimmy Swaggart, a famous televangelist (though somewhat discredited after his own sexual dalliances) and CCM oppositionist, summed up this view when he said that "so-called Christian rock... is a diabolical force undermining Christianity from within... I turn on my television set. I see a young lady who goes under the guise of being a Christian, known all over the nation, dressed in skin-tight leather pants, shaking and wiggling her hips to the beat and rhythm of the music as the strobe lights beat their patterns across the stage and the band plays the contemporary rock sound which cannot be differentiated from songs by The Grateful Dead, The Beatles, or anyone else. And you may try to tell me this is of God and that it is leading people to Christ, but I know better."

Criticisms

Some critics of CCM often discredit the music as too imitative of mainstream secular music, thus lacking originality. They say that with music so similar to the mainstream, it is a blatant attempt to be popular or relevant to the world. Others believe secular-sounding music to be unholy, and unfit for Christian themes - many Fundamentalist Christians take this position (For instance, Bob Jones University, prohibits its dormitory students from listening to CCM).

Defenders point to the fact that almost all artists, draw from their influences from and imitate other artists. Additionally, they say, many Christian leaders have historically encouraged Christian music to have a contemporary sound; such leaders include Martin Luther, John Wesley and Charles Wesley of the Methodist movement, Aimee Semple McPherson, and perhaps even the writer of the biblical Psalms (though, strictly speaking, that writer was Jewish, not Christian). These views would depend very much on one's denomination and interpretation of Christianity as religious practice, dogma, and ideology.

Some Christian artists, as well as local church pastors and worship leaders, refer to Luke 16:9, where Jesus told His disciples to "use the wealth of this world" to influence those around us with eternal impact.. Others refer to 1 Corinthians 9:20-23, where Paul says that he tries to make himself be more attractive and like those to whom he preaches, all in the name of spreading the gospel. ;

Noted critics of CCM include John Macarthur, Dan Lucarini (the author of the book Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement), and Kimberly Smith (author of the books Oh Be Careful Little Ears and Let Those Who Have Ears to Hear).

Another common criticism of CCM is it is losing creativity as new artists mainly listen to, and draw inspiration from, other CCM acts, thus depriving themselves of the musical influence of more highly-acclaimed secular artists. This can lead to CCM artists "all sounding the same" as happens in all music styles where artists do not take a wide range of influences, and are happy to simply imitate other acts. Others go so far as to say that Christian musicians parody and copy secular artists. This is especially evident in harder musical genres of Christian music.

CCM websites

Record labels

Main article: List of CCM record labels

References

External links

Is Christian rock music of the devil? - A defense of CCM
The Music of Devils in the Church - A Christian's strong criticism of CCM.
Billboard Christian/Gospel Countdown
"Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music?" - A 2004 Christian rock documentary
The longest running Christian music email list on the internet.

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