Contemporary Christian music: Difference between revisions

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			{{sermon}}

	{{Infobox music genre\|name=Contemporary Christian music\|color=lightgreen		{{Infobox music genre\|name=Contemporary Christian music\|color=lightgreen
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	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. ] was the first of these artists to record with the ].

	Some Christian music falls outside of the CCM genre, such as underground ~~] and~~ ] 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.

	==Views==		==Views==
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	===The purist's position===		===The purist's position===
			In this view, Christians should use music as a tool of spreading the gospel of Christ to others. ].
	In this view, Christians should use music as a tool of spreading the gospel of Christ to others. ], a CCM musician and advocate of this view, states that "Those of us who are privileged to represent our Lord Jesus Christ in the arts should be galvanized by mission, not by ambition; by mandate, not by accolades; by love for the Master, not by the allurements of this world. Is there justified concern that Contemporary Christian Music has abandoned its original calling from the Lord, left the Biblical standard for ministry and has failed to remain accountable to the local church? I believe it so." Some in this group may point to the Protestant Reformer ] who said "I am not of the opinion that all arts are to be cast down and destroyed on account of the Gospel, as some fanatics protest. On the other hand, I would gladly see all arts, especially music, in the service of Him who has given and created them. I therefore pray that every pious Christian would be pleased with this and lend his help if God has given him like or greater gifts. As it is, the world is too lax and indifferent about teaching and training the young for us to abet this trend. God grant us his grace. Amen." <ref>Luther's Works: American Edition, vol. 53:316.</ref> Luther was here, in fact, asking for people to employ their musical gifts for the promotion of the gospel. 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).

			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===		===The "spiritually reflective" position===

Revision as of 16:15, 16 October 2006

Template:Sermon

Contemporary Christian music
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
Typical instruments	Guitar - Bass - Drums
Fusion genres
Christian rock - Christian alternative rock - Christian hip hop - Christian metal - Christian punk - Christian hardcore - Christian ska
Other topics
Lists of artist: Non-CCM Alternative rock - Hip hop & rap - Metal & CCM artists: alpha, decade & sub-genre

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, 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 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).

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.

CCM websites

Online radio stations

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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