Non-Cheesy Christian Music

[fromtheinside0ut]

Why does it matter whether music is "cheesy"? Did you guys know that music that is praising God is supposed to be about HIM, not about us? Have you ever studied what the Bible says about music? I used to be into CCM, but the way most performers sing draws all my attention to them, not to God. I'm not arguing conservative vs. contemporary, but wouldn't you guys say the most important thing is what God thinks about it? Probably everything I listen to would be considered cheesy. www.sacredaudio.com, www.abidingradio.com. I know that this is music that is honoring to God. I'm always thinking about the words and about God while I'm listening to it, not about the style or how cool it is. If cheesy music is honoring to God, I'll listen to it forever.

I agree, full-heartedly. I also believe that it's not about the song itself, but about the anointing behind it. The same song can mean something completely different when sung the same way by someone who is anointed rather than someone who is just performing for people. It's all about God's influence and involvement.

 

[Shard]

I thought CCM she meant all the music endorsed by 'Christ Community Music' magazine.. but i'd hope i was wrong! 'cause CCM has everything from brandon heath to underoath to rebecca st.james. they cover a whole spectrum of Christian artists. www.ccmmagazine.com

and technically.. the radio station i loved to listen to where i grew up had and still has the almost, skillet, underoath and the devil wears prada on it.. so that could be considered 'avg drivel' to some.

oh around here CCM stands for Contemporary Christian Music which is all the Avalon and Point of GRace and sappy la-di-da songs. You have a better chance of hearing skillet or underoath on the local rock station than on the christian one. But if you like 24/7 marathons of marcyme and Michael W. Smith, Stevrn Curtis Chapman, and Amy Grant. Than the local stations here are just for hear. Personally I would rather listen to nails on a chalk board.

 

[living4him95]

"Before the morning" - Josh Wilson
"Undo"-Rush of Fools
"Everything"-Affliction Asylum
"Love is here"
"By your side"- Tenth Avenue North
"Glorious God"-New Life Worship
"Forgiven"-Sanctus Real
"If we are the body"
"Set me Free"
"What if his people prayed"-Casting Crowns (Practically all there songs are good)
Those are just ones on the top of my head.

 

[bonnie2]

if by ccm you mean the average drivel they play on the radio, then I must agree. I find it terrible and cant listen either. Personally i have found many excellent christian bands online through sites like you tube

Blessthefall
the Devil wears prada
we came as romans
the almost
skillet
disciple
underoath

Shard, I try not to judge something without any knowledge of it. So, I got on youtube and watched:
The Devil Wears Prada- Danger: Wildman (official music video) and Skillet- Your Name is Holy (that was just a song, not a video, just showed the album cover). I would guess that you don't like that Skillet song as much...? I just thought it sounded decent for a Christian band song, so it would be a more fair sample of these bands (to listen to one wild sounding song and one decent sounding song).
Frankly, I found the Danger: Wildman video to be really creepy. The guy was screaming and I couldn't understand what he was saying,and there were all these dark scenes with skulls and a creepy witch-looking woman. In the Skillet song, I could at least understand the guy, but it was really repetitive. He kept singing "You are the sovereign I am; your name is holy. You are the pure, spotless lamb; your name is holy." Of course, that is true about Jesus. But you know what my favorite song says about Jesus?

(I Give My All- Mac and Beth Lynch) "The savior hung upon a tree, exchanged my death for his; how can I think that I could sin against a love like this? With this same love he chose to claim me as his very own, and now I come to seek his face and kneel before his throne. He is the prince of glory, of whom all nature sings; He is the way, the truth, the life, He is the King of kings. And since he heard this sinner, and heard my humbled call, I'll give my soul, my love, my life, my all! The vastness of Christ's love is so amazing, so divine; its greatness far surpasses all the wealth of every mine. If I should own the universe, the earth, the sky the sea, it would not ever equal what the Lord has given me. When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!"

Okay, so just comparatively speaking, which song conveys more Biblical truth/ gets your mind on God more? This is just one example, but it's very typical of a conservative Christian song (many of which are "contemporary"- written recently- but not in the "contemporary" style with the heavy backbeat. This song is a medley of 2 songs, one is more recent- I Give My All- & of course, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross is an old hymn). The length of the songs are comparable. Mine is just over 6 minutes. If Skillet had one more minute to sing, would he have added a whole lot more spiritual truth to his song? I doubt it.
I also don't think the way he was singing is any way to talk to a holy God. When he ended the words "am" and "lamb" you could hear all this breathy sound. If some guy came up to me and talked to me that way, I would be like, dude, what's your problem? It's actually a lot worse when a woman sings in that style. And they're singing in a sensual way to GOD? The heavy beat totally takes away from the message too. Are those people at that concert excited that God's name is holy, or about the music that is appealing to them?
The only percussion instrument that I know of in the Bible (used in music God was pleased with) was a tambourine. I'm not saying percussion is bad, it can add an element of upbeat-ness/ happiness to the music. But I'm sure God never wanted it to be the dominant element.
The music of the songs I listen to is beautiful and enhances the message. I'm usually not thinking about the music at all. But it fits Philippians 4:8 (pure, lovely, of good report, virtue, praise). Anything in your bands' music that fits these criteria? What you delight in DOES affect you...and it affects the way you think.
I was unclear or maybe stereotypical when I said "CCM". I realize I shouldn't lump all CCM songs together. But basically, even the ones you think are really lame, I do not think are honoring to God. I was kind of into Steven Curtis Chapman for a while. The worst one on youtube that I've seen ("Dive") has no spiritual truth whatsoever (I'm saying "the worst" in that sense- although the way he's singing and moving is also irreverent). Some of his other songs have good words, but the heavy beat takes away from that. Honestly, I enjoy listening to the types of songs that you would call lame Christian (contemporary) songs. I just don't think they help me in any way. They don't help me draw closer to God, they make me feel farther away.
If a song is going to claim to be "Christian" (means "little Christ") shouldn't it at least be honoring to Christ? Can you picture Jesus dancing in front of a microphone as He sings to honor His Father? You can make fun of that question, but you can make fun of anything. It's a very legitimate question.
Anyway, I've listened to a little bit of your music. You should listen to Abiding Radio for just a couple minutes. Fair's fair. You can tell me what you honestly think of it.

 

[Crypto]

Shard, I try not to judge something without any knowledge of it. So, I got on youtube and watched:
The Devil Wears Prada- Danger: Wildman (official music video) and Skillet- Your Name is Holy (that was just a song, not a video, just showed the album cover). I would guess that you don't like that Skillet song as much...? I just thought it sounded decent for a Christian band song, so it would be a more fair sample of these bands (to listen to one wild sounding song and one decent sounding song).
Frankly, I found the Danger: Wildman video to be really creepy. The guy was screaming and I couldn't understand what he was saying,and there were all these dark scenes with skulls and a creepy witch-looking woman. In the Skillet song, I could at least understand the guy, but it was really repetitive. He kept singing "You are the sovereign I am; your name is holy. You are the pure, spotless lamb; your name is holy." Of course, that is true about Jesus. But you know what my favorite song says about Jesus?

(I Give My All- Mac and Beth Lynch) "The savior hung upon a tree, exchanged my death for his; how can I think that I could sin against a love like this? With this same love he chose to claim me as his very own, and now I come to seek his face and kneel before his throne. He is the prince of glory, of whom all nature sings; He is the way, the truth, the life, He is the King of kings. And since he heard this sinner, and heard my humbled call, I'll give my soul, my love, my life, my all! The vastness of Christ's love is so amazing, so divine; its greatness far surpasses all the wealth of every mine. If I should own the universe, the earth, the sky the sea, it would not ever equal what the Lord has given me. When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!"

Okay, so just comparatively speaking, which song conveys more Biblical truth/ gets your mind on God more? This is just one example, but it's very typical of a conservative Christian song (many of which are "contemporary"- written recently- but not in the "contemporary" style with the heavy backbeat. This song is a medley of 2 songs, one is more recent- I Give My All- & of course, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross is an old hymn). The length of the songs are comparable. Mine is just over 6 minutes. If Skillet had one more minute to sing, would he have added a whole lot more spiritual truth to his song? I doubt it.
I also don't think the way he was singing is any way to talk to a holy God. When he ended the words "am" and "lamb" you could hear all this breathy sound. If some guy came up to me and talked to me that way, I would be like, dude, what's your problem? It's actually a lot worse when a woman sings in that style. And they're singing in a sensual way to GOD? The heavy beat totally takes away from the message too. Are those people at that concert excited that God's name is holy, or about the music that is appealing to them?
The only percussion instrument that I know of in the Bible (used in music God was pleased with) was a tambourine. I'm not saying percussion is bad, it can add an element of upbeat-ness/ happiness to the music. But I'm sure God never wanted it to be the dominant element.
The music of the songs I listen to is beautiful and enhances the message. I'm usually not thinking about the music at all. But it fits Philippians 4:8 (pure, lovely, of good report, virtue, praise). Anything in your bands' music that fits these criteria? What you delight in DOES affect you...and it affects the way you think.
I was unclear or maybe stereotypical when I said "CCM". I realize I shouldn't lump all CCM songs together. But basically, even the ones you think are really lame, I do not think are honoring to God. I was kind of into Steven Curtis Chapman for a while. The worst one on youtube that I've seen ("Dive") has no spiritual truth whatsoever (I'm saying "the worst" in that sense- although the way he's singing and moving is also irreverent). Some of his other songs have good words, but the heavy beat takes away from that. Honestly, I enjoy listening to the types of songs that you would call lame Christian (contemporary) songs. I just don't think they help me in any way. They don't help me draw closer to God, they make me feel farther away.
If a song is going to claim to be "Christian" (means "little Christ") shouldn't it at least be honoring to Christ? Can you picture Jesus dancing in front of a microphone as He sings to honor His Father? You can make fun of that question, but you can make fun of anything. It's a very legitimate question.
Anyway, I've listened to a little bit of your music. You should listen to Abiding Radio for just a couple minutes. Fair's fair. You can tell me what you honestly think of it.

I think you are right on the money. Excellent post.

 

[Shard]

Shard, I try not to judge something without any knowledge of it. So, I got on youtube and watched:
The Devil Wears Prada- Danger: Wildman (official music video) and Skillet- Your Name is Holy (that was just a song, not a video, just showed the album cover). I would guess that you don't like that Skillet song as much...? I just thought it sounded decent for a Christian band song, so it would be a more fair sample of these bands (to listen to one wild sounding song and one decent sounding song).
Frankly, I found the Danger: Wildman video to be really creepy. The guy was screaming and I couldn't understand what he was saying,and there were all these dark scenes with skulls and a creepy witch-looking woman. In the Skillet song, I could at least understand the guy, but it was really repetitive. He kept singing "You are the sovereign I am; your name is holy. You are the pure, spotless lamb; your name is holy." Of course, that is true about Jesus. But you know what my favorite song says about Jesus?

(I Give My All- Mac and Beth Lynch) "The savior hung upon a tree, exchanged my death for his; how can I think that I could sin against a love like this? With this same love he chose to claim me as his very own, and now I come to seek his face and kneel before his throne. He is the prince of glory, of whom all nature sings; He is the way, the truth, the life, He is the King of kings. And since he heard this sinner, and heard my humbled call, I'll give my soul, my love, my life, my all! The vastness of Christ's love is so amazing, so divine; its greatness far surpasses all the wealth of every mine. If I should own the universe, the earth, the sky the sea, it would not ever equal what the Lord has given me. When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!"

Okay, so just comparatively speaking, which song conveys more Biblical truth/ gets your mind on God more? This is just one example, but it's very typical of a conservative Christian song (many of which are "contemporary"- written recently- but not in the "contemporary" style with the heavy backbeat. This song is a medley of 2 songs, one is more recent- I Give My All- & of course, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross is an old hymn). The length of the songs are comparable. Mine is just over 6 minutes. If Skillet had one more minute to sing, would he have added a whole lot more spiritual truth to his song? I doubt it.
I also don't think the way he was singing is any way to talk to a holy God. When he ended the words "am" and "lamb" you could hear all this breathy sound. If some guy came up to me and talked to me that way, I would be like, dude, what's your problem? It's actually a lot worse when a woman sings in that style. And they're singing in a sensual way to GOD? The heavy beat totally takes away from the message too. Are those people at that concert excited that God's name is holy, or about the music that is appealing to them?
The only percussion instrument that I know of in the Bible (used in music God was pleased with) was a tambourine. I'm not saying percussion is bad, it can add an element of upbeat-ness/ happiness to the music. But I'm sure God never wanted it to be the dominant element.
The music of the songs I listen to is beautiful and enhances the message. I'm usually not thinking about the music at all. But it fits Philippians 4:8 (pure, lovely, of good report, virtue, praise). Anything in your bands' music that fits these criteria? What you delight in DOES affect you...and it affects the way you think.
I was unclear or maybe stereotypical when I said "CCM". I realize I shouldn't lump all CCM songs together. But basically, even the ones you think are really lame, I do not think are honoring to God. I was kind of into Steven Curtis Chapman for a while. The worst one on youtube that I've seen ("Dive") has no spiritual truth whatsoever (I'm saying "the worst" in that sense- although the way he's singing and moving is also irreverent). Some of his other songs have good words, but the heavy beat takes away from that. Honestly, I enjoy listening to the types of songs that you would call lame Christian (contemporary) songs. I just don't think they help me in any way. They don't help me draw closer to God, they make me feel farther away.
If a song is going to claim to be "Christian" (means "little Christ") shouldn't it at least be honoring to Christ? Can you picture Jesus dancing in front of a microphone as He sings to honor His Father? You can make fun of that question, but you can make fun of anything. It's a very legitimate question.
Anyway, I've listened to a little bit of your music. You should listen to Abiding Radio for just a couple minutes. Fair's fair. You can tell me what you honestly think of it.

I will check out Abiding Radio. Though the song you chose for skillet was actually from their praise and worship album which is about 10 years old. And I dont think the manner of music or the manner of singing can be dishonoring to God as long as the message is there. Some people just connect to certain types of music. I love rock, I always have. Its the music that gets. Other stuff ill tune out in a heartbeat unless im told to listen. And I dont think how people sing to God or what kind of voice they use. And I dont think God cares either. It says make a joyful noise. Not sing it this way.

And here is a recent skillet song that is more their actual style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogws6OOoL9o

Your Lyrics:
The savior hung upon a tree, exchanged my death for his; how can I think that I could sin against a love like this? With this same love he chose to claim me as his very own, and now I come to seek his face and kneel before his throne. He is the prince of glory, of whom all nature sings; He is the way, the truth, the life, He is the King of kings. And since he heard this sinner, and heard my humbled call, I'll give my soul, my love, my life, my all! The vastness of Christ's love is so amazing, so divine; its greatness far surpasses all the wealth of every mine. If I should own the universe, the earth, the sky the sea, it would not ever equal what the Lord has given me. When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!"

The ones for the skillet song i posted
Verse 1
I lie here paralytic inside this soul
Screaming for you till my throat is numb
I wanna break out
I need a way out
I don't believe that it's gotta be this way
The worst is the waiting
In this Womb I'm suffocating
Pre-Chorus
Feel your presence filling up my lungs with oxygen
I take you in
I've died
Chorus
Rebirthing now
I wanna live for love, wanna live for you and me
Breathe for the first time now I come alive somehow
Rebirthing now
I wanna live my life, wanna give you everything
Breathe for the first time now I come alive somehow
Right now
Right now
Verse 2
I lie here lifeless in this cocoon
Shedding my skin cause I'm ready to
I wanna break out
I found a way out
I don't believe that it's gotta be this way
The worst is the waiting
In this Womb I'm suffocating
Pre-Chorus
Feel your presence filling up my lungs with oxygen
I take you in
I've died
Chorus
Rebirthing now
I wanna live for love, wanna live for you and me
Breathe for the first time now I come alive somehow
Rebirthing now
I wanna live my life, wanna give you everything
Breathe for the first time now I come alive somehow
(I come alive somehow)
Bridge
Tell me when I'm gonna live again
Tell me when I'm gonna breathe you in
Tell me when I'm gonna feel inside
Tell me when I'm gonna feel alive
Tell me when I'm gonna live again
Tell me when this fear will end
Tell me when I'm gonna feel inside
Tell me when I'll feel alive
Chorus
Rebirthing now
I wanna live for love, wanna live for you and me
Breathe for the first time now I come alive somehow
Rebirthing now
I wanna live my life, wanna give you everything
Breathe for the first time now I come alive somehow
(I come alive somehow)
Right now (I come alive somehow)
Right now (I come alive somehow)

Your lyrics are great they are quite meaningful, but so are these. And I think these are more emotional. At least to me
​

 

[Shard]

This is only a section of lyrics from TDWP song you watched: All mistakes can be marked by borders
All of love can be traced to a maker
It seems as if what is most important,
Isn't noticed when forgotten
Do as you please, shame will follow
The sun and the moon:
You'll always take them for granted
What's delicate is lost
As the selfish forgot what is sacred,
The humble forgot themselves
Its a video about those who live in Sins giving into their own desires, hence the hellish environment. Not all Christian music have to be pretty sometimes you need to be reminded of what your are saved from.

 

[bonnie2]

Well. I appreciate some of the stuff you said, making this more of a discussion than an argument. That makes me not want to criticize your music anymore... but I did watch your video, and now I have to stop! Honestly, I could see myself liking that kind of music, but that is not a good thing! I don't really "get" the lyrics... maybe just over my head or something. Wouldn't it be better if they just said what they meant, straight out so anyone can understand? & I have to say, the girl dancing around with the long dark hair, does not look like a godly, Christian girl who really wants to "give [God] everything".
I guess, I would just disagree with you about the manner of music or singing can't be dishonoring to God. I don't have a really logical, explainable reason for that though. It's more of a sense...comparing how I feel after listening to a rock song and listening to a conservative Christian song. I know that's pretty weak... :/

 

[bonnie2]

Would you agree that music, by itself, and/ or the way a person is dressed/ acting, sends a message?

 

[Shard]

If the person is acting crazy yes, but even in scripture:
Psalm 100:1 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.(note its not sing but SHOUT! Shouting is quite loud. So I see this as justifying the vocal style.)
2nd Samuel 6:16 16 As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart. (So dancing is fine as well. I don't view her dancing in the video as lewd or lacivious, just dancing)

As far as being dressed? Not really. Unless the clothes are blatantly anti-god or 'slutty' for lack of a better term at the moment. I dont think dress matters. Appearance is certainly something not to be concerned with in my opinion. But i have to get in a car for a trip home. SO i will be back to finish my thoughts in about 2 hours. Feel free to discuss what I mentioned here though.

 

[bonnie2]

Okay, I'll have to talk to you later after I think about this more.

 

[bonnie2]

I've been thinking about 2 Cor. 6:14. "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Rock music started out as anti-Christian/ rebellion. Then, people started "yoking" Christian words to it.

 

[Shard]

I dont know if Christian music was ever blatantly anti-christian. Some of the first rock groups i can think of are richie valens, buddy holly, the beatles, and little richard. While they may be secular I dont think they were unchristian. Also at what point would that argument end? What qualifies which genre's as rock? do rock versions of praise songs count?

Also everytime I have heard that verse I see it as referring to relationships. Since it specifically specifies Unbelievers and not objects. Also God can turn anything to his good. So even if it started bad, there is no reason God can turn it to his glory.

 

[Crypto]

I dont know if Christian music was ever blatantly anti-christian. Some of the first rock groups i can think of are richie valens, buddy holly, the beatles, and little richard. While they may be secular I dont think they were unchristian. Also at what point would that argument end? What qualifies which genre's as rock? do rock versions of praise songs count?

Also everytime I have heard that verse I see it as referring to relationships. Since it specifically specifies Unbelievers and not objects. Also God can turn anything to his good. So even if it started bad, there is no reason God can turn it to his glory.

Top 3 Definitions of secular from google:

• of or relating to the doctrine that rejects religion and religious considerations
• worldly: characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world; "worldly goods and advancement"; "temporal possessions of the church"
• profane: not concerned with or devoted to religion; "sacred and profane music"; "secular drama"; "secular architecture", "children being brought up in an entirely profane environment"

I think secular is non-Christian by the very definition. So there are 2 genres of music, sacred and secular.

 

[Shard]

Non-christian is not the same as anti-christian though which is what I was saying.
Non- just doesnt pertain too christianity
Anti- would be against christianity

There is a world of difference between apathy and rebellion.

And lets preferably not bring secular music into this, because if you guys dont like my christian music, your ears will bleed at the other stuff I listen to.

 

[Crypto]

Non-christian is not the same as anti-christian though which is what I was saying.
Non- just doesnt pertain too christianity
Anti- would be against christianity

There is a world of difference between apathy and rebellion.

And lets preferably not bring secular music into this, because if you guys dont like my christian music, your ears will bleed at the other stuff I listen to.

Not according to the Scriptures. It either glorifies God or not.

30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Matt 12:30 (KJV)


15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1 John 2:15-17 (KJV)

 

[bonnie2]

Non-christian is not the same as anti-christian though which is what I was saying.
Non- just doesnt pertain too christianity
Anti- would be against christianity

There is a world of difference between apathy and rebellion.

And lets preferably not bring secular music into this, because if you guys dont like my christian music, your ears will bleed at the other stuff I listen to.

Has nothing to do with liking! I told you, I would like this stuff if I listened to it. That's why I don't listen to it. Would you be willing to give up something you liked, if you felt like God wanted you to? (I know you don't feel that way...but being willing to is important)

 

[Shard]

if it was something i actually thought he wanted too. Though I would have to hear it from him. And personally I dont think he dislikes any music written to him regardless of what style it is.

 

[bonnie2]

What's the purpose of Christian music?

 

[Shard]

hmmm multiple purposes. Some use to give glory to od, some use it to bring people to God, some use to grow closer to God. The reasons behind why people make and why people listen to Christian are as varied as Christians themselves. I dont think you cn honestly fit it all into one category. If you did I guess it would have to be glorifying God which I think it all does. I mean who are we to judge what is glorifying and what isnt. Everyone glorifies God in there own ways. Whether through hymns and abiding radio or through screaming vocals and heavy metal. I cant imagine God care. Especially consider the Bible says make a joyful noise. It doesnt state make a noise in this certain way....