One of the quickly growing trends in contemporary worship is to utilize music that is neither a hymn, nor a worship song, nor even mentions God…basically, “secular music.” In some churches today, I’ve heard “Where the Streets Have No Name” by U2, “How to Save a Life” by The Fray, “Carry on My Wayward Son” by Kansas, “Long Black Train” by Josh Turner, “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescense, “Jesus Take the Wheel” by Carrie Underwood, etc. The same is true for Christian radio as well…I’ve heard Christian recording artists do remakes and adaptations of songs like, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler, “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel, “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper, and others. My daughters have even begun singing a version of “All-Star” by Smashmouth (with re-written lyrics) that they learned in their Children’s Worship at church on Wednesday nights. Whether you agree with it or not, this is a trend that is here in a growing number of churches today...
When I was in college (more years ago than I care to admit), I remember discovering the dichotomy between “secular” and “religious” music, and the massive grey area that lies between. We sang all sorts of music, from Palestrina, to Brahms, to Wagner, to 20th Century, and nearly everything in between. Some of it was “religious” in nature (Bach’s Mass in B Minor), but some of it (like many of the art songs we learned in voice lessons) had nothing to do with God. All of it, however, was deemed appropriate. The popular music of the time, however, was deemed not only inappropriate, but unGodly. When the scandal and public outcry erupted surrounding Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith “selling out” and “crossing over” into “secular” media, the dichotomy hit me square in the face. It was OK for us to sing songs that had nothing to do with God in my Christian University, but it was not OK to sing other songs that did not have to do with God on the radio – even if they were written by a Christian and had no offensive material in them. Something about that did not sit well with me, and it sent me on a long journey of discovery. What about the theme song from the musical Oklahoma!? Was it OK to sing that? (Yes, I meant that pun!) What about other “secular songs” that didn’t mention God? Were they offensive because they didn’t mention God? Or were they just Good music?
I have come to believe, and I bet you will agree, that music is either moral or immoral. In and of itself, a song without lyrics is neither moral or immoral. You may like or hate the beat of Rap music, or love or deplore the sound of Country music – but nothing about either of those is inherently right or wrong. They are simply music…they simply are: and you either like them or not. What makes a song moral or immoral is the text. Immoral texts speak of things that are ungodly, perverse, sinful, etc., while moral texts are ones that are not immoral. Granted, many Rap songs and Country songs , etc. are immoral – and therefore should not be sung. However, all of them are not. That’s why it’s OK to sing Oklahoma! It, like so many other songs, are just nice songs that are fun to sing. They do not mention God, but neither do they dishonor nor discredit Him. There is nothing ungodly and offensive about them; so they are, therefore, moral songs.
The real grey area is this: are songs like that, which are moral but do not mention God, appropriate for use in worship services? What do you think?
When I was in college (more years ago than I care to admit), I remember discovering the dichotomy between “secular” and “religious” music, and the massive grey area that lies between. We sang all sorts of music, from Palestrina, to Brahms, to Wagner, to 20th Century, and nearly everything in between. Some of it was “religious” in nature (Bach’s Mass in B Minor), but some of it (like many of the art songs we learned in voice lessons) had nothing to do with God. All of it, however, was deemed appropriate. The popular music of the time, however, was deemed not only inappropriate, but unGodly. When the scandal and public outcry erupted surrounding Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith “selling out” and “crossing over” into “secular” media, the dichotomy hit me square in the face. It was OK for us to sing songs that had nothing to do with God in my Christian University, but it was not OK to sing other songs that did not have to do with God on the radio – even if they were written by a Christian and had no offensive material in them. Something about that did not sit well with me, and it sent me on a long journey of discovery. What about the theme song from the musical Oklahoma!? Was it OK to sing that? (Yes, I meant that pun!) What about other “secular songs” that didn’t mention God? Were they offensive because they didn’t mention God? Or were they just Good music?
I have come to believe, and I bet you will agree, that music is either moral or immoral. In and of itself, a song without lyrics is neither moral or immoral. You may like or hate the beat of Rap music, or love or deplore the sound of Country music – but nothing about either of those is inherently right or wrong. They are simply music…they simply are: and you either like them or not. What makes a song moral or immoral is the text. Immoral texts speak of things that are ungodly, perverse, sinful, etc., while moral texts are ones that are not immoral. Granted, many Rap songs and Country songs , etc. are immoral – and therefore should not be sung. However, all of them are not. That’s why it’s OK to sing Oklahoma! It, like so many other songs, are just nice songs that are fun to sing. They do not mention God, but neither do they dishonor nor discredit Him. There is nothing ungodly and offensive about them; so they are, therefore, moral songs.
The real grey area is this: are songs like that, which are moral but do not mention God, appropriate for use in worship services? What do you think?
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2 comments:
OK, Gary (pun intended)- I'll bite! Why do we pick on music as the only mode of art in our lives that must be secular or sacred but "never the twain shall meet?" If we regard music as either secular or sacred, we must then do the same for paintings, dance, poetry, literature, theater, and even down to movies and TV. I agree that for all these arts there can be elements that would throw them into a category of offensive to God or not offensive. Consistency across the board should be our rule. "Wether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, do it to the glory of God." "...If there be any virtue, or any praise, think on these things." For my personal tastes I attempt to enjoy all the arts unless they deter me from praising God. I also know my weaknesses and must realize that if I listen to the Eagles sing "Desperado" I may not have the resolve to stop myself from then listening to "Witchy Woman." My rule of thumb is keep away from the flames, you look fine without a tan!
I've debated this topic with friends ever since I attended a MercyMe concert back in 2000. In the middle of "Lord, I Lift Your Name On High" the band broke into "Closer To Free" by The BoDeans. Thinking this was the coolest thing I had ever heard, I turned to my friends who (to my amazement) were packing their things up and leaving, deeply offended that a "secular" song had been included in a worship set.
I've never felt comfortable trying to determine what exactly Christian music is. I think I agree with Rick Warren in saying that there is really no such thing as Christian music.
I also like how you referred to music as either moral or immoral. It shouldn't matter who sings a song. It shouldn't matter what station a song is on. It all comes down to the lyrics for me. Are the lyrics positive and God-honoring, or are they the opposite?
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