All of the hoopla surrounding the news that Katy Perry, whose single "I Kissed A Girl" is topping the Billboard charts, released a Christian album back in 2001 brings up a question that always causes a lot of debate. What, exactly, makes an artist "Christian?"
You hear some artists describe themselves as Christian artists, others as "Christians in a band." Is there a difference?
So this week, let's talk about it:
What criteria should the music industry use when designating an artist "Christian?" What, exactly, is "Christian music"?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
RELATED POST: Guest blogger Pastor Dave Weiss answers this question.
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christian music and a christian artist are totally different things. and they shouldn't be categorized as the same thing. take for instance, paramore. the band professes christian faith, yet their song "misery business" finds the lead singer, hayley williams, misusing the lord's name often (for which williams apologized for later on). christian music doesn't necessarily mean that the artist is living a godly life, either. christian music can be simply defined as music that glorifies God and promotes good morals. but real, sincere lyrics would be honestly a little hard to fake, especially if you're on tour and singing the songs, yet living a totally different way. it wouldn't be worth the risk. christian music is definitely a lot better than some other stuff out there, even though the artists may not be living in exact accordance with God's word. as role models, they need to be careful with how they live their lives. but we as christians know that everyone has sin in their lives and no one is perfect. music artists have a higher standard they are held to, but we should be careful not to judge them as well.
christians in a "secular band" is okay. God is not going to zap the members with lightning just because all their songs are not about him. if they are glorifying God with their music, im sure God is very pleased that they are using their talents for his glory and being a good example in an industry that is often so dark.
Christian music... is just music with a particular religious theme to it. Most of the time at the expense of the actually quality of the music. There are some great talents out there, but so many more that wouldn't be more than a passing joke in the secular music world. The actually quality of the songwritting and music is too often inferior, and is only produced because of it's religous theme's. Not many Christian artists are listened too by non-christains, but many christians listen to secular artists.
The reason? The actual music sucks, it's just that it's the best available from people who have the same religous views as the record company. Obviously people will gravitate towards high quality music, because even non-christians can write music that appeals to an ethical and religous person.
Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, strength.
If you make music that sucks, but talks about Jesus, are you following this? If you follow Jesus, seek relation with God, do you have a responsibility to lead others that way in everything you do? Does a waiter have to ask about someone's salvation everytime they take an order? Does a tire tech have to refuse to change a tire of a car with a satanist sticker on it?
I think that a christian musician needs to do their job the best they can. That means making darn good music and refusing to put out sub-par junk just to have a new CD. Making good music that they are proud to call as their offering to God. That means putting out real lyrics that seek to express. Even the bible talks about doubting (Ecclesiastes, Job, Psalms), heroes living in sin (David, Noah), Good people falling short (the entire gospel of Mark), and even sexuality (Song of Songs).
But the one difference is in the public atmosphere. A Christian is someone who sins, just like everyone else, but they try to do better. Yeah, I was upset that Katy Hudson (perry) went the direction she did, I really liked what he music said. But I get over it because she made a clean break. She was no longer calling herself a christian artist. If she did these things, or was proud of them, while promoting herself as a christian artist I would take issue. One of the guys in RAZE (about the same time as KH) was molesting people while being a christian artist. We always find out about ministers going off the deep end. I am upset at those people because they are claiming to speak for the christian community.
Do I think we need to look to Katy as a role model? not any more. We are not her target audience. But I look forward to seeing what she could have to say once the roller coster fame gets done.
the fact that chris tomlin, the most sung artist in christian music around the world, dates young girls in their 20's while he is almost 40 bothers me. it is much like the lead men in secular bands. they need arm candy to show how much money they have and use thier money and fame to seduce naive young girls. shouldnt christian singers who call themselves worship leaders be different than the average jo on stage.
chris also allows his girlfriend to dress provocatively. what does this say about him and the girls he choses to date. is there lack of respect for her by him? i think many christian artists are getting caught up in the worldly side of their fame and fortune. i thought chris was a man of honor but apparently he is like the rest.
Sarah, who is Chris Tomlin dating?
Joanne
host of the GS blog
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