There is no such thing as Christian music
I grew up going to a small school, which was part of the small church that I was part of in our small town, which, you may not be surprised to discover, created kind of a small view of reality in my mind. The height of human artistic achievement was the town’s only movie theatre, Rogers Cinema, which may have had almost 4 screens! The pinnacle of exotic culinary delight was either the Perkins family diner or perhaps the China Chef restaurant that employed probably 90 percent of the non-white people of the town. And the story of the universe was about a six thousand year old earth that some big powerful guy that we called “God” made so that I could believe in a guy named Jesus and go to heaven when I died…
Sing it with me: It’s all about meeeeeee, Jesus/and all this is for meeeee…
Anyway, this guy named God had music that he liked, but it was only the kind of music that was sold in stores that also sold lots of Bibles and pictures of bearded white guys holding lambs around their necks. The other kinds of music… you know the kinds that most people listen to that say words like “baby” and “damn” that they sell in places like Best Buy… This guy named God didn’t like that music because for every minute that the music played, you couldn’t hear the word “Jesus”… well, any times! He needed a much higher J.P.M. (Jesus per minute) before he liked the song.
I know this sounds funny, and I wouldn’t have ever put it into those words, but that was basically the reality. I remember when the youth group burned all of our “secular” tapes. (didn’t the Nazis do something like that…) But I had a problem, because I didn’t really own any secular tapes, at least none with words like “baby” or “damn” in them. So I think I may have just found my tape with the least amount of J.P.M.-ness and tore it to pieces!
I look back at those days with a mixture of embarrassment and fondness. I liked how simple the world was when it was so small and understandable. But, small-mindedness doesn’t always have the greatest effect of good in the world…
I guess it was a gradual thing, but over the years, as I walked with God, I realized I had made idols and silly images of him in my head. He wasn’t a guy “up there”. In fact, God wasn’t really a “He” at all, that was just a metaphor. Then I went to college and learned that there’s pretty good evidence that the earth is older than 6,000 years old, and that the universe is bigger than I thought it was, as I learned that there are a lot of things that people don’t know…it all humbled me a bit. I began to realize that all creativity and goodness and beauty comes from this infinite creative source that is responsible for the universe’s existence. This God that holds all things together and is the source of all life and love is also responsible for any beautiful thing that human beings ever do, no matter what they believe about Jesus or God or how old the earth is or whatever. All beauty belongs to God.
Then I got signed by a “Christian” label, and started learning about the “Christian music industry”, and realized that many people in the industry aren’t really Christians. In fact, sometimes the Christian music industry has shadier things going on then people in the mainstream market. I realized that a lot of these people that called themselves Christians said things that they didn’t really actually seem to live out or believe.
Then I realized that things like labels or CD’s can’t be “Christian”, only people can be “Christian.” Christian means being a follower of Jesus. Music can’t follow Jesus. Only people can. That means there is actually no such thing as Christian music. That would be like saying that a house is agnostic because an agnostic built it. A house is a house. Words are words. Music is music. This also means there is no such thing as “secular” music. It’s all just music.
I think this idea of secular music being evil is probably not as prevalent as it was in the 90’s. But I’m not actually sure it’s for the best reasons… Let me explain:
I’m not sure that the American Church hasn’t just faded into the culture more. A lot of us used to be “not in the world” in our attempt to be “not of the world”, and now a lot of us are both “in the world” and “of the world.” Scriptures teach us that we are to be “in the world, but not of the world.”
So, I’m not sure that our reasons for being in the world, listening to their music, watching their shows…etc are really rooted in anything deeper most of the time than that we do not care that much anymore. I don’t think that’s healthy either.
Ideally, I think Christians should seek to maintain a purity of mind and heart that is “not of this world.” We should be aware of what we drink in and how it affects us. For me, I have realized that if I listen to too much Christian radio, I end up getting cynical and angry. So I don’t listen to it. If I read too many books that are really anti-faith, I tend towards the same line, so I limit my intake of that stuff as well. But I also try to open my mind and heart to the potential voice and beauty of God that is all around me and very present even within the unexpected places in our culture.
For example, I personally have seen and experienced FAR more of the beauty of God in the films of the master filmmakers of our culture than in the movies labeled as Christian. There are films and plays and pieces of literature and art and music that are drenched with the creativity and majesty of the Creator that are made by artists who would call themselves “atheists.” They can’t help where they got that creativity from, even if they’d like to try.
On the other side of the coin, for those who may be cynical towards the “Christian” markets, we must remind ourselves that even in things labeled “Christian”, the beauty of God can be found. Perhaps we can even find the beauty of God reflected in music of hypocrites and Pharisees. Perhaps even on Christian radio.
This constant tension of trying to live in the world but not of it is a tricky one, and it’s easy to get the two ideas mixed up. There’s nothing wrong with singing songs about Jesus, and trying to sell it to Christians. At least I hope not, because that’s what my job is… And, believe it or not, I do love a lot of Christian music actually. But my hope for myself and the Church today is that we could learn how to recognize and be formed by the true, the good, the beautiful that is reflective of the presence and voice of God in the world around us, both inside and outside of the church. And secondly, that we would recognize the pollution of the world that is present in much of the human art as well, both inside and outside of the church, and learn how to keep ourselves from being polluted by the world.
May 15th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Agreed. The term “Christian music” defines a market niche more than the performer’s relationship with God.
Do you think the existence of a Christian genre dissuades talented Christ-following artists from competing in, and transforming the general market, and culture at large?
May 15th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Hey Michael,
I am a part of campus ministry and being in college you are constantly exposed to the art of the “secular world” and of the “christian world” there are so many things to debate over and things that are pulling you back and forth. I personally didn’t grow up in the church and have always kinda been numb to things but others that did grow up in the church are so sensitive to every little thing. So for my listening to a song by say Dashboard confessional that says the word “damn” once or twice isn’t bad but to them it’s like I went to partied with Satan. This constant whats right whats wrong whats christian whats not was totally put into a different perspective by this blog and your ideas on the topic. So, thanks a bunch of sharing your point of view and opinions I appreciate it. I hope anyone else that reads this takes it as another person’s opinion and opens there hearts to the ideas of others and isn’t closed down to thoughts of the people around them. After all we are all here for the same purpose and to fight of the small things rather than focus on the big things is silly. Thanks again Michael!
May 15th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Interesting question Paul, I think that I do. But not so much in that most Christian artists wouldn’t LOVE to make a difference in the general market.. But I think the limits come more from the limit that the genre imposes on the people of the general market. For example, I probably wouldn’t go to the “Buddhist” section of a music store, and probably would be suspicious of the music found there.. Why would they bother labeling it “Buddhist”? I would think that it must just be something for Buddhists or some attempt at turning me into a Buddhist.. And my guess would be that the music wouldn’t be great..
But if there was a great artist that was also a Buddhist, as a buyer, I wouldn’t care about that very much. If Chris Martin became a Buddhist tomorrow, I would still buy the next Coldplay record…But if he put out a “Buddhist” CD, I doubt it would make that big of a splash in the market.
I think a CD placed in the Christian section limits itself to a niche market, and that sucks because that’s where our CD is.. I’d MUCH rather have it in the Rock/Pop section. I think most Christian artists would probably feel the same. I could be wrong though.
May 15th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Thanks for the comment Briana, I’m glad you liked it. : )
May 15th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Michael,
I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this subject. Definitely feel the same way.
Hope you’re well!
May 15th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Wowzee, you mean someone is actually going to make sense in today’s culture. Gooooooooo Michael & Lisa
Thanks for all Your GREAT music!!
May 15th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
Michael, I have to say that you’re pretty much right on the money. I find that within the world of art/entertainment there is a confusion especially amongst believers as to what is appropriate etc. The way you look at it is the way I tend to approach things. I think as believers we often sacrifice quality and substance, for religious pretenses. It’s actually quite sad. Thanks for your post.
May 16th, 2010 at 1:35 am
Interesting….I find myself wondering what would happen if musical beauty and excellence were blended in with powerful, scriptural lyrics and true Christian integrity. Certainly there must be someone that will start a so-called Christian label and really follow Godly business practices. Michael, maybe you will be a pioneer in putting together a record label that holds true to Christian principals and allows artists who are really being moved of God to put out excellent music focussed on lifting up God’s Word without having to deal with lack of integrity in business practices. Maybe you are the man to finally make this happen with your background. Hmmm?
May 16th, 2010 at 4:04 am
This is a bit off subject, but when I first heard your song cannot keep you (after I got over the fact that it was going to raise quite a bit of controversy which I think is necessary sometimes), I was blown away by the way I was limiting God in my own faith and consequently my actions. “He is not a tame lion but he is good” as C.S. Lewis put it. And I love the way that you ordered the lyrics. Find him in the streets and prisons, and then eventually in your bibles and churches. That really got me thinking about what God really cares about instead of what we do out of obligation a lot of the time. Lately God has made a habit of blowing my mind and I just want you to know that your music is a definite factor in that. Thank you and keep doing your thing.
May 16th, 2010 at 5:35 am
I don’t think that all labels are corrupt Brian. : ) In fact, while everyone at my present label might not be a Christian, they seem to do business in a very honorable and in that way “Christian” way. There’s plenty of great people in this industry trying to do things well.
May 16th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Michael,
Why did you sign to a Christian record label? Why not just stay out of that industry? You put yourself into a machine you don’t care for, and are now a part of. Surely, you would have known what CCM was all about, right?
The issue I see with musicians who are Christian is that they want to be loved by the world. And to me, that’s even more compomising than being of the world.
Just my thoughts on this Sunday morn after being at a Christian music conference in Buffalo that you played at, made money at, sold your music at, and was filled with Christians.
May 16th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
This was intense. i have to stop reading your blog before I go to church, my mind is all like what what.
Keith thats also an intense concept “people wanna be loved by the world, and to me, thats even more compromising than being of the world.” But isnt that what american culture grooms us for? To draw the attention to ourselves, spend hours blogging, tweeting, facebooking, all the while trying to reveal yourself to others.
I remember when I was younger and that love journal website came out. My friend wrote an entry that nearly got a few of our group suspended. When my grandmother finally got a hold of me, she said would you run down the street naked?
I was really surprised, and of course said No.
Then she asked, then why would you put out all you leave yourself naked in a public forum? And she was right thats what it’s like thats what people are learning, leave yourself naked until someone notices, and once you have their attention fight to keep it. Unfortunetly it doesn’t surprise me that “christian” artists do what they do, cause it’s everyone does. Sad but true.
My prayer, is that God keep lifting up people of character and integrity, in the music industry who’s lives are a song all of their own.
May 16th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Keith, I actually am not signed to a Christian label anymore. I said no to doing another record for that original Christian label. Not because they were bad or anything, I just didn’t feel great about it. The label we ended up going with was an indie, mainstream label in Atlanta GA. They are not a Christian label. This is also why we have started doing our Beautiful Things events. We do them outside of the church walls.
That being said, our music is church music.. It’s made to be sung to God.. We aren’t trying to get away from Christians… : ) We love leading worship and doing concerts in the Church. I don’t try to avoid Christians meeting together like they did this week in Buffalo, I simply try to avoid the unfortunate parts of the “machine” that you refer to as much as possible…
May 16th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Thanks Scott! How are things going for you guys? Haven’t heard from you forever!
May 16th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Its one thing to be in the world.. of course that is what Christians should be doing, sharing their stories and their lives through all the various methods at our disposal and being a light. What I was referring to was an issue of the heart. Wanting to be “loved by the world” is a self serving motive. We should be above that and serve the world.
Michael, gotcha, I was not aware of what you are up to these days. Good for you!
May 16th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Your blog was very thought provoking. I remember when I wrote a song while my husband was deployed before the war began (we are going on our 4th deployment). I had lots of people saying “oh this song should be on the radio” and stuff like that. I watched as I would attempt to merge into that business and others were sending my song to people they know, but I never knew how to classify the song and i would find myself surprised at the behavior of the christians in the business. Especially one of the radio stations that calls itself a christian station. They’re behavior was, well rude. It surprised me to be honest. Mostly because I did think that being a christian is a heat issue which should radiate into every area in our lives. Not that we are always perfect, but more Christ centered. I hope that makes sense. The funny thing is I don’t write songs for mans glory anyway. I want God to use it however He wants too. If a soldiers wife is comforted then that’s all that matters.
One more thing, remember when Abram didn’t tell the king that Sarai was his wife? God, who was not the God that the kin worshipped, gave him a dream about Sarai. Just one of the many examples of how great and mighty God really is.
Courage and Godspeed!
May 16th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
As a musician, I’ve learned to tread carefully in my criticism of “Christian” music. For me, musical styles really affect what I listen to and how I listen to and process the music and message. Sometimes the music does not line up with what I like, even though the message is solid in theology and creativity. I have to remind myself that there are people who will probably identify with the style of the music and the important message within will travel well.
In some ways, the message can also be right but in a “style” that I really do not enjoy. This is more difficult to manage than differences in musical style. A good reminder in this case is the body of Christ. We are built to serve specific purposes and this individuality is bound to lead to stylistic differences. To reach the whole world, we’ll have to speak a lot of different languages, including cultural ones. I think the same holds true in the niche of Christian music.
As far as “Beautiful Things” is concerned, it’s some of the most creative and superb music I’ve heard in a long time. And the message is solid, challenging and moving. I don’t usually repeat music more than two or three times. This album has been through iTunes 18 times for me. Each time, I get something more out of it. Each time, I experience God.
May 16th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
that’s right on, i’ve been having these discussions recently too. my question is though, how do you do this full time and at the same time not make your worship about a genre or a business while still providing for your family. thats where i’m at and there’s definitely a pressure of which label to sign with vs. going independent but risking the marketing options that could come from a bigger label, while at the same time keeping a pure heart and not wanting to just “sell” songs. it’s probably a whole different topic i know, and really i wish we could just sit over coffee so i could get your wisdom on this since it seems you’re doing it. thanks man
May 17th, 2010 at 4:41 am
Michael,
We share a similar background of small-town Christian life and I agree with what you say. I’ve never understood why people condemn music based solely on the fact that it isn’t “Christian” music. My favorite example is the band Thrice, who aren’t signed to a Christian label, but who’s lyrics are more thought-provoking and often more blatantly Christian than some “Christian” bands. It shouldn’t matter whether a band is signed to Island records or Tooth and Nail, what matters is the message. Also, bands like Thrice are able to reach more nonbelievers because they aren’t signed to a Christian label and more mainstream music listeners will listen to their stuff. Just my thoughts. Have a good one!
May 21st, 2010 at 3:11 am
I love this.
Tolkien’s term “subcreator” fits well what God made us to be. If our art is truly truthful art it will glorify God! He made us to create. The term is a problem which assumes if we label something that it automatically is good. How about “the art created by a follower of Christ”?
May 21st, 2010 at 1:22 pm
This was a great read of a unique perspective. To me, it seems to have a great to do with balance. Being “in the world but not of the world” isn’t about hiding in a bubble and only relating to Christians. Nor, is it about sampling everything the world has to offer. It’s about living and enjoying life with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Too often we ignore the Holy Spirits nudgings to be somewhere, do and say something, or just be available. We’re focused on our own agenda. Just as often, we put ourselves in situations we don’t need to be in because we’re focused on our own agenda.
My wife and I went to Mississippi College. It’s a Christian college. Even a private Southern Baptist college. While a college can’t be Christian or Baptist, the education can be focused on faith and spiritual aspects. Granted, as you pointed out, issues occur on these campuses just the same as others and maybe with a different twist because those things “shouldn’t happen” at a Christian school. And those situations are then handled poorly by people focused on their own agendas.
I don’t regret going their in the least. Going to a Christian college doesn’t make one more spiritual no more than going to a state college makes one less spiritual.
I enjoy listening to a Christian radio station in the morning because the music is positive and encouraging. However, I thrown in secular music and talk shows to a degree. I’ll admit it, there’s something very catchy with Lady Gaga’s tunes. While I enjoy some radio shows, I cannot stomach damn being used behind God. But listening to tunes focused on faith doesn’t make one more of Christian than not.
We cannot live in extremes. We shouldn’t be so Heavenly focused we’re of no earthly good but we can’t be experiencing all the world has to offer and proclaim that Jesus is our hope. That’s definitely serving two masters…and that never ends well.
May 21st, 2010 at 4:43 pm
[...] read a blog post by respected Christian artist and songwriter Michael Gungor that really got me to [...]
May 21st, 2010 at 10:57 pm
[...] There is no such thing as Christian music (Gungor Music – Michael Gungor – @michaelgungor) (via @rash_ferguson – tumblr) [...]
May 22nd, 2010 at 9:58 am
Yep, ‘Christian’ = Good Noun, Bad Adjective!
May 22nd, 2010 at 2:12 pm
I think that I have been waiting for 35 years for someone to put this into words. I’m tired of the politics and the culture, and the line of demarcation. All of God’s creation groans in anticipation of the manifestation of the sons of God. Let the creativity flow and don’t attempt to control, label or manipulate it. Funny, the most spiritually inspiring CD that I have heard in a while is U2′s No Line On The Horizon….a rather prophetic title wouldn’t you say?
May 22nd, 2010 at 2:16 pm
…particularly the songs Magnificent and Moment Of Surrender. But it’s all excellent music.
May 30th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Charles Colson’s books and ministry cover this topic in depth and are much recommended. His basic idea (which I believe is true) is that you can’t put God in a box (church, Christian bookstore, whatever…) because the whole universe is His. Chuck is also very balanced and so passionate about God/Jesus/RealChristianity. Highly recommended for people looking for more on the subject.
May 31st, 2010 at 12:57 pm
[...] There Is No Such Thing As Christian Music – Gungor I was going to write a whole post on this one, but since Rich already touched on it [...]
May 31st, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Gungor – thanks for your music and your provoking us to love and good deeds. I am unworthy to write a thing…but it seems things turn so complicated sometimes don’t they? Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. All our worship before our God and Father (in His presence face to face, and if we really get into His presence we are changed) should lead us to serve as He served…KISS! Peace and Love…
June 2nd, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Wow – You wish the whole Christian Culture dissolves? How ridiculous! I am so thankful there is one at all with the way things are going! We ought to see ourselves lucky that God has blessed us with the way mainstream Christianity has taken such a prominent role in society. You fit right in with the “it’s never good enough” crowd. What a win it is for the Kingdom of Heaven to have this Christian culture exist! And you wish it was gone?! I am disappointed that you are so frivolous with your words since you are a Christian leader.
June 4th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Wow! Great article. As I write this I am listening to “Cannot Keep You.” Seems fitting. Thank you for your creative perspective and openness to Beauty and Truth wherever they may be found.
I saw you guys in Concert last Friday in Tacoma. I was one of a handful of Gringos in a church full of mostly Hispanic brothers and sisters. It was awesome! It was creative, fun, and worship centered. Even my 10 and 8 year-old boys loved it.
I bought “Beautiful Things” and have really enjoyed it. I keep telling everyone about it. I think I’m getting kind of borderline abnoxious about it. I know my wife is getting tired of hearing about how great it is. It’s just that it’s the best stuff I’ve heard in a long time. It’s soul food. It’s like the experience of not knowing how hungry you are until someone offers you something really good to eat. Thank you! God bless you!
June 7th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
I Love, Love, Love this blog! Humans sometimes forget how Huge and Magnificant our God is! From the beginning of mans creation, God has worked through us to Glorify Him. Atheists, nonbelievers, Jesus haters, christians, all faiths, all race, all humans, God gets a message thru. Most do not realize it. But, every good thing that comes from any human being, is of God! Yes, atheists! God speaks thru you at His will and He loves you, although you refuse to believe. For where there is Any form of beauty and love, God is present! You would have to be a hater of all life to avoid Gods presence within you! But even then, the most hateful person, cannot avoid the all powerful God! For your entire body consists of Him! Gods Holy Spirit hovers over the entire earth, the entire universes, the entire human race. And where the Holy Spirit hovers – God speaks!
June 7th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
oh geez! I really need to add one more thing! To christians! Do we really think that God is only going to use us to get His message of love to the world? How simple minded and prideful to think this! God will use, everything, everyone to speak thru. So be ready, keep your eyes and minds open! He may speak to you thru an aethiest today or someone else you have judged is a “sinner”. And in knowing this is a blog on music, Yes, God will speak thru any musical artist He wants to, no matter their faith or walk in life. Don’t miss out!
June 9th, 2010 at 4:05 am
Michael,
How funny stumbling across this post when this past week I discussed this same false notion of “secular” with an old friend. I feel the very same way you do, even about the extremes Christians often embrace, always missing that fine mark.
I truly appreciate how you’ve let God tune your thinking, even when it often goes against the “small view of reality” you wrote about. I’ve gone through some of the same.
In discussion about these touchy subjects, I try to keep in mind 2 Timothy 2:23 “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments…” LOL. It’s hard to do, man. The flare-up over “White Man” was probably one of those times of testing your patience. LOL
Anyway, I greatly respect you and Lisa. My wife and I have looked up to you guys since way back to the “BattleCry” days. Haha! I even conversed with Lisa in Knoxville, TN about another one of those “touchy” subjects like your admirable decision to can the song. She wasn’t sure if we’d understand, and I quickly guessed the militant overtones were the reason. She seemed relieved of having to explain. Ha! We completely understood.
I’m rambling. Keep making beauty, bro, and be careful of those foolish arguments.
June 16th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
Oops…sorry it posted twice! Weird blip, I guess…
June 20th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Hey Michael,
I really appreciate this posting, and I’m excited for what Gungor (the band) is doing – may the Lord bless you by making you all into instruments more able to bless HIM!
While I can’t say that I agree with everything in your post, I certainly agree with the sentiment – that God is authoring a marvelous story for His glory, and composing a beautiful symphony for our enjoyment. I was conflicted about bringing up a lot of myself, but I wanted to share a little of my testimony, as it has certain parallels (and foils) to your own.
I was not raised in a small-town Christian home, but rather in a suburban, church-going home outside of a major U.S. city…on the East Coast (not NYC). I came to the LORD at the beginning of Senior High, just as I abandoned drama in favor of guitar, and my friends in theater abandoned me. I was alone, hurt, and broken – and God met me there. But it took me a while to break a certain fascination I had with academics, doing really well in school, and being altogether too bookish, at the cost of not being able to form strong bonds with people – or God. And God continued to draw me in, meeting me wherever I was.
After a while, my world was completely altered as God was working out the new picture. I’m so glad that He broke through the strongholds, barriers, and idolatry that I had set up. To sum up, my upbringing was very different than your own – it was probably closer to the typical elitist suburban Northeastern experience, and not the typical experience of one who grows up within the stricture of American Christendom.
I went to college, and found a lot of garbage that made me feel really small and insignificant if I forgot who my Father (who art in Heaven) is, but the yearning of my active heart and mind couldn’t be beat down by American academia, and I found inspiration in engaging the Word, about some really good evidence that the universe is a whole lot younger than 14 billion years old, and that God works all things out for those who love Him, according to His purpose. I’m at a place now that I can say with sincerity, “I see You, LORD, even in the places that used to beat me down and make me feel abandoned and alone. You are worthy of all praise, through all trials, and in all things. As the ancients sang, so I sing – Hallelujah!”
I guess that the point I’m trying to make is that we came from different places, and even took different routes, but God has us as characters in His story, and has adopted us both as sons in order to glorify Him with praises (albeit you do it in a MUCH more visible way…in a worldly sense, at least – ha!).
I apologize for overdoing this listing, but I don’t really do the blog thing very much, and I felt a hankering on this hot and humid Sabbath Day!
Bless God,
-zg
June 21st, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Hey Gungor, just heard about you guys after my brother went to a concert of yours, love how fresh your music sounds and the truths you sing! God does makes beautiful things out of dirt! I’m a pastor’s kid and deal with the same tension you talked about here, it’s funny to think how quickly we swing the pendulum of anti-world to anti-christian. Using the term tension really resonated with me as I think about doing what I call “pagan band practice” on Friday with my unsaved friends and then playing worship music Sundays. I at first was scared that I had friends that wanted to play music but weren’t saved and were actually quite outspoken about their unbelief, but I think God has showed me that religious music doesn’t save, and he has more purpose for my abiility in music than just Sunday mornings. It is a difficult tension, but even there God can make beautiful things! Thanks for your thoughts, it was a great encouragement!
June 23rd, 2010 at 2:35 am
hey michael – i only just found out about you and your music and now have Beautiful Things (thanks iTunes) anyway, i agree with you. the labels (christian etc) are pointless and not about the style of music. all the best with everything.
June 23rd, 2010 at 6:19 am
Great thoughts. Challenging, provoking. I like where you brought it back to, with your thoughts on the hypocrisy, pollution and tension. And I have to say I am in LOVE with your music, and was left with my jaw on the floor at the Worship Central conference when you guys played at Rock Harbor, I knew you guys were good, but seeing you play live was one of the best, freshest, creative musical performances of my life, really. Thanks for being fresh and standing out in your craft, and staying honest and truly creative. Thank you!
July 9th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14. Our daily hope and prayer is that his kingdom may advance on this earth. Praise the Lord for transforming us with the renewing of our minds. May he continue to be revealed in ways such as this. Please continue to allow the Lord to work through you and spread the beauty of his glory through his beautiful music! We are also intimately connected to the christian music industry and it is such a travesty to witness the utter death that is there. It is to me more discouraging to listen to christian radio than most any other. The blasphemy is deafening. Nevertheless, it is being used to glorify him, just as Joseph’s brother were used in this way. The hope and the kingdom are always there and good WILL eventually overcome evil, age-long and agonizing as it is. Beautiful music, beautiful hearts seeking the glory of God. Press on guys. Praise the Lord!
July 16th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
YOU ARE SOOOOOOOOOO RITGHT!! i have come to that certain relization but i havent been able to put those words with it, until now. thank you so much and you did amazing at Camp Electric, it completely changed me. Oh and congrats on the baby!
July 24th, 2010 at 3:16 am
I take what is good, and leave what is bad. There is good all over the place.
July 29th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
The Word says that if put our light under a bowl, our light has no effect. But if we allow that light to go out into the world, then our light has meaning. (paraphrased)
I suppose the one thing I see very wrong in the church today, with all due respect to all ministries, is that we have confined our viewpoint to only touch those that have already been touched the Glory of God. Our number one mission is to love and encourage the body of Christ, but it is also to spread the Good News in the highways and byways.
That said, we can’t be effective if we only cater to one group. The true Glory of God is revealed when the World says, “God truly is among you…”
I think we are limiting our creativity by saying we are Christian Artists. Why not Rock/Pop Artists who happen to be Christ-Followers. The giftings and talents open the door then our testimony paves the way for the unsaved to see and hear themselves.