Does the 'Christian Music Genre' Still Exist?
We talk a lot about putting labels on the "style" of music, but consider this question:
Does the 'Christian Music Genre' Still Exist?
If the answer to this question is "no, not really," then what is "Christian Radio" to do? No longer is it a choice between "sacred" and "secular." And frankly, God has always used whatever and whoever he wants anyway.
Is it a day of reckoning with this dichotomy of life we live?
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Does the 'Christian Music Genre' Still Exist?
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070329/26584.htm
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There is a real catch-22 with it and I could argue both sides.
Labels: commentary
6 Comments:
There has never been a single Christian music genre. Christian music is defined by the lyrics, not the genre.
While I agree with your comment, let me take it a step further and ask, maybe a bit rhetorically: what says that a song about the mulberry bush isn't "Christian?" I mean, where the truth is, Jesus is present. He is, after all, the truth. He said so himself.
Again, I'm really just thinking outloud here :)
To me, the fact that we are asking this question is sad. Please go to http://rapurdy.blogspot.com/
To me, it's sad that we even have to pose this question. Please go to http://rapurdy.blogspot.com/
Daniel,
A person might very well take that view that all positive music is Christian.
However, try playing songs that don't mention God or the gospel at all on a Christian station and see how long you last as a DJ! :o)
Going back to the "genre" part of the equation, though, I've always held that lyrical content has nothing to do with defining a genre. The genre known as "Rock music" is what it is because of the style...the instruments used and how they're played, the vocal style of delivery, etc. Any words, Christian, neutral, or evil, can be sung within the genre of rock music.
By the way, I usually break lyrics down into at least three categories...not just "sacred/profane" or "sacred/secular" which is commonly used, but "sacred/secular/evil." There are secular lyrics that aren't evil, but I personally wouldn't call a song about a mulbery bush "Christian." That would mean I'd also have to call the theme song from Barney Christian as well, and I'm just not prepared to do that...though maybe it's evil...hmm...
I enjoyed looking at your article, Roger.
Putting aside my technical dispute that Christian music isn't a genre in the first place, I agree with much of what you've written.
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