So, I'm going to start this post on what seems a sort of strange tack when given the title above.
Is there any place for Rock music as a genre within Christian circles. That is, music made with a Christian intent, purpose, and "lyrics" intended soley as a Christian song, but in a rock style, genre, etc.
This is a question I have struggled with for years.
Due to the inherently rebellious slap in the face nature of the rock genre, I've had a very hard time justifying it as legitimate for a Christian song. That is not to say that Rock isn't a legitimate genre in its own right, I've come to believe that that is indisputable. I am, however, takign aim at the so-called "Christian Rock." Is it legitimate? Or for an even deeper question, is an act of rebellious or vociferous obstinance ever justified for a Christian?
I came to the conclusion that no. It isn't justified. I couldn't come up with a reason that a Christian should ever display the sympathies expressed by the ideas behind rock music. But then I went back and listened to this song by Stephen Curtis Chapman (ignore the video) :
Bring it On
What strkes me about this is that 1) It gives a very legitimate direction to point our stubborness and (in some ways a form of) rebelliousness to the world we were once enslaved to, and 2)it acknowledges God's complete and sovereign authority over all events (even trials), and at the same time using that knowledge to slap satan across the face.
The message of this song is absolutely foolish in the eyes of the world, but in our justified state, it can only be seen as audacious and astounding. And what better way to exclaim this audacious, world-slapping message then in a blow-you-away style of rock song? In my opinion, the base and base drum pedal needs to actually be brought up more than it is on the cd during the chorus.... as it would serve to make the song more powerful. But that's my only critique.
So there you have it, I'm back at the title. Audacious Christianity. It's a little nickname I've sort of come up with for this idea that we as Christians should not only be living as though every moment and every breath is for God, but even that when buffeted by trials and tempations and all that the world can muster, the really Christian response is to rejoice because we know the secret: It's only there to make us stronger. I wish I had that kind of faith. But I know I want to be able to say what Chapman's lyrics say: "Bring it on!"
PS. I promise my next post won't involve music.
2 comments:
First, I do read your blogs still. You mentioned I think in the last one you weren't sure who still did, but I do.
Second, I think your conclusion was correct. It isn't justified. You asked if it could ever be right to be rebellious? The answer is "no." Rebellion is as witchcraft. (1 Sam. 15:23) God does not differentiate between what we are "rebelling" against. It is just wrong.
Some comments on the song. (I liked the video better than the song, ;))
The message of this song in fact is not foolish in the world. A simple search saw this song matched with video games, cartoons, etc. The world had no problem taking this song and incorporating it into its program. Yes, it had references to God, but until I had the lyrics in front of me, I actually missed it the first time.
Aside from maybe one line, I thought it fit almost perfectly with KH. /shrug.
Your last paragraph I can agree with completely however. Yes, we live every moment and breath for God. Yes, when trials and temptations come and the world/devil/flesh attack we should rejoice. But I don't really need the song to tell me that. I think perhaps it put into words what you had already been dwelling upon; but I don't think it should change your mind on the the "Christian Rock" thing.
Oh, it doesn't completely. Basically, my view on Christian rock is this: Most all of it is unjustified garbage. Not only musically (which it is), but also in terms of legitimacy as a Christian genre. I guess my feeling toward this song is that it is the one "Christian" song that I know of that manages to seem both justified in terms of content and still be a definite rock song. This being said, I would never advocate something like this in church. It just doesn't make sense. But as a piece of music, and perhaps even Christian expression, it works. I don't know....does that sort of clarify anything?
Thanks for reading, btw. I really enjoy your feedback and comments. It's nice to have an opinion I respect to bounce some of these thoughts off of.
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