What Exactly Does the Term "Christian Music" Mean to You?

Dracoslythe · December 20, 2009, 06:21:44 PM

This started from an argument I had with my grandma. She CLAIMS that Casting Crowns isn't "real" Christian Music, because they have a rock-like sound to their music. These were her exact words;;
"They're only trying to please the world. That's not Christian music, that's a bunch of hypocrites singing Christian lyrics to worldly music." I laughed. HARD. Like seriously, to me, Christian music is defined by the LYRICS, not the STYLE OF MUSIC.
She thinks that ALL Christian music should be like Amazing Grace or other older-styled music. Like seriously, what's the difference if I wanted to listen to this;;

Lyrics;
Take one last breath; your about to jump to your death

Sail Away from the shoreline, Sail away from the shore, Im infront of Heavens door.

Captain Captain, before the sail rips (x3)
Gasp for air... ABANDON ALL SHIPS!!!
The currents strong, the waves will rise, the binding chains made me realise ; Sin is the anchor, holding me down.
Im on a cruise to Paradise, im done with sin ive paid my price
God is our captain, Change your direction

Look what we've built, walking the plank of guilt. (x2)
Look what we've built, walking Blindfolded.

Or this;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iExYwELrM5U&feature=related

Music styles are SO much different.
But the lyrics aren't...sorta.

They're both talking about how God is the one that can save you, blah blah (I could care less, sorry lol)
One's just more modernized, and one is...old. lol

Personally, the broader scope of music there is, the broader the audience you can reach,
bleh.

Your thoughts, SZ?

Gleech · December 20, 2009, 06:26:41 PM

I believe that as long as the lyrics are praising God, than that music is indeed Christian music. The style how its played doesn't matter.

Yes Casting Crowns plays it in a way the world will like more, but its to ATTRACT the attention of non-believers and bring them to Christ.

Dracoslythe · December 20, 2009, 06:29:13 PM

Quote from: Gleech on December 20, 2009, 06:26:41 PM
I believe that as long as the lyrics are praising God, than that music is indeed Christian music. The style how its played doesn't matter.

Yes Casting Crowns plays it in a way the world will like more, but its to ATTRACT the attention of non-believers and bring them to Christ.

That's EXACTLY what I tried to explain to her.
I was like "yes, but not all people listen to church choir music, or at least, not all people like it. If there's a song that has the same message, but in a rock or even a screamo style, more people are apt to listen to it."

Super Sonic Boom · December 20, 2009, 06:33:16 PM

Christian Music to me usually means praising God's and or Jesus' works in one way or another.
I also think it could mean music that can obviously be played in a Christian Church during a mass or so.

Chaos Swissroll · December 20, 2009, 08:01:30 PM

elder people are arrogant dicks to the EXTREME, please look out Draco

Dracoslythe · December 21, 2009, 01:48:27 AM

-off topic-
Holy shit, I just counted how many times I used 'like seriously' and then I proceeded to shit bricks. ;~;

-on topic-
haha, yes I know. Well, not all old people, but my grandma takes it a bit to the extreme. I swear our church(as in I'm forced to go to this one, but I try to get out of it, one cause I'm not even Christian, and two, because I hate my church. ;~;) is more like a ...idk, really, cult? than a church, even trying to control what we wear. Hell, the women aren't even allowed to wear slacks or nice looking pants, and the men HAVE to wear ties and cannot wear jeans.

But my other grandma's amazing. xD
I'd rather go to mass with her anyday (although she doesn't go alot...she's not a real churchgoer but she is Catholic in religion) than to that crazy-ass independent southern baptist conservative hell-hole that I have to go to.

EchidnaPower · December 21, 2009, 02:34:20 AM

My favorite Christian singers are:

Mark Lowry
The Gaither Vocal Band
Carmen

Carmen does a rock style singing too. Like so:

Th pics are interesting, but it's all I could find on short notice.

Here's one for Mark Lowry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OghQSzMydXI&feature=related

Little slower, but still nice.

And finally, The Gaither Vocal Band together:

Christian music doesn't have to be boring! It can be really enjoyable!

Hakudamashi · December 21, 2009, 03:47:47 AM

Christian music is music done by christians
is what I say...

Chaos Swissroll · December 21, 2009, 04:08:11 AM

I like this Christian rock band, Pillar.

Watch closely in the video and you'll notice they don't use the "devil horns"

EchidnaPower · January 21, 2010, 05:41:25 AM

Quote from: Windlessusher on December 21, 2009, 03:47:47 AM
Christian music is music done by christians
is what I say...

*Bump*

Tell that to Miley Cyrus, or the Jonas Brothers. They're Christians, but you never hear them praising God.

Gleech · January 21, 2010, 08:59:13 AM

Quote from: Dracoslythe on December 21, 2009, 01:48:27 AM
-off topic-
Holy shit, I just counted how many times I used 'like seriously' and then I proceeded to shit bricks. ;~;

-on topic-
haha, yes I know. Well, not all old people, but my grandma takes it a bit to the extreme. I swear our church(as in I'm forced to go to this one, but I try to get out of it, one cause I'm not even Christian, and two, because I hate my church. ;~;) is more like a ...idk, really, cult? than a church, even trying to control what we wear. Hell, the women aren't even allowed to wear slacks or nice looking pants, and the men HAVE to wear ties and cannot wear jeans.

But my other grandma's amazing. xD
I'd rather go to mass with her anyday (although she doesn't go alot...she's not a real churchgoer but she is Catholic in religion) than to that crazy-ass independent southern baptist conservative hell-hole that I have to go to.

You should visit my church, we're WAY less strict.

ChaosDazer · January 21, 2010, 09:06:17 AM

You should visit me church.

We would wreck havoc *shot*

In my opinion, It's music based around Christianity.

smash_legend · January 21, 2010, 04:45:18 PM

Quote from: Dracoslythe on December 20, 2009, 06:21:44 PM
This started from an argument I had with my grandma. She CLAIMS that Casting Crowns isn't "real" Christian Music, because they have a rock-like sound to their music. These were her exact words;;
"They're only trying to please the world. That's not Christian music, that's a bunch of hypocrites singing Christian lyrics to worldly music." I laughed. HARD. Like seriously, to me, Christian music is defined by the LYRICS, not the STYLE OF MUSIC.
She thinks that ALL Christian music should be like Amazing Grace or other older-styled music. Like seriously, what's the difference if I wanted to listen to this;;

well you need to spank your granny till her but glows red lyk an apple
christian music is what you make it, if the words are worshiping God, AND you are worshiping God with your heart as you are singing, then you better damn well believe it's christian
and your granny can take THAT to the bank

Mikey · January 21, 2010, 06:33:18 PM

Theres actually a Christian Death Metal band called Impending Doom. xDDD

But seriously, Christian Music can be a wide variety of things.

IMO: This is the best song ever,

I guess it all just depends on how you worship/praise God.
Doesn't matter if its Death Metal or whine Jonas Brothers crap. (;-;)

jkid101094 · January 21, 2010, 06:39:06 PM

Quote from: Gleech on December 20, 2009, 06:26:41 PM
I believe that as long as the lyrics are praising God, than that music is indeed Christian music. The style how its played doesn't matter.

Skillet is cosidered a Christian band but i've never heard them talk about "God" in thier lyrics. I think as long as they don't swear they're considered Christian.