Is Christian Music always Christian?
Don’t hear what I am not saying.
There are plenty of Christian artists out there who are great people and excellent musicians. But I happened across this video last week, and I had to laugh because I realized that sometimes the “Christian Music Industry” creates bands who exist for the sake of profit, just like the “Regular Music Industry” does. These are ridiculous distinctions, I realize that, but it’s the best I can do to make sense of reality.
Take a look at the video. Does it reflect any truth at all? Do some people lie for the sake of keeping up appearances? Is the Christian music industry really to blame? Are all of us to some degree just like the artists portrayed here? How can we battle against this tendency in “evangelical culture?”
Holy cow… that was…. waaayyy too close to home. Hilarious, but also nauseating because I don’t think it’s THAT much of an exaggeration. While it’s targeting CCM, I think that’s something that could be applied to many in the church as a whole.
“It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.” -G.K. Chesterton
This is narrowly-marketed satirical comedy. I’m sure some parts of the “Christian” music biz are cheesy and corny, but this wouldn’t be unlike any other type of music really.
I mean, if you look at jazz, you have the greats like Duke Ellington. And then you have Kenny G. And some people like Kenny G, but it’s still cheesy. And it all fits under a broad (very broad) definition of “jazz.”
I’m not too concerned, some Christians like to beat up on Christian music as a reflex, and there sure are straw man targets out there to justify it. There’s so much of the Christian music biz I just don’t know anymore, and my opinions would be based on perceptions that are 10 years old.
We should ask ourselves, is this sort of thing not appealing to us because it’s achingly bad? Or does it not appeal to us because we’re not the target audience? I think we so easily like to write off “Christian” music because we don’t like its style, forgetting that we’re not always the center of the target market.
There’s some Christian music out there that I don’t like at all, but my mom loves it. Doesn’t mean it stinks overall, just according to my music tastes (which incidentally have changed a lot!).
It’s probably both. This isn’t targeted toward a broad audience, and it’s not too terribly creative. Then again, I’m not sure they were reaching for the moon here. Some parts of it are pretty funny.
What do you think?
Me? What do I think? Actually I think Brad is dead on. I saw myself in almost each of the characters.
I really think that (while you are right, it is poorly done and narrowly marketed) they have really found a loose thread in the heart of most of us.
So in a way it makes me ask the question… Are Christians really Christian?
Secondly, I hate the label “Christian” Music. Jazz is a genre - whether good jazz or bad jazz - it’s a genre. “Christian” is a marketing niche.
Just for the record - there are two more episodes, and there are some pretty big stars in each of the last two . I was shocked.
Sure do wish I could see the video but it says it’s “no longer available”…..drat!
Hi Sadie,
Tray again, it just worked for me… could be an error…
Wow, I agree with Brad.
I can’t really reply - I don’t even buy Christian music at all these days - and if it’s anything like this video portrays - I likely won’t waste my time.
Thanks Brad
I tried it several times yesterday but it finally worked for me this morning.
Many a truth is told in jest and it’s important to see the message in the text and the message behind the text.
Does anyone know anything about the producers? Are they Christians pointing out weak spots or people really trying to hurt others?
I don’t THINK they are Christians, but I wouldn’t swear it. I took a look around their you tube channel and they look like just another comedy club.
I also don’t think I would say they are trying to hurt others.
My best guess is that they are people who do not believe in the Christian Narrative primarily because of the hypocrisy which they apparently perceive exists in the Christian community.
That was a long sentence, but I think it sums up what I was thinking…