Can Music “Sound” Christian?

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While studying for my first music degree, I was required to take music history. I’m not a history buff, so I won’t tell you that I loved that course, but I certainly learned a lot. And I can assure you that there are no satanic roots to the modern form of music as we know it. Music was created by God, and it’s intention was to be used for His glory. Throughout the ages, music has taken many forms, many genres, and many styles. Something very important to keep in mind is that music in of itself isn’t evil. We have this mindset that certain music just “sounds” more Christian. Or conversely, “sounds” secular.

But it’s not the music that is good or bad. There are essentially three things to consider when judging the “morality” of a song:

  1. The lifestyle of the songwriter
  2. The intention for which the song was written
  3. The lyrics

At no point is genre, sound or style part of the equation. How many times have you played a song for your parents, and they said “that doesn’t sound very Christian!”. God bless their hearts. But a musical style can’t have a measure of morality attached to it, unless when considered, one or more of the three criteria are found to be suspect.

Musical styles are cultural. If you associate dance/techno music with night clubs and drunken behavior, you’ll have a hard time viewing it as appropriate for praise and worship. If you associate drums and loud guitars with the drug-laden music of the 60’s and 70’s, you may not approve of those instruments in the church. If you associate rap and hip hop with gangsters who swear and promote violence, you’ll have a hard time seeing a raper as being Christian. Just because something isn’t your “style” or you aren’t used to it, doesn’t make it bad.

God has given us the gift of music, and He’s gifted so many people to write and create. We’re missing out when we’re limiting what styles we can use in church. Since when does the world get to decide which music is good? Why are we giving into their trends? As Christians, we should be setting the bar creatively. It’s not about following what the world is doing, it’s about following where God is leading. And if that means having a DJ in the praise service, then so be it.

We really have no idea how powerful music is. What we put into our minds affects everything about us. By narrowing “Christian” music into a few cheesy, boring styles, we’re not giving our kids many options of things to listen to. If you think that everything outside of good old fashioned hymns in evil, then don’t be surprised when your children are filing their brains with all the junk that’s given to them from the world.

I encourage every type of musical style. Instruments aren’t holy or unholy. It’s all about what you’re using them for. Is it about promoting yourself, or an agenda? Or is it for the glory of God? The Bible talks plenty about music.

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” – Psalm 150:1-6

“And it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord.” – 2 Chronicles 5:13

“Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.” – Psalm 33:1-4

“And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him”. – 1 Samuel 16:23

“The song to the Lord began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded.” – 2 Chronicles 29:28

God intended for music to be sung and played unto Him, to acknowledge His greatness. We were created to worship God, in everything that we do. And He gave us music to celebrate all that He has done for us. The world has taken that gift and warped it, and used it for terrible thins. Something good in the wrong hands can become evil, there is no questioning that. But how about we take music back into our own hands and use for it what it was created for. Whatever the world says is cool, or uncool, should have no bearing on our opinions. Christians need to start using their talents for the Lord. Don’t discourage them just because it makes you uncomfortable. Instead, embrace the wonderful creativity and diversity that exists. Take music back.

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