Ah well…

I’ll echo Jason. I didn’t really see it as an argument or debate.

NQ,
First, yes I’m a Christian, but I am making something of a concentrated effort to separate myself from a brand of Christianity that prevails in the USA today. I think bcjam puts it well: It’s more American than Christian in many regards.

Second, it’s not about forsaking community and encouragement… but that isn’t what much of the Christian sub-culture we’ve been talking about is about. It’s about marketing and economic consumption; not edification and support. A good number of US Christians have been sold – and willingly bought – a bill of lies packaged as “resources to help you in your walk.”

OK, you asked the really hard question (Solution?), so here’s a brief answer. Simply, the church needs to get back to Jesus’ Kingdom mission. Isaiah 61/Luke 4: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and the regaining of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

If you want to spread the word to non-Christians, don’t you think it more effective to do that by not placing yourself in the Christian bin of the music store? As I’ve said in before, I don’t shop in that bin. Therefor, unless my wife brings it home or a friend plays it for me, I really don’t hear it. If you want to preach to the choir, get on the Christian lable. If you want to sing to the world, go secular.

Thanks BC for helping me see that.

Sometimes music making is a profession. Sometimes it’s a hobby. Sometimes it’s a ministry or calling. I don’t think a Christian who is making music ALWAYS has to be under the Christian label. I do think that God calls ALL Christians to live holy lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, but that doesn’t at all rule out Christians immersed in the environments of the world. After all, that’s where Jesus spent most of his time. Of course, the local church offers support, encouragement, training and accountablity to all of us who are trying to reach the lost.

I don’t think we should assume we know someone’s motivation for making music. We obviously cannot assume we know how God plans to use each of us for His purposes. Although, we know what limitations we have as Christians according to God’s boundaries. I’m not going to become a drug addict in order to reach other drug addicts! Do I think there are Christians out there making a living in the secular world? Yes. Do I think there are Christians out there in the Christian music industry motivated by making money? Yes.

Do I think as Christians we are reaching the world like we should? NO! In America Christianity is on the decline. Where Christianity is illegal, it is on the rise. I think American Christians tend to be more American than Christian. Are we really following Christ’s commands? In your church is there a lot of feeding the poor? Reaching the lost? Are we really giving up everything to follow Christ or do we just talk about it a lot? In my experience, American Christians (including myself) spend more time and energy on my self, not building the Kingdom of God.

This is a complicated matter but for me it comes down to this. If we claim to be a disciple we must walk as Jesus walked. Jesus spent more time in the “world” than he did in the temple. Whether a man is in Christian music or secular music, if he calls himself a Christian but his words or actions do not reflect Christ, I have a problem with that because he’s hurting God’s effort to reach the world through his Body.

…But then on the other lines you sounded like you included yourself. Please excuse my prying; I am just wondering about what you believe.

You said, “If an artist wants to ensure they spend their days preaching to the choir at youth rallies”. Do you think that we Christians don’t need encouragement?? What would we do, have silent youth conferences?? Where do you go for spiritual fulfillment? We need SOMETHING!

The “Too many Questions” was just lightly touching on all the “stir” it creates in like, magazines and such and everyone says, “why did you choose this band and what about that new hit of yours?” And they never seam to just come forward and proclaim why they live for Jesus, if they do. There always seems to be just a little bit wrong with their conduct or how they are living outside of the tour bus.

Quite a lot to ponder!