| Music. I have only gotten into Christian music in the past 5-6 years. Growing up, I was woken up on Saturday mornings by classical music or one opera or another. (This always meant "house cleaning time" in the Stenglein household). I used to dread that. Now I do actually enjoy both. The rest of my childhood and teen years was filled with 80's music yeah...hair band rockers were cool. After meeting my wife, I was introduced to Country music (insert story about broken cowboy with lost love and expired pet here). I have grown to like it quite a bit. Growing up I would have NEVER believed that in a million years. |
| I now listen to a lot of Christian music. David Crowder Band and Casting Crowns are really my favs....But one thing that I have found since getting back in touch with God and church is that a lot of Christians seem (Read: this is MY perception) to keep only to strictly Christian music. This kind of troubles me. I am puzzled as to why this might be. There are a LOT of bands outside of the Christian genre that not only rock but are extremely Christian based. One huge example of this is U2. I would challenge anyone to not hear a message in just about EVERY U2 song. Another example would be Big and Rich. Now some of these songs, especially in the beginnings of their careers can be a bit tawdry...but their new album is tremendous (shout to J.W. for stealing his word). Anyways...I could list on and on: Van Morrison etc etc... |
| I bring this whole thing up for a couple of reasons. The first, really is that as Christians I feel we should constantly challenge ourselves to find new avenues on which to spread the word about God. Second is I work with the youth and while a lot of the young men and women I talk with listen to wholesome music, a lot of them do not. (Not gonna go on a rant about this cause I know how I was.) But I guess the main point is this: In order to talk to people about God, we need to take a walk outside our box. We need to know what others are doing (not just seeing it on the news) in order to hold some type of common ground. Music could be something to run with? BTW if anyone has some great music suggestions, please let me know!
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Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Common Ground
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2 comments:
I've been thinking about this a lot as well. I listen to mostly 70's and 80's music, and also Christian based music as well. I am not a huge fan of the Christian radio station out here, but our pickings are slim.
I grew up on oldies because of my parents, and even messages in some of those songs are unwholesome.
All of that to say that, I agree with you. We can't put music in a box and judge it's message by it's genre.
nice post.
what makes christian music, "christian"? the fact that it's sung by believers? the content of the songs? the fact that it's played on christian radio? the fact that it's awful? (oh wait, that's just my commentary).
the "problem" with music is the fact that it can have a strong influence on us. the key is recognizing that and finding music that has a positive affect. while I don't think that means it has to be christian music, i do think there's a whole lot of junk out there.
crank dat soulja boy.
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