Bearfruit

It feels good to be out of control: There’s a big debate as to wither music is amoral. I have some opinions, but this blog is not about that debate. It is certain that some music is not amoral (is that a double negative?). The easiest way to tell is to listen to the lyrics. If the song is about hate, is vulgar, is violent, talks explicitly about sex, you can be sure it has a moral view point contrary to Biblical teaching. Unfortunately, many people don’t listen to the lyrics. This is unfortunate for two reasons: concerning destructive music, regardless of how consciously you listen, the words still permeate your mind, and concerning constructive music, there are some excellent lyrics out there.

One such artist who has a good message and excellent lyrics is John Reuben [alt link]. I have not listened to all of his music, but every song I’ve heard has been powerful, lyrically. I will quickly admit that his style of music will offend some, also his bluntness. Your church’s praise team will not likely be singing his songs. My two favorites are, “Do Not” and “Out of Control,” each of which I purchased as part of the X 2004 and X 2005 albums, respectively.

On the subject of music, in Bradenton, the town in Florida where I lived until just recently, we had two great radio stations that played solid Christian music that was not cross-over. Here in Des Moines, my new home, we have 4 or 5 good Christian music stations, but many of the frequently played tunes are cross-overs.

BTW, cross-over music can be interpreted from both a Christian and a secular view-point; a love song may have been written to Jesus, but the artist carefully worded it to allow a non-Christian listener to think it is just another love song. A technique used to gain market share and sell albums to the main-stream public without offending them with the Gospel.

I do not hold cross-over artists in high regard. I immensely enjoy it when Christian artists get mainstream recognition for songs that do not compromise. Some artists who have made it big in secular land with solid Christian songs are Casting Crowns [alt link], Jars of Clay [alt link] and P.O.D. [alt link] - all three are phenomenal groups.

BTW, is it just me, or does it seem odd that the blogger spelling checker doesn’t recognize the term, “blog” ??!!??