Comments on: Why Does Christian Music Have to Suck?

By: Dana

Dana — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 19:06:13 +0000

All music has an agenda because all people have an agenda. That doesn’t explain why Christian music is consistently formulaic and boring.

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 14:41:05 +0000

Because Christian music has an agenda.

By: frelsj

frelsj — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:11:04 +0000

It sucks for some of the same reasons that almost all pop/rock/worship music sucks. Banal and unimaginative harmonies (really, how many times do we have to hear the same 5 chords?), corny and/or amateurish words, a total lack of any interesting rhythms/tempo changes/meter changes whatsoever (just the same old steady drum beat for 3 or 4 minutes), a uniformity of sound in almost everything (usually the same instruments, roughly the same volume, just the SAME again), and usually very similar melodies, which are lame. Christian pop/worship/rock is usually worse, but none of it is very good. It’s all so bloody simple minded. There is nothing intelligent or remotely artistic about it, and by that I mean almost all pop and rock, but especially the Christian variety.

By: Wes

Wes — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:52:56 +0000

I have been a musician for most of my life, I am a Christian, I play in the a praise band in my church, but I do not enjoy Christian music. I agree with the generic cookie cutter analogy, most of this stuff sounds very bland and underwhelming. I believe we should give God our best, that means in creativity too and I just don’t hear it in most Christian music, especially what you hear on K-Love. There is absolutely nothing wrong with showing some superior musicianship and creativity in Christian music because God deserves the best we can give him. I listen to older music, 70s, 80s and 90s, rock, pop, metal etc. What I hear in this “secular” music are great melodies, great musicianship and creative talent. I mean, when was the last time you heard a good guitar solo in a Christian song? Maybe one day Christian music will catch up, but right now for the most part it is severely lacking. If you enjoy Christian music as it is, then I’m happy for you, but I don’t and I’m not alone. We Christians can do better.

By: bryan

bryan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:24:11 +0000

music is spiritually inspired by either faith based or demonic forces and as man lives in a sin nature and satan is also known as a musician we know that this is already a stomping ground for the enemy. in this God has saved us yet we are still tempted and easily distracted by satan therefore we must guard ourselves from the enemy who since he no longer has our souls wishes to stop us from witnessing to others and will distract us at every instance possible. listen to the lyrics. eminem, three days grace, nirvana, breaking benjamin have all made lyrical references to losing their souls. train yourselves and search the word. christ be with you

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:15:08 +0000

Although I have been a “Christian” for my life, I became a Christ follower one and a half years ago. Since then I have developed a bit of an interest in Christian music, especially unique rock songs (not just rock) and how that song gives a message… my pastor likes to sometimes use music videos as analogies during sermons and with a good song that relates to the point being discussed during the sermon, music can be made even more powerful.
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Yeah, its a shame that some Christians believe that Christian music must always be positive and uplifting… a few even believe that a Christian’s life must also be that way or they are not good Christians.

I like some uplifting music, though some can be very generic and I am not really a fan of every song on Christian radio.

The original poster said that some bands are rejected (especially on radio), while the secular world likes them more. One song such as this is “Death of Me” by Red. Its not uplifting, its not really positive, but if you listen to the lyrics and watch the video you can see that it is about the battle against sin and your own sinful nature (the man that the singer is running away from is a darker version of himself).

It is UNIQUE and it IS a great Christian song because it talks about how many people turn to sin instead of God to “heal their afflictions”, but how can you (my sinful nature) heal me if you are the sickness and not the cure?

It does not seem Christian at first glance, but ESPECIALLY because even after accepting Christ the sinful nature does not just drop dead and there are still troubles in this life, this type of music has a very important part to play. For example, Death of Me is not uplifting but it focuses on the war of us against the folly of our sinful natures.

It shouldnt be all that Christian radio stations play, but it should have a presence and Christians should listen to these songs and think about the meaning of the lyrics while still enjoying the awesome guitar and drum playing.

By: Ritch

Ritch — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:45:51 +0000

I am a follower of Christ for many years and have been involved in Christian & secular music for almost as long. I too agree that Contemporary Christian music is – at best – weak, bland and following a trend, and – at worst – pointless, bland and following a trend.

In the early days of Christian Contemporary music – the Jesus music era, if you will – you could at least tell the difference between the artists – whether you knew them or not. Even as late as the 80′s you could at least tell a Randy Stonehill song from a Mylon, or a Leslie Phillips from an Amy Grant.
Now, I can’t tell Casting Crowns from a Mercy Me from a Third Day.
Same styles – same sounds – WHAT IS THE POINT?

Some will use the stance that they are praising God and as such do not need to appeal to the masses.
Then, why waste the materials it takes to make a recording – just sit in the privacy of your studio and sing to God as much as you want.
No – ultimately, when you lay your tracks down to a recording, the point isn’t so much directed at God as it is to the masses. So, again I ask what is the point?

It is a rare thing to hear something original in secular music as well as Christian, but the Christian realm should have the upper hand – we have the Master of creativity, the Creator of music and art. Worthy of more than a bland “Everywhere I go I see You” chorus – MWS.

I have a relationship with God and believe He deserves more than a passing phrase or melody.
Where is the feeling of “I Am A Servant?, the hope of “King Of Hearts”, the humbled awe of “There Is A Redeemer”?
There are a number of great artists out there – Tree63, Fly Leaf, Switchfoot, Warren Barfield, etc.
But, where are the leaders who will lead us out of this quagmire of mediocrity.

It has nothing to do with the previously stated words “Faith, Jesus, God….” – it has to do with talent, heart, talent, heart, talent & heart. They go hand in hand.

When your heart is in union with God and you’re living for Him you will have a reason to write about Him and for Him, but it takes more than a clever rhyme and an appealing melody.

By: The Christian Boys

The Christian Boys — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:07:08 +0000

We’ve talked to several Christian radio stations and were told that they all have a specific sound that their listeners want to hear. They agree that the music all sounds the same, but its what their listeners want to hear.

They also agreed that different styles would benefit the stations, but they’re afraid they’ll lose the current fan base and couldn’t build a new one quickly enough to satisfy advertisers.

Our music is neither hard rock, or typical Christian pop, but a mixture of pop/dance/house Christian music. It’s definitely not the same, but we will never be on Christian radio unless they create a new station. They need a Christian rock station, then Christian pop/dance/hip hop.

By: rich

rich — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:26:01 +0000

If you can bring glory to God without lyrics, then logically you can also bring dishonor to Him without lyrics. The reason I believe Christian music could, and should, never sound as like a lot of other music sounds, is because I don’t think its a Christian sound of music. There’s nothing sacred about it. Its that simple. Now, I totally agree that for the most part, worship music sounds better than other Christian music. But I think that they should be one and the same. There should be no difference. Music that rocks isn’t necessarily bringing honor and glory to God. It can, but it is not a given. And I think this is a big reason why Christian music and secular music can never really sound the SAME. They serve two very completely different purposes. God created music before He created man. Man can never really bring glory to himself with music although he can try. This is because music was created by God and it can only glory or dishonor Him. We humans are experimenting, and stumbling, and bumbling around trying to produce and compose music that probably isn’t that great even when we think its awesome. But God accepts our worship because its worship. Not because it sounds good, or because we sound talented or because we can rock out. Man looks at outward appearances but the Lord looks at the heart.
Christian music should intentionally be quality music. But if in sounding different from secular music we don’t think it sounds as good, then we need to work hard to give God out best. Or we might need to re-think our definition of what sounds like good music.

By: Thom

Thom — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:27:15 +0000

The reason it has to suck is quiet simple. It’s not real, it’s not coming from their heart. They are taking other peoples creations such as metal or rock and manipulating it to try in a semi covert way to push there own agenda. Anyone especially kids will spot this right off the bat. Which is why so many christian kids secretly listen to the real deal whenever they can get away from their totalitarian parents. They see that the stuff the christians are putting out is completely phony and bland. They see these real musicians playing not with there hands but with there souls and it speaks to them. They see there is something greater than the christian dogma and even the christian deity that they’ve been told is a god. And they want to be apart of that something, which is why christians fear that kinda music so much. As far as heavy metal with a positive message I’d say Tool would be great for this, although personally I don’t care for their style of playing the message is rather uplifting and truly spiritual in some songs.