Christians making
music for the many rather than the few
Rock Gets Religion:
The Battle for the Soul of the Devil’s Music
Author: Mark Joseph
Publisher: BP Books
(www.wndbooks.com)
Pages: 325
If you have ever
wrestled with God, others or yourself about music, Rock Gets
Religion by Mark Joseph is helpful. Even if you don’t agree
with the author, he covers the main issues.
At the Crossroads
by Charlie Peacock and Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner were like
forerunners for this volume, which expertly chronicles progress in
the visions contained in those earlier works. Music by Christians in
the marketplace has come a long ways since the Jesus music era
beginning in the late 60s, and the story is still being written. This
remarkable volume brings readers up to date and shows where it is
heading.
Part of my response
is marvel as in “Look What God is Doing” (Scott Wesley Brown):
Look what God is doing
All across the land
See His Spirit moving
Feel His mighty hand
God’s hand may be
seen in all of this. I’m glad that followers of Christ are being
heard in popular music. Those who might look down on this need to
read this with an open mind.
Even though I have
followed this subject by reading whatever I could find, I didn’t
realize until now just how many Christians are in mainstream music.
In my other life as a mild-mannered office worker for a big box
retailer, I even hear them on the piped-in music. Most people
probably don’t even realize it as they may not be paying attention
to the words, but the message is there.
Just the other day I
heard Blanca singing on “Different Drum,”
So let’s break the mold
Go off the wall
Be in the world, but not of it
This infiltration
has become so pervasive that one book cannot tell the whole story.
Sufjan Stevens is one artist that I would have liked to have seen
included in the profiles. Despite any omissions, I’m amazed by the
many artists, a number of them new to me, others ones I recognize,
featured here.
This tells their
stories. Many of whom them completely bypassed the Christian music
industry and experienced some level of notoriety in the world at
large. Something only dreamed about in the past is now a reality.
This has been
achieved with varying degrees of integrity and success. The author is
careful to chronicle failure along with victories. Katy Perry and
Miley Cyrus are two of the cautionary tales. Both had a religious
upbringing; both shed early confines when they grew older. In each of
these two cases, readers not only get their own words but also the
perspective of their parents.
If Peacock and
Briner supplied the theology and vision, this is rich in
illustration. The stories are well-written, insightful and inspiring.
It’s hard to put down.
A slight weakness is
that it becomes a little repetitive. Like many music critics the
author has an unfavorable view of contemporary Christian music (CCM).
The criticisms are not unwarranted and have been well-documented in a
multitude of sources. I would have preferred fewer reminders of the
negative aspects of CCM. They detract from the otherwise excellent
analysis. Others, however, may appreciate his point of view.
Probably every
artist dreams of being heard by as many people as possible. It’s a
valid reason for avoiding the CCM label. However, if some feel they
should primarily be making music for other Christians, they should
not be judged for not having a wider audience. The Holy Spirit gives
different gifts; not everyone has the same ministry. Some callings
are more oriented to the Church.
Some artists who
happen to be Christian want their music to be accessible more
broadly. They should not be judged as worldly for operating in a
different sphere. Personal convictions don’t need to be imposed on
others. Let everyone be persuaded in their own mind.
This is one of the
best and most current resources available on the sometimes tumultuous
intersection of faith and music.
It even gave me the
opportunity to catch a glimpse of a past favorite’s faith. Among
the albums that were played frequently at one friend’s house back
in High School was Pretties for You, an early release on
Bizarre Records, Frank Zappa’s label. I never imagined back then
that my connection to that artist would involve more than music. He
writes the foreword for this book. It was a delight to start with
Alice Cooper’s brief thoughts. The presence of Christians in
popular music is more widespread than many may realize. “Rock”
now defies easy categorization.
