When sorting through my music collection, I, like most, file according to genres. I keep my modern hip-hop funk separate from my Thelonious Monk, and my roots-rock separate from my Motown. I go through phases of being into different genres. Often I'll listen to nothing but folk for a couple of weeks and then dive into a weeklong changeover listening to nothing but my favourite band, Radiohead. One thing that I don't do though is separate my Christian music from my non-Christian music. This has never really made sense to me.
What is it that makes music Christian? Do all the band members have to be Christian and declare it loud and clear on their albums and at their concerts? Does there merely have to be a band member who believes in God? Some things are obviously Christian such as my second-favourite CD, the rock opera soundtrack, Jesus Christ Superstar. Some things are more debatable, such as my all-time favourite album Kid A by Radiohead.
We lose something when we try to divide our music collection, or worse, discriminate against certain artists because they're not Christian by our definition. There's a lot of great music out there that's very 21st century secular-pop-culture but which we can still enjoy, and even learn from, as Christians. One of my favourite Radiohead songs "Stop Whispering", although originally written as a tribute to the band The Pixies, is a perfect expression for Christians: "And the wise men say I don't wanna hear your voice…. Stop whispering, start shouting. Stop whispering, start shouting." How often do we hesitate to defend an ideal or friend at work or at school, because we do not want to feel out of place? It's difficult making our voices heard as Christians these days. Society has little tolerance for us taking time to think about what's right according to our faith.
At the Live 8 concert in Barrie, Ont., dozens of artists performed in support of increasing Canadian aid to Africa. The concert was free and 35,000 lucky ticket holders enjoyed an amazing experience. Most of the bands had little to say or sing about God (although Neil Young wrote and performed a touching song for the event entitled "When God Made Me"). Finding the spiritual in such a secular event is easy though. After all, the motive for the whole international series of concerts was to help raise awareness of poverty in Africa.
I have little difficulty bridging my faith and pop-culture in music. I can think about God no matter what music I'm listening to. I like Radiohead because they remind me of my place in the world. Their music makes me think that the little things in life that bother me are insignificant, compared to the greatness of God's love.
Music is what we make it. Sure, if we take every lyric spat out by Bon Scott of AC/DC seriously we're going to be offended. But taken lightly in its goofy style, this rebel-rock band, like many others out there today, is a lot of fun. Fun is something Presbyterians, like all humans, can always use.
So instead of criticizing secular culture and music, embrace it. Make the best out of it. You might surprise yourself when you discover that your favourite rock band has inspirational lyrics buried away that you, as a Christian, are proud to shout!
