Of Christianity and Rock

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. - 1 Corinthians 12:4

It goes without saying that no two humans are exactly alike. Among the 6.1 billion people here on this Earth, it's a surety that you'll find shared characteristics, but in terms of whole equality that's a definite negative. It is also true that we have certain abilities, the degrees and expression of which are peculiar to us and only to us. I make reference of course to our talents, the little things we have a knack for doing, like drawing, writing, playing sports, public speaking, and a myriad of others that I, for lack of time, cannot mention here. On the other side of the coin, there are also things we like to perceive, whether it be artwork, music, literature and so forth (which are indubitably the products of someone else's talents). So we produce via our own talents for the enjoyment and appreciation of those that prefer to consume them. An interesting cycle.

Let's narrow it down a bit and talk to music. Nowadays music is wide and varied, coming from prehistoric natural sounds, to the ancient to the medieval to the dispersal of tradition in favour of diversity. No longer do we listen to music that's bound by cultural lines as it were in the past, nowadays the lines are blurred by a seeming diffusion of styles across borders according to what fresh new innovative minds decide to incorporate into their own compositions. It's only natural that some of these will take off and others will not, especially with the finding of instruments that give off a particular feel that's well suited to what is being produced. If I seemed to be going off on a tangent before, I hope where I'm heading is slowly becoming clear. And while I'm at it I think I'll dispense with the bland essay-type writing that I seem to have been pursuing for the past 289 words...good gravy I think I'm turning into one of those old philosophers. Reading some of those texts you immediately get a picture of a dark and musty old room filled with cobwebs and the scent of several melting candles providing light for the author. Yikes.

Now to get to the point for the sake your time and mine, I'll pose the essential question: "What's up with Christianity and Rock Music??" The rock music I'm referring to here is not that of the secular world--because Lord knows there are some pretty scary/disturbing ones out there (Nine-Inch Nails...hint-hint). I enjoy some of the musical backdrops however, and some of them have wicked-cool guitar tones all wrapped up in them (Big Machine by the Goo Goo Dolls is a prime example). However, the lyrics usually spoil everything--and in some cases I don't even know what these people are trying to express. There was a point at which people thought rockers were just kids who loved singing songs about being angry with their parents--and after my first encounter with their music I was almost inclined to believe the same. But propaganda aside, the main thing here is that one can enjoy a song purely for its instruments and not for the vocals. Having done breakdancing in the past, I can attest to the truth of that--a piece of hip-hop or electronica may be playing and you're following not the words of the song, but rather the rhythm and tempo and matching those to the execution of the breaks. You don't perceive the words anymore--all you perceive is a flow on the beat which the cadence of the words tends to augment. For example, I have no idea what Joe Budden says in "Pump It Up"...but he flowed so well on the beat that dancing to it was a joy ^______^. I think we played that at least once at every session for over a month actually o_O. In any event, dancing to hip-hop doesn't make me want to be a part of that culture I only like the backbeats. Perhaps if the words were more meaningful I'd actually listen to them. It follows then that if you were to give me the same backbeat which I already like, with words that are sending a message, that my ears will perk up and I'll get interested. This is the one thing that we as Christians don't seem to understand--what did the Word say? Moreover, what are we as Christians supposed to do, if not capture everything and make all such things submissive to Christ? Does that not also include music?

Music in and of itself is not evil. It can be associated with evil things however, and that makes all the difference. There is no difference between the sweet subtle melodies of a hymn and the cacophonous sounds of guitar storms other than what you perceive to be your preference (or lack thereof). Check out the Anglican/Catholic hymn 'O Jesu I have promised' and DC-Talk's rock gospel 'Jesus Freak' and you'll get what I'm saying. There's also no question that we tend to fall under the influence of what we like--it's pretty obvious. Ask any gamehead (cough, cough, not I >_>) and you'll see. You get enthusiastic about those things because they appeal to you. So now, let's be shrewd. We've got a Great Commission given to us at the end of Matthew which we must fulfil. So the point here is that we need to find more creative ways of spreading the gospel--in other words, by using our talents. If someone's enthusiasm doesn't lie with the organ, but does lie with the electric guitar, then that person has as much right to praise God with it as the organist does. Both instruments, and more importantly, both persons are being submissive to God, they're just praising him the best way they know how--by doing what they're best at for his sake. By using their talents they can then reach out to other people that have similar likings and tastes in music as they do, and who knows, before you know it a following begins. It's not to say that everyone that hears their music will necessarily be inspired to follow Christ...because once they get the Word out there, it's all up to God. After all, we don't know that person's heart, but He does. His Truth is what draws people...we're just the messengers.

Remember, the measure of a man lies in his heart. It's his courage and faith to be effective, and most importantly, the love that he has for God and His children that defines him. Don't be a flapper. We're all called to serve with all our hearts and minds, so let us not be content to be less than what we really are: the Sons and Daughters of a King.

Till next time.

Blessings!

PS:
'The Measure of a Man' by 4Him is a very good song...I encourage you all to take a listen when you have the time. Now if only I could remember what World of Worship CD it's on...