Secular Music, Christians & The Church

Posted by Scott Williams
21 Comments
February 5, 2009
Controversy | Got Questions | Hmmmmm | Questions | The Church

secular-musicLast year I had blogged a post that asked a question very similar to the one I’m asking today; the post was entitled “Secular Music In The Church” which provided for some lively discussion.  Today’s question is simply:

Should Christians listen to secular music?  Do you listen to secular music?  Why/Why Not… Discuss!

On another note, I have been receiving e-mails, DM’s, recommendations… suggesting questions to ask during this weeks blog series.  Those recommendations have included a wide range of topics, such as: Women showing their clevage, low rise jeans, women showing their thongs, tithe 10% of gross or net, should pastors drive nice cars, how much money should pastors make…   I have decided to allow you guys/gals to pick tomorrows question.  In adition to answering todays question you can recommend what question you would like to see answered tomorrow.  Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

  • http://holyridaz.com holy ridaz

    Don’t know about a should or shouldn’t as each person is responsible for the choices they make (or fail to make), the question they should ask is not whether it is permissible to do so…but rather is it beneficial to them and the Body of Christ. We personally don’t do secular for several reasons:

    1. G.I.G.O. Garbage In equals Garbage Out

    2. Listening indicates agreement and endorses whatever the music is saying, and in essence is your approval of the same thing to happen in your own life.

    3. From and economic standpoint why would I invest my money and time in people and music that are in direct opposition to the Kingdom of Heaven (conflict of interest)

    So it’s not a matter of whether we can or should not listen to secular music…the question probably should be why would you want to?

  • rachelle

    Brodie & I are a little disappointed…all the great topics we gave you last night and this is the one you post?! :)

    Oh, and yes, I do listen to secular music. When my radio is on, it’s usually on K-LOVE. However, the IPod has everything from christian to country to big band to rap. The music I’m listening to depends on the mood I’m in. And, Madeline loves to dance to Kanye (edited of course.)

  • http://www.sosgospel.com Leonardo

    I think that it depend on the “lyrics”.

  • Mike

    Use the same discretion and wisdom with your movies as with your music. Be mindful of the message what what you’re allowing to influence you.

    Suggested question for tomorrow: should we look to corporate-world business practices for wisdom on how to run a church?

  • http://www.unveilinghope.com Hope

    I listen to secular music but I find that since I’ve given my heart to Jesus, I’m more discerning about what stations I’ll listen to and some songs, depending on the lyrics, don’t get air time with me. I’m sure God enjoys it too – after all much of that music is written and composed by people He really loves. :)

  • michele

    I definitely am on the same page as “Hope” since walking w christ my music selection and tolerance seems to hav changed drastically. I don’t think I can even recall when last I even had the urge to change the station while driving a total of at least 50 miles a day from XM32..great tunes great message all day!

  • http://whosreadsthisstuff.blogspot.com/ K Ford

    As a Switch leader, I feel compelled to know what my students are listening to. And some of their music is just plain trash! But it’s a way to engage conversation, and combat some of what the secular world is impressing upon them. And occasionally, if a song has a toe-tapping beat but R-rated lyrics, I’ll revise the lyrics myself. =)

  • http://www.kevinbussey.com Kevin Bussey

    I agree that it depends on the lyrics. Luther took Bar songs and made them into hymns. If the lyrics are ok then I’m ok with any kind of music as long as it doesn’t have a steel guitar!

  • http://deneenwhite.com Deneen

    I don’t think that there is anything wrong with listening to secular music in general. There is some real garbage out there, but completely isolating yourself from what is going on in the world–ie where people who have yet to meet Christ–are living is dangerous and insular.

  • http://religionsucketh.com Jonathan Jones

    What makes a song “Christian”? As Kevin pointed out, Luther took bar songs and made them hymns.

    I think the lyrics have a lot to do with it, as well as the artist. For example, I love “Amazing Grace”. But there are many “secular” artists that perform that song, yet they are publicly living a lifestyle that blatantly sinful. Obviously, it doesn’t change the message of the song, but it does make it a little difficult to listen to when you know that the person singing it hasn’t accepted the grace they’re singing about.

    On the flipside, there are songs from Metallica’s early years that have lyrics ripped straight from the Bible (Creeping Death is a perfect example), but no one will ever claim Metallica to be a Christian band.

  • http://paravane.wordpress.com jimmy paravane

    I’m getting old. All I could think of was how many cleavage flashing, low rise jean and thong wearing, 10% gross or net worrying, nice car envying money-grubbing angels could dance on the head of a pin. Seriously, I know WWJD is cliche even for you aliens now…oh wait…does that mean the other side is winning and y’all are really distracted by this nonsense? Nevermind, I’m going back to listening to my secular music now. Oh cool! Switchfoot! (grin)
    Hey…what happens when you put yer logo in a blender with a green frog? Yep. Definitely getting old.

  • http://www.twitter.com/derrickhenslee Derrick Henslee

    I thought about getting involved in this conversation, but I would feel too much like a heathen. Better go back to my pseudo-sub culture of a Xian bubble and turn on some Ray Boltz..whoops..better not listen to Ray since he’s got the spirit of Jezebels all up on him.

  • Woody G

    There is plenty of good music, with good lyrics, that is not Christian. Does music suddenly become acceptable as soon as someone says “Jesus”?

    Once again, I feel compelled to point out that you are posting about “fluff” topics. Where’s the “Should Christians Shop at Wal-Mart?” topic?

  • http://willohroots.wordpress.com willoh

    Don’t make up an answer to a question like this, think about it biblically. God must like a love song, He put one in the Bible. Song of Songs is amazing, and R rated [at least].
    The bible quotes books that are not in the bible, so extra biblical reading must be ok. Music, or anything, that fills you with sinful thoughts, or causes you to move toward sin is not OK.
    Let the Holy spirit guide you, He will, it is His job. Do not fall for legalist traps. what is OK for you might not be OK for me.

  • Pingback: perceptions of hell « aliens among us

  • rebecca

    I am in agreement with those that said that it depends on the lyrics. Personally, I rarely listen to secular music, especially songs from my past. Even though the lyrics aren’t “bad” or “R-Rated”, they can take me back to whatever was going on in my life at the time. Music can influence my mood, so I am VERY careful about what I listen to because the wrong song can bring me back to the depression I was feeling at the time I originally listened to the song. I know a lot of people who listen to secular music and it doesn’t seem to affect them in the same way, so it’s ok for them.

    BTW- God used a Christian song (I Can Only Imagine) on a pop station to bring me back to him. He met me where I was. I wonder how many other’s he drew back to him in that very same way?!?!

  • jalex

    I greatly regret not listening to more quality secular music, as I was growing up. When you listen to or watch media labeled as Christian, your chances of finding truly God-inspired material may not be that much better than if you put less weight on that factor in your choice. You’d be surprised just how meaningless and empty some Christian music is.

    More importantly, why has there been a massive growth in brain-dead worship songs flooding churches? They are equivalent to “The sun comes up, it’s bright and warm, glad it’s here, Jesus lalala, it gives me joy, Jesus lalala”.

    I’d rather hear puking and screams.

  • http://dreamershub.com willbill

    well, for secular music, first it depends on the lyrics. If it is full of trash, why bother listening to it. Second, sometimes I listen to secular music on for educational purposes. I’m a musician myself so I listen to bands that are really good and where I can learn new things in playing. But of course, taking it too much has no value in the kingdom of God. Thanks.

  • http://www.anthonymako.com anthonymako

    My first thought is how much the christian music industry is like the secular music industry. You can walk into a “christian” bookstore (I guess meaning that the bookstore has accepted Christ and made it Lord of its life) and just see how they set up their marketing to sell their junk. Today I was there and saw a fireproof version of the bible. What are they saying by putting this thing out there? You can only study the bible along with this movie if you get the version that corresponds with the movie? Christian industry makes me a little sick at times. The music industry is the same. They are out to sell things. That is why “Christian” artists release greatest hits albums with all the same songs on them that everyone already owns. I almost want to boycott the “Christian” music industry. They are much worse. They fly under the cover of Christian and then act the exact same way.
    I have no problem with mainstream music, in fact I am a fan. It tends to be more creative, and more excellent. By the way, I hold worship music in a different category. I adore worship music, and pray that it hasn’t fallen into the same corporate trap as “Christian” music.

  • jordy

    I grew up listening to almost nothing but “Christian” music. Apparently my parents didn’t want me to be negatively influenced or something. But I do regret not getting a wide variety as a youngster. I’m gonna have to say that secular or Christian, most of the stuff on the radio bores me to death. Since going to college I’ve come to love bands or artists like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin and through them I found out about the blues musicians who influenced and had a big impact on them as well. My music tastes have changed drastically now that I’ve been exposed to these artists who I feel are masters of their art. When I listen to them, I feel as if the music actually means something, there’s so much feeling in it. Today, most everything I hear feels over produced and empty, Christian or secular. I guess you could say I agree with the sentiments of jalex and anthonymako pretty strongly.

  • http://kentamplinvocalacdemy.com Vocal Coach Ken

    I would love like to see Christians to take our singing and playing craft more seriously. We seem to have fallen in to a rut of “campfire music / singing” and though there is nothing wrong with that (for people 16 and under) this seems to keep getting spoon-fed to the church as “great modern worship.” Paul said when I was a child I spoke as a child I reasoned as a child etc. but when I became older, I put away childish things.” I wish we could do that. Also: David played skillfully before the Lord. Old testament singers & musicians were hand picked by by their talents first and then weeded out by their dedication to God (because they had so many people “trying out” that were skillful, they could afford to do that). Nowadays what we do is we pull in anyone “who’s heart is right” and leave out the talent part altogether. Paul said to run the race for the victor’s crown. The bible instructs us to study to show ourselves approved. Yes of course it means to study scripture but also to strive for excellence in all we do. I’m not in any way trying to eclipse the holy consecration of one’s self unto our creator in an abject posture of total surrender and holy communion unto our Lord, but I would so love to see the church take God seriously as though they are playing before a King, rather than it be “just good enough.”

    -Vocal Coach Ken

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