There's no such thing as Christian rock?

Many years ago, Christianity was marred by the very existence of "Legalism." Legalism is what happens when religious people figure just being a good Christian isn't enough and they have to add rules and regulations to the mix. This way, someone who denies him or herself the pleasure in listening to certain music, viewing certain television programs or seeing certain movies can now sit in judgment over those who do not deny themselves such things. I was stuck neck-deep in it when I was a child. I was denied permission to listen to much of anything, see much of anything or do much of anything. There were no scriptures to back this up... it was all done to save face in the eyes of fellow church-goers who had denied their kids so much. No one wants to look like a "Bad Christian." It's wholly cosmestic, and not spiritual at all.

Music is... as you said... praise in and of itself. It doesn't matter how the music sounds or whether or not the guitar is loud and distorted. It makes no difference how fast the beat is or if the song is sung or shouted. It's what's being said that matters. God is poweful enough to where I doubt a guitar solo or a backbeat is going to knock Him off the throne.

I have been a Christian since I was a teenager. I am 35 now. I've also been a U2 fan for even longer. For years, I've had a lot of legalistic, holier-than-thou types try to tell me that I've been tricked into believing that U2 is a Chrsitian band or that Bono is in fact a Christian.

"He curses in interviews," "He's been known to drink/smoke," "His music never mentions Christ or God by name and therefore he could be singing of a humanistic religion," "'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' was Bono's denouncement of his Christian faith." The list of excuses for why they dismiss U2 as being a Christian band is both moronic and superficial.

In a world where tears and blood seem to be shed simultaneously, where "Christianity" has been reduced to homophobia, picket signs and the all-out rush to enforce Biblical principals into our national law and where hate-mongers and bigots like Pat Robinson and Jerry Falwell are considered to be the primary leaders in the cause for Christianity it is difficult for me to be grounded in any kind of faith. More than anything, U2's music combined with Bono's selfless efforts to better this planet make me realize that there is in fact a loving God in charge and although you need wings to fly about the bullsh*t to see Him, He is there and if you try hard enough, you will find peace.

Bono is in a sense a modern-day prophet. I don't mean he speaks directly with God and relays the message to us. He does however have a keen idea on what real Christianity is. It's not what kind of music you like or how you wear your hair or how you dress. It's not sheltering yourself from the world or worldly things. We live in the world! God put us here not to hide, but to shout out our beliefs and our ideas and His love for all to hear. Those who hide in their holy shelters and curse the rest of the world for being dark and lost are being selfish with their salvation and their faith is non-existent. They fear God can only protect them if they are out of the mere existence of sin.

This was a very long way for me to say that legalism in turn destroys a relationship with God. It exists only to impress man... it does not impress God. God wants us to be ourselves. Dirty, sinful, unworthy, unclean... He accepts us all the same and loves us all the same. He is not impressed with whatever rules we make up to try to show Him how much we've sacrificed. He is more impressed with how many people we spread the message to.

It's kind of hard to do that when you're hiding behind your walls and pointing a judgmental finger at the world.

As a Christian- I believe that any music used to the glory of God is wonderful- because different styles of music - touch people in different ways- however- I also have learned, being a instrumentalist and vocalist myself, we have to be very careful that we do not have the music style become more important than God and worship. When Amazing grace was written-the melody was a bar song. God has used it to minister to others and worship God- so if the music is used for the glory of God, the style does not matter. The text must not contradict scripture either.

God can be glorifed in any type of music including Christian rock. Although I don't particularly care for Christian Rock, it reaches the young people and those that like that genre of music. It's the words that count, not the beat.

Music was created by God to worship him. It's the devil that has taken music and twisted it and turned it into what the world does with it.

The Bible says Whatsoever things are pure, whatsover things are good, Whatsoever things are holy, whatsoever things are of good report think on these things.

That says to me that if it is good or even good quality, unless it goes against God we are allowed to enjoy them.

I rather enjoy Christion Rock, Heavy Metal, and even some Christion Punk, and Underground. Check out Demon Hunter some time.

I do know what started the whole controversy in the first place. There was a missionary that went to the jungle and heard witch doctors using drum rythyms to conduct his doctoring. He returned to the States and then heard modern music which used the same rythyms for their music. Hence he denounced all rock music as being satanic.

Which is moronic considering basic drum rythyms are the same world wide. It is a rythym, the witch doctor found a rythym that worked for him. It was simple coincidence that the rythyms matched.

Once upon a time, Dee was a Christian. Once upon a time, Dee used to go to the "Inside-Out Soul festival", where she heard Christian rock and roll.

Once upon a time, Mozart was considered too extreme.

Once upon a time, a tri-tone interval was considered of the devil.

Once upon a time, only music in certain modes was considered holy.

Here's the deal; just because "you" don't like something doesn't mean that your god may not. Is it not the spirit that sings? Are people saying that what they don't like will necessarily lead people away from god?

Give it a rest; there are many types of music because there are many types of people. Music in various cultures shows great variety. There is no verbage in Christian scripture discussing rhythm or construction of "holy" music, and I would be willing to pose that Early Christian music sounded much like the music of the people in that area in construction.

The problem I have with "Christian rock" is that it usually refers to a subculture of Christian artists who have isolated themselves from the rest of society and produce music in an inbred creative environment that punishes talent and originality. It thrives on artificial spirituality, and encourages suspicion of anyone who doesn't talk about God in evangelical terms. And besides that, the lack of fresh creative talent at the production level tends to result in really bad music.

Thankfully, U2, one of my favorite bands, got their start at a time when Christian rock didn't really exist in Ireland, and so they escaped the ugly mess. I'd say U2 is far more Christian than most so-called "Christian rock" bands I know of.

there is Christian's rock. those who claim that there isn't just never listen to it.

Not all music glorifies GOD. Some music if you listen it backward does exactly opposite. Examples, slayer music, some, black metal bands. it all depends on music, and exactly what message composer of that music want to send.

if you remember but "soundgarden" was a Christian rock band, Chris Cornell, i think was or is Christian.

Personally i listen to some Christian rock bands, plus some hard rock "hybrid", dream theater, porkupine tree <they are not mainstream> :) mainstream>

I've been listening to Christian Rock for a long time. Anyone can say that it does not exist, however, there are tons of Christian bands that play their music on Mainstream Radio stations and even on MTV and VH1. It's out there whether you like it or not.

A lot of rock bands do a Christian song or two:

Led Zeppelin did "In My Time of Dying" (which was a cover of an old blues song)

Van Halen did "The Seventh Seal" (not sure exactly what it's about, but it has Christian themes in it)

Collective Soul did "Shine" ("Heaven let your light shine down")

Creed has several religious songs

Doobie Brothers did "Jesus is Just Alright"

Genesis did "Jesus He Knows Me"

George Harrison did "My Sweet Lord"

Perhaps Ephesians 5:19 is the answer to this issue in that it promotes worshipping the Lord and encouraging other believers in three different "styles" of music, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord."