Contemporary Christian Music – Is it Honoring to God?
Contemporary Christian music, often referred to as CCM, is a genre of popular music that expresses Christian themes and beliefs through various styles and sounds. This type of music has become increasingly popular over the past few decades, with artists like Chris Tomlin, Lauren Daigle, and Hillsong United gaining mainstream success. However, CCM has also received criticism from some Christians who question if it is truly honoring to God or simply mimics secular music trends. This article will examine what the Bible has to say about music in general and look at common arguments for and against CCM to help discern if this genre is spiritually edifying.
The Bible Encourages Music that Honors God
Several passages in Scripture endorse the use of music to worship and honor the Lord. Psalm 150 urges, “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” (Psalm 150:1-5). This psalm calls God’s people to enthusiastically praise Him through music and song. Other verses also connect singing with thanking and honoring the Lord (Psalm 28:7, Psalm 96:1-2, Psalm 98:1). Paul further instructs believers to sing “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” as they worship together (Colossians 3:16). So Scripture clearly endorses using music to glorify God.
At the same time, the Bible condemns music that promotes ungodly themes or behaviors. For example, Ezekiel 33:32 warns against those who “sing lustful songs with beautiful voices and play them skillfully on instruments” to tempt others into sin. And Amos condemned the wealthy women of Israel for lounging around singing idle songs while ignoring injustice around them (Amos 6:4-7). So music’s lyrical content and the heart motivations of those singing matter greatly. Above all, music meant for worship should focus listeners on praising God rather than satisfying fleshly desires.
Overall, the Bible seems to allow flexibility in musical styles but emphasizes that church music should promote sound doctrine and offer sincere praise to God (Colossians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 14:15). The specific instruments used and genres incorporated are less important than whether the music aligns with Scripture and points people toward Christ.
Lyrical Content is Key
Perhaps the most common argument in favor of CCM is that the gospel message it contains can impact listeners for Christ. Supporters contend that focusing solely on musical styles misses the point – it’s the lyrics that matter most. Contemporary styles may attract more listeners and allow Christians to engage with culture rather than isolating themselves from it. If solid, Scriptural truths are communicated through pop, rock, rap or other accessible musical forms, what’s the harm? As one worship leader put it, “We must use the most effective means possible to communicate God’s truth to the world.” Given its wide popularity, CCM could help believers fulfill the Great Commission by bringing biblical truth into the mainstream.
Critics counter that CCM follows the latest trends to mimic secular music too closely. They argue “Christian” artists often adopt musical styles originating from non-Christian subcultures like rock, hip-hop, punk, etc. that promote ungodly themes of lust, violence, profanity and immorality. Copying those musical styles could desensitize listeners to unbiblical ideas subtly embedded in them. Even when lyrics are biblical, putting them to music fused with worldly culture could make biblical truth seem commonplace rather than sacred. Additionally, some claim the emotional stimulation and atmosphere created by contemporary genres promotes shallow emotionalism that distracts from deep worship. So while lyrics do matter, musical styles are inseparable from cultural connotations that also carry meaning and influence listeners.
Finding Balance Between Cultural Adaptation and Separation
Determining exactly where to draw the line between using cultural forms and separating from the world is an ongoing tension for believers seeking to be “in the world but not of it” (John 17:14-16). Hymns and classical sacred music clearly differentiate themselves from secular styles. But total musical isolation is neither healthy nor realistic for connecting with unbelievers. Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in the middle – adapting cultural forms while filtering any ungodly associations. For example, contemporary rhythms and instruments might be acceptable if the lyrics align with Scripture and confront sin rather than condone it. Musical styles that originated with reggae, country, folk or soft rock carry fewer negative connotations than death metal, gangsta rap or sexually explicit pop. Discerning which cultural forms can be adapted while sufficiently distancing them from carnal roots is key.
This balance also applies to high production quality. Recordings with excellent sound engineering and skilled musicians demonstrate excellence that honors God. But an overemphasis on seamless production could make worship too performance-driven. Similarly, while some repetition and emotional buildup is natural in music, songs that rely heavily on hypnotic loops or manipulative crescendos may bascially use musical tricks to fabricate a sense of the spiritual. Believers should ensure that slick production and emotional swells come alongside solid truth rather than covering up weak doctrine or distracting from sincere praise.
Perhaps Christians could learn from genres like Southern Gospel that incorporate newer instruments like drums and guitars while retaining more traditional vocal styles focused on harmonies and hymn-like compositions. This blend of modern and classic can achieve broad appeal while still feeling distinctly different than secular music. Above all, believers must continually examine both musical forms and lyrical content to ensure they ultimately point people to Christ rather than self.
Lyrics Should be God-Centered and Scripture-Rich
Some critics argue that CCM lyrics, even when doctrinally sound, are often vague, repetitive and shallow compared to traditional hymns. Hymns tend to have more theologically meaty lyrics focused on the nature of God, while CCM songs sometimes repeat short catchy phrases or focus heavily on personal experience. For example, hymns like “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Reginald Heber or “All Creatures of Our God and King” by St. Francis powerfully describe the majesty, holiness and glory of the Trinity. In contrast, many CCM songs have lyrics about how God makes us feel – concepts like loving us, holding us, carrying us, surrounding us, etc. While God’s immanence matters, overemphasizing internal spiritual experiences could promote a man-centered focus on good feelings over the transcendent Creator.
Strong CCM artists do grapple with weighty biblical truths in songs like “In Christ Alone” by Keith Getty or “By His Wounds” by Mac Powell. But in many contemporary songs, key doctrines like atonement, justification, substitution and redemption are implicit at best. Lyrics tend to major on believers’ personal relationship with God but minor on the theological underpinnings making that relationship possible. Meanwhile, hymns explicitly convey concepts like propitiation, atonement, sanctification and grace that unpack God’s work from salvation to glorification.
To honor God to the fullest extent, music should contain sound doctrine and magnify Christ – not just feel good in the moment. Songs with lyrics directly from Scripture or that explore profound theological truths are most edifying. Music leaders can draw from the richness of hymnody’s vertical focus on the gospel while still adopting contemporary sounds. Above all, lyrics should emphasize God’s nature and redemptive work more than our response.
Corporate Musical Worship Should Be God-Centered, Not Man-Centered
Worship is ultimately about glorifying God, not catering to personal music preferences. So when the church gathers, musical selections should reflect biblical truths that transcend individual tastes. God promises that where two or three gather in His name, He is present among them (Matthew 18:20). So corporate worship must acknowledge an audience of One – the holy Sovereign listening and receiving the praise due His name.
This requires Spirit-led humility from those selecting songs. Leaders guiding corporate worship should choose music based on doctrinal soundness and God’s glory, not popularity. Decisions on musical style should consider the whole congregation’s edification, not just the leader’s talents. And musicians must remember skills are given to serve ministry, not showcase talent. Any performance mentality that draws attention to the performer rather than the Lord needs correction.
Likewise, those in the congregation must adopt an others-focused attitude during corporate worship. Believers should ascend to “seek the things that are above” together by singing praises in one voice as Christ’s body (Colossians 3:1). If the lyrics are sound and honoring to God, Christians can sing along even if a genre is not their personal favorite, realizing preferences are secondary. Corporate worship should unite believers across generations and cultures in lifting their common Redeemer.
Of course, not all music must be for corporate worship. Christians have liberty in personal listening choices. The qualifying factors of God-centered lyrics and mature discernment regarding cultural forms offer helpful guiding principles. But for public worship times, music uniting the church to magnify Christ and sound doctrine takes priority over individual preferences.
Music is a Medium that Can Point People to Christ
The divisiveness surrounding CCM perhaps reveals deeper issues best addressed through open conversation, not judgment. Well-meaning believers who love God and His Word can thoughtfully disagree on this complex topic. The church should exercise grace within biblical limits, realizing much room for variation exists in how Christians glorify God through artistic expression.
At the same time, wise vigilance is needed given music’s vast influence. Christians cannot dismiss or justify song content that clearly promotes unbiblical behavior just because it sounds appealing. And music leaders choosing creative expressions for corporate worship should ensure selections ultimately draw people closer to Christ.
Rather than labeling all new musical forms as worldly or all tradition as legalistic, believers young and old can learn from each other. Each generation has strengths and weaknesses that complement the other when humbly joined in the task of glorifying the eternal God. Perhaps the right balance welcomes contemporary sounds adapted with discernment alongside time-tested hymns emphasizing sound doctrine. Most importantly, music of all kinds must lead people to worship the Creator, not merely satisfy human aesthetics.
While debate continues about what makes music honoring to God, one truth remains unchanging – only He deserves the highest praise. Christians can earnestly contend for the faith without dishonoring fellow believers made in His image. And amidst varying opinions, the unchanging Word provides trustworthy guidance on how to glorify God through music. When focused on exalting the unsearchable riches of Christ through both lyric and tune, diverse musical expressions can serve as a beautiful medium pointing people toward the One True God. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36).