Comments on: Who Says What’s “Christian” Music?

By: Joseph

Joseph — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:55:52 +0000

I couldn’t agree more with all of this - I must say I’ve neglected to see the christianity in Steven’s lyrics, but I’ve never listened too intently to his words, because his melodies and music steal my concentration.

Again, very insightful, and as a Christian musician who does his best to be poetic and cryptic in his glorifying, I appreciate that you understand the frustration associated with pop-christian radio, for instance.

We’re creating our own Mtv. I’m not exactly ‘excited’ about it.

By: Live Talk Radio on the Internet | The Decreasing Discernment of the Dollar

Live Talk Radio on the Internet | The Decreasing Discernment of the Dollar — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:45:34 +0000

[...] time ago I wrote a piece entitled Who Says What’s Christian Music? in which I briefly examined the sad fact that the actual content of music has little to nothing to [...]

By: Brent

Brent — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:06:10 +0000

Matthew, you rightly ask:

Are you criticizing people for the methods they use to select their music? Or, are you criticizing CMTA for the methods they use to promote music?

I think I’m criticizing the whole thing. The classification itself has only served to dampen discernment and sap true artistic expression, making people dependent on a marketing label rather than a well-developed worldview and sense of discernment.

By: Christian Smoker

Christian Smoker — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:11:48 +0000

[...] Articles:Who Says What’s “Christian” Music? (Colossians Three Sixteen) A taste of Sufjan Stevens in Videos [...]

By: Mattherw

Mattherw — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:47:24 +0000

I agree with some of your criticism and the overall feeling of how bizarre something like CMTA may seem. Or, how bizarre it may be that people want CMTA to select music for them. And, I suspect you’re probably right that most folks don’t consider what criterion CMTA uses to promote an artist.

I may think it’s sort of silly for people to avoid buying music just because it’s not “christian ™” But, I think the whole idea of content classification is silly. However, I’m not the audience CMTA is marketing to. Some people want exactly what CMTA is delivering. People want music, which is marketed as “christian.” Are you criticizing people for the methods they use to select their music? Or, are you criticizing CMTA for the methods they use to promote music?

By: Marty

Marty — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:08:47 +0000

I think when we let others determine what is “Christian Enough” for us to consume it reduces the faith to a cult.

Nice writing and sadly still relevant!

Marty D

By: Brent

Brent — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:32:36 +0000

Matthew, that’s just the point! If the name “Christian” music isn’t about the content then what’s the point? The problem seems to be that not everyone understands that the term means little more than the marketing decisions surrounding the sale of the music rather than the content itself. If everyone understood that much, most of this conversation wouldn’t be necessary it seems.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 07:33:39 +0000

Then what is the point of having a “Christian music” genre? Isn’t the whole point of a classification to exclude?

I don’t get it. Sufjan doesn’t want to be classified as “Christian” and CMTA doesn’t want him in christian music stores. What’s your gripe about again?

By: Another Reason I Don’t Like Christian Music : The Submerging Influence

Another Reason I Don’t Like Christian Music : The Submerging Influence — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 04:05:25 +0000

[...] Maybe this is the answer to all my questions. [...]

By: Denny Burk » What is Christian Music?

Denny Burk » What is Christian Music? — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:00:03 +0000

[...] Brent Thomas has some interesting reflections on the question “What is Christian music?” He writes: [...]