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Today, I was listenting to one of my favourite Christian rock groups, Thousand Foot Krutch, and had one of my borderline/I don't know what I believe friends over to hang out. (If you're into rock/grunge music, TFK is definitley worth checking out, btw! Amazing music and lyrics!). I had it quietly playing in the background, and my friend gets a funny look on her face and asks what I'm playing. I find out later that TFK is one of her favourite bands. I told her that they are a Christian group and...well, she had no idea until I explained the meaning behind the lyrics.
Now I know that there is a lot of arguments about music that goes on in the church. One is that music is evil, and Satan uses it as a tool to drag teenagers and young adults over to his side...or something like that. To that, I say: I can believe it, to an extent. True, we have a certain amount of bands/singers/rappers etc. that exploit drugs, sex, drinking and much more blatantly throughout their entire album. But how about musical groups that sing about God's love, and just worship Him with their talent of playing an instrument and/or singing? And I'm not just talking about your standard worship team that leads worship every Sunday (although, I've gotta say, there is some amazing worship music that is coming out...look up Jesus Culture, Hillsong United and Laura Hackett to see what I'm talking about). I'm talking about rock groups, rappers, boy band music, country singers and more that display their love for God through their music. It can be used both ways, and frankly, I've been hearing talk of how one day, recording studios are going to be asking for music that no one will want to hear, let alone buy, due to the awful content it includes. And once the suppliers get sick enough off this type of music, they'll be buyng what? Christian labeled albums. Once these secular singers and bands realize they aren't making any money, they'll have to lower the X-rated content, and may even have to go independent, due to not have a mainstream message in their music, or...get this...get signed by a Christian label. Wow, I'm hoping this happens soon.
Another argument I hear is this: "Well, they say they're a Christian band, but you have to read in-between the lines of their lyrics to get the message, or do some research to figure it out." Well yes, but think about it. I have an athiest friend who listens to a lot of metal/hardcore music, and one of the groups he listens to is Demon Hunter (yes, I know what you're thinking, and yes it's a Christian band, try to ignore the name, if you don't like it XD). I told him that this was indeed a Christian band. "Really?", he said as he looked up the lyrics online. After thinking about it..."Yeah, I can see the message there. But I'm still gonna listen to them, they have awesome music". I continue to ask about him being an athiest and listenting to this and he says "Well, if they were throwing it in my face, then I wouldn't be listenting to it in the first place." He goes on to add, after I mention some of the other metal groups he listens to that are Christian, that Christian metal is by far, the best.
What are we seeing here? Isn't this what we've been trying not to do all along? Forcing our beliefs done someone's throat? And yet some of these bands are doing it without difficulty it seems, because literally thousands of non-believers are listening to there music. It's actually mindboggling if you think about it. And I know that in both these cases, my friends had no idea that either band was sending a Christian message. But don't you think, if they did know, that they would be listenting to it in the first place? No, probably not. And besides, when they're listenting to this, they're not listenting to some of the secular stuff that is out there. I'm not saying all secular music is bad, I listen to 'secular' music at times (which is basically instramental pieces, classical music and some old tunes...call me a music nerd, I know XD), but some of the messages that they (most of the time) deliberatley showcase for the whole world to see isn't always on the positive side of things, is it? Yes, when you can hear it better, know what the message is from the start, it can be very influential. But I believe all music can be influential in some way or another. The smallest thing, anything, from a held chord on an electric guitar, to a rich note on a cello, can send people to feel happy, sad, or even passionate about what they're hearing. Music frequently affects me with goosbumps, and when such a small thing can move you, it makes you wonder about these non-believers, and what could happen if they continue listening to Christian 'tunes'. Obviously, it's starting slow, but maybe music is one of the only starting points or helpers towards the path to salvation for a lot of young people who don't believe. I can't wait to see what this grows into.
HelloSunshine
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Blessings,