Today’s blog is more reflective in nature. I mean embedded within are personal opinion, but this particular blog is meant to highlight an issue that has perplexed me for several years. I love music; specifically rhythm and blues, but I’m not really opposed to any genre; after all a good song is a good song. What troubles me is this “secular” tag that some super spiritual Christians apply to all non-gospel artists as well as the condemnation for which they try to cast on those who don’t listen to anything except “Gospel”.
Merriam Webster defines secular as “relating to the worldly…Not overly or specifically religious.” They also define gospel as “of, relating to, or being religious songs of American origin associated with evangelism and popular devotion and marked by simple melody and harmony and elements of folk songs and blues.” In my estimation these two definitions are more alike than not. They both focus on associations with worldly origins, associations with “religious” concepts and more importantly neither definition mentions or discusses any ties to the specific Word of God. The only difference is that gospel CAN BE, not necessarily is, tied to Evangelism.
Overall I feel like it’s not the artist or the music that should be questioned. I believe that it is the message that is being communicated in the music. While Alicia Keys may not have a song specifically devoted to Jesus on her album, she may be singing a song that is completely applicable and lines up directly to biblical principle. And on the other hand just because Kirk Franklin releases an album with songs that we believe are more appropriate for impressionable young minds, doesn’t mean that it is edifying the body of Christ or renewing the mind of Christians; who are challenged daily to live according to the Word that guides their faith.
Let me be clear, I am not suggesting that “secular” music should be genre of choice but I am also certainly not suggesting that “gospel” music is without its share of biblical inaccuracy and equally damaging effects. For the Christian who consistently strives (because none of us are perfect, nor have the requirement to be perfect) to live a life pleasing to God, we should examine the words of the songs we enjoy to see if what is being communicated lines up with what we say we believe (which should be communicated by the Word of God). we should avoid, at all cost, falling into the trap of “judging” the artists who compose and perform music simply because they are not featured on Celebration of Gospel. At the end of the day for the Christian who chooses to pursue growth, any song without its root in the word or its theme not clearly supported by biblical truth is at best inspirational…and I can determine that your way of being inspired is better or worse than someone else.
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