The roots of today's Christian Music probably presents the most controversy among those who like to "controverse" (I made that word up!). Many wonder, "What is acceptable behavior for a Christian musician?" When it comes to anything in a Christian's life, the scripture pretty well spells it out: "Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent and praiseworthy, think about these things." So from that we can deduct that if the words to a song are true to the scripture, not offensive to the ear and if it uplifts the spirit, then it would be acceptable.
Music for church goers has truly come a very long way since its beginning. Gospel music is generally thought of as black music, and having to do with the gospel or the story of Christ. It began around 1926 when Thomas Dorsey first used the term, but most of the components of the music can be traced back to old Negro spirituals during the early 1900's , and folk songs from early America. In the mid 1930's, many protestant churches were singing gospel music. Many big bands and jazz stars were using gospel music as there style and Mr Dorsey began to merge his music into the sacred. He wrote his first two gospel songs: "If You See My Savior" and "Someday, Somewhere". It took a few years for the church world to be comfortable with his music, but one of his songs were used to open a Baptist convention in 1930 which led to total acceptance of gospel style music. Prime Minister Winston Churchill, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Queen of England and the president of France were all entertained by The Soul Stirrers in the 1940's. That group went on to play to a full house at Madison Square Gardens and Radio City in New York. there could be no more doubts that all the opposition had come around!
In the late 50's and 60's Christian pop music came into fruition with almost the same amount of opposition, with performers like Sandi Patty, Lanelle Harris and Randy Stonehill and bands like Agape. Rock music came from a combination of country, gospel and blues. Christian rock was fast, exciting and evolving as it was being performed. Many used their rocking spititual talents to edify the church. A generation clash began when the power and use of music went up for discussion and the emotionaisn among young people became evident. Praise music was being written for the up and coming full-gospel churches and the Calvary Chapel and Vineyard Churches. This was where hippies were accepted and everyone came with barefeet and a guitar in hand. They sat on the floor with ragged jeans and flowers in their hair and sang praises to God with a deep sincerity so sweet that eventually, even the hard nosed opposition was won over. Singers joined with bands and bands began to incorporate smoke and laser lights and hard rock and roll. Then the controversy began all over again.
Christian rock musicians the world over began to present the Christian message in their own unique way. The older generation called it the devils music, yet the devil does not create. God is indeed the Creator of all things, including the few notes that compose the music scale. What people do with those notes and what instruments they chose to play the notes with, do so with His creation. Eventually, acceptance reigned once again and the number of Christian rock recording artists flooded the charts.
Now we are faced with what I am sure will not be the final war waged against those attempting to express themselves with their own unique style of music as they struggle to serve a God who they know loves music. Their offerings are as dissident to our "older" ears, as the music in the 1950's and 1960's was to our parents and elders of the Church. Hip Hop! and Rap! The first commercially released and distributed album was Stephen Wiley's 1985 album "Bible Break". Holy Hip Hop was considered Christian if and when the lyrics themselves had Christian teachings and the 1990's saw the continuing trend of funky rap artists blending faith and rap such as the group D.O.C. (disciples of Christ). This continued the segmentation of musical artists in this genre.
When I can understand the words, and the words can stand up to the interpretation of the scripture mentioned beforehand, I will just have to accept the fact that yet another "style" of Christian music has emerged. Someone in a new generation has put their expressions into being just different enough from what went before, to distinguish it as their own.
What is acceptable behavior for Christian Music? If it can get the word about Christ out to the masses, and it is true, non-offensive and it uplifts the spirit then who am I to argue with style. I must say, though, that I still love the simple message of the bible presented in a peaceful, simple way that I can understand and be blessed by. Reminiscent of the guitar carrying folk singers of the 60's and 70's fits me just fine.
