Being a new follower of Christ, I naturally started listening to Christian music, but it has been difficult for me to find songs that really speak to my heart. (Having been a secular musician for many years, I seem to have a tightly defined music taste!)

I often find that secular music and lyrics, although not written with God in mind, makes me feel closer to Him, makes me thankful, puts me in mind of His grace and wonder, and helps me focus in my devotional and prayer time.

So, this begs the question- Is it the heart of the listener or the intentions of the writer that are most important?

I would love to hear your thoughts.....!

(Just to clarify, I'm not saying I haven't found any Christian music that I like- there are so many wonderful groups and musicians out there- Kirk Franklin e.g. I love)

7/3/2009 2:38:51 AM by Debora, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/26/2009

Hi jespond - good question I wish I knew the answer!

Can secular music glorify God? I think it can, but the vast majority of it does not.

It is a common Christian phenomenon - to try to, with much hope, hear good and godly wisdom or encouragement from the lyrics of some of our favorite bands - even when we know their lifestyles show they are not committed to God.

I play that game all the time, although my pastor clearly states his disapproval. However, during my lowest points, I tend to be drawn to solely rely on the Christian music.

In my town there are two good Christian music stations and two excellent alternative rock stations. I always listen to Christian music when I first awaken, but often by mid morning I get cravings for something more creative (that's awkward wording - but I couldn't think of anything better).

The whole subject is interesting to me because I wonder if Christians are as creative today as they were in previous centuries. Musically, and especially in the visual arts, I don't think our generation is measuring up to the inspiration shown by our predecessors.

I think modern Christian music has come a long way in the few short years since it was first introduced it to me - so it's headed in the right direction. Any chance you, as a musician, will be pushing the avant-garde in Christian music?

7/4/2009 7:00:09 AM by Ryan, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/30/2007

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me...I understand completely why you used the word "creative". Since becoming a Christian, I have been increasingly compelled to write worship or praise songs, but felt that my creative ability was dampened because I was out of my comfort zone... it's strange... an hour or so after starting this discussion it suddenly dawned on me that the Bible is brimming with metaphor and similes, which are key elements of my lyric writing style. I realised that God's living and powerful word will also serve as a constant source of lyrical (and therefore creative) inspiration. That means that the chances of me getting "writer's block" are eliminated. :) Since then I have taken one metaphor from scripture, and have managed to compose a song by expanding on that theme. It's like a musical devotional.... I'm so glad I've found a way to praise and worship Him through music, while also finding a style of song writing that spurs my creativity. This is brilliant for expressing my heartfelt emotions and devotion to God, but I'm aware that this private writing and singing of songs only serves to glorify God to me. I can't help but wonder how He wants me to use the musical gifts He has given me- I will keep praying on it!

You raise an interesting point about today's creativity in the arts- Personally, I think that the advances in technology made it effortless to record radio-friendly, easy on the ear pop records. They're short, only a few minutes, whereas the classical composers would write symphonies that were an hour or more long. I think as technology has advanced, our society has become more fast paced, with more pressure to get things done on time, and less time to spend listening to music. This would perhaps explain why songs are so much shorter now- no time to listen! The classical composers devoted their working lives to writing music which contained their hearts, minds and souls. I wonder if these days people are more driven by fame and money, so their creativity takes a back seat to the pursuit of those goals (I'm referring more to secular musicians here). On the other hand, I don't know much about the progression of Popular Christian music, but I know that the rising popularity of Christian bands is quite recent, and without technology advances the scene might not be as big or as varied as it is. Gospel music would be important to note as well, and the beautiful music produced as a result of slavery, and which continues to speak to the hearts of millions of people.

I can't comment really on the visual arts, as I have no experience in this area, but I think technology would have some significance there as well. :)

Gosh, that was a much longer post than intended! :)

7/4/2009 8:45:28 AM by Debora, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/26/2009

Jespond - Your description of musical devotionals sounds beautiful!

Surely God must consider them to be beautiful too, since they come from a heart seeking to glorify Him with the gifts He has given.

Writing and singing for God alone should be a marvelous and complete experience but, it is also noble to desire to have others join you in your songs of praise.

I'll also be praying that God will show you how He intends for you to use your gifts. You'll have to let me know if one day God gives you a hit song meant to be shared with the world!

7/8/2009 7:33:08 AM by Ryan, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/30/2007

A thought about secular music and God. There are times when a secular musician may write a song that sends our thoughts and prayers to God, even though the writer themselves may not be a believer. God uses many sources to reach our ears and hearts. I am thinking specifically about "Unanswered Prayers" by Garth Brooks. He is certainly secular and I don't know about his beliefs, but that one song started pulling my heart toward God in a very dark time in my life.

7/8/2009 1:17:39 PM by kcgodlyman, Member of Delve into Jesus since 6/17/2009

See, here is my thought, I feel that there are certainly times when secular musicians can make a wonderful uplifting and song with a "Christian" tone to it. LIVE for instance has several.

This is the question, "What do YOU get from the music?" If I hear a love song, now that I am a Christian, I rarely attribute it to a human person but to my GOD in heaven. Who after all has a more perfect love? I don't try to attribute GOD to these songs, he is just what I think of when I hear them. No one can ever say that a secular song cannot make you feel worshipful.

Another thought before I go take care of my fish on Facebook (LOL). If all people are created by GOD, and GOD works all things for good for those who love him, isn't a good song by a secular artist that makes you feel full of love and worship for GOD still a worship song? Things that make you go hmmmm...

9/7/2009 9:36:08 PM by EvelynMaureen, Member of Delve into Jesus since 9/6/2009