Contemporary Christian Music - Controversy

Controversy

Contemporary Christian music has been a topic of controversy in various ways since its beginnings in the 1960s. The Christian college Bob Jones University discourages its dormitory students from listening to CCM. Others simply find the concept of Christian pop/rock music to be an unusual phenomenon, since rock music has historically been associated with themes such as sexual promiscuity, rebellion, drug and alcohol use, and other topics normally considered antithetical to the teachings of Christianity. This controversy caused by evangelical pop music was explored by Gerald Clarke in his Time magazine article "New Lyrics for the Devil's Music". On the other hand, some writers from the Reformed Presbyterian tradition, such as Brian Schwertley, assert that CCM violates the second commandment and the Regulative Principle of Worship because it adds man-made inventions, lyrics and instrumental music to what he asserts to be the biblically appointed way of worshipping God. An example of exclusive psalmody is the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), in which there is only the a cappella singing of the psalms.

In her article, Kim Jones explores this change in the face of Christian music saying, "Up until the late 1960s, Christian music invoked images of church, hymnals and organs. The face of Christian music has spent the last 30+ years evolving and growing. Pipe organs have been set aside for electric guitars and drums…People who enjoy Contemporary Christian Music, want to feel like God is here and now, not some dusty relic from the dark ages that can't possibly understand the issues of today."

Contemporary Christian musicians and listeners have sought to extend it into settings where religious music traditionally might not be heard. "Christian music has extended from the church to radio, television, concert halls and huge rallies and festivals." MercyMe's song "I Can Only Imagine" was a crossover success despite having a clear Christian message.

Paul Baker, author of Contemporary Christian Music, addressed the question, "Is the music a ministry, or is it entertainment? Opinions were as varied as the people expressing them. One fact must be brought out, however. The motives, on both sides, were nearly always sincere and well intentioned, rarely malicious."

"The responsibility of the church is not to provide escape from reality," according to Ellsworth, the author of Christian Music in Contemporary Witness, "but to give answers to contemporary problems through legitimate, biblical means. The lighter, softer rock styles still allow for the communication of the text." Thus, when lyrics are biblically-based, CCM can relate to issues faced in modern society—with modern music.

Many church growth studies have come to show that churches have grown in size after changing the type of style. James Emery White, the leadership consultant for preaching and worship within the Southern Baptist Convention made a statement that emulates that many churches who changed styles to using more contemporary Christian music, appeared to have a quicker growth.