Defending “non-Christian” Music
I recently got this email from a Ryfo member. (I’ve disclosed the name)
“I read your profile on the RYFO April newsletter. Adorable picture, btw.
But I have a question, as a youth group vounteer at my church. If you do not feel it is too personal, could you please help answer it? I was interested in your response to the question about the last three bands to which you have listened. I know enough about Linkin Park to know they are not Christian. I have heard some of the songs by this band and I find some of the lyrics offensive. As a Christian yourself, why do you listen to them?
Now I am 51 years old but a huge fan of music. When I first got saved I went through my CDs and movies and got rid of everything above PG-13 or any music that was not edifying or glorifying. The kids in the youth group consider me old fashioned and uninformed. I have been accused of being narrow minded. I consider it immersion. I only listen to Christian music. I would appreciate if you could explain this to me.
Thank You and God Bless you and your work at RYFO.”
This was my response:
“I have no problem answering that. Yes I also find some of Linkin Park’s song lyrics offensive, mostly just the songs off the album Minutes to Midnight. There are 3 songs that contain the f word. When I purchased the album I didn’t save those 3 songs on to my computer or my MP3 player. However their songs ”What I’ve Done” “No More Sorrow” “Somewhere I Belong” “Numb” and a few others are very inspiring to me.
WHAT I’VE DONE:
In this farewell
There’s no blood
There’s no alibi
Cause I’ve drawn regret
From the truth
Of a thousand lies
So let mercy come
And wash away
What I’ve done
I’ve faced myself
To cross out what I’ve become
Erase myself
And let go of what I’ve done
Put to rest
What you thought of me
While I clean this slate
With the hands of uncertainty
For What I’ve Done
I start again
And whatever pain may come
Today this ends
I’m Forgiving What I’ve Done
NO MORE SORROW:
I’m aware of what you’ve done
No, no more sorrow
I’ve paid for your mistakes
You’re time is borrowed
Your time has come to be replaced
I see pain
I see need
I see liars and thieves
Abused power with greed
Chester Bennington who wrote/sung the lyrics to those songs is actually a Christian. He talked about it in an interview with HM magazine. I had suspected it for a few years, but never had any verification. Though the other members of his band are not Christian I still find inspiration through his writing and want to support his music. Most of the time when I listen to music I listen to each song individually. I think you can worship God in whatever you do including listening to music. The beautiful thing about music is it can be interpreted in many ways. When I sing What I’ve Done I thank God for the mercy he’s given me and the ability to erase my past. When I listen to No More Sorrow I think of this awful world we’ve created and how Jesus will come again and rid us all of that.
To me each song is like a character in a book or a movie. Though the author may or not be a believer he still writes in characters that are evil or have terrible habits because it reflects our culture. Linkin Park has a lot of dark lyrics with a lot of pain and suffering, but then again so does the band RED who plays festivals like Creation and Purple Door.
I actually don’t really support the culture we’ve created within Christian music. We’ve become too isolated and unable to reach out to the rest of our community. I think there is definitely a need for praise music like David Crowder Band, but I think as Christians we need to support “non-Christian bands” that promote Christian ideologies in the same way we should support books and movies that contain Christian values. A lot of Christians in music need to also write outside of just praise music. They need to write about relationships, feeling alone, being hurt, trying your best at something. Kids really relate to music and if they find music that deals with something they’re going through they’ll listen to it, whether it’s of Christian ideology or not. I hope that wasn’t too long winded and it answers your question. If you have any other thoughts or comments let me know.”
His/Her Response:
“I appreciate your reply and you have given me some new insights to ponder. I still am conflicted. The whole “if you are not for Me you are against Me” idea is these musicians who think like Christians but are living worldly. What does that say about their testimony?
I am looking for integrity and I don’t see it when a person who claims to be a Christian is in a band spouting coarse language and in a corrupt lifestyle.
I am wrestling myself with the whole revelation(s) of Jennifer Knapp and Ray Boltz.”
To which I Replied:
“You make a good point (Name). I don’t really concern myself with their lifestyle choices. If Chester of Linkin Park was my friend I knew his situation and where his heart was in the band I might be able to form an opinion. I don’t think we need to always keep such a close connect to the artist’s product and his/her lifestyle. Jennifer Knapp without a doubt creates beautiful praise filled music. Her struggle (or non-struggle as she probably views it) with her sexuality is between her friends, her and God. I’ve prayed that God has someone in her life that will gently correct her and walk with her through it. The Lord has given her a beautiful gift and it has inspired so many people over the years. Though I do not support her choice I can still enjoy her music.
Recently I was with some friends in a band, the lead singer and drummer are both Christians, but the others are still figuring out what it means to follow God. The others have made some pretty poor choices in my opinion. I talk with them and pray with them, but because they still are not Christians I have no place to judge them or correct their ways (1 Cor. 5:12). I am praying through my love and friendship that God will put our relationship in a place where I can help shepherd them to a closer life with Christ and imitating Him. That’s the core of Ryfo for me. I hope you continue to pray for artists in the mainstream and Christian artists that seem to wander from the narrow path before us. Being ‘narrow minded’ isn’t a negative attribute in any way, but we still need to display love and gently correct our brothers and sisters in Christ and not cast judgement on non-believers.”
Jess,
I especially agree with what you said at the end. And I agree about the Christian music genre as a whole needs to be changed. Quite frankly the Dove awards bother me. How can you award one praise song over another? All it does is set up a system which causes envy and pride but anyway… I do have an issue with purchasing secular music (don’t get me wrong I have a few of my own that I’ve held onto). First, musicians are like missionaries. their message only gets out because people financially support it. So even if a few songs are good, you are promoting their message as a whole. This is my big gripe with country music, one song is about Jesus and the next about getting drunk and my wife leaving etc. Yes we are all fallen people and all have our problems and Christians should not hide this fact and their music should reflect reality not this shiny happy plastic crap we try to hide behind. I think it is great that the LP guy is a believer and I hope he influences the rest more than they influence him. That is a tough line to follow. The songs he writes may very well be inspired by God. But who is inspiring the other ones on the album? I hope you know me well enough to know I am not narrow minded. Tats, rings, mohawks, loud music, go for it. I’m libertarian for goodness sakes! but music speaks directly to the soul. You are right that people can interpret it how they want to, but I believe there is something deeply spiritual about music and I just think we need to be careful. I think you are very thoughtful in what you do, but most people, especially teens are not as discerning as you are and I think kids are more likely to listen to LP and be negatively influenced by the other songs than they are to be uplifted by the good ones. That’s my 2 cents. Luv ya!
You make a good point about $upporting musicians.
It’s so crazy that music does have such a powerful ability. Recently I read a blog by Matt MacDonald of the band the Classic Crime about profanity vs. slang. Matt pointed out that to some people curse words are not used to be profane or obscene, but because it’s slang to them. Now I don’t use any of them on a daily basis (though I’d be lying if I said I’ve NEVER said an expletive) and I’m not trying to justify Chester Bennington in using curse words in his lyrics, but most of the time the context of the song he’s not using it as profanity at someone. (If that makes sense) LP supports a lot of good causes and help bring a lot of world issues to the attention of America through their music videos.
Linkin Park by any means isn’t my favorite band. I like their music and am entertained by it. But you’re right I should probably evaluate the situation to ensure I’m not being influenced negatively or mindlessly saying/singing things I don’t agree with. Thanks for the thoughts Curt!