Is christian music boring? +Is christian music depressing?

[Assassin X]

Answer away!

Is christian music boring?
Yes. I know I should know better when I say this but its always about the same crap. While I don't always want to hear about jiggly butts and boobs in normal music I don't want to be "Praise, Praise, Praise" all the time. Its irritating. It makes me feel like people are fakers. Like christians walk around with fake smiles one their faces and sing like everything is fine. Blah.

Is christian music depressing?
Ties into the above. One of the big things I find depressing about it is the crap you have to hear.
"Rejoice in his coming" What?!?!? Armageddon? I enjoy my life here (as much as it sucks currently) . I am no hurry!

I can't think of some of it now since I don't listen often anymore. But like the above question alot of its "Cheery, Cheery" crap. Or about being happy hes coming back. What the heck are you to be happy about all the time? Christans are good at hiding their feelings OR their just really blind to what goes on around them.

Like some of the people my age at the chruch do the songs and their all "Happy, Happy" and act all over Christianity and crap yet almost all of them are screwing people (as in sex) left and right. RIGHT.... real christian like. My life sucks yet at least I try and have morals and I am the one that doesn't make it to church or listen tot he music really. What a screwed up world!

Thats probably why I can't stand the music, I know most the people listening to it are fakers or aren't really true to what they are singing about.

[RhymnRzn]

Don't be suprised if alot of what's called Christian or Gospel, singing praise to Jesus, is just an outward appearance: Apostle Paul said alot of people glory in appearance but not in heart. This verse shines light on what you bring up:

Ezekiel 33:31
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. (32) And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. (33) And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
I would also agree with the sentiment that alot of Christian music is particularily whack: sometimes I get a strong sense that it is bad by design.

It is true that the word says to minister to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Jesus and his desciples sang, and alot is sealed up about the musick of David and his men, who also were greatly skilled, and danced.

[lycanox]

Well, there are good songs about Jesus and God and such. In diverse genres ranging from classic to death metal.

But listening to the music from the genre known as the Cristian music genre?
I rather rip out my spinal cord and go jumping over it at the nearest highway.

[Sammy56]

I've heard some Christian rock bands that were okay. It's not my favorite genre, but I can think of many worse things to listen too. So, no, I don't find it all boring.

[Mezurashi]

there's an old joke by Sam Kinison where the band's tag line is, "We found Jesus and Lost our Talent."

having said that - the Rez Band of the 1970's and 80's sounded more like AC/DC than most adult church types were comfortable with. this alone drew me to them since I was a teenager at the time - anything the adult freaked about was worth checking, and a Christian Rock band that did that deserved extra notice. to my current ears they sound kind of generic but for the time they were near the edge if not on it.

and in the late '80's, outta the heart of Texas, came one of my Top Ten rock bands of all time, King's X. this was a power trio forged from the bar rock mold of the '70's combined with great vocal power and some damned creative musicianship. King's X is one of those bands that has a world wide following, but I have only ever met two other people who knew of them (at least, that I hadn't introduced them to the band).

why King's X appealed to me was that they could ROCK and yet they could remain relevant at the same time. their music wasn't very happy cheery rainbows and summer skies stuff, but rather a sort of 'street level' look at belief and spirituality and so on. the first song I heard by them is called 'Over My Head' and it's pretty much a straight out Baptist Choir type song set to pounding guitars and kicking vocals.

if there'd been music like that in church when I was a kid, I'd have ended up a Priest.

[Cartesiantheater]

I've heard some Christian rock bands that were okay. It's not my favorite genre, but I can think of many worse things to listen too. So, no, I don't find it all boring.

Have you heard this Christian band?

http://www.redmusiconline.com/palebird/index.html

I like "Already Over..." and "Let Go..."

They're pretty good...

[UVsaturated]

Back in the late 80's, I listened to White Cross a lot. There are some decent genres of music out there with a Christian theme.

[Sammy56]

Have you heard this Christian band?Considering I'm the one who told you about them earlier today, yes CT, I have heard about them. :P

[Cartesiantheater]

Considering I'm the one who told you about them earlier today, yes CT, I have heard about them. :P

:D


...clever girl...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lx6X_VLtfIc

[liberdave]

King's X is one of those bands that has a world wide following, but I have only ever met two other people who knew of them (at least, that I hadn't introduced them to the band).

I went to junior high with the drummer's son. The son's name was Jeremy Gatskill, I think. We lived in Alief (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alief,_Houston,_Texas) and his son smoked a lot of pot with some friends of mine. His dad did a few commercials for the Rockets basketball team in the early 90's, he played a fake drum set while cheerleaders danced around a fake band.

[Demonskates]

Theres some stuff i heard that was really good. other stuff, not so much. Guess its all what you like in music to begin with. I like tunes about life, and expirience in life.
Secular music can be interpreted many ways. its not always evil. If it has a strong back bone, and i can move to it, i like it. if its limp, and drab, im all set. Thats not what music is all about. it should make people wantto dance, and sing, and laugh and carry on.

[Assassin X]

BTW I forgot to mention how stupid is it is that we have Christian music in genres like Rap, Heavy Metal....etc. It just makes no sense to me. Screaming into a mic "JESUS ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!" is just weird. Maybe Christians should stick to just the normal music their use to, as in normal genres.

[lycanox]

And who is going to decide whats music and whats not?

Music is made because people were inspired by the bible while writing their songs. Not because there is some mega company telling them to write that song in that genre, and write one in another genre next.

[allseeingeye]

I like some Christian Music, but most of it sucks, i am a rocker from way back, I liked the sounds of Slayer and Pantera and Metallica............you get the picture. I listen to alot of different music. My fav Christian bands are the likes of Third Day, Caedmons Call, Demon Hunter, 100 Portraits and Waterdeep's- Enter the worship Circle Stuff (it's folksy). Most of it is too happy and crap as stated above by other posters.

[Cartesiantheater]

I like some Christian Music, but most of it sucks, i am a rocker from way back, I liked the sounds of Slayer and Pantera and Metallica............you get the picture. I listen to alot of different music. My fav Christian bands are the likes of Third Day, Caedmons Call, Demon Hunter, 100 Portraits and Waterdeep's- Enter the worship Circle Stuff (it's folksy). Most of it is too happy and crap as stated above by other posters.

Did you ever get into Sonic Flood or Jeff Deyo? (this is WORSHIP btw people... he mentioned Thrid Day, Caedmon's Call, etc)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8NaCik-Raw&mode=related&search=

My lil bro's trying out for Piano/electronic stuff for this band this Thursday...

Back when I was Jesusy I like this band...

[Smoke]

P.O.D and Switchfoot I think are both christian bands... P.O.D is better thoug youth of the nation is a good song.

[Cartesiantheater]

P.O.D and Switchfoto I think are both christian bands... P.O.D is better thoug youth of the nation is a good song.

Switchfoot... they sound good...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72FkCoJfhgU&mode=related&search=

P.O.D. South Town. Pretty sweet song for Christianish...rappish rockish stuff... prob my fav POD song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Zcp-AYFaY

[Flynn]

I liked the sounds of Slayer and Pantera and Metallica............you get the picture.
You might like Mortification then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7C6d88Dnz0

[Mezurashi]

I went to junior high with the drummer's son. The son's name was Jeremy Gatskill, I think. We lived in Alief (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alief,_Houston,_Texas) and his son smoked a lot of pot with some friends of mine. His dad did a few commercials for the Rockets basketball team in the early 90's, he played a fake drum set while cheerleaders danced around a fake band.

that is so cool - did you know about the band at all? (I have a feeling we're transiting across generational lines here, thus my question) and did you know Jeremy well enough to determine if he was cool, a dick, neutral, whatever ...

I ask because the adolescent rock geek within demands it.

[medicvet]

I don't care much for most Christian music at all..except for the gospel I hear on the rare ocasion when I will go to a mostly black church. But every now and then the mood will strike me and I will listen to Christian music..usually it gets me all weepy and more depressed than I was in the first place tho..like I start regretting all the wrong decisions and bad moves I've made in my life..

I don't know if it is considered 'Christian' or not, but love Kris Kristopherson's "why me"

why me lord?
what have i ever done,
to deserve even one,
of the pleasure i've known,
tell me lord,
what did i ever do,
that was worth lovin' you,
for the kindness you've shown,

chorus:
lord help me Jesus,
i've wasted it so help me Jesus,
i know what i am,
but now that i know,
that i needed you so help me Jesus,
my souls in your hand,

verse 2:
try me lord,
if you think there's a way,
i can try to repay,
all i've takin' from you,
maybe lord,
i can show someone else,
what i've been through myself,
on my way back to you,

chorus (x2)

Jesus, my soul's in your hands


And I like the apologetics, the way they do spoof songs..like 'this is the story of a squirrel' to the tune of 'this is the story of a girl' about noah's ark..

[PrismaticSpring]

MedicVet,

That is a very nice song from Kris Kristopherson - I haven't kept up with any modern music and it sounds like he had a conversion experience and is letting it go to God and calmly stating his faith in God's mercy, love, care and wisdom with:

Jesus, my soul's in your hands

Many of the old hymns though they use different words for variety come to this place of calm acceptance and faith and feelings of THE PEACE THAT PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING. I wish that for you and for all of us during these difficult times.

The people here have a depth of knowledge about the Bible and many of the questions and criticisms of the church and the reasons why there is suffering are things I have been through and don't have really good answers for - the place I have come to is that to help get through this life and these terrible times which I believe are signs the Tribulation has already started is through reading, listening to and singing hymns.

For modern Christian music, I like Andrea Crouch but know very little beyond that. I have attended charismatic churches, which I would not recommend since there are usually very bad problems esp. with the leadership but the songs are so simple for the most part, it almost seems that they are designed to be hypnotic with the swaying and clapping which wouldn't be a bad thing per se but with trained and exploitative leaders becomes a problem. That is a subject for a different thread, I only wanted to point the way to something that has helped me which are traditional hymns.

Modern Christian music is only about 40 years old while many of the hymns go back centuries. I am an art major and while I only appreciate a few of the paintings in the past 40 years or so I am glad to have so many artists and styles of art going back centuries or millenium and I agree most Christian music that I have heard is boring but much less so if you allow yourself to use and appreciate the spiritual technology of the hymns going back to the beginning of Christianity.

ILLUMINATINEWS.COM can only fight them spiritually

I thirst.


THE UNIVERSAL SOLDIER

CEASAR WOULD HAVE STOOD ALONE

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/t/pttlta.htm


This is a very, very pretty and quietly powerful hymn that I remember from my youth going to Lutheran parochial school. Cyberhymnal has organ instrumental which isn't quite as pretty as the melody I can remember and sing but which is still very good.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee;
Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.
What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,
Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him.
-------------
And the many healing hymns are also healing prayers and good to say for yourself and others in need.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/t/e/atevener.htm

At even, ere the sun was set,
The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay;
O, with how many pains they met!
O, with what joy they went away!

Once more ’tis eventide, and we,
Oppressed with various ills, draw near;
What if Thyself we cannot see?
We know that Thou art ever near.

O Savior Christ, our woes dispel;
For some are sick, and some are sad;
And some have never loved Thee well,
And some have lost the love they had.

And some are pressed with worldly care
And some are tried with sinful doubt;
And some such grievous passions tear,
That only Thou canst cast them out.

And some have found the world is vain,
Yet from the world they break not free;
And some have friends who give them pain,
Yet have not sought a friend in Thee.

And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,
For none are wholly free from sin;
And they who fain would serve Thee best
Are conscious most of wrong within.

O Savior Christ, Thou too art man;
Thou has been troubled, tempted, tried;
Thy kind but searching glance can scan
The very wounds that shame would hide.

Thy touch has still its ancient power.
No word from Thee can fruitless fall;
Hear, in this solemn evening hour,
And in Thy mercy heal us all.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/top/topics.htm

HEALING PAINTING
[St. Paul Healing the Cripple at Lystra, by Karel Dujardin (1622-1678)]

[FONT="Book Antiqua"]

* AT EVEN, ERE THE SUN WAS SET
* BELIEVE YE THAT I AM ABLE?
* BESIDE THE GOSPEL POOL
* COME, YE DISCONSOLATE
* FATHER, WHOSE WILL IS LIFE AND GOOD
* GREAT HEALER, THE
* GREAT PHYSICIAN, THE
* GREAT SHEPHERD OF THY CHOSEN FLOCK
* HAVE THINE OWN WAY, LORD
* HE TOUCHED ME AND MADE ME WHOLE
* HEAL US, EMMANUEL, HEAR OUR PRAYER
* HEALING AT THE FOUNTAIN
* HEALING FOUNTAIN, THE
* HEALING WATERS, THE
* HOLY GHOST, WITH LIGHT DIVINE
* HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION
* I WILL SING THE WONDROUS STORY
* IMMORTAL LOVE, FOREVER FULL
* INTO THY GRACIOUS HANDS I FALL
* JESUS, GRANT THAT BALM AND HEALING
* JESUS, IN SICKNESS AND PAIN
* JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL
* JESUS, ROSE OF SHARON
* JESUS SHALL REIGN
* JESUS, THE SINNER’S FRIEND
* JUST ONE TOUCH
* LEAVE IT THERE
* LORD GOD OF HOSTS, WHOSE MIGHTY HAND
* MOMENT BY MOMENT
* MY FAITH HAS FOUND A RESTING PLACE
* MY FATHER KNOWS
* NAME OF JESUS, SOFTLY STEALING
* O BLESS THE LORD, MY SOUL
* O MY SOUL, BLESS GOD THE FATHER
* O THOU THROUGH SUFFERING PERFECT MADE
* ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT ALL CHRISTIANS SING
* ON JORDAN’S BANK THE BAPTIST’S CRY
* ONLY THY GARMENT’S HEM
* OUT OF MY BONDAGE, SORROW, AND NIGHT
* PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOR
* SAVIOR, BREATHE AN EVENING BLESSING
* SAVIOR, WHO DIDST HEALING GIVE
* SHE ONLY TOUCHED THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT
* SING PRAISE TO GOD WHO REIGNS ABOVE
* SINNERS, BELIEVE THE GOSPEL WORD
* SOMETIMES A LIGHT SURPRISES
* SWEET THE MOMENTS, RICH IN BLESSING
* SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY
* THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD
* THERE’S A WIDENESS IN GOD’S MERCY
* THINE ARM, O LORD, IN DAYS OF OLD
* THOU TO WHOM THE SICK AND DYING
* THOU, WHOSE ALMIGHTY WORD
* ’TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS
* WE MAY NOT CLIMB THE HEAVENLY STEEPS
* WE WOULD SEE JESUS
* WHEN ALL THY MERCIES, O MY GOD
* WHEN ON MY DAY OF LIFE
* WHERE THE WRECKS WASH IN
* WHO IS HE IN YONDER STALL?
* WOUNDED FOR ME
* YESTERDAY, TODAY, FOREVER

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/img/c/h/r/Christ%20Healing%20by%20the%20Well%20of%20Bethesda ,%20by%20Carl%20Heinrich%20Bloch%20(1834-1890).jpg

[Blu-ray]

I prefer Gospel Music. The upbeat ones. I like going to predominantly African American Churches because they are great singers. They do a great job in lifting one's spirit with song.

[PrismaticSpring]

I like some of the gospel music too and African-American churches do have some great singers and musicians. Very energetic songs which help you get through the day when you need alot of energy but the quiet melodies can help you to relax and meditate and sleep. It is good to try a lot of different types of Christian music from different centuries (!).

Don't forget Christmas carols whatever season it is whether the slow or the fast melodies can offer protection and lift your spirits and honor God and prepare for the Second Coming of Christ and many Christmas, Advent, Ephiphany hymns reference the Second Coming and preparing your hearts.

The Book of Revelations is very scary, esp. with what is going on in the news but the last two chapters are about the beginning of heaven and we need the graces given by focusing on the incarnation of Jesus in the nativity and transfiguration and after the sadness of the crucifixian comes the Resurrection and Pentecost.

The liturgical year that is followed by the Catholic, Epsicopal, Lutheran and Orthodox churches are a gift in reminding people about the cycle of life and the rhythms of the year, esp. since we are so cut off from nature in comparison with past centuries of most people living on working farms and rural life that included much more contact with nature and animals.

The Transfiguration:

http://www.johndavies.org/pic-transfiguration.jpg


http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com/images1/transfiguration6.gif

[Demonskates]

I know alot of it is boring. I have a brand new Christian C.D. someone gave me, and I already know its going to make a great drink coaster.

[Nu Kua]

I was listening to Christian music for about a week when I first moved here, not even realizing it was Christian. I just thought it was some folksy new age kind of thing. I love music of all genres (well not all, I am not a big country music fan) and it was actually pretty well done, for me to get into it enough not to notice the words.
However there is the Christian music you find on the televangelist channels, and frankly that just cracks me up.

I love gospel though- the upbeat spirit moving kind they sing and FEEL in African American churches back home. Actually, if I had of been raised completely in one of those churches, I might still be a Christian today.