***Update II (10/26): I’m really pleased that my music blogging is attracting new readers. And I appreciate the “Christian” band suggestions this post is generating. Welcome to LBC!***
In a quest to combine my growing interest in blogging/writing about music – and cute musicians – (and growing distaste for all things political) with my faith and the necessity to earn a living, I pitched an article to an editor I’ve worked with at Christianity Today about certain musicians who aren’t overtly Christian, but manage to inject Christian messages into their songs.
(I must admit that I’m not much of a fan of gospel music or even Christian rock [though Im beginning to like some of it - hey, people change!]). I prefer looking for and discovering “Christian” messages in mainstream and/or secular music.)
A different editor suggested the perfect section for such an article. “Glimpses of God” is a regular feature on ChristianMusicToday.com and deals with the “perceived spirituality in popular music.” Musicians covered in “Glimpses of God” are more or less mainstream – some signed with major labels, some on independent labels – and they may or may not profess Christ. But there’s something about their song lyrics…
For example, here’s an excerpt from an album review of Lenny Kravitz’s Baptism:
Considering his widespread media coverage and musical success, it’s surprising that Lenny Kravitz’s prominent declarations of Christian faith go largely unnoticed. Accepting Jesus into his life after a conversation with a friend at the age of 13, Kravitz proudly wears a cross around his neck, along with a Star of David (referring to his father’s heritage, as well as his Savior’s). A tattoo on his back declares, “My heart belongs to Jesus Christ.” His 1993 hit “Are You Gonna Go My Way?” was apparently sung from Christ’s perspective, and his 1995 album Circus included songs that would be at home on most modern worship recordings. Check out Spiritual Journeys and The Rock & Roll Rebellion for other examples of Kravitz’s Christian beliefs.
Unfortunately, those outspoken beliefs are often blurred by mixed messages. General themes of secularized love are common in Kravitz’s songs, sometimes alluding to the sexual. He’s also been known to shoot some racy videos over the last decade, and profanity occasionally slips into his songwriting. It’s a confusing combination for Christians and non-Christians alike, and Kravitz’s new album Baptism is no exception
…
Some tracks beg the question of whether Kravitz is using spiritual imagery to deliver rock cliches. For example, in “Calling All Angels,” is he praying for romance or Jesus to fill his emptiness? He sings of healing and saving souls in “Minister of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” but is he using spiritual jargon to express the power of music, or rock jargon to express the power of Jesus? That leads to another mixed message with “I Don’t Want to Be a Star,” in which Kravitz shuns materialism and fame, yet in “Flash,” he seems to embrace his role as superstar, though recognizing it as temporary success.
I sense tension in the music of secular artists (Christians and non) who consciously or subconsciously write Christian themes into their songs. They’re trying to remain secular and keep the fanbase, but at the same time, they’re seeking something deeper themselves and/or want to spread subtle messages to fans. I don’t have anything against overtly Christian music per se, but I find this tension in secular music fascinating.
Update: A reader reminded me about the defunct-yet-still-popular rock group, Creed. There was a lot of debate several years ago about whether Creed was a Christian rock band, although the band denied it.
For a taste of Creed, see this video of a song called “My Sacrifice” and read ChristianMusicToday.com’s interview with former lead singer, Scott Stapp, who said (emphasis in original):
“I was a doubting Thomas. I was raised in a climate where I believed in God because I was afraid of going to hell…and I didn’t think that was the right way to fall in love with somebody. I always believed in God and Christ, but I was in rebellion…trying to make my relationship with God fit into my life instead of making my life fit in with him. I was stubborn…It just took all of that to come to a screeching halt, to get to the point of having nothing, for me to finally realize, Hey, what are you fighting with this for? Until then, I hadn’t claimed my faith as my own; I had just grown up with it. But I finally got to that point after years and years of running from God. Christ stepped in when I asked him.”
[Note to self: Add Lenny Kravitz and Scott Stapp to "must meet and take picture with" list.]
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