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For many years now, Christian artists have been trying to cross over into the secular listening world with their music. Artists such as Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith started the trend back in the 1980s. Recently, the number of Christian musicians trying to follow suit have increased. It reached a climax last year when the Gospel Music Association had to redefine what it considers to be "Christian" music for its annual Dove Awards because it felt that many songs lacked "overt Christian content".
Apparently the controversy was rekindled this year when 13 of the more than 1,600 Dove Award nominations were disqualified because they did not fit the new definition. Disqualified songs included "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer; "Thought You'd Be Here" by Wes King, who wrote the song in response to his own infertility; and "Love Me Good" by Michael W. Smith.
GMA's new definition states that gospel music is "music in any style whose lyric is substantially based on historically orthodox Christian truth contained in or derived from the Holy Bible; and/or an expression of worship of God or praise for His works; and/or testimony of relationship with God through Christ; and/or obviously prompted and informed by a Christian world view."
Sounds exhaustive? Not quite. The definition, admittedly, goes a long way to classify the new "Christian" style coming across secular transmissions; however, where does that leave instrumental music or music that does not have lyrics? Phil Keaggy, and others, who rely on strong acoustic and electric guitars to drive their music, are, of course, out of luck to be nominated for, let alone to receive, a Dove Award.
But that begs the question. While the Dove Awards may be a marker for a musician's accomplishment, are they the ultimate test of achievement? Cannot music lovers, whether they are Christian or non-Christian, have any say in this area? Don't CD sales say more of that achievement than any award given by a conservative thinking group? Of course the GMA has its place, but one wonders whether they have the right to classify all "Christian" music through their myopic spectacles.
For me, the true test is not in the words--words can be carefully chosen and altered for one's benefit--or in the music, but in the lifestyle of the artist. Does the music of the artist match the lifestyle?
All Star United is an alternative Christian band currently touring the world, promoting their latest release Anthems for the Human Race. While on tour in Turkey, lead singer Ian Eskelin started talking, as he always does, to the audience about Jesus. Instantly, machine guns were pointed at the group. The tour promoter, who didn't know the group was Christian, informed the group afterward that they couldn't use the name Jesus Christ because Muslims wouldn't like the message. Drummer Christian Crowe summed up the challenge: "We always have this weird dichotomy between being rock stars and Christians. [On stage,] we're entertainers, but when we're not on stage we behave as humble servants."
Music of any classification is a personal choice. I may not listen to a song for its Christian value, but rather for its appeal musically. Ask any artist what his or her goal is in creating a work. Chances are their reply would be that they find the reward not so much in the outcome, but through the process.with reports by Evangelical Press News Service
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