Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: rit!cs!ritcv!iav1917@cs.rochester.edu (alan i. vymetalik) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Some thoughts on "Christian Music" (was Re: Petra Praise) Message-ID: Date: 12 Feb 90 09:49:22 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY Lines: 164 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu 11 Feb 1990 Hi Folks, I'm back. I've been away from this newsgroup for a little while and was surprised to see this news-thread still dangling. Hmm. It's my fault. I started it... In article procsy@cbnewsd.att.com (Jeff Sargent) writes: > >I'd say that different music of each era communicates different meanings. I have to agree. Most of the music that we term as "classical" (Tchaikovski, Mozart, etc.) was written by the composers for the wealthy, upper-class people of their respective countries. Music such as this was for the "rich." The music was definitely not meant for the poor, besides that they definitely couldn't afford it. This is not to say that the less-fortunate didn't have or enjoy music. I was just different. Also, should a lower class citizen get a chance to listen to "music of the rich," they probably had some disdainful opinions of the rich to go along with their commentary on the music. Now, of course, today, music is one of the most universal aspects of life. It cuts across all races, creeds, ages, and income levels. In addition, music cuts across all religious and non-religious levels as well. So, now, there are so many interpretations and critics and so many reasons for creating and producing music (Christian music as well) that you might feel like a pinball in a pinball machine bouncing off thoughts, reviews, criticisms, morality, opinions, commentary, self-righteous attitudes, and a number of other obstacles and pitfalls as you roll over the musical landscape. My comment is to take all of that input and add some salt to it, shake it thoroughly, and see what comes out. Then, most importantly, check the music out for yourself. If you find yourself enjoying it (there's nothing wrong with finding joy in this world) and you feel that it's giving you a positive rather than negative feeling about living and all the myriad aspects of life, then listen to it and adopt it as part of your life, your being. Music is a strong force and it can definitely influence the way you feel and think. Be careful in your selections and revel in your discoveries. Just remember this, and I may just get flamed for it, nearly all music and the inspiration for that music comes from God no matter if it's blues, reggae, rock, jazz, etc. God gave us a unique, creative spirit that no other creature possesses. I personally don't believe that Satan has any real creative abilities when it comes to music. Oh, he can use, twist, and distort, but the core comes from God. Amen. >Recently the "classic rock" station in Chicago was playing a series of >classic albums. Alas that I did not tune in earlier so I could catch >all of Kansas's album "Point of Know Return" [sic]. Of course, many >of Kansas's lyrics are packed with religious overtones; but much of >side 2 of that album is purely instrumental music, and it is heavenly, >in a very full and touching sense of that word. Yes, nearly all (if not all) of Kansas' albums are packed with religious overtones. You may be surprised to know that until Monolith (and Kerry Livgren's breakaway with his solo album and later with AD) most of the religious views were not Christian. For example, you mentioned "Point of Know Return" [no sic. needed, this is a perfect title]. Well, I have to comment that while there are alot of instrumental sections of the songs on side 2, all are filled with lyrics; strong and important lyrics. Yes, quite the contrast to "The Rolling Stones." But, the only true instrumental piece is Walsh's "The Spider" on side 1. You might also be curious to know that the song "Portrait (He Knew)", for example, has nothing to do with religion at all. For years Kansas' fans thought the song was a story about Christ. Well, according to Livgren in his autobiography "Seeds of Change" (an interesting read for people who are into learning about the trials and tribulations of someone turning to Christianity), he states the song is a tribute to Albert Einstein! Now, out of personal or public pressure, he rewrote the song and titled it "Portrait II" which is definitely a song about Christ. (This track can be heard on "Prime Mover," Sparrow Records, recorded by Kerry Livgren/AD.) By the way, I like the new version of the song. Now, while this music may not have been Christian in nature until about 1979, God definitely had a hand in laying the groundwork for Livgren and the rest of Kansas even if they didn't know it or thought it was because of other influences at the time. It's really a shame that Kansas couldn't have hung out for another year or so with Livgren and John Elefante at the helm. Kansas ditched it just before the big move towards Contemporary Christian music hit its stride. But, then, maybe the Lord didn't want to have a "big commercial success" of the past pushing along the music. I don't know. Just commenting. > The next album was a >Rolling Stones album. What an anticlimax! Even the first few bars were >so obviously empty and lifeless that I had to switch to another station >immediately. Not that some of the Stones' work lacks ingenuity; but >it also lacks edification. You switched! Good for you. Empty, three-chord music does nothing for my soul. My body may like it, but I try to look beyond that kind of gratification for pleasure's sake. I believe there is music out there that can do both for me at the same time. >Frankly, a lot of "Christian" music today strikes me as so self-conscious >and self-righteous that it is equally unedifying. And, looking behind >the scenes, I know a man who could, if he chose, go professional (he's >a superb guitarist and a most interesting composer and lyricist, the only >person I know of who's gotten a rock song out of the Transfiguration); >but when he looked into the possibility, he found that the Christian >music business is just as competitive as the secular music business, or >indeed any business -- hardly Christian in its practices at all. So he >decided not to go pro, and it's a loss for all of us. That's a really bad part of the Christian music scene and probably the biggest reason most people sort of look down at Christian music despite what the music is saying. They say, "Look at Amy Grant. She's on A&M records, won all of those awards, doing those commercials. She's sold out. She's not doing it for God anymore." Blaaah! Of course she's doing it for God, as are most if not all of the others. They firmly believe it in their hearts and minds. Who am I to argue otherwise? Their inspiration, they feel, comes from God. Hallelujah. The problem, however, is that in order to deal with, gain acceptance in, and do business with the secular world, you have to become somewhat like the secular world. If not, then Christian music would still be played in churchs and prayer halls. Concerts would only be announced by word of mouth and xeroxed flyers. The audiences would remain small and a group's message would only be heard by a few people. Now, maybe that's the way to do it. I don't really know. All I know is that in order to reach a wide audience and bring the Gospel to large number of people, modern methods and secular acceptance are extremely necessary. Should the artists and record companies give up their identities and beliefs? Of course not. But, a "holier-than-thou-hold-at-arms-length" attitude by these same folk would alienate them from the secular world very fast. I personally believe that both the religious and the secular world need each other. We're all the same, brothers and sisters, under the Lord. It's just that some people haven't recognized it yet. Give them time, my friends, give them time. If all of the efforts of the artists and companies has brought another, I don't know, say a million people to know the Lord, than the efforts has been worth it. If only ONE person has found the light, then it'll be a very expensive undertaking on everyone's part, but that one person would be extremely grateful! >-- Jeff Sargent att!ihlpb!jeffjs (UUCP), jeffjs@ihlpb.att.com (Internet) >AT&T Bell Laboratories, IH 5A-433, Naperville, IL (708) 979-5284 >PRAY NAKED ^^^^^ We're all naked in the eyes of the Lord, whether we're dressed or not. He sees through the veils of life that we wrap around ourselves. He sees into the core of our being and knows us better than we know our- selves. We will stand before Him naked when it comes our turn to atone. When that time comes, do not waver. -me Enjoy, alan -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Alan I. Vymetalik, 2244 East Avenue #5, Rochester, New York, 14610-2518 USA, Phone: (716)-271-8528 ...!rochester!ritcv!iav1917 -or- ...!rochester!rit!ritcv!iav1917 ritcv!iav1917@rochester.UUCP -or- iav1917%ritcv@cs.rit.edu /If I can't be reached via any of the above e-paths, please write./ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=