Le Sabot Post-Moderne

"When I went to a friend's house, instead of being two friends together talking we would sit in his room and do nothing except allow the music to flow through us..."

I remember going through a stage at 16 like that only the music was Tchaikovsky and Bach and Mozart! Maybe this is more about being 16 than about a music style?

Kathy

"'Christian Rock' was brought into my life earlier than my peers because of a weakness in my forefathers..." ?!?!?

Do I smell a whiff of Gothardism in there somewhere?

Ah ... the opportunity to reflect on those things that almost caused be to become an athiest. Big questions like "why do bad things happen to good people" ... "how do you develop a relationship with an invisible God" ... "is Sandi Patti demon possessed?" Honestly - check out that sight you referenced! The guy seriously offers that as a reasonable apologetic for his concern over CCM.

Granted, any web site that proffers the claims of 14-21 year olds must be given a certain level of credibility (you may insert "dubious" where you feel it most applies in this sentence).

Among other things we miss in the CCM discussion, which the site you reference does circle around, is that CCM copies contemporary music. The irony is the not-so-subtle point that contemporary Christian culture has lost much of its ability to reach people because we can not appreciate what good art, music, film, fiction, dance, etc. is! Bad music is bad - yes, some music is sensual. Some music may bring to mind experiences or images that people may struggle with based on past sin. But painting with such broad strokes only guarantees simple one-dimensional views of this world. I can't look at any part of this created world and see a one-dimensional creator. But that's just me (how post-modern of me!).

Thanks for the responses. I was a little nervous some might read it quickly and think I was being serious. I actually called a friend whose English is very good but not perfect and said, "Don't take this the wrong way." :-)

Kathy-

That's awesome... I played violin and cello for a total of 8 years. Nothing from it stuck, except an appreciation for classical music. The first Presbyterian church here in Kiev grew from the work of a Presbyterian conductor with the Kiev Symphony Orchestra. The Sunday worship music is amazing. :)

John R-

Ooh, you've had contact with Gothardism? I jokingly call him Bill God because his followers tend to quote him as they would the Scriptures. . . (I've likely offended at least 6 readers by now.) That site is linked to a KJV-only site, so you might have a point. Both groups belong to the Blue Denim Jumper Mafia wing of Christianity. . .

Ben-

"The irony is the not-so-subtle point that contemporary Christian culture has lost much of its ability to reach people because we can not appreciate what good art, music, film, fiction, dance, etc. is! "

I agree in general with this point. I will say, however, that it's in the area of music that the Christian ghetto has come closest to parity with the world. In areas like literature, film and visual arts, on the other hand, we're still being throunced.

It's at times like this that I wish I was Roman Catholic so I could confess my addiction to Rich Mullins and Jars of Clay to a priest. :D

Did you know that Bill Gothard has as "10 signs you're addicted to rock"? I can't remember all of them, but I do remember the first one was "you deny you are addicted to rock." In other words, if you aren't addicted to rock and so you refuse to concede that you are then that's a sign you're addicted to rock. Makes sense, doesn't it?

"When I went to a friend's house, instead of being two friends together talking we would sit in his room and do nothing except allow the music to flow through us..."

Maybe that's because this person needs to work on becoming a better conversationalist. When I go to my friend's house we listen to music AND talk in the car on the way. But when we get to his house we don't sit around and listen to music...we talk (or do a million other things). Sometimes we do sit and watch TV, but does that mean my life is consequently damaged?