Contemporary Christian Music *Blog 4

New York Times article presents an interesting point-of-view in it article concerning Christian rock music group Mercy Me and its move towards mainstram music. "So what difference would it make if those plaintive lyrics were about Him instead of a her," states New York Times journalist Kelefa Sannen. Stephanie Bennett, author of "Going Digital with Contemporary Christian Music, spends her whole chapter discussing the competing definitions of Christian music and how it relates to mainstream music. Christian music is typically defined by its lyrics more so than it's musical style. This having to be true also makes Christian heavy metal to rap groups seemingly appropriate as long as it's lyrics are focused on God. Some Christians question whether Christian music can even exist today. Significantly, Bono, lead singer from U2, agrees with the statement that claiming that it is arrogant to even play under a Christian label because of the sinful nature of people. Famous mainstream artists like Switchfoot and Six Pence None the Richer both have Christian band members but do not play under a Christian label. "We've always called ourselves a rock band and tried to stay away from anything that would limit our audience. For me, my faith is a really personal, important part of my life, and it's bigger than a musical genre," states Switchfoot drummer, Chad Butler. This statement could be true especially to a mainstream audience. Contemporary Christian Music should see Christian artist crossing over to mainstream recording contracts as means to reach a broader audience. Arguments that accuse mainstream Christian artists watering down the gospel present a real problem with a statement as such.

If Christian music was defined by its lyrics how can certain songs such as Six Pence's popular 1998 hit song "Kiss Me" be considered a part of Christian Contemporary Music? The focus of the music is switched from God to what the fan base is most interested in and more so open to what will sell. This has a ring of truth to it, but so does the argument that states that Christian Contemporary Music going mainstream has broadened the context of faith to include more than just on God's love, but also on important issues on dating and depression. Crossover artists are also attracting fans to other Contemporary Christian Music and may make people who normally would not have considered CCM discover other Christian music.

Today's Christian music has become musically indistinguishable compared to mainstream music. Christian Contemporary Music began to imitate secular musical styles and mainstream marketing when CCM started in the 70's. Christian music was not popular in the 60's when it first began to grow. Artists found it extremely difficult to successfully launch a musical career when everyone, especially Christian bookstores, refused to sell CCM records, or tape cassettes. It was during the 70's that Christian artists began to sign recording contracts with nonprofit, and for-profit businesses that cleaned up their music to make it appropriate for the tribal audience. Today Christians listen to CCM to be uplifted, and because it is considered safe for the family, but it should be emphasized that Christian Contemporary Music can speak to mainstream and does not have to be limited to only the tribal audience.

Contemporary Christian Music *Blog 4

Torrey Blog

Dr. John Coe, director for the Institution for Spiritual Formation at Talbot, School of Seminary, spoke on Thursday at Biola's annual Torrey Conference. The topic Dr. Coe lectured on touched the bases on dating, romance, and the spiritual discipline of remaining emotionally pure. Dr. John Coe's emphasis was concerning the call to physical chastity as well as emotional, and to instead "channel that energy for relational work" as opposed to giving in to lustful desires. It is fundamentally harmful to the relationship and eventually the marriage when the husband or wife is overly emotionally or sexually involved before marriage. As the New York Times stated on Monday in a recent survey on sexuality, "the increasing availability of pornography on the Internet, which has been shown to affect sexual attitudes and perceptions of "normal" behavior, may be playing a role in rising infidelity". People were created, as Coe stated, for a deep spiritual union with a spouse and with God. To surrender to sexual lusts through outlets such as pornography or engaging in sexual acts with a person before marriage is destructive and ultimately leads to sex becoming a selfish act more so than a physical and emotional union. As lectured by Dr. Coe, "the 'partner' or sexual satisfaction becomes an object os use," meaning that relationships between a man and a woman, who do not remain pure, become victims to their own self-serving desires. 

It is difficult to remain emotionally and physically pure when, especially in today's society, it is easier to be sexual. the Internet, and cellular phones have made it harder for relationships, including marriage, to survive. The divorce rate is as intimidating as ever, and worse yet, the percentages of people engaging in adultery is, likewise, staggering. Tara Parker-Pope, writer for the New York Times, stated in her recent article that "10 percent of married people- 12 percent of men and 7 percent of women- say they have had sex outside their marriage". It is in our best interest to refrain from sexual and romantic desires but to channel that energy, as Coe stated Thursday, "for deepening healthy, legitimate relationships, and for advancing in wisdom in the Spirit regarding whom to marry". Infidelity is gaining momentum in a world that runs on electronics such as e-mail, instant messaging, Internet, and texting. The need to remain pure within the marriage and within the lines of an emotionally pure relationship makes it easier to constrain yourself from acting on lustful impulses that young people in our generation have fallen victim to. The sacred union of marriage is between a husband and his wife, but also with God. This relationship should not be easy to break apart but unfortunately humans, having been born spiritually dead, have an empty emotional and spiritual void that society feels the need to fill with sexual, and romantic desires of the flesh. 

With the help of Christ, the relationships that people have should not result in exploiting the other person for their own desires, but should bring honor to God. The results of which would create a better, and healthier relationship between spouses and with God. 

"Candidate McCain's Big Decision" Take Two

A writer in The New York Times wrote an article entitled, "Candidate McCain's Big Decision" concerning the upcoming presidential candidate McCain and how he, you could say, took a risk once he appointed Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate this Monday in St. Paul during the Republican National Convention. Although the article pointed out Palin's many foibles, the real topic of this article should have been focused entirely on McCain's inability to choose a vice who would have the qualifications and ability to run in this horse race we call election season. The decision made is not only questionable but foolish on McCain's account, "This country needs a leader with sound judgment and strong leadership skills. Choosing Ms. Palin raises serious questions about Mr. McCain's qualifications," so said the writer in The New York Times. Not only has the presidential nominee made himself a popular subject to put under the light of severe criticism, but by declaring Governor Sarah Palin as his vice Mr. McCain has also deprived himself completely of any criticism of Obama's inexperience and now seems to be way over his head in the quickly upcoming election. 

This article revealed more information concerning Sarah Palin's leadership skills than the piece needed. I think that the article would have been taken just as seriously if the writer didn't note Palin's upsetting advocacy of a political party for the secession of the state of Alaska and her attempts to censor certain books from the library in the town she way mayor over.

What should be considered is Mr. Palin's political experience, which is highly questionable, having been only a squalid 20 months that she has been governor of Alaska, and then before that when she was mayor of a small town with roughly the population of about 6,500 people, or better put, about the size of a small university (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/04/palin.reax.irpt/index.html). Before considering Palin, it was rumored that McCain was leaning towards Joseph Lieberman as the Arizona Senator's prime Vice Presidential choice (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/21/joe-lieberman-mccains-vic_n_120385.htm). Experience is not a question when it comes to this Independent Democrat, having been elected to the U.S. Senate in 1988, so what swayed McCain's final VP decision? I suppose it would be the Republican Party. 

Although experience and integrity back up Lieberman as a prime choice, his politics were at question. I can truly say that when it comes to politics, there is no right or wrong, but only compromise, and to say that Governor Palin is a premium choice would be definitely incorrect. The vice presidency may not be as lofty as the position of president, but considering the fact that McCain would be the oldest man elected in office with a poor health record, it makes a significant difference whether the vice president is qualified to run a nation or not. A serious situation to acknowledge is if the worst should happen, and Mr. McCain happens to keel over, would Gov. Palin honestly be prepared to be the next president of the United States?

I think that McCain chose Palin as a genius strategy to win over the evangelical voters, along with the Hillary groupies. The Republicans are, of course, going to back up Mr. McCain, but I believe that the reason is only because he is their only hope in keeping the White House. McCain is not conservative, but he is Republican. Electing Palin as VP was a stroke of genius on his part, but I do not believe that Palin has the qualification to run our country if it came down to that reality. I can only see him using her as a tool to gain more voters. I would have to say that I agree with the article. I think McCain's decision was not thought through as well as it should have been.

Candidate McCain's Big Decision

A writer in The New York Times wrote an article entitled, "Candidate McCain's Big Decision" concerning the upcoming presidential candidate McCain and how he, you could say, went-out-on-a-limb once he appointed Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate this Monday in St. Paul during the Republican National Convention. Although the article pointed out Palin’s many foibles, the real topic of this article should have been focused entirely on McCain’s inability to chose a vice who would have the qualifications and ability to run in this horse race we call election season. The decision made is not only questionable but foolish on McCain’s account, “This country needs a leader with sound judgment and strong leadership skills. Choosing Ms. Palin raises serious questions about Mr. McCain’s qualifications,” as put by the writer in The New York Times article. Not only has the presidential nominee made himself a popular subject to put under the light of severe criticism, but by declaring Governor Sarah Palin as his vice Mr. McCain has also deprived himself completely of any criticism of Obama’s inexperience and now seems to be way over his head in the quickly upcoming election.

This article revealed more information concerning Sarah Palin’s leadership skills than the piece needed. I think that the article would have been taken just as serious if the writer didn’t note on Palin’s upsetting advocacy of a political party for the secession of the state of Alaska and her attempts to censor certain books from the library in the town she was mayor over. 

What should be considered is Ms. Palin’s political experience, which is highly questionable, being only a squalid 20 months that she has been governor of Alaska, and than before that she when was mayor of a small town with roughly the population of about 6,500 people, or better put, about the same size of a large high school (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/04/palin.reax.irpt/index.html). Before considering Palin, it was rumored that McCain was leaning towards Joseph Lieberman as the Arizona Senator’s prime Vice Presidential choice (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/21/joe-lieberman-mccains-vic_n_120385.html). Experience is not a question when it comes to this Independent Democrat, having been elected to the U.S. Senate in 1988, so what swayed McCain’s final VP decision? I suppose it would be the Republican Party. 

Although experience and integrity back up Lieberman as a prime choice, his politics were at question. I can truly say that when it comes to politics, there is no right or wrong, but only compromise, and to say that Governor Palin is a premium choice would be definitely incorrect. The vice presidency may not be as lofty as the position of president, but considering the fact that McCain would be the oldest man elected in office with a poor health record, it makes a significant difference whither or not the vice president is qualified to run a nation or not. A serious situation to acknowledge is if the worst should happen, and Mr. McCain happens to keel over, would Gov. Palin honestly be prepared to be the next president of the United States? 

I think that McCain chose Palin as a genius strategy to win over the evangelical voters, along with the Hilary groupies. The Republicans are, of course, going to back up Mr. McCain, but I believe that the reason is only because he is their only hope in keeping the white house. McCain is not conservative, but he is republican. Electing Palin as VP was a stroke of genius on his part, but I do not believe that Palin has the qualifications to run our country if it came down to that reality. I can only see him using her as a tool to gain more voters. I would have to say that i agree with the article. I think McCain’s decision was not thought through as well as it should have been.