Benefits/Blessing of CCM

Very cool! You are right - the verses are attributed in the liner notes of the CD! Just more evidence that there are some Christian artists who are trying very hard to bring the "ancient" to the "contemporary" church.

 

Time out guys!! Am I hearing correctly? No one in their right mind could ever claim that the golden age of CCM was mid-80's and before. Strypper has to be one of the WORST bands in human history!! I am glad to see Cristian entertaniers like: The Benjamin Gate, Jennifer Knapp and Kendal Payne, Rebecca St. James etc who can not only match the artistic ability of many in the secular world, but surpass them.

Think about it. Why must Christans be reduced to crappy bands like Petra and Stryper? Wasn't Bach the BEST musician of his time? While styles may change, I still believe the Lord demands the best.

Thank God for artists like U2, Johnny Cash, and the almighty Black Sabbath, who are not only inspired by the hand of God, but who unleash His power on an unbelieving world.

 

Sorry, but I really like Petra. That said, "Black Sabbath" a Christian band??????
Give me a break.

 

I have a hard time seeing U2 as a Christian band as well. I've heard Bono interviewed several times, and he had a mouth like a sailor. I just can't see a leader from a "Christian" band using such offensive language.

The same goes with Scott Stapp and Creed.

 

Sure! Who can forget the spirit-filled "Fairies Wear Boots" or the soulful sound of "War Pigs"?
And how about the upbeat, hand clapping feel-good "Electric Funeral"?

 

That Martin Luther had quite a mouth on him too...

 

But you are right. I conveniently left the next line, because I would have had to change it from coming King to loving Queen since I am a male singing to a female!

Yep. Can sing that about my wife without a problem. Move over Barry Manilow. Is there another verse that MIGHT actually praise or worship JESUS? </font>[/QUOTE]I do find it sad that you would refer to your wife in those terms, especially as someone who is a professor in this area. Would you not agree that even as much as you love your wife, you couldn't say that she is all that you need? Only Christ can say that.

And you're still changing words, whether you like it or not. I could change words as well - "I love you Kristina, and I lift my voice, to worship you, oh my soul rejoice. Take joy, my Queen, in what you hear. May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear."

And now that we thing about it -

"Amazing Kristina! HOw sweet the sound! That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now, I'm found. Was blind, but now I see."

See how easy that is? BTW, Kristina is my better half...

 

And while we are on it, what would happen if we use the same rubric to grade the old favorite "Amazing Grace?"

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

------

I mean, are we praising God or are we praising Grace?

And let's do the same thing Bob did with "Enough."

Amazing Kristina! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas Kristina that taught my heart to fear,
And Kristina my fears relieved;
How precious did Kristina appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis Kristina hath brought me safe thus far,
And Kristina will lead me home.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing her praise
Than when we’d first begun.

----------

A few quick changes there, and there we have it! Hooray for Kristina!

On a serious note, the only possible thing that could truly be more than enough for us as humans is Jesus Christ. Oh, and here's the other verse:

"You are my reward, worth living for
Still more awesome than I know
You're my sacrifice of greatest price
Still more awesome than I know."

I'd be surprised if anyone other than Christ could be a sacrifice of greatest price.

 

Jude, some of the Taizé tunes might qualify as "contemporary", but their texts are about as traditional as they come (including lots of Latin). I agree that it's a beautiful genre, and a Taizé service is probably worth trying (I keep meaning to go to one and then forgetting); but I suspect it would appeal to the liturgically grounded more than to most Baptists.

Haruo

 

Black Sabbath????

Christian?????

Mike

 

Loved Petra and still love their music! Though their day in the sun seems to be over. Don't forget Petra, Keith Green, Degarmo and Key, Styper paved for current acts. Don't forget the pioneers. It is true that CCM music quality is better today because the CCM industry has more money to improve the sound quality that groups 15 years ago lacked but I think the 1980's was the breakthrough decade for the genre that saw more creativity.

U2, CREED, Black Sabbath are not Christian bands nor do they claim to be