The best and worst of CCM

I have had a real love-hate relationship with contemporary Christian music for about the last eight to ten years. There was a time when I listened to CCM constantly—I knew almost every song on the radio, and my dad and I would even have contests whenever we would get in the car to see who could guess the song and artist first in the shortest amount of time. Then sometime after the car-contest-era, I swore off CCM completely. As my family and I came to a deeper, thoroughly Reformed theological understanding, I became increasingly frustrated with the simplistic, shallow nature of the vast majority of contemporary Christian music. Every time I turned on the radio, I would get so discouraged that I would almost immediately turn it off again. There was no depth—no reverence—no sense of awe at a majestic, awesome, holy God. I quit listening.

I developed a keen interest in film scores—you know, the instrumental backing to a movie that provides much of the emotional framework for the story’s impact. I became a soundtrack geek, rediscovering a sampling of classical music at the same time. My taste in music became gradually more and more eclectic in nature; I delved into Celtic music, and I even developed an enthusiasm for orchestrated metal. The depth and complexity of the music (and, oftentimes, the lyrics as well) was, and is, fascinating. But still no CCM. None at all.

It’s been several years since then, and I have now reached the point where I can again listen to CCM in moderate doses. I have discovered that there are actually some songs and artists that are worth listening to. Yes, there is much that deserves to be thrown out the window. But there is also some that adequately expresses the glory of the cross, the incredible gift of redemption, and the unmerited favor that is our salvation in Christ. You have to dig harder to find it. But it is out there.

Today as I was driving home from work, with my radio tuned to one of the valley’s Christian radio stations, I heard a song that personifies everything I learned to hate about contemporary Christian music. I do have to admit that this is one song that I really can’t stand to let play. Any time it comes on while I happen to be listening, I just have to turn it off. It’s nothing personal against the song or the artist, but it demonstrates oh-so-clearly not only the lack of depth but also the complete lack of theological understanding that permeates much of the Christian music scene. The song is by Francesca Battistelli, and part of the lyrics go like this: “‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender / got a couple rips in my jeans / try to fit the pieces together / but perfection is my enemy / on my own I’m so clumsy / but on Your shoulders I can see / I’m free to be me.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but I know for a fact that I have a whole lot more that is wrong with my heart than “a couple dents in my fender” or “a couple rips in my jeans”. Perfection is not just my enemy—it’s absolutely unattainable in this life. I’m more than just clumsy; I’m absolutely lost and helpless apart from One who is greater than I. Salvation isn’t just about finding that I am “free to be me”. It’s about falling down at the foot of the cross, acknowledging my sinful soul and my absolute dependence upon my Savior, and looking to Him alone to bring me to heaven. It’s about the glorious and inexplicable truth that although I can do absolutely nothing to bring my sinful heart into submission to Him, yet He looks upon me not in myself, but in Christ, and Christ’s merit covers my sin completely. I am free and forgiven, in Him. Now that is something worth singing about! Unfortunately, however, the true glory of the Gospel rarely comes across in its fullness in much of Christian pop music.

There are some exceptions, though. Michael Card, for example, has always been one of my favorite artists. Not only is his music unique and beautiful, but his lyrics also reflect the highs and lows of the Christian life, and the full range of Christian experience. I recently have been listening to his “Ancient Faith” album, a 2-disc masterpiece that starts at creation and explores many of the themes of the Old Testament. It is truly magnificent. Comparing the songs from “Ancient Faith” to the song I was quoting earlier… well, the contrast is stark. Card’s music carries with it a sense of reverence and awe in the face of a holy God. His lyrics reflect what it truly means to be a Christian—from the depths of despair to the heights of rejoicing. He digs deep into the Scriptures and mines gems that are expressed with perhaps greater power and poignancy through music. Music is meant to display the full range of human emotion, and especially for the Christian artist, the full range of spiritual emotion. Card does so. Artists like Michael Card have gradually brought me back around to listening to CCM again.

I still am a soundtrack geek. I still like a good dose of orchestrated metal. I wouldn’t say that I am, generally speaking, a fan of contemporary Christian music. But I am glad to have reached the point again where I can turn on Christian radio without cringing.