By Jack Freedman, Staff Writer,

Since the Apostles were commissioned by Jesus to spread the Gospel to the world, styles of worship have continued to adapt among different cultures. One aspect of worship that has been the most prevalent throughout history is music, from the hymns of old to contemporary songs of today. God has inspired talented songwriters to write music that glorifies Him, with many using music as their personal ministry.

The 1970s and 1980s were a golden age of contemporary Christian music. There were plenty of artists during this time who adapted sounds of the day without compromising their messages. For example, in 1979 Keith Green was writing songs about uncompromising faith and the consequences of ignoring God’s calling. His song “Asleep in the Light” comments on how many Christians choose to ignore the very people God desires Christians to minister to, and how Heaven weeps for the lukewarm church. This message is still relevant nearly 50 years later.

But in the last 20 years, it seems to me that Christian music is less profound, less life-changing, and more about making people feel good about themselves. It has left me wanting more.
The lyrics of many modern songs are weak and sometimes theologically unsound, leaving nothing for Christians like me who truly want to enrich their faith. While new believers may be drawn to these songs for their simplicity and catchy beats, they feel to me like all milk and no meat compared to the early days of contemporary Christian music.

Contrast the message of Green’s song with Austin French’s “Good Feeling,” a song that makes no mention of God other than the arbitrary line “He’s such a good God” only found in the radio edit of the song. The majority of the song consists of repeated choruses about how the singer feels good, neglecting to elaborate where his joy stems from.

Watered-down lyrics disappoint me, but what distresses me are songs that bend theology to the point it becomes questionable. One example that stands out to me is Cory Asbury’s hit song “Reckless Love.” Overall the song is alright, except for the fact that it refers to God as “reckless,” an idea not found in the Bible. Many defenders of this song argue that Asbury’s idea of recklessness is derived from the fact that God’s infinite, boundless love makes no sense to man – but nowhere in the song is this idea communicated.

In contrast, Michael Card delivered that exact message in his 1986 song “God’s Own Fool.” Card uses scripture to depict how Jesus must have seemed reckless to those who knew Him if the wisdom of God is foolishness to man. The song makes use of paradox, encouraging the listener to “come be a fool as well.” While these two songs may be trying to make a similar point, Card’s use of scripture makes it work for me.

The point that I’m trying to make is not that all Christian artists from 40 years ago are automatically better than modern artists, nor am I trying to claim that some styles of music are better than others. But I believe there is a danger to believers’ spiritual maturity and the witness of the church if music meant to glorify God becomes nothing more than lyrics used to create a feeling of well-being to the congregants.

Many popular artists today seem to take a theological shortcut by writing songs that could be easily mistaken for Top 40 songs with only an occasional reference to God. Other than these references, many songs have practically no ideas that would encourage maturity in the lives of new (or even seasoned Christians). Many popular songs these days stray away from talking about topics that people find uncomfortable, but nevertheless are important, such as the destructive power of sin, God’s desire to rescue humanity from sin through Jesus, and growing in a relationship with God.

Modern Christian music leaves me wanting more – more depth; more scripture; more biblical meat.

Of course music isn’t the only way to learn, but it’s still a powerful tool. I believe that there is a simple solution for this problem. There are plenty of talented musicians, both young and old who know the difference between a church service and a pop concert, with the talent and the godly wisdom to write new and profound songs that prioritize God.

I hope and pray artists will find a way to recognize their calling and responsibility to write about the eternal Truth God has revealed through the scriptures, God’s word to us. If Christian music can return to scriptural truth, then the genre may be reborn and reenergized to transform people’s spiritual lives.