Unlike many of my Catholic friends, I enjoy a fair amount of contemporary Christian music. My enjoyment of such music, by no means all of it, as much of is lamentably bad, has no liturgical implications, which means I have no desire for it to comprise any part of the Sacred Liturgy. But for devotional purposes, I find some of it wonderfully suitable in that way only music can be. (more)The Cathedral of the Madeleine happens to be the home of one of two Catholic elementary choir schools in the United States (here's the other), so it's safe to say that he has a fuller understanding of what constitutes liturgical music via lived experience.
My wife also enjoys listening to the local contemporary Christian radio station, and I appreciate the role that this music has played in her life of faith. But she has made no overtures to me about playing any of this repertoire in church, at Mass or otherwise. (Not that I have the final say in matters liturgical, anyway—that's the pastor's cross, ultimately.) Moreover, while we're listening in the car, she will point out theological errors in the lyrics whenever they occur.
6 comments:
This is the closest to "CCM" that I'll ever be able to tolerate: The Grascals - Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
"Christian Rock," on the other hand -- blech. What an oxymoron. Rock music was created specifically to rebel against Christian morality, after all.
I have a soft spot for Christian Punk Rock(Reliant K)... LOL, not that I like to like it, I just do on occasion. And like Joy I find those pesky heresies in the mix, the theological errors seem to almost leap out of the speaker waving a flag of stupidity.
Catholic Punk Rock hmmm.... that reminds me, someone once showed me this video: Hail, Holy Queen - Punk Rock Version
Not exactly my cup of tea (and I was an atheist anarcho-streetcore-punk before my conversion), but hey, at least they're not promoting sexual promiscuity, the drug culture, and unnecessary violence.
There's so much more talent and musical innovation in traditional folk and classical music than in the shallow pool of rock-and-roll.
I think most of the reflections here are pretty right on. Keep it out of Mass and be attentive to the quasi-heresy (or outright heresy) present in many of the songs, and it is a great tool for prayer.
For me, I've been a very strong fan of Contemporary Christian Music for probably 20 years. I think the sad part though is that when one reflects on CCM as it relates to the culture, it is clear that there has been a significant change in the lyrical quality and spirit of the music as a whole. While there has been a strong increase in the quality, and I would even argue orthodoxy of many so called "praise and worship" songs out there, the actual CCM songs have gotten pretty darn terrible over the last 5-10 years, which says a lot, because many of them have always been terrible.
Well let me differentiate between Praise and Worship and mainstream Christian music. I like mainstream particularly because it's not a prayer. Here's a sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvz0J0WBZPE
I never use anything non-Catholic for prayer.
That all said, contemporary Christian music is all like junk food to me. A little bit here and there, but as a constant it would kill a person. I totally agree that traditional styles of music are much better for mind and soul.
We need more 'Catholic' CCM ala Matt Maher and Audrey Assad. PLEASE!
I'm going to call it CCCM
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