Argument Series #2: Modern "Christian" music is shallow

 This is the second episode of my argument series, where I point out things that I believe are incorrect in modern society and culture concerning Christianity. While in the Reformed sphere there tends to be none of this "contemporary Christian music", I still want to address it. First, what do I mean by contemporary Christian music? Contemporary does not only mean new, but also culturally modern. Contemporary christian music can be found in many churches, especially in non-reformation Protestant denominations. They often sound like pop or even sometimes even music genres like metal or rock. Also a big trend of contemporary music is repetition of lyrics. CCM are very loud and often even commercialized. To represent CCM (cont. christian music), I will insert the lyrics of one of the famous songs, "Oceans", as an example of what CCM is like.

Verse 1]
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown, where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep, my faith will stand

[Chorus]
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

[Verse 2]
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

[Chorus]
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine, oh
(And You are mine, oh)

[Bridge]
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me
And take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me
And take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
Oh, Jesus, You're my God!

#1: It's shallow

One of the main problems with contemporary Christian music is it has little actual message or content. They are mostly just the same phrases repeated over and over again. The phrases are also often very generic and have little actual emotional touch or feeling, only loudness or a pop-style melody to make it "catchy". This is the first problem: it is very shallow, and you cannot even get reminded of anything from them. The song Oceans, our example, barely has a reference to Jesus, and repeats a long stanza 6 times in the bridge. You won't get anything from this song. CCM has no joy, has no lament, no thanksgiving, no comfort - it is dry, "christianized" secular and worldly music.

#2: It's not christocentric - but selfcentric

Many modern Christian songs' lyrics can still make sense if they were meant to be secular. They have very little to do with Christ. The song Oceans only refers to the word "Jesus" in the last line - and the rest, without context, may be  misunderstood as not even Christian music. Instead, it is selfcentric, and Jesus Christ is put aside - this is not what God wants.

Other Criticisms

a. CCM pulls us away from Christ and is shallow music with no depth, whether theological or emotional. This lack of theological depth coincides with many Christians today having little to no biblical or theological knowledge. 

b. Also, another observation is modern Christian music often have dances. Dancing in worship music is debatable, but what I will say is that: often, most "christian music dances" are from the modern, shallow, songs. Yes, David danced, it was out of true joy - however, these christian music dances are rooted from secular and worldly causes, and is simply for the sake of "dancing", not worship. 

c. When it comes to gestures (like raising your hand up, or raising and widening your arms to both directions, or as if you are receiving something) in worship, this is another secular thing, and is unnecessary - often a sign of secularity. 

d. What is saddening is that just typing in "christian music" on the Internet leads to these contemporary shallow songs. It does not represent Christianity - it has no emotion or depth like hymns do. Most importantly, it has no Christ.

This ends my argument

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