Christian Music Part 1: Sheep Food and Wiser Wolves
"Feed my sheep...feed my sheep...feed my sheep." The husband and wife duo sang those words over one of the silliest/simplest melodies I had ever heard. I sat next to my usual youth group friends like I did every Sunday morning and we all tried not to laugh. This 70-something southern gospel troupe was already comical enough, but this song was just ridiculous. Bright shining smiles proudly belting trite and predictable lyrics in front of our church. That afternoon I teased my dad about inviting them in the first place, mimicking their childish song.
"What was wrong with that song?" he asked.
"Are we talking about the same song?? It was so poorly written. 'Feed my sheep' over and over again."
"But that's exactly what they were doing."
He went on to explain the deep southern gospel roots of the majority of our congregation; that my little group of cocky teens were in the minority. I apparently failed to notice the glowing faces of my brothers and sisters I worship with every Sunday. Almost all of them were blessed and encouraged by the music of this genuine, kind couple. The sheep were being fed.
I don't think he meant to, but my dad forever changed my perspective on the intersection of Christianity and art. The heated debates about "Christian music" (which are older than most of the people participating in them) often fail to answer a simple question: who will feed the sheep?
Since that conversation with my father, I've used "Sheep Food" to categorize a certain type of Christian music. I think every song that someone was brave enough to pen and sing has the potential to bless someone, move someone, or revive someone. It's the nature and one of the underlying purposes of art itself. But in the Christian music world, there are many songs and artists that aim their sights on a different goal than the rest of the art word. I'm here to argue that they're not lesser artists, or lesser Christians, for doing so.
Figure A: Toby Mac.
If you're not familiar with him, Toby is one-third of CCM pioneers DC Talk. Since the band went into their "Intermission" in 2000, Toby has maintained the most successful solo project of the three members. He plays to packed stadiums around the world with his backing band Diverse City. I haven't purchased one his albums since he debuted in 2001. That was the last time it felt relative or exciting to me. I was 15. Every now and then I catch a single on the radio or online. His music is fun, energetic, pop/rock with heavy hip-hop influences. Mos Def is never going to call him up and talk about the state of hip-hop. John Mayer will never ask him to feature on a new single. Peter Travers has no plans to include one of Toby's albums on the "Top 500 Albums of All Time" list. The art world is not paying attention to Toby Mac.
So why are those stadiums packed? Here is the beginning of the friction. Many claim this is a prime example of Christian music's vacuum of true artistic talent. They say there is a naive lack of perspective that allows for sub-par music to rise to the top. I already admitted that I no longer find Toby's music relevant or exciting. My taste has changed a lot since my sophomore year of high school. But there are plenty of adults, older than myself, who still buy every new Toby album. Hordes of Christians are encouraged by his music. He sings to them about diversity, loving each other, trusting in God, reviving their walk with Christ. Is it the most poetic? Original? Innovative? No. But it is not bad art. It is focused art. It is aiming carefully and hitting the mark.
Toby is not trying to bless me or anyone else who likes deep, heady art. He's aiming for the majority of young-ish Christians. He's delivering to them, in a package they can understand and appreciate, Biblical instruction and encouragement. I think Toby Mac has more talent in his outdated soul patch than the majority of artists on college radio. I don't think Toby is incapable of deep, heady music (I can offer you a couple B-side examples from his DC Talk years). I think he intentionally crafts his music in order to feed the most sheep. As a Christian, as a servant called by God to encourage my brothers and sisters whenever possible, I cannot hold this against him. He has the potential to reach more in this way than any other saint on the planet and he is fully taking advantage.
I used to be more patient listening to the criticism of Christian music. I will be the first to admit that I used to carry an adamant distrust of the entire industry on my shoulders. I once wrote a song called "Soli Deo Gloria" that not only poked fun at CCM, but deeply criticized those involved. I recorded the song and never released it. I felt convicted about the generalization I was making. God reminded me of that sweet couple singing silly songs. I know there are wicked, deceitful people selling lots of records in CCM; I have first hand experience sitting backstage at events myself or my band were also playing. I still believe their disturbing behavior is the exception and not the norm.
The old fires of the debate around CCM have been recently stoked and many young and old artists/fans are passionately chiming in. There are plenty of constructive criticisms and honest concerns being expressed. Unfortunately, this also is the exception and not the norm. Hurtful, destructive rhetoric is parading as modern wisdom. Godly men and women are attacked, not Biblically confronted, daily in the name of exposing the "truth." Truth needs no sin to be heard. Truth comes from a holy God and unholy offense is an improper vessel.
In light of figure A, why would anyone want to stop so many sheep from being fed? This is wolf wisdom. This is evil deception and self destruction. An enemy within is the least feared and the most dangerous. We must be careful in our critique of brothers and sisters in Christ who share with us the heavy calling of the living God.
What then? Should the trespasses I already admitted witnessing in CCM be ignored? Should we sweep these dirty secrets under the rug? God forbid it. Let us approach each evil with a scalpel, not a chainsaw. Let us approach with Spirit-filled instruction, Scripture-informed methods, and a prayer-soaked heart of concern; concern not for CCM, but for God's holy name.
Next on the agenda: can music be Christian?
Grace and peace to you,
Adrian
