Christian Band or a Band Made up of Christians?
Christian goes on to say, "Our music speaks for itself. Our life concerns are making sure everyone follows their dreams and passions. Our artistry is us following our dream.”
While that might not sound very "Christian," the band does do a lot of "good works." (think James 2:24) Christian said, “Anberlin are humanitarians. We’ve gone to Haiti and India and Muldova region and are planning a trip to Africa with the One campaign. How about mentioning how we put our faith into practice?”
That leads to the popular question about what makes a band (or a song or CD) "Christian." Last year I touched on that very topic with several artists. (read article)
What do you think? Does being on a Christian record label automatically put you in a "music ministry," whether you like it or not? Should you sign with a Christian label if you're not comfortable being called a "Christian band?" Click the "comments" link below and share your thoughts.
Comments
I believe we are are here to not only serve God and do “Godly works”, but to give Him glory in everything we do. Living a life that calls for our personal glorification, no matter how much you think you deserve it as far as “what you have done” isn’t living for Him. That is living for yourself.
Unfortunately can’t remember or find where it is written, but read it recently and know it’s in there… about living for Him and He will exalt you in due time.
Sad thing is, we as human beings often live for others view of us, or the world’s view of us I should say. To an unbeliever, that sends the powerful message that we are living a lie. Where is our God if they don’t see the change in our lives? I know it’s hard, but we’re talking about eternity here, with an awesome God… or the alternative… We need to be seeking Him always, about everything, and even “just because”. There is no greater achievment than to fully submit to Him, and do His will.
Seek Him always, much love, Holli
I think it’s a sad sign of the times we live in that we have christians trying to “distance” themseleves from their faith. I am a musician and a christian and while I enjoy both secular as well as “christian rock” I think that if your goal is fame and fortune you should not sign with a christian label because by doing so you are automatically put in the spotlight as a “christian” band.
For those who are following what they believe God has called them to and try to stand on those beliefs it becomes hard to live up to the scrutinty of the media and the general public as a result of artist being signed to christian labels and then trying to separate themseleves from that label. It is hard enough trying to overcome the black eyes we as christians have given ourseleves with all the politics, disagreements and outright hypocritical way we conduct ourselves among our own denominations. We can’t even get together and agree on our own doctrine much less present a united front against the ones trying to tear us apart. So when you add these artist who use christian labels to futher their own careers and spend 90% of their time trying to separate themselves, it adds to the image in which the world already views us.
There have recently been quite a few bands that have used the christian market to jumpstart their career. While I will may be sticking my neck out on this, I believe that christians are looking for a wider range of music and it just ain’t there. This leads back to disagreements among ourseleves as to what God accepts as tools for us to use in ministry. I don’t want anyone to get me wrong here; I have nothing against christians not being public with their faith or even wanting to be signed to secular labels because not everyone is called to be in the spotlight. We are all given talents to bring glory to God but if you sign with a christian label and play the christian circut as well as use the christian music distrubution markets then you’re going to have to deal with what comes from that path and as my grandmother used to tell me “if you can’t stand the heat stay out the kitchen.” I would encourage those who use the christian market that find themeselves being frustrated by the press they recieve about being labeled as christian bands this: maybe you should take a closer look at who you’re really trying to bring glory to.
I definitely think that it is up to the band to not want to have a Christian label. The Lord gave us talents and gifts in order to help one another, and Anberlin not being a stereotyped “Christian” band I think reaches out to a whole new genre of music and a different audience. Anberlin might not get as much exposure being a Christian band, but they can use their popularity to spread God’s word however subtle it may be in their songs.
i think that anberlin has some good music but if they want to glorify themselves then that is wrong. just doing good things wont make look any better in Gods eyes so they shouldnt be called a christian band if they dont give all the credit to ‘God
It almost broke my heart to see what Stephen said. If the band is not Christian, then they are not doing their work for the glory of God, they do it for their own glory. Same thing as happened to Creed and all others alike: “They may have believed in God initially, but then the crowd of fans put a little pressure on them, and all of the sudden their faith is gone. It seems Anberlin is more afraid of losing fans than losing God, sad.
I think it doesn’t matter whether Anberlin play Christian music or not. If we start judging people on whether their music says ‘praise God’ 20 times in the lyrics or not, then we are just as bad as the people who say ‘that band sucks because they are Christian’ (like ‘Christianity’ is some form of disorder or something). Also I don’t think Anberlin are denying their faith or anything, I think it is just that they don’t want others to get the wrong idea about their music, which is okay in my eyes as it is THEIR music and thus THEIR income we’re talking about.
To tell the truth, I really don’t think God could give a hoot about what any of us think of Anberlin, as he’s already got everything planned out
After seeing Anberlin in concert today at the warped tour, it was refreshing to know that there are even bands like them playing at such secular events. Just because they don’t want the “Christian” label doesn’t mean they have lost all faith and aren’t following God’s cause. The Christian name to secular America unfortunately doesn’t always stir joy in American’s hearts as we’d hope. Perhaps because of the judgemental way some Christians have become towards society.
If anything bands like Anberlin are a small light in the darkest parts of the world. They are the “sheep” dressed in “wovles” clothing. Their music has definitely inspired me regardless if we label them Christian or not. Lets just pray they never lose sight of their faith for worldly things. Its nice to know bands like them still stand out at events like the warped tour.
You can’t judge someones Faith by what they want to do to make a living (well, at least not all the time).
Some one left a comment that it was wrong (of Anberlin) to put there goals for
‘Fame & Fortune’ before God. I totaly agree that it is wrong to flee from the calling of God, to hide the light from the world. The Bible says that if you deny Jesus, He will deny you (thus, eternal damnation). But Anberin isn’t trying to deny there faith, they are (I believe) trying to seperate themselves from the Strictly-Christian genre (OF MUSIC) that people try to force upon bands.
(Peaple try to put bands, like Anberlin, into a picture frame, which they are not comfortable trying to squeeze into, and refuse to be trapped by).
So before trying to pick the specks out of Anberlins eyes, Let us examine the planks in our own, shall we…
They (Anberlin) never said they were putting there goals of ‘Fame & Fortune’ before God, they simply claim that they are not a ‘Christian Band’ and that what they are doing (to make a living) is not a ‘Minisry’.
People say Anberlin isn’t saved because they don’t play ‘Christian Music’. Now, how many of those people (that claim Christianity) actually get paid for being a ‘Christian’, that you just go to your work place and start telling everybody how great God is because you are ‘The Cook for Jesus’ or
‘The Sales-Man for Jesus’ (or the whatever you are ‘for Jesus’). Every body loves you (So-and-so) the Christian (who gets paid for being a Christian), You are your bosses favorite imployee, and life is perfect…
Yeah-Right!
I think I’ve said enough, God bless!
I think that Anberlin is good band with positive music that is clearly influenced by their faith, but they should’nt just leave it like that. They should be honest about who they are. I can see that they are trying to influence our culture through their music. Paul even said, “to the Jews I bacame a jew.”
But you never see him going against his faith. Instead He proclaims it loudly. If anberlin signs with a secular record label, that’s great, but they should be sure that Gods purpose for their life is to glorify him and give his message to others. I hope anberlin realizez that.
Perhaps we’re being too hard on Anberlin. We can’t judge their motives.
The band I previously played with tried to stay distant from the title “Christian” so that we wouldn’t turn secular listeners away. We weren’t try to distance ourselves from our Savior, rather from the negative stigma that a large amount of nonbelievers attribute to Christian music and Christians in general. (Judgemental…*cough* and hypocritical
I am a Christian musician and have been since age 14. Everything we have, even our musical talent is given to us from God. It is not wise to give God the glory. It is not wise to distance your faith in the public eye.
As Christians we are not to hide our light. I do not agree with bands made up of Christians. I believe if you are a Christian musician, you should be playing unto the Lord and bringing glory to his name.
There are far too many Christian artists that are hiding their light. There are far too many songs that if you did not know the band was Christian you would think it is just a “good” natured song.
As Christians we have a message to bring to the world. If God give us opportunity and we do not do so, we will answer for this on our day of reckoning.
Come on Christian artists!! Take the opportunity and talent that God has given you and use it for His purpose. The Bible is clear on His purpose…we are to spread His Word.
Be bold and He will bless you.
I think that u can still be Christians and not be a Christian band without having people judge u on your faith. Yet at the same time I think that if your Christian and your a singer, you should go and play on for god!!! People shouldn’t judge a GREAT band just because the people in it are Christian. That’s all I have to say. I luv u anberlin and your music is awesome!
Kendra . L =]
I believe that the members of anberlin are double-minded. A person is a christian before he is anything else. Anberlin along with other christian band have been given the oprutunity to effect someones eternity and they would rather just be camoflouge christians. Just blend in. The whole world knows now that they are ashamed of their faith and they have used a christian label to propel themselves into the secular scene.