tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post6396172073780726949..comments2023-10-31T09:03:26.734-06:00Comments on Against Nothingness: Parsing Contemporary Christian MusicAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-13862757718857728612011-02-12T18:22:28.161-07:002011-02-12T18:22:28.161-07:00Thanks for those comments Amelia. I appreciate ge...Thanks for those comments Amelia. I appreciate getting a musicians perspective. <br /><br />I often 'feel' like CCM is boring and simple, but I never feel confident saying anything because for all I know it could be actually very difficult to play. <br /><br />Thanks also for the reference to other traditions and classical music. I think I will have to try to find such a song in 8 part harmony; any links, CD recommendations or anything you can send my way?Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-83525577160373791182011-02-12T17:21:32.373-07:002011-02-12T17:21:32.373-07:00As a musician, one of the biggest problems I have ...As a musician, one of the biggest problems I have with CCM is the lack of actually complex, interesting music. Much of it is very simple chord structures which all sounds the same. I understand the importance of music that is accessible to a wide range of skill levels, but there are a lot of very musically capable Christians out there who I'm sure can (and do) play skillfully and write much more technically interesting music. If Bach could write a full set of liturgical music EVERY WEEK for years for Catholic mass, despite 17 kids underfoot, I'm pretty sure we can come up with something better than the current status quo.<br /><br />By the way, much of classical music's great works were written for worship. And were not apologetic about it. Handel's Messiah, most of Bach's work, etc - and Vivaldi, the composer of everyone's favourite, the Four Seasons, was a priest. Interestingly, many of the more traditional denominations (Lutherans, Anglicans, Catholics, and the entire Orthodox branch) have maintained musical traditions in worship (in both English and Latin/Greek) that are more God-focused that what we hear on the radio and in many contemporary church services. <br /><br />As for classical music, there are few things like hearing a kyrie eleison sung in 8 part harmony by a huge choir to remind you of how small you are and how great God is.Ameliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16704098446085978001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-25158088612528110142011-02-10T04:13:15.481-07:002011-02-10T04:13:15.481-07:00When the music fades.... though I guess Matt Redma...When the music fades.... though I guess Matt Redman has issues in some of his songs too.PakG1https://www.blogger.com/profile/00178809687383485689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-65258798268984045982011-02-09T17:39:10.760-07:002011-02-09T17:39:10.760-07:00I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way...I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way!<br /><br />The self focus can be overwhelming at times, I really agree with you there. Sometimes I fear we have forgotten what worship actually is...Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16273184256419046916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5901356.post-78219363313377305152011-02-09T17:26:43.769-07:002011-02-09T17:26:43.769-07:00I was thinking of this too while listening to the ...I was thinking of this too while listening to the Shine 105.9 station one night. I was baking away in kitchen, the radio was keeping me company. Song after song was so self-centered and wrong theologically. A lot of the themes were about Jesus "lifting me up", "helping me become all I can be", and generally giving me a reason to be better and feel good. Not too much about worshipping Jesus as Lord and Master of the whole universe, Him being the whole center of things, and all. <br /><br />One song even had the gall to say "everything he makes is glorious; he made me, so what does that make me?" I am not against having a healthy self-esteem, but these songs are mostly about worshipping ourselves instead of bowing our hearts to the true Glory of God.<br /><br />longing for better worship in our hearts, churches, and radios<br />SherrySherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739926986352561999noreply@blogger.com