Does contemporary Christian music glorify God? To investigate the sides of this debate, The Voice interviewed KPAM radio operations director Brian O' Neal, Multnomah Bible College Professor Ray Lubeck, and Jim Swanson, a member of a local band, The Clergy.


The Voice: How do you define Christian music?

KPAM: In most cases, it's God's Word put to music to reach people through a contemporary medium.

Lubeck: I can't define Christian music. Considering Christians singing music, using Christian lyrics and precluding instrumental music, I do not know what Christian music is.

Swanson: I know what people think it means. But I don't agree with the term itself. If a song has Christian lyrics, that doesn't make it a Christian song. When we develop a category of Christian music, people think it needs to perform as a ministry. People use music as a platform rather than for its own purpose.


The Voice: Do you believe the majority of today's Christian music glorifies God? Why or why not?

KPAM: I think the majority does. On some music I wonder what the message is. Power 860 picks songs based on the message, not just how strong the music sounds.

Lubeck: I have a category problem because I don't have a label of Christian music. So I ask, does some music glorify God? Yes, but some doesn't. I ask myself if it makes me feel good about God. The music may draw me to God even if it isn't composed and performed by a Christian. Or it may draw me to God because the person is committed to God, and it helps me focus on Him. I'm not impressed with what goes on in the music scene because I see low integrity.

Swanson: Pockets of people are performing some really cool, powerful music. But some great money making is going on. Some bands are truthful in the message they're sending about God. But other Christian bands are having spiritual problems. Their walks aren't strong, and they're still performing shows, trying to lead. Shows become fake because bands are expected to put out albums.


The Voice: Is the Christian concert scene glorifying to God?

KPAM: Some are, some are not. I get too busy to go to concerts. I rely on what I've heard. You can tell those who are glorifying God, and you can tell those artists with wrong attitudes.

Lubeck: I'm really not qualified to speak of that because I go to so few. I wouldn't go because of low integrity and because of the lack of deep reflection in the music.

Swanson: All I see in Portland is The Push Christian club. The club has pockets of light in the darkness, yet, there are problems due to people not being accountable.


The Voice: Do you believe the ministry of Christian music artists is effective? Why or why not?

KPAM: Yes, it's effective. I've been in radio 26 years and in Christian radio six years. In my time on the air, I've led people to Christ who have called because of certain songs. I've shared with people who called because of messages that were on the air or because of something I said.

Lubeck: Potentially, it is incredibly powerful and we ought to strive for excellence so we have an incredible word to tell the world. Sometimes things can be said in fresh ways through the arts. But much of what's being done at an ideological level is plagiarizing one other.

Swanson: I don't think it should be viewed as a ministry. Our lives are supposed to be evidence of Christ within. Bands should live out their joy in God. Bands shouldn't write music as a platform to preach the gospel. If an artist is up with God, it will show.


The Voice: Do you believe groups that conform to secular standards accomplish their goal of attracting and reaching the unsaved? Why or why not?

KPAM: If groups want to get a secular record company contract as a group of Christians and not as a Christian band, that's between them and God. But I would ask them what they are ashamed of. They need to determine their real goal and go for it.

Lubeck: The issue is if they use music effectively. God is gracious in all things, which baffles me why anybody would respond to the gospel if that's their only exposure. But people do come to Christ. They might come to Christ quicker some other way. The whole evangelistic outreach and ministry of some musical groups could be overrated, but I could be wrong.

Swanson: People should understand where bands are coming from. Also, there are dangers like drugs. People get victimized and become a ride for other artists to get to the next step. Bands feel like they're conquering, and it becomes a dangerous lifestyle. Christian bands can be in the world, but they have to draw a line.


The Voice: What positive things do you see the Christian music industry accomplishing? How is this evident?

KPAM: People listening to Christian radio for long hours want to hear God's word more than other things in everyday life, and they might not be able to attend a church service.

Lubeck: Much music has become available in the last 10-15 years to help people genuinely enter into praise and worship. I'm really grateful for the minor revolution in the worship experience of most Christians.

Swanson: The industry makes it easier for people who want to listen to music that has a Christian perspective.


The Voice: What negative things do you see in the Christian music industry?

KPAM: The marketing. I don't need to see an artist's face on a T-shirt even if a scripture is attached. It can get dangerous and prideful.

Lubeck: Similarism, heathenism, mindless emotionalism--things that we sadly see in the contemporary church.

Swanson: The industry has become a clique. It separates itself from influencing the outside world.


The Voice: What changes need to be made to make the industry more effective for winning people to Christ?

KPAM: Going back to more of a ministry mission. Many have gotten away from providing opportunities at concerts for people to accept Christ. Artists are often forgetting what they are there for. It's a tragedy whenever they miss the opportunity to minister.

Lubeck: I don't think that the industry can do it because they're in the business of making money. And that works in cross-purposes for winning people to Christ.

Swanson: They need to cease to be their own subculture. As long as we're a subculture, we're not going to be a part of the culture itself.