Poll: Christian hard rock

[farouk]

Okay so a simple poll, guys: do you like the genre of music known as Christian hard rock?

Blessings.

 

[farouk]

Okay, three votes so far in the first few minutes; thank-you, guys.

Something tells me that the responses to this poll are going to be heavily weighted to one answer.

 

[Claudya]

People that aren't very interested in hard rock would probably not open this thread in the first place, so I suspect it will be rather unanimous.

I wish there was a stronger affirmation in this poll than just a simple Yes.

 

[farouk]

People that aren't very interested in hard rock would probably not open this thread in the first place, so I suspect it will be rather unanimous.

I wish there was a stronger affirmation in this poll than just a simple Yes.

Claudya:

If you look closely, there is an exclamation mark after the yes: "!"

I take it you are very much in favour, then...

 

[Claudya]

Claudya:

If you look closely, there is an exclamation mark after the yes: "!"

I take it you are very much in favour, then...

Yeah very much. Though I onbly started to listen to metal/ rock, secular and christian, like half a year ago. I went through a dark and uncertain time at that point and that music probably saved my life.
Hardcore music is so much like God: awesome, wild, untamed, complex, invincible, unfathomable and vitalizing.

It appears to me that all the sweet, harmonic and nice worship music we typically sing at church can never even closely match God's complete greatness. Okay, nothing we do can match God's greatness.... but the metal and rock music is far closer to His nature, in my opinion.

 

[farouk]

Yeah very much. Though I onbly started to listen to metal/ rock, secular and christian, like half a year ago. I went through a dark and uncertain time at that point and that music probably saved my life.
Hardcore music is so much like God: awesome, wild, untamed, complex, invincible, unfathomable and vitalizing.

It appears to me that all the sweet, harmonic and nice worship music we typically sing at church can never even closely match God's complete greatness. Okay, nothing we do can match God's greatness.... but the metal and rock music is far closer to His nature, in my opinion.

Claudya:

While Christian hard rock certainly has a moving range of sounds, I think in the end it's the lyrics, rigorously presented and 'enforced' by the tunes, that are what its wholesome purpose should be all about. This is why I love the Psalms, with David's (and others') huge range of epxeriences and emotions which are recorded for our benefit, and calling for a response in trust and faith to a faithful and loving Lord, revealed more fully in the New Testament in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose sin atoning death restores the repentant sinner to God through his or her faith.

 

[Claudya]

Claudya:

While Christian hard rock certainly has a moving range of sounds, I think in the end it's the lyrics, rigorously presented and 'enforced' by the tunes, that are what its wholesome purpose should be all about. This is why I love the Psalms, with David's (and others') huge range of epxeriences and emotions which are recorded for our benefit, and calling for a response in trust and faith to a faithful and loving Lord, revealed more fully in the New Testament in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose sin atoning death restores the repentant sinner to God through his or her faith.

Hehe, yeah of course I agree that the lyrics (and the songwriter's intentions) are what makes a certain song "christian" or secular, or worse.
Like the psalms hardcore music has a broad range of emotions covered in its lyrics. Sometimes even stuff that we don't like to sing about in our church music, e.g. about faith struggles and doubts. Virgin Black had an amazing song about the desperation of losing one's faith, but I can't seem to find it on youtube. Those "dark sides" of our faith are part of the christian walk for many people, but they are ignored in our typical churchy worship music. It's great that those bands dare sing about it.

 

[farouk]

Hehe, yeah of course I agree that the lyrics (and the songwriter's intentions) are what makes a certain song "christian" or secular, or worse.
Like the psalms hardcore music has a broad range of emotions covered in its lyrics. Sometimes even stuff that we don't like to sing about in our church music, e.g. about faith struggles and doubts. Virgin Black had an amazing song about the desperation of losing one's faith, but I can't seem to find it on youtube. Those "dark sides" of our faith are part of the christian walk for many people, but they are ignored in our typical churchy worship music. It's great that those bands dare sing about it.

Claudya:

I've never read more anguished words, either, than Psalm 51.

And then there is Psalm 73, and Psalm 42.

'My flesh and my heart faileth. But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. (Psalm 73.26)'

'He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song into my mouth, even praise unto our God' (Psalm 40.2-3).

For Christian testimony, hard rock seems to offer moving and deeply expressive ranges of sound which interspersed with a faith challenge can be very striking and challenging.

 

[Speculative]

Well, the hardest stuff I like would be Petra, Whiteheart, and Allies--of the modern music, I mostly stick to CCM and classical. I think some of the stuff I see you guys discussing might be too hard for my taste.

 

[farouk]

Well, the hardest stuff I like would be Petra, Whiteheart, and Allies--of the modern music, I mostly stick to CCM and classical. I think some of the stuff I see you guys discussing might be too hard for my taste.

Speculative:

Thanks for your comment. Is there any Petra track that particularly appeals to you?

Blessings.

 

[Speculative]

Speculative:

Thanks for your comment. Is there any Petra track that particularly appeals to you?

Blessings.

Yes--I like 'Love' and 'Creed' from their 'Beyond Belief' album. I also like their take on a lot of praise songs on a disc called 'The Rock Cries Out'.

 

[farouk]

Yes--I like 'Love' and 'Creed' from their 'Beyond Belief' album. I also like their take on a lot of praise songs on a disc called 'The Rock Cries Out'.

Thanks; I'll have to check them out some time.

Blessings.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Yeah very much. Though I onbly started to listen to metal/ rock, secular and christian, like half a year ago. I went through a dark and uncertain time at that point and that music probably saved my life.
Hardcore music is so much like God: awesome, wild, untamed, complex, invincible, unfathomable and vitalizing.

It appears to me that all the sweet, harmonic and nice worship music we typically sing at church can never even closely match God's complete greatness. Okay, nothing we do can match God's greatness.... but the metal and rock music is far closer to His nature, in my opinion.

Hm, hadn't thought of that before....

 

[farouk]

Hm, hadn't thought of that before....

Yes it's an interesting idea; I think it's good to regard hard rock and its subjective, style possibilities as a pragmatic means into the scene where young people will be present and receptive to bold, Christian hard rock lyrics: as a channel to their minds and hearts to receive lyrics which are Biblically based.

I hesitate about the idea of hard rock in itself representing a supposed, inherent spirituality transcending the revelation of the Scriptures, though.

In the end, God's revelation of Himself in the Scriptures is the believer's bedrock.

(If you follow my thinking?)

Blessings.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Yes it's an interesting idea; I think it's good to regard hard rock and its subjective, style possibilities as a pragmatic means into the scene where young people will be present and receptive to bold, Christian hard rock lyrics: as a channel to their minds and hearts to receive lyrics which are Biblically based.

I hesitate about the idea of hard rock in itself representing a supposed, inherent spirituality transcending the revelation of the Scriptures, though.

In the end, God's revelation of Himself in the Scriptures is the believer's bedrock.

(If you follow my thinking?)

Blessings.

I agree. Music can be a tool, but it's not the authority.

 

[farouk]

I agree. Music can be a tool, but it's not the authority.

Well, exactly. This is how I feel.

And this is also why, it being subjective, I don't really sympathize with Christian critics of Christian hard rock, because their critique based on their dislike is also subjective. The really objectivity (and pragmatic opportunity) lies in the Biblical message of God's love to sinners that we hope the lyrics will convey.

Blessings.

 

[farouk]

PS:

... I think some of the stuff I see you guys discussing might be too hard for my taste.

Speculative: Well, you must know whether or not it could become an acquired taste for you, but for example I have been deeply impressed by the quality and range of hard rock by bands such as Red and their combination of lyrics, taken as a whole, at any rate, if not on every track.

Blessings.

 

[Carolyn]

Hard rock used to have the motto " worship at full volumn!" A lot of people act like they are worshipping a baby sleeping in a manger rather than the triumph of the risen Christ. It is a cellebration that shòuld rock the world. I don't care if it comes from Handel in the Halleluia Chorus or from a rock and roll album, of if the rocks themselves cry out.

 

[reba]

Hard rock used to have the motto " worship at full volumn!" A lot of people act like they are worshipping a baby sleeping in a manger rather than the triumph of the risen Christ. It is a cellebration that shòuld rock the world. I don't care if it comes from Handel in the Halleluia Chorus or from a rock and roll album, of if the rocks themselves cry out.

WOW great thought!

 

[farouk]

Hard rock used to have the motto " worship at full volumn!" A lot of people act like they are worshipping a baby sleeping in a manger rather than the triumph of the risen Christ. It is a cellebration that shòuld rock the world. I don't care if it comes from Handel in the Halleluia Chorus or from a rock and roll album, of if the rocks themselves cry out.

Carolyn:

I do agree that volume seems to be an integral part of hard rock, and that Christian hard rock is likely to reflect this.

Worship does also have a stillness aspect, of course. 'Be still, and know that I am God' (Psalm 46.1).

Blessings.