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I heard it as a teenager. I said it as a parent and a teacher. You may have too. "How can you listen to that crap? It's terrible. Do you even know what the lyrics are saying? That's not music." And you may have given or received the same response. "I don't listen to the words. I just like the beat." Or something to the effect of, "The artist is just expressing their emotions or making social commentary." Or " I don't mind the profanity, that's just the way that they talk."
I never actively looked for Christian-themed music until I taught my son's Faith Formation class more than a decade ago. There were Christian songs that I enjoyed listening to after stumbling upon them as a boy, teenager or adult. Some of these songs I didn't even know were Christian themed until I closely examined the lyrics. "Kyrie" by Mister Mister is a perfect example. I am not sure that George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" is truly Christian themed but I do remember thoroughly enjoying listening to Harrison's song being sung during mass at St. Anthony's in the early 70s. You have to be of a certain age to remember Sister Janet Mead's 1974 hit "The Lord's Prayer" or Norman Greenbaum's 1969 hit "Spirit in the Sky". I don't remember there being Christian radio stations when I was growing up but I was never pointed in that direction. I listened exclusively to Top 40 music when I was a kid and a young adult except when forced to listen to other styles of music.
I volunteered to teach my son's Faith Formation class because St. Anthony's could not find an instructor at the time. I soon found out that teaching Catholic Doctrine and the Christian Faith was a bit more difficult than teaching mathematics to kids. While it was challenging teaching Faith Formation, it was also very rewarding. Just like teaching mathematics, I have learned so much about Catholicism and my Christian faith by studying it in order to teach it to others.
One of the ways that I tried to engage youngsters learning about Jesus was through music. I had upbeat Christian music playing for my Sunday School students as they entered the classroom each week. I pointed out to them that no matter what genre of music you like, there are artists performing Christian songs in that genre. There is Christian Rock, Christian Rap, Christian Heavy Metal, Christian Pop and Christian Country music. I told my Sunday School students, if you like a certain style of music, find a Christian artist that performs it, listen and enjoy it. And if you're really not concerned with the lyrics then why not listen to a style of music that doesn't include messages about sex, violence, drugs and other vices? A positive message just might come to you as you enjoy the rhythm and the beat of your favorite style of music with a Christian theme.
I also tried to steer my Sunday school students to Christian radio stations like WDCX on FM radio or The Message on satellite. For homework I sometimes told Sunday school students to find a contemporary Christian song that they liked and then had them share it with the class during our next session. I told youngsters about contemporary Christian songs like "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me, which was made into a motion picture. Sometimes all people of any age need is to be pointed in the right direction to help them make a faith altering life choice.
I don't listen to Christian music exclusively but my Christian playlist continues to grow. And when I spent 44 straight days in Roswell Park Cancer Institute battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia, I listened to Christian music more than any other theme of music. I found comfort in the old standard hymns like "Be Not Afraid" and "On Eagles' Wings". As I pondered my mortality and the after life, Young the Giant's "The Walk Home" was played by me countless times. And even if The Giant's song may not be completely Christian themed, it has a great melody, great lyrics and a great beat. And just like all Christian music does for me, listening to "The Walk Home" gives me a "peaceful easy feeling." The Eagles anyone?
Andrew Ludwig is a retired math teacher and a retired public school and Catholic school administrator. He currently works as a substitute teacher in Chautauqua County.