I began taking my Christianity seriously a little over five years ago. It was about that time that I began listening to less and less secular music, and moved more to talk radio. It was a combination of changed political views that came with my faith, disinterest in music with questionable lyrics and messages, and fatigue of listening to radio stations play the same “current hits” way too often that moved me away from the music world. It was also about that time that MP3 took off, and the record industry began showing it’s pure greed, which I found to be a massive turn-off. I hadn’t given up Metallica yet, and also enjoyed The Offspring. Metallica took a strong anti-Napster stance, whereas Offspring began releasing their songs on their website free of charge. The whole industry began to stink. (I am not a music pirate, but I do still respect those who are open to music traders, and not overly concerned with pocket-lining. It is generally the producers that are the worst, not the artists).
Anyway, I digress. What I wanted to get to was that it was also about that time that Creed was making it big. I didn’t completely write off secular music, and Creed was a band I could continue to enjoy. I remember wondering why they denied being a Christian band while selling songs with strong Christian messages to them. It broke my heart to see them deny the title “Christian Band” and write on their website that they didn’t push Christianity or necessarily believe that Christ is the only way to heaven.
With my listenership to secular music radio dwindling quickly, I lost track of what was going on with even the bands I didn’t harbor any dislike for, such as Creed. It was news to me today to learn that the band broke up some time ago, after releasing only three albums.
It did not surprise me to learn that lead singer Scott Stapp is, in fact, a Christian. I learned of this column up at Christianity Today while trying to kill time waiting for some work to do. Stapp makes his beliefs public, and notes that when he was singing for Creed, he was never asked personally if he was a Christian, only if Creed was a Christian band.
Creed is gone now, and its members have moved on to new projects. Stapp is beginning a solo career with his contribution to a new Album of music inspired by The Passion of the Christ. While he says that he is an Artist who is Christian, and not a Christian Artist, I hope that he continues to put out music inspired by his faith.
Hat Tip: Bun-girl.
I don’t think that an artist has to accept the label of “Christian artist” to necessarily be living as a Christian. In fact, is it not just as noble a cause to seek to glorify God by one’s art in the world without going under the label of “Christian” that unfortunately limits one’s exposure to the rest of the world? I certainly don’t advocate denying Christ or being a secret Christian, but an artist who comes to mind who has had a profound impact in our age is John Grisham. Grisham clearly shares the gospel in several places in his books and writes from a Christian worldview. Yet with the exception of ‘The Testament’ no Christian bookstore that I’ve ever seen carries John Grisham’s books.
Personally, the Christian music industry seems to me to be nearly as greedy as the secular music industry. Of course, there are artists who are the exception, but there are many that seem to be “Christian” because it serves as a way for them to gain their fame and fortune.
I agree completely. It probably does more to win non-believers for a Christian to put himself into the secular music world than to join the bandwagon of “Christian Rock”. I’m sure that Stapp has far more fans who are non-believers than my current favorite band Third Day, and is more likely to win some to Christ.
I also agree that the Christian Music industry seems nearly as greedy as the seculars. It really rubs me the wrong way when artists seem to put out Christian music because they know there is a market for it and they can get richer, rather than doing it to further the Kingdom of God. I often ponder even where to buy my music. Do I go to Best Buy and get my CDs knowing that the more you buy, the more they’ll stock and the more non-Christian eyes will see it, or do you support your local Christian bookstore even if it means paying a little more, and means that non-Christians will be less likely to see it.
Also, if I have to look at the half-naked women on billboards selling beer, why should I care if seeing a worship CD in Best Buy is offensive to someone?