Author: Al
Posted: 2009-04-30 02:25:35
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I Hate That Junk
I am a jerk; A big, fat, Jerky McJerkpants. I know that, and if you are reading this, you probably already know that too. Still, there is a place for people like me. I point out what's wrong with you in an entertaining and educational manner, while hopefully not walking too far down the road to Hell during the process.
I say this because, if there is a place in God's creation for a person like me, and if you are one of those people who likes Christian Rock music, then there just might be a place in there for you as well. Mind you, I'm not sure, but the possibility is real enough to warrant a two paragraph caveat.
In this article, I am not trying to attack those who love that kind of music (including Christian Rock, Punk, Metal, Industrial, Alternative, Hard Core, and Hip Hop, which will all be pejoratively referred to as “That Junk” from now on), I am merely challenging everything that you know and believe. So don't take it personally, just use it to change most everything about yourself.
Put simply, I have a short, but damming list of grievances with That Junk. First, and foremost, 99% of it only appeals to emotion, and never reason. Secondly, the form overshadows centuries of more beautiful, thoughtful, and edifying music that is largely forgotten now. Lastly, to a great many people, I know That Junk is a chronic danger to their souls.
I have been blessed with a natural aversion to ad affectium(appeal to emotion) arguments, especially in matters of religion. Each of us is different, but for most of us (almost all of us), a purely emotional connection to the Almighty is a tenuous thing.
To paraphrase from Lewis: Faith is not the act of believing in something despite evidence, or in spite of evidence. Faith is a virtue. It is the practice of fortifying yourself against your daily whims and moods. Emotions run high and low all of the time. If that is your only connection to the Eternal, then you will find that you eventually grow tired of the roller coaster.
A popular argument in favor of That Junk is to say that it is almost always based in scripture, with lyrics right out of the Bible. That is true. The problem is, that the verses used are almost always “happy” verses. Even the verses that are taken about hardships, are ultimately about the triumph of God. That's great and all, but what does it do for us other than make us feel good. I have yet to hear any of That Junk with a verse or message anything like:
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the narrow gate, for the way that leads to destruction is wide and spacious, and those who follow it are many; because narrow [is] the gate, and confined [is] the way which leads unto life, and there are few that find it.
Something like that might make your listeners think “Oh crap, I had better quit listening to This Junk and start going about the serious business of devoting myself to a lifetime of study and reflection on all things spiritual.” That verse might not make you feel good, but it sure gives you something to do.
There once was a time when Christian music gave you something to do. Being a Methodist, I am partial to the Methodist hymnal. It has a decent mix of “happy” and pragmatic songs. Wesley really put a lot of thought into music, and how it should be used. It is nice to be in a church that tries to continue this tradition. Not all Methodist churches make a passing grade in this area, but empirically, I can say that most do.
I have had a grand total of one “Religious” experience when it comes to music. Sitting in the second row of the balcony overlooking the Boise Master Chorale and Boise Philharmonic, I could see the physical wave of sound approaching me as the words to Sanctus left the stage in all directions. I was spellbound for the entire movement, and all through the rest of the Mass. It was beautiful, and I hope that I never forget it. Everyone deserves that feeling at least once, no matter what Junk it comes from. I heartily recommend something with substance, like a Requiem Mass, but if it has to be from fluff, then that's okay too. The problem arises when you greedily chase after that euphoria. That is where the roller coaster of emotions starts to shake you from your faith.
If that were not danger enough for your soul, there is always the looming threat of idolatry. Maybe I am oversensitive to this, but I suspect that fully half of the people that I know who listen to That Junk (and that is a lot of people), hold it up as an idol. Fittingly enough, I know a lot of people who actively play That Junk in praise bands. True to Davidman's words, these idol makers rarely fall victim to idolatry. They know that this is a thing that they have created, and they know its limits (most of the time).
The real idolaters tote That Junk around on their sleeves all of the time. They use it as a badge to prove their piety. It is their easy way to evangelize. It is the comfort they turn to, and the solace they seek. No matter what you think, That Junk is not God. If you pull it out of your pocket whenever you need it, it can never be God. It is your idol.
As a parting note, I want to say that there is contemporary music out there that is stuffed to the brim with theology. “Relief” by the Cold War Kids has more theology in it than all of That Junk that I have ever heard combined. It deals with the hard parts of belief, and the way people misuse petitionary prayer. I will have to do a column or series of columns on it someday when I am at the top of my game. One of my favorites “Museum of Idiots” by They Might Be Giants, written by a couple of atheists (or so I have heard), opens with two lines that sum up Christianity as a whole. I started a column on that once, but every time I speak my thoughts on it, I get strange looks from my friends, so I am fairly sure that it will go unfinished.
Songs like these are my litmus test for detecting idolatry in friends who listen to That Junk. They don't make you feel good. They aren't by any of the cool That Junk bands. They aren't played on radio stations that play That Junk, so if you reject them for any reason other than style (hey, everyone is entitled to personal preference), take a good hard look at why you want me to listen to That Junk after I have repeatedly told you that I don't like it.
If That Junk is your guilty pleasure, then you are probably safe. If you regularly and rigorously examine your beliefs and actions, then you are probably safe. But what do I know, I'm just some jerk that doesn't like your music.
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