The other week I was bored, had a bit of time to kill, and subjected myself to the torture of scrolling through Reddit. That was my first mistake right there. I stumbled onto a subforum for ex-Christians. Most of it was complaints about all of the things about Christianity that they hated and that Christians are all judgmental hypocrites with nothing better to do than hate on anyone different. I'm so glad they grew out of that! Facepalm.
A popular theme was criticizing virtually all Christian music for having cringe-worthy lyrics. They cited a lot of examples ranging from "Breakfast" by the Newsboys to "Someday" by LaRue. Many went on to admit how this music literally triggers them to near violence. Setting aside how the latter is indicative of deeper issues, I do endeavor to approach things objectively. After all, even many current Christians write off Christian music as inferior to its mainstream counterparts. Personally, while about 90% of what I listen to is Christian music, I can also admit that I haven't really connected with much of what has been released in the past five years or so. So perhaps I am in an unusually good position to be sympathetic to criticisms of the Christian music industry. Maybe these people have a point. Is Christian music cringe? It certainly can be!
Let There Be Cringe
Like any business, there is a dark side to the Christian music industry. Some accusations of insincerity have merit. Even if not outright insincere, sometimes Christian artists are incredibly awkward at expressing the faith. There are many examples of lyrics that are cringe-worthy or generic enough to be devoid of any real substance. These are all valid criticisms and conversations we can have about the Christian music industry.
I think any industry, especially one whose supposed aim is to glorify the Creator of all things should be open to ways it can improve. God deserves our best. Christian art was historically the gold standard, and it should still be that way. But while I am happy to have this conversation (and have many times), I am also a bit tired of the double standard when it comes to music quality. What do I mean by this? Well, let's take a look back at the original question I posed: is Christian music cringe? My answer? Sure. A lot of it is. I've cringed at quite a few songs. But you know what? Mainstream music is also overflowing with cringe lyrics. Why exactly should we single out Christian music?
My day job is in an office where a local secular music station is on all day. In the past few years, I've heard a lot of what secular music has to offer, and I can't say I am particularly impressed. Many accuse the Christian music industry of being a bad imitation of the mainstream, but I don't see it. I've grown to see there is a lot of merit in mainstream music, but there's a lot of cringe too.
There's a certain song by Seether that mentions "I want to waste her monthly blood." Yes, it means what you think it does. I cringe every time I hear it. Not to mention it's musically grating. Don't even get me started on Green Day. Most of their songs are whiny left-wing soapboxes. The same people who call John Cooper from Skillet "a tool for the alt-right" for expressing his political opinions in his podcast somehow think these guys are more authentic.
Taylor Swift has a lot of cringe lyrics as well. Now, I am not one of her mindless haters. I have a dear friend who is a big "Swiftie." I have even legitimately liked a few of her songs. ("Safe and Sound" is beautiful.) She's become very successful and her songs connect with many people. (Awesome!) But I do think some of her songs can be called cringe-worthy. Take some of these lyrics from "But Daddy, I Love Him" from her most recent album. "Now I'm running with my dress unbuttoned/Screaming 'But Daddy I love him!/I'm having his baby'/No, I'm not, but you should see your faces/I'm telling him to floor it through the fences/No, I'm not coming to my senses/I know he's crazy but he's the one I want." Or there's the incredibly condescending "You Need To Calm Down." Songs about Jesus are too triggering or cringe for people to hear, but not songs about a singer vulgarly wishing her ex gets cheated on?
I could go on and list hundreds more examples. Cringe lyrics are everywhere, but not everyone will agree on what those are. All of the songs I listed have fans. What makes me cringe might not make you cringe, and that's okay. That said, I'm done apologizing for having opinions. Yes, Christian music can be bland, uncreative, and even cringe, but it can also be very inspiring. Many have credited one Christian song with preventing suicide, meeting their spouse, and yes, even encountering Christ. Just because others may not have shared this experience doesn't mean we need to be ashamed of or apologize for it. While secular people are "expressing their truth," too many Christians are just cowering in corners. The judgmental pharisee is a problem, but so is hiding in the upper room.
Letting Your Light Out
I am a follower of Christ. I believe He died for my sins and rose again from the dead. I believe He started a Church. And yes, I'm Catholic. I realize, in the Christian music community, that last one makes me a minority. I am not here to convert you to my denomination or to try to convince you that you're wrong about this or that. But I am also not going to apologize for believing what I believe. Yes, I think what I believe is true. If you're honest, you feel the same about your beliefs. Secularists who belittle Christians certainly believe they are correct. Well, I love Christian music. I think it's inspirational, encouraging, and speaks to a greater truth. I believe, on the whole, it holds up well to its mainstream equivalents. Some of it might be on-the-nose or cheesy. I don't care.
I've reviewed a lot of music for NRT. I am more than willing to discuss ways to improve art. But I enjoy what I enjoy, and that's okay. You may not, and that's okay too. Let's stop pretending that my music is objectively cringier than the myriad of mainstream songs proclaiming a desire to get drunk and have careless sex. Or that singer whining about her ex. Again.
If someone has had a bad experience with Christianity, I understand and I am sorry. Their pain is valid. But so is my joy. So is my hope. So is my faith. And yes, so is my taste in music. Hypocrisy and hurt people are everywhere, not just in the Church. To pretend such wounds are just a Christian or a religious problem is dishonest.
I fully admit that Christians have failed to show the love of Christ many times throughout history. But if ex-Christians have only moved from one judgmental community to another, what have they really gotten? Hating different people than you hated before doesn't make you loving.
On the topic of music, we all have our tastes. We all have songs that will get on our last nerve. My musical preferences are valid, and so are yours. If you love Christian music, don't be afraid to say so. If you love Jesus, don't be afraid to say so. Because nobody else is afraid to say how much they don't. If their voices should be heard in the name of hearing all sides, so should ours. So make them heard!
J.J. Francesco is a longtime contributor to the NRT Staff. He's published the novel 'Because of Austin' and regularly seeks new ways to engage faith, life, and community. His new novel, 'When Miracles Can Dream,' is out NOW!
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