3 of 3

The reasons for that are somewhat complex. On the one side, there has been a certain discrimination of Christian artists on the part of general market. It is an indisputable fact that there are many very talented contemporary Christian artists who would have never been heard in the general market. That necessitates a parallel market where their music can be heard.

On the other hand, the CCM industry is guilty of perpetuating a type of isolationism and of encouraging music fans and artists to limit themselves to that world.

At the same time that Christians are trying to get people in the world at large to recognize their subculture, they need to be careful that they don't become so bound by that subculture that they don't notice the world at large.

The existence of these parallel camps is unfortunate, but both parties have to take some of the blame. The CCM industry is aware of this. There is a widespread feeling in the world of contemporary Christian music that there is a need to embrace culture in general.

Does discrimination against Christian artists continue?

There currently seems to be a trend of greater acceptance of faith-oriented artists in the general market, but discrimination is still a reality.

A likely reason that the general market will become more accepting is that Christian music is generating sales over a billion dollars a year. dc Talk regularly outsells R.E.M. and the Rolling Stones. They will be taken seriously.

There have been other CCM books recently with an almost encyclopedic feel to them, such as John J. Thompson's Raised by Wolves and Mark Joseph's Rock and Roll Rebellion. Both use the format to prove a point. What theme does your book have beyond cataloging bands?

A message that I want to communicate is that what the people in contemporary Christian music have done in the last 30 to 35 years is important. First, it is an important part of the history of popular culture. Most of your books that are out now on the history of rock & roll completely ignore most of what is in my book. I contend that you cannot understand the history of popular music without paying attention to it.

Second, in the last 30 years, this phenomenon of contemporary Christian music has been an important part of the history of Christianity in America. But I think the church and especially theologians and scholars have not paid adequate attention to it.

Saying that is something that I can do that perhaps someone within the CCM industry cannot. You expect an editor of CCM magazine to say, "Stephen Curtis Chapman is really important." But when a theology professor says it, I hope different people will listen.

Todd Hertz is assistant online editor for Christianity Today.

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

The Christianity TodayMusic Channel provides artist biographies, interviews, reviews and more.

For more articles on contemporary Christian music articles, see the Christianity Todaymusic archives. CTbook reviews are also available online.

first page |  3 of 3

share this page

August (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46