Reviews
Music
But true liberty, in art and in life, is created by constraints.
A late historian explores how crusade hymns told both the classic story of gospel salvation and the evolving story of evangelical worship music.
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Your Church Drummer Has More and Less to Do These DaysHow the keeper of the beat is adapting to shifts in worship music.
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For the Warming of the Earth: Worshiping in the Age of Creation CareChristian artists work at the intersection of music and climate change.
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Singing About Jesus’ Blood Is Weird, But We Do It AnywayEven if Elevation’s Easter invites don’t spotlight the Crucifixion, it remains central to their worship.
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Died: Sandra Crouch, Gospel Artist Who Broke with Church to Get OrdainedShe won a Grammy for “We Sing Praises,” collaborated with her brother Andraé on “Jesus Is the Answer,” and worked with everyone from Billy Graham to Michael Jackson.
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From Passion to the Pews, Major Conferences Inspire Local WorshipArena events serve as the proving grounds for new music.
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Died: Michael Knott, Christian Alternative Musician Who Helped Launch Tooth & NailKnott wrote rock operas, sang with honesty and conviction, called out hypocrites, and bucked the norms of the Christian music industry.
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Where Worship Doesn’t TranslateHow groups like Hillsong learned to let go of the literal in favor of creative collaboration.españolPortuguês
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Big, Big Market: Why CCM Filled ’80s and ’90s HomesRecent histories, documentaries, and devotionals prompt fans to look back—and perhaps learn some lessons—from the genre’s heyday.
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The Holy Sound Stuck Inside Your HeadWe love a catchy song. God does too.
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How Contemporary Christian Music Explains American ChristianityWhen the CCM business model faltered, it gave way to what sells even better: politics and fearmongering.
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What Toby Keith Taught Us About the Songs We NeedAngry Christians require angry songs—or better yet, angry psalms.
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Jesus Freaks in the Taylor Swift EraBlessed are those who are weird for righteousness’ sake, not just dabbling in baseless conspiracy theories about a pop star and the NFL.
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Sing Holy Forever … or Until TikTok Pulls the AudioWhat Universal Music Group’s catalog removal means for our favorites from Hillsong, Kari Jobe, Chris Tomlin, and more.
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‘How Great Thou Art’ Gets a New Verse in Matt Redman CollaborationSongwriters and hit worship singers including Matt Maher, Chris Tomlin, and Mitch Wong come together to celebrate the hymn’s 75th anniversary.
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The Middle East’s Favorite Christmas Carol Is About War and HateTraditional melody suggests it is only when Christians realize the holiday comes with “hard realities” that the spirit of Nativity dwells in their hearts.العربية
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The Baby Jesus Taught Us How to ScreamFrom the cradle to the cross, Christ in his humanity showed us how to cry out. In him, a not-so-silent night is a holy night all the same.
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How Nine Lessons and Carols Brought a Century of Christmas ComfortWritten in the wake of world war, the poignant service stills us during a season of extravagance.
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Mary Told Us What She Knew—In SongChristians have to look beyond the typical Christmas carol lineup for music that captures the deeper themes of the Magnificat.
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Don’t Miss These African Christmas HitsJam out this season to highlife, Afrobeats, jazz, a cappella, R & B, rap, dance, and hip-hop artists from Nigeria, South Africa, and more.
Best-Of Lists
- The 2012 CT Music AwardsChristianity Today picks the top 12 albums of the year.
- Notable Sacred Music for 2012From ye olde classics to African-American spirituals to more modern fare, a versatile mix.
Top Story April 30, 2024
A late historian explores how crusade hymns told both the classic story of gospel salvation and the evolving story of evangelical worship music.
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