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'', a 2003 CCM album by Switchfoot .]] Contemporary Christian Music (or '''CCM''') is a somewhat outdated term originally used in the 1970s to describe a new form of Pop and Rock music that was lyrically based in the Christian Faith . It is now often used to refer only to describe a form of Christian Soft Rock music. This music had its roots in " Jesus Music ", which sprung from the Hippie Jesus Movement of the early 70s. Artists such as 2nd Chapter Of Acts , Love Song , Barry McGuire , and Larry Norman were making folky pop music about their faith in Jesus . Partly due to a separatist attitude, and also due to the fact that finding mainstream radio play would be quite difficult, an entire Christian Music Industry soon sprang up, with Christian-only artists, record labels, radio stations, and record stores. By the 1980s , CCM was a very large and lucrative music industry, with artists such as Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith selling millions of records. Over time, however, many Christian artists opposed the idea of a separate Christian music "ghetto" and began working outside the confines of the Nashville, Tennessee -based CCM industry. In addition, there were far more styles of Christian music appearing, such as Christian Hip Hop , Punk , Alternative , and Metal . By the 1990s , artists such as the Lost Dogs , Starflyer 59 , Vigilantes Of Love , and Joy Electric were rebelling against the stereotypes of the CCM industry and creating compellingly original music. Today, the term "CCM" generally refers to music produced by the , Switchfoot , MxPx , and Relient K . VIEWS ( 1982 )]] There are several different attitudes regarding the subject of Christians in popular music, but these can be generalized into four groups: the separatist, purist, spiritually reflective, and incidental positions. {Link without Title} The purist's position In this view, Christians should use music as a tool of spreading the gospel of Christ to others. who said "I am not of the opinion that all arts are to be cast down and destroyed on account of the Gospel, as some fanatics protest. On the other hand, I would gladly see all arts, especially music, in the service of Him who has given and created them. I therefore pray that every pious Christian would be pleased with this use of music in the service of the gospel and lend his help if God has given him like or greater gifts. As it is, the world is too lax and indifferent about teaching and training the young for us to abet this trend. God grant us his grace. Amen." Luther's Works: American Edition, vol. 53:316. Luther was here, in fact, asking for people to employ their musical gifts for the promotion of the gospel. The saying "Why should the devil have all the good music?", used as a lyric by Larry Norman, is frequently attributed to Luther[http://chi.gospelcom.net/GLIMPSEF/Glimpses/glmps154.shtml] (clearly an "enhanced" version of the original Luther-quote above); however, it cannot be found in his writings (more below under Criticism). The "spiritually reflective" position ( 1992 )]]This position states that Christians should embrace pop and rock music more as an art form than a preaching tool. Journalist Lev Eakins explains that artists in this camp "sometimes produce songs that have no anchor in anything vaguely spiritual, and instead create their art simply because they are artists and that's what they are compelled to do. What separates these artists from the incidental definition is that their own spirituality acts as the main (but not exclusive) engine for their work, fuelling their desire to continue expressing themselves." {Link without Title} T-Bone Burnett , a Christian musician and producer, summed up this view well when he said that "You can sing about the Light, or you can sing about what you see because of the Light. I prefer the latter" {Link without Title} . Many artists who hold this view experience frustrations with the CCM industry for a lack of originality, creativity, and depth; in fact, some have cut ties with the industry altogether (e.g. Sam (Leslie) Phillips ), questioning the need for a separate Christian music "ghetto". The incidental position This position holds that the artists' intent is irrelevant. In other words, Christians can find beauty and truth in certain music, regardless of the author's intent or spiritual stance. An example of this is Jeff Buckley 's Cover Version of "Hallelujah" (originally written and recorded by Jewish singer Leonard Cohen ), a song that resonates with many Christians but was sung by an artist not normally associated with the CCM industry. Eakins explains that music of this sort "is allied to no spiritual or Christian tradition and may form its inspiration from any source. Where as the purist or spiritually reflective positions have inspiration in God, any Christian music produced from the incidental position is precisely that, incidentally created." {Link without Title} The separatist's position This position states that Christians should not be listening to or making pop/rock music at all. Many that embrace this argument trace Rock's roots to Satanism , and claim that any association with it is wrong. Jimmy Swaggart , a famous Televangelist (though somewhat discredited after his own sexual dalliances) and CCM oppositionist, summed up this view when he said that "so-called Christian rock... is a diabolical force undermining Christianity from within... I turn on my television set. I see a young lady who goes under the guise of being a Christian, known all over the nation, dressed in skin-tight leather pants, shaking and wiggling her hips to the beat and rhythm of the music as the strobe lights beat their patterns across the stage and the band plays the contemporary rock sound which cannot be differentiated from songs by The Grateful Dead , The Beatles , or anyone else. And you may try to tell me this is of God and that it is leading people to Christ, but I know better." {Link without Title} CRITICISMS Critics of CCM often discredit the music as blatant imitations of mainstream, non-Christian music. Defenders consider this argument unfair and point to the fact that many artists, even non-Christian ones, draw from their influences and imitate other artists. Nearly every great idea was drawn from someone else's good idea. However, some Christian artists, as well as local church pastors and worship leaders consider Luke 16:9, where Jesus told His disciples to "use the wealth of this world" to influence those around us with eternal impact. {Link without Title} Frequently, love songs and only used one secular tune with new religious texts in the Lutheran Book of Worship (''Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn'' from the secular ''Mein Freud' möcht sich wohl mehren''). But for secular tunes of widespread popularity Luther found himself "compelled to let the devil have it back again". {Link without Title} Luther also insisted on including music in school curricula; the music prescribed for these schools was the artistic music of the day. ARTISTS See Also: List of CCM artists (2004)]] 2004 In 2004, . 2005 Matthew West 's new and popular album, ''History'', is a very dominant album. Also, Salvador , with their hit song, ''Heaven'', is another topper. After several years in the CCM industry, Natalie Grant became the best-selling female solo artist of the year, mostly based on the massive response to her single "Held." Amy Grant's second hymns project, "Rock of Ages... Hymns & Faith", debuted at #1 on Billboard's Christian chart and won the Dove and Grammy awards for Best Inspirational Album. 2006 Some of the biggest hit songs that have lingered on top of the Billboard Magazine CCM lists are Third Day 's ''Cry Out to Jesus'', Casting Crowns 's ''Lifesong'' and Jeremy Camp 's ''This Man''. Other notable songs are Nichole Nordeman 's ''What If'' and TobyMac 's ''Atmosphere CHRISTIAN MUSIC GENRES INTERSECTING WITH CCM
CCM WEBSITES (1995)]]
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REFERENCES FURTHER READING ( 1974 )]]
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