On Music and Good Monsters

I'm not a huge fan of Christian music. The contemporary Christian music industry has not modeled business practices that transcend the bitter squabbles of the mainstream record labels, for one thing. For another, hearing ten versions of "Mighty To Save" is tiresome, and frankly not too flattering for the folks over at Hillsong. One popular artist named Michael Gungor articulates his thoughts on this issue in an interesting way. 


But there are a few artists out there who have been able to speak truth from their spirits that bring the deepest issues out to play, trusting that it is better for God to see it out than to ignore it. One example is Future of Forestry, whose main songwriter recovered from a devastating personal drama to make incredibly innovative and passionate music. Listen to their stuff here, and support them here.

To me, the best music directed towards God is honest. I've included some lyrics by one of the few bands that I think does this perfectly. The song is called Good Monsters, and you can listen to it here. The music video is a weird, but it's a creative interpretation of the conditions within that we face every day, in a song that takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to the whole struggle that we have with ourselves: what we are and what we wish to be. 

...And we are bored of all the things we know
Do you know what you are?...

Not all monsters are bad, but the ones who are good
Never do what they could, never do what they could...

...If good won't show it's ugly face,
Evil won't you take your place
Nothing ever changes,
Nothing ever changes...
By itself...

We are bored of all the things we know
Do you know what you are?
'Cause we are, we are so in love with ourselves
And we are forms of all the things we love.

-"Good Monsters," Jars of Clay, 2005


At this point I feel the need to come to the defense of our corporate expressions of worship through song, which remain an essential element of our interaction with God both together and personally. My entire relationship to faith is tied to music, but I know better than to equate my interactions with Jesus to a set of songs. I have many thoughts on this as a worship leader, but perhaps I'll share them later. For now, let's enjoy the freedom God gives us to let the Good Monsters play, and be thankful that He shows us the answer.

Comments

  1. K.A. GurneyOctober 9, 2013 at 4:09 PM

    I love Jars of Clay! Good choice, man. But a little weak-sauce on the last paragraph. I'll let it slide ;]

    -Future Karl

    ReplyDelete

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