One of the coolest things I have the opportunity to do this summer is be part of a touring worship band. I love playing music, so when the opportunity to be part of this band presented itself, I was overwhelmed with joy. When we got to our first practice, one of the rules we were immediately given was to only listen to explicitly "Christian" music throughout the summer. If it isn’t categorically considered in the "Christian" genre, we can’t listen to it.

This rule made me cringe.

Now, I understand the purpose of such a rule. There is a certain degree of desired censorship: It wouldn’t make sense for a band of Christian musicians to be setting up their instruments with “Buy U A Drank” by T-Pain playing in the background. This team desires to listen to music that will build you up, prepare your mind, and fill yourself.

However, the reality for me is that "Christian" music just doesn’t do that. Why? Because "Christian" music sucks.

Try to understand this before you decide to turn me into a martyr: I have a great respect and understanding for those of you out there who enjoy 101.6 the Fish. If you truly enjoy the artistry of "Christian" music, then good for you! (I think you have really bad taste in music, but nonetheless, good for you!)

What frustrates me is the need of the Church, especially in America, to feel like we are fighting a culture war. We are convinced we need to make our own, better music in order to compete with ‘that secular stuff.’ So a lot of us are putting on a show. We act like "Christian" music is the best music. We use excuses like, “It channels the Holy Spirit.” I don’t disagree with that; but the reason I’m writing this is to tell you that "CHRISTIAN" MUSIC IS NOT THE ONLY MUSIC THAT REVEALS GOD.

One of the fundamental beliefs of the Church is rooted in Genesis 1:27: “God created humankind in His image.” Humankind, therefore, being all made in God’s image are creative beings just like our Maker. If we truly believe this, then we need to accept the idea that all art made by human hands, in some way, reveals God. This is why I’ve continued to put "Christian" music in quotations. If all music reveals God in some way, then we should consider it all "Christian" music. We should not reserve this label for CCM. Even the worst of art has elements of God. However, it’s worth pointing out (via 1 Corinthians 10:23) that we should be seeking the best art that is a medium to God’s Spirit. All art is permissible, but not all is beneficial.

If we are seeking the best music, the music that reveals God in the most genuine, creative ways, then we should look beyond our own self-anointed genre. Chris Tomlin, Hillsong United, and Matt Redman aren’t necessarily the best medium for the Holy Spirit just because we’ve labeled them Christian music. And, it’s worth noting, they are not the best music just because we sing them on Sunday and they “feel” like a good medium for the Spirit. Here’s news from a musician: worship bands plan build-ups. Every emotional moment you’ve had in Church worship has probably been planned out in some way, shape, or form. Now whether that lessens the impact of those moments for you or not is up to you.

For me, it’s Sufjan Stevens. It’s Iron & Wine. It’s Death Cab for Cutie singing “Love is watching someone die.” It’s 30 Seconds to Mars at 60 MPH with my windows down. It’s Noah Gundersen asking God to coffee. It’s the Barr Brothers singing “I take my medicine on my knees // Twice a day but lately three.” It’s Twenty One Pilots screaming “OUR BRAINS ARE SICK BUT THAT’S OKAY.”

I could go on and on about the music that reveals God’s glory to me that isn’t considered "Christian." The only way you’ll ever understand what I’m saying is if you go out there and listen to it yourself. Find that music that fills you, makes your spirit burn alive, and hunger for more. If you’re doing it right, it shouldn’t matter if it’s Bon Iver or Kristian Stanfill, you’ll find God’s glory out there.