Changes in Christian Guitar Music

Way back in the old days, Christian music had its own style and only talked about the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is one reason why it is not understood by many people especially those lacking in faith.

Christian music before were usually played with instruments like the piano and guitar; and the music played has its own unique style. Now, things are way too different. Christian music now has a broader scope, and this change took place several years ago. Christian guitar music is now represented in rock, rap, urban gospel, metal, pop and contemporary country forms. Before, Christian music is somewhat confined to a ‘shell’. With all the changes taking place in the industry, the music that speaks of God and salvation gradually came out of its ‘shell’.

Change is the only permanent thing in this world, and Christian music is not exempted from this change. Although there have been many debates about the changes, it somehow pushed through. It doesn’t matter what music style you have. Only the music changed, but the message didn’t.

Each generation has to face different fears and worries. People in today’s times live with different threats as war, violence, layoffs and many cruel things; therefore, there is a need to let people feel that God is here and not just a dusty old story. The new and changed Christian guitar music is able to reach out to different people in a level that many feel and understand. People are easily made aware that Jesus is here with us amidst the hardships that we go through in life.

It is a known fact that many people still don’t know God at the present. And perhaps this change in Christian music is one of God’s ways to reach out to those people.

The following people have made an invaluable contribution that brought the changes to Christian music:

1. Larry Norman – pioneer in Christian alternative rock
2. Marsha Stevens – the ‘mother of contemporary Christian music’
3. Nancy Honeytree – a female artist from Jesus Movement
4. Chuck Girard
5. The 2nd Chapter of Acts – was able to release 16 albums
6. Carman – 1990’s contemporary Christian artist of the year
7. DC Talk – had an album named Jesus Freak
8. Kirk Franklin – his first album one million units
9. Steven Curtis Chapman – he had 11 of the 100 songs on Christian adult contemporary airplay chart
10. Rich Mullins – sung Awesome God
11. Amy Grant – crossed over into mainstream music with Christian songs

These various artists, along with others, merged the music about God with today’s times. They proved to the world that God’s word could be shared through different music styles. Gone were the days when Christian music was only confined to traditional. This gave way to‘user friendly’ Christian guitar music.

There are even popular rockers that did Christian guitar music and this includes Petra, Bloodgood, Barren Cross, and Undercover. This are all rock bands that brought edge to Christian music and appealed to many people.

Christian music now does not only talk about God but also about pain, death, divorce, relationships, and almost everything that each person goes through in life. It is now able to touch the hearts of many people, from all walks of life; in a different yet subtle way.

Today’s generation like entertainment, fun, and concerts; and with the changes already in progress, Christian guitar music can touch the lives of more people.

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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