I'm 51. I used to own a few Second Chapter records, and saw them as sort of a Christian "ABBA." Yes, some was very good, but I sort of see them as part of a major transition of Christian music to the more "mainstream sounding" stuff we have today. A lot of the Christian music I listened to back then, I listened to because I was "suposed" to like it. It's like enjoying the music of a band where the members are all friends, vs today when you like the music, even double blind tested, i.e. not because you know the band. It is an objective appreciation.
And not aimed at you, but must be said:
To suggest that Christian musicians must produce "Christian" music is like suggesting that "Christian" attorneys and plumbers must only do "Christian" jobs, whatever that would mean.
THAT's what I was trying to say!
Good analogy.
Along these lines is to suggest that only Christian plumbers should be hired...but my feeling is I want the best one for the buck. His religion is his business. Been let down by more than one tradesman with a fish next to his name.
Eddie Van Halen is (or was, at least) a GREAT guitar player. I don't know if he went to church.
Certainly you are correct that a Christian should not have to product Christian music. Christians make an impact according to God's purposes anywhere they are just by being salt and light...and Scripture does not make any kind of distinction between Christian and non-Christian music etc...it is all part of God's world.
However, this story is framed WITH THAT AS THE FOUNDATION......Christian singers impacting secular music.
It really bothers me if Christian singers WHO CLEARLY HAVE A CHOSEN MISSION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHRIST...they aren't just a singer who is a Christian...but a "Christian singer"....water down the message.
If these were just singers who believe in Christ, there would be no problem with their content. But, they are bands who supposedly are out to impact the world by spreading the Gospel, I won't sit back as they PREACH ANOTHER GOSPEL instead of the one taught by the Scriptures. They preach a wishy-washy, watered down Gospel that rarely even mentions Christ.
Scripture makes it clear any person claiming another Gospel will be accursed.