Should I Allow My Child to Listen to Christian Rock Music?
by Al Menconi
May 31, 2006
(AgapePress) - - "Should I allow my child to listen to Christian rock music?" This is one of the questions I am most frequently asked by parents. This question is usually followed by something like, "Is it good for my child, or is it a compromise with the world?" If you've been asking yourself these same questions, I want to ask you a few questions before you decide if Christian rock is right for your child. First, did you know that 85 to 95 percent of Christian youth never listen to Christian music outside of a church setting? Christian young people are on the upper end of that scale, because only 5 percent of Christian young people listen to any kind of Christian music at all! In other words, if your child listens to Christian music, he is in the elite top 5 percent of all Christian young people! Instead of criticizing your child for listening to Christian music, you might want to praise him for identifying with Jesus Christ in this way.
Second, do you understand that when a child listens to Christian music, he's identifying with Christ to his friends? With rare exceptions, the only young person who is going to listen to Christian music is a Christian. Think about it! When your child listens to Newsboys, dc Talk, or Plankeye, he's telling his friends that he's a Christian. Before someone can grow in Christ, he must identify with Him.
Think about it! How much do you identify with Christ in your entertainment? What do you listen to? What kind of movies, TV, or videos do you entertain yourself with? Do you realize that most of today's "mellow" secular music -- including country music -- has philosophies that are against biblical values? Is listening to mellow secular music really better than listening to Christian rock?
Third, have you actually taken the time to really listen to your child's Christian music? Sometimes parents object that their child only listens to the music because it has a beat he enjoys. But is that wrong? He may be listening to good music for the wrong reason. Should you criticize a child because he is immature? Why not listen to his music with him and help him see the spiritual value? You just might find it has something worthwhile to say.
I used to say, "When the volume goes up, the message goes down!" I believed that for a long time, until someone made me sit down and really listen to what I was condemning. I discovered that most of today's Christian rock music touches on issues that need to be examined from a Christian perspective.
I have learned to appreciate and be challenged by much of today's contemporary Christian music. Now, I'm not suggesting we give blanket approval to any and all music that calls itself Christian. However, before we condemn it, why not take the time to listen to it with your children and learn to understand its biblical value together?
'But It Doesn't Affect Me!'
Al Menconi Ministries offers this book as a resource for families and teens struggling with choices in music and other entertainment. The easy-to-read book with large print and unique graphics -- which can be read by anyone who knows how to read in less than one hour -- will take today's questioning teen and other skeptics from non-belief to a commitment for Christ. (Click here to purchase the book)
"We can't guarantee that someone will commit their life to Christ after reading this," says Al Menconi, "but we do guarantee that anyone reading this book will never be able to honestly say, 'But It Doesn't Affect Me!'" The book comes with discussion questions to help parents develop meaningful conversations with their children.
Al Menconi Ministries, located in Carlsbad, California, is an evangelical, non-denominational para-church ministry whose mission is to educate and equip Christian parents and leaders to communicate biblical values in the home and church. The ministry addresses topics such as music, video games, movies, television, social issues, and parenting.
