Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Everyone involved in the contemporary music world - fans and musicians, promoters and record company personnel - have had to wait years for this book. Sure, we've had the occasional apologetic published to refute the stream of books, pamphlets, tapes and videos stemming from fundamentalist circles which perceive Christians' involvement in pop and rock music as an abhorrent perversion of a Godly life. But many of the accusations levelled at contemporary Christians have not until now been systematically combatted with detailed research (much of the research that has gone into this astonishingly detailed study of the subject took American Steve Miller years to assemble). Now at last the Church has a truly authoritative work which takes each of the accusations against rock music: that the heavy rhythms of contemporary music are bad for our health; that Christian musicians live morally compromised lives; that worldliness permeates the world of Christian music; that Christian music is of a poor aesthetic quality; and that Christian musicians are out for self glorification; and gently but forthrightly exposes the errors in the accusations. There is a chapter on the biblical principles for musicians and sponsors; a fascinating three chapter walk through history that shows that each of the major musical movements of the past - plainchant, psalm singing, hymnody - was opposed by religious conservatives convinced musical pioneers were doing the work of Satan and a final five chapters under the group heading of Harnessing The Power Of Contemporary Music. I am convinced that this is the most important work published on the subject of music for decades. It is, I believe, absolutely essential that Christians are thought out and informed about the church's entrance into the Christian music arena and no book will provide believers, musicians or fans, churchmen or lay people, as this one. Every Cross Rhythms reader should endeavour to read this book.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.