Music Series: Quality Christian Songs

Sometimes when listening to the radio (or even sometimes at Mass), Christian music can sound dull, repetitive, cheesy, and uninspiring. Sure, Christian radio stations exist for a good reason, which is to share the Gospel in a format appropriate for every member of the family. Rarely does anyone hear a song on a non-Christian radio station that both shares the Gospel and appeals to the whole family. Only recently have some groups like Mumford and Sons managed to provide stuffing in the gaps.

Mumford and Sons-Come Thou Font of Every Blessing

Otherwise, the only other time anyone hears an inspirational Christian song on a non-Christian radio station is during Christmas time (or more appropriately, the time of Advent in preparation for the Christmas season). Even then, in the midst of all the other pop songs about Santa, Frosty, and just talking about the feeling of the season, you get a small handful of traditional hymns that everyone sings in and out of church anyway. Granted, every once and awhile you hear beauty in the mundane.

(One of the few times I will gladly endorse Josh Groban music.)

However, there is more to Christian music than what one hears on the radio or even inside modern church walls. There are centuries of tradition, decades upon decades upon decades of musical styles and sounds from across the globe that have been shaped by the Christian faith. I wanted to share with you samples of Christian music that feature some genre or sound that you may not associate with contemporary Christian music.

Aramaic Chant: Orthodox Priest & Choir

Hard Rock: Flyleaf-Chasm

Irish ballad: The Barra MacNeils-Oh Come Divine Messiah

(I know it's a Christmas song, but when was the last time you heard this on the radio or at Mass?)


Gregorian Chant: Benedictine Monks- Sanctus et Benedictus

Alternative Rock: Mutemath-Chaos

Bluegrass: Doc Watson-We'll Work Til Jesus Comes

Folk: Old Crow Medicine Show-God's Got It

Rap: KB-Church Clap

Note: This final song selection is not an endorsement from me for actual clapping inside of church during Mass. I appreciate the song for the beat and for the message it provides in some of the lyrics, including "Give me that God Almighty, that good old Bible, that old school doctrine" and "We need discernment, check what you be affirming, cause the church could be full of members but empty of conversions".