Is Christian Music for Exaltation, Edification, or Evangelism?

Type of Doctrine: Tertiary

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

-Colossians 3:23-24 ESV

Why Does It Matter?

Is Christian music for exaltation, edification, or evangelism? What about two of these? Perhaps all of them? Disagreements abound when a favorite Christian artist that was mostly edifying believers shifts to an evangelistic emphasis (i.e., reaching nonbelievers). In other cases, those musicians who are mostly edifying believers are considered neglectful of nonbelievers. How are we to think through issues like these?

Despite how intense some of these conversations can become, I would consider this a tertiary issue. Christians don't need to divide over an issue such as this.

What Is It?

Christian music is made for all types of purposes. The three most common purposes that I've seen are:

(1) Exaltation = worship

(2) Edification = helping Christians

(3) Evangelism = helping non-Christians.

I suspect that disagreements often happen concerning this issue due to black-and-white thinking. It's true that one artist may fit neatly into one of these categories, but other artists may fit in two. Still others may fit in all three categories.

First, let's define "Christian music." I'm referring to music that is recorded, played, and performed by a Christian outside of a church worship service (e.g., radio, concerts, albums, social media, etc.). In other words, I'm not referring to music within a church worship service in this article. (Note: Some, typically those in the evangelistic crowd, prefer to consider themselves a Christian who makes music rather than a Christian artist.)

It seems like controversy often ensues because a Christian artist is using music to reach nonbelievers instead of edifying believers. Occasionally, however, the allegation is from the other direction: namely, Christian artists are merely entertaining believers and neglecting nonbelievers (perhaps these artists are also edifying the believers?). Furthermore, some who want music to be used for exaltation seem to want all genres of music to be composed for worship and worship only. How are we to think about this issue? Let's examine Scripture first.

Many of the references to music in Scripture are in the context of worship. Nevertheless, we can see music accomplishing all three of the purposes listed earlier. See the chart below.

3 Primary Purposes of Christian Music

Purpose	Description	Scripture
Exaltation	Making music for God in worship	[Psa 98:4-6 ESV] 4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! 5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
Edification	Making music to encourage, entertain, and build up believers	[Col 3:16 ESV] 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (also see Eph. 5:19)
Evangelism	Making music to reach nonbelievers	[Psa 40:3 ESV] 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. (also see Acts 16:25-31)

As we think through these Scriptures and categories, there are some theological and practical points to make as well. Here are a few considerations:

• Music is a valid vocation.

• Exaltation, edification, and evangelism are all valid purposes.

• We shouldn't have black-and-white thinking concerning this issue. It could be a false dichotomy. Musicians might fit into more than one category. However, they might primarily fit into one category. That's okay.

• A musician's spiritual gifts may affect what category(ies) he or she fits in most naturally.

• We should rejoice that God is gifting and sending people into all types of genres and subcultures as missionaries. (One day we will get to see the effects of the body of Christ expanding into all of these genres as all types of people will be in Christ's kingdom!)

• Musicians should use wisdom and consider the impact they have on other Christians. (Some of the things that have been done in the name of evangelism have been alarming to me, and I think have caused some harm to young believers.)

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A Brief Excursus on Entertainment

Is Christian entertainment okay? I think so, but with some important considerations.

• It is okay to enjoy the music, performance, and/or show. (This can be glorifying to God. We can worship him for creating ears, sounds, melodies, and gifting musicians.)

• We should watch for idolatry.

  • Entertainment can become an idol.

  • Musicians can become idols.

• As with all entertainment, we should consider the content. Music, movies, and TV shows that celebrate sin and fill the mind with sinful things aren't spiritually helpful (and probably damaging).

• Having Christian alternatives, especially when the art is still done with excellence, is a great gift!

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In sum, Christian music can be for exaltation, edification, and/or evangelism. All of these categories ultimately are biblical and bring glory to the Lord.

Application

Therefore, let's make sure that this issue does not become a primary or secondary issue.

Let's embrace the diversity of gifts in the body of Christ.

Let's bear with one another.

Let's be thankful that God provides enjoyable gifts (like music and musicians).

Let's be reasonable and charitable with one another.

Let's enjoy good Christian music.