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{{christian music}}Infobox_Contents | '''Contemporary Christian Music''' (or '''topic_name = CCM''') is a genre of | subtopics = [[popular musicContemporary Christian Songs Index]] which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the , Contemporary Christian Albums Index, [[Christianity|Contemporary Christian faith]]. The term is typically used to refer to the [[Nashville, TennesseeSong-Writers and Bands Index]]* Related styles -based [[pop music|pop]]Jesus Music, [[Rock music|Christian alternative rock]], and [[worship music|worship]] Christian music industry, currently represented by artists such as [[Steven Curtis Chapmanhardcore]], [[Skillet (band)|SkilletChristian hip hop]], [[Pillar (band)|Pillar]]Christian industrial, [[Amy GrantChristian metal]], [[Jars of Clay]]Christian pop, [[MercyMeChristian punk]], [[Third DayChristian rock]], [[Relient K]]Christian ska, [[Jeremy Camp]]Cprog, Christian worship music* [[Hillsong UnitedCCM Magazine]], * [[Shawn McDonaldGMA Dove Awards]], and a host of others. The industry is represented in [[Billboard Magazine]]'s "Top Christian Albums" and "Hot Christian Songs" charts,<ref name| opinion_pieces ="BB_Main">{{cite web short_opinions}} |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/christian_gospel_index.jsp |title=Best Selling Christian Singles and Albums |accessdate=2007-02-28 |publisher=''[[Billboard Magazine]]'' }}</ref> as well as the [[iTunes Music Store]]'s "Christian & Gospel" genre.

The term "Contemporary Christian Music" originated (or CCM) is a term originally used in the late [[1960s]] in reference 1970s to the emerging [[describe a new form of pop music|pop]] and [[rock music|rock]] "[[that was lyrically based in the Christianity. The music had its roots in Jesus music]]", the musical outpouring of Music which sprung from the [[hippie]] [[Jesus Movement]] of the timeearly 70s.<ref name="Powell_Fe">{{cite book |last=Powell |first=Mark Allan |title=Encyclopedia of Contemporary An entire Christian music industry soon sprang up, with Christian Music |year=2002 |publisher=Hendrickson Publishers |location=-only artists, record labels, [[Peabody, MassachusettsChristian radio|Peabodyradio stations]], [[Massachusetts]] |isbn=1-56563-679-1 |edition=First printing |pages=10-13}}</ref> Artists and record stores. By the 1980s, CCM was a large music industry with artists such as [[Larry NormanAmy Grant]], [[2nd Chapter of Acts]], and [[Love Song (band)|Love SongMichael W. Smith]] were among the first to express their [[Christianity|Christian]] faith in the form selling millions of popular musicrecords.

There is also a great deal of [[popular music]] which lyrically identifies with [[Christianity]] but is not normally considered Contemporary Christian Music.<ref name="Powell_Fe"/> For example, many underground [[Christian punk|punk]] and [[Christian hardcore|hardcore]] bands deal explicitly with issues of faith but are not a part of the Nashville industry (e.g., [[Seattle]]-based [[Tooth and Nail Records]]). Also, several mainstream music Mainstream artists sometimes deal with Christian themes in their work, such as [[Bob Dylan]] and [[U2]], but fall outside of the CCM genre.<ref name="Powell_Fe"/>

Some conservative Christians feel that the medium of popular music is unholy, and thus unfit for Christian participation. For example, [[Bob Jones University]] prohibits its dormitory students from listening to CCM.<ref name="BJU_Hall">{{cite web |url=http://www.bju.edu/prospective/expect/rhall.html |title=BJU ~ Residence Hall Life |accessdateOther Genres ==2007-02-28 |publisher=[[Bob Jones University]] }}</ref> Other noted Many Bands have also played music with Christian critics Lyrics in less popular Genres of CCM include [[John F. MacArthur|John MacArthur]]Music, such as Christian Hard Rock/Metal, Dan Lucarini (the author of the book ''Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Alternative Rock Music Movement''), Christian Punk Rock, Christian Hip Hop/Rap, and Kimberly Smith (author of the books ''Oh Be Careful Little Ears'' and ''Let Those Who Have Ears to Hear'')Christian Country Music.Bands that have played Christian Music in these Genres are:

CCM also draws criticism from those who feel it is simply a "Christianized" imitation of mainstream music, thus lacking originality and creativity. On *[[Reformation DayKutless]] (Christian Hard Rock/Alternative Rock Band)*[[October 31Stryper]](Christian Pop Metal Band), *[[1998TobyMac]], in homage to (Christian Hip Hop Solo Artist)*[[Martin LutherDivinefire]]'s (Christian Heavy Metal/Black Metal Band)*[[95 thesesNarnia (band)|Narnia]], CCM artist (Christian Power Metal/Melodic Metal Band)*[[Rob Rock]] (Christian Heavy Metal Solo Artist)*[[Steve CampDemon Hunter]] sent out 107 theses calling for a "Reformation" in contemporary (Christian music,<ref name="Camp_107">{{cite web |url=http:Hardcore Punk//www.worship.com/steve_camp_107_theses.htm Hard Rock Band)*[[Skillet (band)|title=A Call For Reformation in the Contemporary Skillet]] (Christian Music Industry |accessdate=2007-02-28 |last=Camp |first=Steven John |authorlink=Steve Camp |year=1997 Hard Rock/Alternative Rock Band)*[[Payable On Death|publisher=[http://wwwP.worshipO.com WorshipD.com]}}</ref> challenging ] (Christian artists to Nu Metal Band)*[[Brian "recover Biblical Christianity in the artsHead"<ref name="Camp_107"/> and bring a new level of excellence to the field.Welch]] (Christian Nu Metal Solo Artist)

Also, oftentimes CCM draws criticism from those who simply find the concept of Christian pop/rock music to be an unusual phenomenon, since rock music has historically been associated with themes such as sexual [[promiscuity]], [[rebellion]], [[drug]] and [[alcohol]] use, and other topics normally considered antithetical to the teachings of Christianity.<ref name="Powell_Fe"/> (For more on this topic, see: [[Social effects of rock and roll]].) Perhaps the most well-known (and humorous) defense to this criticism is a quote from a 19th century Methodist minister [[Rowland Hill]]: "Why should the devil have all the good music?" (Note: this quote is often incorrectly attributed to [[Martin Luther]]).==Controversy===

==Further reading==* Alfonso, Barry. ''The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music''and other Christian Genres has been a topic of controversy in various ways since its beginnings in the 1960s. Billboard Books, 2002.* Beaujon, Andrew. ''Body Piercing Saved My Life: Inside Some conservative Christians have felt that the Phenomenon medium of popular music is unholy, and thus unfit for Christian Rock''participation. Da Capo Press, 2006.* Di SabatinoHowever, other Christians have said that the music David. ''The Jesus People Movement: An Annotated Bibliography and General Resource''. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 1999.* Flux, Chris. ''Music Evangelism: Spreading played was the Gospel through Music''. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2006. [http://www.musicevangelism.com http://www.musicevangelism.com]* Granger, Thom. ''[[CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian mainstream Music]]''. Nashville: CCM Books, 2001.* Howard, Jay R and John M Streck. ''Apostles of Rock: The Splintered World of Contemporary Christian Music''. Lexington: The University of Kentucky Press, 1999.* Josephthe day, Mark. ''The Rock and Roll Rebellion: Why People of Faith Abandoned Rock Music-- And Why They're Coming Back'to God it doesn'. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1999.* {{cite book |last=Mount |first=Daniel J. |title=A City on a Hilltop? The History of Contemporary Christian Music |year=2005 |url=http://www.danielmount.net/ccm.html |accessdate=2007-02-12}}* {{cite book |last=Powell |first=Mark Allan |title=Encyclopedia t matter what genre of Contemporary Christian Music |year=2002 |publisher=Hendrickson Publishers |location=[[Peabodysomeone plays, Massachusetts|Peabody]]for as long as the music is spiritual, [[Massachusetts]] |isbn=1-56563-679-1}}* Romanowski, William D. ''Eyes Wide Open: Looking uses the music for God in Popular Culture''. Brazos Press, 2001.* Pruitt, Jim. ''Contemporary Christian Musician's Survival Manual''. Lulu, 2003. http://www.cyshift.com/jarc/ccmsm.html* Young, Shawn David, M.A., Hippies, Jesus Freaksa ministry, and Music (Ann Arbor: Xanedu/Copley Original Works, 2005gives God glory.ISBN 1-59399-201-7

==Notes==<div class=CCM also draws criticism from those who feel it is simply a "references-smallChristianized"><references/></div>imitation of mainstream music, thus lacking originality and creativity. On Reformation Day (October 31), 1998, in homage to [[Martin Luther]]'s 95 theses, CCM artist Steve Camp sent out 107 theses calling for a "Reformation" in contemporary Christian music, challenging Christian artists to "recover Biblical Christianity in the arts" and bring a new level of excellence to the field.

==External linksQuotes==* Steve Camp's [http://www.worship.com/steve_camp_107_theses.htm 107 Theses: A call for Reformation in Contemporary Christian Music Industry]* [http://www.christianitytoday.com/music Christian Music Today]* [http://www.christianmusicmonthly.com Christian Music Monthly]* [http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/ Jesus Freak Hideout]* [http://www.cmcentral.com Christian Music Central]* [http://www.ccmcom.com Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) Magazine]

{{returnto}} [[de:Christliche PopmusikChristianity]]-> [[pl:Contemporary Christian literature, art, musicand media]]-> [[es:Música cristianaChristian music]][[pt:Música Cristã Contemporânea]][[zhCategory:当代基督教音乐Christian music]]