So I was typing in a post, and started wondering, What makes Christian music, Christian music? Is it music about being a Christian? Is it music that Christians listen to? Is it music that Christians can relate to? Is it music that reflects Christian beliefs? Or is it music that talks about Jesus?

So many people say different things. I personally believe it is simply music that Christians can relate to (though non believers may also relate to some of them) and it stays within Christian principles (no "I hate you" stuff, etc). This isn't a debate, and I don't intend to try changing anyone's opinion, I'm just curious what everyone thinks.

Oy, me and my husband discuss this ALL the time.  I guess he and I would like to turn on the Christian radio station and hear gospel and worship music.  However, it seems that the generic definition to Christian music is 'clean music'.  I can't tell you how many times we turn one of the stations on and then stare at each other like "What are we listening too?!"

We never really thought of the fact that there might actually be a distinction between music that worships God and music that has Christian characteristics.  I guess then, there are three categories which are similar:  'Christian' music, gospel music, and worship music.  (Gospel and Worship are -slightly- different in my opinion, though it's a fine line.)

This is certainly a new way of me thinking about it and I'm a bit surprised in all honesty.  I'm not sure how to answer the question now.  I would have said that Christian music is that which glorifies God.

Singelli : True. You are correct (in my opinion) that clean lyrics don't necessarily make a song Christian. I think the effect it has on one's heart is a very important factor. I have found several songs labelled Christian that I most definitely didn't think were fit for the label, and I have also seen Christian groups that weren't labelled Christian. All the label means anymore is that a group or artist was signed a recording deal with a certain recording label {such as ino or tooth and nail), which is unfortunate.

warmaker : lol I have actually heard many people say the same. And I must say that with many artists, it indeed seems that this is their approach to Christian music. I don't have a problem with any sound in Christian music, but it takes more than the name Jesus randomly inserted to make Christian music. Your reply expressed a concern of mine pretty well.