History Main / ChristianRock

** Christian BlackMetal. But since Satanic themes are pratically part of the definition of the genre, this is called [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unblack_metal Unblack Metal]]. Black Metal fans are less than pleased with this, even when these bands otherwise have the same sound.

** Rackets and Drapes, just Rackets and Drapes, called the christian version of Marilyn Manson, they defiantly live up to that title. also the lead singer Kandy Kane admits to being a crossdresser

A SubTrope of TheMoralSubstitute.

* One of the pioneers of the genre was {{Petra}}, founded in 1974. Their name is Greek for "rock", and that's pretty much the only descriptor of their style that's vague enough to remain accurate throughout their history (in the '80s alone, they went from sounding like {{Kansas}} to being a heavy metal band), with {{Synthesizeritis}}-fueled pop-rock somewhere in the middle. They got a ''lot'' of flak early on for daring to play rock music (which many Christians at the time were still uneasy about), and levered a couple {{Take That}}s to their accusers in response.

** Interestingly, this has historic precedent; Late Medieval "Bridal Mysticism", where mystical religious experiences (usually by female celibates) were described/expressed using highly erotic language
*** You only have to compare the two most renowned cases of Spanish mystics, who were roughly contemporary: Juan de la Cruz (a man) had visions that recall Buddhist meditation experiences. Teresa de Avila (a woman) was ''this'' close to be having wet dreams about Jesus.
** For another historic precedent parts of Handel's Messiah involve the Song of Solomon which is considered by many who have read it to be incredibly erotic.
*** Ummm, is there anyone who has read the Song of Solomon who does not realize it is erotic poetry?
**** Some preachers have gone to [[InsaneTrollLogic amazing lengths]] to avoid admitting that.
** Also justified by the Bible itself; metaphorically speaking, "the Church" or the "body of Christ", which refers to Christians in general, are referred to as the "bride" and Christ as the "groom."
*** [[DisSimile Except that Scripture frankly never talks or hints of Christ screwing His church.]]

It should be noted that this genre can be as diverse as the secular form of rock music. ''Just as diverse.'' Everything from soft rock to the various forms of HeavyMithril will be covered. And it's wrong to assume the viewpoint/theology of any Christian band or its members, because Christian rock's theologies are as diverse and unpredictable as the entire population of Christians, which is [[PuttingItMildly pretty diverse]].

* In ''{{Metalocalypse}}'', Murderface attempts to find what religion is right for him; one of his first attempts takes him to a horribly lame Christian rock concert, where he struggles to try and get in groove with the music with a pained look on his face.

---> "[[{{ptitlezbs18uz6sqww}} Hey, isn't that]] the drummer from Satanica?"

* DemonHunter is an example of a relatively well known Christian {{Metalcore}} band as is UnderOath (though Underoath is far more [[{{Hatedom}} despised]] than Demon Hunter for various reasons)

* Christan rock band Skillet started out with songs that were not at all subtle about worshipping Jesus, but eventually turned their sound more mainstream, switching to lyrics that were ''kind of'' about Jesus. They're arguably [[YourMileageMayVary better for it.]]

Some people believe that songs in this genre are watered down imitations of popular genres, that they have low production values, and that they just shoehorn Christianity into the lyrics to get played on gospel stations. The reality is quite different. Christian Rock is less TheMoralSubstitute than is popularly believed. As with any genre, production values and talent vary greatly between bands, but it's no more derivative than any of the bands playing on mainstream radio. The bands don't say, "Don't listen to Band Y, they don't mention Jesus so they must worship the Devil. Listen to X instead, they're safe". People who believe all rock music is inherently evil simply because of its genre (without regards to its lyrical content) often don't listen to Christian rock, either. However, some church groups [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar23AmS3oMo&feature=related]](and JackChick) believe that ''all'' rock music, including Christian rock, is something to be avoided.

** [=dcTalk=] had significant amounts of this.

* dc Talk was one of, if not ''the'' most popular Christian Rock in the mid-90's. They actually got their start in Christian ''rap'' and slowly evolved into pop-rock with a little hip-hop mixed in. They broke up in 2000 for what was supposed to be simply an 'intermission,' but they haven't even toured together since 2002. Well, so much for that.

** The main reason for their never getting back together is because they got involved in other things. Toby Mac launched a very successful career as a Christian Rapper, while Tate recently became the new lead for Newsboys. Which then did a cover of Jesus Freak.

** On the other hand, some "Christian rappers" are basically the early days of [[Will Smith]], remixed, with an occasional positive Christian vibe just because of their personal background. So basically if you like Will Smith you'll think these guys are OK and if you don't then you won't.

Some people believe that songs in this genre are watered down imitations of popular genres, that they have low production values, and that they just shoehorn Christianity into the lyrics to get played on gospel stations. The reality is quite different. Christian Rock is less TheMoralSubstitute than is popularly believed. As with any genre, production values and talent vary greatly between bands, but it's no more derivative than any of the bands playing on mainstream radio. The bands don't say, "Don't listen to Band Y, they don't mention Jesus so they must worship the Devil. Listen to X instead, they're safe". People who believe all rock music is inherently evil simply because of its genre (without regards to its lyrical content) often don't listen to Christian rock, either. However, some church groups(and JackChick) believe that ''all'' rock music, including Christian rock, is something to be avoided.

Some people believe that songs in this genre are watered down imitations of popular genres, that they have low production values, and that they just shoehorn Christianity into the lyrics to get played on gospel stations. The reality is quite different. Christian Rock is less TheMoralSubstitute than is popularly believed. As with any genre, production values and talent vary greatly between bands, but it's no more derivative than any of the bands playing on mainstream radio. The bands don't say, "Don't listen to Band Y, they don't mention Jesus so they must worship the Devil. Listen to X instead, they're safe". People who believe all rock music is inherently evil simply because of its genre (without regards to its lyrical content) often don't listen to Christian rock, either. Some church groups,[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar23AmS3oMo&feature=related]] (and JackChick) believe that ''all'' rock music, including Christian rock, is something to be avoided.

It should be noted that this genre can be as diverse as the secular form of rock music. ''Just as diverse.'' Everything from soft rock to the various forms of HeavyMithril will be covered. And it's wrong to assume the viewpoint/theology[[hottip:*:Examples: do non-Christians go to heaven, views on sexuality and gay marriage, how obsessed you should be about God, etc]] of any Christian band or its members), because Christian rock's theologies are as diverse and unpredictable as the entire population of Christians, which is [[PuttingItMildly pretty diverse]].

** Christian BlackMetal. But since Satanic themes are part of the defintion of the genre, this is called [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unblack_metal Unblack Metal]]. Black Metal fans are less than pleased with this, even when these bands otherwise have the same sound.

* KatyPerry used to be a Christian pop singer... then she released "[[LesYay I Kissed a Girl]]".

Compare NotChristianRock, when music seems as though it could be Christian Rock, but isn't. Keep in mind TheTheoremOfNarrowInterests. A subtrope of TheMoralSubstitute.

It should be noted that this genre can be as diverse as the secular form of rock music. ''Just as diverse.'' Everything from soft rock to the various forms of HeavyMithril will be covered.

** To be fair, the head of the band is shown to be a very good Christian, referencing the Ten Commandments when Hank asks Bobby to stop being part of the group.

Some people believe that songs in this genre are watered down imitations of popular genres, that they have low production values, and that they just shoehorn Christianity into the lyrics to get played on gospel stations. The reality is quite different. Christian Rock is less TheMoralSubstitute than is popularly believed. As with any genre, production values and talent vary greatly between bands, but it's no more derivative than any of the bands playing on mainstream radio. The bands don't say, "Don't listen to Band Y, they don't mention Jesus so they must worship the Devil. Listen to X instead, they're safe". People who believe all rock music is inherently evil simply because of its genre (without regards to its lyrical content) often don't listen to Christian rock, either. Some church groups (and JackChick) believe that ''all'' rock music, including Christian rock, is something to be avoided.