Mosh pits of writhing and flailing bodies are now a common site at CCM concerts. Rock has a useful tendency to reveal more and more of its hellish origins through the names bands take for themselves. In secular rock, names like the Drifters, the Byrds and the Rolling Stones haven given way to names like Marilyn Manson and Megadeth. CCM artists have followed the same downward path, moving away from names that describe their relationship with a savior to names that are more descriptive of their desire for self-glorification. With bands called Bumblepuppy, Blame Lucy, Eat the Menu, Eden Burning, Jaberwocky, Mental Destruction, Plankeye, Saviour Machine, Six Feet Deep, Velvet Hammer and Spooky Tuesday, one wonders what serious relationship these singers could possibly see between their 'music ministry' and the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Lyrics are another way to chart the downward spiral of rock music.
Keith Green, an artist considered to be a groundbreaker for CCM, sang songs in the 70s and early 80s about his savior and his salvation. Just a few years later, it s getting harder and harder to find a CCM artist who ll even mention the name of Jesus on an album. Keep in mind, it would have been unthinkable in the early 70s for a Christian artist to release a record that didn t mention Christ, but rock music, sacred or secular, is always changing for the worse. What was unthinkable soon becomes standard, and then that standard must make room for a new, lower standard. Scandals involving sexual immorality, greed and worldliness are rampant within the Christian music industry.