Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) Artists Who Aren’t Christians

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The Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) industry is full of sinners. Then again, we’re all sinners who’ve fallen short of the glory of God.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”Romans 3:23

But born-again Christians are held to a much higher standard than any other religion. Why? Because Satan is alive and well in the world. And Christianity is the only religion that takes a stance against him.

Ever since the devil was cast out of Heaven, he’s tried to destroy God’s creation.

The following individuals or groups are listed as Christian artists. And perhaps even claim to be Christians. But what they believe runs contrary to God’s Word.

For these artists, as well as the others in my articles, I’m not placing unjust judgment upon them.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

‘Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”Matthew 7:1-5

Rather, I’m merely pointing out the obvious.

God gave the world the free gift of eternal life through His son Jesus Christ.

Choosing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and believing that God sent Him is a personal decision. Meaning, not everyone will ask for it let alone receive it.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”Matthew 7:21-23

On top of that, we can’t know if someone else has wholeheartedly made the decision to become a Christian. But we can see how they act and hear what they say.

The following artists are listed with CCM. However, they’ve stated publicly that they’re not Christians. Either outright or by omission.

And yet, stations like KLOVE, The Joy FM, and others play the music of heretics and apostates for their listeners.

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”1 Peter 5:8

“I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.”Acts 20:29-30

Let’s start with the one that’s the biggest shocker to most.

Matt Maher

Matt Maher is one of those artists that have a lot of catchy sing-along-songs. To the point that many churches sing his songs on Sundays. Even though he’s not a Christian.

With songs like, “Lord I Need You,” “Run to the Father,” “Because He Lives,” and “What a Friend (We Have in Jesus)” one might think Matt’s a Christian. His own profession of faith says otherwise.

The image above is linked to the YouTube video for the song “Lord I Need You.” It’s the live version Matt did in 2013. If you watch the video, you’ll see that he’s on his knees and the Pope is in front of him.

In his interview with Catholic Review, Matt elaborates on his Catholic faith. According to his bio, Matt Maher, “has become one of the most popular and critically acclaimed Catholic artists in the country.”

The problem is that Catholics aren’t Christians. For more on that, please read the following articles.

Related article: Catholic vs Christian

Crowder

David Crowder

For those who don’t know, David Crowder is a 7th Day Adventist.

The 7th Day Adventists “accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures.” But they’re heretics and wolves in sheep’s clothing.

To start with, they were founded by a woman, Ellen White. That should be enough right there.

“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.”1 Timothy 2:11-14

Since the Bible states that women are to learn in silence and not to teach or hold authority over a man, then that religion is already on the wrong foot.

My next question was to ask what translation of the Bible they use. I thought perhaps they had their own translation. According to the Adventist.org site, they don’t seem to use one specific translation.

However, the site does suggest using certain translations which have been proven to be unreliable.

These include but are not limited to, The Message, The Living Bible, and The Clear Word aka Clear Word. All of which are some of the Worst Translations of the Bible.

According to their beliefs about humanity, “When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position. The image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death.

Their descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him and one another, and to care for their environment.”

That sounds good and all. Unfortunately, that’s not what the Bible teaches. Yes, the fall of man was what caused death to enter into the world. And we are born with a sinful nature. But it’s not the Holy Spirit that restores God’s image. God made that happen before the world began.

“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.”Ephesians 1:4

And what high position did Adam and Eve fall from? Adam and God had a very close relationship. After all, God made him and Eve as the first human beings.

No, they didn’t fall. Their relationship was severed. But there was a fall. Lucifer (aka Satan) fell for wanting to be like the Most High (aka God the Father).

“How you are fallen from heaven, o shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths.” Isaiah 14:12-15

7th Day Adventists believe in a “Heavenly Sanctuary” which doesn’t line up with the Bible. Unlike Purgatory for Catholics, the Heavenly Sanctuary sounds more like a courtroom. Where Jesus, “ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross.”

According to their beliefs, this place was created by Jesus in 1844 during “the second and last phase of His atoning ministry.”

Another unbiblical thing they believe is regarding death. They don’t believe that when a Christian dies that believer goes directly to be with God. Rather, they believe that they go into a “soul sleep” and wait.

“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”2 Corinthians 5:8

For more information on the 7th Day Adventists, consider reading, Hidden Heresies of Seventh-Day Adventists.

Semler

Grace Semler Baldridge

From Out Front Magazine article “Semler Climbs the Christian Charts with Queer Stories.”

Her full name is Grace Semler Baldridge. I’d never heard of her prior to writing the article on Groups listed as “Christian” artists who deny God’s Word.

Follow this Huffington Post article on Semler: This Queer Christian’s Album Challenges Contemporary Christian Music Industry.

In an interview with NPR (National Public Radio – a well-known liberal think tank), Semler explains how she grew up the daughter of an “episcopal priest.” She explained that her church affirmed her lifestyle. “So, I knew I was gay from a pretty early age. I also knew that I belonged to an affirming church, although it wasn’t outwardly affirming. There weren’t, like, pride flags. It was, kind of, as affirming as many churches were in the 2010s.”

Toward the end of the article, she’s quoted as saying, “The queer community, for the most part, has been doing the heavy lifting when it comes to understanding a pluralism of theologies. I’m not really seeing that from the conservative side.”

Pluralism of theologies? No, there aren’t multiple ways to God. There aren’t multiple Words of God. That’s why you’re not seeing it from the conservative side.

You can’t cherry-pick scriptures that suit you while dismissing the rest. There’s only one way and only one truth. His name is Jesus Christ.

I wanted to note that she said she grew up in an Episcopal church. For those who don’t know, Episcopalians believe in a false doctrine.

In the “What We Believe” section of Episcopalchurch.org, it states, “The Episcopal Church embraces a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; people of all genders and sexual orientations serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy work together in leadership and governance.”

Throughout that page, there are no biblical scriptures referenced. Every reference provided for what they believe comes from their “Book of Common Prayer.”

What is the Book of Common Prayer you might ask? “’It is a most invaluable part of that blessed ‘liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,’ that in his worship different forms and usages may without offense be allowed, provided the substance of the Faith be kept entire’ (Book of Common Prayer, p. 9).”

In other words, they’ve created a book (like Catholics and Mormons) that they hold to be greater than the Holy Bible.

P.O.D. (Payable on Death)

P.O.D.

If the name sounds somewhat familiar, it’s because they had a hit song, “Youth of the Nation” back in the early 2000s. If you read the lyrics, there’s absolutely nothing about Christ, God, or anything Christianity.

Honestly, I don’t know how P.O.D. was ever considered a Christian group. As of the writing of this article, they’re still listed as a “Christian metal band” (whatever that means – sounds like an oxymoron).

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

In the photo above, we can see the members of P.O.D. displaying the gang symbol “Westside” (far left) and the “Devil’s Horns” (second to the left).

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”Matthew 7:15-20

In their P.O.D. logo, we can see the triquetra (aka trinity knot) in it. That symbol has been traced back over 3,000 years, long before Christianity.

Above is another picture of the band. Two things that stand out to me about this one. If you notice, the guy on the far left (who was giving the “West Coast” gang sign in the previous picture) is wearing a rosary (part of the Catholic religion). It’s kind of hard to see since it’s black and he’s wearing a black t-shirt.

Consider reading: Catholic vs Christian

His shirt says, “Pray Hard” and looks like it has what’s supposed to be a likeness of Jesus Christ. Sounds like a works statement.

The second thing that I noticed is the guy second from the left is wearing a pentagon on his hat. Within the upside-down pentagon, we can see the five-pointed star or pentagram.

P.O.D. uses and displays occult symbols, even in their logo. Their music has little to nothing to do with Christianity. And they even display Satanic signals. I don’t think there’s anything else necessary to be said about them.

The following are artists who have renounced their faith and belief in Jesus Christ.

 

Hillsong’s Marty Sampson

One of the songwriters for Hillsong was Marty Sampson. According to the related article linked below, he wrote Hillsong’s “Better Than Life”, “For Who You Are”, “Carry Me”, “One Thing” and “O Praise the Name (Anástasis).”

According to another article, he co-wrote Hillsong’s “The Lord’s Prayer.”

In the Instagram post, referenced in both articles, Sampson blamed the church for losing his faith.

Sorry, but the church is filled with humans. And humans are sinners. So, he lost his faith because of other sinners? I’d question if he had faith, to begin with. Perhaps his faith was in sinners rather than the savior.

Related article: ‘It was amazing being one of you, but I’m not anymore,’ says Hillsong’s Marty Sampson

Additional Christian artists who’ve renounced their faith in Jesus Christ, include:

Phanatik

Jon Steingard

Kevin Max

Related articles to this topic include: Christian singer makes shocking announcement: ‘I no longer believe in God’ and What About Those High-Profile Christians Who Renounced Their Faith?

Are you supporting them?

Whenever a person goes to one of the following artist’s concerts or buys their merchandise (clothing and/or music) that means they’re supporting these artists and their beliefs.

The same holds true if you listen to one of their songs on Pandora or Spotify, or even sing one of their songs in your church, you’re supporting these artists and their churches. That’s because of music copyrights.

Music Copyrights

“The Copyright Law of the United States, Title 17 USC, establishes property rights in musical works and grants creators and owners of copyrighted musical works several specific rights, including the exclusive right to perform or authorize the performance of their works publicly (17 U.S.C. 106(4)). This means that, generally, no one can publicly perform copyrighted works without the permission of the copyright owner, and, as is the case with other property rights, the owner has the right to be paid for the use of his property.”

Related article: Does Your Church Comply With Music Copyright Law?

Which begs the question, how long does the copyright of the song last?

“Songs composed in the United States after 1976 are protected under federal copyright law, so long as they are fixed in a tangible medium of expression (recording, sheet music, etc.). This copyright lasts for the life of the author, plus 70 years. The goal is to protect an author’s works and maintain the integrity of those works, without compromising the original intent.”

Exception to the rule:

There is an exception for churches in this. Based on the religious exemption, a church can rebroadcast the music as long as it doesn’t go beyond the walls of the building.

In other words, if the service is recorded and rebroadcasted on the radio, YouTube, even their own website, a royalty must be paid to the artist(s). Otherwise, they’re in violation of copyright law.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”2 Corinthians 5:10

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