Not looking to discuss the merits (or lack thereof, depending on how you see it) of CCM, at least in this particular thread.

I'm wondering if we might start a list of CCM artists with Reformed lyrics. I know that Caedmon's Call had some solid lyrics for a while. (I don't know if they do now or not; I haven't heard any of their newer stuff. I also don't recall if everything was, but I know there were a few standout songs.) All of the songs I really liked were written by Derek Webb, who has since gone solo. Surely there are others, though. Who else?

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Be blessed!
~Rachel Ramey <><
tentatively expecting to join Upperville Baptist Church (SBC)
Winchester, VA

Hillsong.


Just kidding.

Shane and Shane. Their version of "Before the throne of God above" is awesome.

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Ewen
1689 LBCF
Assemblies of God Bible College
Singapore

Steven Curtis Chapman is reformed, but most of his songs don't have much if any doctrinal content. They aren't likely to be objectionable, but they may not be what you are looking for.

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"I was found by those who did not seek me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for me." Romans 10:20b

Angela Asano
Edwardsville, IL
Member, Center Grove Presbyterian Church - PCA

"History never repeats itself, but it rhymes." - Mark Twain

Indelible Grace.

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Kathleen M
nondenominational
Montana

Sovereign Grace music puts out a lot of good material, as do Keith & Kristyn Getty. Shai Linne is a rapper who is very Reformed in his lyrics (search for his albums Atonement and Storiez).

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Charlie Johnson
Downtown Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, student

Really? I didn't know that. I think we have all of his albums up through about...2000-ish. I don't think we have anything newer than that, though.

Keep the suggestions coming, please. I would like to discover some "new" (to me) artists, and this seemed like a good starting point.

Shai Linne is really the only Christian music group I listen to. I'm sure there are more reformed Christian singers out there but I don't know them.

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sarah
WI
OPC
My Pastor's Sermons: Mark Jenkins...he's awesome!!!

What style of rap is Shai Linne? Newer-style or older-style?

Don't know rap really here's an example

Really? I had no idea! Different sources on the web say he's PCA. Coolio.


To make up a style name, I would say Story-telling rap. I don't know if that is old or new though

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Andrew Thornquist My Photo Album
Calvinistic Baptist
Ukiah, California
To follow Christ was the best decision God made for me!

Steven Curtis Chapman, Caedmon's Call, and Jars of Clay are all from PCA.

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Jake; Hold to Original WCF, member of SBC; Greater Atlanta, Georgia Area

The cross does not give us a minor shift or two with regard to a few of our ethical and moral and religious values; the cross radically disrupts the very center and citadel of your life from self to Christ. —Albert N. Martin

Third Day, Caedmon's Call, Jars of Clay, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken are all Christian artists that I listen to.

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Donnie MacLeod
Crossroads Presbyterian Fellowship (PCA), Maplewood, MO
MDiv Student Covenant Theological Seminary

You filled my heart with greater joy
than others may have found
As they rejoiced at harvest time,
when grain and wine abound.Ps 4:7, Sing Psalms 2003

There is a singer named BAWB that does an awesome tune about a potluck supper.

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Richard H. King
Providence PCA
Lubbock, Texas
You know what my main problem is? I start things but rarely finish anyth...

Vocal Union--not explicitly Reformed, but I've only heard one song that seemed to have non-Reformed theology(and that seemed to be an allusion to the negro spirituals of days past). They bill themselves as "progressive a cappela". They sing contemporary style, but without any instruments other than their voices(which they use to great effect--including vocal percussion. )

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Jonathan
Audio Engineer
Reformed Anabaptist
Ohio

Moroni's magical glasses of proper interpretation:

There is a British band called Iona not real big in the states because they are not marketed heavily by "Christian" record companies. Also, their songs tend to be long but lyrically there right on (IMHO).

Someone else worth listening to is Neal Morse. He was the lead singer/songwriter of the band Spock's Beard before he became a Christian, since then he's left Spock's Beard and went solo. Again he is in the progressive genre and his songs have a tendency to be long (10 min - 20 min). This is another example of the "Christian" record companies shying away from talented musicians but I'll quit

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Chris Bryant
Attending Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA), McKinney, TX
Member of Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA), Tulsa, OK
M.A.R., WTS/Redeemer Seminary, Dallas, TX (in progress)

I've heard the same rumor

BAWB who?

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____________________________

~Beth Ellen Nagle~
Lakeside Church -Wales, WI (PCA)
Married to John
One wonderful daughter, Chaela Joelle


My work in digital art and photography: http://www.puritanboard.com/members/...ms-images.html

Shai Linne, Lecrae and the 116 Clique (named for Romans 1:16) are doctrinally sound rappers. I would say that they are heavily influenced by crunk (the word shows up in their lyrics, and a lot of the members are from the south).

The beats are simple, the wordplay is intricate, and the theology is dead on.

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Stephen J. Powell
Middlebury, VT

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me" John 14:1 (NASB)

Hey! That's why Shai mentions 116 in one of his songs! I was trying to figure out what 116 meant! LOL!

-----Added 8/31/2009 at 01:01:20 EST-----

I'll have to check Lecrae and the 116 Clique out

Stryper?

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Timothy Johnson
First United Presbyterian of Moline
PCUSA (Yea, I know)
Theology/Philosophy Sunday School Teacher
Davenport, IA

Oh noez, you haven't checked out Lecrae? He's so good! Check out Flame too. Both of those guys are fantastic.

i am addicted to the "atonement" by brother Shai
first time i heard it it made me weep

-----Added 8/31/2009 at 06:22:29 EST-----

Neal Morse denies the Trinity, though i do like his music

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thomas harvey
husband & father
nashua NH
OPC

So, just today on a different board someone asked "What's on your iPod?"

One of the responders linked to a song that reminded musically of a band I listened to in college from Kansas City called Waterdeep.

Now, I must admit that I haven't listened to them in years and really can't speak to whether or not they spend alot of time on doctrinal themes. But they are really good. The bands founder grew up Presbyterian, but I can't find any info on where he is now, though there is no doubt that this is a Christian Band.

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Ray Nearhood
Layman
Rockdale Community Church (a Reformed Baptist Fellowship)
Conyers, GA
LBC 1689
Husband of Evelyn , Father of Oren and Elijah
"To suppose that whatever God requireth of us that we have power of ourselves to do, is to make the cross and grace of Jesus Christ of none effect." -

Does anyone listen to Michael Card anymore? His music is bibically-based. Also Stuart Townend does some contemporary Christian music along with the hymns he writes.

David Ward (reformedpraise.org) has written a few songs in CCM style, and all of his stuff is solid.

-----Added 9/25/2009 at 09:25:30 EST-----

Another artist I really like whose music is pretty solid is Graham Kendrick. I haven't heard much of his music lately, but some of his from around 1999-2000 is very good.

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J Baldwin
Keowee Presbyterian Church, PCA
Pickens, SC
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

Check Out My Blog: http://reflectjoy.blogspot.com/

I really like Matthew Smith. He takes Old Hymns and makes them sound contemporary. His rendition of "My Lord I Did Not Choose You" is my fav reformed song. You can sample at Welcome To MatthewSmith.us
I think he is associate with Indelible Grace also.

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Gregg
East Texas
Member Heritage Baptist Church
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way
be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so
that now, as always, Christ will be exalted in my
life." Phil 1:20

I don't really know why, but this made me lol.

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Andrew S.
Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Abilene,TX

I would also recommend Indelible Grace and Matthew Smith. Indelible Grace does a lot of hymns in contemporary style, and they are incredible. Then, of course, there's always Jars of Clay.

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Austin
EE student at Texas State University
Member of Church of the Cross (PCA) in San Marcos, TX
Ps. 8:3-4 "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"

Andrew Peterson, Andrew Peterson, Andrew Peterson!

I'm a fan.

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Patricia
Communicant Member
Westminster Presbyterian Church, PCA
College Station, TX

Give yourself to prayer, to reading and meditation on divine truths: strive to penetrate to the bottom of them and never be content with a superficial knowledge.
David Brainerd

Aaron Shust is actually PCA as far as I know
My Savior, My God is one song that he arranged whose lyrics come out of a song in the Trinity Hymnal called "I am not skilled to understand"
It's a great, reformed song!

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Nathan Riese
Under Care, PCA
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Aledo, Illinois
Current student at MBBC
Future student of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
www.gpts.edu

He's not necessarily Reformed but I love the music of Fernando Ortega.

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Keith
Pastoral Worker and MDiv Student, PCI
Ballymoney, Northern Ireland

Marty Goetz is a messianic guy who used to do all scripture set to music, mostly psalms. Throws in the occasional hebrew lyrics. Hard to get better lyrics than the bible. This was my favorite CD:

Marty Goetz - View Product : <b>THE LOVE OF GOD</b>/Buy Any 3 CD's Get 1 CD Free

I posted a question here not long ago asking for bible memory songs and got some links you might like to look at:

Know any good song DVDs w/sign language, and CD bible memory songs?

I am not an EP person, and I like hymns and modern songs just fine, but I think it is just great when artists set scripture to music. It helps us do bible memory and it honors God's word.

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Lynnie

PCA

Central NJ

I don't listen to CCM because it is silly, trite, and usually has less than 100% totally Confessional theology manifest in the lyrics.

So I stay away from CCM and listen to the likes of Ozzy, Metallica, AC/DC, Rob Zombie, just to name a few.

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Ben
Chaplain, US Army
Ft. Riley, KS
TE Ohio Valley Presbytery, PCA

Bob Dylan

Saved:

"I was blinded by the devil,
Born already ruined,
Stone-cold dead
As I stepped out of the womb.
By His grace I have been touched,
By His word I have been healed,
By His hand I've been delivered,
By His spirit I've been sealed.

I've been saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved,
Saved,
And I'm so glad.
Yes, I'm so glad,
I'm so glad,
So glad,
I want to thank You, Lord,
I just want to thank You, Lord,
Thank You, Lord.

By His truth I can be upright,
By His strength I do endure,
By His power I've been lifted,
In His love I am secure.
He bought me with a price,
Freed me from the pit,
Full of emptiness and wrath
And the fire that burns in it.

I've been saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved,
Saved,
And I'm so glad.
Yes, I'm so glad,
I'm so glad,
So glad,
I want to thank You, Lord,
I just want to thank You, Lord,
Thank You, Lord.

Nobody to rescue me,
Nobody would dare,
I was going down for the last time,
But by His mercy I've been spared.
Not by works,
But by faith in Him who called,
For so long I've been hindered,
For so long I've been stalled.

I've been saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved,
Saved,
And I'm so glad.
Yes, I'm so glad, I'm so glad,
So glad, I want to thank You, Lord,
I just want to thank You, Lord,
Thank You, Lord."

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Jon Peters
Member, Reformation Fellowship (OPC) (Roseville, CA)
Folsom, CA

Same here....!

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Megan Meisberger
River Hills Community Church - EFCA (yes... same as charliejunfan)
Janesville, WI

Wife of matt.meisberger

<---- Naming my first son after him. My husband was saved while reading Religious Affections.

The group that sung the song Missions Trip to Mexico? Maybe...

By the way, what about Casting Crowns and Chris Tomlin? I'm not sure if they are Reformed, but most of the lyrics are solid.

-----Added 9/26/2009 at 01:30:15 EST-----

That band had a nice sound, albeit crazy hair....
I'm not quiet sure about their arguably "greatest hit" though...probably best not to sing it in mixed company, but the idea behind it is alright, I guess...

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Breanna
WPC
USA

"Who am I, that the Lord of all the Earth would care to know my name, would care to feel my hurt? Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star would choose to light the way for my ever wandering heart?" Who am I, Casting Crowns

Have you tried Indelible Grace?

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~Gloria G.~
Bride of Warren G.
Member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, PCA, Southeast Georgia

"Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways." Psalm 119:37

Nathan Clark George has done some very nice arrangements of hymns. Also, Red Mountain Music has some nice music.

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Dean Gordonwood
Member of Immanuel Covenant Church, Crescent OK

lol

That's odd. Caedmaon's call came out of second baptist in houston.

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Aaron Josh Wright
Deerbrook Baptist Church, Humble Tx
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Here, here! Yep, 98% of CCM is garbage. I enjoy secular music from classical all the way to heavy metal.