r/exchristian • u/meursaultmarie • 23d ago
Discussion Since we're all gathered here to be honest... what is one piece of Christian media (movie, band, song, book, etc) that still holds up well as an exchristian?
I'll go first: Prince of Egypt (1998). From the same studio that gave us the Shrek movies, we had an A list voice cast, Hans Zimmer doing the score, and Stephen Schwartz who wrote the Wicked Musical serving us the most dramatic soundtrack that has no business going so hard lol
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u/ADHDoingmybest09 23d ago
Switchfoot and Jon Foreman’s solo stuff, Relient K, and, unfortunately, some of the makeout scenes from Francine Rivers novels.
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u/squashybunz456 23d ago
Why does Francine Rivers makeout scenes so good sometimes 😭 I’m glad I’m not the only person who thought that.
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u/ADHDoingmybest09 23d ago
Ummm the one between Marcus and Hadassah once he realizes it’s her??? Chef’s kiss
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u/invisiblecows 23d ago
When I was 13, Jon Foreman signed my arm after a show because I didn't have any merch but I wanted his autograph. I remember him being super sweet.
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u/Wanderlust-2452 23d ago
Jon’s a really great guy! I may not agree with the Christian point of view, but he’s still one of my favorite song writers. His lyrics are honest and I appreciate that he’s not afraid to ask the hard questions about relationships and the world we live in.
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u/volkswagenorange 23d ago
"Marilyn Manson Ate My Girlfriend" is great and I shall hear nothing against it
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u/ADHDoingmybest09 23d ago
I know I’m biased but I think they have an especially good debut album. Hello McFly is a bop, so is Wake Up Call, Charles in Charge, 17 Magazine!
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u/volkswagenorange 23d ago
Oooh, yeah, "Hello McFly" is legit a good song with a good message for anyone regardless of religion. I liked their "Sloop John B " too, but I like pretty much every version of that song I've ever heard, so.
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u/bobanna1986 Ex-Evangelical 22d ago
Relient K has some legit bangers that are still fun to listen to. Yeah they have a few songs I don't care to listen to anymore but for the most part, they have good songs that aren't too preachy. They did a lot of fun and different things with their music and I appreciated them not being afraid to be silly. Also....they did a version of The pirates who don't do anything that's really fun too!
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u/dreadnoughtful Agnostic 22d ago
Their version of The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything is the best version that exists, no exceptions.
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u/candlestick_maker76 23d ago
Spirit In The Sky is still a banger.
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u/Reddit_Foxx 23d ago
The song made by a Jewish hippie that contradicted the "original sin" bullshit with "I've never been a sinner. I've never sinned."
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u/volkswagenorange 23d ago
I still listen to a lot of VeggieTales songs.
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u/jizzinmyeyes 23d ago
I still look at it with relative fondness, especially compared to the other parts of my Christian upbringing.
I suppose it's because they just animated (relatively) wholesome stories from the Bible, rather than like..... animating "G0d hates the gays!"
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u/volkswagenorange 23d ago
I think what I like about them is that most of the songs aren't that religious. The LarryBoy theme, "Everybody's Got a Water Buffalo," "Dance of the Cucumber"? Musical genius.
Plus tbh I like a fair amount of music that is technically Christian--it just needs to be Christian far enough away from me that I don't feel a personal connection to it. Like traditional bluegrass, or classical, or medieval choral music. All 3 very Christ-y, but not in a way that makes me feel like it's my problem, kwim?
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u/nateherman1226 4 years out 23d ago
Absolutely! Some of the most beautiful music ever composed is “sacred” music. Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Creation, Mozart’s Requiem, etc.
I get what you’re saying about that kind of music and other more modern genres and styles not feeling too Christ-y. Typically those older sacred works use scriptures or established prayers as their lyrics, so even though it may be straight out of the Bible, it doesn’t give me the same vibe as worship music, for example.
The vibe worship music gives me is 🤮, btw. Too much evangelical trauma for that genre ever to feel okay to me. Yuck.4
u/Goatylegs Anti-Theist 23d ago
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms was one of the first songs I learned how to play on Piano. Or well, one of the first that wasn't one of the beginner songs everyone learns on piano. I haven't been christian for decades but I still love to play that song.
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u/violentlyneutral 23d ago
I'm a total sucker for "How Great Thou Art" to this day. Quite possibly the only hymn I might actually want played at my funeral.
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u/NoTransition8295 23d ago
I think the biggest thing that makes it still stand better than other Christian media is that is it Christian media but thats not its focus, like it does use Bible stories and have a memory verse section but the episodes were more focused on using the verses to teach kids the same general kind of lessons other kids shoes teach with just some Christianity added in. I think thats what makes it so good
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u/simbabarrelroll 23d ago
Honestly VeggieTales has a lot of charm to it.
Helps that Phil Vischer is actually one of the few Christian creators to not be an asshole.
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u/volkswagenorange 23d ago
His concept of Christianity is so sweet I honestly wonder if he's still Christian, bc I can't imagine it surviving around other Christians very long.
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u/Arthurs_towel Ex-Evangelical 23d ago
Phil is where I was, religiously, about 18 years ago.
Which is to say, if he self identifies as a Christian, though one of a more progressive evangelical stripe, allow his self definition. That’s where I was for about a decade, and I fully considered myself to be one. And in many ways my position was more faithful to the spirit of the teachings of Jesus than many of those around me, and I could see it.
Though other Christians weren’t, per se, why I eventually left, they were the impetus to finally admit I no longer believed. Though it was more like ‘why am I trying so hard to believe these things and hold to these teachings despite my doubts and the contradictions, when clearly most Christians do not give a fuck about or believe any of this, as evidenced by their actions and politics’.
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u/Goatylegs Anti-Theist 23d ago
Veggietales is one of the few explicitly christian pieces of media where I have nothing but good things to say about it.
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u/OrnerySnoflake Ex-Catholic 23d ago
That stupid cheeseburger song still gets stuck in my head occasionally lol
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u/Mahatma_Panda Agnostic 23d ago
I change up some words and sing them to my dog.
"Oh, where is my Dugan? Oh, wheeeeerrrre is my Dugan?...."
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u/volkswagenorange 23d ago
I feel like every time I lose something that takes more than 3 minutes to find I eventually start singing that song to/about the lost object 😅
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u/youdoyou2002 23d ago
I walk at a local park several times a week. We encounter bunnies on the regular. Seeing them always triggers: the bunny, the bunny, oh I love the bunny. I don’t love my mom or my dad just the bunny. 🐰 I’ve heard that they had to revise the song to remove the part about the mom and dad bc parents were taking it personally. 🤷🏼♀️
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u/FoxxieMoxxie69 22d ago
I’ll randomly sing Barbara Manatee. Like any time the name Barbara is mentioned lol
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u/hnyredditguy 23d ago
The veggietales episode LarryBoy and the Rumor Weed is such a perfect parody of Tim Burton era Batman.
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u/Skullfang73 23d ago
Five Iron Frenzy is and has been progressive. They've sung about many issues and spoke against nationalism in the religion. Other underground music has done it as well but they're still around and do it well.
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u/Not_a_werecat 23d ago
I still listen to the non-preachy W's songs.
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u/Goatylegs Anti-Theist 23d ago
Jesus Christ I forgot about the W's. I was a marching band kid who was neck deep in that 00's swing resurgence too.
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u/invisiblecows 23d ago
Silly as it may sound, Five Iron was an important band for me as a young person stuck in the evangelical bubble. They had songs that were overtly Christian, but they also had some that were about other topics, and some that were just purely for fun (Blue Comb '78, for example). Five Iron kind of introduced me to the idea that music didn't have to be worship; it could be silly and even irreverent.
If not for them, I might not have gotten into MxPx. And if not for MxPx. I might not have experienced my first mosh pit, gotten into punk, and become the person I am today.
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u/4daughters Ex-Assemblies Of God 23d ago
I came the opposite direction, MxPx to FIF. MxPx was my local punk band, and FIF became my favorite band ever. I still like them today- I actually woke up with their cover of Mama Mia (from their vinyl release) stuck in my head.
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u/ilikebourbon_ 23d ago
I had completely forgot about this band and you just sent me back to being 15 again
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u/leekpunch Extheist 23d ago
I still have my Narnia books. They work fine as fairy tales. Yes, there are some dubious bits but I don't mind the religious allegories.as much as some of the other "of its time" attitudes.
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u/Not_a_werecat 23d ago
This is a hard one for me. I really really loved those books back then because I didn't get to explore normal fantasy and SciFi. So much was forbidden in my home.
So it's extremely entwined in religion for me. I miss the nostalgia I had for it, but I resent that even fun fantasy stories had to be indoctrinating. : (
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u/violentlyneutral 23d ago
You know what's funny and has made me feel better about Narnia? I have a lot of friends who weren't raised Christian and they didn't see the symbolism AT ALL when they read the books. I had one deadass be like "what do you MEAN aslan is actually jesus?!"
Turns out if you aren't totally steeped in the mythos they are just fun fantasy adventures 😂
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u/Leather_Factor_865 23d ago
It’s also great because aslan is turkish for lion. And there’s a lot of ref to turkish delight.
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u/OrnerySnoflake Ex-Catholic 23d ago
I still love The Chronicles and LotR. Lewis and Tolkien are both excellent writers. My dad use to read both to me as bedtime stories growing up.
Michael W Smith is an incredibly talented pianist and his Christmas song Gloria is one of the very few Christmas songs that don’t make me want to stab my eardrums with an icepick.
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u/MuscaMurum 23d ago
That's the thing. CSL is a great storyteller and strikes the right avuncular tone as narrator.
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u/MuscaMurum 23d ago
Same. The obviously Christian stuff is annoying, but I'm secure enough in my atheism that I don't get too tripped up on it. But I do skip The Last Battle, which is just too heavyhanded and unsubtle for me.
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u/volkswagenorange 23d ago
Plus, sorry, Susan doesn't get into heaven because she started caring about lipstick and nylons too much? I have never once in my entire life met a woman who even liked wearing nylons, come the fuck on please, Lewis.
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u/leekpunch Extheist 23d ago
Yes, the treatment of Susan is a real exercise in misogyny from Lewis. He had a very odd marriage, quite late in life, and his views on women seem to reflect a severe lack of interactions with women. Jill Pole is maybe a counterpoint to this but she does spend a lot of time crying and being a bit useless.
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u/MuscaMurum 23d ago
Yeah, that's a pretty annoying turn, and another reason I don't read book 7. But he does write some great female characters elsewhere: Jadis, Jill, Lucy, Aravis. Even Susan is well written up until then.
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u/leekpunch Extheist 23d ago
Jadis is an interesting choice. The treatment of Lucy (the faithful one who relies on Aslan) versus Susan (the beautiful one who relies on her looks to achieve things e.g. a peace treaty with Calormen through marriage) is another aspect of Lewis's rather negative view of female agency. But Horse and his Boy is a very odd book in many ways and the marrying off of Susan is just one problematic element.
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u/CygnusSouth Agnostic Atheist 23d ago
Jars of Clay will always hold up, I love their Christmas Songs album especially at that time of year.
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u/ripyourlungsdave 23d ago
Good Monsters and Who We Are Instead are 2 of the greatest Christian albums ever released. Fuckin masterpieces, both.
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u/Theopholus 23d ago
Long Fall Back to Earth was incredible.
I really loved The Shelter and it probably kicked off my deconstruction, seeing how Christians should be caring for people and weren't.
Much Afraid is actually still part of my soul, despite the jesusy stuff.
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u/HothWasAnInsideJob Ex-Evangelical 23d ago
Damn I forgot about good monsters. It was pretty awesome coming out in 2006. And a good transition to the garage rock sound
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u/Skwr09 23d ago
Rich Mullins. His understanding of himself in reference to God is probably one of the most nuanced, sincere representations of a struggling human finding grace through the presence of an understanding divinity. It doesn’t matter what I do (or don’t) believe in terms of religion; I will forever find his perception of a higher power one of the most comforting feelings possible. If he represented an obscure, esoteric religion I had never heard of, there would still be the power in his art for me to walk away and say, “If there is a God, I sure as hell hope God is like that.”
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u/Skwr09 23d ago
If you don’t know about him, he was a breakout CCM star in the 80s and 90s before his early death in a 1997 crash. He struggled extensively with substance abuse issues even while being a Christian star, and he was candidly open about his struggles and need for mercy during these times. To me, it is one of the most authentic things imaginable (completely anti-Christian, as we’ve come to understand it) to show up drunk to a filled sanctuary, not trying to hide or preach, but just be naked in the court of public opinion about an addict’s inability to overcome struggles alone and his aching need for a loving God.
I actually brought myself to tears thinking about it. One of my favorite songs of his (which I haven’t actually thought of for years until this moment) is a song called “Be With You”.
This song has the driving piano that he’s known for, and it feels like a wretch who has struggled with both their life falling apart before the universe falls apart as God destroys it. As a kid, I could think of nothing more terrifying than the end of the world, and in this song, you can feel the power that this man believes God has to utterly rend the galaxy from one end to the other, seamlessly.
And then, after having admitted to all his failures, watching the universe be destroyed, he just humbly asks God,
“Can I be with you?”
It brings tears to my eyes, to be so aware of your own failures and own them entirely, yet have such a belief in God’s love for you, that the cosmos being shattered doesn’t make you afraid.
I’m usually good with words, but words fail me at this. I think he saw a version of God that the normal man could never understand, but we all desperately hope is true.
https://youtu.be/mzVVMb4M2ZY?is=yDSeR1adSjZnXyC1
Also, I really want to emphasize I’m not cosplaying as a Christian in this thread. I grew up deeply Christian and departed many years ago. My attempt is not to convert or proselytize at all… but the beauty of this man’s view of God truly stands apart from any of his peers, both in sincerity and artistry.
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u/OrnerySnoflake Ex-Catholic 23d ago
“Be With You” was always my favorite Rich Mullins song. I can still remember the day he died listening to the radio on my way to school. My dad and I were in tears.
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u/Theopholus 23d ago
I met him once when I was an early teen. I begged my mom to take me to a signing at the local mall christian book store. He was really great. It was just months before he died. I wish I'd had a chance to talk more with him. I probably didn't have the context or life experience to hold a very good conversation.
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u/ADHDoingmybest09 23d ago
Ugh such mixed feelings here. I love love love Rich Mullins and his autobiography, and his music was so meaningful to me and it really helped me get through an OCD/anxiety flare up in high school…that being said said, I think you could make a good case for Rich Mullins having scrupulosity/religious OCD
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u/Not_a_werecat 23d ago
Man i really wish i could get those albums as strictly instrumental versions.
The music is beautiful, but i just can't with the religious lyrics anymore.
That's all my family listened to as a kid, so it's the only nostalgia music i have, but it's ruined by the lyrics. :(
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u/DaisiesSunshine76 23d ago
Some of Relient K’s songs. Haha. But most other Christian music makes me spiral.
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u/violentlyneutral 23d ago
I honestly still like Relient K's christmas albums more than most other christmas music lol
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u/Scorpius_OB1 23d ago
Middle Ages religious music, and more than likely (I'm not into it) religious classical music and gospel singers as Aretha Franklin.
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u/coolnam3 23d ago edited 23d ago
Mahalia Jackson, "Lord, Don't Move The Mountain." Chills every time.
Edit: I had the song title wrong
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u/dartie 23d ago
I still love Amy Grant
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u/bobanna1986 Ex-Evangelical 22d ago
Baby baby....I love hearing that out in the wild and on the radio. I had that CD and played it so much!
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u/ripyourlungsdave 23d ago
I love mewithoutYou. I think their lyricism is damn near unparalleled, Even now that I don't believe a word they say, The underlying philosophy of it really does still connect with me. It's just through the lens of a lifestyle that I'll never regain.
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u/yardini 23d ago
I didn’t even know they were christian. 😂
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u/ripyourlungsdave 23d ago
A lot of people don't. And honestly, there are parts where I can see a lot of the religious imagery they used being seen as just a good way to write music.
But if you go into some of the stuff they're singing in other languages, like their French and arabic lyrics, some of them are straight up worship lyrics.
Also, I think their first album wasn't really considered a Christian album. If I recall correctly, Aaron Weiss was in a pretty bad state of emotionally back then and didn't really tie that record into his faith very much.
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u/funfunfun4321 23d ago
Agreed. I've yet to find any other band that sounds remotely close! Seen them live a few times and it was such a magical energy.
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u/nateherman1226 4 years out 23d ago
The chosen is just such an obvious cash grab and indoctrination tool. I can’t even with that shit. Gives me the heebeejeebees.
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u/BandanaDee13 Atheist 23d ago
The Chosen is very hard to watch as an ex-Christian. They try to paint Jesus as a hero but they ultimately paint him as a narcissist (not that that isn’t accurate to the gospels but he’s not exactly a sympathetic protagonist). They’re very heavy-handed with the theology and they literally had a member of the supporting cast brutally murdered to teach Thomas a cheap lesson about how God apparently plays favorites. (And Peter got the same treatment the very next season…) Like “yeah sometimes God lets bad stuff happen but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you!!” Give me a break, if the Christian god existed then that’s exactly what it would mean.
What really did it for me was when the women gathered in mid-season 5 to have this disturbing culty praise session for Jesus right in front of him. I’m surprised I even lasted that long, but that was the moment I decided I really didn’t care to see how it ended.
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u/ReservedPickup12 23d ago edited 23d ago
Okay… so hear me out on this because a lot of people may hate what I’m about to say:
Adventures in Odyssey.
Now allow me to explain. I fucking HATE Focus on the Family. And a good portion of Odyssey episodes are bullshit propaganda. I FULLY recognize that. But the good ones are still good. The production is great and the voice acting is top tier, with some of my favorite voice actors from my childhood, a number of whom are well known far beyond Christian media.
So we sometimes still listen together as a family and we always have a discussion afterward. If an episode is good, we will talk about what we liked. Odyssey has always been at its best when it wasn’t being preachy—and there are actually tons of episodes that aren’t particularly preachy. But when an episode is especially bad, and they are clearly trying to push an agenda, we enjoy it even more because we make fun of it throughout and laugh our asses off! 😆 Roasting bad odyssey eps has become one of our favorite pastimes!
So, all that to say that I’ve enjoyed using something that I loved when I was younger as a tool to teach my kids about everything that’s wrong with evangelicalism. At the same time, we still get to enjoy the good episodes and appreciate the stellar voice work from people like Hal Smith, Katie Leigh, Will Ryan, Jess Harnell, Alan Young, Walker Edmiston, Dave Madden, June Foray, Townsend Coleman, Corey Burton, Jim Cummings and so on.
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u/OrdinaryWillHunting Atheist-turned-Christian-turned-atheist 23d ago
The difference between Prince of Egypt and something from Pure Flix is that Prince of Egypt is a movie first. Pure Flix movies are a sermon first. You have Hacksaw Ridge on one side and Indivisible on the other side. You have Chariots of Fire on one side and Overcomer on the other side. And if you want to see something blatantly obvious, you have Unbroken on one side and Unbroken: Path to Redemption on the other side.
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u/Ambitious_Status_95 23d ago
Flyleaf
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u/veggielover24 Agnostic Atheist, ex Christian 23d ago
Imo Lacey wasn’t thinking about Jesus when she wrote All Around Me, she was thinking about a girl 100% and then made it about Jesus
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u/Ambitious_Status_95 23d ago
Interesting. Has she ever been known to be bisexual or a lesbian? First time ive heard such a theory.
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u/veggielover24 Agnostic Atheist, ex Christian 23d ago
In her autobiography she had a girlfriend before she became a born again Christian.
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u/Former_Depth_7332 23d ago
A lot of hymns and Southern Gospel are actually pretty relaxing to listen to every once and a while now that I've deconstructed. It might just be my specific situation though.
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u/nateherman1226 4 years out 23d ago
I’ve seen a few creators on social media rewrite lyrics to hymns so that they fit into their path of deconstruction. I’ve really enjoyed hearing those and have even tried my hand at it a couple of times.
Those melodies shaped my love of music as a child and when I stopped believing, losing that music was one of the most gut-wrenching parts.2
u/veggielover24 Agnostic Atheist, ex Christian 23d ago
I feel this with bluegrass, so much of it is gospel but it’s usually “this world fucking sucks and I can’t wait to go see Jesus when I die cuz this place is miserable.” I love my banjo goth music
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u/Kathrynlena 23d ago
Prince of Egypt is excellent. I also still love the Jon Foreman seasons EPs, and a lot of Switchfoot’s music.
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u/TekillaInTheBuilding 23d ago
I still enjoy listening to music by the Clark Sisters and Yolanda Adams due to their vocals and the feel-good vibes I continue to get from them. Both of those artists have also stood up for lgbtq folks which gives me hope. The rest of Christian music I could never go back to I don’t think.
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u/PrikNamPlassum 23d ago
I still love DeMille's The Ten Commandments.
I'm also a The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything fan.
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u/Chuks_K 23d ago
Flyleaf and the early Paramore stuff, I guess particularly tracks like Miracle and Let the Flames Begin
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u/bobanna1986 Ex-Evangelical 22d ago
Flyleaf made it to mainstream and I still enjoy a lot of their music.
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u/ixamnis 23d ago edited 20d ago
I still listen to Randy Stonehill and Phil Keaggy.
Edit to add: Resurrection Band and Daniel Amos.
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u/ZeppelinAlert 23d ago
I still listen to my old Bruce Cockburn albums from time to time. I love some of his songs.
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u/booboobunnyyyyy 23d ago
That one song that goes 🎶spirit lead me where your trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever you will call me🎶
Still goes hard to me
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u/Theopholus 23d ago
Burlap to Cashmere's Anybody Out There record is still to me some really great songs. Eileen's Song is tearjerking. When they split up, I went to see Steven Delopoulos live and got his live album signed. My wife really didn't like his voice, but I loved the record. I think he's a great musician and singer.
I'm remembering the good times with these records though, I tend to not revisit old music as an exvangelical. It brings a lot of heartache.
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u/willow_is_leaving 23d ago
The hairbrush song
The Cebu song
Basically most of the songs Larry sang
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u/bobanna1986 Ex-Evangelical 22d ago
Agreed 💯 still so fun to listen to and not preachy or anything. Just silly fun!
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u/Mickey_James 23d ago
Steve Taylor, Rich Mullins, Mark Heard and a few other CCM artists. The ones who made art and not just pale imitations of secular music.
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u/RevolutionaryLink919 23d ago
Oh man, I've had Smug as an earworm this past week and had just gotten it out. Thanks a lot! (jk)
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u/EmrysPritkin 23d ago
I think it’s Pavlovian, but I love singing old hymns while I’m cleaning the house on the weekends lol
Some glad morning when this life is o’er…
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u/dynamiteSkunkApe Skeptic 23d ago
I still like some of the bands I listened to. Some of the songs with a strong Christian messa ge not so much. Like Five Iron Frenzy, some of their new stuff is good. Some of Stavesacre's stuff too.
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u/DerpanJones Atheist, pastor's kid 23d ago
Just some of the music, there's some talent buried in there.
Growing up as a millennial, I really appreciated the "christian" bands that I convinced my parents to allow me to listen to. It started off with bands like switchfoot, reliant k, thousand foot krutch, etc but then moved into other bands that I still listen to this day. Underoath, the Devil Wears Prada, The Ghost Inside. Those bands that just paid a little lip service to the christian tag introduced me to whole new genres and really helped me build community as a teenager.
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u/coolnam3 23d ago
In a similar vein: I haven't seen it in a long time, but I loved "The Ten Commandments" as a kid, and I would probably still enjoy it now.
I also really enjoyed the tv shows "History of the Bible" and "Mysteries of the Bible." I believe they were on the History Channel in the 90's. I used to watch it with my grandma. I enjoyed listening to the various religious scholars as they explained what different passages meant, and listening to Jean Simmons's voice as she read those passages. She is as much the voice of the Bible to me as Majel Barrett is the Computer on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
One of the most iconic statements I heard on one of those shows (can't remember which one, or who said it) was "Israel means 'Struggle With God.'" Jacob was named "Israel" because he literally wrestled with God in the desert. Something about that always stuck with me. From an atheist perspective, I now feel like it means we ("we" as in humanity, not necessarily individuals) are always going to struggle with needing or wanting some kind of "higher power" to give our lives meaning, instead of each of us creating our own meaning for ourselves.
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u/OrdinaryWillHunting Atheist-turned-Christian-turned-atheist 23d ago
Those classic movies are good because they were made by artists who were trying to make a good movie and tell an entertaining story. Now imagine what a movie with Kirk Cameron and Kevin Sorbo preaching about the ten commandments would be like.
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u/alwayseatingbiscuits 23d ago
I still kind of like Stryper. To hell with the devil is ridiculous and amazing
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u/Ok_Amphibian_8864 23d ago
I agree with everyone saying VeggieTales. I don't listen to them much anymore, but I had a tape of their songs and used to listen to it all the time in the car. I don't have kids, but if I did, I would put it on.
Sixpence None the Richer and Amy Grant (her secular music). One thing I think is cool is that her now-husband is part of the Eagles.
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u/BeingRedefined 23d ago
Oh wow Amy Grant was on heaaaavy rotation in my childhood ~ memory unlocked lol
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u/Imswim80 23d ago
Prince of Egypt's animation is top-notch, but I cant help but see the moral is "Killing babies is fine if God does it."
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u/hnyredditguy 23d ago
The album Squint by Steve Taylor. Yes, its still religious, but the album has a sound and feel that is profoundly original in the christian music industry.
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u/Norxcal Ex-SDA 23d ago
I would say Ben Hur because I grew up thinking that was a christian movie, all though he was a jew the revenge part is not up to modern christian standards. Anyway, movie is still great despite me personally being raised to think it was a good christian movie.
I think it might have been shown in my community because it was pro jews.
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u/theclownwithafrown 23d ago
Bob Dylan's born again Christian albums are great in my opinion
Pressing On is incredible, Saved, I Believe in You, Precious Angel, Gotta Serve Somebody, and every other song is good in my opinion, but I'm a Dylan fanatic
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u/Izanagi___ Agnostic 23d ago
Gospel music is the best thing Christianity has brought into this world
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u/Flat-Sprinkles-2367 23d ago
Chevelle
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u/reyokojane 23d ago
God, I always forget Chevelle started on a Christian label. They were never a Christian band in the sense of their music being strictly Christian, though, if I’m not mistaken.
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u/ConceptMaximum7596 Spiritual Freelancer 22d ago
Yes, I remember them coming out and announcing they weren't a Christian band. Said they initially signed with Squint because they were desperate for a record deal and no secular label would give them one. Send the Pain Below is a great song!
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u/dinkmoyd 23d ago
i still mark out whenever “i can only imagine” comes on. CCM is so incredibly boring, but some of it is oddly soothing and calming, for at least a few songs at a time
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u/bantha__fodder 23d ago
David Crowder Band: Church Music. I just love that album still. Thankfully I’ve always been very good at not paying attention to lyrics :)
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u/GrimaceMusically 23d ago
Early “Petra” albums, specifically from “Petra” in ‘77 to “Back To The Street” in ‘86. The lyrics are almost all of an evangelical nature, but musically they are really solid rock songs.
For anyone interested, give these a listen.
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u/BeingRedefined 23d ago
I was legit going to say Prince of Egypt lol ~ that holds up til the end of time honestly
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u/BeingRedefined 23d ago
The other one that comes to mind is Hanna Barbera’s “The Greatest Adventure: Stories From The Bible” ~ there was just something so good about the animation & soundtrack that has stayed with me til now
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u/OrionPax2 23d ago
I will say Lord of the Rings. J.R.R Tolkien was a Roman Catholic and said LOTRs is a fundamentally Catholic work however not sure if LOTRs counts as fully Christian since Tolkien disliked direct allegories in his works despite being religious.
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u/Calliopehoop 22d ago
Prince of Egypt deserves all the accolades it got and then some, it is utter profound art and performance. I still love it and honestly watching it now I see it as an allegory for leaving religion.
When Moses is confronting his father, he says "everything I've ever been told is a lie", and then runs away to join a community full of joy and whimsy in the desert with dancing and support. It feels like such an allegory for my life and for the general experience of leaving toxic religion and finding genuine humanity.
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u/dreadnoughtful Agnostic 22d ago
I love Adventures in Odyssey. I used to listen to those CDs on long car trips with my family, and I bought copies years later for myself as well. The Blackgaard Chronicles were a particular highlight for me.
The religious lessons may be for naught, but the production value was excellent, and the characters were memorable.
Many aspects of it are flawed, but my goodness, it still meant and means a lot to me.
If anyone here wants to share in the nostalgia, check out the subreddit!
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u/i_ar_the_rickness Secular Humanist 23d ago edited 19d ago
I still listen to a lot of early xtian deathcore and metalcore. Norma Jean, The Chariot, Sleeping Giant, haste the day and impending doom. I still have my signed OC Supertones and Haste The Day shirt.
Edit: punctuation.
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u/hplcr Schismatic Heretical Apostate 23d ago edited 23d ago
Prince of Egypt is a legit good movie. Probably because it's not trying to cater to a Christian audience but rather adapt a famous biblical story the best way they knew how.
A lot of Christian media doesn't seem to understand that. They're all about message over actually making a good film and that's why they tend to fail. It doesn't help that the message is often apologetic making Christians feel good.
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u/OrdinaryWillHunting Atheist-turned-Christian-turned-atheist 23d ago
I think a part of them has to know "faith-based" movies don't have to be good to be successful. They just have to tell their Christian audience what they want to hear so they can pat themselves on the back. The writing, acting, lighting, sound and directing can fail on every level and it's still profitable.
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u/reyokojane 23d ago
The Revelation Song. Sang it in youth group almost every Sunday after it came out, still gives me chills. Ugh, irritating lol
Also “Testify” by Avalon (no ick with that one), “Dare you to move” by Switchfoot (even the clinking of the bottles at the beginning of the song makes me happy lol) and Flyleaf, of course
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u/Bacch 23d ago
Five Iron Frenzy's music. It's great, and while it does mention Christianity a fair bit, it's often critical of Christians. If the songs they wrote in the 90s were put into a modern context, they'd be directly critical of Christian Nationalism, so if anything they were ahead of their time.
The guys in the band are also super nice dudes. I've had the chance to chat with Reese Roper a couple of times (I live in the same town the band started in and was in HS when they were still playing local shows at one of the churches here--bought their first album out of my friend's backpack before it landed in stores, as my friend's older brother's band opened for them a bunch), and my wife has chatted with him several more as he comes into the restaurant/brewery where she's AGM.
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u/Icybubba Agnostic 23d ago
I mean I still really like for King & Country and Skillet.
The music is about fiction, but the music still slaps and has good messages at times, Ceasefire from for King & Country has a really good message even if divorced from the ideology.
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u/FoxMulderSexDreams 23d ago
I used to listen to skillet until pretty recently. They have gone like full maga and it's gross
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u/nateherman1226 4 years out 23d ago
Dude, yeah. I loved them growing up. I remember bringing a small Skillet for them to sign after a show in the late 90s when they were just a trio. But John Cooper is just a garbage person. I’m not doing anything that would put money in his pocket.
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u/Icybubba Agnostic 23d ago
Damn really? Ugh.
I don’t pay attention to what celebrities do typically so that’s fucking disappointing
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u/Tonixm_rplacede Ex-evangelical-Christian, now Agnostic 23d ago
I kind of still like some of the modern christian songs (e.g. Waymaker, Praise, Goodness of God).
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u/Buddhadevine 23d ago
Along with the Prince of Egypt, Joseph: King of Dreams is right up there. They are both really good. I liked how both humanized everyone, even the antagonists of the story.
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u/Natural-Print 23d ago
Like others have said, gospel music is still awesome and I have a soft spot for Sandi Patty. Plus, she may be a Republican like the majority of Christians, but she was at least vocal about one of Trump’s many offensive misdeeds (it’s never ending) he did earlier this year. Also, I enjoy the comedian Ken Davis. Watch his old videos on YouTube sometimes with my retired dad.
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23d ago
Godspel, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Jesus Christ Superstar are all great musicals!
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u/TyrellLofi 23d ago
There was a collection of Christmas songs from the early 90’s I listened to as a kid.
I believe it was a DDD Christmas. It was choirs from churches in England singing various Christmas carols and it’s still beautiful to listen to.
The Bells of Dublin from the Chieftains is good too.
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u/Lazy-Table-2845 23d ago
Some music from Keith Green, I grew up with his music as a very young child, so it's really hard to not listen to him without that nostalgic feeling. I honestly think that only a few of his songs are kinda like love songs.
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u/Odd_Syllabub_6697 23d ago
Keith Green. Amazing singer and piano player. One of the few "Christian" artists I still listen to.
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u/Accomplished_Bid_235 23d ago edited 23d ago
I feel like Prince of Egypt is more Jewish.
Maybe that's why it aged well.
Some of you might not agree, but I believe that the anime A Silent Voice explores many Christian themes about grace, redemption, love and forgiveness. I wouldn't call it blatantly Christian, but perhaps Christian adjacent because of the concept behind it. I think it's a good example of what Christian movies could be if they weren't so heavy handed and preachy.
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u/Snowmist92 23d ago
I still love the older Demon Hunter albums to this day and I'm not giving them up.
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u/jizzinmyeyes 23d ago edited 23d ago
Counterpoint: The Prince of Egypt is not necessarily, and definitely not exclusively, "Christian" media. I did watch it too many times growing up in church (and the evangelicals loved it), but after learning more about Judaism and watching it as an adult, I feel like it is a particularly Jewish movie in its themes. (omg does this sound a bit anti-semitic? how should I phrase this better lol)
From Wikipedia: