| Christian contemporary music has gone through many | | | | The questionable artists were soon outnumbered by |
| changes over the years. The origins can be found | | | | real talents. Christian artists like Petra, an early |
| mainly during the Jesus Movement of the late 60's. | | | | pioneer in Christian rock formed in 1972, started to |
| Artists like Larry Norman paved the way for the | | | | gain popularity in the eighties. Petra essentially set the |
| many Christian music artists of today. During that | | | | bar for future Christian bands. The quality of God |
| time there were also songs released on the | | | | songs being released by Christian bands really started |
| mainstream airwaves that praised Jesus and got his | | | | to improve. More and more people were finding |
| message out there. Songs like "Put Your Hand in the | | | | quality Christian music that fit their tastes. |
| Hand" by Ocean even made it high in the hot 100 and | | | | Petra's popularity carried well in to the nineties. More |
| were really getting exposure. There was resistance | | | | and more styles were being incorporated into |
| however many people didn't believe the life style that | | | | Christian music. DC Talk went from Christian hip hop |
| rock stars generally led could mix with the message | | | | to more of a grunge sound. T-Bone started to |
| being told. Even with the detractors the popularity of | | | | release a Christian alternative to gangsta rap. The |
| these God songs continued to rise and more people | | | | nineties were the beginnings of a great time in |
| began to be won over. | | | | Christian music. Today Christian music is a widely |
| Unfortunately as popularity continued to rise the | | | | accepted and popular music genre. The style has |
| bandwagon effect became apparent. Some bands | | | | evolved right along with other popular music. Bands |
| who may not have been talented enough to make it | | | | like Jars of Clay release albums that debut on the |
| mainstream were releasing some sub par God songs. | | | | billboard mainstream chart. Christian music artists star |
| Due to there not being many Christian bands these | | | | in feature films like T-Bone in "The Fighting |
| albums were being released to try and fill a void. This | | | | Temptations." God songs are regularly featured in |
| is a problem that many fledgling music genres see. | | | | popular mainstream television shows. There will |
| Were these bands truly trying to deliver Christ's | | | | always be detractors, but this should not discourage |
| message or trying to make a quick buck? Only God | | | | people from checking out Christian music. |
| know what's in the heart of man. | | | | |