The Christian Music Thread Genre • Page 39

Yeah, they did an intro podcast explaining it (is that what you've listened to?) I felt like what they had worked really well so not sure about this. Also, they're going to take down all the original episodes and those will be bonus content for people that pay for the new thing. It sounds like they want to create a community so the free bit will be what's on the edited podcast and then there will be the full interviews available for everyone else. Something like that. We'll see.

I just want podcasts about old bands and their albums, ha! A lot of the podcasts have featured bands ("before my time") I wasn't familiar with and it's been really interesting. And then there have been great episodes about mewithoutYou and As Cities Burn etc. that have just been generally engaging and informative.

 

There's something about the name "Bad Christian" that rubs me the wrong way haha

 

I know what you mean but I still enjoy the podcast even though I find them all infuriating at times.

I've never had a problem with this but I remember they got a lot of heat at the beginning. Out of everything controversial they do (I'm thinking the swearing, some of the guests etc), the explanation for Bad Christian (ie. no one is a 'good' Christian) seemed to make the most sense.

I will say I enjoy the podcast most when they have other members of bands as guests. I just think those interviews are the best and most interesting. Their skills at interviewing other guests varies.

 

Yeah it was the intro podcast that came out last week. I'm trying to be optimistic about the new episodes but I agree on just wanting to hear band/album stories. I mean, without the ACB episode would there even be a tour/possible new music?

At least it wasn't just "we need money, pay for new content." The bonus content could be cool but hope they don't sacrifice what worked so well

 

I always liked the spirit of the name, like stated below that no one is a "good" Christian. Especially growing up in the Dutch CRC church where there was such an focus on looking the part and less about the growth, it did speak to me. I just find him t be.......unlikable? haha

Yeah, I have never been able to get through a full episode because I tend to just lose patience with Matt specifically, but them all to an extent. I get the concept they are going for and all, but it comes off so intentional sometimes and fake almost.

I dunno, I find myself aligning a lot with Dustin Kensrue, or at least feeling more comfortable with his approach which is a bit more measured, I think.

 

Totally understand that but at the same without that context it does give off a certain... attitude. And the idea that no one is a “good” Christian is hardly revolutionary or provocative to me but to each their own. Totally see why people would like that transparency

 

I am so weary of Christians equating rawness and honesty with vulgarity and abrasiveness. That's the main reason Bad Christian drives me insane. I feel judged because I don't broadcast my drinking habits or regularly drop the F-bomb in casual conversation. It's like there's some level of transparency that I haven't reached yet. Truth is, I'm super raw with the brother who disciples me and a couple of my closest friends, I'd just never trust my personal baggage with folks who are always out for controversy. I prefer to entrust my soul to people who I know are going to care for it, which just so happens to be those who are more careful with their words. We need more restorative honesty, not just honesty for the sake of honesty.

 

That said, I really do love Matt and Toby. I think they're hilarious and I do respect their genuineness. They just drive me insane sometimes.

 

Blindside rules.

The whole Emery/Bad Christian crew is the worst. I really enjoy Labeled in spite of them being awful... But, yeah, their attitude is so consistently obnoxious.

I'll never forget listening to an excerpt of them talking to the Gungors around the time of one of the backlashes to their theology. The Gungors just wanted to work out their beliefs, take care of their family, and mind their own business, but the Bad Christian crew was obsessed with getting a good quote against the evangelical church.

They're as bad as the church culture they love critiquing.

 

Fuck off with this noise. Incredible band and great people

 

Well said, friend.

 

“Eve” is a Christian music masterpiece

 

Someone PM me the new album a couple weeks ago, but I got wayy too distracted with all the wonderful new music as of late so I slept on it. Now the release date is so close might as well wait for a Spotify listen lol. Real excited to listen though, you've definitely been doing a good job hyping it up haha

 

Honestly, I wasn't super impressed at first, but it's growing on me rapidly. Still not quite as amped as you are about it yet, and not sure I will be, but it is super solid and only getting better with time. Thanks again for the PM!!

 

I totally understand this and no one should be made to feel like that. I particularly feel like they were like that at the beginning for most of the episodes, whereas now it's at least a rant or two every episode or so. You're right, equating vulgarity or edgy behaviour with being raw and honesty just isn't what anyone should be going for. I've never took that from them (I don't drink which is super rare for people in the UK and I don't swear) and usually just roll my eyes. But yes, hadn't considered how those ideas could be destructive. Would much rather people are in discipleship relationships such as yours, which are fruitful for growth.

Blindside does rule!

They were so bad at interviewing back then. They still can be quite bad, ha.

I still find it an interesting and enjoyable listen. Because American Christianity is a beast in its own right I find myself disconnected from what they're saying and can listen without getting too involved with their negative aspects. But as I said, I roll my eyes a lot. And face palm quite a bit too. They can be quite ignorant sometimes, but they also know it. Like, I love your last line - them being as bad as the culture they're critiquing - but I feel they know that. They're conscious of it and that makes it listenable rather than some blind collection of people who just lack self-awareness and humility.

Yes, it really is.

 

Isn’t the point of the bad Christian podcast to essentially make fun of some of the stereotypes of Christianity and allow people to understand they can still believe in whatever they want but to also be open minded about other opinions as well?

 

See, I don't buy into the self-aware defense. I especially don't think being so self-aware in one's attitude in this way is humble; I think it's the opposite. I've given a pass to too many self-aware jerks over the years who ended up having less integrity than I'd assumed (not that this holds true in every case, of course, but the trend is hard to ignore).

I don't know the guys personally. I'm sure they're super nice in one-on-one interaction, probably regardless of background. And, I haven't heard anything from 'em in a minute, so for all I know, they could've matured in the past year. But, my gosh is the way they've often presented themselves awful.

Like, you can have inner conflict and baggage with religion, and belief in general, and not be trolls in the process. And, if being a dick is how you're sharing your faith, you've got something mixed up in your understanding. And, you can be honest and not a legalistic whitewashed tomb, and still be called into a deeper life in the midst of that freedom. That's ultimately what freedom is for: maturation, not complacency.

 

I didn't realize bringing up the Labeled podcast would turn into a such a long discussion...

I love the Labeled Podcast but haven't been able to get into the BC podcast for a lot of the same reasons listed

 

JFH top 100 T&N albums list is up now. Aside from some minor nitpicking I can't argue too much with the list or the top 10. Great memories of some of my favorite bands.

JesusfreakHideout.com: Top 100 Tooth & Nail Albums of All Time

 

Yeah, NTFP above Cities is crazy, but I'm happy both are on there. Cities, Brother Sister, and The Everglow would be my #1, #2, and #3 respectively so it's cool to see all three of those in the top 10.

 

Agreed, not sure how NTFP is ever above Cities but both top 10 so its minor. I know we did top 10 lists a while ago but I never actually ranked them. The Everglow, Come Now Sleep and Cities would be my top 3... but I also want Ixora and Brother Sister in my top 3!

 

I'll just quote my list below instead of retyping it.

Let me tell you though. I'm listening to Silent Planet's new album right now and holy cow.

 

I do know what you mean and wasn't trying to defend them. I mainly listen to the podcast for entertainment and the music side rather than spiritual formation (I've found The Liturgists and The Deconstructionists to be much more helpful for my spiritual walk and place of questions and doubt). I agree that the way they have presented themselves has at times been awful. What I have seen is them learning, changing beliefs, trying to communicate better and apologise when they've got things wrong. That's what I mean by self-awareness. Yes, they still say ridiculous things. Yes, they do seem to say things or do things just for the controversy.

I don't personally think they think being a dick is how they share their faith but I may be misreading you there. And I definitely think they have been anything but complacent. As I said, I roll my eyes at least five or six times per episode, but I've been pleased to see them question their beliefs about sexuality, heaven/hell, women & gender etc. Yes, they do still get it wrong (a lot of the time) but I see people who are growing and listening within that. It may be small but it's definitely not complacency.

It's not for everyone and that's fine. I can see the bad things. I think there are many. But I still enjoy it for what it is.

 

Matt and Toby seem very teachable from what I've heard and seen. I really appreciate that.

 

I agree with most of the list, I would move some records around though. I personally would have added Lost In The Sound Of Separation and Everything Was Sound.