Ten “Secular” Albums Every Christian Needs To Hear

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Ten “Secular” Albums Every Christian Needs To Hear (In No Particular Order)

  1. “Funeral” by Arcade Fire
    (How can an album so bogged down with death be so life-affirming?)
  2. “Time Out Of Mind” by Bob Dylan
    (One poet’s conversations with God about mortality and death)
  3. “The Joshua Tree” by U2
    (An American spiritual and musical masterpiece by an Irish band)
  4. “Seven Swans” by Sufjan Stevens
    (A quiet collection of beautiful songs of spiritual reflection)
  5. “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” by Wilco
    (A complete story of a man who breaks a heart, regrets it, and can only
    long for what he lost – something tells me it’s about more than just a girl)
  6. “Kid A” by Radiohead
    (A dark and hopeless view of an earth without God, eventually ending up in heaven, strangely enough)
  7. “Pop” by U2
    (A misunderstood collection of songs reminiscent of the psalms of David… the dark and terrifying psalms, to be exact)
  8. “Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus” by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
    (A double-album of harsh and sometimes troubling spirituality)
  9. “Civilians” by Joe Henry
    (Beautiful prayers and political songs aplenty)
  10. “Love & Theft” by Bob Dylan
    (Time Out Of Mind Part 2, just, y’know… more upbeat)

Joel Edwards is the 15 year old son of Paul Edwards and entering the Tenth Grade this fall. You can email him at joel@godandculture.com.

6 thoughts on “Ten “Secular” Albums Every Christian Needs To Hear”

  2. I believe that to be true Joel based on Titus 1:15 If you already have a “divine” bent, you can see the hand of the Lord everywhere!

  3. Anthony,
    I wouldn’t necessarily categorize U2 as Christian music, I would call it music made by Christians (and there is a difference). I personally believe that most of CCM is the kind of music that makes God wrinkle his nose and go, “Wha?” But that’s just me and I definately don’t have any scripture or anything to back that opinion up.

    I’ve always been under the impression that when Jesus said, “Go into the world and make disicples of every nation,” he really meant to GO and spread the gospel, not to create our own niches and market music and movies that would only appeal to Christians. That’s why I find more enjoyment in music by the likes of U2 and Sufjan Stevens, because they can take elements of a sinful and dark world and make it point towards something divine.

    But now I’m getting off topic.

  4. Giggling with rememberance…at work one day a much younger co-worker asked me,”When you use to like music, what did you listen to????” *: ) *: )

  6. Joel,
    Some would argue that U2 is a contemporary Christian band. I would love to hear your thoughts and the thoughts of others on U2 specifically.

    I’m a little bias as they are one of my favorite bands, but I wouldn’t classify their music as Christian.

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