LETTERS

National Catholic Reporter, March 26, 1999

How does one define contemporary Christian music? It's not just the beat or the chord progressions or the "feel." More than that, it's the message. The message of todays contemporary Christian music fits the spirituality of young people who are living in the here and now.

I am a firm believer that our Catholic musical heritage is valuable, and it is the duty of those who plan and implement liturgical music to balance traditional music with contemporary.

Mr. Helfman called those who make contemporary Christian music "a lot of big sinners." I strongly challenge him on that. First, cast the first stone, Mr. Helfman. Secondly, is it a sin to try to reach the young and vibrant of today, those who have the energy to make our communities come alive? The aesthetic values of today's contemporary Christian music are as valid and valuable today as anything written by Bach or Martin Luther.

In another light, I scarcely think that those who are producing Catholic music (Steve Angrisano, Tom Booth and others) are making a living solely by doing so. Sure, you've got your Steven Curtis Chapmans, your Amy Grants and others who are making big bucks. Exploitation? No. Honest, Christian music? Yes.

Listen to the message, Mr. Helfman. When the saints come marching in, do you really think they'll be singing without trumpet blasts and cymbal clash, without harp and lyre, without tambourines, strings, cymbals? How boring!

JIM NETUSIL Crystal Lake, Ill.

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