Author, God Gave Rock & Roll to You: a History of CCM @OUPReligion | Affil. Scholar @PRRI | Pods: @PRX #RTDR | #SpiritandPower | #WeirdReligion
Yes, the revivals in Toronto and Pensacola had very different outcomes
StephenThis article touches on something I'm writing about in my book: the charismatic dominionism of the NAR and adjacent circles should be understood against the backdrop of 1990s revivals that did not lead to the right-wing sociopolitical changes that many Pentecostals and charismatics had hoped for.
“Brian Doerksen gave evangelicalism its soundtrack but not its current theology” - Yours Truly on how the “Jesus is my boyfriend” sounds of Doerksen & the Vineyard gave way to the rock ‘em sock ‘em militarism of top-selling worship music today: religionnews.com/2026/07/30/b...
Brian Doerksen gave evangelicalism its soundtrack but not its current theology(RNS) — Today's evangelical worship culture often reflects a very different vision of God than the one Doerksen’s songs proclaimed.religionnews.comWhy are there so many Christian Metalcore Bands? I enjoyed speaking with Laura Bradley of @thefringeblog.bsky.social about Xian Metalcore, American politics & gender - check it out here! www.thefringe.blog/p/the-story-...
Why Are There So Many Christian Metalcore Bands?How bands like Underoath, The Devil Wears Prada, Norma Jean, and more conquered a corner of the hardcore scene.www.thefringe.blogThanks, Austin! Yes, God Gave Rock and Roll to You argues that American evangelicalism has been "Pentecostalized" through song. In the aughts, this was a source of frustration for Reformed folks like John Piper. www.amazon.com/God-Gave-Roc...
Michael "Austin" KamenickyThis is actually in many ways a story about music. Reformed evangelicals started listening to and singing Pentecostal and Charismatic music. This had observable effects on their theology and ecumenical attitude. @drleahpayne.bsky.social is the real authority here.
Worship music is everywhere these days! I spoke with @bmietana.bsky.social for this segment of NPR’s All Things Considered about how songs like How Great Is Our God give political gatherings spiritual significance: www.npr.org/2026/05/27/n...
Why an apolitical worship song has become popular with conservative activistsA Christian worship song has turned up everywhere from prayer services at the Pentagon to the Charlie Kirk memorial service. The song is apolitical, so what accounts for its use at political events?www.npr.org“The Nicolae Carpathia character is really helpful because that character is a proxy for a certain evangelical critique of cosmopolitan European culture“ - I enjoyed speaking w/ @miguelpetrosky.bsky.social for his @therevealer.bsky.social piece on the Euro Antichrist therevealer.org/european-ant...
European Antichrist — The RevealerWhy many right-wing evangelicals disdain Western Europetherevealer.orgMother’s Day weekend is a great weekend to think about a Mother of CCM
Leah Payne“Her legacy is secure as a CCM icon, and so I don’t think it’s surprising that we’ve seen her over the last few years continue to have a mind of her own.” - Amy Grant, queen of CCM, challenged evangelical norms, even as she was marketed as the epitome of Christian womanhood. wpln.org/post/amy-gra...
“Her legacy is secure as a CCM icon, and so I don’t think it’s surprising that we’ve seen her over the last few years continue to have a mind of her own.” - Amy Grant, queen of CCM, challenged evangelical norms, even as she was marketed as the epitome of Christian womanhood. wpln.org/post/amy-gra...
Amy Grant grapples with the Trump era and her own mortality in "The Me That Remains"Amy Grant steers her new album, "The Me That Remains," towards social consciousness.wpln.org“Regardless of the outcome, this lawsuit illustrates why many news outlets are reluctant to break stories of abuse, and why many industry insiders were/are reluctant to speak publicly about what was, according to reporting on the subject, an open secret in CCM" www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
What Newsboy founder's MercyMe lawsuit reveals about Christian musicAfter sexual abuse allegations against Michael Tait rocked contemporary Christian music, a new suit could further disrupt the Nashville-based industry.www.tennessean.comThis week on Rock that Doesn't Roll: THE @timdillinger.bsky.social! substack.com/home/post/p-...
The lessons of 1985Plus, order some coffee to support the showsubstack.comThanks, Ryan Lytton, for including God Gave Rock & Roll to You: a History of Contemporary Christian Music as one of 14 Books on Church History: A Guide to Your Spiritual Heritage! www.logos.com/grow/nook-be...
14 Books on Church History: A Guide to Your Spiritual HeritageChurch history is a vast subject. Where does one begin? Ryan Lytton gives the best titles to start one’s study of Christianity’s colorful past.www.logos.comThere are so many fascinating details in this photo essay of the Asbury Outpouring by Dr. Lisa Weaver Swartz: lisaweaverswartz.com/2023/02/22/r...
Revival Fire and Small-town Traffic Jams: A Photo Essay on Asbury UniversityAt some point we will use words to explore what unfolded around us here in Wilmore, Kentucky over the past two weeks. But right now, we are just too busy, and too close to it all. So, for the momen…lisaweaverswartz.comLeah PayneNew from Yours Truly on Substack: reflections on my recent trip to Asbury University, with a special shout out to the gorgeous and insightful photo essay of the 2023 Asbury Outpouring by Dr. Lisa Weaver Swartz! substack.com/home/post/p-...
I was happy to talk with @liamsadams.bsky.social of The Tennessean about how CCM figures like John Cooper of Skillet have emerged as conservative influencers in the 21st century: www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
Christian media adapts as influencers reshape Nashville-based industryWith explosion in podcasting and video streaming, Christian media leaders in Nashville are once more at an inflection point.www.tennessean.com