How Christian is Country Music?

By Timothy Yap Apr 22, 2015 09:01 AM EDT

Country music has always had an intrinsic relationship with Christianity and family values. It's the only secular genre that publicly embraces songs that are distinctively Christian in there themes and titles. Ever since 1927, the Carter Family charted on the country charts with the immortal Christian classic "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?"

Over the years, many country stars with some career longevity would record at least one or more Christian albums, and such artists include veterans such as George Jones, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Red Forley, Crystal Gayle, Tammy Wynette, Jimmy Rodgers and even Barbara Mandrell. When she was at the peak of her career with morally dubious hits like "If Loving You is Wrong (I Don't Want to be Right)," Barbara Mandrell recorded a full-length Gospel album entitled "He Set My Life to Music," an album that won the singer a Grammy Award.

In modern day country, Vince Gill himself scored a career hit with "Go Rest High on that Mountain," a song that has become a staple at funeral these days. And who can forget Randy Travis' #1 "Three Wooden Crosses," a modern day parable that brings to life the message of the Cross of Jesus? The King of country himself, George Strait, had a #1 record with "I Saw God Today." While American Idol winner Carrie Underwood first anchored herself in the charts with her debut single "Jesus, Take the Wheel." And let's not forget Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton heaven looking duet "When I Reach the Place I'm Going."

Nevertheless, has country music changed? Is it still a genre that honors Christian values? With Florida Georgia Line, Toby Keith, Luke Bryan, Chase Rice and others all singing about partying, drinking, sex and treating women as objects to gork at, has country lost its Christian roots? Little Big Town has rattled the fence even further this year with their new single "Girl Crush," a song that hints at lesbian sex. Moreover, Ty Herndon has recently announced that he will be one of the first country artists that will sing about gay-related relationships in his forthcoming album.

But not all is bleak. Carrie Underwood has also returned with her #1 single "Something in the Water," a song that speaks about how God's amazing grace can change a person's life around. As music goes around in circles, let's hope that the Bro-country themes has run its course and country music will return back to its roots that are family-oriented and Christian in its focus.