{Note: This has been heavily edited since it’s first posting}
I know you are getting tired of me posting today 
, but there is something that I feel I need to mention. I am still listening to the free songs I told you about two posts down, and I felt I needed to make a comment. Remember my post about music, and fake Christian artists? Today, I’d like to mark one of the artists on the free download as a fake Christian band, and one you should probably steer away from. That band is named Family Force 5. With all due respect to Matt at TFCMB, who said he really liked the song (there is nothing wrong with liking it, by the way, just accepting it as Christian), I hereby proclaim the artist Family Force 5 as not only a non-Christian artist, but a secular artist. How they ever managed to label themselves, and get people to believe it, I’ll never know. They are dance/crunk, and I actually regarded them as Christian at one time, although a little skeptically. Allow me to quote some of their lyrics here, from the song in the free download I recommended to you:
(Fever’s got me sweating and you know I’m burning up)
Hey, you, did you turn up the heat?
It’s getting hotter and I’m growing weak.
Maybe it’s because you’re standing close to me
I’m coming down with something feverishly.
and:
(turn up the heat)
Fever
(come on and get sick with me)
Give me what you got, cause you know it’s getting hot
Fever
(I’m turning flush)
Fever
(I’m burning up)
Fever’s got me sweating and you know I’m burning up.
This band should be regarded the same way as you regard any secular crunk, pop, or dance band. If that type of music does not bother you spiritually, then you should be fine. However, if you have a problem with secular music, I’d suggest you approach this group very carefully. Secular music does not affect me, and it does not affect a lot of people. I used to listen to their music regularly, before I started to dislike that genre, and I tell you that every song I have listened to (that they wrote) of theirs has been basically the same as this one. With songs such as “Love Addict,” and “X-girlfriend,” and “Drama Queen,” I do not see how these people could ever claim Christianity. The only Christian song they have is a re-mix of one of DC-Talks’s songs, and those lyrics are not their own. When I originally posted this, I admit my language was significantly harsher than it needed to be. However, I still believe that this band should not be regarded as a Christian band. The members may be Christian for all I know, I am not one to judge them on that. However,if they are Christian, then I think they need to take a drastically different approach to their songwriting. In my definition, a song is not Christian unless an athiest can listen to it, and easily tell that it is Christian. Every one of FF5’s songs, if you replaced the subject matter from God to a girlfriend, it would make just as much sense.
With all that in mind, I still recommend downloading the bacth of free Christian music, just keep in mind what I have observed about that artist.
Filed under: Music, Pop culture, Rebellion, Religion | Tagged: family force 5, non-christian music
The interesting thing is that one of the band members was studying theology before the band was started and one of the guys, if he wasn’t in the band, said he would be working for Audio A’s hands and feet orphanage. But I do agree that a lot of their music is very shallow. Replace me (is that the DC Talk cover?) has really good lyrics though. “Make me how you want me to be. Take and replace me with you.” But other than that one song, there isn’t really anything “Christian” about them, so I do agree with you.
Soli Deo Gloria
Actually, it was “Mind’s Eye.” but, yes, the song had WONDERFUL lyrics.
Okay, Trey, one of my weaknesses I tend to be argumentative. I can almost never turn down a good debate. You are hereby warned.
First, I would like say that if you disagree with me, that’s fine. People often do, and it doesn’t really bother me. But about “Fever”:
According to an interview with Jesus Freak Hideout, Family Force 5 said that the lyrics behind “Fever” was catchy the fire of the Holy Spirit and spreading it to others. Personally, I would say it’s more of a dancing song, but that’s the author’s opinion. I would mark it down to general irresponsibility, immaturity, and all around craziness rather then any desire to spread suggestive lyrics.
And about the other songs you mentioned, “Love Addict” is a bit gray. It could go either way. Personally, I would say it’s a Christian song, because of the “sent from above” lyrics, but it could go either way.
I don’t have much for “X-Girlfriend” and “Drama Queen”. I know “Drama Queen” was written about a boss the band had way back when. They titled the song “Drama Queen” because “Drama King” didn’t sound quite right. Other then that I’ll leave it to the band to defend.
Couple of other things, I would recommend you read the lyrics to “Replace Me”, “Never Let Me Go”, “Peachy”, “Face Down”, and “I Love You To Death”. They may or may not change your opinion of the band, but at least you’ll be able to say you made an informed decision.
On a totally other note, I just looked the “Robots 3 Humans 0″ lyrics online, and was surprised to see just how Christian the song is. I’m adding to my list of good Christian hardcore songs, along with Oh, Sleeper, The Showdown, and Demon Hunter.
No offense, Matt, but it is kind of naive to believe that they really meant that. They may even have believed it themselves, but I’m telling you it is not true. There is nothing, I repeat NOTHING in Fever that even hints at what they said in the interview. Just because they said the song means something, does not mean it’s true.
I think that one point will prove to you that they are not Christian, or at least, their MUSIC is not Christian:
Take all the songs you recommended to me as Christian songs by them. Now, instead of imagining God as the subject, imagine his girlfriend. I think you will find that it will make perfect sense that way, too. I’d also like to point out that they NEVER mention God directly, ever, except in the DC Talk song.
Also, Peachy has got to be one of the most theologically FLAWED songs in existence.
“Hey, don’t ever bring me back
To where I used to be
Cause now I feel so fine and I feel so Peachy”
That is not only un-biblical, it directly contradicts the Bible. If they are speaking in a Christian context, as you claim, then they are saying that no one should ever speak to them about their sin, because it convicts them and makes them feel bad. There is nothing in the bible saying we should feel good, or “peachy” as they like to say it. In fact the Christian life is SUPPOSED to be filled with suffering. Not wanting to leave a their state of bliss, or “peachy”-ness, is against all that the Bible teaches.
Oh, and nothing there was meant to offend you or pick on you. It was all meant in a loving, biblical, brother-to-brother way.
There. A Smiley. Now you KNOW that I meant it in a loving way. 
:D
Trey,
A couple of thoughts.
First I appreciate you zeal to do what is right before the Lord and your concern that Christian music really be Christian.
However, let me make a couple of comments.
1) I think you are using too strong a language in some cases. Let’s take the lyrics you quoted in one of your comments:
“Hey, don’t ever bring me back
To where I used to be
Cause now I feel so fine and I feel so Peachy”
You interpreted this as never bring up your sin. However, the author could be saying that he doesn’t want to go back to his life before Christ. Think of the prodigal son not wanting to go back to the pig sty. That is biblical.
The biggest problem here is that the lyrics are so vague they could mean almost anything. Which is why your point about replacing God with girlfriend is spot on. I would not say that these lyrics are unbiblical, but neither would I say they are biblical. Perhaps a better term would be subbiblical. In other words they are not necessarily false, they just leave out a lot of truth.
2) The issue of the representation of the male-female relationship is a minor doctrine. Important yes, but minor as compared to others. In that light, you have already used some very harsh language against those that hold this view. What will you do when someone denies the deity of Christ, the resurrection, or salvation by faith alone. You won’t have strong enough words left to express you hatred of such a violation of the person and work of your Lord. Are your words measured out to the seriousness of the offense?
3) Related to #2. Learning to judge between weak brothers and enemies. What you may have here are true brother’s in Christ whose error is not being clear in their proclamation of the truth. Music lyrics are more closely related to poetry than to preaching. Verbal imagery by its very nature leaves more of the work of interpretation to the hearer than does formal statements of doctrine. As such, the message received is somewhat relative to the hearer. Perhaps what is needed here is to encourage some true brother to be more bold in their proclamation, leaving no doubt Whose side they are on.
You have a legitimate point, Dad. You are right, I used much too harsh language. I have edited the post accordingly.
About “Peachy”, yes, a Christian’s life is normally full of suffering, but from experience, it’s nothing compared to the uncertainty and fear of not knowing Christ. I’d certainly never want anyone to take me back to who I was before I was saved. But I digress.
I agree with your Dad’s third point. I think FF5 are probably weaker Christian, not enemies. They would have to be evil geniuses to pull off the supposed deception, and honestly, I think they are too goofy to fit the diabolical strategist roll.
But yes, like you said, this is loving, brother-on-brother discussion, not an argument.
Wow. I am glad I managed to provoke a thoughtful discussion, even though, ultimately, I was at least partly in the wrong. Matt, I’d suggest you join the Rebelution Forums. There are some really awesome debates going around about some really major biblical topics, and I have benifited greatly from it! I think you’d enjoy it, and learn a lot, too.
(oh, by the way, argument is settled. FF5 is not a purely secular band, but they should reform their lyrics to reflect their beliefs better. I think we both agree on that.)
I agree. Debate, over. For now.
Thanks for the invite! Joining (or at least applying) is one of my goals. Right now, I’ve been mind-blowing busy, but it’s on my list of things to do. I hope I can join maybe this week or the next. Right now, I’m on minimal computer allowances till I get some projects done.
I am so concerned about the kind of music that our young people are listening to under the name “christian” . Such groups as UnderOath, Oh Sleeper, and such like. The lyrics do not make much sense, the videos are terrible & the screaming is not of God…that is not the kind of God I serve. Why do these people say they are christian and act like this? why are our young people so deceived? How can we get God to open their eyes? I am so hurt inside about stuff!
Why are they like this? Well, it is a part of the sinful nature of us all. Heavy music is violent, it is adrenaline-pumping, it is “cool.” However, most Christian kids’ parents will not let them listen to this type of music. However, if artists put “Christian” in their label, take out their bad language, and add a relatively positive theme, it gives the kids a way to get their parents to let them listen to the music. I listen to a lot of Metal because of the passion involved. I DETEST fake Christian artists, and refuse to listen to them, but there ARE legitimately Christian Metal artists out there. In fact, an album that came out recently by a Metal band named Demon Hunter, called Storm The Gates Of Hell, was one of the triggers for the turn in my life from apathetic, cultural “Christianity” to a life that blatantly states to the world that I am a believer, and I will live with the passion of God, without regard to what others think of me. I think that there are some good heavy bands out there, but in general the heavy “Christian” music out there is to be avoided. If you personally have kids that are like this, you can E-mail me at youthofeternity@gmail.com, and I would be happy to either recommend some REAL Christian Metal bands out there, or convince your kids to avoid the genre.
nah, you are one to judge them as a brother in Christ…1 corinthians 5:12 Paul says “what business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked man from among you.” Ive only seen the lyrics youve posted and im astonished cause i have seen their cds in many christian retailers. Keep up your hard work!