Recently got a hold of some Anberlin albums to take a closer look at and was surprised with what I found. First off this is a talented band. I’ve always had a soft spot for bands with amazing guitarists that alone could entertain; Joseph Milligan, lead guitarist, fits this to a T! The musical ability of the band should go without question as I wound my way through New Surrender (2008 Album) and the big hits off of Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place (2010).
(courtesy of googleimages)
Anberlin a basic 5 piece act with a 6th (touring member) for live shows is one which has been around since 2002 when they signed to Tooth & Nail Records. Albums have been pumping out ever since but one question has swirled; is Anberlin a Christian band? While some bands flirt around that edge afraid to commit either way Anberlin seems to know what they believe. I’ll let drummer Nathan Young’s quote answer the question, “The thing is, some bands that are trying to get out of the Christian market, they get bummed out by questions about it. I don’t really mind it, because I’m a Christian, and I’m okay talking about it. With the whole term ‘Christian Band,’ I don’t understand how a band can be Christian. We get the question, ‘Is Anberlin a Christian band?’ and it’s like, yeah, Anberlin is—as humans.”
Young doesn’t believe a band can be Christian which makes sense, as only soul bearing beings can be Christian, but the collection of human beings in a band can either reflect that or not. Stephen Christian, lead vocals, has been heard stating he doesn’t care who listens to their albums, “[My Faith] affects every single aspect of my life, but I’m not a preacher, I’m an entertainer.” That my friend is what it boils down to. While Anberlin may not preach the gospel during their shows I’d have to say yes they’re a Christian band, just not your Third Day or Casting Crowns type.
Their music is honest and at times like in Feel Good Drag they wear their failures on their sleeves, which is refreshing and “ministers” to the audience whether they realize it or not. That’s what people sometimes forget, ministry is not only done from behind the pulpit or through preaching the gospel. Some of the most inspirational ‘God moments’ I’ve experienced has been through music. Music can trigger a connection to your thoughts like nothing else, and at times bring about conversations with God that otherwise wouldn’t have occurred.
(courtesy of googleimages)
So fear not the quandary of Christian or not with Anberlin. Their music is honest, true to their lives but nothing you should be so concern you enough to write them completely off. However, I will give a tiny bit of warning that some songs are left for interpretation which doesn’t always keep songs blatantly okay. Younglife is one of the examples that come to my mind in that it talks about being entwined all night with a “lover”, now this lover may be a spouse but it doesn’t make it clear either way. So concern is needed there, but again these cases are rare and like stated before they are just real life experiences that Christian decided to write about.
Some great quotes from the band are here: http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2009/01/anberlin-on-being-christian-an.html
(Quotes from Wikipedia, where exact references can be foudn for each)
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