What Defines Music as Christian or Secular?

The post below is a great reflection on the reasoning for the use of secular music in the church and I highly recommend giving it a good read. But what really caught my attention was the exploration of the idea of how we define “secular” and “Christian.”

First of all, we should clarify terms. There is a big debate in church circles today about what “secular” even means in relation to music. What makes a song secular or Christian? Is it the type? The lyrics? The person singing it? Madeleine L’Engle had an interesting statement in her book, Walking on Water.

She wrote: “To look at a work of art and then to make a judgment as to … whether or not it is Christian is presumptuous. It is something we cannot know in any conclusive way. We can know only if it speaks within our own hearts and leads us to living more deeply with Christ in God.”

via Does secular music have any place in the church? –  Ministry Toolbox – Pastors.

I firmly believe in the idea of eliminating the distinction between “secular” and “Christian” art. In fact, as my friend Rey Lopez pointed out that “the only things that can can be truly Christian are people.” Why construct a false boundary around creativity? What really speaks to me is L’Engle’s point about determining whether a work of art speaks to your heart and is edifying. As the Bible demonstrates time and time again, God can use anyone or anything to deepen our relationship with Him at anytime… even if that wasn’t the person or object’s original intent. If anything, this quote finally helps me understand why the Karate Kid can stir something deep within me that the latest from Michael W. Smith cannot.

How do you define secular and Christian art? Do you agree with L’Engle?