Ladies & gentlemen, today, we are talking about a Christian documentary that basically talks about how the Christian music industry began to rise around 50 years ago. Not only is Lionsgate one kf the producers of this film, but a Christian studio that’s apparently associated with the K-Love radio called K-Love films, made this film as well. So, without further ado, released by Lionsgate, and K-Love Films, the movie is The Jesus Music.
Plot: The movie begins around the early days of Christian music in the 1970s, and then goes through the decades to the present, from the rise of Christian bands like Stryper, and Petra to artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, and Tobymac, as well as some of the struggles that some of them faced along the way.
Let me just start off this review by asking you all, who most likely hasn’t been curious to see how the contemporary Christian music industry began in the first place? Well, for those of us who are new Christians, or have been Christians for a long while, that’s likely a rhetorical question, is it not? Either way, even if this film doesn’t quite cover every single Christian artist, or band, and their lives, this film does a really great job of showing the history of this industry. First of all, it is an enriching, and overall special story of how this particular type of Christian music came to life. I mean to learn about where it began, how different Christian artists, and bands then began their music across different parts of the country, especially in Tennessee, and other details about this history, it is quite interesting. However, it is also surprising to hear about some of the struggles, and some of the opposition that some of these singers, and songwriters faced from some of the so called “church leaders.” Quite honestly, in addition to the prosperity gospel becoming prevalent, and popular around the 1960s, and 1970s, I wouldn’t be surprised if Christian artists facing the types of persecutions that they did with some leaders in the church also led to the beginning of a great many people starting to walk away from the church, as well as their faith in God over the past few decades. I mean considering that a lot of people in the church have replaced love, and compassion with hate, and being judgmental, hasn’t that been one of the main reasons why a lot of people have refused to set foot in a church especially in more recent years. This movie does a great job of most likely portraying that, along with helping to teach some very good lessons, like how it’s always best to show love, and compassion to others, we don’t always know what other people are going through, fame, and money could potentially become a problem even in the Christian music industry, and how Christian has helped have a positive impact on people’s lives. I will try not to give much else away so that you can still see this movie. However, I will at least also say that it’s great to hear bits, and pieces of Christian songs that have been written, and heard on the radio over the decades.
And that’s my review for The Jesus Music. The history of this history is amazing to learn about, the lessons that can be learned in this film are great, and one may be interested to know more about Christian music after this. If The Jesus Music is playing at a theater near you, definitely go, and support it. You will be glad that you saw it afterwards. I can guarantee you that much.
Final Grade: A+
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