“I heard a song by this band Anberlin on the radio today,” said my friend Patrick Brewer, a music aficionado, though our tastes rarely cross paths.

“Yeah, they’re a Christian band,” I said.

“Are you kidding me? Did I just buy a CD full of ‘praise Jesus’ music?”

“No, but they are Christian,” I said.

“Well, just as long as they don’t shove their beliefs down my throat,” he said.

Anberlin is just one of many bands emerging onto the mainstream market that is comprised of Christian musicians. Though these bands’ lyrics aren’t necessarily filled with “Jesus,” and “God,” Christian ideas and themes permeate most of the songs—and they’re gaining popularity. Earlier this month Flyleaf released their sophomore album Memento Mori; their single “Again” is number 25 on the Billboard Rock chart. Skillet’s album Awake, released in August, just passed 200,000 copies sold, and their single “Monster” has appeared on everything from WWE to a promo for ACC football. Red’s sophomore album, Innocence and Instinct, debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 earlier this year.

“I think it is great,” said Adam Webb, radio DJ for Surf 98.3 in Wilmington, North Carolina. “Most radio listeners wouldn't even know those bands are Christian bands.” This seems to be the key--interpretation. These bands aren’t singing explicitly about God; they aren’t your stereotypical worship song that has a “Jesus” quota to fill. “Christian rock songs display the morals and values of Christians by containing positive song content,” said Webb.

For example, Skillet’s song “Monster” never once uses the words “God,” “Jesus,” or “Hallelujah.” Instead it contains the lyrics, “The secret side of me, I never let you see. I keep it caged but I can't control it. So stay away from me, the beast is ugly. I feel the rage and I just can't hold it.” It’s an angry song that holds deeper meaning, but it can still be moshed to.

“Secular religions these days often close their minds to rock music, simply because of the negative press and background it has had since its inception,” said Leon Larson, a DJ for Carolina’s Pure Rock 105.5. With so many bands out there singing about getting drunk, using illegal drugs, and having sex, it seems these more positive songs are changing the image of rock and roll. “I feel that these bands bring a lot of wisdom to the table for their listeners,” said Larson, “which these days, the younger generations can use all the help they can get.”

Christian rock is nothing new--it’s been around since the 1970s with Resurrection Band, headed by Glenn Kaiser, who is the mastermind behind the Cornerstone Festival--an annual week-long event which is basically the Christian Woodstock. There was also Larry Norman who wrote the very cheesy, but catchy song, “Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?” Christian rock being popular isn’t new either--Stryper succeeded in having a successful career as a metal-hair-band during the 1980s. P.O.D. toured with numerous bands including Korn, Linkin Park, and Hoobastank. They hit their peak in the early 2000s, when their song “Alive” surpassed *NSYNC for the number-one spot on MTV’s Total Request Live.

But numerous Christian bands rising beyond their core audience to gain mainstream popularity--that’s new. “A good song is a good song,” said Kevin McNeese of NewReleaseTuesday.com, a website devoted to everything Christian music, “and the majority of popular music consumers don't really care about the artist. Artists come and go all the time, but a good song can have lasting impact.” This seems to be another factor--Christian rock is actually generating talented artists. Mutemath’s third album, Armistice, debuted at 18 on the Billboard 200 earlier this year; the single “Spotlight” was featured in Twilight. Switchfoot’s new album, Hello Hurricane, peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200. Red’s song “Death of Me” reached number 9 on Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks.

“As Christian artists continue to get more opportunities to grow their art form, their music can compete with anything else out there,” said McNeese. He mentioned an interview that NewReleaseTuesday.com recently did with Red. In it, the lead vocalist, Michael Barnes discussed how touring with bands like Papa Roach, Three Days Grace, Buckcherry and Breaking Benjamin made them better musicians. “As far as being musicians, whether you're a Christian band or not, we're all peers,” said Barnes. “And when you learn from the best, that's how you become better yourself. We went on tour with bands that have sold millions and millions of records. They have accomplished this because they're great songwriters and performers. We learned so much being around those people, and we've used this knowledge to take our music to the next level.” Interestingly Red’s guitarist Jasen Raunch co-wrote several songs on the new Breaking Benjamin album, including the hit single, “I Will Not Bow.”

“There are a lot of Christians in our listening audience,” said Larson, “and we value their opinions as much anyone else's. Listeners respect us more for playing what we want to play, and not focusing so much on diluting talent and taste just to try and please everyone.”

Rock bands have even permeated into many contemporary worship services. “I think it’s the natural progression of culture,” said Patrick McCrary, worship leader for Lifepoint Church in Wilmington. “Music evolves. Christians are members of popular culture just like everyone else. So naturally the style of music played in churches changes.” But McCrary is also skeptical of the Christian Rock movement, saying that “when popular culture slaps the label ‘Christian’ on something people automatically think: ‘that can't be cool’. So they generally write it off.”

But that doesn’t seem to be the case. Andrew Beaujon, author of Body Piercing Saved my Life: Inside the Phenomenon of Christian Rock, mention that if listeners dismiss music because of lyrics, then they may be missing out on great music. “I really like the David Crowder Band,” said Beaujon, “whose lyrics are variations on four words: ‘king,’ ‘allelujah,’ ‘glory,’ and ‘Jesus.’ And I'm not even Christian!”

These bands don’t try to hide their faith--they let it flourish, and listeners don’t seem to be writing them off. The lead singer of Flyleaf has noted several times that being a Christian is who she, and the band is, so it is going to affect everything in her life--including her music. Members of Anberlin have said similar things, noting that being a Christian is just who they are. Having attended numerous Skillet concerts, lead singer John Cooper isn’t afraid to flaunt his faith--and they continue to sell out medium-sized venues.

It seems Christian rock is here to stay, at least for now. And that’s a good thing. Popular culture is meant to be diverse. “If there is room for the music and messages of Greenday, Rise Against, and Coldplay,” said Webb, “why not Red, Flyleaf, and Anberlin?”