Human beings have sought to understand the great mysteries of existence since the time of the ancient Greeks.

That great gadfly himself, Socrates, wandered around the marketplace seeking answers to such fundamental questions as: Who are we? Where do we come from? And, what’s the deal with San Dimas High Football, and furthermore, why does it rule?

However, one of the deepest, most impenetrable questions many of us have faced has been why does the majority of Christian rock suck so much?

Now don’t get me wrong, there are some very notable exceptions to the usual sub-par fare put out by the Christian music industry — Sixpence None the Richer and Jars of Clay come to mind. In addition, the Christian music industry has made great strides since the days of the yellow and black attack of the bumblebee-suit-clad Stryper. Who could forget the glam-metal classic “Rock the Hell Out of You?”

Still, no matter how many qualifications I might add, the fact remains that Christian rock, on the whole, leaves much to be desired.

Part of the problem is that, in some Christian circles, music is viewed as a mere instrument to proselytize non-believers. But surely music is more than a means to an end. Truly good music is beautiful in and of itself, and as such is worthy of being created and appreciated for this reason alone. In fact, this was my biggest objection to suggestions that I burn my evil “secular music” as a teenager and commit to listening to Christian music exclusively. The whole idea of music being defined by the religious convictions of the creators still doesn’t make much sense to me. Pardon me, Mr. Goody, but could you point me to the Zoroastrian punk section?

In any case, this false dichotomy between secular music and Christian music is perpetuated in Christian bookstores everywhere. These bookstores even have equivalency charts that suggest Christian groups that sound like popular secular groups, so if you’re a Blink-182 fan, you may want to check out the Christian version, Relient K.

It’s no secret many Christian rock artists are trend followers, turning out uninspired, derivative rock music that implicitly affirms the musical superiority of the secular bands they emulate. When was the last time a secular band took its musical cues from a truly original Christian band?

On a deeper level, I submit the reason Christian bands are continually taken to school by their heathen brethren, is a combination of fear of honest expression by many Christian artists and the politics of the Christian music industry.

Music at its best is genuine self-expression. We relate to and enjoy the music of those artists who tap into our deepest fears, disappointments and personal weaknesses. And lest you think I forgot the good stuff, we also happen to dig music that captures our experiences of joy, laughter, oh, and that minor motif found in a few tunes, love.

Great rock music, like great comedy, is therapeutic in that it disarms us and allows us to identify and relate to the common experiences of those around us, and realize that we aren’t alone.

The vast majority of Christian rock lyrics emphasize the hope Christians have, but fail to acknowledge the fallenness of the created world and the universal shared experiences that come with living in such a world. Christian artists have a tendency to filter all of their experiences through a pre-fabricated interpretational grid that tells them what to think and feel. It’s no wonder so many Christians, as well as everyone else, prefer to listen to secular artists who are at the very least honest. The Bible itself is chock full of characters who intensely doubt their faith, who rail in righteous indignation against injustice and who honestly ask, in the words of those pompous, double-fist clutching Higher Power rockers Creed, “What’s this life for?” Read Ecclesiastes, Job or the Psalms, it’s all there.

The Christian music industry is just interested in playing it safe and selling music to its built-in Christian audience. When you’re concerned with your bottom line, why stick your neck out and produce something with a greater potential for commercial failure that challenges music fans?

Up and coming talented Christian rock bands might do well to eschew the Christian record labels and focus on creating music on their own terms. One exceptional Christian rock band, Sleeping at Last (www.sleepingatlast.com), has managed to score a contract with Interscope Records, as well as the support of Billy Corgan in the production of its forthcoming album. Good music created by Christians who refuse to compromise their artistic vision can make it in the secular market — just look at U2.

Christian rock is certainly not past the point of no return. With a renewed focus on fearless artistic expression and the courage to leave the Christian subculture and join the mainstream, Christian rock’s salvation may just be at hand — though, I wouldn’t expect that to happen anytime soon.