I find most that classify themselves as part of this genre to be mediocre at best, and of late it's become as much a marketing ploy as is a bared midriff or bad bleach job. It's a huge market, and the vultures are out.

There are a few artists that I enjoy that have a strong spiritual theme in their music. One of them is The Call ("I Still Believe"), and another is Michelle Shocked, whose latest album Deep Natural is very much inspired by Christianity.

Far too often those preaching with a rhythm section are so phony it makes me want to sacrifice chickens and drink goat blood. But when their beliefs are sincere it can be a beautiful and powerful thing to behold, regardless of your religious preferences.