Music
I am against Christian music that sounds like the world only because most of the world’s music is just what it says…of the world and this whole world lieth in wickedness according to John the apostle.
When you get into music it gets touchy – kind of like Bible versions. But this has been a concern of mine for I believe today the Christian music has gone down, down, down. The reason I feel I have the right to comment on music is because I struggle and understand the pull of music being an ex-rock, club musician before I was saved. Music was my “salvation†before God saved me. I feel this has showed me some things about music – not much, but some.
There are so many verses that speak of us being separate from the world:
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
1 Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Some of the above and more may be stretching a bit I think the principle is there.
A few of points here:
1. Sound Christian doctrine will help govern what kind of music should go on in a worship service and in your personal lives. Your view of God will determine the kind of music you listen to.
2. I agree, Christian music can be light and uplifting but not to the point where emotion and feelings take over. The music should be for the spirit not the body. It should refresh the spirit not move the body.
3. Both the music and lyrics should conform to sound scriptural principles. This idea is ok as long as the lyrics are ok is dangerous thinking. You should be able to take the lyrics out and it should still sound different from the world. You take the words out of many of the songs today and you’ve got a worldly song.
4. In my worthless opinion, the motives of many of the modern writers of Christian music are suspect. The old writers (Wesley, Newton, Watts, etc.) wrote out of a true Christian experience where God was the center of the hymn. Today God-centeredness has been substituted with human emotions and man-centered feelings. The old writers talked of their unworthiness and put their hope in deliverance in God – today it appears to be of man’s great thoughts and praises towards God – sounds good but the emphasis is put back on man and not God. Understand I am not saying all modern writers are guilty of this.
5. When you are hanging upside down after being tortured for your faith then I believe the old hymns (It is Well, How Firm, The Old Rugged cross, etc.) are the ones that will get you through not P.O.D., DC Talk, Southern Gospel, etc.
6. Just because we like it and it sounds good doesn’t make it good to listen to. Let’s get honest here. I happen to like Starship Trooper (Yes), The Closer I Get To You (Roberta Flack), George Benson, Chestnut Mare (The Byrds), old Neil Young stuff, etc. Because I happen to like it doesn’t mean I listen to it. If the above songs come on somewhere I kind of like them (unfortunately) but I DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE LISTENING TO THEM AND I ASK GOD TO FREE ME FROM THEM!
7. Finally, I firmly believe that our Lord and his apostles would not be singing or playing most modern, contemporary Christian songs today.
Many may not agree with the above points and that is fine. I know the trend is for more contemporary music, even in Independent Baptist Churches. I’m not here to condemn all modern music. I am just saying we have to be real careful. The devil is sharp and I believe he was the first “Choir Director†before he fell so he knows something about music and how to counterfeit Christian music.
Now, I know that was long and probably boring to most. I will not separate over this but I feel it is something to seriously look at today. Before WWII German people were playing March music and Wagner, etc. – they were preparing for war. In the U.S. they were playing Swing music with the Benny Goodman Band, Jazz, etc.! Germany almost whipped us and if it wasn’t for God’s providence they might have! What am I saying, music can affect how you live. The old Christians were more militant than we are today – we are more like Chocolate Soldiers! We, as saints, best be real careful as to what we listen to – for we are in a spiritual battle for our souls, families, churches, and nation!
By the way - does anyone know of sites that speak of ex-rock muscians getting truly saved - I'd love to see if any of the old crowd got truly regenrated!!!! What a work of the grace fo God!!!