Posted on 05/16/2004 5:36:21 AM PDT by RMrattlesnake
What Is Christian Music?
By Missionary Ken Hutcheson
Those who defend "Christian Rock," claim that there are no differences between music; that the only considerations are the words and purpose. But this is patently false by the fact that the world clearly differentiates between music that is religious or Christian, classical, military or march music, country/western, waltz, honky-tonk or bar, etc... Further, people’s minds are conditioned from childhood to associate these differences with activities, events, memories, etc., whether god or bad. Even God’s Word refers to bad music such as "the song of the drunkards" (Psalm 69:12), "sing as an harlot" (Isaiah 23:15), children mocking Job with songs (Job 30:8-9), "the song of fools" (Eccl. 7:5), "religious" music that God does not like (Amos 5:23), and God’s condemnation of all who make musical instruments "like David" to be used for sin! (Amos 6:1-6).
For years, before his death, Bro. Lester Roloff thundered that rock music is the most destructive influence on teenagers today, that it is so addictive it has a hold on them like dope, booze, tobacco, etc. And this is true of so-called "Christian Rock," or "Contemporary Music."
God’s Word plainly commands us to "Abstain from all appearance of evil," (I Thes. 5:22) and to provide "for honest things, not only in sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." (II Cor. 8:21). These verses, plus many others, clearly teach that whatever we do must not only be right before God, but that it must also look right and sound right before men.
Certain misguided church leaders thought that the way "to win young people" was to invite rock groups into churches and to encourage teenagers to buy their records and tapes. But the results have filled some churches with worldly members having little or no moral standards. A few pastors and editors tried to show that it was doing great spiritual damage to the youth of America and to those in churches, but they have been either ignored or bitterly opposed.
Repeatedly, some Christians, who were saved out of certain worldly conditions, have pleaded that they have painful struggles with rock music in the church because it reminds them of their sinful past! When lost people go to church and see and hear singers that look and sound like those in night clubs, bars, rock concerts, etc., they are either disgusted or drawn to a false religion. Some churches have now almost totally switched to "Christian Rock," and "Contemporary Music;" and it is hard to tell that their music is even Christian anymore. The dress styles of most "Christian Rock" singers is detestable and repulsive in the extreme. It is obvious that they are trying to promote themselves, get attention for themselves, and steal glory that belongs only to our Lord Jesus. They have certainly not learned the great lesson of John the Baptist who said, "He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease!" (John 3:30).
A few months ago persecuted Christians in Russia sent an urgent message to the Churches of America. It has been quoted in several Christian publications and we endorse it totally and enthusiastically! It is one of the most shocking and rebuking statements ever made in the two thousand year history of Christianity and should forever settle the matter. It ought to have the widest possible circulation. We quote:
"For years we (Russian persecuted Christians) have suffered persecution, and now freedom is bringing another great harm to our churches. This damage is coming from the Christians in America who are sending rock music and evangelists accompanied by rock bands.
"Our young people do not attend these meetings because we have all committed not to participate in secular entertainment.
"This is a great burden on our hearts. Many came (from America) with Bible in hand and rock music. We are embarrassed by this image of Christianity. We do not know what words to use in urging that this be stopped. We abhor all Christian rock music coming to our country.
"Rock music has nothing in common with ministry or service to God. We are very, very against Christian Americans bringing to our country this false image of ‘ministry’ to God. We need spiritual bread; please give us bread, not false cakes. It is true that rock music attracts people to the church, but not to godly living.
"We were in prison for years for Christ’s sake. We were not allowed to have Christian music, but rock music was used as a weapon against us day and night to destroy our souls. We could only resist with much prayer and fasting.
"Now, we have a time of more openness, and we are no longer taken to prison. However, now it is Christians from America who damage our souls. We do not allow this music in our churches, but they rent big stadiums and infect teenagers and others with their rock music.
"we, the leadership and congregations of the Unregistered Union of Churches, the former Persecuted Church, have made an agreement no to allow rock music in our churches. We urge you to join with us, and we advise you to remove rock music from America, and certainly not to bring it to our own country.
"Do not desecrate our teenagers with it. Even the unbelievers recognize it as unholy music, and they cannot understand how American Christians can be so much like the world. We can give you the conclusion that after Russian unbelievers have attended these rock concerts where Christ’s Word was preached, they were disappointed and disillusioned with Christianity.
"We call this music from Hell. We urge all Americans to stop giving money (to send) such concerts to Russia. We want only traditional Christian music in our churches. This is the unanimous decision of all our leaders.
This statement was signed by leaders of the Underground Church in Russia, and its logic, reasons, and Bible principles are simply unanswerable to rock groups and their supporters. Think of that: poor, humble, suffering Russian Christians are severely rebuking and instructing arrogant, worldly American Christians. They ought to be ashamed. They ought to repent!
Therefore, what is Christian music? First, the words must be true to the Bible. Second, the music must not sound like or remind people of the world. Third, the music must honor and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Name above every name! Fourth, the musicians must be so dedicated to the Lord that they will do everything possible, including dress and music style, not to attract attention to themselves or the world but to magnify our Lord Jesus! Amen!
*** Music that prepares [RMrattlesnake's] heart for worship and music that puts [RMrattlesnake] in a mood ready to reseive his word. The old time gospel hymns do that for [RMrattlesnake] and yes there are a few modern songs that do that for [RMrattlesnake]. You got to understand that the beat and tone of music can efect [RMrattlesnake's] moods. This has been prove ion science.***
So it is all about you, your mood and your reaction. I am not familiar with "ion science" but it seems REALLY subjective.
Personal preference parading as biblical principle.
*** Sigh """
MARK 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
I thank my God daily that YOU are not my judge.
Do not ping me again.
Try substituting MELODY for DAY and LISTEN for EAT in this passage.... Ro 14:7 reminds you and me that our taste buds are not the Universal Taste Bud....
Put them legalistic pistols back into your biblical holster and stop gun slinging for BROTHERS.
Ro 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Ro 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth [it] unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard [it]. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
Ro 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
Ro 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
Ro 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
Ro 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
That is one thing that saddens me about the "denomination" I am in, it is that there is no allowance made for Christian Liberty in areas where the Bible is not explicit.
*ahem* LUST entices people to sin. People sin when they're drawn away by their own lusts, not "Rock music". This rant is nothing but an attempt to deflect responsibility from it's true source. Blame something other than the person's own lusts and rebelliousness. Much easier that way. The problem is what's in a person's heart, not what kind of music they listen to, or how they dress , or whether they watch TV or movies, or wear make-up, or any of a myriad of outward things that Fundies just love to rant and rail against. Fix the heart, teach them how to listen to God, and how to cultivate a closeness with God, and the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest. The only reason that isn't done, is because the rule-makers" don't really trust the Holy Spirit to do the job, and they don't want to risk the Holy Spirit allowing things that they personally don't like.
The cry of the "Fighting Fundies": Unless you are like us, you will all perish!!!
Marlowe: First to immediate business: Thank you for your support of the cause of the GRPL 3.
Now to business of this post:
We are called to separate the "wheat from the chaff", or if you prefer, the "wheat from the tares", within the confines of the assembly (ejkklhsiva, literally, "called out ones") Consider the following:
It is reported commonly that there is fornication amoug you, and such fornicatin as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
2) And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3) For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4) In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5) To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord jesus.
6)Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whold lump?
7) Purge out threfore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8) Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9) I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10) Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11) But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one, no, not to eat.
12) For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13) But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
As you can see the church is to make judgements of wheat and chaff within the Assembly. Practioneers of these activities are to be excluded from the fellowship of the church.
The question is, how do you know the guy worshiping next to you on sunday is any more of a christian than your friend that you know is lost? For all you know he could be a poser. But you'd have no reservation about inviting him to church, would you? Frankly if anyone tells you they are a Christian, you'd probably feel comfortable asking them to come to your worship. But not everyone who claims to be a Christian is one. And many who confess they are not Christians may just be seeking him without even knowing it. But they would never find him if it were up to you.
The scripture makes it abundantly clear that None seek God, (see Romans 3:9-20), aside from the intervention of God. Indeed, we need to remember who the "seeker" actually is:
23) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
If i bring my "lost friend" to church, i expect him/her to be hoplessly confused, simply because (s)he IS lost. i have failed in presenting the gospel to him/her, thinking of the popular lie "Let the Clergy do it". The church is not a place to go to be saved...rather it is where one goes because they are saved. We seem to forget that the "Great Commission" calls us to go out into the world, not to try and bring the world to the church.
CDL tries to visualise this, having seen Corin's picture and knowing what he looks like...Naw, it just isn't you, the hair on the tops of the feet thingy works MUCH better. Now i have to spend the rest of the day getting that first image out of my head...Whoa!
Get yer own cult.
Really....can ya believe the noive of the guy...
horning in on our cult.
white robes, hairy feet, and the song of tom bombadil (everyone needs a theme song...even a cult)
You may wish to reconsider that statment snake, it sounds quite a bit like the New Methods theology of Charles G. Finney. Finney was a pelagian heretic, who denied the Penal Substitution of the atonement. It's God's job worked by the Holy Spirit, to change hearts, not one's mood, or the music that one listens to. The 19th Century Revivalist hymns out of the Finney "Revivals" were some of the most blasphemous ever penned in terms of their theological content...It is not true of ALL hymns of that era or movement, but a substantial number of them are in such a category.
Well, listening to some of your "less tolerant associates", (who are also presently on your disapproved list, if i be not mistaken), i not only have my own cult, but am the puppet master behind the others in that cult. If i only had such power...(sigh!)
Interesting ping list. But the only person I've said "don't ping me" to since I returned after Lent is the poster of this thread.
I even went to bat for the GRPL 3 with the RMod and JR, including withdrawing my monthly support.
But if your friend is, well...elect...it won't matter, will it?
Please don't ping me from midnight to 3 am, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays on odd-numbered months.
The ping list was chosen quite delibertly for private reasons, nothing nefarious intended. i'm poking fun at some comments made about me on another site by other people, none of which included you, so no blood, no foul.
I even went to bat for the GRPL 3 with the RMod and JR, including withdrawing my monthly support.
Relax guy, i'm just having fun, i have been away for a while, traveling on business, i'm not quite up to anything too serious, brain is pretty cooked right now.
i didn't even get a chance to arrange a visit with xzins when he was in Pittsburgh due to the fact that i was away in Rochester NY at the time.
I've been saying this on another thread. It's not the music. It's not the instrumentation. And it's not the style of music that is the problem. It is the intent. The nature of the heart, of both the performer, and the listener. I truly believe that God hears any kind of music played for him by a truly worshiping heart and likes it. And I think He hears the most classic, traditional church song you want to name.... and if played or sung in vain He refuses it.
One of the things Jesus taught us in the Sermon on the Mount was the importance of the condition of the heart. I think this teaching applies very well when talking about music.
Okay, my bad. I've been spendin' most of my time lately screaming at lie'brals, including my step-dad and a co-worker. I'm just a bit edgy these days...
But who isn't?
Peace. (the real kind)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.