Rocking For Christ

cbs ^ | 12-7-04

[LouAvul]

The growing clout of America's 100-million evangelical Christians is being heard loud and clear. Just turn on your radio, and you'll notice that a seismic shift in American culture is taking place.

Before, you could tune into different stations, which offered different music and different messages.

But now, as Correspondent Bob Simon reports on 60 Minutes Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. ET/PT,, evangelical Christian music is flowing into mainstream media -- and changing it. In fact, Christian entertainment now brings in $4 billion a year.

Rappers and rockers are making hits and making money while spreading the gospel to national audiences. Christian groups can be heard on secular radio and seen on "The Tonight Show." Earlier this year, the group Third Day even played at the Republican National Convention.

"The fact that there are Christian themes now emerging in rock and that Christians are in rock is just representative of a spiritual desire or a spiritual hunger in our culture," says Cameron Strang, publisher of Relevant Magazine, a religious publication.

[freebilly]

Perhaps some people aren't saved because of drums etc. Ever think of that?

Don't be asinine.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Do you think there is any music God would not use to speak to hearts?

I don't think there is any style of music God cannot use if He so chooses.

Do you think that music can have a spirit that is contradictory to the message of Christ?

Yes. But we are discussing Christian rock music, not some of the bands at Ozzfest.

What about loud aggressive hard rock or heavy metal? Obviously fleshy sexual rhythms?

I don't think loud is bad. I don't think hard rock is bad. I don't think heavy metal is bad. As for "fleshy sexual rhythms", rhythm is just rhythm - whether it's "fleshy" or "sexual" is subject to your interpretation, but I can see (since this is the second time you've used that kind of phrase on the thread) you are quite concerned about that. Why?

Do you find these to be consistant with the spirit and message of Christianity?

Again, it depends on more than style.

I don't.

Yeah, I got that.

[Chad Fairbanks]

As a Calvinist

As a Hobbesian, I disagree with you 100%

[Jorge]

Mmmmm... forbidden Obviously fleshy sexual rhythms...

Yes, how about a little bump-n-grind for Christ. As long as it reaches people, right?
Pretty sad.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I play the Triangle, now.

That's the worst. You are hosed, my friend.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

ROTFL

[Chad Fairbanks]

Oh geez. Now you're just being ridiculous. No one here is advocating a "Bump-n-Grind For Jesus" (although you did inspire a new song title)...

[JenB]

LYRICS OF MODERN SONGS AREN'T SOUND.

Oh, yeah? Listen to Third Day. Listen to Andrew Peterson or Caedmon's Call - if those aren't Reformed, I'll eat my hat. Try not to feel inspired by Third Day's reworking of classic hymns, try not to cry when listening to Andrew Peterson's "The Silence of God".

I'm not saying use them in church services, mind, although they all sing a few songs that sound enough like hymns you could slip 'em past the old ladies. But don't deny that they can bring people closer to God. If I'm driving along the highway, I want to rock out, and I'd rather "rock out with Jesus" than to death metal.

[MP5SD]

I play the Triangle, now.

Good thing its not the 1860's and you were trying to bring an organ into church. Some here would have something to say about that. You know Satan invented the Hammond B3.

[Chad Fairbanks]

OH no! I thought it represented the Holy Trinity! That's what he told me! He said "...you play this side, it's the Father, this side is the Son, and this side is the Holy Spirit" and we'd count "1...2...3" and play...

[reaganaut]

http://www.soundmass.com/rowe/frames_index.htm

[Chad Fairbanks]

My ancient ancestors (in the 1970s) were persecuted in our Parish for playing "Amazing Grace" on a Moog Keyboard.

[freebilly]

There is actually a pretty big "back to tradition" movement among the youth today.

I don't think God cares one way or the other for traditional or non-traditional worship. God wants our hearts in whatever it is we do. If you want to believe that you're worshipping God in the correct way, terrific. Just don't tell others how they must worship. Spiritual pride and religious arrogance are two of the greater sins out there....

[Chad Fairbanks]

Thanks.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

STOP IT!!!! LOL

[rwfromkansas]

Exactly.

Scripture doesn't allow for such gimmicks..it very simply says to preach the Gospel to end up evangelizing others.

People who think that pandering in music will bring more people to Christ show a fundamental misunderstanding of the work of the Holy Spirit by thinking somehow we can "help" the Almighty along!

What blasphemy!

[Jorge]

"Do you find these to be consistant with the spirit and message of Christianity? I don't."

Then don't listen to it. Amazing, isn't it, that OFF is as easy to turn as ON?

Who do you know that listens to music they hate that needs you to tell them HOW to turn it off?
You're kidding, right?

[freebilly]

There are a Scriptural standards for what to include in worship and we ignore them at our eternal peril

Please cite specific Biblical references to back up your claims.

[Chad Fairbanks]

What blasphemy!

YES! PREACH IT, BROTHER! LET US SLAY THEM, THAT THEY MIGHT BE DELIVERED UP INTO THE LORD'S HANDS, AND THAT HE MIGHT SMITE THEM! WOOO!

[Republican Wildcat]

I don't think you'd rather people listen to similar sounding music with lyrics such as rape, killing cops, etc.? This is great. People can listen to music of all types now and not worry about filling their minds filled with garbage - in fact just the opposite. Look at the lyrics.

Check out the tesimony of this guy (video online at the linked site). It is truly amazing:

Day of Fire - Joshua Brown