Posted on 12/07/2004 12:06:09 PM PST by LouAvul
That's disengenious - she is talking music styles, and you ask if God would use specific songs.
I don't see why someone couldn't do a song, with either a christian message, or christian viewpoint with a music style like AC/DC...
So now "Highway to Hell" is a style of music?
It's difficult to debate when the parameters keep switching, Jorge. Please don't change the character of what I said when challenging me on it.
I didn't ask you if you thought it was "bad".
I asked if you thought it was consistant with the Christian spirit and the Gospel message.
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?
This paragraph explains why you have no clue as to what is or isn't appropriate music for conveying the Gospel message.
The New Testament has several references to the "flesh".
The Word of God says that those who "sow to the flesh will reap corruption (ruin)"..that the flesh is emnity to the Spirit.
In other words the flesh OPPOSES the Spirit.
It's obvious that the reason you don't understand how these types of music I cite are inconsistant with the Gospel is because you know very little about the Bible.
Romans 14
5One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.
Pretty clear what Paul is saying here. Or do you have non-scriptural arguments for why these words don't apply to how different people go about worshipping the Lord...?
As the wife of a former youth minister, let me just say that thinking Christ is "uncool" (or Christians are uncool) can keep people out of heaven. Sadly, I've seen kids reject Christianity because they thought it wasn't the "cool" thing. The statistics for how many people actually find Christ and seek to know him personally, if they have not already done so by age 18, are staggering. The critical time to reach people is during their teen years, when they CARE what's "cool". It's not the artist, it's not the music, it's not the cool that counts in the long run. Getting kids interested and involved, so they can LEARN the truth is the important thing.
Consequently, kids are going to choose someone to emulate. It would be nice if that were Christ, but that's unrealistic for most teens. Many, many kids choose to be like thier favorite musicians. Why not have a "cool" person who actually has a positive, life-changing message as a role model?
If you love your brothers and sisters in Christ, you will tell them when they are not doing something according to Scripture.
Los Lonely Boys are a very talented band. They uplift people's spirits.
Again, I ask you, please cite these scriptures that dictate forms of worship.
Being wishy washy is a stench in God's nostrils, not fighting for an UNASHAMED declaration of the Gospel.
Why is it disengenious to cite specific songs as representing a style of music?
I asked her if there was ANY music she thought was not appropriate to represent the Gospel message.
She responded that she thought NO style of music could be excluded.
The examples of music I gave are NOT excluded from ANY style of music.
I have worked with youth ministries for the last 12 years. I understand the numbers and it bothers me because the teenage years are formative.
But thinking Christ is 'cool' is not what leads to salvation. The message of Christ is important, not the way it is delivered as long as it is clear that salvation rests on TRUSTING Christ alone for salvation, not just thinking "Jesus is just alright with me...". We must make the message clear.
So, Einstein, where in scripture does it say we cannot write songs that praise the Lord in popular styles of music?
It's not the style of music that is problematic - it's the message that people get from the music - usually from the words.
The music I tend to write is very dark, but I use the darkness to represent how it would be if one had to face an eternity without feeling God's love. IS that wrong? If so, why?
I have been reading your posts and now I can honestly say I have no clue what you are talking about, and I think everyone else is just as confused.
You seem to be altering the subject/context slightly as you go along. What is the point in this?
Or maybe your argument is just weak. I also suppose it's possible that because I have spent my life playing music professionally, we are not on an even playing field when evaluating the merits of different styles.
A beat is merely a beat. It isn't "fleshy". Rhythm and Blues-based gospel is very popular music in black churches; it is strong music rhythmically - but it isn't "fleshy" - at least to most people.
I think you may have some kind of personal issue you are transferring to this topic.
It appears to me that neither of you studies the Bible, but have certain preferences and biases that you refuse to give up when confronted by actual Biblical references which have been cited on a number of occasions on this thread in defense of various forms of worship.
Unless you start citing specific Scripture to substantiate your claims I'm going to recommend you leave the thread. Your opinion is worthless if you can't point to a Biblical basis for your claims.
What makes you think these artists are ashamed?
I'm in total agreement with you. We had a group of 400 kids. I can't tell you how many kids were brought into the minstry by going to a concert event with us...then they got involved, made friends, and were exposed to the Gospel through teaching, small groups etc...
My husband is a product of such minstry! Someone took him to a Petra concert when he was a teen. He views that as a turning point in his life...not because of the music, but because he was exposed to Christianity through something to which he related easily (rock music) and it made him more open to hearing more.
We're on the same side, I think.
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