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How do you know Paul would agree with using this kind of music?

19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

It is good that you base your reasoning on scripture, rather than human wisdom. The issue here comes down to whether it is correctly applied. We must "rightly divide the word of truth" because, among other reasons, "many deceivers are entered into the world." (2 Timothy 2:15; 2 John 1:7)

Remember that Satan quoted scripture to Jesus, however Christ recognized the counsel of Satan was outside the will of God even though it appeared to be consistent with what the Bible said. Likewise we, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, must discern the will of God. We must test the fruits. We must test the words. We must test the spirit.

The passage you quoted does give us a pattern for adapting to the culture around us in certain ways. For example, language. God made language. He divided the languages. He united them in the Church. He intends that the gospel be preached and converts be won in every language. Certainly there are more ways in which bridges to various cultures can be made.

On the other hand, there is also a clear teaching that we are to be distinct and separate from the world, and the message of the gospel does contain a necessary offense to those who are going to be stumbled at the truth.

Do not pray like the heathen. (Matthew 6:7) Do not put material things first, like the Gentiles. (Matthew 6:32) Do not be controlled by lust like the Gentiles. (1 Thessalonians 4:5) Do not go along with what Gentiles want us to do: living a life of "lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries." (1 Peter 4:3)

These issues have a bearing on such "personal" choices as what we wear and what we eat.

Consider also Romans 12:2 which instructs "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."

The scripture you quoted contains Paul's illustration of his own life as a pattern of godly living. Look closely at Paul's motivation. He set aside his personal preferences, his own likes and dislikes, in order to win more people to Christ. He may have had the right to marry, but he did not because he felt he was more effective in serving God single. He may have had the right to demand financial support from the churches he ministered to, but he chose rather to work night and day, providing for his own financial needs, so that even in this matter no one would have any excuse for rejecting his message, unless of course they rejected it because they rejected Christ.

Does the Bible speak with regard to the kinds of music we sing and listen to? It does. Does God like all kinds of music? What does the Bible say?

Some Christian rock proponents claim that music is amoral, and only the words can be evaluated. There is no scriptural basis for this claim. Contrarily, Paul points out the nature of music is that it contains meaning in itself (though difficult to quantify) as he compares music to speaking in various languages in the church. (1 Corinthian 13-14)

A visiting speaker at a church I used to attend made the argument that music was amoral. I was talking with him after the meeting and he brought this up. I said I had to disagree. I asked him if he thought there was no possible type of musical performance which would be unacceptable in church. He immediately backed away from his position.

There are many possible illustrations which could be made to prove my point. For example, why not allow a child, with no training in playing the piano, to go in front of the congregation and bang on the piano and everyone revel in their style of praise. After all, the scripture says, "out of the mouth of babes and sucklings You have perfected praise." (Psalm 8:2; Matthew 21:16)

No. Paul instructed to "let all things be done decently and in order." (1 Corinthians 14:40) Contrary to the assertion that Paul would support Christian rock, I am persuaded Paul would have admonished believers to abstain from something which has an innate appeal to the sensual, the carnal, the worldly. He would counsel to submit to the leaders of the local church whose job requires them to discern between good and evil (music) and protect the sheep from the evil. (Hebrews 5:14; 13:17)

Personally, I spent many years listening to rock music. It lost some of its appeal, but not all. If I were just basing my view on how I personally feel, the idea of Christian rock has a certain appeal. However, I have come to realize that it does not serve to build me up spiritually even though there can be an illusion caused by being emotionally stimulated. The key is discernment. Discernment is the first and most important qualification, according to the Bible, for music leadership and ministry.

How do you know Paul would agree with using this kind of music?

19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

BINGO !

To shoot... you score.

That is the only way to tell those who are critical when they ask "how would you know"... dont reply... POST the Word!

Good job.