Posted on 06/30/2004 3:27:30 AM PDT by RaceBannon
CCM MUSICIANS LOVE SECULAR ROCK
Updated June 30, 2004 (first published June 27, 2001) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
One of the problems with Contemporary Christian Music is its refusal to separate from the world. God's Word is very plain about this matter. "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4). Separation from the world is not an option; it is a solemn obligation. Most CCM musicians ignore this warning and remain intimately connected to the world by their love for ungodly secular music.
Some parents and church leaders are of the opinion that Christian rock is safe for kids because at least they are not listening to secular rock or rap or whatever. This argument makes no sense in light of the fact that most CCM musicians are themselves not separated from secular rock. Not only do most CCM musicians listen to secular rock, but they perform secular rock on their albums and in their concerts. Thus young people who are hooked into CCM remain associated with the secular music scene.
While some defenders of Contemporary Christian Music warn about the evil in secular rock, they turn right around and say that it is fine to listen to Christian rock. Steve Peters does this in his 1998 book Truth about Rock. This is a strange position because the Christian rock musicians themselves are certainly listening to every form of secular rock.
Consider some examples of this:
I used to be into Christian Rock, so, I guess I do know what I am talking about.
And, It was CCM that was all I listened to for a while after I got saved.
And, it was Christian Rock I had to give up because I saw what a complete apostasy it is, mixing that which is from the flesh and that which is spiritual.
The last time I saw Phil Keaggy he whipped out a Bible and prayed and stuff...he preached Christ crucified and risen as the one and only Way to The Father.
"i have never played music in my life, but i've listened to it on the radio, so i know what i'm talking about!"
And, It was CCM that was all I listened to for a while after I got saved.
In light of your present attitude, i'd have to say that there might be some legitimacy in the percieved harm, but not the kind you think.
And, it was Christian Rock I had to give up because I saw what a complete apostasy it is, mixing that which is from the flesh and that which is spiritual.
Google the phrase Docetic Gnosticism, and read up on the subject. The lies you typed are pretty much the same as they've always been. It sounds remarkably gnostic.
"And, it was Christian Rock I had to give up because I saw what a complete apostasy it is, mixing that which is from the flesh and that which is spiritual."
The mistake many people make is thinking the flesh and the spirit are completely separate from each other. This is usually, though not exclusively, a mistake made by liberals.
You help prove my point.
The message of the Gospel is that we are to be transformed into HIS likeness, not a beter likeness of ourselves.
We are to pick up our cross daily, not pick up our headphones or bicycles
We are to be NEW CREATURES, not cleaned up creatures that no one can see the difference in.
It is to be shown in our walk, in our talk, and how we present ourselves and our God.
Presenting God through sports or Rock Music only glorifies our flesh, not our God. Presenting ourselves through our daily sacrifice is what is called for.
(Rom 12:1 KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
(Rom 12:2 KJV) ( 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.
If all you do is glorify a worldly fleshly activity and try to claim it is Christian just because some of the people who do it are Christian, you are deceiving yourself
Or have you fallen into complete apostacy with the secular-political realm?
Even Satan knows the Bible, and the demon possessed woman claimed that the Apostles were leading people to the way of Salvation in Acts before she was exorcised.
I think Music that is Christ honoring can be written today, not just 100 years ago.
And I am not a King James only person, just a King James first person. I believe it is the best English Translation around, and the presence of over 50 translations leads people to think that we dont have God's word today, raises doubt over whether we have God's word at all, and therefore, the KJV should have been continued to be used the way it was, with only occasional updating of individual words to modernize word usage.
Did you claim to be Amish? I sure didn't.
I got into a discussion once on that very passage.
It is not about Jesus praising the man for his actions, but praising the man for being a thinker, not what he did, but the fact that most believers do not think ahead.
This sinful man, who ripped off his master by excusing away his masters debts, was not praised for being a thief, but for being a thinker.
The final passage here which you posted, seems to be a call for US to make friends of the unrighteous, so that when they fail, or fall, we can lead them to salvation, not embrace their failure or living, but befriend them while still being someone who is not of their failure.
That would mean we should stay out of CCM, don't ya think?
I can't understand.
Would you stop talking to me in such a confusing modern dialect and use more understandable, like 16th century King's English?
Exactly. One of my favorite things I saw Sandi do in concert was a bit about how various music styles had influenced her. She sang "Jesus Loves Me" like Karen Carpenter, Barbra Streisand and threw in some opera. Then she sang it as "Sandi."
And FWIW, she can sing circles around Babs.
Wrong.
But it reminds me of my favorite scene in Chariots of Fire, and I paraphrase.
Eric Liddle is telling his sister of his decision to go to the Olympics. She tells him that he belongs in China. He responds.
"I know God made me for China. But he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel his pleasure."
RB, God's world is so much bigger than the box you've put Him in.
We know what websites you frequent (secular/conservative political), so what radio stations/formats do you have pre-set in the car. You do own a car, don't you? You know, one of those noisy, polluting, ungodly things built by secular companies? Why do you think all those cars will be driver-less at the Rapture, if not because they're apostate? You don't own one of those Marks of the Beast, do you?
No one was libeled here, and you know it.
This is an accurate quoting of these people.
Try going here:
http://www.av1611.org/crock.html
As for being against something more than being for something, the more apostasy appears, the more people need to know the truth about it, and CCM is error, not Christian, and is wrong.
And I am not a Baptist. I used to attend a Baptist church, but I went back to the Bible Church.
you might find these additional quotes interesting:
Amy Grant
"What we're trying to do is take Christian principles and make them understandable. Even if it doesn't say Jesus, it doesn't matter. . ." (Rolling Stone, June 6, 1985 p 10)
Rich Mullins:
"I'm really sick of all this heavy-handed Christianity. Musicians take themselves too seriously. They should have more FUN, and they should stop preaching unless that's what God has called them to. If I want to hear a sermon, I'll go to church, thank you." (CCM magazine, April, 1987, p. 12)
Michael W. Smith
Here's what a secular reporter in the Birmingham News wrote after watching a Michael W. Smith concert:
"If you weren’t familiar with Michael W. Smith’s standing in the world of contemporary Christian music, you might attend one of his concerts and come out none the wiser." (The Birmingham News, Feb. 12, 1993 p. 5c)
Michael W. Smith's album, Change Your World, has 2819 words — Jesus occurs — ZERO!
Michael W. Smith's album, I’ll Lead You Home, has 2046 words — Jesus occurs — ZERO!
Michael W. Smith's album, Live the Life, has over 1100 words — Jesus occurs — you guessed it — ZERO!
There is NOTHING CHRISTian about Michael W. Smith's music!
Jason Martin of Starflyer 59
"A lot of bands, the reason they get so turned off, is because you have to put the word 'Jesus' in every line. . . That's why so many bands get almost anti-Jesus in their lyrics, even though they're Christians." (HM, Mar/Apr 97 p. 21)
Out of 25 Starflyer 59 songs, over 1400 words, 4 albums – I could not find the word "God, the word "Lord", I found "Jesus" ONE time in "2nd Space Song" – with this ridiculous line "counts the sands Jesus in your hands". Jesus in your hands? Who, that believes that Jesus Christ is God Almighty, the Lord of Lords, thinks they've got "Jesus in their hands"!
The Word of God, in John 12:43, has the CCM artists "number". Just like the chief rulers in John 12, the CCMers refuse to confess and praise the Lord Jesus Christ because "they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God".
"42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the PRAISE OF MEN more than the praise of God." John 12:42-43
The purpose of Christian music was NEVER meant to evangelize the lost!
The book "What About Christian Rock" by Dan Peters, Steve Peters and Cher Merrill is a book praising Christian Rock. Chapter Eight (pp. 100-145) of the book, titled "Goals" is very interesting. In "Goals", through personal interview, correspondence, or quoted statements, the authors state the "quoted" goals of approximately 130 individual CCM performers. Dr. Garlock and Kurt Woetzel, in their book, Music in the Balance, give summary of these goals. Here is the chart as it appears in Music in the Balance (p. 111):
Author Josh McDowell says about CCMd`former Steve Camp:
"Thank God for Steve Camp. The body of Christ is enriched because we have his heart and his music. My oldest daughter thinks he hung the moon." Josh McDowell (CCM, Aug, 91, p. 15)
Did you read that – "My oldest daughter thinks he hung the moon"! Do you know who hung the moon? The Lord Jesus Chri(ƒœPung the moon! (John 1:3) Steve Camp is in the place of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Not surprisingly, the message Satan delivered Eve in the garden of Eden is ". . . ye shall be as gods. . ." (Genesis 3:5) — exactly what happens at many CCM concerts.
CCM artist, Michael Card, admits this glorifying of man in CCM:
"Now, the industry is celebrity-driven. The song is almost irrelevant.The focus is on the PERSON, and songs have become disposable." (Can't Buy Me Ministry, Christianity Today, May 20, 1996 (p. 22)
Did you know this CCM-man-worship is ABOMINATION to the Lord? Did you know, "for that which is HIGHLY ESTEEMED among men is ABOMINATION in the sight of God"?
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is ABOMINATION in the sight of God. Luke 16:15
Even CCM "star" Keith Green wrote of this "CCM-man-worship" over 15 years ago! And it's gotten much, much worse since then. Here's what very-pro CCM star Keith Green wrote:
"Why do we IDOLIZE Christian singers and speakers? We go from glorifying musicians in the world, to GLORIFYING Christian musicians. It's all idolatry! . . . Satan is getting a great victory as we seem to WORSHIP these ministers on tapes and records, and clamor to get their autographs in churches and concert halls from coast to coast." (Keith Green, from the Tract, "So You Wanna Be A Rock Star")
CCM musician Michael Card makes these startling words about CCM:
"The direction and value system are getting worse faster than any of us can imagine." (Can't Buy Me Ministry, Christianity Today, May 20, 1996 (p. 22)
Here's how CCM mag introduces it's review of Sandi Patty's, "after-adultery", album, "Artist of My Soul". Read it and weep. What is now called Christian Music is nothing but Satanic MAN-worship:
"The press kit arrived today packed full of superlatives and more than 1200 square inches of plush photography. The singer looks to her right and smiles pleasantly as the breeze teases nicely coiffed blond hair. Her arms are thrown wide as she gladly embraces the moment. This is, after all, something of a comeback.
Open the lavish 9-inch by 12-inch publicity folio. Inside, the singer smiles up at you from a photograph a foot-and-a-half wide. Open the folder again and a photographic panorama spreads three-feet wide across the desk. On the left 18 inches, she's outside, same setting, still smiling, gazing skyward. To the right, indoors, under amber light, hands lightly clasped, eyes downcast, she strikes a contemplative pose.
Nestled inside the press kit, enfolded by all those smiling photos, are the words--the P.R.--and the PRAISE [DTTM; Praise of Sandi Patty - NOT the Lord Jesus Christ - according to Matthew 16:23 – this is Satan – read Matthew 16:23 if you do not believe it!] is effusive. [DTTM: effusive means: pouring freely, excessively, gushy, that is the PRAISE of Sandi Patty] The singer has created "a distinguished work of art." Her voice is "distinctive," her songs "eloquent and articulate," the CD "masterfully crafted" and "breathtakingly performed." She's a "preeminent talent," who is "critically acclaimed" and "highly successful" –"stirring" with "remarkable musical diversity" and an "expansive vocal range." "Dynamic... quintessential... timeless... heartwarming." She is the recipient of five Grammy Awards, nine Grammy nominations, 35 Dove Awards ("more than any other artist"), three platinum records, five gold records. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera." (CCM Magazine, January, 1998, p.32)
AND GOD SAYS THAT IS ABOMINATION:
". . . that which is HIGHLY ESTEEMED among men is ABOMINATION in the sight of God". Luke 16:15
"There exists a vast mass of love songs of the poets, written in a fashion entirely foreign to the profession and name of Christians. They are the songs of men ruled ny passion, and a great number of musicians, corrupters of youth, make them the concern of their art and their industry; in proportion as they flourish through praise of their skill, so do they offend good and serious-minded men by the depraved taste of their work. I blush and grieve to think that once I was of their number. But while I cannot change the past, nor undo what is done, I have mended my ways. Therefore, I have labored on songs which have been written in praise of our Lord, Jesus Christ."
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
(c. 1525-1594)
Christian music lifts-up and praises the Lord Jesus Christ — not man.
Christian music glorifies God — not man.
Satan's music, according to the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:23, glorifies and praises man – such as CCM! (Matthew 16:23)
Wow, you mock Christians with phrases like that, and at the same time try to tell me you are more spiritual than I just because we disagree about music?
I am just trying to let you know CCM is wrong, and all you have done is make personal attacks, yet YOU are the spiritual one??
That speaks volumes.
Any guitarist not influenced by Hendrix sucks. And what kind of nerd doesn't know that it's spelled "Jimi"?
Angel, Pinhead.
Pinhead, Angel.
The Chicago Bulls used to play "Sirius" by the Alan Parsons Project as their intro theme music. Does that mean the Bulls are the most Satanic of NBA teams?
Just, you know, wondering....
Heh...
As a musician, I'd say that any musician who claims NO influences - at least stylistically - is lying, unless they grew up in a box and never played with any other musicians. Directly or indirectly, we're all influenced, usually by dozens of sources. It's the way you learn.
And personally, I don't believe God requires all music to be specifically about him. That's silly.
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