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)
Angel, Pinhead.
Pinhead, Angel.
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!
Hmmm, interesting logic. So how many times does "Jesus" occur in the Old Testament? If it's not there, must it be discarded as being "un-Christian"?
How many times do you suppose the words Gospel, Jesus, propitiation, resurrection, crucifiction, repentance, baptism, God, Spirit, etc appear in the music written by J.S. Bach? While we're on that subject, how many of Bach's tunes even have words?
OK, then again... anyone who trashes Michael W. Smith can't be all that bad.
>>"Now, the industry is celebrity-driven. The song is almost irrelevant.The focus is on the PERSON, and songs have become disposable."<<
This is an honest critique of the institution of CCM. I've heard the same about prayer services. Do you avoid those? I'v heard that said about preachers. Do you avoid them? I've certainly heard that said about politicians. You did vote, didn't you?
>>""My oldest daughter thinks he hung the moon"! ...The Lord Jesus Chri(ƒœPung the moon! (John 1:3) Steve Camp is in the place of the Lord Jesus Christ! "<<
YOu can't seriously believes that he meant that his daughter actually thinks Steve Camp hung the moon. It's a saying. And by the way, The Father hung the moon, not the Son.
So there are flaws in CCM. EVERYBODY sifts through the chaff to find what they are looking for. GO ahead and dump Sandy Patti. I never liked her in the first place. By all means rid yourself Michael W. Smith.
But be careful judging the music as Satanic, because of the foibles of the people who wrote it. Psalms were written down by an adulterous murderer. Listen to each song on its own merits. If you find something objectionnable with a song, move on and find a better song.
You complain that I have made a personal attack on you. What have you done regarding every other artist you've mentioned? You have attacked a dear friend of mine, who obeyed God and shared the Gospel with me. How would you like it if I attacked the person who was instrumental in you becoming a child of God?
You say that there's nothing libelous, and yet you attacked a friend of mine, not just some artist whose work is all I know of him. I know Keaggy personally, I know his family, I attended his wedding (and they're still together, 30 years later), and I know the man. What you imply is absolutely 100% not true.
Your accusation against him is nothing more than a twisted personal opinion, because you have a problem with the music, not because the music itself is the problem. If the Lord leads you to stay away from it, that is the Lord's Word to YOU, and you only. When you try to impose it on others, you are taking His place, and passing off His Word to you as His Word to everyone. If you really were concerned about them, you wouldn't be writing this stuff here, you'd be trying to contact them. I suggest that would be a better use of your time.
Here you are, trying to remove specks from our eyes, with a honking California Redwood log sticking out of your own. You deal with your own walk with the Lord, and we'll deal with ours. And those artists will deal with theirs. You're not responsible for my walk, and I'm not responsible for yours. Let's keep it that way.
Great is the Lord He is holy and just By His power we trust in His love Great is the Lord He is faithful and true By his mercy He proves He is love
Great is the Lord and worthy of glory Great is the Lord and worthy of praise Great is the Lord now lift up your voice Now lift up your voice Great is the Lord Great is the Lord
Great are You, Lord, and worthy of glory Great are You, Lord, and worthy of praise Great are You, Lord, I lift up my voice I lift up my voice Great are You, Lord Great are You, Lord
Words and music by Michael W. Smith. ©1991 Meadowgreen Music Co. Used by permission.
HOW MAJESTIC IS YOUR NAME
O Lord, our Lord How majestic is Your name in all the earth O Lord, our Lord How majestic is Your name in all the earth O Lord we praise Your name O Lord we magnify Your name Prince of peace, Mighty God O Lord God Almighty
Words and music by Michael W. Smith. ©1991 Meadowgreen Music Co. Used by permission.
Thats just two I can go on and on.
Have you ever had anything of the world influence your life?
Or shape who you are?
I can emphatically say YES I have and I say that unashamedly.
I can look with faith with my Spiritual Eyes and see as Elisha's servant did the Chariots of fire on the hills around me and know that God is with me and can use what ever he wants to Glorify Him self (even the rocks will cry out..The Trees of the field will clap thier hands).
I also think of Rahab in the Book of Joshua (thats in the old testament even in the king james version) she was a Harlot (thats a whore to you and me RB)Not a holy or righteous person but God used her to save His People.(rutrow)
We as people long to thank those that God let use music in a great way and the best way to do that is with secular praise or awards.
Did you ever get a ribbon at a track meet or field day at school? (even the green one for participation)if you accepted it you had better go burn it cause it sure isn't God honoring because you got it and you ain't God
I am sure that you will do as you always do when cornered and not answer.
Regards and man are you in for a wake up call
RB