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In all fairness, it's possible that SOME Christians may have cause to stumble if they listen to Christian Rock, especially if they previously came out of a background of satanic rock--kind of analogous to an alcoholic drinking "NA" beer--some alcoholics can do it, some can't and get a craving for the "real thing."

But preaching that it's just bad in general is also analogous to the recovering alcoholic who runs around and insists EVERYBODY stop drinking because HE can't handle it.

it's possible that SOME Christians may have cause to stumble if they listen to Christian Rock, especially if they previously came out of a background of satanic rock--kind of analogous to an alcoholic drinking "NA" beer--some alcoholics can do it, some can't and get a craving for the "real thing."

Maybe the weaker brother needs to grow up.

The Biblical standard is this: if my conscience is not offended by a behavior, provided it does not disregard the mandates of Scripture, than its okay for me to engage in such. IF I can get a quality cut of meat at a bargain price because it was sacrificed to idols, well, it's not like the idols are real anyway. However, if I know my friend and brother in Christ is offended by that prospect -- he might say, "by buying that meat, you're funding the evils of Aphrodite worship" -- then I should go to the meat market and buy the more expensive meat. He's not allowed to think I'm carnal because I eat meat sacrificed to idols, and I'm not allowed to regard the weaker brother with contempt. (That's the basic thrust of Romans 14.)

The same principle holds here: I enjoy Christian rock, particularly Caedmon's Call. For me, its causes me to meditate on the greatness of God. But to some, all they hear are those drums and guitars, and it reminds them of the excesses of secular rock music, and they therefore stumble. Okay, no problem. I don't force my music down their throat. I can sing hymns with a decent baritone. But they are forbidden to attribute carnality to me for listening to something with a back-beat.

Thank you for responding, i thought the reference got lost in the exchange. Yes, your observation is quite correct. It is not, however, limited to music. Let's expand the thought to other areas (you've made a good beginning at that).

Some stumble at some of the clothing styles worn by others (usually by th opposite sex)
Some stumble at the amount of food consumed at Church-sponsoured events (e.g., the congregational "Pot Luck")
Some stumble at the wine used in the Communion service used in churches that do that (akin to your example)
Some stumble at the present "infomality" of the worship service in recent decades (in some of the congregations i've been in, the pastor does not DARE minister without a robe)
Some stumble at the idea that instrumental music is played at all in a worship service (The covenantors, Known to day as the Reformed Presbyterian Church are the largest example)
Some stumble at the affluence (whether real or merely percieved) of certain members of a congregation, and how their affluence is used.

There are many other examples. Was anything in those examples above Inherently evil? Not hardly.

But preaching that it's just bad in general is also analogous to the recovering alcoholic who runs around and insists EVERYBODY stop drinking because HE can't handle it.

Exactly! The error is based on the old Emerson line..."what is true for me is true for everyone"..., which rather begs the question of whether or not it was "true" at all. In terms of one's Christianity, the argument becomes..."If it caused ME to stumble, then it will cause everyone to stumble"..., which again begs the question, did it REALLY cause anyone to stumble. In other words;

Are we sinners because we are tempted and lured away, or do we sin because we are sinners, looking for any excuse to indulge what ever lust our depraved natures finds appealing, and using any excuse to rationalise away OUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY?

It is an interesting question, and much hinges on the answer.