Rap??

Ques. What should we think of contemporary Christian music (CCM)?

CCM includes Christian rock music, Christian rap music, and Christian “pop” music.

The CCM issue is clearly one of criteria— what criteria should we use to assess music?

What rule or standard or yardstick should we use to measure or evaluate CCM?

Two well-known contemporary Christian musicians have offered their opinion on this “criteria” issue:

“Basically you have to focus on the lyrics, and what the song is saying. That is my criteria to decide whether the song is right or wrong. It has nothing to do with the music style. It has to do with the lyrics. What is the song saying? What are the words saying? As Christians, we can objectively judge it from that standpoint.”

“Music is a very powerful force. It has a way of breaking down barriers....But a lot of artists are taking that very powerful tool and putting negative, horrible lyrics to it, and those lyrics are getting into the hearts of the listeners and are shaping their values....Why can’t we [i.e., contemporary Christian musicians] take that same powerful force — music — put positive lyrics to it and begin shaping values that way?”

If these two are right, then CCM is more than just okay—it is a powerful spiritual weapon that we must use.

I believe, however, that both are wrong. First, they ignore the fact that God’s Word offers criteria for evaluating music that is different from theirs. Second, they both assume (and this is an important word) that we must evaluate music solely on the basis of its lyrics. They assume that the music itself apart from the lyrics is morally neutral, or that the music itself apart from the lyrics communicates no message. These are false assumptions. Tunes or melodies communicate messages regardless of lyrics (or, to put it another way, there is always a message implicit in the music). Bad music that contains “good” lyrics still transmits a bad message.

Many CCM advocates may be well-intentioned and may sincerely think that they are doing what is right. Of course, good intentions and sincerity are no guarantees that one is right. And it would be a foolish thing indeed if we blindly assume that any who make such claims are mature spiritually, or if we assume that CCM is okay simply because we like it.

I. Criteria For Evaluating Contemporary Christian Music

A. Philippians 4:8: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true (or represent truth), whatever things are noble, whatever things are just (or right), whatever things are pure (or untainted by sin), whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report (or good reputation), if there is any virtue (or moral excellence) and if there is anything praiseworthy— meditate (or think) on these things.

This verse obviously applies to music because music is something that we meditate on or allow our minds to dwell upon. Philippians 4:8 clearly has much to say about a song’s lyrics. All people — even CCM advocates agree that a song’s words must be true, noble, morally excellent, and worthy of praise if that song is to be acceptable.

But Philippians 4:8 also says, good music must be of good report (the New American Standard Bible provides the literal translation “of good repute”). In other words, good music must be of a good reputation, or be wholly disassociated with things that are wrong or contrary to God. If something is okay in itself but it is strongly linked to or associated with something else that is evil, then that thing has a bad reputation. It has a bad report. This is a principle that we all accept. Example: Do you think it is okay for me to go into a store and buy a Coca-Cola? Yes. But do you think it is okay for me to go into a bar or a saloon and buy a Coca-Cola? Even though buying a Coca-Cola is obviously okay, when I buy one in a bar I associate that Coca-Cola (and myself) with things that are evil. It would not be right for me to go into a bar and buy a Coca-Cola because wicked things have given my innocent act a bad reputation or a bad report. Philippians 4:8, then, says that your music must be associated only with good or righteous things. Your music cannot resemble or be linked to things that are evil. If your music is identified with music that is evil or wrong, then your music is not of good report.

Clearly CCM is linked to secular rock, rap, and pop music. Indeed, CCM advocates consciously try to “cross over” and appeal to non-Christian audiences by making their music sound just like that of non- Christians. Many CCM performers dress just like secular musicians. Many male CCM performers go so far as to wear earrings, while some female CCM performers wear clothing that is by any definition immodest.

No one will deny that secular rock and rap music has a bad reputation. Is CCM linked to or associated with secular rock music? Is it sometimes hard to tell the difference between CCM and secular rock music? Do most people see a connection or a similarity between CCM and secular pop music? The answer to these questions, I think, is yes— which means that CCM is not of good repute and therefore does not pass the Philippians 4:8 test.

B. Philippians 4:8 also says, good music must be pure. This means that good music can not have bad stuff mixed in with it. Music that is 95% good and 5% bad is not pure. Good music, then, must be completely free from contamination or pollution. Does this seem unnecessarily strict? If so, it is only because you don’t realize how important your “thought life” is to God. Because your thoughts shape your character, God is very concerned with (and very strict about) what you set your mind upon. That is why your music must be pure. The Bible says that the world taints and makes impure (James 1:27; 2 Peter 2:20). In other words, when worldly things are mixed with or introduced into something, impurity results. Is CCM worldly? Does CCM liberally borrow from the world and adopt the world’s practices? The answer, I think, is obvious. This is serious. Romans 12:2 says “be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Compare Ephesians 4:23 and 1 John 2:15-17.) This means that God commands us to not live like everyone else. Our lifestyle cannot match up to or be similar to that of other people. If a kind of music sounds like the world’s music, looks like the world’s music, and is marketed like the world’s music, then that music is worldly (what else could “worldly” mean?). Worldly music is impure music.
Is CCM worldly music?

Rolling Stone magazine said of one such 'christian' band, “The band looks and sounds like a bunch of standard-issue hard rockers: polished, guitar-dominated music, shaggy long hair and a flashy stage show.”

Rolling Stone magazine also said this about another 'christian' "performer", “Regarding her album covers and publicity photos, which portray her as a sexy, attractive young woman, the Christian pop star says, ‘I’m trying to look sexy to sell a record....I feel like a Christian young woman is very sexual.”

The Saturday Evening Post wrote of another 'christian' "performer", “One of the reasons they attract the adulation of young fans is their thoroughly modern look, sound and style.”

Time magazine wrote that CCM performers are “indistinguishable — except for their lyrics — from their secular counterparts.”

The above few(there are many) testimonies reveal that even non-Christians recognize that CCM is worldly music. Worldly music is not pure music. Impure music fails the Philippians 4:8 test.

This issue of purity is actually a much larger issue. Yet, some people would argue that it doesn’t matter how you reach people with God’s truth just so long as you reach them. Any method of proclaiming God’s Word is valid, these people say, so long as it works. They are really saying that the end justifies the means— which is a sinister and dangerous principle. Indeed, the Catholic Church adopted this strategy around 300 A.D. with regard to pagan rites and celebrations. Rather than telling their converts that they had to give up their false religions, their idols, their holy days, and their superstitious beliefs, the Catholic Church “christianized” those pagan things and allowed them to remain. This is why the Catholic Church began to worship saints, instituted hundreds of unscriptural (and sometimes demonic) holy days, and developed elaborate ceremonial rituals. Instead of remaining pure and separate from the world, the Catholic Church tried to “baptize” worldly things and then retain them.

We see where this unscriptural strategy took the Catholic Church. CCM does much the same thing. Instead of rejecting worldly music, CCM tries to “christianize” it. A non-Christian scholar and a defender of secular rock music, made this illuminating comment concerning CCM’s attempt to use secular musical forms for Christian purposes:

“Some dreamers have hoped to harness rock to propagate the values of transcendent ideologies. Populist Catholics sponsor rock masses, trendy educators produce textbooks using rock lyrics as a vehicle for inculcating traditional values, various Protestant denominations commandeer the airwaves on Sunday mornings to broadcast uplifting advice larded with rock songs to make the message palatable to young ears...But rock is useless to teach any transcendent value. The instigators of these projects merely promote the pagan rites they hope to co-opt. Rock’s electricity as much as its pantheistic heritage gives the lie to whatever enlightened propaganda may be foisted on it.”

I agree that CCM performers only “promote the pagan rites they hope to coopt.” The musical medium has a distorting influence on the message.

A prominent CCM performer agrees,he admits that “Some art forms have been created to express certain philosophies and are so wedded to those philosophies that they convey that kind of outlook....We can’t assume that we simply plug in a Christian message, and everything will be okay.”

Rock and rap music are so wedded to secular, godless themes that they communicate that outlook regardless of the song’s words.

C. Philippians 4:8 says that music must be morally excellent, noble or something that you could be proud of, and so beneficial that it is worthy of praise. Many assume that this only applies to the lyrics of a song. They imply that a song’s music (i.e., the sound only) does not communicate a message. Is this true? No. A song’s music — regardless of the lyrics — does communicate a message. Many doctors, researchers, and musicians — many of them not Christians — agreed that a song’s music does communicate a message regardless of the words.

One such Doctor writes, “Music is the most powerful stimulus known among the perceptive senses. The medical, psychiatric and other evidence for the non- neutrality of music is so overwhelming that it frankly amazes me that anyone should seriously say otherwise.”

Another a non-Christian sociologist writes that “Rock is communication without words, regardless of what ideology is inserted into the music.”

Another says that “The words only let you know what the music already says....The music has its own message.” The primary message of CCM lies in its music, not in its lyrics.

If all music (regardless of the lyrics) has a message, then what is the message communicated by the music of CCM? If nearly all of the effects produced by contemporary music’s beat, repetition, and loudness are negative and is mildly hypnotic and can become addictive then the same is true to a degree with CCM. Such music produces chemical reactions in your body that encourage aggressive and emotional behavior. Those same physiological reactions prevent you from thinking and judging rationally. By the same token, contemporary music’s beat, repetition, and loudness unmistakably convey a mood of defiance, rebelliousness, aggressiveness, and self-assertiveness. Clearly these effects are neither “morally excellent” nor “noble” nor “praiseworthy.” Bad music, regardless of comparatively “good” lyrics, communicates a bad message.

How is it that music can affect me? The music itself, regardless of the words, affects your emotions. Even if there are no words to a song or a tune, it affects you. Everybody knows this. Lullabies put babies to sleep regardless of the words. National anthems can at times create feelings of pride or move listeners to tears. Some of the most powerful music ever written — like Beethoven and Wagner — contained no words. Ask any young person why they like rock music and they always say something about the beat or tempo. They are admitting that, regardless of the words, the music itself is quite powerful.
This is important. It means that “good” words does not make something good music. Regardless of the "good" lyrics, the musical score itself has an impact on the listener. Assessing music as good or bad or acceptable or unacceptable, is not simply a matter of evaluating the words. You must evaluate the tune also, because the sounds themselves affect you.

D. Philippians 4:8 says that your music must not only be “not bad,” but that it must be positively good. In other words, it is not enough for the music to be free of evil— the music must strongly communicate a positive message. Is it true that CCM’s lyrics are positively good? Most CCM, it is true, does not contain profanity, does not talk about sex, and does not glorify violence. But do these songs express deep, meaningful spiritual truths (such as you read in old Isaac Watts hymns)? Does CCM teach good, solid theology? Doesn’t CCM usually express a light, flippant, and shallow view of Christianity?

“Many singers,” writes Christianity Today, “have softened their Christian message in an effort to ‘cross over’ into the secular marketplace. But many now say this practice has damaged their credibility with Christian audiences while blunting their impact on secular customers.”

While it is true that CCM’s lyrics are not filthy, vulgar, or wicked, neither are they positively good. Most CCM lyrics — especially “Christian rap” — contains a weak message or no message at all. At best, these songs encourage a superficial and flippant understanding of spiritual things. At worst, listeners simply ignore the empty lyrics and allow the sensual, rebellious music to influence them.

E. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29) Many, many times we are exhorted by Scripture to fear God and to have reverence for Him. How does this relate to music? If I really fear God, if I really am overwhelmed by His holiness and dignity, if I have great respect for God’s dignity, if I am truly zealous for His Name and His glory, then I will make sure that my music is appropriate for glorifying God. Not only must the words be appropriate for the glorifying of God, but the sound or melody must befit the majesty, the purity, and the holiness of God.

Is this music — both words and melody — suitable for glorifying God?
Does this music — both words and melody — cheapen divine things or trivialize spiritual truth? Does this music encourage a non-serious or frivolous view of religion? Might it lead a listener to think that God is Someone that you can play games with or treat lightly?
Does this music — both words and melody — handle sacred truth in a sacred way? Is the music compatible with or complementary of the sacred things of which it claims to speak?

If this music bears Christ’s name (as CCM does), then does it — both words and melody — also bear the marks of Christ’s character? Does this music reflect His holiness, His righteousness, His purity, and His majesty? CCM fails here. It is not a suitable medium for glorifying God. CCM cheapens spiritual truth and encourages irreverent attitudes toward God. Even in songs where the words are okay or even good, CCM employs a type of music or sound that is not appropriate for worshipping God. The sound of CCM is, at very least, casual and worldly.

I realize that this concern may make little sense to some. We have, unfortunately, grown up in a generation that doesn’t understand what it means to fear God. We have no sense of God’s holiness. We play with sacred things flippantly. We rarely tremble at the fact that our God is a consuming fire. Incredibly, we think that if something is good enough for us, then it must be good enough for God. But Hebrews 12:28-29 merely alludes to something that is suggested over and over in the Bible: God is so holy that many things, actions, or attitudes are simply not appropriate before Him. If you have low views of God’s holiness, then you won’t appreciate my concerns here. But the more you appreciate God’s sacredness, the more you will be concerned about the appropriateness of your music.

A former CCM performer wrote, "For three years I sat under the sound of biblical teaching and those years revolutionized my life. Very soon I learned what the gospel was, and as soon as I did so doubts arose in my mind as to the suitability of rock as a medium for the gospel....When I saw the seriousness of the gospel I saw the paradox of using a non-serious medium to try to convey it." The musician realized that his “Christian music,” despite his good intentions, actually communicated a non-serious attitude.

II. Other Questions To Ask About Contemporary Christian Music

A. When you listen to CCM, what effect does it have on you? What happens when you listen to it? Do you find yourself worshipping God in spirit and in truth? Do you begin thinking about Bible verses or Scriptural truths? Do you think about God? Are you convicted of sins and failings in your life?
Or do you get pumped up? Do you get psyched? Do you simply start “feeling good”? Do you start playing “air guitar” or “air drums”? Do you feel like getting rowdy?
If you listen to CCM because it produces the second effect, then that should tell you that your music is dangerous. Your music is not glorifying God.

B. Who is it that is always defending CCM? Who is most vocal in arguing that CCM is actually good? Aren’t CCM’s primary defenders a) the unsaved; b) teenagers who, if they are Christians, must certainly be babes in Christ; or c) people who have only a questionable claim to being Christian? I’m struck by how practically no spiritually mature men rally to the defense of contemporary Christian music. In other words, it is the spiritually weak that argue that CCM is good.

CCM tends to make songwriters and performers our spiritual leaders. By listening to their songs, we are shaped by their music. Are CCM composers and performers qualified to be our spiritual leaders? Does the fact that someone can put words to rhyme or possesses a good voice necessarily mean that they are qualified to teach us spiritually? Certainly this is a frightening phenomenon. At the same time when young people increasingly ignore preaching and pastoral counseling and often find biblical teaching boring — they flock to CCM as their source of spiritual nourishment. Little surprise that our children are not saved, and know so little about the great doctrines of our faith?

III. How Can You Tell If A Piece of Music Is Acceptable or Not?

Where do you “draw the line”?
Based upon the discussion above, and relying heavily on Philippians 4:8, I come up with the following “yardstick”:
1. Good music must have good lyrics. Lyrics must not only be not bad; they must be positively good (i.e., pass the Philippians 4:8 test).
2. Good music must have a good sound. The sound or tune itself can not be conducive of irrational thinking, aggression, or impulsiveness. Nor can the sound communicate a rebellious or defiant mood.
3. Good music cannot be associated with or linked to negative or questionable things. Good music must be pure. Good music cannot be worldly.
4. a) If music claims to be Christian, then (in addition to the above points) it must be music that befits God’s majesty. Christian music must be sober and reverential. Christian music must exemplify or display Christ’s character. b) If music does not claim to communicate a spiritual message (e.g., orchestral music), then (in addition to the above points) that music must be refined, balanced, sublime or subtle, and tranquil.

My conclusion is that much, if not all, of what is today called contemporary Christian music fails to measure up to this yardstick.

(received by e-mail)

If we took all of christian music and put it on a scale between 1 and 10 according to that which leads to repentance, sanctification and a hungering more for God I would stay with that which is at the higher end of the scale. Why compromise with anything else that falls in between?

Thommy2 wrote:
What style is biblically allowed??? Is this truly a biblical thing or is this a cultural or (in your case) a family influential thing?

What if God HATES organs and pianos???? How do we BIBLICALLY discern which style of music is allowed in worship?

When I first became a christian I listened to contemporary christian music but it wasn't until I began hungering for more of God that my music style changed. Contemporary music is full of fillers for instance the beat of the music, the many chords and the progression all to appeal to your flesh man. If you were to strain all of those fillers out you would get what is left. It's that which is left that I want more of. It was a sanctifying process in my life and I want to be ever changing towards that which glorifies God.

Hi all,

I've been following this conversation and have decided to share an article on [url=http://www.reformationsa.org/articles/reforming_music.htm]reforming music[/url] from [url=http://www.frontline.org.za/]Peter Hammond[/url].

On the side, I think an understanding of music theory is needed in regards to rap music. This is more than preference, cultural or just style. It's more about what is 'good' music and what is 'bad' music. What are the essential parts of good music?

Just type in 'the effects of rock music on rats' in a google search and start reading. There has been scientific research done on music and the effects it has on the mind. [url=http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n15/mente/musica.html [/url] Check out some of the experiments in this article[/url]. Mike B brought up some excellent points on the manipulation of music. There is good manipulation and bad manipulation. Harp music or Handel's water music has a very soothing effect on the mind. Consider king Saul and how David's harp playing brought relief. In the same way, a strong rock beat will have negative affect on the body of the listener, whether it's fully realized or not.

So, with rap music, the question must be asked...is rap music good for us to listen to? Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we are not our own, we're bought with a price. These things must be considered in light of this discussion.

Well...I was only going to post the article but I guess I did have some things to say. This is a multi-faceted discussion, and I'm only bringing another facet of it.

I hope this will be of some help for you, Thommy, and that you keep seeking the Lord on this. One more thought... we really do condition ourselves to what we listen to. I listen to music that has the melody first, harmony second, and rhythm last, i.e., classical, hymns, etc. And so when I hear rap, it totally turns me off because all I hear is annoying racket, with someone talking [edit](Forgive my bluntness...I hope that doesn't offend anyone...but that is really just the way I feel about it)[end edit]. It doesn't sound melodious or harmonic. We all make choices, consciously or unconsciously, what we condition ourselves for, and that is where we need to have knowledge and understanding as to what is good and what is bad. And I think that is what you're seeking after here, brother.

Btw, welcome to SI! And congratulations on your upcoming wedding. May the blessing of Jesus Christ be with you and your fiance during this time!

~Joy :-)

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REFORMING MUSIC
by Peter Hammond

“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16

Frequently one hears the refrain: “The Bible doesn’t give any guidelines for music. It’s all a matter of taste and preference.” However, the Bible speaks to all areas of life, and music is no exception.

“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.” Ephesians 5:17-21

Music is to be melodious. We are to sing as unto the Lord. It is to be wholehearted. The content is to be Scriptural, with the Psalms predominating. It is to be in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and thanksgiving for all things to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ is to characterise it.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.” Psalm 28:7

“Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the Lord with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.” Psalm 33:1-3

Worship is the natural response of a Christian. When we are saved, God puts a new song in our heart, and we cannot help but rejoice and praise the Lord, with melody, with instruments, skillfully, and with a shout of joy.

“I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2

Music is to be the overflow of a regenerate heart, it must be wholehearted, it must focus on the marvellous works of our great God and Saviour, and it should be characterised by rejoicing.

“Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.” Psalm 21:13

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the mud and clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song on my mouth praise to our God; many will see it and fear and will trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3

And the Lord is to be praised even in the worst of circumstances. Paul and Silas, even after having been seized and attacked by a mob, and beaten with rods, unjustly thrown into prison, their response was to sing praises to God. “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25

“I will sing a new song to You, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to you.” Psalm 144:9

“I will sing with the Spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” 1 Cor. 14:15

“Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honour of His Name; make His praise glorious. Say to God, ’how awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You; they shall sing praises to Your Name.’” Psalm 66:1-4

EVALUATING OUR MUSIC

In the light of these clear Scriptural principles, how does our music measure up? Does the praise and worship in our congregation meet the Scriptural standards? And what about the music we listen to in our home, or while travelling?

“WE SOLD OUR SOUL FOR ROCK ’N ROLL”

Far from praising and honouring our Lord Jesus Christ, many of the popular secular bands openly blaspheme Christ, exalt the breaking of every one of the Ten Commandments, and some, such as Black Sabbath, openly proclaim their allegiance to Satan. One of the albums of Black Sabbath is entitled: “We Sold Our Soul for Rock ’n Roll”. One of the lyrics in their song Nativity In Black is a love song from Satan: “Some people say my love cannot be true, please believe me, my love, and I’ll show you, I will give you those things you thought unreal…your love for me has just got to be real…look into my eyes, you’ll see who I am, my name is Lucifer, please take my hand!”

ANTICHRIST ARTISTS

Kurt Cobain has been reported to have decorated his home with blood spattered baby dolls hanging by their necks. The inside of his band, Nirvana’s, album, In Utero has pictures of chopped up babies. Cobain has been reported to have spray painted “abort Christ” and “God is gay” around his neighbourhood.

Jefferson Aeroplane produced a most blasphemous song “The Son of Jesus” which spews out their hate of the Lord Jesus by claiming He was involved in the occult, had illegitimate children by Mary Magdalene, and that God the Father was sexually attracted to Jesus’ daughter! These are just a few examples of the many multiplied thousands of blasphemous, anti-Christ elements pervasive in secular Rock, Hip Hop and Rap.

COPYING THE WORLD

But what about contemporary Christian music? Incredibly, many contemporary music performers sing songs from these very secular artists, and adopt and adapt songs from them. Many even copy the world’s looks and lifestyles.

“WE HAVE CREATED A MONSTER”

Stan Moser, former head of Word Records, and CEO of Star Records, was one of the pioneers and most important executives in contemporary Christian music. After 26 years in the industry, he walked away from contemporary Christian music and in an article in Christianity Today (We Have Created a Monster) Mr. Moser freely admitted: “There is a growing chasm between CCN and the Church between what’s actually happening in the real world of ministry, or even in the music ministry of the Church, and what we’re doing in Contemporary Christian Music. In fact, I would probably be more inclined to call the industry commercial Christian music rather than Contemporary Christian Music…To be candid, I look at the majority of the music I hear today and think it’s virtually meaningless…we as an industry weren’t running away from the Church at that time, but I do think we walked away…so we could still basically, get rich. Materialism, a lot of it, crept in and started affecting our values…” (Christianity Today, May 20, 1996)

Michael Card acknowledges: “…we started with little root in the Church, and now we’re bearing the fruit of that separation…there’s a big accountability gap in the industry as a result of the lack of connectedness to the Church.” (Christianity Today, Can’t Buy Me Ministry, May 20, 1996)

MASS MARKETING MUSIC

In an interview in Christianity Today, Michael Card was quoted as observing: “The lyrics of a good number of the songs don’t portray anything specifically Christian - …not a lot of the big songs are identifiably Christian…what happens to the message when we start giving the music to as many people as possible? There is an essential part of the Gospel that’s not ever going to sell. The Gospel is good news, but it is also bad news: You are a sinner and you are hopeless. How is a multi-million dollar record company going to take that? That’s a part of the message, too, and if that’s taken out and it frequently is in Christian music it ceases to be the Gospel.” (Can’t Buy Me Ministry)

THE PRAISE OF MEN VS THE PRAISE OF GOD

The great Reformer Martin Luther warned of this nearly 500 years ago: “We should praise God with both word and music, openly proclaiming the Word of God through music…he who believes earnestly cannot be quiet about it. But he must gladly and willingly sing and speak about it so that others may come and hear it. And whoever does NOT want to sing and speak of it shows that he does not believe it.”

“They did not confess Him…for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” Jn 12:42-43

It is clear from the Scripture that all music should be for the praise and glory of God. However, it seems that many Christian concerts seem to be everything but that. Here are a few reports of reactions to some major Christian artists and bands: “As teenager shrieks fill the Dallas Convention Centre moments before DC Talk took the stage Friday night, one of the relatively few grownups in the sold out crowd observed this is just like The Beatles!”; “His concerts draw hundreds of thousands of fans each year, mostly teenage girls who scream out their affection for him non-stop throughout…to his fans, Smith is the absolute greatest there is bar none…” (Inside Music)

IDOLATRY IN MUSIC

As Keith Green wrote: “Why do we idolise 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 clammer to get their autographs in churches and concert halls from coast to coast.” (So You Wanna Be A Rock Star? by Keith Green)

“Now, the industry is celebrity driven. The song is almost irrelevant. The focus is on the person and songs have become disposable…the direction and value system are getting worse faster than any of us can imagine.” (Can’t Buy Me Ministry)

“Sometimes people give us a hard time because we don’t mention God on stage…but we feel that our calling is to get people interested in our music, interested in us…” (Ghoti Hook, HM magazine)

“God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15

There is tremendous power in music, and whenever any minister of the Gospel questions a form of music or challenges popular trends in music, he will experience much abuse, hostility and an explosive reaction.

“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

THE MESSAGE, THE MUSIC AND THE MUSICIAN

Christian music should always emphasise the message the Word of God not the music, nor the musician. Christian music is not meant to be entertainment, it is not a performance, a concert or a talent show. Music is to be worship, a ministry as unto the Lord.

Dr. Frank Garlock has written: “Contrary to popular opinion, sacred music is not for entertainment. Christian music is first and foremost a vehicle for praise unto the Lord.” (Music In the Balance)

Church father, St. Augustine, observed: “When I am moved by the voice of him that sings more than the words sung, I confess to have sinned.”

However, much of what is presented as Christian music today not only emphasises the musician, but the medium completely overwhelms the message. In all too many cases the message is vague, ambiguous, obscured or incomprehensible.

Martin Luther emphasised the importance of avoiding worldly influence and ensuring that the message is clear: “But I would like to avoid any new words or the language used at court. In order to be understood by the people, only the simplest and the most common words should be used for singing; at the same time, however, they should be pure and apt; and further, the sense should be clear and as close as possible to the Psalm.”

SOUNDING LIKE THE WORLD

Fanny Crosby, a prolific Hymn writer who produced over 9,000 songs of praise, despite being blind, was only converted at 45 years old. Before this she wrote many secular songs. This is what Fanny Crosby wrote about mixing Christian hymns with worldly music: “Sometimes I need to reject the music proposed for my songs because the musicians misunderstand that the Fanny Crosby who once wrote for the people in the saloons has merely changed the lyrics. O my, no. The Church must never sing its songs to the melodies of the world.” (What’s Wrong With Christian Rock)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“When Christian music carries the beat, instrumentation, and exact sounds of the lost crowd, it results in confusion and shame…it is shameful to use musicians who in shallow songs daze instead of praise, who entertain instead of train…that transfer the worship owed to Christ to concert hopping, money hungry entertainers who have never left the world far enough behind to stop sounding like it…” (Shame, By Dr. Hal Webb)

DEFINING MUSIC

Music is composed of three main components: Melody, harmony and rhythm. By definition, if any of these three elements are absent, then it is no longer music, but noise.

MELODY

Webster’s Dictionary defines “melody” as: “An agreeable succession of sounds; a succession of sounds so regulated and modulated as to please the ear. To constitute melody the sounds must be arranged according to the laws of rhythm, measure or the due proportion of the movements to each other…to make melody in the heart, to praise God with a joyful and thankful disposition, ascribing to Him the honour due to His Name.”

Amadeus Mozart declared: “Melody is the very essence of music.” (Wordsworth Dictionary of Musical Quotations)

“Melody is the main thing; harmony is useful only to charm the ear.” Joseph Haydn (Wordsworth Dictionary)

Melody is the horizontal line the notes follow on the music score. Without the melody line, there is no music.

HARMONY

Webster’s dictionary defines “harmony” as: “That union of different sounds which pleases the ear; or a succession of such sounds, called chords.” Harmony is the vertical line where the notes meet on the music score.

RHYTHM

“Rhythm” is defined by Webster: “Variety in the movement as to quickness or slowness,…the proportion which the parts of the motion have to each other.” Rhythm is the movement in music, the beat that holds everything together.

NOISE MASQUERADING AS MUSIC

Webster defines “musical” as: “Melodious; harmonious; pleasing to the ear…” By these definitions, much of what passes for music today would be more accurately described as noise.

The greatest musicians in history have agreed that melody is the very essence of music, but in much of contemporary music the rhythm, or the beat, has taken over and the melody and harmony has either become obscured or vanished.

“The rhythm in Rock is the dominant part of the sound. The heavy emphasis on the beat is what distinguishes Rock from every other type of music.” (Frank Garlock, Music In the Balance)

Even Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones has been quoted as admitting: “It’s a noise we make. That’s all. You could be kind and call it music.” (The Rolling Stones An Illustrated Record, by Roy Carr)

“I’M A SLAVE TO THE RHYTHM”

“The sexuality of music is usually referred to in terms of its rhythm - it is the beat that commands a directly physical response.” (Sound Effects, Youth, Leisure and the Politics of Rock ’n Roll)

“Rhythm is the element of music most closely allied to body movement, to physical action. It’s simple patterns when repeated over and over can have a hypnotic effect on us.” (The Enjoyment of Music by Joseph Macklis)

When rock star Michael Jackson was asked why he made filthy sexual hand gestures on stage he replied: “It’s the music that compels me to do it. You don’t think about it, it just happens. I’m a slave to the rhythm.” (The Evening Star, 11/2/93)

While Rock music emphasises the beat, the Bible emphasises music as melody (Isaiah 23:16; Isaiah 51:3; Ephesians 5:19).

CELEBRATING UGLINESS

Instead of focussing on attractive, uplifting and beautiful sounds and themes much of the modern industry celebrates ugliness.

“…popular music seems terminally hostile to any sound traditionally associated with music.” (Hole In Our Soul The Loss of Beauty and Meaning in American Popular Music, by Martha Bayles)

THE VOODOO CONNECTION

The predominance of the drums in Rock music is noteworthy. Rock music emphasises hard driving beat. The drum is central in Rock, Rave, Rap and Hip Hop.

“Drums represent the beat of the heart and are played to summon up magic powers.” (Marinda Bruce-Mitford, The Illustrated Book of Signs and Symbols)

“Pagan dances and rituals are always accompanied by the incessant beat of drums. Rhythm plays a major role in these demonic activities.” (Satan’s Music Exposed, Lowell Heart)

“The idea that certain rhythm patterns or sequences serve as conduits for spiritual energies, linking individual human consciousness with the gods, is basic to traditional African religions…Rock ’n Roll can ultimately be traced back to African music of a primarily spiritual or ritual nature. In a sense Rock ’n Roll is a kind of voodoo…” (Rock ’n Roll An Unruly History, by Robert Palmer)

“Today’s drummer differs but a little from the shaman in his incessant beating out of a rhythm, and likewise often enters into a form of trance while performing.” (The Secret Power of Music, by David Tame)

Little Richard, the self-professed architect of Rock ’n Roll readily admits Satan’s control and influence in his life and Rock music: “My true belief about Rock ’n Roll is this: I believe this kind of music is demonic… a lot of the beats in music today are taken from voodoo, from the voodoo drums.” (The Life and Times of Little Richard, by Charles White)

INSTRUMENTS FOR WORSHIP

It is noteworthy that while the Bible lists many kinds of instruments for music, drums are never mentioned. “…for the music in the house of the Lord, with cymbals, stringed instruments and harps for the service of the house of God…” 1 Chronicles 25:6

“Praise God in His sanctuary…praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise him with the lute and the harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150

The drum was a very common instrument in Egypt and the lands around Israel at that time and yet drums are never mentioned as instruments for believers to use in worship. Christian music should emphasise the melody, not the beat. Christian music should feed the spirit and not the flesh. Christian music should be rooted in Scripture and focused on glorifying God.

PLEASING GOD

“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Who then, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the Law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:5-8

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

“Therefore come out from among them and be separate says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Col. 3:16-17

“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song. And His praise in the assembly of saints.” Psalm 149:1

Thommy2 wrote:
So with all of these quotes above are they "prescriptive" or "descriptive"?
Also we have instruments mentioned, but not genres. If a Rap song had awesome lyrics, singing, used a trumpet, and a harp...would it be ok?
I'm asking b/c being young people definatley blow me off as if "I'll grow up and hate all music that the rest of main stream Christendom hates." I don't want to hate what man hates, I want to hate what God hates. We circle believers with an americanized moral ideology and stamp the name of the Lord on it to give it authority. (obivously morals are a huge issue. Many things "Christians" deem acceptable are evil and wicked I am not saying "Live outside of a Biblical boundry..Run be free).

So how would the Bible verses stated above build a case against a certain genre of music?

Thanks Y'all brothers for texting back and forth with me!

I don't think you are going to find anything Biblically against a certain genre of music that you can build a case (for you to confront possibly and argue with people about).

If I may ask, are you black or white? Did you grow up around rap/hip-hop music? What culture are you from? Irish? - celtic type music? American Indian - flute type music? Southern - southern type gospel music? Jewish? Italian? I do not like opera! But those who grew up with it, love it! I don't see people getting upset about Christian operatic (sp?) type music!! I've heard it, it's out there!

Personally, I'm white and I like listening to some Christian rap music. But my tastes change, I used to love southern gospel music, now I rarely listen to the stuff. I do like the snappy tunes from the Gaithers but other than that, I don't listen. I even had a neighbor once tell me that those who didn't listen to southern gospel music was going to hell. He condemned me right there.

Let me ask you this ... How did you come across this woman you are going to marry? From the time you laid eyes on her, what appealed to you about her? Her smile? Her walk? Her body type? Her hair? Her eyes? Her laugh? There is not too much Biblical about those things, are there? LOL But God knew what you liked and sent her your way. "Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above!" After initially being attracted to her, then you got to know her, correct? Then you knew if she loved Jesus or not. If God cares about what you like in a woman, why wouldn't He care about what kind of music each of us like?

I understand you wanting to hate what God hates. I don't know about music but I know that God hates the sin in my life and your life. If we work on getting the lust out, getting the hate out, getting the selfishness out and love our neighbor as we love ourselves and we trust Him, I believe that God will take care of the rest!!

Did you look around flame314's site? Here is an excerpt from a couple of his article's:

Just How “Christian” Are You Anyway?
by The Ambassador

Whether we claim to be a "Christian rapper," a "Christian hip hopper," or just a "plain Christian," the question should be asked of us, "just how Christian are we?"

The best Christian rappers are not just good rappers but, good Christians. The best Christian hip hoppers are not just cool hip hoppers but, good Christians. The best "plain Christians" are not those who have perfect church attendance, but those who live all of their life submitted and obedient to Jesus Christ. This is my burden and focus in 2007—the amping up of real Christians who are potent in their Christianity! Will the real Christians please stand up and stand out? Christian crowds are now easier than ever to amass. We've got our own celebrities, our own festivals, our own award shows, etc. Through the right marketing and promotions we can "do it big" these days, but in the midst of all of this I'm still plagued with the question, "just how Christian are we?"

This almost sounds like a trick question because it seems impossible to judge something like this. How do you judge how Christian someone is, or how Christian you are? I'm not sure that a "right answer" will be agreed on, but certainly we should be able to answer how much of the essentials of Christ's character and concerns are easily detected in us? Out of the darkness of secular culture God has clearly snatched for himself individuals and placed them into a union with His Son Jesus Christ. After this transfer, a lifestyle change is supposed to visibly and tangibly demonstrate the difference being in Christ makes. Christ is supposed to take over a person and live his life out through them. Therefore, I look to my generation and ask "just how Christian are you?"

and one about pornography:

Killing the Enemy of Pornography
submitted by FLAME

I write to you with deep concern and compassion. I recognize that this will be a fight over time for those who struggle in this area. If you do not struggle in this area, I recommend that you stay clear of it.

The first thing I want to encourage you with is that God has not left us alone in this area. He has given us the Holy Spirit and a new nature to help us combat this temptation. Our responsibility is to fight and trust God. We do this by disciplining our bodies and bringing it into submission (1 Cor. 9:27).

The Bible tells us that “No temptation has over taken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13). So don’t fret my friend, God has already made us free from this bondage to pornography and has made us slaves to Him (Rom. 6:22).

Be encouraged my brothers and sisters you can defeat this!

I think as with anything else with a Christian tag on it, you need to be careful. I know a lot of Christians [b]love[/b] to declare anything even remotely resembling rap music to be inherently evil.

Sometimes I wonder if racism is really behind that.

My two older kids (ages 12 & 13) are starting to develop their own tastes in music. Their mother and I do dictate what music is acceptable in our house, and what will not be tolerated.

What I have found in Christian rap is, for the most part, a very bold declaration of Jesus Christ. Bolder than any other style of Christian music. What's coming out from Cross Movement, and the artists on that label, actually is very deep theologically. [b]Very[/b] deep.

One artist I would caution people about is T-Bone. He's one of the most popular ones. Some of his music is quite good, but I have heard some of his stuff where he's bragging about the cars he drives and all that... as if he's trying to out do his secular counterparts. He brags too much about himself... and he promotes the outer limits of the Charismatic movement & Word of Faith.

But a lot of Christian rap, lyrically speaking, is actually much better than most Christian music.

I would recommend Cross Movement, and the artists associated with them. Lecrae, Da' T.R.U.T.H., The Ambassador, etc.

Christian Rap will never be accepted by the hard core rap fans. Ask any record label and they will tell you the people buying Christian rap are [i]mainly[/i] Christian middle class white teenage boys. So evangelistic it is not... but it can be very encouraging and uplifting for those are into it.

Tell ya what tho... I really dont like rap music as a style. It doesnt do anything for me. TobyMac is as close as I get to liking rap music, and his stuff is actually a mixture of many different styles.

Oh, I forgot about KJ-52... I like that guy. Good tunes, good sense of humor. I can tolerate him in small doses.

Can I just say something here.... whenever the topic of music comes up it gets pretty dicey around here. But one thing that bugs me is that those who are agaisnt Christian music tend to post these lengthy tomes that they've cut and pasted from some corny website... full of quotes that wont give you the name or reference... etc... please dont do that, y'all. All I care about is hearing YOUR opinion on the topic. What does scripture say to YOU about it. I dont care about what Dial-A-Truth Ministries has to say about it.

Krispy

I'm asking b/c being young people definatley blow me off as if "I'll grow up and hate all music that the rest of main stream Christendom hates."

I heard that when I was a kid too, even tho I wasnt in church. Ya know what? I still love the same style of music I did when I was a kid. I no longer listen to the same bands because I wasnt saved back then... but stylistically, I still love it. I'm 40.

However, I will say this... my taste in music has expanded greatly the older I get. Back in the day I was into only 1 style of music, and everything else was junk. Well, I was wrong. Now I like just about everything except Opera, and really bad Christian music (and there is a lot of really bad Christian music).

Krispy

What if God HATES organs and pianos????

I think He does hate it. Here's why: I have the Spirit of God living inside of me, I have the mind of Christ, and I am a new creature... and I still hate organ music. Therefore I conclude that God hates organ music.

(tongue planted firmly in cheek!)

Krispy

Why do we want to look like a culture that has such negative and sinful messages flowing out of it? Who taught the fallen culture to dress, what cars to drive, how to talk?

I agree... so why would Christians want to wear a suit and tie and look like all the corruption on Wall Street, Washington DC and corporate America?

Krispy