Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!sdd.hp.com!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: lab@fibercom.com (Lance Beckner) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: "Christian" Rock Message-ID: Date: 10 May 91 07:13:09 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: FiberCom Inc., Roanoke, Virginia Lines: 173 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article ASC105@psuvm.psu.edu writes: > > Christian rock is a hot new style very fitting for the times of today. One >of the most dirtiest tricks of Satan is decieving people into social movements >that go against God's plans. Agreed. He walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) > Satan can usually succeed when God's people do >not know and are not grounded in the Word of God (The Bible). I couldn't agree more! That's why I insist that scripture is the final authority in matters such as these. > One way that Satan can decieve people is through pleasing the flesh with >"Christian" Rock. Is Christian Rock really Christian? Or is it a COUNTERFEIT >from Satan? Satan was created as a musical being (and still works through >music apparently): This is a good question. And certainly worthy of investigation. > EZEKIEL 28:13-- > Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was > thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the > onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, > andgold: the workmanship of thy *TABRETS* and of thy *PIPES* was > prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Obviously, Satan Knows Music. One needs only to listen to *any* secular radio station and hear the songs that present lifestyles contrary to the teachings of Christ. This is true regardless of the STYLE of music. Rock, Pop, Country-Western, even Easy Listening radio stations play music with un-christian messages. > Time and time again, "Christian" rock has mocked the Bible through >disobeying it. While this may or may not be true (I'm not familiar with the examples that you give), the fact that some rock music, claiming to be christian, does not give a scripturally accurate message (or worse, messages contrary to scripture) does not mean the all christian rock is the work of the devil. > First of all, Christian rock uses the same styles and hard rocky drum >beats as its secular counterpart. Which is probably why they call it Rock :-). Christian "Country-Western" music uses the same twangy guitar styles as its secular counterpart. Christian "Easy Listening" uses the same piano, and soft instruments as its secular counterpart. For every type of music that exists in the world, there is probably a christian counterpart. Likewise, for every type of Christian music (yes, including Hymns) there is a STYLE of music closely related to it in the secular world. It would be extremely difficult (if not impossible) to label a "style" of music as being exclusively christian or non-christian. > If I had not known English and I listened >to that American "Christian" rock trash (!) of today I would have just >recognized it ordinary rock music because that's just what it is. And if I didn't know English and heard American "Christian" (fill in the style) I would recognize it as that style. Without an understanding of the lyrics, the message is lost. If I'm not mistaken, it is the MESSAGE that determines whether a song is Christian or not. > The Bible >tells us not to be like the world (1John 2:15-16, James 4:4), but "Christian" >rock copies secular styles. One could easily argue: "Since the world listens to music, and since we should not be like the world, Christians should not listen to music." Why limit it to a particular style? > Rock music style is based on pride and rebellion >against godly authority. It is equivalent to witchcraft (1Samuel 15:23). I would a appreciate you backing up this statement with scriptural support. More specifically, if you could provide me with scriptural support of God condemning any particular style of music (or even any particular musical instrument), I would be most grateful. > The purpose of music is to please and glorify God (Col. 3:16, Eph. 5:19-20). Right. Also, the edification of believers is implied. >But it seems that some "Christian" artists don't want to do this. Instead, [stuff about songs calling the Devil a liar deleted] Personally, I don't see how calling the Devil a liar "glorifies" him. It would certainly serve as a reminder to believers and possibly inform non- believers for the first time. Admittedly, I'm not familiar with either of these songs. However, often songs of this type will sing of Jesus' victory over Satan (songworthy material, IMHO). They will also highlight the attributes of Christ while pointing out the tricks that Satan tries to use. Also, songs will often remind us that we are no longer slaves to sin, but, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, have power over sin in our lives. This is not necessarily what Luke 10:20 is referring to. Though, we should look at the message and the context of the lyrics in question and be careful that we are heeding the words of our Lord. > Music was NOT the means ordained by God to get people saved. Preaching is! First, using music (and the lyrics therein) to "preach" is not prohibited. But, more importantly, music IS a means to praise God and to build up believers. (see above) > No one can please God in the flesh. True, but how can you accurately (and with scriptural support) say that one type of music is more "in the flesh" than another? >"Christian" rock concerts are definitely very complicated religious ceremonies, >BUT YET, MANY TAKE PART IN THEM. "Christian" Rock & Roll is NOT a narrow gate. >Millions follow. (see Matthew 7:13-14) This is obviously your opinion. Once again, I would like to see any biblical support for this view. > So, if you're a born-again, Bible-believing, saved Christian, and are >listening to this slop, do you feel cut to the heart? NO! > Don't let this tug in >your spirit wear off. Get down on your knees and REPENT! God will be pleased. Could you offer book, chapter and verse please? > Now, what if you're not responding to the Word of God? Let's say you already >asked God and got an OK response. I suggest you turn to Ezekiel 14:1-5. If >"Christian" Rock is an idol, God will tell you JUST WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR! >You should have known better! We're under the New Covenant, remember? > I've only touched the tip of the iceberg on how bad "Christian" Rock is. >It's not just like the world, IT IS THE WORLD! What if I AM responding to the Word of God? What if, more than anything, I want to KNOW the will of God and do it? What if He has not condemned a certain style of music either through His word or to me personally as I pray to know His will? I suggest you turn to Matthew 7:7-8. If you seek God's will, you will find it, if you ask for guidance in this area, you will receive it. > I do not condemn you people, as I battle against my own sin also. I know Accusing a group of people you do not know of being "idol worshippers" because they enjoy a style of music that does not appeal to you seems a lot like condemnation to me. Let me just say once again, that if you can biblically support your idea that Christian Rock is against God's will, I'll be more than willing to listen. Also, keep in mind that what appeals to you may not appeal to me (and vice versa). Differing "tastes" and "preferences" within the body of Christ does not necessarily constitute sin. While we must always be careful to recognize sin for what it is (the Devil is crafty), we must also be careful not to judge others just because they are not carbon copies of ourselves. Finally, when we make Jesus our Lord (or more accurately, when we yield to His Lordship), we must also keep in mind that He is the Lord over our brothers and sisters as well. We must always be careful that we are not trying to lord over fellow believers. May the Love of Christ dwell in you heart richly. Lance -- Lance A. Beckner INTERNET: lab@fibercom.com FiberCom, Inc. UUCP: ...!uunet!fibercom!lab P.O. Box 11966 FAX: (703) 342-5961 Roanoke, VA 24022-1966 PHONE: (703) 342-6700