Why do mot christians have issues with ''metal'' music genre

Most born again Christians have issues with secular music, in general, and with good reason. A lot of what is pushed in pop culture has a really foul anointing to it. Additionally, the messages in the lyrics are loaded with negative ideas that beat and dishearten the listener.

Metal music is no different, just a bit more obvious and aggressive.

That all being said, the lyrics are the most important aspect of music as they convey the message, ad if the message is glorifying to God and exalts Jesus, it doesn't really matter how it's dressed up.

I know people who love hardcore Christian music. I'm not a fan, myself, but I can understand how it may suit their taste and sensibilities.

Before I started walking closely with the Lord, I was into all kinds of heavy music. Now that I know Jesus, I can see how powerfully awful some of that stuff was in my life to keep me bound to ungodly ideas and negative thinking.

Most of the opposition I have seen, has not really been the people opposing it, but people complaining that someone opposed it. For that reason I'd guess it was parents, primarily, who made the complaints.

If parents it can be any number of reasons. Extra noises in the house, tense noises. Kids not being able to hear when spoken to. Worries about early onset of tinnitus, which never repairs. And just wanting a more peaceful household at the end of a long day.

But what you're likely asking, is why Christians hold to such a rigid standard for their lives, and expect others to follow it. Not every Christian behaves this way, or believes this way, or avoids the same things.

I know Christians who avoid pork but not alcohol. Christians who play in metal bands but don't own a TV. Ones who dress provocatively but lead worship. Everyone has standards in their heads, of what they believe they should be doing.

Ultimately, we claim to live for God and carry out His purposes, living in the ways of His kingdom. But not all of us can see how His kingdom operates. Paul writes about living like athletes in training -- abstaining from anything that will slow us down in the race. That can be different for each person.

But if there are obvious things, like putting lyrics in your head that oppose your own beliefs, then we are just fooling ourselves by thinking we won't be impacted. Defending it can be a clue that we already have been impacted. If we were opposed to machine gun shootings in schools, would we play a game where we put ourselves in the position of shooting?

It's about living our lives honestly, openly, being real with others. Speaking out when we feel it should be done, and allowing others to speak out in too, even if it's in opposition.

If we think something will ultimately harm people, then there are times that it should be voiced. Not dictated, but expressed.

And that's not so much different from metal music -- where people want to shout out about injustice and inequity. Everyone wants to be able to say what they feel.

A lot of what is pushed in pop culture has a really foul anointing to it. Additionally, the messages in the lyrics are loaded with negative ideas that beat and dishearten the listener.

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There are mushy pop songs that sound like stalkers pining away for people who asked them to leave.

"I can't live, if living is without you."

Or infidelity

"You say that's your boyfriend, You say I'm out of line. Funny, he said I could call him up anytime"

Or Prince elevating incest.

Or Jimi Hendrix, "Woman must now die"

There's a lot of crud that doesn't need to be rolling around in our heads.

Do we need it? How much do we want it? Do we need everything that we want?


The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
-- Attributed to Mahatma Gandhi

randomUSER1 said in post 1:

Why do most christians have issues with ''metal'' music genre

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It could be because some of its songs are so overtly Satanic.

"... for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial?" (2 Corinthians 6:14-15).

Some metal lyrics are so expressly hailing Satan and cursing God, and their music thumps with so much intensity and inspiration from demons, that Christians can't even listen to them for more than a few seconds, because such a strong, dark, heaviness comes over them. They have to change the channel on the radio immediately, unlike with any other genre.

"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:5-7).

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord" (Ephesians 5:8-10).

randomUSER1 said:

the title says it all

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I think if you ask a lot of Christians who were former rock or even Jamaican-type musicians, they'll tell you it's the driving beat that has tremendous impact on one's soul.

I have a former conga drum player in church that mentioned a spirit would sometimes appear next to him at times while he gave a driving beat for prolonged periods.

If you consider what God did with teaching the people about his nature through Old Testament Law, he was demonstrating that there is a right way and a wrong way of doing things.

When you go to heaven, there's a way to sing and dance to glorify God, so I'm told, and it won't include head-banging, I can tell you that.

Personally, and I cannot answer for anyone else on this, I have a problem with metal because it is raucous and cacophonous rather than something of grace, harmony and refinement.

If you want another pop-culture reference, we can try Tolkien; metal is very much of the Orc whilst godly music is more of the Elf.

Battle Lines by Disciple is both heavy metal and has strong, Biblical lyrics.

faroukfarouk said:

Battle Lines by Disciple is both heavy metal and has strong, Biblical lyrics.

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You can write Bible lyrics in the blood of a child...would that make the act acceptable?

It is not possible to separate the lyrics from the "noise" in metal; and that noise is carnal cacophony, not spiritual serenity.

Inkfingers said:

You can write Bible lyrics in the blood of a child...would that make the act acceptable?

It is not possible to separate the lyrics from the "noise" in metal; and that noise is carnal cacophony, not spiritual serenity.

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Have you ever listened to Battle Lines by Disciple?

faroukfarouk said:

Have you ever listened to Battle Lines by Disciple?

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Yes, and it fits my description very well.

Inkfingers said:

You can write Bible lyrics in the blood of a child...would that make the act acceptable?

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Not a valid comparison in any sense.

Inkfingers said:

It is not possible to separate the lyrics from the "noise" in metal; and that noise is carnal cacophony, not spiritual serenity.

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Every type of music that we can physically hear is by definition sensual (related to the senses, we have to hear it and interpret it as music) and therefore carnal. This is whether it inspires serenity, excitement, or any other emotive response. What is spiritual or not depends entirely on whether it is used to get closer to, or further from God. I've heard music from known occultists which is very, very peaceful.

EDIT: I should clarify that "sensual" and "carnal" are not necessarily bad things. The smell or taste of fresh fruit for instance, would be a sensual pleasure, and its nourishment is to the earthly body, making eating it a "carnal" act. And this is fine, because the pleasure of it is something that God, in his goodness, made for us to enjoy. Adding in spirituality would be thanking him for the food, the goodness of it, and marveling at his greatness as the Creator.

I would like to say here, that what ever you do to glorify the lord, in any way shape or form, is acceptable to him, so long as it glorifies him. The christian heavy metal bands have had there musical talents given by god. And they, if they are truly using there music to glorify the lord, are in fact glorying to the lord. Who is to say it isn't glorifying to god. If the music type is set in a specific genre, should we not be playing, and only listening to uke's, and harps. and trumpets, as that was the type of instruments used in the beginning, yes? Perhaps, the message is getting to the individuals who like the heavy music. I feel that only you and god know your relationship with him. And if you feel that the heavy metal music lyrics, and message are positive, and you heart is on fire for him, after hearing it. Who is to say it is not correct.

Most of that noisy so-called "music" is all about exciting the flesh with a jungle-type dance rhythm (like natives in the jungles do around a fire), designed to arouse the flesh to a frenzy. Beside the noise, it is not truly music, but a chant. There is no melody, and just repeats phrases over and over. I don't think God is pleased with it at all. That is my observation, but I know some professing Christians will defend it as genuine music of their beliefs.

When you say professing Christians, are you implying that the ones here who listen to christian rock, are in some way professing to be christian because of the type of music we listen, isn't that slightly judgmental? And if I choose to put words that i feel speak to people, to music that they can relate to all in the name of the lord, I am professing. I ride motorcycles, and I have tattoos, and I love hearing christian rock, does that make you a better christian then me. or anyone for that matter. Not that your views matter to me brother, as I know my relationship with my heavenly father. And if one of my talents is to play the guitar, and I do all things through Christ, why would my type of music be displeasing to god, if in my heart i am speaking to him, and worshiping him, and giving him all honor and glory?

randomUSER1 said:

the title says it all

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Well, when I was younger they had reason to be. While most Christians had it out for more benign bands like AC/DC or Judas Priest (because that's all they really knew about), there was an undercurrent of what was called "black/death metal". Christians had a lot more to be upset about with this stuff, but it wasn't even on the radar for them. I was into this music for a while, and it definitely had an 'occult' bent to it. Really a lot of dark themes to the music.
Idk about a lot of this today, if it still exists. I've not listened to the stuff in a while. I have to admit, even as a Christian, I still have an affinity for Iron Maiden, Metallica, and some others. But I won't go near anything like I did in my teens and 20's.

I listen to some metal. I refuse to listen to death metal. But I let the Spirit guide me in most cases.