Thoughts on Extreme forms of Christian music?

Joyous Song said:

One way to walk in the wrong way in to never bother to look and learn from the mistakes of others.

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I agree, and I'd never suggest otherwise.

But there's "look and learn" and there's "repeatedly fill my head with the image of a woman on her knees committing inappropriate behavior with animals with a goat".

Proverbs 26:11 "Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly."

Again, what we put into our eyes and ears, is what we become over time. Graphic depictions of perverted sins should not be something we voluntarily return to, especially under the guise of "entertainment" like music. Replace the "goatwhore" with a toddler being raped to death, and how cool would the song become? One perverted sin is not less than another. It's one thing to acknowledge that these horrors exist, but another to voluntarily insert them into our minds more than once and call it entertainment. What benefit, what edification, what good is coming from it?

"Well, it reminds us of the reality of sin and evil and that we need to turn away from it."

Right, and you can do that without graphic depictions of sin.

I'm not saying my opinion is the only one or the right one for every person. But that's how I see it.

NerdGirl123 said:

I agree, and I'd never suggest otherwise.

But there's "look and learn" and there's "repeatedly fill my head with the image of a woman on her knees committing inappropriate behavior with animals with a goat".

Proverbs 26:11 "Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly."

Again, what we put into our eyes and ears, is what we become over time. Graphic depictions of perverted sins should not be something we voluntarily return to, especially under the guise of "entertainment" like music. Replace the "goatwhore" with a toddler being raped to death, and how cool would the song become? One perverted sin is not less than another. It's one thing to acknowledge that these horrors exist, but another to voluntarily insert them into our minds more than once and call it entertainment. What benefit, what edification, what good is coming from it?

"Well, it reminds us of the reality of sin and evil and that we need to turn away from it."

Right, and you can do that without graphic depictions of sin.

I'm not saying my opinion is the only one or the right one for every person. But that's how I see it.

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I actually love to sing "Welcome to the Masquerade" because I can see it all around us, people claiming a faith but falling into sin. So I can agree, certain words may be harsh, repeated over and over again. We tend to read those scriptures once and often they have a spiritual connotation that gets lost in the direct quote.

So is there a risk perhaps but I seen as great a risk in all Christian music. We also see in all Christian music the courage to take on risky but highly important topics like sinful or hypocritical Christianity, the NEED to take up our cross, daily, and the importance of staying awake because He can return at any time!

So yes, there is a slight risk, but compared to what else is out there, I let my kids listen to Hard Christian Rock and Rock opera and answer their questions when they arise.

two more songs with my son on the drums

Hey this might be a controversial ramble, but I was strongly involved in Music, Street drama and the like.

Looking back - I well remember one of my elders saying "Satan doesn't mind what you do as long as souls are not being saved..."

Can I claim that these creative offerings were an effective tool to see souls saved? Frankly the answer is no.

Was it exhilarating? Yes.

When Moses came down the mountain, he knew Israel has fallen into deception because of the sound of the music. It was exhilarating to those participating.

However, what was Jesus plan for evangelism?

We read in John 17 it was to be the VISIBLE unity of believers that would draw the world to Him.

So in my latter years I apply the acid test of souls saved to Christian 'activity' and the performance is frankly very poor.

Street preachers come across as if God hates the world.

The message of the Gospel is largely preached to believers within the 4 walls of a building invisible to the world...

Our 'super preachers' dont go out as instructed and engage with the world as Paul did.

But most of all why don't believers combine together returning to what was done at first as we read in early acts, living close together in loving community visible to the world? This was Jesus's formula.

It is because Love comes at a cost - and most folks seem unwilling to pay.

So the music continues - and the revival in God's heart tarries.

I know I'm late to the conversation, but thought I'd share my thoughts. I think "extreme" forms of christian music are okay, so long as what they are singing about would glorify God. There are some people who find heavy instrumentation and harsh vocals to be very unedifying and even wrong. I respect that, because what is wrong for some people isn't necessarily wrong for others. For example, Paul said that eating food that had been sacrificed to idols was not wrong, but for some, namely those who had come from an idolatry background, it would be wrong, since it would defile their consciouses. I believe different styles of music are the same way.

As with anything in life, there are various extremes. The obvious intent of this thread is to discuss extreme forms of contemporary Christian music. To put things in perspective a bit, the other extreme would be singing only the Psalms of the Bible congregationally without any instrumental accompaniment.

Carl Emerson said:

Hey this might be a controversial ramble, but I was strongly involved in Music, Street drama and the like.

Looking back - I well remember one of my elders saying "Satan doesn't mind what you do as long as souls are not being saved..."

Can I claim that these creative offerings were an effective tool to see souls saved? Frankly the answer is no.

Was it exhilarating? Yes.

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How are such things measured?

If the only tool we have is to count the number of decision cards that were filled out at the end of the evening, then yes, the extreme Christian music event might be considered a failure. Mostly because they don't use the standard Billy Graham style evangelism model. (complete with an alter call and decision cards to fill out) Although, there is a YWAM group called No Longer Music, that does do that. They do an Alice Cooper style theatrical show complete with an altar call. And they go to the most dangerous places a Christian group could go. Often risking life and limb to be there. No Longer Music

On the other hand, people will show up at a music concert that would never darken the door of a church. The same folks that would walk past a street preacher giving little notice to what was being said. The aforementioned concert-goer may be stunned when they realize they are surrounded by Christians that actually like the same kind of music they do. And would obviously be open to talking about Christianity when exposed to this aspect of it.

Saint Steven said:

How are such things measured?

If the only tool we have is to count the number of decision cards that were filled out at the end of the evening, then yes, the extreme Christian music event might be considered a failure. Mostly because they don't use the standard Billy Graham style evangelism model. (complete with an alter call and decision cards to fill out) Although, there is a YWAM group called No Longer Music, that does do that. They do an Alice Cooper style theatrical show complete with an altar call. And they go to the most dangerous places a Christian group could go. Often risking life and limb to be there. No Longer Music

On the other hand, people will show up at a music concert that would never darken the door of a church. The same folks that would walk past a street preacher giving little notice to what was being said. The aforementioned concert-goer may be stunned when they realize they are surrounded by Christians that actually like the same kind of music they do. And would obviously be open to talking about Christianity when exposed to this aspect of it.

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That can be a slippery slope. For example, because drinking alcohol is not prohibited in the Bible it is perfectly fine to engage alcoholics in a bar, encouraging them to trust Jesus, but never encouraging any form of repentance.

True Counterphobia said:

I didn't know where else to stick this, but figured this might be the place for it.

I enjoy extreme heavy Christian music. What are people's thoughts on this?

Example of a song I like that I would consider in this category. Will post the lyics.

Perversions elevated to the state of religion.
It was, and is and shall be no more.

In ancient days, women on their knees mounted by goats,
the sehirrim of the wastelands, demons of Azazel.

These days we repeat such filth with pride.

Perversions elevated to the state of state-religion,
marching through the gates of every city.

All shall bow like in the days of the mad king.

White light broken up in colours,
distorted under the veil of good.

What was, is and shall not be.

The city is a sewer,
it floods the streets with filth.

Only the promise keeps the flood of Noah at bay.
In ancient days a flood washed all sinners away.

What was, and is and shall yet be.

A cross was risen on a hill in the midst of time and space,
a sacrifice to God, a sacrifice of God, God sacrificed.
In these days a flood of Gods own blood to wash away all sin,
and spare the life of sinners.

Leave the blood filth step in to the white,
step into the light. Goatwhore no more.

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I offer some biblical points here on why I think this kind of music is not even remotely Christian in this thread here:

Christian Heavy Metal or Death Metal is not Christian.

Bible Highlighter said:

I offer some biblical points here on why I think this kind of music is not even remotely Christian in this thread here:

Christian Heavy Metal or Death Metal is not Christian.

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Then you probably agree that the only truly Christian music is the Psalms. Which Psalter does your church use?

bbbbbbb said:

Then you probably agree that the only truly Christian music is the Psalms. Which Psalter does your church use?

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I am not really here to argue. I am just providing a source to the truth. What one does with that truth is up to them.

Bible Highlighter said:

I am not really here to argue. I am just providing a source to the truth. What one does with that truth is up to them.

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As am I. What you do with the truth of singing Psalms in church and out of church is quite up to you.

bbbbbbb said:

As am I. What you do with the truth of singing Psalms in church and out of church is quite up to you.

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Not sure what your going on about with the strict use of Psalms only (if that is what you are suggesting).

Ephesians 5:19 says,
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”

Bible Highlighter said:

Not sure what your going on about with the strict use of Psalms only (if that is what you are suggesting).

Ephesians 5:19 says,
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”

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I am just making the point that there are many varieties of extreme forms of Christian music, all with their advocates as well as detractors.

bbbbbbb said:

I am just making the point that there are many varieties of extreme forms of Christian music, all with their advocates as well as detractors.

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Slapping the Christian label on something does not make it Christian, though. But we can agree to disagree. Anyways, the link to my thread has the info. to the verses to lead a person to see that Death Metal, etc. in any of it's forms is not even remotely a Christian thing. So if you don't get it, there is no point to go back and forth on this topic. Folks want to justify their worldly indulgences that are not of God that they took from their old past. That is what this is really about. But do not take my word for it. Test the Scriptures. Getting radical or really serious about following Jesus will not include these things in one's life. For if Jesus is our first love, it will in time manifest in life in time that whereby our life is 100% sold out to Him. We have to pick up our cross and deny ourselves.

The point of most music in the Bible is to worship God.
Can one scream in sounds that we cannot understand, bang their head, jump in the mosh pit, and act in an uncontrollable aggressive narcistic rage in worship to God?
I would say... “no.”

Bible Highlighter said:

Slapping the Christian label on something does not make it Christian, though. But we can agree to disagree. Anyways, the link to my thread has the info. to the verses to lead a person to see that Death Metal, etc. in any of it's forms is not even remotely a Christian thing. So if you don't get it, there is no point to go back and forth on this topic. Folks want to justify their worldly indulgences that are not of God that they took from their old past. That is what this is really about. But do not take my word for it. Test the Scriptures. Getting radical or really serious about following Jesus will not include these things in one's life. For if Jesus is our first love, it will in time manifest in life in time that whereby our life is 100% sold out to Him. We have to pick up our cross and deny ourselves.

The point of most music in the Bible is to worship God.
Can one scream in sounds that we cannot understand, bang their head, jump in the mosh pit, and act in an uncontrollable aggressive narcistic rage in worship to God?
I would say... “no.”

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Interestingly enough, when the priests were carrying the ark back from the Philistines to the tabernacle King David led the procession and apparently danced so wildly that Michal, his wife, despised him in heart. As a result, David put her away in solitary confinement for the rest of her life.