Is Christian Rock, really Christ-like?

[cadworm]

If you consider Switchfoot and Third Day, "Christian rock" then I am guilty of enjoying the music. I am 49, and have been blessed and encouraged by the music of both groups, but particularly Third Day's worship albums. Sometimes I think we tend to "major in the minors". If the music is edifying and encouraging, and glorifies and praises Jesus, how can we neglect it.

We sometimes have the same discussion regarding the King James Bible. I prefer the King James to use for study, but I do reference other translations. If it is a translation an indivdual reads and understands, then it is worth the read.

I enjoy the old hymns occassionally, but I also am blessed by contemporary music as well. I am sure the music we sing from our hymnals is as different from the music in the 1st century church, as the contemporary and rock we listen to today is different from our hymnals.

Psalms 33, 96, 98, 144 & 149 encourage us to sing a "new song" unto the Lord.

Let His children sing.

 

[signalerror]

I for one have seen young teens openly praise the lord with both classic Hymns and even now techno and rave style music.
I think it comes down to the lyrics and the mood of the song. If it is offering praise and helps to get people to loosen up and sing then im all for it.

 

[BT]

and helps to get people to loosen up

Some people can become too loose, or too "open". Be discerning.

 

[LaxItUp]

If an artist's heart is actively seeking to glorify God through the message he is singing, then go for it. If his heart is in the right place, then the lyrics will follow his heart. I used to listen to hardcore rap and metal before I got my rear in gear and decided to follow Christ and I thank God that there are Christian artists who play music to my tastes. I have even given much Christian rap, metal, and rock to my friends who aren't Christians. Check the sig, that's what I am talking about...

 

[BT]

If an artist's heart is actively seeking to glorify God through the message he is singing, then go for it. If his heart is in the right place, then the lyrics will follow his heart. I used to listen to hardcore rap and metal before I got my rear in gear and decided to follow Christ and I thank God that there are Christian artists who play music to my tastes. I have even given much Christian rap, metal, and rock to my friends who aren't Christians. Check the sig, that's what I am talking about...

Great point Lax. I would only add, don't trust the heart, and be careful because if you follow the heart you'll fall into error. Guaranteed! You know, I like music, but I love Christ. I've already stated my opinion on this subject so I won't go back and rehash it. I'm going to be doing a post soon on one of my sermon's where I taught about the hearts place in salvation. Check it out when I put it up. If Christian "rockers" were like Bleechers I wouldn't have any issue at all, but as he and I both admit, they aren't. And probably will never be. Anyway that's just 2 cents.

 

[LaxItUp]

Great point Lax. I would only add, don't trust the heart, and be careful because if you follow the heart you'll fall into error. Guaranteed! You know, I like music, but I love Christ. I've already stated my opinion on this subject so I won't go back and rehash it. I'm going to be doing a post soon on one of my sermon's where I taught about the hearts place in salvation. Check it out when I put it up. If Christian "rockers" were like Bleechers I wouldn't have any issue at all, but as he and I both admit, they aren't. And probably will never be. Anyway that's just 2 cents.

Just a quick question, BT. Don't you think that if that person is actively striving to follow Christ, his heart will be in the right place? Going from there if they are seeking Him, then their lyrics will match the passion of their hearts. What do you think?

 

[bleechers]

When I first started back into music with my friend (I took off about 4 years after I got saved to get grounded), our goal has always been the CCM Mag interview... for those of you familiar with me on this board you realize that it would be my first and last interview... if they had the guts to print it!

That being said, I support anyone who has decided to skip the whole CCM scene and it's "message"... but I won't attack the medium just because the message is weak? Heretical? Cowardly? (I say those in a general sense, even in the black-hole of CCM where "discernment" is considered a nasty word, there are a few rays of light... albeit, just a few! )

PS: I am really am a teddybear, when you get to know me...

 

[Andyman_1970]

but I won't attack the medium just because the message is weak? Heretical? Cowardly? (I say those in a general sense, even in the black-hole of CCM where "discernment" is considered a nasty word, there are a few rays of light... albeit, just a few! )

Now I'll admit my taste in CCM is relatively narrow, other than some bands like Project 86, 12 stones, Kutless, I for the most part listen to pretty "mainstream" stuff, my favorite being Third Day, Casting Crowns, Mercy Me. I have heard and read on some pretty "fundamental" websites how bands like Third Day are just as you described(weak, heretical, cowardly). I guess my question is, how in the world after listening to their songs can someone come away with that impression?

 

[bleechers]

I guess my question is, how in the world after listening to their songs can someone come away with that impression?

Let me quote myself: "there are a few rays of light... "

My point is, learn to discern.

There are many bands that appear to be "strong," but upon bliblical inspection they are just three thousand miles wide and an inch deep. You named a band, I didn't. What I am looking for is for people to discern every song, every word, every action by the Word of God. That just does not happen in CCM these days.

I could name some rank heretics in CCM... and prove it by quotes from their own mouths... but nobody would beleive me (see my painful struggles in the Contemporary Music Forum). Heck, one of the gods of CCM openly denounced the faith and he is STILL lauded as a "pioneer" and a great leader in CCM!

As I am weary of "Law", I will not tell you that you can't listen to CCM. I would just implore you to keep your eyes and ears open, and "search the scriptures whether these things are so." (Acts 17:11). There is some of Third Day that is OK, but I know of at least one song that is based on a bad misinterpretation of scripture... but if I dare point it out, I get slaughtered... that is the danger in CCM "fandom".

People (in general, not you) would rather follow, rather than discern.

Now you know why my music has such a large following ...

 

[Andyman_1970]

There is some of Third Day that is OK, but I know of at least one song that is based on a bad misinterpretation of scripture... but if I dare point it out, I get slaughtered... that is the danger in CCM "fandom".

PM me with the song if you would. I promise no slaughtering on my part.............

 

[Cright]

I'm not really "into" contempory christian music. When I do hear it on the local radio station (which isn't often) I enjoy it. If it's God focused I find nothing wrong w/ the "style" of music whatsoever!

If there were a Christian who wrote contempory, rock, pop, jazz, rap, techno type music would anyone have a problem with it if it had NO LYRICS?

Seriously... to say that the music itself is bad is silly in my book.

If the words are based from bible stories to teach, or are worship songs to worship our God or if they songs that glorify him... what's the prob?

(I'm not talking about specific groups/singers who have not had completely sound biblical lyrics)

Just curious...

Carina

 

[Iollain]

I used to listen to Heavy Metal, i was a long haired headbanger lol, so i've mellowed out somewhat with age, and with Jesus, i like Third Day and stuff like that now. Was never too spiritual when hearing and singing Amazing Love until i heard the Newsboys sing it. My daughter likes "Christian Norwegien Death Metal" which i cannot find anything spiritual in until i read the words without the song. She claims it's great music. But then i love Stoneleigh, Vineyard; and Southern Gospel has always been a favourite, probably because my Grandmother listened to it on the radio when i was little. I guess it's just what ya like.

 

[BT]

Just a quick question, BT. Don't you think that if that person is actively striving to follow Christ, his heart will be in the right place? Going from there if they are seeking Him, then their lyrics will match the passion of their hearts. What do you think?

Sorry I kind of missed this question before..

In general? Sure, Psalm 51:10 says "Create in me a clean heart, O God;..."

But how do you (anyone) know if an "artist" is actively striving to follow Christ? Which begs the question, How do you know that person's heart? Only God knows. Lyrics match nothing but what they write on paper. I don't have to be right with God to write down "Praise the Lord". I don't even have to be right with God to make up a song based on Biblical ideas or some old sermon that I once heard. This is exactly the problem that I was talking about. You can't trust in someone because they have passionate lyrics, or because they are a leader, or because they "sound" holy or seem to be on the right path. You might listen to say Michael W Smith and think wow this is a solid man of God, meanwhile he could be (this is an example only not true) shooting heroin three times a week. You just don't know. Words are words and do not necessarily reflect the heart or the soul of the author.

Let me put it another way. Over the past few months I think I've come to be somewhat well respected here on CF. I think (and I could be way wrong) that some people have come to value my opinion and or trust my teaching in some things. But you don't really know me. I could get off of CF and go smack my wife around. I could write a long Biblical answer to someone while I'm sitting here smoking dope. I could finish a giving out blessings for a question of the week and proceed to download porn. You don't know... (ok this does not apply to OracleX since he does know me in real life... so Oracle)

Now with me it's a bit different because we are interactive. You can ask me questions and see how I answer you and others.. to see if there is "fruit" evident (I'll let you decide that on your own, you could all think I'm a huge heretic for all I know, in which case this post makes me look even dumber ). You can judge me differently because you know me somewhat and (hopefully) can judge me heart etc. But these "artists" you only know by their music, and press releases, interviews etc. You have no idea what they are really like, or if in their lives there is "fruit" evident. That's the grand joke of it all, and the reason for my warning. Listen, if you want to listen to CCM you aren't going to get blasted from me. If you start to think that there is a whole lot of "meat" in CCM you will have disagreements with me. If you start to substitute CCM artists for your pastor, you're going to have a lot of trouble with me. If you substitute preaching for what you "learn" from CCM you're going to have truck loads of trouble from me. If you want to listen to it, and it makes you "feel" good and that's it... more power to you. Just beware of "feelings" and beware of "wolves in sheep's clothing"... as I said before, Be Discerning.

Ack! That's a long one... sorry

 

[bleechers]

I don't even have to be right with God to make up a song based on Biblical ideas or some old sermon that I once heard

Heck, I'd be happy if they actually tried once in a while!

But these "artists" you only know by their music, and press releases, interviews etc.

That's usually enough to determine that most of them have no concept of "doctrine"... I take that back, most of them are familiar with the concept, but in CCM "doctrine" is treated as a bad word (as in: "Doctrine divides!" and other similar nonsense... for the record, it does "divide," but that's a good thing!).

I don't have to be right with God to write down "Praise the Lord".

You don't even have to be a Christian!

 

[hola]

It probably has been mentioned...I didn't see it in any of the posts that I skimmed through, though. I don't want to re-post anything or spam...but I just thought about that if something offends our "brother in Christ", we should abstain from it...even if we don't have a problem with it...maybe it's not an actual sin in itself. Some argue about what day to worship on, and other things which seem like sins to some (if you don't worship on Saturday some may think that that's a sin-then again maybe the question should be "What is true worship?"). But in order not to offend them...we should abstain from things that cause our "brother in Christ" to stumble, if they are weak. I can agree with many things that have been from both sides...but I can't really draw a clear dividing line. I've tried before...but I've not been able to. But we may offend people in a lot of things...and it's easy to try to start pleasing everyone. One obvious thing that may offend some, that Christians know not to worry about, is the offense of the cross (even here some people differ in their understanding of this). I believe you all may already know this stuff anyway...I just thought to add it.

 

[bleechers]

Hola, hola.

Well said. Some of that was mixed into the previous 7 pages, but you summed it up well.

I play CCM, but when some folks in my local church tried to make me the posterboy for bringing CCM into the meetings... I was out the door. Hey, I don't want to stumble anybody! I know people who firmly believe that the back-beat will turn their minds into Satan's playland if they hear it... I'm sorry they're under that bondage, but I won't be the cause of strife (particularly over such a non-essential like contemporary music) ina brother's life.

Again, good post!

 

[seebs]

Note: Not "abstain entirely". "Abstain when they're around". You live your own life, and they don't get to tell you what to do, any more than you push something at them that they don't want or can't handle.

 

[BT]

Note: Not "abstain entirely". "Abstain when they're around". You live your own life, and they don't get to tell you what to do, any more than you push something at them that they don't want or can't handle.

I think that depends on who you are and what your position (in the church or in leadership is). IMO

 

[Carl Carlson]

What God puts inside us we should use for His glory. We all have been given talents from our Father. We can waste them and end up with nothing, or we can put them to work in the Kingdom. Interpret that how you will. I believe God has raised up people in all walks of life and music is one of them. Christian music has exploded in the last 10 years and I believe God has blessed it. I don't believe that it's all good, but God is doing awesome things with it. I will not stand in the way of what God is doing. I will be His hands and feet and use my talents accordingly. We are not working for ourselves, but for a greater cause. If God wants to use music to further His Kingdom, then I pray that this world will be changed and brought to Him as a result. Glory to God! Thank you and God bless.

 

[BT]

What God puts inside us we should use for His glory.

Be very careful with this line of thinking. Very very very careful.