Secular Music and Christianity

[The Christian Weeb]

There has often been a long debate on whether Christians should listen to secular music or not. I think this generally is something left up to personal conviction, though I strongly reject the view that instruments define whether a song is good or evil. As Christians I think we should look at the message of the song not so much as the instruments used to create the song.

I have heard some say that rock is evil or electric guitar but this is just plain legalism in my view because there are many Christian artists like Skillet, Flyleaf, Firelight, Demon Hunter etc that have very good Christian messages in them and to limit God by saying He can only use Contemporary songs or Hymns is just limiting the power of Christ and that is wrong.

Now when it comes to secular music, some electronic stuff is instrumental and I see absolutely no issue with this. If there was an issue with this then Christians should not watch any movies that are not Christian.

The lines become much more blurred when songs have any of these three elements in them: Profanity, Sexuality, or a message contrary to scripture. For these I think it’s important to truly pray about these types of songs. I know many of my Christian friends who listen to mainstream rap and I just don’t see any good in those songs generally speaking.

Here is my honest opinion. I don’t think listening to a song with a swear word is a sin but it can lead to it if it influences you to say those words. However when a song has sexuality in it I think it’s important to understand why you are listening to it. Do you picture in your head what the song is describing? If so it’s definitely a sin to listen to it. For me as someone who recently has come back from a period of serious backsliding I have been convicted on some of the songs I would listen to particularly ones with strong sexual content. I think we must apply the same rules to music as we do to movies. Is it wrong to watch a movie with language? I don’t believe so unless it causes you to swear. But I think sexuality in music is blatantly wrong if you are thinking about the content within the song. I believe the Holy Spirit will tell you what is okay and what is not. I do not believe it is the act of listening to something so much as what your mind is doing when you listen to said song.

My personal conviction falls kind of in the middle on this issue. I think there is a fine line with music, and it can influence people. To me I take a view on this issue as just be very careful. Evaluate every song you listen to carefully. Is it objectifying women? Glorifying drugs? Glorifying lust? Glorifying money or drinking? If so I would recommend staying away from those. If not then it’s probably just fine. God doesn’t want us to be so legalistic that we worry about every little thing we do but we should also glorify Him with our actions. We should strive to be different and show the world we are different. If we listen to stuff that constantly glorifies living in the world then that is not good at all.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Everything, not just some things, that is born of the flesh is flesh, and unprofitable.

Everything that is as to source not from the Father in Heaven, is not a good gift.

("Every good gift is from the Father in heaven" )

 

[The Christian Weeb]

Everything, not just some things, that is born of the flesh is flesh, and unprofitable.

Everything that is as to source not from the Father in Heaven, is not a good gift.

("Every good gift is from the Father in heaven" )

While I agree with this to a point I believe this is a bit Calvinistic in theology. Is a non Christian firefighter who saves lives not given a gift from God to do so? I think it’s dangerous to say that everything a person who isn’t a Christian does is wrong or sinful. Many non believers donate money to charities. What man intended for evil God intended for good. I think it’s dangerous to limit God.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

While I agree with this to a point I believe this is a bit Calvinistic in theology. Is a non Christian firefighter who saves lives not given a gift from God to do so? I think it’s dangerous to say that everything a person who isn’t a Christian does is wrong or sinful. Many non believers donate money to charities. What man intended for evil God intended for good. I think it’s dangerous to limit God.

So learn from Him.
Everything in the flesh profits nothing. There's nothing of the flesh, not just of the devil, that God needs nor wants, according to His Word, Completely.

It is dangerous to try to change His Word without even knowing it and without obeying Him ever. (the wide path and all that)

 

[ViaCrucis]

People should listen to what they enjoy listening to, and allow their conscience to make decisions about such matters.

By and large I don't listen to "Christian music", there are exceptions, mostly when I listen to hymns and chants, or maybe Five Iron Frenzy or Switchfoot. But then I, somewhat generally, don't care much for the Christian pop culture industry that exists--I think it is weird. As though Jesus is a brand that can be bought and sold.

Speaking of Christian music, there's this probably more gem by Atomic Opera that might be relevant:

-CryptoLutheran

 

[The Christian Weeb]

People should listen to what they enjoy listening to, and allow their conscience to make decisions about such matters.

By and large I don't listen to "Christian music", there are exceptions, mostly when I listen to hymns and chants, or maybe Five Iron Frenzy or Switchfoot. But then I, somewhat generally, don't care much for the Christian pop culture industry that exists--I think it is weird. As though Jesus is a brand that can be bought and sold.

Speaking of Christian music, there's this probably more gem by Atomic Opera that might be relevant:

-CryptoLutheran

I am in agreement with you. I don’t listen to CCM just because it all sounds the same to me. Most of what I listen to is electronic dance music and many of those songs don’t even have lyrics. I think that Christians can listen to almost anything they want so long as it doesn’t influence them negatively. For my personal conviction I tend to draw the line if a song becomes very profane and sexual because there is a chance I’d visualize what is in the song and I don’t wanna do that. I don’t have an issue even with party songs, so long as they aren’t glorifying sexual content or filled with tons of profanity. But when a song swears every few words then to me that is just something I don’t wanna listen to but I won’t judge any other Christians who do listen to that type of stuff.

 

[FireDragon76]

I am on the opposite side. I wonder sometimes if buying Ezekiel Bread is something I should be doing, given that I do not approve of Christian fundamentalism/biblicism and don't care for the obvious Christian marketing of the product (splattered on the package Doc Bronner style). But it's one of the few breads I can eat.