Why Believers Shouldnt Listen to Christian Barbershop Quartet Music
by Lawrence Scribe
Culture War Associates (c) 2003
Introduction:
Barbershop Quartet (BQ), or four-part harmony, music has become a staple in American churches and is generally regarded as harmless or a neutral vehicle for singing about God, the Bible, and our faith. But is it as innocuous as it seems? The history, presentation, and effects of this musical style argue that it is not even in its Christian form.
Origins:
BQ music originated in the late Victorian era and was then considered immoral. Barber shops, along with taverns and pool halls, were places of ill repute where men of low character congregated to drink, swap risqué jokes, and, of course, sing bawdy songs.
In those days, respectable businesses required employees to stay out of such establishments. The employee was to get his hair cut at home, like a respectable man.
There is also strong evidence that the earliest forms of the four-part harmonies adopted at the barber shops originated with Blacks long known for their use of primitive, sensual musical styles.
The Presentation:
As BQ emerged from its formerly disdainful beginnings, it was eventually accepted into the worldly, popular music scene. Gone were the openly bawdy references. Instead, more covert messages were injected into the flesh-appealing, toe-tapping pieces. Sensual sentiment flowed like honey from their mouths in the slower tunes but the crafty crooners still injected their salacious innuendo. (What, pray tell, were FOUR men doing ALL knowing and singing about the sweetness of Adeline?)
The first thing one notices about BQ is that it is all show. The harmonies, and even the small solo segments, are designed to draw attention to the singers and their talents not the message. In fact, the harmonies are often so complex that it is impossible to understand the words at all. The stark sensual appeal of closely harmonizing voices sliding up and down the musical scale are evocative of strong passions. The snappier tunes drive a beat that virtually forces carnal responses like finger snapping or toe tapping obvious indicators that the flesh is being appealed to.
Other disturbing features include the gaudy mustaches and brilliant colored clothing. Surely, this again draws attention to them not the message. Those groups that no longer sport the bright costumes now come packaged in the classic business suit. Remember that such suits symbolize avarice, greed, oppression, and ruthlessness all traits of the great Robber Barons of yesteryear and todays corporate thugs from Enron. These singers, by wearing similar apparel, identify themselves with these evils. The apostle James reminds us that it is these very rich who oppress believers and blaspheme God. (James 2: 6-7) He cautions us against giving special places of honor (like the stage?) to those who dress in such attire. (James 2: 2-7)
Most of the BQ groups promotion photos exhibit hyperextended, canned smiles. While this appearance of being happy and friendly may be pleasant, recall how the Bible warns us that Satan can come as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11: 14)
In fact, some of the people who seem most charming and jovial are the most wicked.
Christian BQ?
Popular BQ hit its peak among the public around 1910. Even as it faded from the popular scene, BQ began to creep into the church. Of course, it did not remain in static form as most Christian BQ groups dropped the gaudy outfits for the more covertly sinister business suits. They also added and adapted some old hymns to their song list modified as four-part harmonies. Instead of Sweet Adeline it was the Sweet Bye and Bye.
Perhaps these innovators were simply deceived. We are warned that the devil does stalk us for every opportunity to ravage us. (1 Peter 5: 8) Maybe they thought that the taint of its origins and its popularity diminished with time. Perhaps their subversion of the church (which we shall see) was unintentional, but the devils plan wasnt.
Overriding all concerns the BQ music was carnal, the church-at-large plunged ahead booking the groups on tour allowing the flesh-appealing tempos in the very house of God. Many of their congregation had listened tot the secular BQ music when they were young, so the familiarity with the style appealed to them.
Christian BQ also changed with the times, but beneath it all were still the same hypnotizing four-part harmonies, sensuality, and flesh appeal.
A look at perhaps the most popular Christian BQ group today, The Gaithers, is indicative of this. The first thing that we notice is that the name of their group does nothing to glorify God. Rather it is focused on the people themselves.
Their four-part harmony music ranges from the slower songs with strong emotional rather than spiritual appeal, to hard-driving upbeat songs designed to get listeners to physically respond.
Their publicity photos show that two of the men have shoulder-length hair which is not only a violation of 1 Corinthians 11: 14 but a patent sensual appeal to weak-minded women. The Bible clearly warns us about men who have a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts. (2 Timothy 3: 5-6) The long hair is also a sign of rebellion against the norms of society just as much as it was during the hippie era.
Everyone in these photos has these forced smiles. Does anyone think that they are as happy as they would like you to think they are? Do you imagine Jesus with the perpetual smile of this kind? The Scripture says He was a man of sorrows. (Isaiah 53: 3)
So you can see that a lot of the old baggage lingers with modern Christian BQ groups.
Some people object that the message of the words is biblical. However, it is important to look at the musical sounds used to deliver the message for musical sounds carry their own messages evoking strong emotions. The words alone cannot tell us everything. I will refer here to the illustration of another commentator about music:
If we continue on this path, respectable, industrious and honest, if we fulfill our duty faithfully, it is my conviction, the Lord God will continually help us in the future. He will not leave respectable people in the lurch indefinitely. He may test them, but in the end He lets His sun shine upon them and gives them His blessing.
Guess who spoke this profound spiritual truth? Billy Graham? Martin Luther, perhaps? Could it have been John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, or some other great Christian leader from the past? No! The author of those words was: Adolf Hitler! Talk is always cheap. It's the FRUIT behind the words that really counts.
The Fruit:
Everything is known by what it produces its fruit. (Matthew 12: 23) And we are told by Jesus to judge a thing by its fruit. (Matthew 7: 16)
When we look at the American church from 1910 on, we see nothing but deteriorating standards of morality and effectiveness. In the early 1930s, the church in America first began to accept birth control and with it the idea that the whole purpose of sex was pleasure. With that, much of this church, soaked with the good times gospel of the Christian BQ musicians, began to excuse divorce for nearly any reason at all.
The 1950s and 60s probably the time of the greatest popularity of Christian BQ was a time of dissipation, luxury, and ease for the church. (Amos 6: 1) They had grown to love their comfort and their entertainment more than the rigors of seeking God and His kingdom. Their young smelled a rat and rebelled into drug use in the 1960s.
Still the church did not respond. When the U.S. Supreme Court in the early 1960s ruled prayer out of the public schools then the Ten Commandments out of the public schools then the Bible out of the public schools, the churches could barely make a squawk. Not only was their voice absent, they had become so saturated with worldliness that they had lost any power in their own political system and besides, many of the churchmen secretly agreed with the high court. The siren song of Christianized BQ music had lulled them into being conformed to this world instead of becoming ready for the next. (Romans 12: 2)
Think about the American church, once so powerful that the British called her pastors the Black Regiment and said that this regiment was the most formidable foe they faced during the Revolution. Do you think it a coincidence, that the American church became the most insipid, gutless, and powerless it has ever been at the same time that it began including BQ music?
Conclusions:
It seems evident to me that the church must rise up and purge itself from this ungodly style of music and return to its glorious musical roots the hymns of Martin Luther and such.
It is obvious that even Christian BQ is fraught with evil and besides, I dont like it.
by Lawrence Scribe
Culture War Associates (c) 2003
Introduction:
Barbershop Quartet (BQ), or four-part harmony, music has become a staple in American churches and is generally regarded as harmless or a neutral vehicle for singing about God, the Bible, and our faith. But is it as innocuous as it seems? The history, presentation, and effects of this musical style argue that it is not even in its Christian form.
Origins:
BQ music originated in the late Victorian era and was then considered immoral. Barber shops, along with taverns and pool halls, were places of ill repute where men of low character congregated to drink, swap risqué jokes, and, of course, sing bawdy songs.
In those days, respectable businesses required employees to stay out of such establishments. The employee was to get his hair cut at home, like a respectable man.
There is also strong evidence that the earliest forms of the four-part harmonies adopted at the barber shops originated with Blacks long known for their use of primitive, sensual musical styles.
The Presentation:
As BQ emerged from its formerly disdainful beginnings, it was eventually accepted into the worldly, popular music scene. Gone were the openly bawdy references. Instead, more covert messages were injected into the flesh-appealing, toe-tapping pieces. Sensual sentiment flowed like honey from their mouths in the slower tunes but the crafty crooners still injected their salacious innuendo. (What, pray tell, were FOUR men doing ALL knowing and singing about the sweetness of Adeline?)
The first thing one notices about BQ is that it is all show. The harmonies, and even the small solo segments, are designed to draw attention to the singers and their talents not the message. In fact, the harmonies are often so complex that it is impossible to understand the words at all. The stark sensual appeal of closely harmonizing voices sliding up and down the musical scale are evocative of strong passions. The snappier tunes drive a beat that virtually forces carnal responses like finger snapping or toe tapping obvious indicators that the flesh is being appealed to.
Other disturbing features include the gaudy mustaches and brilliant colored clothing. Surely, this again draws attention to them not the message. Those groups that no longer sport the bright costumes now come packaged in the classic business suit. Remember that such suits symbolize avarice, greed, oppression, and ruthlessness all traits of the great Robber Barons of yesteryear and todays corporate thugs from Enron. These singers, by wearing similar apparel, identify themselves with these evils. The apostle James reminds us that it is these very rich who oppress believers and blaspheme God. (James 2: 6-7) He cautions us against giving special places of honor (like the stage?) to those who dress in such attire. (James 2: 2-7)
Most of the BQ groups promotion photos exhibit hyperextended, canned smiles. While this appearance of being happy and friendly may be pleasant, recall how the Bible warns us that Satan can come as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11: 14)
In fact, some of the people who seem most charming and jovial are the most wicked.
Christian BQ?
Popular BQ hit its peak among the public around 1910. Even as it faded from the popular scene, BQ began to creep into the church. Of course, it did not remain in static form as most Christian BQ groups dropped the gaudy outfits for the more covertly sinister business suits. They also added and adapted some old hymns to their song list modified as four-part harmonies. Instead of Sweet Adeline it was the Sweet Bye and Bye.
Perhaps these innovators were simply deceived. We are warned that the devil does stalk us for every opportunity to ravage us. (1 Peter 5: 8) Maybe they thought that the taint of its origins and its popularity diminished with time. Perhaps their subversion of the church (which we shall see) was unintentional, but the devils plan wasnt.
Overriding all concerns the BQ music was carnal, the church-at-large plunged ahead booking the groups on tour allowing the flesh-appealing tempos in the very house of God. Many of their congregation had listened tot the secular BQ music when they were young, so the familiarity with the style appealed to them.
Christian BQ also changed with the times, but beneath it all were still the same hypnotizing four-part harmonies, sensuality, and flesh appeal.
A look at perhaps the most popular Christian BQ group today, The Gaithers, is indicative of this. The first thing that we notice is that the name of their group does nothing to glorify God. Rather it is focused on the people themselves.
Their four-part harmony music ranges from the slower songs with strong emotional rather than spiritual appeal, to hard-driving upbeat songs designed to get listeners to physically respond.
Their publicity photos show that two of the men have shoulder-length hair which is not only a violation of 1 Corinthians 11: 14 but a patent sensual appeal to weak-minded women. The Bible clearly warns us about men who have a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts. (2 Timothy 3: 5-6) The long hair is also a sign of rebellion against the norms of society just as much as it was during the hippie era.
Everyone in these photos has these forced smiles. Does anyone think that they are as happy as they would like you to think they are? Do you imagine Jesus with the perpetual smile of this kind? The Scripture says He was a man of sorrows. (Isaiah 53: 3)
So you can see that a lot of the old baggage lingers with modern Christian BQ groups.
Some people object that the message of the words is biblical. However, it is important to look at the musical sounds used to deliver the message for musical sounds carry their own messages evoking strong emotions. The words alone cannot tell us everything. I will refer here to the illustration of another commentator about music:
If we continue on this path, respectable, industrious and honest, if we fulfill our duty faithfully, it is my conviction, the Lord God will continually help us in the future. He will not leave respectable people in the lurch indefinitely. He may test them, but in the end He lets His sun shine upon them and gives them His blessing.
Guess who spoke this profound spiritual truth? Billy Graham? Martin Luther, perhaps? Could it have been John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, or some other great Christian leader from the past? No! The author of those words was: Adolf Hitler! Talk is always cheap. It's the FRUIT behind the words that really counts.
The Fruit:
Everything is known by what it produces its fruit. (Matthew 12: 23) And we are told by Jesus to judge a thing by its fruit. (Matthew 7: 16)
When we look at the American church from 1910 on, we see nothing but deteriorating standards of morality and effectiveness. In the early 1930s, the church in America first began to accept birth control and with it the idea that the whole purpose of sex was pleasure. With that, much of this church, soaked with the good times gospel of the Christian BQ musicians, began to excuse divorce for nearly any reason at all.
The 1950s and 60s probably the time of the greatest popularity of Christian BQ was a time of dissipation, luxury, and ease for the church. (Amos 6: 1) They had grown to love their comfort and their entertainment more than the rigors of seeking God and His kingdom. Their young smelled a rat and rebelled into drug use in the 1960s.
Still the church did not respond. When the U.S. Supreme Court in the early 1960s ruled prayer out of the public schools then the Ten Commandments out of the public schools then the Bible out of the public schools, the churches could barely make a squawk. Not only was their voice absent, they had become so saturated with worldliness that they had lost any power in their own political system and besides, many of the churchmen secretly agreed with the high court. The siren song of Christianized BQ music had lulled them into being conformed to this world instead of becoming ready for the next. (Romans 12: 2)
Think about the American church, once so powerful that the British called her pastors the Black Regiment and said that this regiment was the most formidable foe they faced during the Revolution. Do you think it a coincidence, that the American church became the most insipid, gutless, and powerless it has ever been at the same time that it began including BQ music?
Conclusions:
It seems evident to me that the church must rise up and purge itself from this ungodly style of music and return to its glorious musical roots the hymns of Martin Luther and such.
It is obvious that even Christian BQ is fraught with evil and besides, I dont like it.
