Why are some Christians against rock music?

[JohnDeereFan]

The Apostle Paul said “all things are lawful, but not all things are profitable”. In other words, just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should.


Can we listen to rock music? Sure. (And, in the spirit of full disclosure, I say that as a former rock musician, DJ, and avid record collector.)

But should we listen to rock music? It depends. I can’t give you examples like the “anti” websites because, frankly, I have no idea what the kids are listening to today but for the Christian, the question is always “Does this music glorify sin or does it encourage me to sin?” “Is this music an idol in my life?“ (That is, is it preventing me in any way from serving God, striving for holiness, or growing in Christ.) And “Will my listening to this music cause a weaker brother in Christ to stumble?”

There are two key principles that I’ve taught my children to follow when evaluating things like music.

The first is that the Bible describes the fruit of the Holy Spirit as “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance”. Does this describe the music you’re listening to?

The second is that Philippians 4:8 tells us “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Is the music just? Is it honest? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it of good report? Is it virtuous?

Some people are against rock music because they see it as a kind of rebellion, but the truth is that rebellion is in the heart of the rebel, not inherent in rock music.

 

[BRISH]

Wow


If there was a contract signed by the parent and student that specifically stated prohibiting such involvement off of school grounds then I would think they just need to go with it. If it was something they disagreed with, then it shouldn't have been signed.

On the other hand, what an embarrassment to this institution. Honestly.

First, what is it that christians have against Rock. It's for me, the lyrics. Some encourage, either out right or subtlely, actions or thoughts that do not coincide with that faith. It may be just music, but we all know that some serious issues usually start off with a thought/influence. I think it's just that we don't want to feed the mind/spirit things that we feel are "ungodly". It's just best to avoid some things.

And I say this being naturally inclined to be obsessed with rock music. I'm all about music, and I can literally become soo encompassed by it in seconds. I love it, but I try to make other things priority over it by avoiding it. And it's not just rock music. It's anything, that can be the same type of negative influence. It's also about the artists personality, affilitations, actions, etc. It's deciding where you are going to put your support.

My overall opinion of the school threatening to expel and such is ridiculous. That type of restriction will do nothing but make kids turn away. Been there, done that. If the school wants to get technical, what are they soo afraid of?
If they have really done their part in teaching/guiding this kid, then they will be confident that he will be the example there, not the compromised. Unless a student of theirs is on the news for murder or drug dealing, they should not take negative action. (Even then, shouldn't their first reaction be to take that child in with support and encouragement off that path? ) Anything else outside of the school grounds/events is the parents duty to monitor, not theirs. Unfortunately, it's all about the legal grounds one has, and in this case it's that contract, it's context, and signiatures.

It's stuff like this that twists others' perceptions of what kind of people we are supposed to be.

 

[PuzzledBread]

God places a great many restrictions on a believer's behaviour. In this respect, at least. the school was not acting any differently.

I think most secular (and some Christian) rock music fails the Philippians 4:8 standard:

"Finally, my brethren, whatsoever things are true...honest...just...pure...lovely...of a good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Then, too, no secular rock music achieves the apostle Paul's mandate:

"Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1Cor. 10:31)

Anything that one engages in knowing it is corrosive to one's relationship with God is, I believe, sin. Certainly music that promotes immorality, antagonism towards God's authority, and glorifies the creature rather than the Creator is spiritually corrosive.

I think there is a great deal of rock music of which this is true.

There are specific sounds that do provoke certain kinds of feelings and responses in people. The sound of a scream produces a different response in the hearer than the sound of a softly sung lullabye. Movies in particular use this knowledge to good effect. Action scenes have one kind of music, romantic scenes another. Moments of horror in a movie don't typically sound the same as moments of comedy. The raw sound of a song can carry a message just as clearly as, and perhaps more powerfully than, the lyrics do. Musical sound can induce feelings and foster attitudes just as well as the spoken word. Inasmuch as this is true, it seems to me that a wise child of God should take into account what a song sounds like, as well as the lyrical content of it, when deciding if the song should be listened to.

"He who is not with me is against me..." (Matt. 12:30)

Do any of the bands you mention above promote Christ? Since it is Christ himself who says such people are against him, ought the followers of Christ to give a regular audience to them?

Peace to you.

So, in other words, you're saying any art, music, movies, bowel movements, books, etc. that do not glorify god should not be done, as they are in essence sinful? Doesn't that interfere with your life? Why does everything have to come full circle to god? I don't know about anyone else here, but I find it hard to keep something on the foreground of my mind for a couple hours, let alone nonstop. Music shouldn't take inspiration from nature, or life, or beauty, only if they are seen in the light of god? Thoughts of a world where things that do not glorify god are frowned upon, or even shunned brings my mind to the extreme of the Middle East, where in some areas music isn't even allowed.

I'm going to drop my censor that keeps me from offending you guys for a second. So please take this in stride, and know this is my opinion. I honestly think everything but a select few of Jesus' moral teachings are complete and utter < staff edit> out of Christianity. I want to know the mindsets behind some of this crazy <staff edit> which I can honestly find interesting, or maybe even empathize with.

But when it comes to music, it honestly makes my spine shiver to know there are people in this world who can hear music and think about how they shouldn't listen because it doesn't glorify god. The scariest thing to me about the middle east are the areas where music is banned, I can deal with decapitations and amputations over crimes, but music banned? It scares the hell out of me. Not to go on a rant.... but music is just the most human thing in our world. It lets us communicate in ways that are impossible by speech, and as much as I hate hip-hop and rap, I can understand there are some people who empathize with it like I do with rock. Its this thing that people can just have tremendous fun doing together, no matter their background. It makes you feel smart, and creative, and emotional, and real, and it gets everyone around you to feel something. Sometimes we just need to feel everything that humans can feel, otherwise we miss out on how wonderful the world is, and censoring your own view of music to that which glorifies god keeps you from enjoying this amazing world...

 

[JohnDeereFan]

The scariest thing to me about the middle east are the areas where music is banned, I can deal with decapitations and amputations over crimes, but music banned?

Which of these areas are Christian? Isn't the Middle East mostly Muslim?

Sometimes we just need to feel everything that humans can feel, otherwise we miss out on how wonderful the world is

So, say, giving myself a paper cut and then squeezing lemon juice in it? Would that be a good thing to feel? How about some heroin that's been laced with anti-freeze? Umm umm, can't wait to feel some of that.

Of course we don't want to feel everything. Neither do you. If you truly believed that, you'd be dead in a week from a drug overdose, heart attack, Aids, car crash...

We have a conscience that tells us, "Whoa, that can hurt us. It's better to let that go on by". And we have that conscience for a good reason.

Thr truth is, only a very small minority of Christians disagree with rock music on principle and, God bless them, that's their right. Most others accept rock music and even enjoy rock music with the understanding that, just as some things we can eat can make us sick, some music simply is not conducive to a healthy walk with Christ.

And your blasphemy of our God is duly noted.

 

[PuzzledBread]

Which of these areas are Christian? Isn't the Middle East mostly Muslim?

I was talking about a religion's power to censor, not just Christianity, I highly doubt Christianity could take as deep a hold at this point, but if it retained the hold it had on Europe, it would be in the same place.

So, say, giving myself a paper cut and then squeezing lemon juice in it? Would that be a good thing to feel? How about some heroin that's been laced with anti-freeze? Umm umm, can't wait to feel some of that.

That's going overboard, I meant without chemical abuse, music NATURALLY makes you feel a certain way without using any mind altering substances. That's why its human.

Of course we don't want to feel everything. Neither do you. If you truly believed that, you'd be dead in a week from a drug overdose, heart attack, Aids, car crash...

Everything emotional I meant, music unlocks emotions you could never access otherwise, and the only way to truly experience the depth is to be open to a range of sounds and messages.

We have a conscience that tells us, "Whoa, that can hurt us. It's better to let that go on by". And we have that conscience for a good reason.

Thats instinct, not conscience, conscience tells us how to behave morally.

Thr truth is, only a very small minority of Christians disagree with rock music on principle and, God bless them, that's their right. Most others accept rock music and even enjoy rock music with the understanding that, just as some things we can eat can make us sick, some music simply is not conducive to a healthy walk with Christ.

It is their right, my argument is whether or not they are correct in their understanding. You have a right to do anything you please as well. But to go through life not enjoying all the wonders which can only hurt you in theory if you happen to be an extremely weak minded individual.

And your blasphemy of our God is duly noted.

May he strike me down this very moment

 

[JohnDeereFan]

That's going overboard, I meant without chemical abuse, music NATURALLY makes you feel a certain way without using any mind altering substances. That's why its human.

I see. So there are some things that are not good to feel?

Everything emotional I meant, music unlocks emotions you could never access otherwise, and the only way to truly experience the depth is to be open to a range of sounds and messages.

Why do you assume that that's the only way to experience emotions?

Thats instinct, not conscience, conscience tells us how to behave morally.

Actually, human beings don't have instinct. Only animals have instinct.

But to go through life not enjoying all the wonders which can only hurt you in theory if you happen to be an extremely weak minded individual.

I work out every day. I'm very much into taking care of myself. Eating junk food is not something that's conducive to my physical health. In the same way, there are some kinds of music, some kinds of TV shows, some kinds of movies, etc, that are not conducive to good spiritual health.

I'm always fascinated at the way atheists feel they have the right to be insulting to others.

May he strike me down this very moment

Fortunately, God is merciful and does not strike you down because He's giving you yet another opportunity to repent. But you will stand before Him one day and I promise you, you won't be so arrogant, condescending or rude.

 

[Chesterton]

May he strike me down this very moment

(A little rock 'n' roll anecdote): The Patti Smith Group ("Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine") was playing in Florida in 1977. They're playing the song "Ain't It Strange", a song she described as "a confrontation with God". Right after the part where she sings "C'mon God, make a move", she falls off the stage and breaks her neck. So, careful there.
-----
I played in punk bands most of my life, and IMHO the best rock was the most nihilistic, negative stuff (The Stones, the Dolls, Pistols, Black Flag, etc.). Christianity is (or was) the predominant worldview of the West. And rock music is an invention of the West. Rock and roll is reactionary; it is supposed to be at enmity with it's surrounding worldview. People didn't like Elvis as a singer who, by the way happened to also shake his pelvis and sneer; they liked Elvis because he shook his pelvis and sneered. So if Christians and rock music have problems with one another, it's nothing to be surprised at.

But on another level: Rock and roll is just part of "the world", part of the Vanity Fair of this temporary life. It's vulgar (in the sense of being common) just as soap operas, Hollywood movies, professional wrestling, etc. Even non-Christians who have half a brain know that most popular culture in any form tends to represent humanity at it's worst.

 

[Bro_Sam]

I'm sure not many here are radical enough to try taking away someone's freewill because of the chance of sin. Most of the comments on the page are from Christians stating how the principle in this case was not following the teachings of Christ, and most of them seemed offended by calling rock music sinful.

My question is simple, is rock music considered a sin? If it is, why? After a quick search of google (emphasis on quick) I even found links stating Christian Rock is "satanic". This only brings me to the conclusion that the lyrics and message do not play a big part in classifying rock as sinful. Which doesn't make much sense to me. I'd understand if Christians refused to listen to a band like slayer, since the lyrics actually are anti-Christian. But those who are so extremely radical they'd call Creed satanic . Or those who don't go far enough to call Christian Rock evil, but go far enough to judge Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, or Def Leppard for instance.

Hopefully this isn't breaking any rules, just extremely curious on this idea and couldn't find any great discussions online, just small interesting bites of information.

The Apostle Paul said "all things are lawful, but not all things are profitable". In other words, just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should.

Can we listen to rock music? Sure. (And, in the spirit of full disclosure, I say that as a former rock musician, DJ, and avid record collector.)

But should we listen to rock music? It depends. I can’t give you examples like the "anti" websites because, frankly, I have no idea what the kids are listening to today but, for the Christian, the question is always "Does this music glorify sin or does it encourage me to sin?" "Is this music an idol in my life?" (That is, is it preventing me in any way from serving God, striving for holiness, or growing in Christ.) And "Will my listening to this music cause a weaker brother in Christ to stumble?"

There are two key principles that I’ve taught my children to follow when evaluating things like music.

The first is that the Bible describes the fruit of the Holy Spirit as "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance". Does this describe the music you’re listening to?

The second is that Philippians 4:8 tells us "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Is the music just? Is it honest? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it of good report? Is it virtuous?

Some people are against rock music because they see it as a kind of rebellion, but the truth is that rebellion is in the heart of the rebel, not inherent in rock music.

 

[kevlite2020]

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