Why is there a secular music part to a Christian site?

[elanor]

Anyway, to get to the heart of it.... do you only ever see God in "Christian" things? Does a book, for instance, have to be written by a Christian to edify, teach or enlighten in some Godly way? (If so, toss out Shakespeare, Mark Twain...)

I totally agree, EliasEmmanuel. To see God only in things officially Christian is to miss God, who really is everywhere and is quite capable of speaking whenever and wherever He chooses. Truth and wisdom are still truth and wisdom, even when we find them in the most mundane, unexpected, unlikely places.

...I've also talked to professing Christians who believe said AIDS pandemic is God's judgement. Frankly I think that's farther up the immoraity scale than saying "the F word"...

Again, I absolutely agree. Getting all worked up over a word while missing what's really being said is truly majoring in the minors.

 

[blackwasp]

Yeah and did you hear about this guy Paul? Apparently he wrote some letters to churches in the mid-to-late first century, acting like he was a Christian. However, before he wrote the letters, he was out persecuting Christians. What a great Christian testimony

Didn't U2 start out as a "christian band"? If so, the action would have come after his "conversion"; Paul's life was drastically different from the day he met Christ.

 

[blackwasp]

What is so great about contributing money to AIDS relief? Works on our own are nothing but filthy rags to God. If Bono was a christian and cared so much for those people, then why wouldn't he share the gospel? Why wouldn't he pour his money into missions instead?

 

[ps139]

What is so great about contributing money to AIDS relief? Works on our own are nothing but filthy rags to God. If Bono was a christian and cared so much for those people, then why wouldn't he share the gospel? Why wouldn't he pour his money into missions instead?

A lot is great about contributing money to AIDS relief. Works alone cannot merit salvation, but that doesn't mean that God does not smile when one human displays love to another. Some of you may not think Bono is Christian but I disagree. All Christians struggle, some overcome temptation better than others, but I don't think it makes anyone "more" of a Christian. Even Paul struggled. In Romans he talks about how sometimes he does what he does not want to do, and he does not do what he wants to do.

 

[nadroj1985]

Didn't U2 start out as a "christian band"? If so, the action would have come after his "conversion"; Paul's life was drastically different from the day he met Christ.

Yes, he was perfect after his conversion, definitely. Never sinned

 

[prince didymus]

Also, perhaps it should be noted that it was the "great and spiritual" Bono from U2 that said the "F" word on national telivision. What a great Christian testimony

I wasn't aware that Bono was perfect?

It makes me laugh. One 'mistake' and people will shove it in your face for the rest of your life. How about that?

What is so great about contributing money to AIDS relief? Works on our own are nothing but filthy rags to God. If Bono was a christian and cared so much for those people, then why wouldn't he share the gospel? Why wouldn't he pour his money into missions instead?

Firstly how do you know if he's a Christian? Again how do you know the total charities he donates to? Lastly, why should he "pour his money into missions instead" if he is already giving money for AIDS relief? It's his choice to who and where he donates his money not yours.

 

[Walk in Faith]

not all secualr music is bad.. i mean..if your listenting to marylin manson or cradle of filith..then thats not to good.
sometimes people listen to music because it speaks to them in some way.. becuase of a certain situation or just becuase they like mel0dy..and they want to groove to it.
ive never read anywhere that its a sin if you dont only listen to christian music.
MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE!

 

[Chopper]

Yo Fergy,

What's the difference of what ppl listen to, really, think about that? Does that mean because they choose the style of music that moves them most, or simply the style that they can jive with causes them to be some sort of demon? Of course it doesn't. Being that you want to have that perception on the greater amount of forum viewers doesn't show much. It's like saying why is there a forum where Sex is allowed to be discussed? Because all of the ppl on this forum are Christians doesn't mean that they're not real ppl that like real things such as various sounds of music, as well as food and whatever the **** else makes them happy. This forum isn't here to diminish the amount of information on the site, and surely it's not here to cause any grief between members; In my point of view this is just another place for ppl to gather and post different **** that relates to the forum heading. Ain't no thang, and surely shouldn't be brought up as a problem.

Carry on, PPL.

Chopper

 

[Caedmon]

And a Christian Pastor: "Thousands of people are starving, and you don't give a s___. In fact you're probably more offended that I just said 'S___' than you are that people are dying of starvation". (Tony Campolo)

FWIW, I listened to Campolo, in person, at a Christian youth retreat, in which he used the "s word" in a very similar way. It was amazing how he combined profanity and truth in such a profound manner, and in a Christian environment, no less.

 

[blackwasp]

Yes, he was perfect after his conversion, definitely. Never sinned

Any comparison between Paul and Bono is a joke.

 

[nadroj1985]

Any comparison between Paul and Bono is a joke.

How about this: they're both human. Is that a valid comparison? Both make mistakes. Is that one valid? I'm not saying Bono is as important to Christianity as Paul.....I'm just saying that just because Bono said the F-word doesn't mean he's evil.

 

[blackwasp]

How about this: they're both human.

True, but Paul was an apostle...we are certain of his salvation. Bono on the other hand...

Is that a valid comparison? Both make mistakes. Is that one valid? I'm not saying Bono is as important to Christianity as Paul.....I'm just saying that just because Bono said the F-word doesn't mean he's evil.

Well that depends. If Bono is not saved, then I would say he is evil. For man is sinful and depraved (as all of us once were).

I don't have a problem with a christian making mistakes; however, I think that this action is just one of many that cause me to question Bono's salvation. I would just like him to say that the only means of salvation is through the blood of Jesus Christ.

 

[elanor]

...I don't have a problem with a christian making mistakes; however, I think that this action is just one of many that cause me to question Bono's salvation...

Fortunately, the One who makes that determination is the One who sees the secret hearts of us all. It's not my place or yours or anyone else's to say whether a person is or isn't saved. It's the responsibility of each of us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The Lord will decide whether or not Bono, or you, or I have done that when we stand before Him.

 

[EliasEmmanuel]

What is so great about contributing money to AIDS relief?

The same things that are great about anything that helps people suffer and die less.

Works on our own are nothing but filthy rags to God.

That's very true, but I provided it as evidence of character, not a as proof that he's saved or arguing that "he does good things so he must be saved".

If Bono was a christian and cared so much for those people, then why wouldn't he share the gospel? Why wouldn't he pour his money into missions instead?

1) How do you know he's not?

2) Why is it either-or? Supporting AIDS relief (and from what I gather he does this directly, gathering support and doing a lot himself, he's not just a money pump) is an EXCELLENT way to demonstrate the love of Christ in a tangible way, by alleviating suffering. I don't know what else Bono's involved with or what exactly the groups he supports do in minute detail, but ... I can't wrap my head around judging his salvation based on his supporting AIDS relief and not (to our knowledge) missions.

I mean, do you give a starving man a sandwich, or a sermon? What you're saying here is effectively like saying to someone who's just fed a starving person "if you were a Christian you would've shared the gospel"....

This is EXACTLY what I was talking about.....

Quick bible quiz. James says pure religion before God is.... what?

 

[EliasEmmanuel]

True, but Paul was an apostle...we are certain of his salvation. Bono on the other hand...

When you get down to brass tacks, Paul was a screwed up, hypocritical, complicit in murder persecutor of the church that God tapped and used. Just like anyone else God uses for any purpose. God used him to do an incredibly great thing that blessed the world, but those are the facts. This is the same guy who said "What I want to do I can't, instead I do the very thing I hate.

I don't have a problem with a christian making mistakes; however, I think that this action is just one of many that cause me to question Bono's salvation. I would just like him to say that the only means of salvation is through the blood of Jesus Christ.

I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure he has.

And, as a sidenote, meanwhile a lot of people in the Evangelical "cult of personality" are making "mistakes" that leave Bono in the dust and still are considered nigh-unquestionable authorities....

 

[Macca]

Is this for non-believers or something?

The Bible teaches Christians shouldn't listen to secular music which doesn't bring glory to God.

Now, an unbeliever, I understand them listening to secular music, but a Christian has no excuse to be listening to the music. It promotes an apathetic and flippant lifestyle toward Christian things.

Can we discuss this?

To assist discussion it would be good for you to quote the verse/s that "teaches" Christians shouldn't listen to secular music.
Macca

 

[EliasEmmanuel]

It makes me laugh. One 'mistake' and people will shove it in your face for the rest of your life. How about that?

You didn't know? That's what being a Christian is!

Sorry, feeling a tad cynical tonight.....

 

[EliasEmmanuel]

To assist discussion it would be good for you to quote the verse/s that "teaches" Christians shouldn't listen to secular music.
Macca

I'd just like the one defining "secular" or saying it exists....

 

[Axver]

EliasEmmanuel, you rock.

Blackwasp, I find your comments about Bono offensive and I would no matter who you said them about. But for the record, if Bono's not a Christian, we're all off to Hell.

Introduction to the Psalms by Bono: http://enterprise.is.tcu.edu/~bplate/introreligion_files/bono.htm

 

[Neenie]

Well, Bono sent two Christian books to Noel Gallagher and his Girlfriend called "Searching for the Invisible God" and "What’s so amazing about Grace?" Apparently he talked to them about God, for three hours.


http://www.almenconi.com/news/apr02/042602.html