Posted on 04/16/2009 12:49:06 PM PDT by marbren
As Joshua and Moses returned down the mountain after receiving the Law from God, they heard what at first they thought was the noise of war; but as they hurried closer, they recognized that the people were singing rather than fighting. Nonetheless, their song soon proved to be the sound of war as three thousand men of Israel lost their lives in punishment. The church of today faces a similar situation. With the prevalence of rock music in Christian services, those approaching the average church house will often find themselves wondering if the noise that they hear is that of war against God or music praising God. It is a question well worth pondering; for although we sing to a God who inhabits the praise of His people, we also sing to a God who executeth judgment upon all. Let us determine then in which category God Himself would place rock music. Would He consider it to be the sound of music or the noise of war?
http://www.av1611.org/rock/rock_noise.html
(Excerpt) Read more at av1611.org ...
In my view, rather than look at labels of musical styles, we need to look at the feel of the specific music and the feelings it evokes.
Generally speaking Rock and Roll, hip-hop, pop music and jazz are inapproriate as worship music (especially in a church service), because the feel of the music and the feelings the music evokes, are not reverent, but carnal.
I don’t care how great and scriptural the lyrics might be (and most rock and hip-hop lyrics are shallow at best), if the feel of the music is carnal, it does not belong in the church. Imagine a punk rock version of “Amazing Grace”. The “all that matters is the lyrics” argument is nonsense.
Rock music usually evokes some combination of feelings of sensuality, violence, rebellion, arrogance and anger. Hip-hop is pretty much the same.
You might be able to water down the rock or hip-hop to make it more reverent, but then it wouldn’t be very good rock or hip-hop.
Sadly, in the modern church, all too often, the focus of “worship” music is on pleasing the flesh of the church members and even of unbelievers, rather than pleasing God or edifying the church. Rick Warren has played a huge role in encouraging Evangelicals to bring their musical idols into the sanctuary and deluding themselves into calling it “worship”.
Can anyone honestly say they believe our Holy God is more pleased with head-banging heavy metal, or glib hip-hop, or shallow choruses, than with reverent, joyful psalms, hymns and spiritual songs?
Also, so much of “Christian” music is produced by performers rather than worshipers. So many “worship leaders”, whether they realize it or not, or mainly focused on sounding like their favorite, reprobate pop star, rather than leading God’s people in worship, pleasing to Him.
THANKS MUCH.
Will read and prayerfully ponder.
Is the rock back beat emphasis the cause of the "feelings"?
The Old Fashioned Revival Hour Chorus Choir performs some of the finest traditional sacred music around, and their recordings are available here or here.
I'll take a shot ...
Bill Fortenberry does an excellent job of straining out gnats while swallowing camels
I am not yet saying this article is true. I am just asking the question.
I do believe that there is an accurate . . . move of God’s Spirit into a
WAR MODE
against the enemy in these END TIMES.
How that relates to this . . . I’ll have to ponder. But I would imagine that my Pastor and Music Minister would note that . . . and assert that their preferences for music reflect that.
Thankfully, Les really did mean it when he stopped worship 8 or so services ago about 80% through and said he wasn’t doing that any more—wasn’t going to go through the motions. He was either going to do what Holy Spirit wanted to do and that only or he was going to sit down.
He really meant it. His heart really is sold out for God. He loves God as much or more than anyone I’ve ever known. Head Pastor Christie is essentially the same on both scores. Only wants to do what God is doing. Doesn’t want to play church nor do anything else in church out of tradition, form or going through the motions any longer AT ALL. They both mean it as does the other pastor Larry.
Most of the deacons are mostly on board with that, as well.
There is, however, some history of control freak stuff. Somewhat pastor’s hubby-joint pastor. And somewhat on the part of some deacons.
I think the control freak stuff is mostly from the pit but a common human problem for those of us with attachment disorder.
HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL SOMETHING amiss about the loud AMPLIFIED volume and the defense of it so pervasive even though Les has said 80-85db is where it should be—even he on the board last night was fudging.
There’s a lot of truth to your post.
And, our church is made up of a good percentage of such folks . . . bikers, now bikers for Jesus etc.
According to a plaque in my house:
Music is a fair and glorious gift from God.
:-)
Last Sunday was the first time we had a “rock” song as our opening music from a CD. I did not pay much attention but I also did not feel uplifted. It felt a bit strange. I let it go and put the best construction on it, until today when I found this article.
Not sure how to respond.
Have a lot of sympathy for your points.
I know the folks involved in my current church are not out of a bad spirit per se.
There is no doubt some addiction vis a vis the volume and perhaps the style of sound . . .
God is certainly glorified in the words and I think I’d have to say at least mostly in most of the musical phrasing.
Thanks.
Sadly, Pastor Les considers the traditional stuff “hoaky.”
I think The Lord is going to adjust him on that given that Les has deliberately laid it all on the altar and wants only what God gives back and supports.
Certainly AMAZING GRACE, BLESSED ASSURANCE ETC. are NOT hoakey!
I appreciate your asking it.
I’m torn, myself on the issues. Maybe it’s not a black/white either /or thing.
Hmmmmm.
What if rock is anti music?
>>>Is the rock back beat emphasis the cause of the “feelings”?<<<
I’m not sure, that could be part of it. There are a lot of different elements that go into the feel of music, including the beat, the lyrics, the tempo, the volume, the melody, harmony and instruments played.
For example, some classical music, with no backbeat is innappropriate for worship, because it is sensual and carnal. Putting Christian lyrics to circus music or the “The Wheels on the Bus” wouldn’t work as worship, not because the music is carnal, but because it is silly and trite.
I think we need to pray, read the Scriptures, walk in the Spirit and then use a “I know it when I hear it” standard for discerning what music is appropriate for worship, and pleasing to God. It’s really not that complicated, IF we truly want to worship in a way pleasing to God, rather than have a “faith based” rock, hip-hop or pop concert every Sunday morning. Some music might be borderline, but most music is clearly either appropriate, or inappropriate
There’s no need. 85db is 25db above normal conversation.
That’s PLENTY of emphasis range.
I like the 1812 overture . . . in a park on 4th of July.
I love the Hallelujah Chorus. and I love the singers to sing their hearts out.
ARTIFICIAL AMPLIFICATION TRYING TO WIND UP THE PEOPLE
VS HOLY SPIRIT INHABITING AND ENERGIZING THE PEOPLE
IS AN INSULT TO HOLY SPIRIT.
Joshua waited for Moses during Moses's 40 days on the mountain, and then return with him to the Israelites camp. So he was more "at" the mountain, as opposed to "on" the mountain.
2Co 10:7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
One fella who years ago used to frequent nite-clubs with drinking and dancing says that if the music makes you want to dance (appeals to the flesh), it ain't Godly music...I can relate to that...
I love the old hymns and I really like some of the modern remakes of those hymns...
Who can watch the video of the guy in a wheel chair while a modern version of 'My Redeemer Lives' is being sung and not take a spiritual liking to it???
I enjoy and appreciate many of the songs by the likes of Michael Smith, Selah, etc...
Does this rock music produce 'fruit'??? That's the big question...
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