Posted on 12/28/2013 10:20:36 AM PST by Laissez-faire capitalist
As to "in church" I mean that not so much broadly as to the Church (body of Christ), but as to which styles are Biblically permitted in individual churches.
1.) At what point (scripturally) does a church worship team (for instance) go too far when plucking the bass guitar or electric guitar, or beat the drums too loudly? At what point is the "riff" (or beat) becoming too "wordly."
Define "wordly" music as opposed to non-wordly music if/when discussing this. I ask this of those who lean more towards the Michael W. Smith type worship services or to those who like the Southern Gospel type worship services.
2.) At what point does "Southern Gospel" music become a little too Southern and thus become too worldly/honkey-tonk/Country/Country Rock? I ask this of those say they like who like what they deem to be Godly "Southern Gospel."
3.) I still can't find any scripture that exegetically/hermeneutically says that a service must be marked by only Latin/Gregorian chanting. Surely these churches can imploy other "styles" of music, too, at least in the "main" service.
Make a joyful noise.
By “noise”, what do you mean? Beat on a trash can lid and bang rocks together?
And by “joyful” can there also be songs that are more somber in their “tone”?
PSALM 100: vs. 1 - 2
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.”
“Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”
The reason I am posting this, is because there is a youth pastor on television near-constantly harping on what he believes to be God’s type or style of music and decrying those styles (that he apparently doesn’t agree with) as being worldly.
He likes the beat, or the just as I am repentant or what ?
The early Church forbid instrumental music entirely because of its’ pagan associations.
Psalm 150 calls on us to praise God with trumpets, stringed instruments, drums and cymbals.
It is the Spirit in which Music is made that marks it as Godly or otherwise.
Particular styles of music never bothered me. However, there are 2 current trends that make my spirit uncomfortable. One are the focus put on “praise groups” standing on stage and becoming the center. The other are the “Jesus is my boyfriend” types of choruses. Am I being overly sensitive?
I think the Bible predates all of those musical forms.
And Gospel music influenced other genres so “hearing” other music sound like it is “influencing” gospel is possible, but the style may have been present before whatever trend set in.
The Early Church sang songs based upon many of the Psalms in the OT. Why then would they ignore what Psalm 150 said to do?
Which New Testament (NT) Apostle backs up what you said?
And where in the NT did the Early Church finding its inspiration for Latin/Gregorian-style “music”?
All of that music should be permitted, but I prefer music that was written before 1900, including “Rock of Ages,” “What a Friend we Have in Jesus,” “Onward Christian Soldiers,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “Amazing Grace.”
I don’t care for the “Jesus is my Boyfriend” stuff either.
I prefer the old hymns to the new “rock mass” songs that came in somewhere after the 1960s cultural revolt.
Whatever makes you feel good and is the most fun is probably the best since that will attract a lot more young people to the service.
Was it The Simpsons or King of the Hill which had a failing Country singer (female) who decided to sing religious songs, merely changing the object of her affection from her boyfriend/husband, to God?
All members should be “fed” with music that they prefer during the year. Just as a flock of sheep will find individual sheep eating in different places in the pasture, getting their nourishment. One needs to feed the entire congregation with the types of music they enjoy. And all should be aware that there are others who have their own preferences. Thus all music that praises our Lord should be used.
I wish I could remember the exact wording of an elder who was leading the worship one Sunday when we did all hymns and had many different types and styles. I’ve tried to paraphrase it above. But just like people don’t eat the same food for every mean (eg bacon, eggs, potatoes, toast) 3 times a day 24/7/365, thus we should consider the same with the musi we play during church services.
***Make a joyful noise.***
Unfortunately much of today’s modern religious music sounds like dirges.
Give me THE CHUCKWAGON GANG type music.
I WANT TO BE READY is one of my favorites.
HYMN: I WANT TO BE READY TO MEET HIM
CHORUS:I want to be ready to meet Him by and by,
I want to be ready to meet him in the sky.
I want to be more like Him and do His best command,
For I want to be ready to meet Him in the gloryland.
Music is artistic and is thus subjected to interpretation to a high degree. If a certain type of music is tied into, and easily recognizable as, music that is sinful in other venues — then you’re going to have a lot of Christians reluctant to use that type of music, just from their own personal interpretation of the art form.
You’ll find a lot of the “traditional” hymns and music tied in with wording that exemplifies different Bible Doctrines. And that’s actually good as people will retain that.
Some more modern music that I’ve heard these days in “Contemporary services” - are more like repetitive chants designed to put people in a “trance state” and a “feel good” state, but does not actually praise God, as a worship service should.
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