Of course I agree with you, but we live in an “in your face” age. There are those who insist on introducing contemporary (some read this as secular) music styles into the church. I have witnessed “shows” akin to American Idol. It seems as though church as become yet another venue to strut your stuff.
As you are now aware, there are those who have claimed falsely that this is nothing new, all generations have pushed for contemporary music in church, causing a ruckus. This is not true outside of a few instances.
You don’t have to go very far to hear someone complain that the music in church is “too loud” or “inappropriate.” Some go with their ears plugged (or hearing aids off), others have quit or have gone elsewhere.
I don’t dissagree that some churches have become little more than shadows of the world instead of shadows of the Lord. However, to throw a blanket of guilt over all churches is wrong.
This thread was started to mourn the loss of a great teacher who in my opinion is as great a man of God as Billy Graham.
Calvary Chapels ministries is the driving force behind modern music being used in worship services, yet the worship service is but 15 to 30 minutes the service. Every Calvary Chapel follows it up with the most accurate conservative teachings from the Scriptures.
Whether it be Skip Heitzig, Greg Laury, or my local Calvary pastor Sam Allen, all of them use the same method of teaching as Chuck Smith used. They begin at the beginning of the Bible in genesis, and go through verse by verse, book by book until they reach the end of Revelations. Then they start from the beginning again.
You will not find too many ministries that teach in the exegesis style as they do. As I stated before, Christians who attend Calvary Chapels are the most knowledgeable Christians on the planet. God expects all Christians to study the word and understand it to properly defend it.
To make an issue out of the way they sing songs, or what instruments they use to sing with, is nothing more than misguided legalism. Every song they play during worship is directed towards our Lord, and all words are posted on screens for everyone to follow and learn.
I may not like some of them, but not because they are ungodly or too loud and obnoxious. Like all songs, I have the ones I prefer, the ones I really like, and the ones that just don’t move me, but they are all worthy to be sang in the presence of our Lord.
Usually the problem I have is when a worship leader seem to think it is all about them, because they will start ad-libbing their own versions of the song that no one can follow because it is different than the song they claim they are singing.
I still enjoy traditional hymns, and Southern Gospel music, but considering all music is given to us by God, it is only natural for us to dedicate all types to Him. If anyone is out of order it is the secular world using music to praise the world instead of God.
Everything in the world has been given to us, not the devil. It is man who decided to use God’s gifts to worship Satan and praise the world, not the other way around.
So when a person takes a type of music and uses it to praise God, it is the natural way it was supposed to be.
I am reminded about the time David danced in the street wearing only his undergarment playing the lute and singing to God as the Arc of the Covenant was brought into the city. His own wife said he was making a fool out of himself, but David was singing and playing to the Lord.
We are not supposed to be somber and quiet when praising God, we are to be loud as we sing his praises, but we are so worried that the world will say we are making a fool of ourselves that we tame it down and think we need to be real quiet and reserved.
So sing, reserve nothing when praising and singing to God, and He will bless you very openly, but be ashamed to do so in a public and open way, and he will be ashamed of you in return.