Christian Music?

[doubledcattle]

I have seen this take place. A guy listens to rap and yes has bad words and does promote bad things. This same guy listens to a Christian rap group. Loves it!! Awesome words, awesome beats. Ask most people that listen to rap why they listen to rap and most will tell you for the beats. I like rap beats. I love rock and when I hear Christians songs that are rocking then I think God would rather me take a positive message than a negative one regardless of how the instruments sound. However, for me personally I try to research all the bands I listen to. I read song lyrics, look at websites, etc... Just kind of an accountability thing.

[ClayInHisHands]

The same logic that Paul applies to food can be applied to music: Everything is allowed, but not everything is beneficial. So we can listen to whatever music we want, for all music was created by God for our enjoyment. So if anyone invites you to a concert of any kind, you are free to go. However, if an unbeliever tells you that the music is being lifted up to the devil to praise his unholy name then don't go. Not because it is sin (because in and of itself it isn't) but because by going you may cause that unbeliever to stumble.



But other than these cases (which are uncommon) all music is permissible, in the same way that all food is permissible to eat unless you would cause an unbeliever to become confused about who you worship.

Paul also says somewhere (I can't remember where exactly) that in matters such as these, no one should condemn a believer for what they do or don't do. Neither stance is sinful, but arguements about the subject can be- and can cause believers and unbelievers alike to stumble.

I agree for the most part, but let's say my brother-in-law were to ask me to go to a 50 Cent concert, would I go, absolutely not. I love the beats and music of Hip Hop(I listened to this music for over 20 yrs. of my life). Now, 50 Cent may not say that he is raising this music up to Satan, and neither would my brother-in-law probably consider 50 of doing this...but in reality 50 Cent is doing just that, because what his songs are encouraging are the very actions and behavior that Satan tempts us to involve our lives with that will separate us from God. This kind of content is entirely corrupt.
If this were another Christian asking me to go to the same concert...I can not in good conscience believe that God in anyway would approve of this. A Christian wouldn't even want to listen to this music...you can't tell me that God would condone listening to these types of songs. Wouldn't that grieve the Holy Spirit?
I don't know if you were implying this, and if you weren't, I apologize for implying that you were.

[Athanasius]

I agree for the most part, but let's say my brother-in-law were to ask me to go to a 50 Cent concert, would I go, absolutely not. I love the beats and music of Hip Hop(I listened to this music for over 20 yrs. of my life). Now, 50 Cent may not say that he is raising this music up to Satan, and neither would my brother-in-law probably consider 50 of doing this...but in reality 50 Cent is doing just that, because what his songs are encouraging are the very actions and behavior that Satan tempts us to involve our lives with that will separate us from God. This kind of content is entirely corrupt.
If this were another Christian asking me to go to the same concert...I can not in good conscience believe that God in anyway would approve of this. A Christian wouldn't even want to listen to this music...you can't tell me that God would condone listening to these types of songs. Wouldn't that grieve the Holy Spirit?
I don't know if you were implying this, and if you weren't, I apologize for implying that you were.

You know, we blame a lot of things on Satan that we're responsible for and we tempt ourselves with.

[HisLeast]

Follow the condemnation of forms to its logical conclusion.
Secular music "looks like" the world. All forms of music, at one time or another, in one place or another, were secular. Therefore if one condemns secular forms one condemns all music.

I would encourage the OP's family to embrace the fullness of their doctrine and, like me, strive towards a completely music free life.

[ClayInHisHands]

You know, we blame a lot of things on Satan that we're responsible for and we tempt ourselves with.

I'm not saying that 50 Cent is tempting anyone, if that's what you're arguing here.

I know we've had this conversation in another forum, but let me ask you this.

Do you think God sees a Christian person riding in their car listening to 50 Cent...and I mean 50 Cent specifically and says....I am okay with this child of mine listening to this music? I don't presume to know what God thinks, but I do not what scripture tells me His nature is and he does not approve of the detestable things that 50 Cent speaks of and does not want those who He calls His to associate themselves with these things.

Just because you aren't involved in the actual things that 50 Cent may be talking about, you are in fact entertaining these things by simply listening to it. Because if follower of Jesus is to hate the things that God hates...then a Christian would most certainly hate the things that 50 Cent talks about with all the passion in the world. Do you, disagree with these things that I have said.

[Athanasius]

I'm not saying that 50 Cent is tempting anyone, if that's what you're arguing here.

I know we've had this conversation in another forum, but let me ask you this.

Do you think God sees a Christian person riding in their car listening to 50 Cent...and I mean 50 Cent specifically and says....I am okay with this child of mine listening to this music? I don't presume to know what God thinks, but I do not what scripture tells me His nature is and he does not approve of the detestable things that 50 Cent speaks of and does not want those who He calls His to associate themselves with these things.

Just because you aren't involved in the actual things that 50 Cent may be talking about, you are in fact entertaining these things by simply listening to it. Because if follower of Jesus is to hate the things that God hates...then a Christian would most certainly hate the things that 50 Cent talks about with all the passion in the world. Do you, disagree with these things that I have said.

I think you misunderstand, my disagreement is that not everything is Satan's doing. We're plenty naughty on our own.

[ClayInHisHands]

We're plenty naughty on our own.

Yes, indeed we are. I take all the blame for my sins. I choose to do the things I do. Just as Jesus made a way and the choice is mine to either accept HIS WAY or accept the WRONG WAY.

It seems I did misunderstand, my apologies.

[vitick]

I read and am involved with an endless amount of arguments over 'beats' and syncopation. One thing that makes me throw my hands in their air in frustration is the idea of 'secular beats' or, even crazier, that certain notes are not Godly in nature. So, I don't mean to express my frustration at you, I know you're stating your opinion and you took the time to express it. It's just when you hear the same thing over, and over, and over, and over again, it gets old.

To make myself more clearer, so I'm just not restating what seems to be restated in the forum. All that we do is to reflect God, His character, his humble spirit. If in an album all that I see reflected are the lyrics (if i can hear them), there is something fishy. If we are truly consumed by God, the artwork, the titles of the songs, EVERYTHING is supposed to scream out "I LIVE ONLY BY HIM!". But if artists are leaving their bands because now they are atheists and God haters, I can only think about what caused that exactly.

[Athanasius]

To make myself more clearer, so I'm just not restating what seems to be restated in the forum. All that we do is to reflect God, His character, his humble spirit. If in an album all that I see reflected are the lyrics (if i can hear them), there is something fishy. If we are truly consumed by God, the artwork, the titles of the songs, EVERYTHING is supposed to scream out "I LIVE ONLY BY HIM!". But if artists are leaving their bands because now they are atheists and God haters, I can only think about what caused that exactly.

Uh huh ...

[HisLeast]

To make myself more clearer, so I'm just not restating what seems to be restated in the forum. All that we do is to reflect God, His character, his humble spirit. If in an album all that I see reflected are the lyrics (if i can hear them), there is something fishy. If we are truly consumed by God, the artwork, the titles of the songs, EVERYTHING is supposed to scream out "I LIVE ONLY BY HIM!". But if artists are leaving their bands because now they are atheists and God haters, I can only think about what caused that exactly.

Then how come the target only ever moves for Christian musicians using secular styles? Nobody complains about the pew warming hypocrite halfheartedly singing Amazing Grace. That's ok. Because Amazing Grace is a sacrosanct favorite of tradition. But let some young man play his guitar with his whole soul and boldly sing a message the world hates, and guess what happens. "Oh, look at the close he's wearing". "Oh look at him go on tour". "Oh, these beats make me feel". Then it becomes a campaign of dismissal. It "looks like the world" because people want it to look like the world, and they'll use as large a double standard as they can get their arms around.

Secondly, are you surprised that people in these bands leave out of frustration and/or abandon the church? They are, after all, performing amongst Christians... possibly the most self effacing and internally intolerant population to have ever existed. I ask myself how I'd feel if I had that kind of musical talent. Would I give up a shot at rich financial rewards, give up the message of the world, put myself in harms way... only to have people who don't even know me call me out for being worldly. Why bother?

But in spite of these two points, I have surrendered myself to the "narrowest standard". I got rid of the rock music. But I also followed the standard to its logical conclusion. Since all musical styles at one point or another have been put to worldly purpose, then they all must go. It is a drab and miserable affair, but it is never-the-less necessary.

[Youssarian]

I hope this doesn't fall under the category of necroposting (I also hope I'm using the right word and concept). My favorite Christian album has changed.

Favorite Secular: Human After All by Daft Punk
And my new favorite Christian album: Jesus Is: Remix by Hillsong London. It's electronic Christian music that moves me more than most of my non-electronic music does.