What the Bible has to say about.....
"CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN" MUSIC
Ten Scriptural Reasons
Why the "Rock Beat"
is EVIL in ANY form
"...There shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in
damnable heresies...And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by
reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through
covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you..."
(2 Peter 2:1-3)
Music in itself is a language and gives a message. Thus, those who
sing and play are teachers. Teaching truth out of balance leads to
heresy.
A "pernicious" disease is one that is very difficult to cure.
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Ten Scriptural reasons why
THE "ROCK BEAT" IS EVIL IN ANY FORM
Definition of "rock beat"
The "rock beat" is a dominant and repetitious offbeat which
competes with the melody and distracts from the words of a song.
The contradictory messages in the beat, the words, the melody, the
style of the presentation, and the appearance of the musicians all
create a subtle confusion in the minds, wills and emotions of the
listeners, which leads them to question the absolute moral standards of
God.
*********
1. * THE "ROCK BEAT" DECEIVES YOUTH INTO VIOLATING THE FIFTH
********* COMMANDMENT
The Fifth Commandment is "Honour thy father and thy mother: that
thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee"
(Exodus 20:12).
The New Testament reaffirms this commandment: "Honour thy father
and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be
well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth"
(Ephesians 6:2-3).
There is no question that many parents are strongly opposed to the
"rock beat." Therefore, those who promote the "rock beat" are causing
young people to dishonor their fathers and mothers.
HOW THE "ROCK BEAT" CAUSED A SON TO DISHONOUR HIS PARENTS:
"About four years ago, our church got a new youth pastor. He began
playing 'Christian rock' before meetings and during activities. He
encouraged me to get a copy of a certain tape, which I did, even though
my parents forbade me from doing so.
Because I was being home educated, the church youth group was the
only significant outside influence in my life, but that influence was
enough to cause me to rebel and wreck my life for the next four years.
I then started listening to secular soft rock music, thinking,
'What's wrong with this? It has less beat than Christian music.' If
only I had known what a deceiver Satan is, I would have saved myself a
lot of heartache.
About seven months ago at a Christian radio station's New Year's
Eve party, I was introduced to 'Christian rap' music. Before that time,
I did not listen to rap, but after hearing it there, I began justifying
to myself that the beat couldn't be all bad because Christians listened
to it and it didn't seem to harm them.
What it did to me was cause a complete breakdown in morals, which
led directly to my becoming involved in immoral habits and illegal
activities. I was also constantly plagued with violent and unclean
thoughts.
Since then, I have taken steps to regain the 'ground' given to
Satan, and for the first time in years, I have a feeling of complete
freedom from the influence of this music."
- Tim Love, age 18, Washington
A SECOND WITNESS ON HOW THE "ROCK BEAT" LEADS YOUTH TO BREAK THE FIFTH
COMMANDMENT
"I've never been into rock music or even light rock, but lately I
believe my standards in music have been going down. Our family was
given two music tapes a while back.
They aren't extremely 'rocky,' but the beat in the music is a
little off. I have enjoyed those tapes, and when my mother said she
really didn't like them, I immediately became defensive.
I realize now that even if those tapes were perfectly fine as far
as the beat, if my mother didn't like them it would be wrong for me to
listen to them."
- Lael Auble, age 14, Florida
A THIRD WITNESS ON HOW THE "ROCK BEAT" CAUSES YOUTH TO REBEL AGAINST
THEIR PARENTS
Fourteen-year-old Sari Ann Mitchell of California received a
booklet entitled, Notice of Complaint Against the Unrecognized Enemy in
the Church. This booklet contains testimonies from young people about
how "Christian rock" has damaged their walk with the Lord and their
relationships with others.
After reading the booklet, she sent it along with the following
letter of appeal to her pastor:
January 19, 1990
Dear Pastor,
"I have been praying for a way to express how I feel about
'Christian contemporary' music to my friends and others. I was so happy
to receive this booklet in the mail that I wanted to share it with you.
I want to add my own personal testimony to the many in this booklet.
I started listening to 'Christian contemporary' (rock) music when I
was twelve. At this time I was attending a private Christian school,
and there my friends all listened to it. The pressure was great, so I
started to listen to some of their tapes once in a while.
I became hooked. It may be hard to believe, but that music made me
think sensuous thoughts, and the beat made me want to sway and dance
like the world. After this I started to listen to 'Christian
contemporary' music all the time, and even though my parents didn't like
it, I got some tapes of my own to listen to.
One day, I went to my friend's house, and she had her radio on. It
was on a secular soft rock station. When I got home I turned my radio
to that same station. I listened to it just once in a while, and it
sounded just like the 'Christian contemporary' music, except the words
were a little different. (Actually, I didn't even listen to the words!)
When I started to make these compromises, I started to make other
compromises too, like stopping my daily devotions and listening to
music instead of studying. When I did do my homework, I listened to
music, and I cheated on some of my homework so I could have time after
school to listen to music. I shut myself up in my room and became
secluded so I could listen to it.
At this time, I also began to rebel against my parents. spreading
from rebellion in music to rebellion in clothes. Then my Dad and Mom
took me to a Basic Youth Seminar. There I heard stuff I had never
heard before about music, dating, marriage, disloyalty, bitterness,
genuine love, and much more.
After that Seminar, I started to think about where my life was
going. It wasn't going how I wanted it to go, no matter how hard I
tried! I knew something was very wrong. Then I went to the Advanced
Seminar. This cleared it up. I was going downhill, and only God could
pull me up, so I gave it all up to Him, and every day He pulls me up a
little higher.
I have to tell you this because I want you to know I'm not just
saying that I think 'Christian contemporary' music is bad and is
compromising - I know it is. There's only one way to get out of its
addictive clutch, and that's to give it up to God. So please don't let
this wolf sneak into the church and kill people unaware"
Sari Ann Mitchell, age 14, California
Even if parents are "too strict" in rejecting the "rock beat," God
expects their children to obey them. "...We have had fathers of our
flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence....For they verily
for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure..."
(Hebrews 12:9-10)
HOW A TRUSTED MAGAZINE IS URGING TEENS TO DISHONOR THEIR PARENTS
On the cover of the January 1990 edition of a respected and
trusted Christian youth magazine, there appeared the title: "Sing Your
Freedom." On page 32 is the following article, entitled, "Shake Down at
Home."
"It's easy to avoid talking to your parents about music, because
it tends to be a touchy subject. But before conflicts arise,
communicate with your parents about the music YOU like. Thus will help
them understand why YOUR MUSIC IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.
Here are some suggestions for developing communication with your
parents about music. These ideas come from discussions with three
teenagers (vs. Scripture)
- Don't play YOUR MUSIC so loud that 'the whole house is shaking...'
If you're considerate about the volume, you will show your parents that
you're mature enough to be thoughtful of others. (vs. obedient to
parents)
- Share your enthusiasm with your parents....This is a way to show
your parents how IMPORTANT YOUR MUSIC IS TO YOU.
- Choose CAREFULLY the songs to play for them. Chances are that your
parents like a different style of music. For your parents, listening to
YOUR MUSIC may be a bit like trying to understand a foreign language. So
choose a song that has clear words and an understandable message. (What
an indictment to much of the music)
- After you listen to a song together, talk about it....(One of the
three teenagers) explains to his parents what the writer is TRYING TO
SAY.... Talking to your parents about the words shows your parents that
you've listened to the lyrics and have thought about what they mean.
- Be willing to listen to your parents' music, IF they are willing
to your music, it's nice to meet them HALFWAY.
- Don't expect too much; you may not convert them to YOUR STYLE of
music. Different generations tend to like different types of music.
YOUR GOAL is to communicate to your parents why YOUR MUSIC IS IMPORTANT
TO YOU." (Emphasis added)
**** WHAT A SHOCKING ARTICLE ****
OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THIS ARTICLE:
The references to the "whole house shaking" leaves no doubt that we
are talking about "rock music."
The writer is very aware that many parents of teenagers are not in
favor of the music which their sons and daughters are playing.
Rather than encouraging the young people to honor and obey their
parent's wishes, the writer instructs them to stand up for the rights to
"their music."
What appalling counsel to say, "Be willing to listen to your
parents' music. IF your parents are willing to listen to your music,
it's nice to meet them halfway."
Deception is encouraged by urging the young people to "choose
carefully the songs to play for them...."Choose a son that has clear
words and an understandable message"
To say that "different generations tend to like different types of
music" is to totally disregard the destructive nature of the "rock
beat." This statement also disregards the true meaning of deference.
Deference is limiting my freedom in order not to offend the tastes
of those God has called me to serve.
The conclusion of the article is a blatant defiance of parental
authority: "Don't expect too much; you may not convert them to your
style of music....Your goal is to communicate to your parents WHY YOUR
MUSIC IS IMPORTANT TO YOU."
The goal of God's instruction in Ephesians 6 is not for the parents
to capitulate to the will of their children, but for sons and daughters
to obey and honor their parents.
Any teenager who disregards the instruction to honor his father and
mother will experience the consequences of which God warns in
Proverbs 30:17: "The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to
obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the
young eagles shall eat it."
*********
2. * THE "ROCK BEAT" VIOLATES GOD'S COMMAND TO "GIVE NO PLACE TO
********* THE DEVIL
When sons and daughters disregard the instruction of their parents
by listening to the "rock beat," they are guilty of the kind of
rebellion which is described in 1 Samuel 15:23: "For rebellion is as the
sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry...."
Rebellion is simply reserving for myself the right to make final
decisions. It is deciding to have an equal voice with those whom God
has placed in authority over me.
This was the type of rebellion which Satan demonstrated when he
said,"... I will be LIKE the most High (God)" (Isaiah 14:14).
Witchcraft involves exposing oneself to the realm and the power of
Satan's control. Whoever gives Satan such "ground" violates the command
of Ephesians 4:27: "Neither give place (ground) to the devil."
The Greek word for "place" in this verse refers to a sphere of
jurisdiction. When Satan is given authority, he uses it to control and
destroy the one who gave it to him.
HOW SATAN GAINED "GROUND" WHEN A TEENAGER LISTENED TO THE "ROCK BEAT"
"I started listening to 'contemporary Christian' music about four
years ago. I thought that the music was OK, and I enjoyed it, but one
day I was listening to a Christian radio station and a song came on that
I had never heard, I liked the song even though it was questionable.
When the group who played that song came to town, I went to their
concert with some friends. I knew, however, that my parents would not
have approved had they known what type of music was played.
After the concert, I borrowed money from a friend to buy their
tape. I brought it home, but my parents did not want me to keep it. I
did anyway.
I listened to it all the time and finally bought some other
"Christian rock' tapes even thought my parents did not want me to. I
listened to them for a while but soon got bored with them.
I then started listening to secular rock on a light rock station
without my parents' knowledge.
I began to want to listen to rock music more and more, and I began
to enjoy the harder stuff. I soon changed stations to a hard rock
station so I could listen to the harder stuff.
After listening to that station for about a year (all without my
parents' knowledge), I found that the stuff I liked the station could
play only at night. So I got the tapes of some of the groups I liked,
and I found that I loved heavy metal. I just couldn't get enough.
When I finally faced the reality of how wrong I was, I made
commitments to give it up. However, I still struggle with it daily, and
every time I hear it I am tempted to get back into it."
- David Brown, age 16, Arizona
THE TESTIMONY OF A FORMER SATANIST HIGH PRIEST THAT THE "ROCK BEAT"
GIVES "GROUND"
"My background is not a good one, but I give thanks and praise to
God for saving me from it. I was a Satanist high priest for nine years.
I am writing in regard to 'Christian music' or what is called
'power tracts,' 'Christian rock and roll,' and 'contemporary Christian'
music, and their counterparts, rock and roll, heavy metal, black metal,
country music, rap, and punk.
I understand that I cannot judge groups as to whether or not they
are genuine believers. But the Bible does say that we are to judge
their fruit.
The Bible says that we are to be Christ-like. Some groups who play
this kind of 'Christian' music say that they do so because it's the
only way they can reach the young people of today. They claim that we
must look like the world and use the world's music in order to reach
young people with the Word of God.
How long will Christians allow themselves to be deceived and lied
to by Satan (the father of lies)?
The Bible says we are to be in the world- not a part of it. It
also says that to be a friend with the world is to be an enemy of God.
As ambassadors for Christ, we should represent Him the best we can.
Christ never changed His appearance, whether He talked with kings or the
poor.
When I first became involved in the occult, music had a big
influence on my life. It was not just the words but the music itself.
Its affect on me spiritually was to bring me into another state of
consciousness.
The beat and style of the music used in the occult rituals is the
same that I now hear in 'Christian power tracts', 'Christian rock and
roll,' 'Christian rap,' and in much of what is called 'Christian
contemporary' music today.
People who were saved from the youth culture of today say, 'I
cannot listen to this new Christian music, because when I hear it, it
takes me back to my past when I was lost. It brings all that back to
me- lustful desires, love of money, sex, suicide, and rebellion against
authority.
Think of the struggle that these young Christians have when they
try to separate the things of the world from the things of God. When
they hear what is called 'Christian music that sounds just like the
world, these vulnerable young Christians become confused and the music
becomes a stumbling block in their lives.
Normally a Christian will take only what is good and leave the bad.
This discernment does not always work with music, however, because if
the music is bad and the words are good, many Christians are not able
to separate them and both are swallowed together.
Satan tried a mixed-message tactic on Jesus in the desert when he
misquoted Scripture by mixing it with half-truths. Jesus rebuked Satan
for this tactic and quoted the whole truth back to him."
- David Pratt, Chatanooga, Tennessee
THE SECOND WITNESS THAT THE "ROCK BEAT" ITSELF IS DEMONIC
In April 1990, a Christian from Zimbabwe, Africa, arrived for his
first visit to the United States. He is a native missionary under the
Awana Youth Association.
When he turned on a Christian radio station and listened to the
music, he was shocked. Here is his report:
"I am very sensitive to the beat in music, because when I was a
boy, I played the drums in our village worship rituals. The beat that I
played on the drum was to get the demon spirits into the people.
When I became a Christian, I rejected this kind of beat because I
realized how damaging it was.
When I turned on a Christian radio station in the United States, I
was shocked. The same beat that I used to play to call up the evil
spirits is in the music I heard on the Christian station"
- Stephen Maphosah, Zimbabwe, Africa
A THIRD WITNESS THAT THE "ROCK BEAT' DOES GIVE "GROUND" TO THE DEVIL
"In 1981, I was driving down a jungle road in the Ivory Coast with
several African pastors in the car with me. I had recently received a
couple of cassette tapes from our denominational headquarters that were
intended for our teenaged daughter.
There were recording of various 'Christian rock' artists. In
listening to the tapes, I was very disturbed in my own spirit that such
material was being sent to our missionary kids.
But not trusting my own reaction alone and realizing that these
pastors with whom I was traveling were very sensitive to the spirit
world (both good and evil), I decided to play that tapes for them. The
reaction I got was immediate and verbally violent!
One of the pastors asked me this question, 'Do you mean to tell us
that this kind of music is played in your churches in America?'
I answered in the affirmative. His response was filled with
disgust and anger as he replied with another question. 'What are you
doing allowing you church people in America to call up the evil spirits
with their music?'"
- Rev. Joe Meyers, Tacoma, Washington
********
3. * THE "ROCK BEAT" MOCKS GOD'S COMMAND TO "LOVE NOT THE WORLD"
********
There is absolutely no way that Christians who love the "rock beat"
can deny that they love the world.
The "rock beat" not only originated with the ungodly elements of
this world, but it expresses the evil intentions of the world's system
which is opposed to Christ and His Truth.
The very phrase "rock 'n' roll" describes a form of immorality. To
say that we can have "Christian rock" is like saying we can have
"Christian immorality."
Furthermore the "rock beat" does not come alone. It was originally
designed to stir up and express rebellion to authority, as well as
immorality.
Those who try to put Christian words to a "rock beat" are simply
imitating the world, and because one of the strongest evidences of
admiration is imitation, they are guilty of violating God's command in
1 John 2:15-16: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in
the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in
him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust
of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the
world."
God condemns any Christian who loves the world. "Ye adulterers
and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is emnity
with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy
of God" (James 4:4).
Christians are to be in the world but not of the world. We are not
to be influenced by their evil ways; instead, we are to be a light in
their darkness. God brought judgment to His own people when
they"...mingled among the heather, and learned their works. And they
served their idols: which were a snare unto them... Therefore was the
wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred
his own inheritance. And he gave them into the hand of the heathen;
and they that hated them ruled over them. (Psalm 106 35-42)
HOW THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION LINKS THE "ROCK BEAT" WITH THE WORLD
"'Doctors should be alert to the listening habits of young patients as
a clue to their emotional health, because fascination with
rock'n'roll, especially heavy metal music, may be associated with drug
use, premarital sex and satanic rites,' a committee of the American
Medical Association said.
'At the very least, commitment to a rock subculture is symptomatic
of adolescent alienation,' the AMA's Group on Science and Technology
said in its report, 'Adolescents and Their Music,' published by the
Journal of the American Medical Association.
The AMA committee reported that 'the average teenager listens to
10,400 hours of rock music during the years between the 7th and 12th
grades, and music surpasses television as an influence in teenagers'
lives.
While TV viewing often is supervised by parents, music largely is
uncensored,' the committee said.
'As an important agent of adolescent socialization, however, the
negative messages of rock music should not be dismissed,' the committee
said.
The committee expressed special concern about two relatively recent
developments in rock music - heavy metal rock and music videos.
'The violent and sexual content of the video images are disturbing
to many,' the committee said.
'...A study found that 7th and 10th graders, after watching one
hour of music videos, were more likely to approve of premarital sex than
were a control group of adolescents.'
(Reported in the Chicago Sun Times, September 15,1989)
*********
4. * THE "ROCK BEAT" DISREGARDS GOD'S COMMAND NOT TO OFFEND
********* CHRISTIANS
On Friday afternoon May 18, 1990, a twenty-year-old man attending
the Detroit Basic Seminar asked the following question.
"Several years ago I was saved out of a life of immorality and
drugs. The church I began attending told me to get rid of my rock
music. I did and have been growing in the Lord. But now my church is
playing the same kind of music they told me to give up. What am I to
do?"
This grievous question exposes the violation of the law of love in
the matter of "Christian rock" music. It brings us directly to the
appeal of the Apostle Paul regarding questionable things:
It is good not to do "...any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or
is offended, or is made weak" (Romans 14:21)
This vital command is repeated in 1 Corinthians 8:9-13. It puts to
silence any Christian who says he has a right to play the music that he
enjoys.
"But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a
stumblingblock to them that are weak....And through thy knowledge shall
the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so
against the brethern, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against
Christ"
The "rock beat" offends Christians who, when they first hear it,
immediately discern in their spirits that it is not of God but is of the
world.
HOW A YOUNG MISSIONARY WAS OFFENDED BY THE "ROCK BEAT"
"In the summer of 1988, I attended a missionary training conference
with many other Christian young people. Some of the music contained a
subtle "rock beat." The beat offended me, and I decided to appeal to
the leader of the group.
However, before I could make my appeal, he preached a message to
the whole group justifying the "rock beat" by condemning anyone who
judged another person for his music style.
Last year, a much larger conference was held by the same
organization. This time I was absolutely shocked when I heard the
music. The "rock beat" was so strong that many young people began to
dance in a worldly manner.
I was so grieved, I had to walk out of the meetings whenever the
music was played. It was a strange mixture of pure worship and sensual
beat.
The conflicting messages created confusion in me and grieved my
spirit.
After the training we went into an area for outreach. Our goal was
to bring young people into an evening meeting, but at the meeting, they
again played the rock music. I could not even attend these meetings,
and there were several others who felt the same way.
We prayed and fasted and then made our appeal to the national
Christian leaders. They received our appeal; however, they had been
looking to the American Christians for an example and assumed that
because the Americans did it, it must be right."
- Janet Yast, age 27, Pennsylvania
P.S. What disappoints me so much is that this leader has had such a
great influence on my life. He is such a Godly man; I just cannot
understand why he is not discerning in this area of compromise.
HOW THE LAW OF SYMPATHETIC VIBRATION EXPLAINS WHY THE "ROCK BEAT"
OFFENDS MANY
In music, there is a law of sympathetic vibration. This law is
demonstrated by a tuning fork. When a note is played on the piano, the
tuning fork vibrates at that pitch.
Similarly, when we hear sounds, our whole body will either vibrate
with the sound , or react to it.
When a little child hears a syncopated "rock beat," he will tend to
sway and dance. If however, the child is spiritually discerning, he
will say to his parents, "That is bad music".
The "rock beat" not only offends Christians who have not been
exposed to it, but it also offends Christians who have come out of the
rock culture and are trying to rid their lives of the rebellion and
immorality that the "rock beat" stirs up in them.
HOW THE "ROCK BEAT" OFFENDS THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO ESCAPE THE WORLD'S
CORRUPTION
"I used to reject my family and spend all my free time in my room
listening to music that did not glorify God.
I slid deeper and deeper into the satanic realm. I knew it was
satanic, but I couldn't get out. It also gave Satan a handle to get
into another areas of my life.
I loved the world and the world's music. I listened to it, sang
it, and talked about it, and when anyone said they didn't listen to it,
I would ridicule them.
Rock music had dulled my senses. Even when I knew something was
wrong, I would do it anyway.
Rock is powerful, and if anyone tells you that it isn't, they are
lying.
I needed it all the time, just like a smoker needs a smoke. I
couldn't go on a vacation without secretly taking a radio.
I am now trying to get away from this kind of music. If anyone
plays the "rock beat," it reminds me of songs that I can remember word
for word, note for note."
- Dan Steele, age 18, Minnesota
The "rock beat" is not only offending Christians in America, but it
is especially grievous to Christians in other countries who are being
influenced by American missionaries and visiting youth groups.
Stephen Maphosah, who was trained to use the beat for demonic
worship (see testimony on pate 8), visited a Christian bookstore on June
25, 1990. He purchased samples of ten individual "contemporary
Christian" musicians and groups that are among the most listened to by
Christians in America.
He evaluated each tape on the basis of its beat. Some tapes
contained the demonic beat that he was accustomed to in his ancestral
worship of evil spirits. Other tapes contained a slower variation of
the demonic beat. However, he classified all the tapes as "unacceptable
and offensive to the Christians of this country."
WHY TWO SINCERE CHRISTIANS CAN HAVE OPPOSING VIEWS ON THE SAME MUSIC
Two Christians may listen to a contemporary rock song and give
totally opposite evaluations of it. One will say, "I know that song is
wrong because it causes me to be rebellious and sensual."
The other Christian may say, "I don't see anything wrong with that
music. It doesn't stir up any rebellion or sensuality in me."
Their viewpoints are illustrated in the chart "The Development of
Concupiscence" given in the Basic Youth Conflicts Seminar. Music that
becomes sensual will follow the stages leading to reprobation.
Therefore, if two Christians are on different levels in the
development of reprobation, they will see the same music from two
different viewpoints.
The Christian who has not given way to various sensual sins will
recognize this music as a temptation to compromise in sensuality. Those
who have engaged in sensual activities will probably not be stirred up
by this music. Their previous sensuality has dulled their senses, and
they are tempted only by a more radical expression of the "rock beat."
Concupiscence [----------------------------------]
Servitude [ Spiritual Pseudo-religious ]
[ Psychological Pseudo-intellectual]
[ Sensual ]
[----------------------------------] Christian #2
^ |
| |
| |
Lasciviousness | Defrauding |
| V
| "Christian rock"
| ^
| |
Freedom [----------------------------------] |
[ Spiritual Dominant ] |
[ Psychological in harmony ] Christian #1
[ Physical under control ]
[----------------------------------]
Christian #1 will tend to view "Christian rock" as a temptation,
whereas Christian #2 will see it as a mild expression of his musical
taste.
In the early Church, Christians vehemently debated the matter of
eating meat that had been offered to idols. Some Christians felt that
it was wrong to eat this meat because it had been offered to an idol.
Other Christians saw no problem with the meat since it was sold in the
open market.
Paul pointed out that there was nothing intrinsically wrong with
the meat, yet because it was offending other Christians it should not be
eaten.
Therefore, the Holy Spirit and the early Church leaders unanimously
condemned the eating of this meat because it caused weaker brothers to
stumble. They commanded both Jewish and Gentile believers not to eat
it. (See Acts 15:28-29)
IA the book of Revelation, two churches were rebuked because they
had believers in them who were encouraging Christians to eat meat
offered to idols. (See Revelation 2:14,20.)
If the meat offered to idols was condemned when it had nothing
wrong with it, how much more should the "rock beat" be condemned in our
churches, based on the following Scripture:
"But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not
charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died"
(Romans 14:15)
The same principle applies to music.
***********
5. * THE "ROCK BEAT DEFIES GOD'S COMMAND TO JUDGE ALL THINGS AS
*********** GOOD OR EVIL.
In the early years of the "Christian rock beat," the beat and the
sound were justified on the basis that "music is amoral".
If such a conclusion is accepted, then music is not a matter of
good and evil, but simply a matter of personal taste.
Yet such false reasoning is in total opposition to the words of
Scripture.
Music is the product of words and actions, and nowhere in Scripture
is there an "amoral" classification for words and actions.
"...We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that
every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he
hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10)
All Christians are commanded by God to exercise their spiritual
senses in order to discern between good and evil.
"But strong meat belongeth to them that are fo full age, even those
who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good
and evil" (Hebrews 5:14)
HOW A FAMILY DISCERNED THAT A "CHRISTIAN" CHILDREN'S TAPE WAS EVIL
"The day before our three-year-old daughter's surgery, I went
shopping for a small gift to give her when she came home from the
hospital. At our local Christian bookstore I bought a tape of
children's songs.
When she arrived home we presented her with the tape. She
immediately wanted to hear it. We don't own a television set, so
listening to her tapes is one of her favorite pastimes.
We played if for her and were disappointed to find that some of the
songs had definite rock overtones to them. She picked up on this, too,
because we have trained her to recognize the evil in 'rock and roll'
music.
Once we knew which songs we didn't care for, we would just skip
over them. Whenever she would ask to hear the tape and it came to a song
we didn't care for, she would ask us to fix the tape for her. That was
all fine and well, but I noticed as time went on that she was wanting to
listen to that particular tape more than her favorite tapes.
At the same time, we started to notice some behavior changes in her
that we didn't really care for. She is a normal three-year-old who
would challenge our authority, but she usually knew her boundaries.
Usually she would pray and participate enthusiastically in our family
devotions, pray before meals, be active and responsive in Sunday school,
memorize Scripture, and love to sing songs about Jesus.
However, the more she listened to this 'Christian' children's tape,
the more I noticed her behavior change. She started pushing, shoving
kicking, and biting her friends and her sister. She back-talked more
than she ever dared before, and she make faces at us when we asked her
to do something.
She stopped participating in our devotions, stopped praying, didn't
want to go to church anymore, and started doing things I had never seen
her or her friends do before. She became openly defiant and rebellious
to her father and me, even hitting or kicking us if we asked her to
accompany us on an errand or something along those lines.
I honestly couldn't figure out what was happening, but because I
had been a very rebellious child when I was growing up, I thought I was
beginning to reap what I had sown.
Things continued to get worse. It seemed as though I was forever
spanking her, standing her in the corner, or sending her to bed. I
started doubting my ability as a parent, and this caused insecurity and
other problems to come into my life. It literally affected our whole
family, and we were constantly in a turmoil.
We tried discipline, we tried reasoning, we prayed a hedge of
thorns, and we tried easing up on the discipline. Nothing worked.
Our personal devotions and prayer lives were affected. Instead of
drawing closer to the Lord, I started drifting. This all happened in a
three-week period of time. Finally, one evening after the children were
in bed, my husband and I discussed our dilemma. He suggested that maybe
we ought to do some 'housecleaning'.
The more I though about it, the more I realized that our daughter's
behavior had started changing the day we gave her that tape. My husband
was thinking the very same thing. We also noticed that some magazines
we had been subscribing to had pictures of alcohol and cigarettes, and
different cult articles were scattered through their pages. We decided
to burn the tape and the magazines as soon as possible.
The next morning after breakfast, we explained to our daughter what
we intended to do. When she asked why, we told her that having these
things in our house did not please Jesus. We showed her some of the
pictures in the magazines, and she agreed with us. She wasn't agreeable
about including her tape in the things to be burned, but she didn't put
up as much of a fight as I had expected.
We took everything outside, piled it up, and set fire to it as we
all stood by and watched. When we came back in the house, we asked her
to forgive us for allowing those thing to come into our house. She did
and then went on her way.
This all happened on a Friday, and our daughter's behavior was
still pretty bad. However, by Monday the change in her behavior was
incredible! I thought we had brought the wrong child home from church
on Sunday!
Our home is just about back to normal now, since our 'umbrella' has
been patched. The change in our daughter has been obvious, not only to
us but also to our friends who went through this with us. We have
learned much from this experience, mainly to be careful about what
things enter our home."
Not everything labeled 'Christian' contains the Lords blessing.
- The Patrick Hait family, Maryland
Evaluating the evil of the "rock beat" is not a matter of musical
ability, but rather of spiritual discernment.
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they
are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world"
(1 John 4:1)
**********
6. * THE "ROCK BEAT" DISOBEYS GOD'S COMMAND TO AVOID "ALL
********** APPEARANCE OF EVIL."
A Christian magazine that claims to be "the most widely read
resource serving youth ministry" contains a chart in its September 1990
issue which matches every world rock sound with a comparable "Christian
rock" group sound.
Notice the categories:
- Heavy metal
- Punk/Thrash
- Rap
- Dance pop
- Rock 'n' roll
- Difficult-to-categorize
Not only are "Christian rock" groups imitating the sound of evil
rock groups, but they are also copying the evil dress styles and
appearance of the world's musicians.
An impartial observer would find it difficult, if not impossible,
to distinguish between many "Christian rock" groups and worldly rock
groups by simply looking at their album covers.
So-called "Christian groups" are now even using satanic symbols on
their album covers.
How can Christians justify such a blatant disobedience to the clear
command of Scripture?
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all
appearance of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
Not only is it difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish worldly
rock groups from most "Christian rock" groups, but it is also very hard
to determine which members are men and which ones are women, because of
the long hair, skirts, and other attire worn by many of the men.
This is in clear violation of the following instruction of
Scripture:
"Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long
hair, it is a shame unto him?" (1 Corinthians 11:14)
"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither
shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination
unto the Lord thy God" (Deuteronomy 22:5)
**********
7. * THE "ROCK BEAT" CONTRADICTS GOD'S COMMAND NOT TO BE
********** BROUGHT UNDER ITS POWER.
The "rock beat" is, in and of itself, an addiction. Those who
vibrate with it begin to desire more and more of it. Like a drug
addiction, one's appetite for it increases so that the "rock beat" in
"contemporary Christian" music soon becomes dissatisfying, and a
stronger beat is required.
The "rock beat" therefore violates the following Scripture:
"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient...I
will not be brought under the power of any" (1 Corinthians 6:12)
Seventeen-year-old Susanna adds her testimony to several others in
this booklet to confirm the addictive nature of the "rock beat":
A TEENAGER'S APPEAL TO REJECT THE"ROCK BEAT" BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A
POWERFUL ADDICTION
"I started to listen to 'Christian rock' when I was eleven. Each
time I heard it, I felt rebellious and had sensual thoughts.
The feelings grew stronger as my music got harder.
I finally realized this music was wrong, and I tried to get rid of
all my music tapes, but I would always slip back into it.
I am seventeen years old now, and I still struggle with this music.
It is very addictive and so easy to slip back into.
I pray that as you read of my struggles and of the struggles of
other young people, you will want to keep this damaging tool of Satan
out of our lives, our homes, and our churches."
- Susanna Dressler, age 17, Indiana
ANOTHER TESTIMONY OF HOW ADDICTIVE THE "ROCK BEAT" IS
"In the summer of 1989, I purposed that I would listen only to
music which is glorifying to God.
However, Satan had a stronghold in my life because I listened to
rock music for many years. As a result the sounds and words were
embedded in my memory.
As the teachers at school lectured, or as I ate lunch or walked
through the hall and heard any word that was in a song, I would begin
singing a song that the word reminded me of.
Every conversation brought a song to my mind. Thus every day, evil
lyrics were embedded deeper into my spirit.
Only as I recognized the demonic nature of this addiction was I
able to deal with it in a Scriptural way."
- Brandi Brace, age 19, Kansas
"Reaching teenagers" with "Christian rock" music is like giving out
liquor with Bible verses on the bottles.
***********
8. * THE "ROCK BEAT" OPPOSES GOD'S COMMAND NOT TO MIX LIGHT
*********** WITH DARKNESS
Most of those who promote "Christian rock" music would agree that
the rock music of the world is evil. However, they reason that by
putting Christian words to the same beat, the world's music is somehow
made right.
This human reasoning is directly opposed to the instruction of
Scripture.
"...What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that
believeth with an infidel?" (2 Corinthians 6:14-15).
In the days of the prophecy Haggai, the priests were called together
and asked some very pertinent questions. The answers which these
priests gave have direct application in the matter of mixing Christian
words with an ungodly beat.
"If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his
skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil. or any meat, shall it
be holy? And the priests answered and said, No....If one that is
unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the
priests answered and said, It shall be unclean" (Haggai 2:12-13).
If a priest who had been cleansed would touch something unclean,
he would not purify the unclean; however, the unclean thing he touched
would make him unclean.
Similarly, the thought of making unclean music acceptable by
putting Christian words to it is in direct violation of the following
command:
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you"
(2 Corinthians 6:17)
The chief justification for combining the pure words of Scripture
with the unclean music of the world is that this is the method by which
we will reach non-Christians. There are several fallacies to this
reasoning.
GOD ORDAINED PREACHING, NOT MUSIC, TO REACH THE LOST
There are two primary purposes for music in the life of a
Christian. The first is to praise and worship God. The second is to
edify other Christians.
This is the clear teaching of Ephesians 5:19: "Speaking to
yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody in your heart to the Lord."
When it comes to the reaching the lost, God ordained preaching,
rather than music, to accomplish this goal. "...It pleased God by the
foolishness of preaching to save them that believe"
(1 Corinthians 1:21). (See Also 1 Corinthians 1:18)
Based on these points, the commands of Ephesians 5:6-12 are
pertinent:
"Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these
things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be
not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness,
but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light....Proving
what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them...."
**********
9. * THE "ROCK BEAT" IGNORES GOD'S COMMAND FOR ALL MINISTERS TO
********** BE QUALIFIED.
Scripture establishes strict standards for those who would teach
others in the Church. A teacher must fulfill the qualifications listed
in 1 Timothy 3 and also Titus 1.
Churches go through careful ordination services to make sure that
those who instruct Christians are qualified. Ironically, teachers who
would never pass an ordination council are being welcomed into churches
to teach the young people through music.
Worldly rock musicians who claim to be converted are immediately
accepted as being qualified to teach Gospel truths to youth. This is in
direct contradiction to the following requirement:
"Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the
condemnation of the devil" (1 Timothy 3:6)
Even non-Christian musicians who talk about God are being listened
to as teachers of truth. At the beginning of Christ's ministry, the
demons gave a very clear witness about Him. One of them said, "...I
know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God" (Mark 1:24).
Rather than allowing the demon to testify, Jesus commanded him to
be silent. "And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace..."
(Mark 1:25)
Even Christians who give a witness for the Lord are instructed
first to sanctify the Lord God in their hearts, according to
1 Peter 3:15.
Based on these factors, how can we justify presenting the truth of
Scripture in the vulgar and demonic medium of the world's rock?
To justify vulgar music on the basis that it is being used to
communicate the Gospel is the same as justifying profanity in the pulpit
or pornography in Gospel literature.
**********
10. * THE "ROCK BEAT" VIOLATED GOD'S COMMAND TO PROTECT OUR
********** BODIES AS GOD'S TEMPLE.
When we become Christians, our bodies become the dwelling places of
the Holy Spirit. Those who defile or damage God's temple will be
judged.
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of
God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God
destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are"
(1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
There are many ways in which the "rock beat" damages our bodies.
HOW THE "ROCK BEAT" DAMAGES OUR HEARING
As noted in many of the testimonies, one of the characteristics of
the addictive nature of the "rock beat" is that the music must be played
louder and louder.
Safe decibel levels range from 20 to 65 decibels. As the decibel
level of the music increases, irreversible hearing loss occurs.
Some permanent damage is possible after eight continuous hours of
90-decible sound. Rock concerts are consistently between 110 and 140
decibels. Exposure to noise at this level for more than one minute may
cause permanent hearing damage.
HOW THE "ROCK BEAT" DAMAGES OUR BRAIN CELLS
When we listen to music, our minds try to bring the beat and the
melody together. When there is an offbeat, the mind struggles to
coordinate the two.
A study conducted by a neurobiologist of Georgian Court College
(Lakewood, New Jersey) and a physicist of Fairleight Dickinson
University (Rutherford, New Jersey) indicated the devastating effects
that occur in animals when there is prolonged listening to a rock
rhythm.
The brain cells involved actually became deformed as they attempted
to reconcile the beat to the melody.
HOW THE "ROCK BEAT" DAMAGES OUR CONCENTRATION
Further research has shown that noise threatens more than just
hearing. It is now linked to increased levels of stress, high blood
pressure, ulcers, and hormonal imbalance.
One of the most common testimonies of young people is that they are
unable to concentrate on the Scriptures while under the influence of the
"rock beat".
HOW A TEENAGER RESTORED PERSONAL WORSHIP BY DESTROYING THE "ROCK BEAT"
"I have listened to 'contemporary Christian' music all my life. My
parents listened to it even before I was born.
When they began listening in the early 1970s, the beat was much
softer than it is today. However, both secular and Christian
contemporary' music styles have changed. The beat of the music has
gotten much harder and faster. The changes were subtile, so only in
retrospect can I see where that wrong music led me.
My parents would never allow me to listen to secular rock music.
However, I disobeyed they and listened to it when they weren't around.
This was partly because of peer pressure. It was also because I was
used to the beat of the 'contemporary Christian' music.
I felt that some of the 'Christian' music had a harder beat than
some of the secular so there must not be anything wrong with the softer
secular music. Listening to this music was feeding my growing
rebellion toward my parents by putting wrong thoughts and attitudes in
my mind. this music also led to lowering my moral standards.
In 1987 I stopped listening to secular music and focused totally on
'contemporary Christian' music. This did not correct my wrong
attitudes, because I was still being fed by the wrong music. Then my
pride increased. I felt I was better than a lot of people because I
didn't listen to the world's music.
In 1989 my parents became increasingly aware of how this wrong
music was affecting my life. They began to try to change my views on
it. I listened to the Striving for Excellence tapes, and our family
read through the Bible and researched every Scripture that dealt with
music.
My parents prayed that I would give up this wrong music. During
this time, God was working in my heart. I knew that 'contemporary
Christian' music was not what my parents wanted for me, but I was afraid
to give it up. It had been a part of my life for so long.
In January of 1990, I met a large group of Christian young people
who did not listen to any music with a rock beat in it. I was
tremendously impressed with them. They had a peace and a joy that I
didn't have.
On February 13, 1990, I gave all my music to the Lord and burned
all of my 'Christian rock' tapes. The results have been amazing!
God has given me a new desire to know Him better. I have a peace
in my life that I never even realized was missing. For years I had a
stuttering problem that is now completely cleared up, and I have a new
relationship with my parents that I have never had before.
It was very important for me not just to get rid of the wrong
music, but to replace it with right music.
It is my prayer that every teenager will experience the freedom
that I am now enjoying."
- Christiane Quick, age 19, North Carolina
Introducing the "rock beat" into Christian music is like establishing a
pluralistic society. It is simply a transition from one controlling
religion to another.
A COMMITMENT TO REJECT THE DECEPTION OF THE "ROCK BEAT" IN ANY FORM:
"Almighty Father, based on the authority of your Word and the
testimony of others, I now purpose to remove from my life any music that
contains a 'rock beat' and to replace it with melodious music that
glorifies you and edifies others."
Signature:_______________________________
Date: ________________________________
***********************************************************************
Rock and Roll Documentation:
The following is information for anyone who wants to dig deeper into
the subject of rock and roll. You have to send away for it. You
will receive 2 cassette tapes and a study booklet in a case. I bought
one May 1989 and it cost $17. The price should still be around the same
amount.
Rock and roll - all rock and roll - is imbalanced music. It violates
laws of melody, harmony, and rhythm. If you want in-depth evidence then
I would suggest that you send away for the course.
DESCRIPTION
How to Evaluate Music
If you have been looking for precise information by which to
evaluate music and if you are striving for excellence in your Christian
life, then this training course is a must for you! Those who have
viewed this material have exclaimed, "There is nothing else like this
in the world. We've needed this for a long time."
Dr. and Mrs Ronald Jay Cannon
Inge Pohl Cannon earned two degrees in music education. She has
taught for fifteen years on the elementary, secondary, college, and
graduate school levels.
Inge has worked with youth as a Dean of Women and has enjoyed fourteen
years of experience as a church pianist. Since 1984 she has devoted her
time to developing educational curriculum.
Dr. Ron Cannon holds five college, university, and seminary degrees.
His primary interest has been in Bible exposition and theology. He
has had twelve years of health service administration in medical centers
and has taught courses on the university and Bible institute levels.
Ron has had ten years of formal training in music. He plays three
instruments and has conducted seminars on the principles of music.
This course can be orderd from:
Institute in Basic Life Principles
Box one
Oak Brook, Illinois 60522-3001
U.S.A.