Defending. Contending.

brother Michael says:

I’d be hard pressed Marie to call your post a rant. Very well said and excellent comments and observations. I won’t rant myself :) but I will say briefly that CCM looks like the world, sounds like the world, and is loved by the world. This should cause all Christians to stop and think.

Leo says:

I think the majority of this music tends to be shallow, empty and superficial at best. Although these particular songs sound very much like the other side of things though. If you think about it in one corner we have the Happy clappy “CCM” singing “all is happy happy joy joy every day songs” while here is the opposite of that, dark, gloomy, desolate, angry and depressed.

I think there’s nothing wrong with singing the blue-note, once in a while, the truth is life is seasons. I just have a bigger problem with the whole “christian music” category thing, it seems as though we Christians have built our own little christian bubble, for example why must we have “Christian-rap, christian-pop, christian-techno, christian-jazz, christian-videogames, christian-movies, christian-news channels, christian-newspapers, what’s next? Christian-Cola??

Marie says:

Well, I may be a day late and a dollar short identifying this new trend, but “Emo” has become quite the lifestyle choice among Christian teens. I am not making this up — there are actually websites and Wiki pages instructing teens on how to be a “chremo” – a “Christian Emo”.

Urban dictionary defines “chremo” as the integration of two musical styles – Emo and Christian rock.

So there’s our answer.

There is truly nothing new under the sun……ugh. I’m glad to see these sites at least admonishing the wanna-be “emos” that as Christian they really shouldn’t cut themselves; not all emos do that. (sarcasm).

So if this gloomy, depressive, self-absorbed lifestyle (and the accompanying music) is something they pursue and try to imitate, is “seeking help” through counseling the next fad in the natural progression of things? To ensure that they receive enough attention? No wonder it seems to me a lot of people don’t really want help; they have no real desire to change. Again, my point is reinforced: this whole genre of music endorses self-absorption, and therefore an ungodly lifestyle.

From “How to Be a Christian Emo” :

Listen to Christian rock, especially artists signed to Tooth & Nail Records, Credential Recordings and Solid State Records, a metal and division of Tooth & Nail Records. Listen to bands such as Underoath, Norma Jean, POD As I Lay Dying, and Showbread and Flyleaf. and the band Skillet” and Anberlin.

Berean Wife says:

Marie is correct, while this type music claims to help “Christian” teens by meeting them where they are, what it really does is join them in the mire and wallowing with them. We are to pull others from the mire, not jump in with them, nor encourage others that it isn’t so bad in the mire.

When I prepared the CCM PowerPoint for a previous church one portion of it stated:

Christian Rock Glorifies Suicide

The continual mention of suicide and suicide methods defeats the intended purpose of preventing suicide. It keeps it in their thoughts and provides ideas.

“Take Three Days Grace’s song ‘Pain.’ It relates to a lot of hurting kids. When they hear it, the song makes them feel like there are other people going through this too, and there is some comfort in that thought. But at the same time, they don’t have to look for a way out. They just sit there and dwell in their pity, like, ‘I’m just going to be miserable. This is my outlet.’” Quote from October 2007 Breakaway magazine.

Included with the PowerPoint was a video done by a teen girl to Skillet’s “Last Night”. The video dwelt on her depression and her cutting even showing her cutting herself. That video has since been taken off the internet but it goes to show what our youth are doing with “Christian” Music today.

Notice also how the first song here encourages rebellion in our youth. So many of the “Christian” music groups directed at youth follow that same line of encouraging rebellion. POD and Skillet lyrics are full of rebellion and disrespect towards parents.

It is sad that no one at the church I shared this information with seemed to care, even though a few teens were already being counseled for depression.

Berean Wife

Marie says:

Dear Berean Wife,

Thanks for that, and especially that excerpt! Good to know I’m not the only one who’s noticed that downward-spiraling trend,a nd I’m not over-reacting. It’s just that I’m seeing the net result (and I’m not even involved with “Youth Ministry” ; just a few individual teens). I do believe this kind of music is at least a factor, and the whole “emo” fad that glorifies it.

After spending a good long time in prayer this morning and making sure my own heart was right, I banged out the following entry: http://redeemedfromthepit.blogspot.com/2010/01/ana-mia-and-oxymoronic-christian-emo.html

I’d appreciate any feedback from the peanut gallery – including from anyone who disagrees. As I get deeper into counseling, I am not looking for simplistic answers, but I seek to deeply understand these young people’s pain and help them by pointing them back to Christ alone.

Now that I’ve gotten this combox totally off-topic, I’d like to respond to Michael’s point, if you don’t mind. Personally, I can totally see where you’re coming from, and I agree that as in everything, context does matter. The lyric you quoted does, in fact, mention Christ as the answer; and strictly speaking it is thus theologically correct.

But here’s the problem: this genre of music, broadly speaking, takes a high view of man and a low view of God. What I mean by that is that it puts the inner turmoil, the subjective emotions, and the “dark night of the soul” that we all sometimes experience front and center, and only mentions God tangentially, if at all. The focus is not fixed on Christ as the Author and Perfecter of our faith. He’s somewhere in the background, hat in hand, as it were; waiting for the poor suffering, heroic “victim” to condescend to “let Him in”. The focus is, at it’s core, man-centric rather than Christ-exalting. (And that’s not even getting into the lyrics that are irreverent or blasphemous – that’s a different subject).

Interestingly, Berean Wife used the verb “wallowing” to describe the morbid fascination people tend to develop with their own depressed emotions. I used the exact same term to describe the self-absorption I note in some of the girls who write to me. It may SOUND cruel, and I truly don’t mean it to (it is difficult to convey one’s heart in this medium), but God wants to sanctify our emotions. That is just not going to happen while we’re listening to lyrics that seem to “validate” our morose attitude (and implicitly tell us that this is a legitimate state of mind common to all Christians).

The Bible tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. How is this type of music going to renew our minds? We all know what abuse is; what sex is; what rape is; what cutting is; what bulimia is; etc. etc. These are the “deeds of darkness”. At no other time in history would it have been considered edifying, or even socially acceptable, to talk openly about these things – much less sing about them. Girls don’t need songs that tell them to have more self-esteem (no matter how beautiful the melody); they need more Christ esteem. We love ourselves. We’re endlessly fascinated by ourselves. That’s the problem.

Christian music should pass a basic test: Is it true? Is it edifying? Does it glorify God? There are many, many worship songs – both traditional and contemporary – that fit that bill. It’s not a matter of style so much as content. What we are talking about here – trying to be “relevant” so much that Christ is not glorified – has no legitimate place in Christian music, in my opinion. It’s not leading these young people closer to Christ. Reading the Bible, praying, and repenting of these self-serving attitudes and behaviors leads them closer to Christ – and only in Him is true freedom found. Trouble is, it doesn’t seem to me like a whole lot of them WANT freedom. It seems like many folks are just addicted to depression. I can’t understand it.

Wade says:

Marie, you did a wonderful job of illustrating that the music that is in question is “man-centric rather than Christ-exalting” (I love how you put that) and I believe that is where the appeal comes in at. I suspect that they make music like this on purpose so that it can be a “crossover” (as someone else mentioned previously); its more “marketable”, if you will. Today churches are run like organizations with “growth plans” etc., is it any wonder that the music is being treated as such as well? I’m sure the same as how some people justify the execution of employing entertaining church services and or programs that are designed to “attract” large congregations as opposed to scaring away people that are offended by the word of God, some people probably also justify irreverent lyrics by saying that they will “attract” a number of people that will hear about God that normally wouldn’t hear about Him.

I also like what you said Neil; I also think the music should be Christ centered. We should become knowledgeable of the word of God and with that use our conscience to bear witness (Romans 2:15) as a guide to make discernment.

Grace & Peace,

jude newman says:

Dear Michael,
the song you are refering to by Flame is not God honouring at all. Jesus gets one sentence at the end then the focus goes back to the girl. Songs are written all the time about peoples pain. Are they told the reason? that we live in a fallen world because of sin. We cannot highlight ourselves and put Jesus as a footnote. As Christians He is to come first, last and everything in between. If they only mention the love of Jesus, that is not the Gospel. It does seem that Jesus is just waiting on the sidelines till He gets noticed. Jesus is our Lord and Savior who while we were dead in our trespasses and sin, God sent His Son to die for us. I point to you Ephesians ch. 1 which magnifies Jesus as He is. Amen!

Dear brother Michael
Thanks for the clip. I’ve got one question for anyone who thinks this song is something born again believers should listen to. Does this song glorify God.?

DavidW says:

Job:
I can’t help but agree with James that faith without works is dead. I do not believe one can be a true Christian in word only, but his/her very life must reflect evidence of repentance, holiness, obedience to God’s word. Thus it is paramount that we put ourselves into action, as God provides opportunity. That said, I caution crossing over to thinking “so few Christians do [good works], in many cases because we are too busy but in some cases because our hearts are hardened to the plight of sinners, especially in America when said sinners inhabit a different socioeconomic strata from ourselves.” Yes, we have jobs, families, others that the Lord has already placed in our lives, and has given us responsibility to attend to. That doesn’t mean we do not personally attend to the person we bump into on the street, or the one whom the Lord calls our attention to, who is in obvious need of a coat, food, transportation, etc. We just don’t go around blowing a trumpet when we do (that would be against God’s word).

It has become an increasingly preached sentiment, especially from Emergent pastors, that “old-style” Christians don’t want to “dirty” their hands with the unlovable. That may be true of any individual, but that sentiment seems to be lumping most conservative Christians into the same camp, stigmatizing them with some sort of hypocrisy badge. And it feeds the concept that we need to depart from “old Christianity” to “new, orthopraxy-focussed Christianity” (or as Warren has coined: “deeds, not creeds”). Such mentality promotes a separation among brethren, and with it, a sort of proud, looking down the nose at others who are not on the “relevant”, works-focussed bandwagon.

I see nothing wrong with a song that tells the story of the plight of the unsaved, trapped in sin. But does that same song give a clear, distinct, unmistakable Gospel message, which is the only thing that truly helps these deceived, bonded people? If so, great. Or does it focus on merely reaching out to physically help, which isn’t enough when these souls are lost, headed for a Christless eternity?

But these (highly visible) “preachers” with their drums, mics and guitars, how are they representing the Jesus Christ they “preach” through their lyrics? Is their behavior consistent with the biblical pattern? Or are they spreading a mixed, unbiblical message, that you can behave like the unsaved, talk like the unsaved, and yet proclaim the Savior, who is supposed to transform you out of worldliness, out of fleshliness? If they do not display the transformed life that the Jesus of the Scriptures commands, then all their “orthopraxy” is missing the whole point. The power of the Gospel is evidenced by a transformed life, a life that denies self, takes up the cross, and follows the Jesus of the Scriptures, not some hip, cool, Jesus that is made more pleasing to the unsaved world.

Point is, if the Gospel isn’t being preached as the solution to man’s condition, and if the “preachers” of the message are not displaying the Jesus that is described in His word, then what “Jesus” is really being preached?

Marie says:

I see nothing wrong with a song that tells the story of the plight of the unsaved, trapped in sin. But does that same song give a clear, distinct, unmistakable Gospel message, which is the only thing that truly helps these deceived, bonded people? If so, great. Or does it focus on merely reaching out to physically help, which isn’t enough when these souls are lost, headed for a Christless eternity?

That’s exactly what I was trying to get at. Thanks for articulating it so well.

brother Michael says:

One thing we need to keep in mind is that the New Testament church never used music as an evangelistic tool even though they certainly could have. Rather they preached the word and lived it on a daily basis in obedience to the command they received of the Lord and the pattern established by the apostles. And it was through this, amazingly without music, that it is written that they “…turned the world upside down.” (Today I think we can say the world has turned the church upside down).

As far as singing in the church, it was not a industry run by profiteering corporations, it was not a form of entertainment, and it was not a way for believers to promote themselves and be cheered, lauded and awarded as we see today. Rather, it was part of both individual worship as people went about their daily lives (Jas 5:13, Eph 5:19), and also corporate worship when the believers came together (I Cor 14:26).

Here, historians are in agreement that the early church sang the Psalms acapella and quite possibly portions of Scripture. This in fulfillment of the command to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col 3:16 – italics added) Something the Jews would have been familiar with as the NT church was partly fashioned after the Synagogue model which included Psalm singing, reading of Scriptures and prayer.

But oh how times have changed where music is big bu$ine$$ and most churches would crumble if modern “praise and worship” were weighed in the balances of God’s word. The study of how all these changes came about from the simple NT pattern into the billion dollar industry we have today is quite fascinating. If I ever make the time, I hope one day to do a formal study on it.

In any event, it is my contention that all things, including denominational/non-denominational traditions, need to be tested in light of the Scriptures against the NT pattern even if it is something we hold near and dear and esteem highly.

brother Michael says:

Hi Job,
As I noted, this is a very lengthy study and I have not the time to do such a one. But I do want to briefly answer your question and encourage you to study it out.

First, CCM and the points I listed about the industry are not included in my discussion below. These should be clear for all to see as this is nothing like the New Testament pattern, whether in letter or more importantly Spirit.

Second, I’m encouraging study and for people to follow the Scriptural injunction to “prove all things” and to “test the spirits” so that we hold to what is of God and throw out what is of man. Because if one studies Church history they will find that the Catholic church, the model of anti-Scriptural additions and deletions, did not spring up over night. It took many centuries of adding a little here, and taking away a little there which resulted in the monstrosity we see today. Things that I’m sure seemed harmless at the time like candles, incense, vestments, and even the organ, but they developed into the anti-Christ system we have today that looks nothing like the New Testament church.

Second, I’m not sure how you can say that Scripture does not touch this issue when I provided a list of Scriptures that speak specifically to the singing of Psalms. Yet how many sing the Psalms today? Few, even if in conjunction with “traditional” hymns as the Psalms are viewed as dusty relics, especially in light of Dispensational views of the Old Testament.

As far as the pattern the church received from the synagogue, again, you need to do the study. What I will write is that first, acapella psalm singing was the pattern in the synagogues until the 1800′s during the German Reformed movement when they added the organ.

Instrumental music is quite a modern feature in synagogal worship. Owing to the rabbinical “fence” which prohibited the use of an instrument on Sabbath and festivals because of the probability that it would require tuning or other preparation (comp. Shulḥan ‘Aruk, Oraḥ Ḥayyim, 338, 339), it is still avoided by conservative congregations on those days. Source

The reason, by the way, why they were acapella is that the Jews, even in a carnal way, feared God and knew that instrumental worship was only allowed in the Temple associated with the sacrifices as performed by the Levitical musicians. They also, in modern times, did not want to imitate the Christian church that eventually introduced the organ.

And as the pattern was in the synagogue, so it was in the early church where instruments (first the organ) were not widely introduced into the church until the 12th century! And their introduction was by none other than the Catholic church who also added candles, incense, the alter, etc. Here, even Catholic writers admit these facts where we read from Newadvent.org.

In the early centuries the objection of the Church to instrumental music applied also to the organ, which is not surprising, if we remember the association of the hydraulus with theatre and circus. According to Platina (“De vitis Pontificum”, Cologne, 1593), Pope Vitalian (657-72) introduced the organ into the church service. This, however, is very doubtful. At all events, a strong objection to the organ in church service remained pretty general down to the twelfth century, which may be accounted for partly by the imperfection of tone in organs of that time. But from the twelfth century on, the organ became the privileged church instrument, the majesty and unimpassioned character of its tone making it a particularly suitable means for adding solemnity to Divine worship. Source

There are countless other quotes but I don’t want to write a tome. Again, reading from a Catholic author so as to not be guilty of bias, we read that:

The early Christians rigidly banned musical instruments from their religious assemblies. At any rate, there is no mention of their use, and several texts positively show that, at least in the period preceding the Peace of the Church, the singing of the clergy and people was unsupported by any instrument whatever…A text of Clement of Alexandria can hardly be said to prove more than the above-made statement: “Though we no longer worship God with the clamor of military instruments, such as the trumpet, drum and fife, but with peaceful words, this is our most delightful festivity; and if you are able to accompany your voices with the lyre or kithara, you shall incur no censure” (cfr. Burney, “Hist. of Music,” II, 26). Source

This is why the Greek Orthodox churches still cling to this tradition; that is acapella singing. And they of all people are the ones we can trust in understanding the Greek text of the New Testament!

The Reformation writers also discussed this subject widely as many were purging out of the church the additions of Catholicism. Organs being one such item; although not all were in agreement. The topic at hand came to be known as the “Regulative principle” verses the one more widely held known as the “Normative” principle.

For materials to study, you can reference the articles here as a starter. Also, for a very thorough study, please see this paper here which you can also find on Sermon Audio if you prefer to listen rather than read.

Blessings to you.

Jeff H says:

I like Petra for many of the reasons mentioned here. The lyrics to “Enter In”:

Petra
Enter In lyrics

We can enter in, enter in
We can enter in His gates with thankfulness and praise
Into the once forbidden Holy place
We can live in goodness and in mercy all our days
We can enter in a new and living Way
By our faith He will receive us when we pray
We don’t have to be afraid to seek His face
We can enter in

Also, from Petra’s lead singer, John Schlitt:

Wake The Dead

Wake the dead, wake the dead
Don’t be complacent with your own salvation
Wake the dead, wake the dead
Got to lead the lost searching for their way

My $0.02,
- Jeff H

DavidW says:

Pilgrim:
I am in agreement with your post. I agree with your point that much of contemporary “Christian” music has sunk to the point of being practically indistinguishable from secular. The lyrics you gave above of Toby Mac, who claims to be a Christian, seem to give zero draw toward God, zero mention of the only One who can save the unsaved from their plight, zero resemblance to anything Christian. If anything, “Michey” in the song triumphed over his disadvantage by making it big in sports. Toby says “morality’s slippin”. Yeah, and? Soooo…what’s the point? And what’s the fix? Don’t know. Not according to the song. We’re left to draw our own conclusions. Maybe we should all be like Mickey and pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, get worldly respect and admiration, etc. So, who needs God?

Music is a powerful medium to influence. We sing or hum jingles all the time. I, for one, am plugged in a lot on the job. I listen to music while I work. I believe there are Christian musicians out there that we can listen to that keep our minds on the truth of God’s word. I like some Don Francisco, some Keith Green, some Classical, some hymns. But in listening to music, it’s important we as Christians keep a discerning ear tuned.

Some points to consider:
1) Does the music truly conform to the truths of God’s word? Or is it distorting, or contrary to God’s word in it’s message? Is it helpful for me to walk as a follower of Jesus, or does it encourage worldly values?

2) Does the music encourage me to worship, praise, thank the Lord? Or does it excite my flesh, my pride, or keep me in unregenerate thinking? Can I continue in prayer whenever the music is playing, or does the music distract me from a prayerful mind and attitude?

Another thing to consider, as I mentioned earlier, are the artists displaying worldly, fleshly behavior in public? If that’s the case, there’s something wrong with their total message. The source has to be consistent with the recorded message. To give an example of what I mean by this: I’ve seen some famous, obviously secular musicians come out on stage at various times, with their skimpy, sensually dressed female companions in tow, “Thanking Jesus”, or “Thanking God” for their music awards. I’ve seen a female singer, dressed very sensually, showing as much skin as she could legally get away with, singing first a Christian song, then a common secular song. I could give many more examples. The point is, if I support such musicians, the whole message I’m getting, and just who or what I am supporting in listening to music from such “artists”, is inconsistent with what associations I am having as a believer separated unto Christ in my whole being.

If I am supporting any “Christian” musician, who displays or expresses by his behavior, by his music, or by his associations, that which is inconsistent with God’s word, I am, by such support, partnering with him (if not on the spiritual level, then on the soul level.) Such partnership is unfaithfulness to Christ. And if others hear me listening to such, or see their CD’s in my car or house, it is a tacit endorsement, and I am a stumbling block to those who may be led astray by such “artists”.

As for church gathering music, I agree very much with brother Michael’s assessment. And I will add that I am sick and tired of the music in churches that “works you up” for worship. Anything that excites our flesh, gets us emotionally charged, may appeal to the flesh and soul, but not the spirit. It’s not only falling short, it is an affront to the All-Holy God Who has made it crystal clear by the examples He gave us in the Old Testament (which He said is for our instruction, so we need to take heed today), that He is to be approached and worshiped in the way He has specified. We cannot approach God in a profane, worldly, careless, flippant, irreverent, fleshly or worldly manner. We cannot come to Him with “strange fire”. We cannot set up our own altars and “worship” Him as we please. We must worship Him in Spirit (the soul may be involved, but in full submission to the spirit, and not in the flesh) and in truth (by His revealed truth). Our spirit must be in unity with the Holy Spirit, in full conformity with the whole of His word. And only then can we, as blood-bought followers of Jesus Christ, approach the living God.

With this in mind, it is self-evident that worldly, fleshly music has no place for any Christian. Nor should true children of the most high God have any association, or give any support, to imposters who merely claim to be Christian, but do not display it in their lives.

brother Michael says:

Job – Did I say we were bound by Jewish fences? Did you listen to the message and read the paper or is your mind already made up? Proof-texting via the OT won’t do it as we are under a New Covenant. Those were shadows as the book of Hebrews points out.

Why the attack with the cryptographic ring remark? No – it is clear – it says sing Psalms – I don’t need a decoder ring for that, do you?

No – the Apostolic church did not write their own music; they sang the Psalms. And Paul’s writings, last time I checked were inspired writings. Is a Michael W. Smith song inspired? How about one by Amy Grant?

Likewise, Hail Gladdening Light was said to be written in the 3rd or 4th century, not 150.

brother Michael says:

Neil,
Of course no one is saying that people who sing “this is the day” or any other song are not Christians or less than others. I’m not sure why you would imply such a thing because the same could be said with any doctrine that a person has not be taught or learned. This not being something distinct with people in foreign lands but could just as be true in America or any other place where access to the Scriptures and doctrinal materials is abundant.

Think on China for a minute. Do you know that over there that many of the house churches are led by women? And that men take a secondary role with women being the preachers and teachers. Yet most of us would agree that this is un-Scriptural and a violation of Scripture. Not only in the church but also the family where the Scriptures say the husband is the head of the wife.

But no one in making such a judgment that this setup is a clear violation of Scripture is making a judgment that they are not Christians for having such an arrangement. Big difference between the two.

And with the women as preachers and teachers I’m sure most of us would agree that it is something that has to be addressed. Lovingly, gracefully and with much prayer and wisdom because it is so entrenched in their culture. We cannot just say that this is the way they do things, they love the Lord and are being persecuted unto death so we never speak to them on this. This would not be love but fear on our part.

This same thing can be true in so many other areas but that does not mean we, who know better in any given area, accept the Christianity of lowest common denominator. Rather, we who can, study to show ourselves approved unto God being faithful with what God has given us. They likewise, need to be faithful with what God has chosen to give them. He who is faithful in that which is least, is likewise faithful in much.

brother Michael says:

Hi Neil,
Thanks for your kind reply. First, you said:

This I understand bro. Sometimes, we are so hasty on passing judgment on something or someone (I am guilty of this) without really taking the time to seek the Lord on how to address a concern with Godly wisdom.

My reply: I’m glad I’m not the only one guilty of this! Oh how I pray for the love of Christ to guide me in all things.

I would agree addressing the woman preaching issue could be a big issue especially depending on the circles it is encountered in. Very hard when you are dealing with a cultural situation like that in China where it is deeply rooted; largely due to the problems of men being hauled away into prison or killed for preaching the gospel. Honestly here I have no easy answers and would have to seek counsel from elders who have more experience in such things.

In terms of areas less difficult but still challenging like a Pentecostal church, this might be an area to get to later rather than sooner. That is, there might be bigger fish to fry first before this doctrine is even addressed.

I might start with the sufficiency of Scripture as our rule for faith in all matters of doctrine verses new revelation and “prophetic words”, dreams, etc.

I also might teach the spiritual truths behind what many see as cultural issues only related to the first century. Women speaking being one such item where I have heard it said many times that Paul was only addressing local matters with women speaking over men (i.e. in Corinth) but that this does not preclude their speaking/teaching as elders today.

The problem with this belief is that it overturns the family order we see in the Scriptures where God is the head of Christ, Christ the head of man, the man the head of woman, and the children under their parents. Any time this order gets out of whack, like having the woman as the head of man, or the children as the head of their parents, you will have problems. Big problems.

This, in my estimation, is the very foundational area to focus for this doctrine because if this truth is established where woman understand and believe God’s established order (and men also!), then I think by course they will defer to their husbands, their head, to lead them even as Sarah did with Abraham.

Men though have to be willing to step up to the plate, get off their proverbial butts, peel themselves away from the TV, and be the men God has called them to be. If not, and there is a spiritual vacuum, then it will be filled and filling it will be the woman.

mark hadenough says:

CCM looks like the world, sounds like the world, and is loved by the world. This should cause all Christians to stop and think.

Isn’t it just this simple? – if it looks like the world, sounds like the world, and is loved by the world, is this not cause for all Christians to stop and think.

(re: music)

its quite simple – we are so far forward in time, from the actual “truth” — that the “truth” has been distorted, twisted, manipulated……..(by who? WHO DO YOU THINK?!)
..”music” as we know of it today, has been manipulated over time by satan….. music is “sounds”….. sounds affect our soul – our spirit …… the manipulation of sounds, by any “instrument” whether it be a stick on a metal garbage can lid, or a harp or an electric guitar, is manipulated to create a “connection” to our soul – our spirit…. “sounds” affect us in different way… go sit by the ocean on a windy day – if the sound of the waves of the ocean do not affect your spirit, then you must be listening to something else inside of your head………
go into a field, and listen to the trees and the wind — sit by a small stream and listen to the water flowing down across some rocks – does it not affect your spirit? listen to a baby coo, or a baby scream of pain – does this not affect your spirit? cut through and speak to your soul?? are these sounds “music?”
— listen to classic metal or rock – does it not affect your spirit and your soul?? listen to kenny G – (or the like) – does it not affect your spirit?
listen to rap or like music — c’mon people….. especially CHRISTIANS! — one person above said it the best!!
Isn’t it just this simple? (i modified it a little)

“- if it looks like the world, sounds like the world, and is loved by the world, is this not cause for all Christians to stop and think.”

i’m about 50 – from the age of about 8 or 9 years old – until my late 20′s/early 30′s – i was steeped in music – and when i decided one day (and with Gods help) to stop the drinking, etc. etc.. — looking for the “truth” i realized the affect of music on ALL PEOPLE!!! (including myself of course)
since then, my skin CRAWLS when i hear (especially) “christians” DEFEND “their music”! — (ccm or even secular music)

WE ARE LIVING IN THE END DAYS!! SATAN WILL USE, AND IS USING ALL THAT he CAN TO SWAY, CONFUSE, “MANIPULATE”!!!

MUSIC – IS SOMETHING “NATURAL” – “PURE” – “SPIRITUAL” -
HE STARTED WITH THE GROSS DISTORTION OF MANIPULATING SOUNDS – “MUSIC” IN THE WORLD – AND NOW, IN OUR “WISHY WASHY – ITS ALL ABOUT ME AND WHAT IS THE CHURCH GOING TO DO FOR ME AND HOW IS THE CHURCH (AND “GOD”) GOING TO “MAKE ME FEEL GOOD” CHURCH” (WORLD) —- IT HAS FILTERED IN – AND NOW GRASPING THE “christians” AND ” AFFECTING THEIR SPIRITS!!! ” “MANIPULATING THEIR SOULS”

I T ‘ S R E A L S I M P L E — PEOPLE!!!

WHERE IS THE DISCERNMENT??!!!

(I’M SORRY, IT JUST FRIES MY BRAIN – WRENCHES MY SPIRIT – DISTURBS MY SOUL………)

if joel olsteen or benny hinn or the like, preaches a part of a sermon, that is biblical, true, right on, —- are you going to listen to the rest of his sermons, become a member of their cult?? well, no… i dont think so….
so if a ccm song (or group) has one or two good songs, with “good words” — are you going to listen then to the other songs and be “fans” of them – because there was a song that inspired you (for that moment in time.. MADE YOU “FEEL GUSHY” AND TEARY EYED?!!!)

W A K E U P!!!!!

SATAN = MIX THE TRUTH WITH LIES (how about this – mix it with “sounds”)

so LETS JUST GO AHEAD AND FOLLOW!!!!!!
LOOKS GOOD – “FEELS GOOD” – SOUNDS GOOD – WELL “SIGN ME UP!!!”

and for you “WELL IT GETS THE KIDS INTO THE CHURCH” christians —

DID JESUS “HANG AT THE BAR – KICK DOWN A FEW – TELL A FEW NASTY JOKES ” so they would “listen to what HE said????

(i cant take much more… JESUS PLEASE TAKE ME HOME!!! – the end….)