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The following is an excerpt from an email discussion dealing with the question of using "cleaned up" CCM in a fundamental church.
My question is that if this music is "cleaned up" would it be acceptable in a worship setting at a fundamental church? What are some scriptural guidelines that you can use to help in making musical decisions? I appreciate any help that you can give me.
Greetings from Carriacou. Thank you for writing. You have raised a very interesting and a very important question.
I have listened to the music at the Keith Getty site you have linked to. In fact, I have visited this site before because of just such a question you have asked.
The answer to your first question is an emphatic "No!" The answer to your second question follows.
First, a few quotations from the Scripture (these are not all that could be applied)...
Read these two passages and think them over.
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves 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 boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. (1Jn 2:15-17)
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1Jn 4:1-6)
Now, think about the sound of the music that is found on the Getty site (and many others as well). Does it sound like something you would likely hear on a rock station? In short, is that the "sound" of the world? Listen to HOW she sings the song. Is it sung in a style typical of rock singers? In short, does she sing like the world? Now listen to the words. Do they sound like the "world's talk?" The answer to the first two questions is "Yes, it does sound like the world." Anyone denying that has already been deceived. Yes, the world has worse sounds but that is part of the deception - "it is not as bad as a some other worldly music..." The answer to the third question is "No, that does not sound like what the world talks about." Those are not the words you typically hear with that type of music.
The question then is "Why do they use worldly (evil) music to communicate Scriptural truth?" Why not use music that is not clearly associated with the world's sound - such as the "traditional" hymn or some other "classical" style? They will tell you the answer on their web site. They want to appeal to as many people as possible. Most people will just not listen to it if it does not have that "sound" that they are familiar with.
Read this again **They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. 1Jn 4:5 **
Notice that God acknowledges that if you speak from the world's perspective ("talk their talk") they will "hear" you! It is talking about using the peculiar style or way that the world talks that is clearly identified as being "from (out of) the world." This passage (1 John 4) is helping us to understand who false prophets are. The first clue in this passage that you are dealing with a false prophet is that they deny the deity of Christ. The second way to know is that "they speak as from the world!"
Why would anyone want to speak or sing "out of" the world in an attempt to win them? Remember singing is the same as speaking... "Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord" (Eph 5:19)) Some say "Well, Paul said to become all things to all men so that you can win them." He was not saying we should do anything that would contradict this passage, was he?! (that's another discussion) The reason Christian people are turning to this philosophy (sound like the world to attract them) is partly because of this...
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, (2Ti 4:3)
People will not endure sound doctrine. They don't want to hear God's Word preached in its fullness and with all the "teeth" that comes with it. The philosophy is to "sugar coat" the truth with a bit of what they like in order to get them to take it - trick them into hearing the Gospel.
However, we are to **Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Col 3:16)
Here is a scriptural axiom: Anytime you mix something good with something evil you always get something evil. **Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." (1Co 15:33)** **Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty. (2Co 6:14-18)** --and many more– (like Haggai 2)
So, mixing evil music and or evil vocal style with good words = an evil song. Many, many Christians (sad to say) do not recognize this! Many, I am sure, are not genuine Christians. (see Matt 7:21-23)
Your main question raised the issue of using worldly music if it is "cleaned up." Think about it, if a song is written to fit a contemporary tune and the tune is written to fit a light rock beat (or hard rock!), are you really singing a different song if it is sung A’capella? If someone sings a song that I know (have heard or listen to regularly) that is full of the sounds of the world, has it really changed because it is sung "right?" (i.e. no beat, no night-club vocal style ...however, it will be hard not to sing it with the syncopation it was written to...). On the other hand, what if I don't know where that song came from - all I know is that the person singing it is a fine Christian person with good music standards.
In the first case (I know where it came from and what it sounded like before it was cleaned up) will I be drawn closer to Christ and away from worldly music as a result of hearing the "cleaned up" version? I doubt it. That does not normally happen. It will most likely confirm to me that "my music is not bad - look, they are singing the same song!" In the second case (I don't know where it came from or how it sounded before it was cleaned up) I may be truly edified by the song - that is until I get curious about the song and or publisher and look them up on the web only to find out that the song that I enjoyed was written by someone who writes mostly (if not all) Christian Rock music. I might be disappointed and my opinion of the person who sang the song diminished. Or, I might say (as many are saying) "There must not be anything wrong with this music/song writer because "so-and-so" sang it/their music at church." There is a third reaction - though I have not heard many say this - "Well, I don't mind how the music was done in church, but I don't go for the way the composer himself does it." What about adding a rock beat to a good song. Does that change the song? Generally speaking, however a song is written (and usually popularized) will be its character no matter which way it is changed.
This brings up another principle that is found in Romans 14:14-23 and Luke 17:1-2. These passages warn about causing brothers to stumble. In any of the three cases above, the possibility of causing someone else to stumble is very great. The "cleaned up" music still has that "sound" about it that somehow calls for the rock beat and trimmings. No wonder, the music was written FOR the rock beat! The words were constructed to fit that syncopation. You can't really get the "rock" out of the song because it was made for it. It will produce a craving in the hearers for the missing elements. Those who are against rock music will fight it in their spirit but if exposed to that sound for long, their resistance will be worn down. Those who are young - in the faith or by age - will not fight it in their spirit much if any. They will gravitate toward the "real" song from the website and download or order the CD for their own listening pleasure. The more they are exposed to the rock music, the less they will be opposed to the beat etc. and the more likely they will be to buy harder Christian rock. It will tickle their ears and they will like it - they will justify it by the words but their heart will be listening to the music. The music in church will turn more and more to that sound and style.
This "soft rock" is hypnotic and is as addictive as drugs. It has the power to lure even Christian young people away who have grown up with good music. I have seen it do that. As with drugs, the soft stuff will not satisfy for long. The person will experiment with harder and harder rock - after all it is "Christian." Sooner or later, the words give in to the music and are replaced with weaker and weaker lyrics until you have songs that "could go both ways." It might be you are talking about Jesus or some "lover." Jesus is watered down to a wishy washy happy go lucky "luvable" guy who will never condemn anyone for anything because he loves everyone! This is another gospel and Paul says "Anathema! Let it be accursed."
Amazingly, there are those in the neo-evangelical camp that are sounding warnings about the deep failings in the movement and are coming back up the path they went down back in the 40's - 70's! But they are not coming all the way back. They are only coming back a little way and they are meeting fundamentalists coming down toward them!
I hope this has been of some help to you. I have several messages on the subject I can recommend to you/send to you if you like as mp3 files. I also recommend the book "Confronting Contemporary Christian Music" by Dr. H.T. Spence, president of Foundations Bible College. http://www.foundations.edu/bookstore/category_items.php?Section=Books&Category=Music
To conclude, I would like to insert this scripture... **The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. (2Ti 2:24-26)**
I am reminded that when we see people or ministries going the wrong way, we do have a responsibility to intervene in a kind, gentle way. The Lord may use it to open their eyes! I have seen this happen only once in my short lifetime. There comes a time that we may have to "come out from among them." May the Lord give us wisdom to know how long to try to lead them to a knowledge of the truth and when to stop and move on.
>>>>>>>>>>
Here is an excerpt of an email written in response to comments a youth pastor made to me.
Rock music "preaches" its own clear message of worldliness, immorality, drugs, violence and rebellion - regardless of what the words say. Using that kind of music is sin. Using rock music with "good words" is confusion of which God is not the author. I know you know that. But do you realize that "cleaning up" (take the beat out etc.) music that was originally written (and/or performed) as rock music is deceptive and will only produce a craving for the missing parts?!
Christian culture is based on God's Word not on our current surroundings. Christians - no matter where (or when) they are found - will be conforming to Christ and not their culture and thus will bear a striking resemblance to each other even though they are worlds or ages apart! (that's one reason we have so many old hymns that have been so well loved and are still being sung today!) Minor differences do occur but the use of rock music is not a minor issue. Minor differences in methods or standards will not be wrong in and of themselves but will nevertheless not be engaged in or held to by godly people if they tend to lead others one step toward accepting or justifying the use of things that are "of" the world, the flesh or the devil.
I object to the use of material (or associations) that desensitizes people to what is sinful as well as being harmful to their Christian testimony - to their Shining as a light in the darkness of a chasm of Christian compromise! The cleaned up music that is being used from Sovereign Grace Ministries and other strongly contemporary publishers - music that originated as CCM - is at least questionable and puts a stamp of approval on it unless a clear disclaimer is used. I have heard people say that "It must be OK because we sing those songs at church" and then they buy the (rock) CD's or download them to listen to!
There are many good fundamental conservative publishing companies from which to choose. There are even conservative sacred publishers that may not be fundamental people themselves but they produce mostly conservative sacred music. Why pick through the rock music on Soverign Grace Ministries, ChristWay, WorshipTogether, Keith Getty and others to find new songs to sing?
We need to be passionately committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but we also need to be passionately committed to holiness, righteousness, godliness and separateness from anything that is "of this world (age)." Pastor Minnick put it right when he said some years ago that "our problem is not that we are so spiritual, our problem is that we are still too worldly." Generally what we as leaders (parents, teachers, youth leaders) tolerate, our children or young people will accept. There is no such thing as erring on the side of (true) caution - especially in the area of the spiritual. Jesus said "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him." (Luke 17:1-3)
The use of "sanitized" CCM rock is a stumbling block - especially to young believers.
Excerpt from another email in response to a question about backbeat...
Backbeat is the "backbone" of all rock music. Here is a quotation from some drumming lessons found on the web. "The secret to ALL drumming is buried in this backbeat concept. The 'backbeat' IS the quintessential 'BACKBONE' of the music . . . ALL MUSIC." That is the honest evaluation of a non-believer... Here is another interesting one... "Strive to acquire an indisputable 'feel' for tempo and a solid 'backbeat', no matter how softly we may be required to play. This can prove to be a contradiction at times with some forms of soft, laid-back, music." Notice he says "no matter how softly" - it is still a backbeat. Notice also his comment that it "can prove to be a contradiction at times..." He's right! The backbeat controls the music and therefore is usually the dominant feature. To make it soft is a contradiction (rock) musically. Apply it to Christian music. To use a main ingredient from rock music in Christian music even if you "tone it down" or as he says "soft, laid back" is a contradiction - not only musically but - more importantly - spiritually.
You will agree, I'm sure, that it is not so much WHAT you say that matters as HOW you say it. The "tone" of voice can communicate something opposite of what the words are saying. Guitars, drums etc. are not evil of themselves. It is how they are used that makes their sound appropriate or not appropriate to communicate spiritual truth. To use styles or beat patterns that are clearly and unashamedly identified with rock music in all its forms and all that goes with it is a dirty vessel for carrying holy, clean, spiritual Truth. The less "dirt" on/in the vessel, the more pleasing it will be to the Lord. Leviticus 11:47 commands us to make a difference (draw a clear line) between the clean and the unclean.
The scripture is full of this concept. Listen to this. Speaking of false prophets, 1 John 4:4-6 says Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. (emphasis mine)
The Word of God concedes that if someone speaks (or plays music) "out of the world's storehouse" - which is literally what "of the world" means - the world will hear them. Here John is drawing a contrast between what is "of God" and what is "of the world." That is the way it should be - there is supposed be a contrast between the two and God lets us know that if we are talking "out of God's storehouse" it will not strike a resonant chord with the world - that is how we know whether something is the spirit of truth or the spirit of error! To do what we do to capture the ear of the unsaved (or carnal believers) because it is what they will hear is to employ the spirit of error. Sadly, the "sound" (backbeat) I have been talking about is nearly as popular among professing Christians as among unbelievers - except that it may be somewhat "softer" in some CCM.
The following is an email exchange I had regarding whether "Christian Rock" is acceptable as worship offered to God. It is presented here with the prayer that it will help you understand or encourage you in your belief that God is Holy and cannot accept even sincere worship offered with "defiled" vessels or against His clear commands. -Randy Cornelius
Dear Sir/Madam,
We wish to share with you the music of Anita Charles, presently residing in the USA. Attached is a copy just in the event that you do not have her music.
We will send two in separate emails.
Appreciate your response.
Media department
Anita Charles Ministries
response...
I was born in Africa at the edge of the jungle. My father sometimes (once or twice) took me into the jungle when he would go to minister to the tribes people "up country." There they would play the "devil drums" and their music to "call the evil spirits." My parents told me that some American missionary's children came to Africa bringing some music called "Contemporary Christian Music." The African people heard them playing it in the house and came to their parents to asked them this question. "Why are YOUR children calling the evil spirits?!"
The Bible says that in the last days, God will send a strong delusion to those who refuse to believe the truth. The delusion will be a Satanic lie but those who believe it will not know until it is too late.
So why are YOU calling the evil spirits with the very same kind of music? Maybe you didn't know that your music is satanic. Now you do!! If you refuse to believe this, then the following scripture describes your condition.
For the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the one who holds him back will do so until he is taken out of the way, and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy by the breath of his mouth and wipe out by the manifestation of his arrival. The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satan’s working with all kinds of miracles and signs and false wonders, and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved. Consequently God sends on them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false. And so all of them who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evil will be condemned. 2Thessalonians 2:7-12
Sincerely,
Randy Cornelius
Dear Mr. Cornelius,
We appreciate very much your openness to share what your heart is saying with regards to the song "Taking it Back." In light of this, we wish to inform you that all Anita Charles is doing is using words along with music to convey the purpose for which Christ came to this earth, and which is, to "Take Back" (redeem) our degenerate world into relationship with God.
Whether she sings it to a slow beat or to a fast beat, Jesus smiles on her for being bold to proclaim what others are afraid of doing. Her love and passionate for the Lord spells out in her song and helps us the listeners to know that if Jesus Christ is worth living for, he is worth dying for. Do you love God enough to dance for him or sing loud for him or sing soft for him.
Anita respects every denomination and will pray for you daily. You will just be another of her prayer request to the Lord, as she sees your heart and asks us to convey to you that she loves you, will be praying for you and hopes to meet you one day, as she senses in you that there is great potentials that the Lord is willing to use, if you do not put boundaries on the way the Lord chooses to use you in this earth to bring glory to his name.
God bless you and we love you.
Cherise
Media Department
Anita Charles Ministries
Dear Friends,
I am referring to all such music - whether it has a slow or fast beat. Don't you know that God puts boundaries on how He wants His people to worship Him? There were those who brought "strange fire" to worship. It offended a Holy God! God cannot, does not and will not accept "whatever" people bring to Him even if it is done with a sincere desire to "worship" Him if it is not done according to His very clear instructions as to what He wants and How He wants it done. Real worship is doing what God wants, when He wants and how He wants it done. Cain's offering was brought it in great sincerity! There was nothing "wrong" with his offering, was there? They were perhaps the finest vegetables anywhere on planet earth! But it was not according to the very strict boundaries that God set up and God did not accept his offering.
The delusion today is that one can take the filthy vessel of "rock" music (and all of its various forms) which is used in night clubs, dance halls, bars, strip joints and drug parties - music that is itself the language of drugs, violence, adultery, fornication and vulgarity - take that music style or "sound" and put "good words" (Bible words) to it and think that THAT is worshipful to God!
I say delusion because I have heard rock musician after rock musician sneer at the CCM movement and say "their music is no different than mine. Who do they think they are fooling?" For instance, you can go into a "Christian" music store and there you will find a chart that will tell you (or someone will help you find out) what kind of "Christian" music matches up to the type of "rock" music you like to listen to - so you can have your rock music and God too! What partnership does rock music have with God's Word? What do the sounds of the world have in common with the Gospel? What business do Christian people have using the same "vehicle" to worship God that the world uses to worship self, Satan and sin? What right does a believer have to fill his or her body with the beat of idolatry?
This is how God puts it...
Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness? And what agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? And what mutual agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said, “I will live in them and will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore “come out from their midst, and be separate,” says the Lord, “and touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the All-Powerful Lord. (2 Cor. 6:14-17)
You cannot think deeply of the above scripture without the Holy Spirit bringing the conviction to your heart that what I am telling you is the truth. The question is, will you believe the truth?
Sincerely,
Randy Cornelius
My dear Friend,
We just hope that you are not calling God inspired music unclean. We want to make sure of what you are saying, and would like for you to share with as an example of what is acceptable to you according to what you believe God is saying. We appreciated your passion for what you believe in.
If you have an alternative please share it with us. OR ARE YOU SAYING ALL MUSIC IS OF THE DEVIL? Please let us know.
God bless
Anita Charles Ministries
Dear Friends,
God has created music and is pleased when we properly use this beautiful form of speech to proclaim His wonderful work of Redemption -if we do it in a way that is not infected with the poison of worldliness and fleshliness.
There are God-given absolutes in the area of music just as there are in other forms of expression. For instance, good art will portray everything in it's proper perspective. Mice are smaller than men, men are smaller than mountains etc. Art that distorts the God-given absolutes found in creation is twisted and deceptive. There are absolutes in music. The basic parts of music are the melody, the harmony and the rhythm. The melody, the most creative part of music, is that part which appeals to the spirit, and must be predominant. The harmony, the arrangement of chords which supports and amplifies the melody, is that part which appeals to the mind, and must be in subjection to the melody. Harmony joins the melody and the rhythm. The rhythm, or pulse, is that part which relates to the body; while present, it must be completely under control.
An imbalance in the basic parts of music produces adverse affects. Too much rise in the melody creates tension, frustration and craving, while too much fall in the melody produces depression and despair. Too much dissonance and disharmony produces confusion of mind and a rebellious spirit. Too much variation in the accent, including syncopation, causes distraction, while an emphasis on the offbeat produces sensual, fleshly body movements. "Scooping" pitches (sliding into the note, up or down) expresses the worldly philosophy that there are no absolute standards - "if it feels good, do it." The flesh, even in music, is to be mortified, not elevated. Like good art, good music adheres to these absolutes and is good for all time.
The "offbeat" mentioned above is called "backbeat" in today's vernacular. Backbeat is the "backbone" of all rock music. Here is a quotation from some drumming lessons I came across as I was doing some research on this subject which captures the thinking of every other proponent of rock music I found. "The secret to ALL drumming is buried in this backbeat concept. The 'backbeat' IS the quintessential 'BACKBONE' of the music . . . ALL MUSIC." (emphasis original) That is the honest evaluation of an unbeliever! Here is another interesting one... "Strive to acquire an indisputable 'feel' for tempo and a solid 'backbeat', no matter how softly we may be required to play. This can prove to be a contradiction at times with some forms of soft, laid-back, music." Notice he says "no matter how softly" - it is still a backbeat. Notice also his comment that it "can prove to be a contradiction at times..." He's right! The backbeat controls the music and therefore "wants" to be the dominant feature. To make it soft does not change the music - it is still considered rock music albeit "light rock." Rock musicians affirm that if you do away with the backbeat, you do away with rock music and destroy the effects or response that make rock music appealing to people. The backbeat is largely (but not solely) what carries the "message" of rock music. Rock music unashamedly glorifies immorality, drugs, and violence. Can't you see that to use THE main ingredient from rock music in Christian music even if you "tone it down" or as he says make it "soft, laid back" is a contradiction - not only musically but - more importantly for us as Christians - spiritually?!
Do you really think that God will accept what has been created by wicked men to produce ungodly thoughts, desires and actions - if it is mixed with His Word?! Remember the children of Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai there in Exodus 32? They proclaimed a day of worship to God. "So they got up early on the next day and offered up burnt offerings, and they brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play." (v6) They were singing and dancing with such intensity that Joshua thought it was a war! The Bible's assessment of it is that they were "out of control" and were "running wild." (v25) Whatever it was that they were doing apparently led to immorality because of what Paul says in 2 Cor. 10. Whatever the case, God was very angry and rejected their whole attempt to worship Him. The centerpiece of this "worship" was the golden calf - something that was clearly identified with pagan worship.
Furthermore, and along another line, I'm sure you will agree that it is not so much WHAT you say that matters as HOW you say it. The "tone" of voice can communicate something opposite of what the words are saying. Guitars, drums etc. are not evil of themselves. It is how they are used that makes their sound appropriate or not appropriate to communicate spiritual truth. To use styles or beat patterns that are clearly and unashamedly identified with rock music in all its forms and all that goes with it is a dirty vessel and cannot be used for carrying holy, clean, spiritual Truth. The less "dirt" on/in the vessel, the more pleasing it will be to the Lord, right? Leviticus 11:47 commands us to make a difference (draw a clear line) between the clean and the unclean. The sample I have sent you is a good example of this. Not only are the words strongly scriptural but the "tone" of the music, the absence of the backbeat and the clear-cut vocal techniques make it stand out in sharp contrast to the sound of your music.
The scripture is full of this concept - of the difference that there should be between what we as believers do and what unbelievers do. I have already given you two or three good ones in previous emails. Here is another striking passage. Speaking of false prophets, 1 John 4:4-6 says "You are from God, little children, and have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world’s perspective and the world listens to them. We are from God; the person who knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit." (emphasis mine)
The Word of God concedes that if someone speaks or plays music (music is a form of speech Eph. 5:19) "out of the world's storehouse" - which is literally what "from the world's perspective" means - the world will hear them. Here John is drawing a contrast between what is "of God" and what is "of the world." That is the way it should be - there is supposed be a contrast between the two and God lets us know that if we are talking (or singing) "out of God's storehouse" it will not strike a resonant chord with the world. That is how we know whether something is the spirit of Truth or the spirit of deceit! To do what we do to capture the ear of the unsaved (or carnal believers) because it is what they will hear is to employ the spirit of error. Sadly, the "sound" (backbeat) I have been talking about is nearly as popular among professing Christians as it is among unbelievers - except that it may be somewhat "softer" in some CCM.
Music is employed in the Bible as an elevated vehicle primarily for speaking the scriptures back to God - to glorify Him, to show forth His praises and secondly to praise Him for His wonderful work in creation, in our life and in the lives of those He has saved. Music is a lofty and loving expression of believers to God. Music in the Bible is not used as a tool to attract unsaved people. Jesus tells us what will attract people if we are willing to hear Him. He said in John 12:32 "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” That's the preaching of the Gospel! ... and we could go on...
The bottom line is that just because someone says that their music is "inspired" does not mean that it is. Just because you get a great crowd and they are all singing and dancing with all their might in "worship" to God does not mean that God is pleased. The test is whether or not God approves and you can only know God approves if it is done according to His boundaries; according to the clear teaching of the Scripture that I have been sharing with you (and there is so much more!). Will you ignore the Truth of the Scripture and risk God's hot displeasure?
Sincerely,
Randy
Hi Randy,
I was informed of your passion in relaying your opinion of absolutes with respect to music. Just want to take this moment to say that I did get an opportunity to read your mails and do appreciate your openness to share from the recess of your spirit.
Though we may differ in beliefs, I do admire your posture in standing for your conviction. I wish to add that I will never profess or confess to have a corner market on the truth. I am here on this earth trying to fulfill the call of God on my life. Through my singing, I have see many people received physical healing, emotional healing, lives changes around from a desire to commit suicide to a desire to serve God and many more...too many to mention.
I believe that we are both passionate about our beliefs and hope that our theological differences would not make us enemies but friends as we are aware that God is a God of varieties. I do respect your beliefs and wish that we be friends in the Lord.
Hope that we can meet one day. God is good. Continue to live for the Lord, let your love for God be seen and felt first of all by God Himself, in your home with your wife and with your offspring and then extended to your neighbors. Keep serving God. If we never meet on this earth, I pray that one day we would meet in heaven.
THANKS A LOT FOR THE MUSIC. I WILL KEEP IT ON MY DESK TOP AND PLAY IT FROM TIME TO TIME
Your Sister in Christ.
Anita Charles
CEO/Founder
Anita Charles Ministries
My Friend,
You are taking an awful chance. At best your music is questionable. At worst your music is satanic! I listened again to part of the two clips that you sent. The sound of them is no different than the sound on our local rock stations. You could take your multi-track mix master, dump the vocal tracks, do a mix down and put that on your local rock station and very few people -if any - would notice. It would blend in well. Do the same to the song I sent you and it would stand out in sharp contrast to everything else - like night and day!
My point from the beginning was that the scripture teaches that there is a delusion out there that is very strong. It is the thinking that you can take something out of this world system, something the world loves and worships (rock music), change the words and offer it to God in worship to Him and He will accept it if you are sincere. After all look at all the wonderful things that are happening as a result!
I must tell you in all sincerity and with concern for your well-being that God cannot and will not accept such worship. It is not a matter of opinion. I have God's Word on it. There are many, however, who will continue to try to serve Him in the way that they think is right instead of keeping strictly to the clear teaching of Scripture. Jesus said:
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' (Mat 7:21-23)
Would you not rather hear Him say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!?"
Sincerely,
Randy Cornelius
Phil. 1:9-11
Thanks for your response. Let our acid test be to evaluate how many souls were led into the kingdom of God through our music. Glorifying God is the goal of my life, music, ministry.
Don't be afraid to ask God about my music. Since he is your God, I would assume that you speak to to him and he speaks back to you. I will continue to listen to your music. God bless.
Anita
Anita Charles Ministries
END OF EMAIL CONTACT
Post Script:
Notice she never responds to to the Word of God that I presented. Nether does she give scriptural foundation for the use of "Christian Rock." The only "grounds" she has for using this type of music are the "results" that she perceives - "how many souls were led into the kingdom of God." God never promised to bless methods which produce "results" but He has promised to bless faithfulness to Him and His Word!
Randy Cornelius
"It is never right to do wrong in order that good may come."
Dr. Bob Jones Sr.