Take This Christian Music Test

And Greg, I appreciate that with your past, it might be something you should avoid for conscience's sake...but that should not be a prescriptive argument.

Now, I'll repeat my question, since you didn't answer it:
QUESTION 1: The context of 2 Corinthians 6:17 is that believers should not fellowship with unbelievers.

Are you, then, saying that ALL CCM artists are unbelievers? Or could you possibly admit that some of our modern singers/musicians/worship leaders are in fact committed believers?

QUESTION 2: define "Hymn." Give me a musical definition--time signature and tempos that are appropriate. Define lyrically what a "hymn" is. Define when a "hymn" is accpeptable, with respect to time frame (is "Because He Lives" acceptable? It's "new!"). Delineate between "hymn," spiritual, and gospel song--those are different genres.

And as you answer question 1, be very aware...'tis a dangerous thing to take something that God is using and assign it to the realm of Satan. Ask the pharisees.

 

I say to you respectfully that you are basing your theology on your experiences and not the Word of God.

I can do that too, but it would lead me to use CCM, as I have seen many come to Christ using CCM for worship music.

But we both need to base our beliefs on the Bible.

There are no verses proving it either way.. that is why this is the never ending debate... all we have is our experiences and opinions to make the call on..

Don't listen to it if it is a stumbling block for you. I choose to, because I truly worship Christ when I do.

I grew up listening to CCM, (I was saved at 8 yrs old) I never got caught up in the "rock" scene. So to me it is just Christian music.

But that is MY opinion and experience. Obviously yours is different, and we will never convince each other to switch opinions.

 

Rbell....would you not agree that it is infinitely possible for even a committed believer to be sincere....yet WRONG.My only prayer for myself is that God would give me wisdom and discernment so that I would be right with Him so HE would get the glory from a life lived for Him.In all I say and do(including the music I listen to and sing)I want to honor Him....since He gave His all for me at Calvary.I ask for God to protect me from error each day.You should do the same.We are in a war and our adversary wants to render us ineffective for our Savior.He'll do that anyway he can....and in our generation music and doctrinal compromise are two of the biggest ways he tries to do that.That is my opinion as a brother in Christ....and I'm gonna stand on it.
By the way...I use ONLY the KJV...don't trust or like anything else.

Greg Sr.

 

And NO...I'm not about to say that all CCM artists are unbelievers.....but I might be bold enough to say that they can't be right with God and be involved in what they are doing.There is a line somewhere that people cross to get from fellowship with God to a state of apostasy.I don't presume to know where that line is...I just know I don't EVER want to get close to it.

Greg Sr.

 

Even that is a dangerous statement... what do you base it on, your opinions... no where in any KJV does it say you are out of fellowship with God if you like, or sing CCM!

It is dangerous to play God.

 

Then we reach a philosophical impasse, Greg. God is blessing what we do...and for us, music is not entertainment, but AN avenue (not THE but AN) of expressing worship to God. I'm sure that you are blessed by what you are listening to, as am I...an avid fan of hymns (favorite 3: Be Thou My Vision, A Mighty Fortress, Holy Holy Holy). I do agree that Satan reaches kids any way he can...I just don't see the scriptural basis to say he does it through Christian music.

We shall agree to disagree then.

 

convictions based on personal perferences are dangerous.

 

Doggone it, and I had just hit "add reply"...

I could not begin to tell you how wrong the first part of your statement is. Your statement makes two fallacies:
(1) You judge the whole of all Christian music you don't like...encompassing scores of styles and emphases. Do you really think that all the hundreds and hundreds of singers and musicians can be lumped together that easily?
(2)I am a worship leader. What I play you would classify as "contemporary" (though it is worship based rather than for entertainment's sake). You are saying that I'm not right with God. I take offense to that. God has given me an incredible peace about what I do and how I do it. I'm not prescribing that you should listen to "modern" stuff or play it...but to say I'm headed to apostacy is wrong, judgemental, and unscriptural.

 

I see the "av1611" in the web address and that clinches that I will not click on the site, let alone take some idiot's "test." The way of thinking represented in this thread is like that of the scribes, who said Jesus could not be of God because he healed on the sabbath or kept company with tax collectors.

 

Guys...I gotta get to bed but I'll be back sometime tomorrow for more discussion.I will add that I don't believe the music I listen too has to be old to be good but I do NOT believe that modern musical styles should be used for sacred music,ie.,rock,jazz,hip-hop,country,etc. Godly music should be such that the style of the music doesn't drown out or overshadow the message of the music.And it should always be able to pass the test of sound bible doctrine.There are some "old" songs that don't do that as well I'm sure.I just don't want to live in a "gray" area when it comes to this topic.Music is a POWERFUL tool that God himself ordains for His children and encourages us to use "psalms,hymns,and spiritual songs" singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord.It stands to reason and is OBVIOUSLY true that satan will try his dead level best to counterfeit it and decieve God's children in this matter.I'll stay with the mostly old(but some new) orthodox hymns of the faith.Even the LOST folk have no doubt there is something "different"(in a Godly,religious way) about them. Later guys.Let's just all with honest hearts agree to pray for each other...and see what God does....!

Greg Sr.

 

Thanks for your input Greg. Have a restful evening.

 

Would you include...say... "Jesus Take the Wheel" By Carrie Underwood in that 'garbage'? It would seem very odd not to. After all it's that heathen country music.
http://www.baptistboard.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/11/1264/4.html

 

yuck, satanic quotes. Whats up with this you think. I haven't heard any of the artists she mentions using satanic quotes, I think this first link was misrepresented by the op.

 

I know this is an old debate on this BB, but I've been away for awhile, and am just now coming back, so I'm sure I'll say some stuff that others have already said.

Because of my own experiences, I was astonished (the first time I found this BB) to learn that there WAS a raging debate about CCM. I could not understand why anyone would denouce a method that God had used in my OWN LIFE to bring me closer to Him. Long story short: After many years of living outside of His will for my life and going my own way, like the Prodigal, I "woke up" one day and realized that I wanted to run back home to my Father's house. He first led me to a local Christian radio station--that usually played what I would call traditional hymns (which I actually PREFER).

One particular day, completely filled with the stress and pain of family problems, I turned on my car radio to hear these words,
"When I remember what you've done...
When I remember the shedding of your blood...
I can't help but worship you;
I can't help but worship you;
I can't help but worship You
For all You've done".

These lyrics (written and sung by Kim Hill) were fairly SHOUTED over guitars and drums and all the trappings of the music that the OP's website denounces. It was loud and large and INCREDIBLY, SOUL-SPLITTINGLY MEANT FOR ME TO HEAR. By GOD, not Satan. Because when I heard that magnificent music and felt those words embrace my ears, I literally had to pull over on the side of the road and cry and shout and praise God all at the same time.

I felt God's presence so strongly at that moment that there is NOTHING that anyone could say to persuade me to believe that CCM (in general) is evil, or even too "worldly". I sang and wept GOD's praises; I ran even FASTER back to my Father's arms because of that song. Where can anyone find fault with THAT?

Now, someone may post on here and tell me that Kim Hill is, in fact, a recent convert to Wicca or something--I haven't researched anything about her personally in several years, so I don't know. And, certainly, not every contemporary Christian artist is perfect. Assuredly, some of them ARE probably in it for the money--but, just as assuredly, the same could be said of some of the preachers who stand in the pulpit ranting and raving against CCM. And, possibly, some of the CCM may actually be demons in disguise. Just as, possibly, some of the people in our churches may be as well.

I just know that a song that points me to Heaven with all my heart and soul as it brings me to my knees in recognition of the sacrifice of my Savior canNOT be of the devil. The song was not glorified, the singer was not glorified, and I don't even know for sure what instruments were played in the song--but I can say with certainty that GOD was glorified with that song, and He is glorified every single time I recall that moment.

 

This sounds like early Christian arguments. Early Christians wouldn't use the magrephah because it was too Jewish; then, the Jews wouldn't use things that were too Christian.

The quotes from satanic groups are, of course, going to be satanic. The quotes from misguided Christians will, of course, be misguided. But, to lump everything together is just plain silly!

When I was younger and was not living my life for the Lord, I had a record of filthy hymns. Some group had taken hymns and put filthy lyrics to them. Does this mean the hymns are filthy? After all, they apparently lend themselves to being made filthy.

 

lol Right.
I don't know what CCM you are talking about. Yes I looked at that idiotic site but it's complete garbage as others have stated. Nice touch with that music in the background too.

Maybe you never heard of groups like Casting Crowns. There's so many good Godly groups out there singing/living for the Lord. And singing all types of Christian music.
It's always amazing to hear how their brothers and sisters in Christ love to put them down for that.

I have heard that song by Carrie and do like it but many in this very thread I'm sure would say it's no different than the CCM y'all are condemning. And condemning unjustly. Christian country is in the same category as CCM isn't it? I've read that often enough on this site.

I wonder how pleased God is with alot of this nonsense.