Are Rock & Roll, Country/Western, Rock-a-billy wrong?

[AVL1984]

Over the past week or so, I've heard several pastors preaching against the types of music listed in the header without any specifics...they gave blanket statements about how these types of music are harming American youth, homes, etc. The sad part is that one of these preachers used lyrics from a rock song as his title for his morning message not related to music in any way, shape, or form. Then the special music was lyrics done to the tune of the Eagles "Peaceful, Easy Feeling"....UGH! Is there any specific scripture against these types of music? I haven't found any, yet, I have over the 40+ years I've been involved in music the principles for "sound music." It also keeps coming to mind that many of our hymns were once allegedly coming from bar music. Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Reynolds]

Over the past week or so, I've heard several pastors preaching against the types of music listed in the header without any specifics...they gave blanket statements about how these types of music are harming American youth, homes, etc. The sad part is that one of these preachers used lyrics from a rock song as his title for his morning message not related to music in any way, shape, or form. Then the special music was lyrics done to the tune of the Eagles "Peaceful, Easy Feeling"....UGH! Is there any specific scripture against these types of music? I haven't found any, yet, I have over the 40+ years I've been involved in music the principles for "sound music." It also keeps coming to mind that many of our hymns were once allegedly coming from bar music. Thanks in advance for your input.

I can only tell you how it effects me. Some of the Country music is good. It has good meanings, teaches good lessons. Some does just the opposite. The entire sing is about Cheating, hooking up, getting drunk, going to the bar, etc...
It definitely leads my flesh away from holiness and toward worldliness.

One of George Strait's newer songs "Every Little Honky Tonk Bar", actually has made me think, more than casually, about rambling down to the ole watering hole and having a few too many. I have not been there in over 25 years. Have not drank in about that many.
Lyrics are true "Whiskey is the gasoline that lights the fire that burns the bridge.. ".

Then on the other hand "The Dollar" by Jamie Johnson, breaks my heart and is more beneficial to me than any song I have ever heard in church.

 

[Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin]

I agree 100% with Reynolds. I think it depends on the content of the song. If it's bad I turn it off until it's over. The two radio stations I listen to (98.1 Classic Country and 93.5 "The Farm") play Old-Time, Bluegrass, Classic Country (and Rockabilly like Johnny Horton), and Modern Country.

Old-Time - Minimal issues. Often the folks that need
Bluegrass - I've not heard a morally bad song in this group. A large subgenre of Bluegrass is actually Bluegrass Gospel.
Classic Country - U.S culture starts to change in this period on a song-by-song basis. If a song comes on such as Hank Jr singing about loose women then I turn it off. If Hank Jr is singing "If the South woulda won we'd a had it made" then I'll leave it on.
Modern Country - 95% garbage, I rarely listen to it because it's mostly alcohol, and loose women. Every now and then you get some good stuff from Chris Stapleton, Jamey Johnson, Tyler Childers, etc and the reason it's good is because it totally bucks the trashy, effeminate modern Nashville sound.
Southern/Country Rock - Depends on the content of each song. There's a lot of Whiskey Myers I'll play or Charlie Daniels Band, etc. Depends what they're singing about.

 

[timtofly]

Does it come from rebellion or repentance?

Some "Christian" music is doctrinally incorrect. There is the word part and then the music part. Both have a different way to get the message across. Sometimes the music gives the opposite message from the words. Those songs are more confusing, but do they intentionally decieve people?

The Psalmist said to make a joyful noise. Music is not even specified as to type.

 

[Baptist Believer]

Rock & Roll, Country/Western, Rock-a-billy are styles of music played according to certain conventions, usually with specific instruments dominating the performance. They are neither moral nor immoral, but part of the way human beings enjoy creating pressure waves in our local atmosphere that bring sensory pleasure.

Lyrically, one can get into some moral trouble. When one advocates evil as good (or good as evil), one puts immorality out into the world. Singing about immorality in a way that is true can be quite moral. Singing about morality in a way that undermines the goodness of it is immoral.

 

[robycop3]

Rock & Roll, Country/Western, Rock-a-billy are styles of music played according to certain conventions, usually with specific instruments dominating the performance. They are neither moral nor immoral, but part of the way human beings enjoy creating pressure waves in our local atmosphere that bring sensory pleasure.

Lyrically, one can get into some moral trouble. When one advocates evil as good (or good as evil), one puts immorality out into the world. Singing about immorality in a way that is true can be quite moral. Singing about morality in a way that undermines the goodness of it is immoral.

I agree. I've been a rocker since It started when I was a child, & still am, at age 73. i don't care much for country, listen to a little hip-hop. And music is a minor part of our church services.

Yes, it's all about lyrix. Promoting fornication & substance abuse is wrong, of course. But songs about dating, dancing, hot rodding, etc. are fine.

 

[AVL1984]

I agree. I've been a rocker since It started when I was a child, & still am, at age 73. i don't care much for country, listen to a little hip-hop. And music is a minor part of our church services.

Yes, it's all about lyrix. Promoting fornication & substance abuse is wrong, of course. But songs about dating, dancing, hot rodding, etc. are fine.

I can't say that i agree that it's all about lyrics. I was trained in music when I was younger, and I know what I was trained to believe in church, MBBC (Dr. Bob's alma mater), and when I was performing. The beat is a huge part of it as well, and how it affects the body, mind, and spirit need to be taken into account.

 

[Baptist Believer]

The beat is a huge part of it as well, and how it affects the body, mind, and spirit need to be taken into account.

I suspect that much of the concern over “the beat” comes from a view of the body that believes it is inherently evil (Gnostic influences). I grew up with that same teaching, which claimed that a prominent pulsing beat was evil. Yet marching bands were just fine somehow. The country-gospel quartets that sang with a beat on 1 and 3 were also perfectly fine — in fact, clapping along with the beat. A jaunty piano accompaniment with a heavy left hand of “I’ll Fly Away” set the toes to tapping, yet the teachers in our church didn’t seem to think that “controlling” beat was a problem.

“The beat” conversations were usually set in a context of the demonic in terms of the music of non-white cultures — usually African influences and occasionally South American dancing. It seemed to be rooted in a disgust for “non-white” persons and cultures.

Your mileage and experience may vary.

 

[robycop3]

I once went to a tent service (Can't remember the preacher's name; he wasn't well-known.) who opened his service by playing "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC from a boom box. When it finished, he said, " Hope you heard the lyrics.The lead singer on that song, Bon Scott, died from a combo of dope & alcohol two weeks after the song was released." I believe that made his message more-effective!

 

[Revmitchell]

Over the past week or so, I've heard several pastors preaching against the types of music listed in the header without any specifics...they gave blanket statements about how these types of music are harming American youth, homes, etc. The sad part is that one of these preachers used lyrics from a rock song as his title for his morning message not related to music in any way, shape, or form. Then the special music was lyrics done to the tune of the Eagles "Peaceful, Easy Feeling"....UGH! Is there any specific scripture against these types of music? I haven't found any, yet, I have over the 40+ years I've been involved in music the principles for "sound music." It also keeps coming to mind that many of our hymns were once allegedly coming from bar music. Thanks in advance for your input.

nope there isnt any scripture against any type of music. However, the lyrics are another thing.

 

[AVL1984]

nope there isnt any scripture against any type of music. However, the lyrics are another thing.

Ephesians 5:19, KJV: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"
All of your professional Rock musicians will tell you that the "beat of the music" is a type of spirit...or there seems to be a different kind of a spirit that "takes control" when they are performing. Many of your professional country and Western singers will tell you the same thing. An old college mate from MBBC, Kent Brandenburg ( WHAT IS TRUTH - Opinion Based on the Bible) is a good source for information. I don't agree with him on everything, but he makes some good points.

 

[Revmitchell]

Ephesians 5:19, KJV: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"
All of your professional Rock musicians will tell you that the "beat of the music" is a type of spirit...or there seems to be a different kind of a spirit that "takes control" when they are performing. Many of your professional country and Western singers will tell you the same thing. An old college mate from MBBC, Kent Brandenburg ( WHAT IS TRUTH - Opinion Based on the Bible) is a good source for information. I don't agree with him on everything, but he makes some good points.

Oh ive sat in class in college and listened to all the arguments. A hymn is not the music but the lyrics. A worldly mind is going to move in a worldly direction. We have to be careful of our inconsistent positions.

 

[AVL1984]

Oh ive sat in class in college and listened to all the arguments. A hymn is not the music but the lyrics. A worldly mind is going to move in a worldly direction. We have to be careful of our inconsistent positions.

Hogwash...it's a culmination of both the beat and the lyrics, etc. You show little knowledge of music, and a poor position as a pastor. We're supposed to be moving to be more like Christ, not more like the world.

 

[Revmitchell]

Hogwash...it's a culmination of both the beat and the lyrics, etc. You show little knowledge of music, and a poor position as a pastor. We're supposed to be moving to be more like Christ, not more like the world.

aaalllrghty then

 

[Reynolds]

I agree. I've been a rocker since It started when I was a child, & still am, at age 73. i don't care much for country, listen to a little hip-hop. And music is a minor part of our church services.

Yes, it's all about lyrix. Promoting fornication & substance abuse is wrong, of course. But songs about dating, dancing, hot rodding, etc. are fine.

Hip Hop? Ok. I will trust you on that.

 

[Reynolds]

Hogwash...it's a culmination of both the beat and the lyrics, etc. You show little knowledge of music, and a poor position as a pastor. We're supposed to be moving to be more like Christ, not more like the world.

What style music Jesus like?

 

[Reynolds]

A church I used to go to had their Band play Highway to Hell before pastor came on stage. Sermon was about being on Highway to Hell. 1000+ got saved in the 4services that day.

I once went to a tent service (Can't remember the preacher's name; he wasn't well-known.) who opened his service by playing "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC from a boom box. When it finished, he said, " Hope you heard the lyrics.The lead singer on that song, Bon Scott, died from a combo of dope & alcohol two weeks after the song was released." I believe that made his message more-effective!

 

[Reynolds]

I guess"Jekyll and Hyde" by Petra is probably my all time favorite.

 

[AVL1984]

aaalllrghty then

Typical comeback from a "Rev".

 

[robycop3]

Hip Hop? Ok. I will trust you on that.

Remember, Hammer (the former MC Hammer) is a Christian rapper now.