Baptists and Music

[NoQuieroUnQueso]

Good afternoon and thank you for your time in reading this. Recently in my church we were discussing sins of the flesh as is spoken of in Galatians Chapter 5. One of these was witchcraft. Shortly after the sermon one of the women raised her hand and asked the pastor, "Is Music Witchcraft"?

This isn't the first time she's brought this up, and before it was paired with the idea that the devil was in charge of music. Her asking this wouldn't bother me so much if her husband wasn't being put up for deacon.

Yes, we sing hymns and have a baby grand piano. I frankly find it ridiculous that all music would be evil, considering the Lord instructs us to play instruments and sing in praise to Him. And while some music is definitely poison for you, I'm thinking about all those depressing drugs and alcohol songs and songs about suicide, but I can't find anything biblical that says "The Wheels on the Bus" or "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" is witchcraft. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks!

 

[JonC]

I have seen people state that certain music beats or rhythms are evil. I don't really get that. But no, I do not believe that music is witchcraft (even secular music)....although some music (secular music) may advocate evil and are something we should avoid.

 

[Alcott]

Has anyone asked that woman if Jesus practiced witchcraft? Scripture clearly says he and the disciples sang a hymn after their supper on the night he was arrested.

 

[rlvaughn]

You mentioned the baby grand piano and that the Lord instructs us to play instruments. Made me wonder does she mean musical instruments, or all music in general, including music? Thanks.

 

[NoQuieroUnQueso]

You mentioned the baby grand piano and that the Lord instructs us to play instruments. Made me wonder does she mean musical instruments, or all music in general, including music? Thanks.

Like I said, during a Sunday morning Bible study she was talking about the devil being in control of music and I think she was talking about any non-Hymns music but her question on Wednesday really makes me wonder what she's even thinking. I mean we have an entire book of the Bible comprised of songs written by David. If music is witchcraft then we've got a bit of a problem, don't we?

 

[rlvaughn]

Yes, the "music is witchcraft" is weird and problematic. Was just trying to understand if she meant all music, and maybe was thinking more along the line of using instruments in church.

 

[NoQuieroUnQueso]

Yes, the "music is witchcraft" is weird and problematic. Was just trying to understand if she meant all music, and maybe was thinking more along the line of using instruments in church.

Even if she was, there's biblical scripture regarding using instruments to praise the Lord. And the piano has been there since I've started going to that church, not to mention the pastor plays an acoustic guitar and there's been the occasional banjo there.

 

[HankD]

Of course music can be devilish, evil.

So can our speech, our words, our language in general:

James 3
the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

Then again we can glorify God with song.

Psalm 67:4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

So it depends on the heart of the person.

 

[InTheLight]

Why does this woman think music is witchcraft? Is it because it can move your emotions? Bypass your logical, thinking mind and affect you at a gut level?

Well, any type of art can do that--music, paintings, poems, sculptures, etc.

And news flash--so can reading Scripture, or meditating on how wonderful the Lord is to believers.

Music can be used for both good and evil.

 

[rsr]

... the piano has been there since I've started going to that church, not to mention the pastor plays an acoustic guitar and there's been the occasional banjo there.

Well, there you go. Both the piano and guitar were developed by Catholics, and the banjo has links to voodoo.

 

[Revmitchell]

I grew up going to an IBC and went to an IBC private school. Here I was taught it was witchcraft, evil and the reason was the "backbeat". I am talking about anything that is not a church hymn. So this idea has been out there for many years.

 

[NoQuieroUnQueso]

Why does this woman think music is witchcraft? Is it because it can move your emotions? Bypass your logical, thinking mind and affect you at a gut level?

Well, any type of art can do that--music, paintings, poems, sculptures, etc.

And news flash--so can reading Scripture, or meditating on how wonderful the Lord is to believers.

Music can be used for both good and evil.

It isn't just limited to manmade art, either. A bright sunny day certainly makes me happy, as do flowers, babies and cute animals. Are these things witchcraft because they effect my emotions? I would have to say no, as the Bible doesn't allude to any of these being forms of witchcraft. Come to think of it, I think the Bible does mention some things actually being witchcraft. Maybe we should actually pay attention to what the Bible says in regards to that.

 

[InTheLight]

It isn't just limited to manmade art, either. A bright sunny day certainly makes me happy, as do flowers, babies and cute animals. Are these things witchcraft because they effect my emotions? I would have to say no, as the Bible doesn't allude to any of these being forms of witchcraft. Come to think of it, I think the Bible does mention some things actually being witchcraft. Maybe we should actually pay attention to what the Bible says in regards to that.

Why does this woman at your church think music is witchcraft?

 

[NoQuieroUnQueso]

Why does this woman at your church think music is witchcraft?

I don't see her outside of church, so I shouldn't be quick to assume. Though I would suspect it could be from reading the Bible out of context. That's happened before, where she asked about a flying goat in the Bible during a Wednesday service. By the Grace of the Lord I managed to find what she was referring to, and a quick glance to the beginning of the chapter showed that it was a vision. Again, I'll be praying for her, as she does have a lot of children. But I've heard some pretty strange theories from people, and this is probably close to the weirdest. Next to Cabbage Patch Kids being demonic.

 

[Jerome]

Baptist Press 1/25/84 - Cabbage Patch Dolls originated at a Baptist college (pdf)

"CLEVELAND, Ga. (BP)--Cabbage Patch dolls...were first created at Truett-McConnell College....Xavier Roberts, who has become a multimillionaire because of the dolls, told USA Today he first created the soft sculptures for an art class at Truett-McConnell, a junior college affiliated with the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia. Robert's company has produced more than 350,000 of the handmade version and Coleco, which purchased the right to mass-produce the dolls, sold approximately 2.5 milion, according to USA Today. Roberts atended Truett-McConnell from September 1974 to March 1977. He took mostly art courses."

 

[agedman]

1. Music is not neutral but is a manipulative. Greatly manipulative. So much so that a whole branch of mental health care is devoted to the use of music - called music therapy.

2. Should believers use music? Certainly, however with great discernment and awareness that music lyrics must conform to Scripture doctrines WITHOUT poetic license. Just as a preacher must preach the truths of Scripture in earnest, so too must the music be delivered.

3. Music should NOT be the primary focus of worship. The Lord and group sung ONE hymn before He lead them to His time of prayer. There is little need to use multiple devices and lyrics in calling for worship and prayer - one simple hymn was enough for our Lord.

4. The modern church is being pushed backwards. Prior to the reformation, the typical worship involved great pomp and music that entertained rather than brought participation from the worship. The same Is happening more and more in the modern church. There is a desire to the performance and entertainment being the enticement thinking such seduction is pleasing to the Lord.

5. Consider the music of those imprisoned? Their very chains may be the instruments of praise. Does the music of the modern bring such glory that even the jailers inquire concerning salvation?