Christians, Music, and the Occult: What Should We Believe and Practice?

[AustinC]

I've seen music divide. In my experience the resistance has been introducing contemporary praise music or changing the music to hymns. But I know it goes both ways.

One church I attended had 3 services. The early one had traditional music (mostly older members), the second had "praise and worship" music (mostly mid 30's and older), and the third service had contemporary Christian music (mostly 20's and younger.....college and high school).

People on all sides need to place worship over preference.

Grace above Law

 

[DaveXR650]

No. You need a few simple laws. If the electricity that supplyeth the power attaches to a microphone on a stand, let it be acceptable. If however, the electricity that supplyeth the power be attached directly to the instrument, and the instrument be of a nature that it cannot work without such supply of power, then it is accursed. If the drum set be of the type used by a marching band so that the sound is activated by a wand made of suitable wood; that is acceptable. If however; the drum be activated directly by the human hand, so that the sound is like that of a bongo drum used by ancient beatniks then that drum is accursed when played in that fashion. Hezekiah 4:13

 

[just-want-peace]

I do not like the “praise & worship” sorts - with few exceptions. I cannot listen to the “contemporary” style as it definitely DOES NOT put me in a worship mood; quite the opposite!!!!
Just give me the old hymns with a few modern compositions such as the Gaithers performed some 30-50 years ago. Such as: The King is Coming, Because He Lives, We Shall Behold Him, etc., etc.!

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

Then why are you posting as of you are unaware?

Pretending ignorance to stir the pot and get a reaction is trolling.

I am not posting as if I am unaware. I am posting to see what others think instead of stating what I think and making what I think the focus from the start. That is a perfectly legitimate approach.

You are falsely asserting that I am "pretending ignorance to stir the pot and get a reaction." That is your false interpretation of what I am doing.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

By your account you are aware of the use of rhythmic drums and dancing have been used in Jewish, early Christian, and pagan worship.

You tell us.

How did the dancing and drumming differ between the Jews and the pagans that existed around them?

I do not have to tell you anything. You asserted that they were identical--you have to prove what you assert.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

You make the unsubstantiated claim that occultists came up with the music they incorporate (something you cannot prove).

What we see most often with the occult is that they borrow from what is good and use it for their own purposes.

God's people who have obeyed God have never used real human skulls as drums for any purpose. They have never borrowed any such music from occultists.

 

[JonC]

I am not posting as if I am unaware. I am posting to see what others think instead of stating what I think and making what I think the focus from the start. That is a perfectly legitimate approach.

You are falsely asserting that I am "pretending ignorance to stir the pot and get a reaction." That is your false interpretation of what I am doing.

I'm not sure it is a legitimate approach.

The reason is you post as if you don't realize worship music styles in OT Israel was cultural and shared among ANE cultures. Same with other cultures. BUT now you say you are not ignorant of those facts, just posting like you are to see how others will respond.

That is pretty much the definition of trolling.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

I'm not sure it is a legitimate approach.

The reason is you post as if you don't realize worship music styles in OT Israel was cultural and shared among ANE cultures. Same with other cultures. BUT now you say you are not ignorant of those facts, just posting like you are to see how others will respond.

That is pretty much the definition of trolling.

No, you beg the question that the worship music styles in Israel were cultural and shared among ANE cultures. Prove with specific and actual evidence that was true.

 

[JonC]

I do not have to tell you anything. You asserted that they were identical--you have to prove what you assert.

Sure you do. It is your OP, your intital claim.

I merely stated facts concerning how music was used in Hebrew worship, ANE worship, and contemporary worship.

You claim the dancing and drumming differed between the Jews and the pagans that existed around them. How did they differ (OR are you just making things up?)?

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

Sure you do. It is your OP, your intital claim.

I merely stated facts concerning how music was used in Hebrew worship, ANE worship, and contemporary worship.

You claim the dancing and drumming differed between the Jews and the pagans that existed around them. How did they differ (OR are you just making things up?)?

What you claim to be facts are merely your assertions. You have to prove your assertions. You do not get to make up facts.

 

[JonC]

No, you beg the question that the worship music styles in Israel were cultural and shared among ANE cultures. Prove with specific and actual evidence that was true.

That is silly. You are counting on the idea that we have no idea what music existed in ANE cultures (that we do not know how the Hebrews worshipped, that we don't know the music used in Baal worship, ect).

You think that those things ate lost to antiquity so you can say whatever you want and people will believe you.

But you are wrong.

 

[JonC]

What you claim to be facts are merely your assertions. You have to prove your assertions. You do not get to make up facts.

I am not making up facts. We know how ANE cultures (to include the Hebrews) used music. The oldest music we have is a worship song to Baal. We have those facts.

You said that you have studied this in college, so you also know these facts.

You claim the dancing and drumming differed between the Jews and the pagans that existed around them. How did they differ (OR are you just making things up?)?

 

[JonC]

God's people who have obeyed God have never used real human skulls as drums for any purpose. They have never borrowed any such music from occultists.

I'm not talking about the instrument but the music.

You claim the dancing and drumming differed between the Jews and the pagans that existed around them. How did they differ (OR are you just making things up?)?

 

[JonC]

No, you beg the question that the worship music styles in Israel were cultural and shared among ANE cultures. Prove with specific and actual evidence that was true.

You claim the dancing and drumming differed between the Jews and the pagans that existed around them. How did they differ (OR are you just making things up?)?

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

I am not making up facts. We know how ANE cultures (to include the Hebrews) used music. The oldest music we have is a worship song to Baal. We have those facts.

You said that you have studied this in college, so you also know these facts.

You claim the dancing and drumming differed between the Jews and the pagans that existed around them. How did they differ (OR are you just making things up?)?

So what? A worship song to Baal does not prove anything about how the godly Israelites worshiped YHWH.

I did not say that I studied this in college. I said that I had many college level music classes, but I did not specify what they were.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

You claim the dancing and drumming differed between the Jews and the pagans that existed around them. How did they differ (OR are you just making things up?)?

Godly Jews never danced in worship in the same sensual ways that pagans did in their religious orgies that were very common among pagans. It is utterly false to say that the Jews worshiped immorally in all the same ways that the wicked pagans did.

 

[DaveXR650]

All kidding aside, I question whether anyone knows what the music of the ancient Israelites or the Syrians sounded like. Music as we know it with the notes and such didn't exist. Those re-creations of ancient music are guess work.

 

[JonC]

So what? A worship song to Baal does not prove anything about how the godly Israelites worshiped YHWH.

I did not say that I studied this in college. I said that I had many college level music classes, but I did not specify what they were.

Now you are playing dumb (we have a thread on that).

I have studied ANE cultures in grad school. I misunderstood you to say you have as well. My bad.

Here is the important part:

You think I posted that a song of worship to Baal proved how the Hebrews worshipped.

If you cannot discern a simple post then how can your discernment be trusted in regards to this discussion????

 

[Keith Mullins]

There is sufficient objective information available that shows that rock music is music of the occult. Christians who use rock music in worship disobey the divine prohibition against having fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:11).

How are you defining "Rock Music" what makes it in Fellowship with the occult? Which songs are being used in worship? Once again you are throwing out vague opinions without specifics. Le t s keep it simple and define what exactly is Rock music and provide 1 song that meets the definition that is being used for worship.

 

[JonC]

All kidding aside, I question whether anyone knows what the music of the ancient Israelites or the Syrians sounded like. Music as we know it with the notes and such didn't exist. Those re-creations of ancient music are guess work.

Funny thing is we do know (to an extent).

The oldest complete composition of "sheet music" (actually an engraving on stone) is from the 1st century AD.

The oldest music notation is from 1400 BC (it is a melody for a type of flute).