does ANYBODY like....

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. Rap music is the fashion of this world and dishonors Christ.

Abstain from every apearance of evil. Rap is associated with the gangsta culture of the "world."

Whatsoever things are lovely, pure...etc. Most Christians would say that kind of music is not lovey and pure.

 

Here you go Gekko – Melody (dictionary.com)
1. Music.
a. A rhythmically organized sequence of single tones so related to one another as to make up a particular phrase or idea.
b. Structure with respect to the arrangement of single notes in succession.
c. The leading part or the air in a composition with accompaniment.
That is melody and rap sure has it. I am agreeing with Tenor’s premise, but I am also saying that Rap has all three. This negates neither argument Aaron. You are wrong Bapmom. All 3 ARE present. If you disagree than I will be than happy to post the definitions.

Bapmom you say – “And the Bible is crystal clear that the body is never to be in control or dominant in the Christian's life. This is VERY difficult for us, I know, but it is what we are to be striving for. A diet of rap music will in no way help us in our attempt to keep the body under subjection”.

I say- your definitions of all three are simply your definitions pertaining to the Bible. I am giving actual definitions and will post more if need be. Again, I say please state exactly what you see as an acceptable form of music. Please give examples. Aaron feel free to throw some examples in there also. By the way a diet of Christian rap can surely help someone keep their body in subjection. You see all I listen to is Christian music because it helps keep my body in check. It is a constant reminder of God and it is a good one. By the way the Bible doesn’t say anything about the “body” of music. It says do not let your literal body control you. That has nothing to do with music. My body doesn’t control me when I bob my head to some good music, just as your body doesn’t control you when you are hungry and you eat. I have a spiritual hunger that can be filled by solid God glorifying music and I love worshipping God in everything I do.

Mike in Ghana – Your assertion is faulty. You see the way you are applying that text would encompass almost everything. Veggie Tales makes movies that are spoofs of major motion pictures, so get rid of it. You see where this could go. Not to mention that Christian music is not imitating the world. CONTENT makes music secular not melody or rhythm. The content in music dictates whether or not something is secular, so if a song is made up of Christian content then it is not imitating the world, but instead praising God. As an example, we are all human. The difference between me and a non-Christian is content. The words that come out of my mouth are different then my unsaved friends. If I happen to walk (literally) at the same pace and in the same way as my unsaved friend, this doesn’t mean I am of the world because I am walking at the same speed as him. I am not of this world because I wear the same pants, shoes or shirts etc.. I happen to have a great deal of characteristics in common with the world. The difference is that I am made up of different spiritual content. God took me and changed my content. He used a sinful vessel like me to bring glory to Him. He can surely do the same with rap.

Please note that the spirit of this post is not malicious.

 

You can justify your worldiness all you want. That trashy music is sensous, and does not promote a spirit of worship but rather promtes the flesh. Why do you think there were never any instruments of music in the temple? God did not us to give rise to the emotional side of our being. There is no good thing in our flesh. We must worship Him in spirit and truth, not with our emotions.

 

Brice,

problem is you are using man's definitions to justify your points, and to REFUTE the order given in the Bible.

"dictionary.com" is just another guy's idea of what melody is....it is NOT saying that rap has a melody. You are taking it out of context and adding your own perception.

 

Not my taste. I don't like the choppy lyrics and driving beat.

 

Ok, if I can’t use the dictionary to define a word, then please tell me what God’s definition of melody is and back it up with Scripture. MikeinGhana says we can’t use instruments at all. Bapmom (please correct me if my inference is wrong) say’s we can, but only in a certain manner. You see I have given examples, analogies, and definitions to back up my points. PLEASE give me examples of what you consider acceptable Christian music. Again I say, I personally don’t enjoy rap music, but I am not going to toss out a genre because I don’t like it. Gekko you make some good points. God gave us emotion and it is ok to emotionally worship God, as long as we don’t let our emotions overtake us. You see I’ve cried out to God, I’ve felt his peace, I’ve enjoyed his presence. All of these are emotional characteristics that one can experience when worshiping the one and only true God. I love God and yes that is an emotion. Peter wept because he had an emotional attachment to God.

 

Brice,

just to satisfy you, I looked up rap at dictionary.com.....its a rhythmic chanting.

Melody is the leading part of a composition....which pertains to music.

Rap is chanting, not a melody. Ive never heard anyone try to say that rap has a melody, not even those who like it.

And BTW, I never said that I have not liked rap before. I did at one time enjoy some rap very much. As Ive said before, LIKING it has nothing to do with whether or not its pleasing to God.

 

If you enjoyed rap at one point then you would understand that rapping occurs as an accompaniment with melody. This would be classified as hip-hop. They rap on-top of beats. Melody as stated earlier is - The leading part or the air in a composition with accompaniment. It is ok if we don’t see melody the same way because it is irrelevant to the argument. I can accept that we may see this differently, but what I’ve asked for is an example or examples of acceptable music. Also, I looked up rap in the dictionary and did not see the definition you quoted. Please post the link or all the definitions. I also asked for Scripture to back up your argument. Please provide this so I can better understand your point of view.

 

Niteshift,

I actually am both. Really. I want them both to do well and win and I enjoy pulling for them both. But when they play one another I'm pulling for the Cards all the way, but thats the only time I'm not pulling for the UK.

I've never really understood why if you have a favorite you have to despise the other. It doesnt make sense to me. If a team is from Kentucky I'm a fan.

God bless,

Mike

 

Brice,

I don't know that I CAN list a certain type of music that is ALWAYS acceptable. Like Ive said before, I judge each song based on its own merits.

We can take the most basic hymn and ramp up the beat to the point where its out of balance as well. I have seen the same song done in both an acceptable manner, and also in a way Id see as not right. Do you see what I mean?

I would say that the hymns, as they are written, are usually very good and well balanced. There are many choruses that can go either way. What makes it good is usually what you do with it.

Although, let me say, I object to music styles that copy the world's styles. The definition Ive seen given of CCM is exactly that, a copy of secular music. I think its wrong to try to take secular music and put words to it that talk about God and then say its God's music now. Its still the world's music that way.

As to Bible verses, one I can think of right now is
Ro 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

Bapmom,

I think we just see this differently. Let me say first that I respect your position. I think your heart is right and you want to monitor what you hear. I also thank you for the respectful way you’ve discussed this. I think Gekko and I both want to monitor what we hear as well. CCM really does help me in my daily walk with God because it is a constant reminder of Him. I love worshiping God in my car or by playing some worship music on my guitar. I will outline my perception of music for you.

Content determines whether or not something is secular.
If something has sinful content then it is not of God.
CCM is not a carbon-copy of the world because its content is completely different.
Content determines whether or not something is sinful.

Some examples of this would be –

Veggie Tales – They spoof secular movies and turn them into Christian movies.
Movies – The Passion was a movie. Movies are of the world thus making The Passion wrong because it copies the world.
Television – You see T.V. was not created to be a Christian outlet, so when we watch a minister on T.V. he is wrong because he is copying the world’s format. Thus making us sin because we are enjoying it.

We as Christians copy the world’s format in many ways, the difference is the content.

Do you see that content is the determining factor? Hopefully that makes sense, if not I will post some more analogies. God bless.

 

As far as Romans 12:2. CCM is not conformed to the world. It is completely different then the world. Its content is completely different. Just because it has a similar rhythmic beat in some instances, does not make it sinful. We as Christians have many similarities with the world; that doesn’t make us conformed to it because our content is different.

 

Gekko,

I think you and I are on the same page here.