Originally posted by ChristianCynic:
Those 'prooftexts' are just like Jehovah's Witnesses' literature; making a statement then referring to a verse which only vaguely, if at all, has any relation to the claim being made.
1. CHRISTIAN MUSIC SHOULD PRAISE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ? NOT MAN
Ain't there just a whole heap of songs with such lines "I will worship me", "Lord, I am more precious than silver", and "I-- am an awesome man"?
---I have never heard of them. No doubt they are CCM. You only prove my point.
2. CHRISTIAN MUSIC IS FOR THE LORD ? NOT FOR THE WORLD
Then among the songs that need to be scrapped are "O Tell the World That I'm a Christian", "Are You Washed in the Blood?", and "Marching to Zion." These examples, by their titles and lyrics, are addressing 'the world' and not the Lord.
---Let's get the hymns straight first. "I'll Tell the World That I'm a Christian," and it is testifying of the grace of God in the believer that he may go and tell the world of the gospel. Admittedly, many of the hymns are evangelistic in nature, appealing just as much to the believer as much to anyone else. "Tell me the old, old story," Christians like to sing about the gospel too, and often the songs have an appeal for Christians to make sure of their own salvation. Your argument holds no weight.
3. CHRISTIAN MUSIC IS A NEW SONG ? NOT AN OLD SONG
Sing it the first time, it's new; the second time it's old? Or does this mean "Sing Your Praise to the Lord" is superior to [newer than] "To God Be the Glory"? or that "Awesome God" is new enough to be sung, but "The Old Rugged Cross" isn't?
---Again your logic is flawed. You need to go back to school.
Rev.5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
---The new song was the song of the redeemed. When one comes to Christ, "Old things are passed away, all things are become new." When I got saved, my language changed, the places that I attended changed, my way of life (lifestyle) changed, and the music that I listened to changed. In as much as I didn't use foul language anymore, didn't go to dances where there was alcohol and drugs, and get into that culture, I also changed listening to the kind of music that I was so used to. God put a new song into my heart. A song of redemption. I used to hum some of the hymns at work shortly after I was saved. Co-workers thought I was crazy. There was a change in my life. God had put a new song in my life.
4. CHRISTIAN MUSIC'S MESSAGE SHOULD BE CLEAR ? NOT VAGUE OR DECEPTIVE
We must have a lot of 2000-year-old Christians then, as so many congregations clearlysing "At the cross where I first saw the light." And referring to that clear song, how does a burden "roll away?" Incidentally, if Christian music is "for the Lord; not for the world" (#2), why can't it be "vague?" There is no question whatsoever that God knows exactly what we mean when we speak or sing. It's "the world" that requires clarity, but the music is not for the world, right?
---Music is specifically for the Christian, and for worshiping the Lord. It was for individual worship of the Christian, and collective worship of the Christian. The same held true for the nation of Israel. I don't deny that some of the hymns of the faith need improving on, both in clarity and even theologically. We had a thread on that. People ought to realize what they are singing about. For example, "Joy to the World," is not about the birth of Christ, "a Christmas song," it is about the Second Coming and the Millennial Kingdom. However, much of the music that passes for CCM today, as I have pointed out in previous threads could pass for Hinduism, or Islam, or even Buddhism. Their description of "god" and their praise of him is that vague! Often in our churches there are visitors.
5. CHRISTIAN MUSIC SHOULD EMPHASIS THE MESSAGE ? NOT THE MUSIC ? NOR THE MUSICIAN
Man, the Bible must have been wrong to credit David with all those Psalms! And we need to get rid of those wordless interludes and 'prelude' and 'postlude' and offertory music-- they have no message to emphasize, being wordless, but can only emphasize the musician and the music.
---Yup, you definitely need to go back to school. David did write a good portion of those Psalms, and it was the MESSAGE that was emphasized, not the music. To be sure he had his harp, and other instruments are mentioned, but always the message was foremost in their music.
Concerning offertories, I don't know what you play in your church, but we play some Godly hymn so that all the congregation will know the words, even if it is instrumental. Glorify God in your music, not the musician.
6. CHRISTIAN MUSIC IS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH ? NOT CONCERT HALLS, NIGHT CLUBS.
Or is it in the 'upper room' where Jesus and His disciples sang a song after supper? How about a comprehensive list of all the places where God commands us to not sing praises to Him?
---Go back to school; basic discipleship training school. Music is for Christian worship. In the New Testament if it is not for private worship, it is for the local church. Show me where it is for any other place. The Lord's Supper was just being instituted at that time, and is now an ordinance that is specifically given to the local church. It is the church that closes the Lord's Supper with a hymn. Get your theology straight.
7. CHRISTIAN MUSIC SHOULD FEED THE SPIRIT ? NOT THE FLESH
Then all songs should be the exact same melody-- otherwise, people will be inclined to compare them, and regard one as more pleasing or appealing than another.
---That's a baseless conclusion, based on what?? There were definite styles of music that were spiritual and definite styles of music that were carnal, even in the Bible. What style of music was used that so excited the Israelites to dance naked around a golden calf in the Book of Exodus?
8. CHRISTIAN MUSICIANS SHOULD BE DEDICATED TO THE LORD ? NOT WORLDLY
What does this mean? If they ever stole a piece of gum as a kid, they are disqualified? If they make any money from their efforts-- like pastors and music directors-- their motives can only be 'worldly'? If they innocently saw a beautiful woman bathing, then committed adultery with her, every song they wrote should be destroyed?
---"For Those Tears I Died," written by Marsha Stevens, seems on the surface to be a good conservative song, until one looks a little deeper at the content of the song. Then look at the composer. She is openly gay, and promotes lesbian music. Do you? Do you buy her music, and thus support her cause?
---Am I supporting an entertainment industry, or people who are honestly trying to serve God with their talents and abilities? Are they using their abilities to mimic the world, or to glorify God?
1Cor.10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
DHK