Hi Jim. Thank you for your post. Again, I must tell you how much I appreciate your continued thoughts on this subject, and I thank you for sharing them with me.
It is certainly true that some of the lyrics that you mentioned in your most recent post are obviously not Christian. However, the topic of our dialogue was “praise music” in various styles including Rock, Rap, and Old Fashioned. I am unaware of any Christian Rock or Rap Artists using lyrics similar to the ones that you have described. “Black Sabbath” is obviously NOT Christian praise music. I’m fairly certain the members of Black Sabbath would agree with that too.
I’m glad that we agree on a few things that you mentioned. For example, we agree that musical instruments themselves are not evil. I’m also happy to see that you agree, at least to some degree, that LOUD NOISE in music is appropriate as described in Psalm 33: 3.
Psalm 33: 3 say’s that LOUD NOISE in music is required. We both agree that instruments themselves are not evil, so it matters not what instrument is used to accomplish this music. Psalm 33: 2 specifically states that “10 string instruments” (which are guitars) are praise worthy instruments (the modern guitar usually has 6 strings, 12 strings, or 4 strings and some have 10 strings).
When we stop and think about it, we immediately remember that loud noise guitars are a hallmark of Christian Rock and Rap music! Accordingly, the Bible, through Psalm 33: 3 fully endorses these NEW styles of music.
Now most importantly, Psalm 33: 3 states that this LOUD NOISE music MUST be “NEW” music. This verse demands that the praise songs be “new.” So, not only must Christian praise music be LOUD, but it also must be NEW - “fresh material” with new songs and new expressions of music. For your convenience, Psalm 33: 3 reads “Sing unto him a NEW song; play skilfully with a LOUD NOISE" (the emphasis is mine).
As such, we immediately recognize that NEW Christian Music, performed LOUDLY, is totally endorsed by Psalm 33: 3.
As a result of this, I conclude that modern (new) Christian Rock music is not only a possibility in the church, but it is exclusively REQUIRED!
Old songs, such as “Saving Grace,” though beautiful, are not NEW – and Psalm 33: 3 demands the songs mentioned in it must be NEW. However, I would agree that NEW renditions of old songs such as “Saving Grace,” would not violate the verse and would be acceptable. This is because new arrangements are, to some degree, NEW songs (technically called “derivative works.”)
So, Psalm 33 actually PROVES that contemporary NEW “praise music,” performed LOUDLY, is Biblically sanctioned. Accordingly, Christian Rock music, and Christian Rap Music, and Christian Synthesizer Music, IS Biblically blessed.
Regarding your previous “Hogwash” comments. You said; "One has mentioned that rap, rock, blues, country, etc, can be just as spiritual if done with good intent and good words. I say, HOGWASH!"
As you know Jim, I respectfully did not agree with that comment when I first read it, and I still don't agree with it. What I mentioned in my earlier posts expresses my view, in addition to what I have stated above.
Lastly, please allow me to add that it does not matter what the physical appearance of the person performing the music is either. He can have “green hair” a nose-ring, baggy pants, or any other outward appearance. John 7: 24 shows this to be so. It say’s; “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7: 24). It is the HEART of the performer that matters - not his appearance.
Accordingly, we should refrain from judging anyone by that person's “appearance." That includes hair color, height, weight, or any other physical manifestation. John 7: 24 positively won’t allow it.
Thank you again Jim for your excellent exchange of ideas. As I have said many times before – folks do NOT need to agree with each other in order to LEARN from one another. I have learned much as a result of this thread. I thank you much for it.
latterrain77
[ September 05, 2002, 08:33 PM: Message edited by: latterrain77 ]
