Influences of Rock Music

[apothanein kerdos]

...AK...just curious about these "good" non-Christians you support. How do you justify that? I'm not saying that you have to sponser ONLY Christian people. However, in the case of music, you are supporting a musician that spreads a non-christian message to as many people as they can. If they are not serving Christ, who are they serving? And should we financially sponser their service?

You are forgetting about the concept of imago dei. These musicians, even if they are not dead set on glorifying God, can still sing relevant songs that bring about God's glory. Paul quoted from a Pagan philosopher/poet, showing that not only was he familiar with such writings, but that he read them often enough to know when it was appropriate to quote from them.

[sweetycakes]

To the people who believe in "Christian only" music. Do you also stay away from non Christian literature? Better not pick up the daily newspaper, you might become part of the wallowing cesspool. Better not watch Jeopardy on TV, it is satan's spawn.

Give me a break.

Oh...I see...you only take "good" drugs. The bible says to bring "into captivity every thought...2 Cor 10:5" That would apply in every instance that you place your mind into the hands of anyone who wishes to entertain your mind.

I think you should be more interested in supporting artists you have more in common with spiritually. I cannot think of ONE non-christian artist that I am like-minded enough with to purchase his music. Books and TV are just as influential and people enter in at their own peril.

...AK...just curious about these "good" non-Christians you support. How do you justify that? I'm not saying that you have to sponser ONLY Christian people. However, in the case of music, you are supporting a musician that spreads a non-christian message to as many people as they can. If they are not serving Christ, who are they serving? And should we financially sponser their service?

And just who are these non-Christian musicians that have no "evil" in their lyrics?

I just wanna say...I realize I sound like a total "stick-in-the-mud" on this topic, and that is NOT my intent. I am very passionate about Christian music. Having worked in that industry I can relay the frustration of dealing with Christians who are continually trying to ride a fence in regards to secular and Christian music. To see young people come to a Christian concert wearing a $30 dollar T-shirt sponsoring their fave secular band...and leaving without supporting the Christian band the same way, is sad to me. If you guys like secular music..fine. I just don't think we should support it financially, before supporting our Christian brothers and sisters in ministry.

I've got to agree with you on that one, Axxman

[sweetycakes]

To the people who believe in "Christian only" music. Do you also stay away from non Christian literature? Better not pick up the daily newspaper, you might become part of the wallowing cesspool. Better not watch Jeopardy on TV, it is satan's spawn.

Give me a break.

Oh...I see...you only take "good" drugs. The bible says to bring "into captivity every thought...2 Cor 10:5" That would apply in every instance that you place your mind into the hands of anyone who wishes to entertain your mind.

I think you should be more interested in supporting artists you have more in common with spiritually. I cannot think of ONE non-christian artist that I am like-minded enough with to purchase his music. Books and TV are just as influential and people enter in at their own peril.

...AK...just curious about these "good" non-Christians you support. How do you justify that? I'm not saying that you have to sponser ONLY Christian people. However, in the case of music, you are supporting a musician that spreads a non-christian message to as many people as they can. If they are not serving Christ, who are they serving? And should we financially sponser their service?

And just who are these non-Christian musicians that have no "evil" in their lyrics?

I just wanna say...I realize I sound like a total "stick-in-the-mud" on this topic, and that is NOT my intent. I am very passionate about Christian music. Having worked in that industry I can relay the frustration of dealing with Christians who are continually trying to ride a fence in regards to secular and Christian music. To see young people come to a Christian concert wearing a $30 dollar T-shirt sponsoring their fave secular band...and leaving without supporting the Christian band the same way, is sad to me. If you guys like secular music..fine. I just don't think we should support it financially, before supporting our Christian brothers and sisters in ministry.

So. . . your saying that all secular music is bad and christians shouldn't listen to it? As a born-again christian, should I be burning my TOTO CD's?

I still listen to secular music, but I don't think I would spend good money anymore to buy any of it. I just listen to it on the radio.

[Axxman]

So. . . your saying that all secular music is bad and christians shouldn't listen to it? As a born-again christian, should I be burning my TOTO CD's?

Personally...I say yes. All non-Christian music IS bad. However...I try to not be overly judgemental about it. I've done the whole "burning my music" before and I realize now the horrible idea it was. I now call for Christians to trade their secular music into a shop that buys music CDs. Then take the money and go to a Gospel store and start supporting Christian music. Sure, its not always a fair trade...but its more productive than a bonfire, IMO.

You are forgetting about the concept of imago dei. These musicians, even if they are not dead set on glorifying God, can still sing relevant songs that bring about God's glory. Paul quoted from a Pagan philosopher/poet, showing that not only was he familiar with such writings, but that he read them often enough to know when it was appropriate to quote from them.

I think the distinction is NOT that non-Christians can say things representative of God, but rather that God can use things non-christians say and do...for His Glory. Like Paul, we as Christians, should always being viewing the spiritual nature of things and using them to Gods Glory. That does not mean that we should yoke ourselves to those non-Christian lifestyles or musings so that we can try and glean a spiritual message from them.

Briefly, about Paul's quote (probably better in another topic): Paul was well educated, but not as a Christian. It is certainly no stretch to conclude that Paul was able to use the poets line to invoke his authority on the topic he was speaking about. It is quite likely that the poet's quote was learned by Paul, not as a Christian, but before his conversion. Just a thought.

[Floatingaxe]

So. . . your saying that all secular music is bad and christians shouldn't listen to it? As a born-again christian, should I be burning my TOTO CD's?

Personally...I say yes. All non-Christian music IS bad. However...I try to not be overly judgemental about it. I've done the whole "burning my music" before and I realize now the horrible idea it was. I now call for Christians to trade their secular music into a shop that buys music CDs. Then take the money and go to a Gospel store and start supporting Christian music. Sure, its not always a fair trade...but its more productive than a bonfire, IMO.

You are forgetting about the concept of imago dei. These musicians, even if they are not dead set on glorifying God, can still sing relevant songs that bring about God's glory. Paul quoted from a Pagan philosopher/poet, showing that not only was he familiar with such writings, but that he read them often enough to know when it was appropriate to quote from them.

I think the distinction is NOT that non-Christians can say things representative of God, but rather that God can use things non-christians say and do...for His Glory. Like Paul, we as Christians, should always being viewing the spiritual nature of things and using them to Gods Glory. That does not mean that we should yoke ourselves to those non-Christian lifestyles or musings so that we can try and glean a spiritual message from them.

Briefly, about Paul's quote (probably better in another topic): Paul was well educated, but not as a Christian. It is certainly no stretch to conclude that Paul was able to use the poets line to invoke his authority on the topic he was speaking about. It is quite likely that the poet's quote was learned by Paul, not as a Christian, but before his conversion. Just a thought.

Good! Done the burning thing myself!

[apothanein kerdos]

I think the distinction is NOT that non-Christians can say things representative of God, but rather that God can use things non-christians say and do...for His Glory. Like Paul, we as Christians, should always being viewing the spiritual nature of things and using them to Gods Glory. That does not mean that we should yoke ourselves to those non-Christian lifestyles or musings so that we can try and glean a spiritual message from them.

Why are non-Christian songs wrong? By your idea, we can no longer watch anything written, produced, acted out, etc by a non-Christian. Why use anything that has been made by a non-Christian?

We are called to be separate in morality, not in how we live our day to day lives, down to the very minuscule detail. I'm not going to buy "testa-mints" because it has a cross on it, and deny myself Certs simply because it's "non-Christian." This is actually remnants of an old heresy called Gnosticism. In essence, by trying to be spiritual, you actually end up on the wrong end of the spectrum.

Briefly, about Paul's quote (probably better in another topic): Paul was well educated, but not as a Christian. It is certainly no stretch to conclude that Paul was able to use the poets line to invoke his authority on the topic he was speaking about. It is quite likely that the poet's quote was learned by Paul, not as a Christian, but before his conversion. Just a thought.

And this entire thought is negated by the fact he still used that poem, meaning he found merit in it and practical use.

[georgesbluegirl]

So. . . your saying that all secular music is bad and christians shouldn't listen to it? As a born-again christian, should I be burning my TOTO CD's

For the sake of "Africa" - put down the lighter!

I finalized my abroad plans and I'm going to Kenya and Tanzania next year, so it's my theme song now!

On a more serious note, this discussion about what kinds of books, music, scented candles, water bottles, puppies etc. glorify God always gets a little silly. If something makes you uncomfortable, you don't have to have it! Of course, often encountering things that challenge your faith is the best possible thing - you come out stronger and smarter for it. Regardless, I burn incense, listen to Zeppelin, read Shakespeare and Salinger and I'm pretty confident I'm not a worse person or Christian for it. Give people a little credit/responsibility for their decisions. Most people who listen to "I'm In Love With A Stripper" aren't going to go out to the local gentlemen's club to find a wife, you know.

[Gerioke]

To the people who believe in "Christian only" music. Do you also stay away from non Christian literature? Better not pick up the daily newspaper, you might become part of the wallowing cesspool. Better not watch Jeopardy on TV, it is satan's spawn.

Give me a break.

Oh...I see...you only take "good" drugs. The bible says to bring "into captivity every thought...2 Cor 10:5" That would apply in every instance that you place your mind into the hands of anyone who wishes to entertain your mind.

I think you should be more interested in supporting artists you have more in common with spiritually. I cannot think of ONE non-christian artist that I am like-minded enough with to purchase his music. Books and TV are just as influential and people enter in at their own peril.

...AK...just curious about these "good" non-Christians you support. How do you justify that? I'm not saying that you have to sponser ONLY Christian people. However, in the case of music, you are supporting a musician that spreads a non-christian message to as many people as they can. If they are not serving Christ, who are they serving? And should we financially sponser their service?

And just who are these non-Christian musicians that have no "evil" in their lyrics?

I just wanna say...I realize I sound like a total "stick-in-the-mud" on this topic, and that is NOT my intent. I am very passionate about Christian music. Having worked in that industry I can relay the frustration of dealing with Christians who are continually trying to ride a fence in regards to secular and Christian music. To see young people come to a Christian concert wearing a $30 dollar T-shirt sponsoring their fave secular band...and leaving without supporting the Christian band the same way, is sad to me. If you guys like secular music..fine. I just don't think we should support it financially, before supporting our Christian brothers and sisters in ministry.

You mean people like...

John Fogerty... Christian

Phil Keaggy... Christian

Bob Dylan... Christian

Johnny Cash... Christian

Etc.

[Kabowd]

If you don't believe in purchasing things from "non Christians", I hope you make your own clothes and grow your own food. And I hope shopping at Walmart is out of the question.

[reconditioned]

Reconditioned, it's a basic psychological fact that whatever you surround yourself with is going to influence you. Whether this be television, music, etc. Thus, if listening to music that lyrically is unhealthy, it is inevitably going to affect how you view the world. Though it may not change your overall world view, it will affect how fragile and fragmented your world view can be.

I was always the one that influenced other around me. I was always the original. The lyrics started in me long before there was any music to have them put to. Basic psychology is out to lunch for me and my mine. Its not impossible to be above simple mind games and tricks.

Honestly, why do some of you adhere to this idea so religiously. Since when did the clothes make the man, so to speak?