Influences of Rock Music

[kat8585]

Sports don't directly glorify God.

Work doesn't directly glorify God.

Secular television doesn't directly glorify God.

Secular radio doesn't directly glorify God.

Most books don't directly glorify God.

Most clubs don't directly glorify God.

Most education doesn't directly glorify God.

Plays don't directly glorify God.

Movies don't directly glorify God.

Most poems don't directly glorify God.

Music without lyrics don't directly glorify God.

I could go on. Many things in this world can glorify God by showing the amazing things we as humans can accomplish through his will to let us live. Just because something doesn't specifically mention God doesn't mean it isn't created to glorify God. I think that music is no different.

These things don't directly glorify God, but they don't not glorify Him either. True, most secular tv is bad, some secular radio is bad, some secular books are bad, the public education system is bad, and most movies are bad.

There is nothing worth watching on tv, and I don't watch most tv, except Fox and biographies. I listen to talk radio and once in a while an oldies station. With books, I find I'm usually safe with non-fiction. I don't care for fiction, unless it's Christian. Most music without lyrics is ok.

[Kabowd]

If lyrics do not praise God, and point to Him, and Jesus Christ, but rather glory in the created, then you can rest assured that it isn't created to glorify God.

How do you determine if lyrics praise God or point to Him?

Uhhh...you read 'em.

I was trying to engage in dialogue and provoke you to elaborate on what you meant. If you weren't going to answer, you didn't have to reply. No need to be a smart-axe.

[Kabowd]

But a life with those things in it is not glorifying God.......it is glorifying satan

So a life that involves sports, work or an education doesn't glorify God? A life that involves watching television, listening to the radio, going to plays or reading books doesn't glorify God?

What a tragically twisted and incomplete view you have of God's redemption and grace. What is your definition of a "life that glorifies God"? A monk? A priest?

Most of you don't even realize that you've embraced portions of a heretical belief called gnosticism. Oh, you think you're being spiritual and discerning. But, in fact, you're practicing misplaced metaphysical dualism. This is just a big phrase that means you've drawn lines between what you believe is "spiritual" and "unspiritual", and you've drawn them in the wrong place. Your distinction looks something like this:

Category One ("un-Spiritual"):

Anything physical/material

Anything "temporary"

(examples: the world, earth, physical bodies)

[These are often referred to as "secular things"]

Category Two ("Spiritual"):

Anything spiritual/immaterial

Anything "eternal"

(examples: praying, witnessing, our spirits)

[These are often referred to as "spiritual things"]

Long story short, both of these categories are parts of God's creation (all are created by God) and are therefore in the same ontological category. The proper metaphysical dualism should look like this:

God

____

Creation

But when the line of distinction is drawn between parts of creation (vertically), it becomes misplaced metaphyiscal dualism. This happens alot in modern Christianity actually. Have you seen those "Testamints" at Christian bookstores that have crosses imprinted on them? This is an example of an attempt to "Christianize" something otherwise seen as ordinary or "unspiritual". Or how many times have you sung "I'll Fly Away" in church, under the impression that our present existence in this world is less important (or something we're merely tolerating) until the day when we're finally set free to be where it's presumed we should truly be? These are subtle examples of the influence of gnosticism. It's as if physical things (ie. an ordinary mint, or the world) are inherently evil (or un-spiritual), and it's assumed that one must somehow spiritualize them or avoid them altogether in order to honor God.

I don't have time to elaborate further on this right now, but my point is that just because something is "secular" does not mean we cannot enjoy it or that we cannot glorify God while enjoying it. Gardening is not typically viewed as something 'spiritual', however, I would contend that a person who loves the Lord, appreciates the earth, and whom God has given a love and appreciation for things agricultural would be glorifying God by working in their garden, planting flowers and doing otherwise "mundane" things like shoveling dirt. When you view God's creation with the proper perspective, your worldview is opened up and you begin to see that you can bring glory to God in many more ways than most of us had previously considered. Viewed properly, a song expressing love from one spouse to another, though it never mentions the word "God" or "Jesus", can most certainly bring Him glory. We should never worship creation or parts of God's creation...but we should most certainly enjoy His creation and appreciate it as an expression of Who He is.

[Oh Hamburgers!]

That is what I mean. You glorify God with your life...when you choose music, it must glorify God. When you do any of the activities listed above, you glorify God by acting in a way He would be pleased with. You don't feast your eyes on filth, you don't listen to filth, and you don't engage in filth.

I agree with not feasting on filth in your life, but that's my point. You can do things that don't DIRECTLY glorify God, but they still glorify God through the life you have and explore. Playing baseball has nothing to do with God. But playing it isn't satanic. You celebrate life and competition through it. Secular music often has nothing to do with God, and it often deals with sinful "filth" as you put it. But at the same time, there is tons of secular music that doesn't promote sin. It is just musical expression. This music is not "satanic".

Long story short, there are neutral things in life that are still good, even if they don't have "God" stamped on them directly. Indirectly secular things can still give praise to God. I pretty much agree with Kabowd in most posts here.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

But a life with those things in it is not glorifying God.......it is glorifying satan

So a life that involves sports, work or an education doesn't glorify God? A life that involves watching television, listening to the radio, going to plays or reading books doesn't glorify God?

What a tragically twisted and incomplete view you have of God's redemption and grace. What is your definition of a "life that glorifies God"? A monk? A priest?

Most of you don't even realize that you've embraced portions of a heretical belief called gnosticism. Oh, you think you're being spiritual and discerning. But, in fact, you're practicing misplaced metaphysical dualism. This is just a big phrase that means you've drawn lines between what you believe is "spiritual" and "unspiritual", and you've drawn them in the wrong place. Your distinction looks something like this:

Category One ("un-Spiritual"):

Anything physical/material

Anything "temporary"

(examples: the world, earth, physical bodies)

[These are often referred to as "secular things"]

Category Two ("Spiritual"):

Anything spiritual/immaterial

Anything "eternal"

(examples: praying, witnessing, our spirits)

[These are often referred to as "spiritual things"]

Long story short, both of these categories are parts of God's creation (all are created by God) and are therefore in the same ontological category. The proper metaphysical dualism should look like this:

God

____

Creation

But when the line of distinction is drawn between parts of creation (vertically), it becomes misplaced metaphyiscal dualism. This happens alot in modern Christianity actually. Have you seen those "Testamints" at Christian bookstores that have crosses imprinted on them? This is an example of an attempt to "Christianize" something otherwise seen as ordinary or "unspiritual". Or how many times have you sung "I'll Fly Away" in church, under the impression that our present existence in this world is less important (or something we're merely tolerating) until the day when we're finally set free to be where it's presumed we should truly be? These are subtle examples of the influence of gnosticism. It's as if physical things (ie. an ordinary mint, or the world) are inherently evil (or un-spiritual), and it's assumed that one must somehow spiritualize them or avoid them altogether in order to honor God.

I don't have time to elaborate further on this right now, but my point is that just because something is "secular" does not mean we cannot enjoy it or that we cannot glorify God while enjoying it. Gardening is not typically viewed as something 'spiritual', however, I would contend that a person who loves the Lord, appreciates the earth, and whom God has given a love and appreciation for things agricultural would be glorifying God by working in their garden, planting flowers and doing otherwise "mundane" things like shoveling dirt. When you view God's creation with the proper perspective, your worldview is opened up and you begin to see that you can bring glory to God in many more ways than most of us had previously considered. Viewed properly, a song expressing love from one spouse to another, though it never mentions the word "God" or "Jesus", can most certainly bring Him glory. We should never worship creation or parts of God's creation...but we should most certainly enjoy His creation and appreciate it as an expression of Who He is.

Ok now what I actually said.........

I was speaking of the songs, people, shows, ect ect ect.... that promote murder, rebellion, and hate. I can recall a certain cop killer song. Never did I say that everything secular was bad.....but if it outright defies God or His word then it IS bad. Those are the things which we should be avoiding. Want to know a secret? I love metal and rock. But I do avoid some bands/songs that outright are in rebellion to God and try to encourage others to do the same.

[Butler]

Ah, rock music. Yeah its a toughy but my rule of thumb is if you hear its wrong just turn it off. There is lots of really good music out there.

God bless!

Sean

[KeilanS]

Wow... lets attack rock music as a whole and then quote Marilyn Manson. A satanist has bad lyrics? How shocking. Maybe we'll quote some Metallica and Megadeth too, I bet their lyrics are going to be clean and pure. Let me quote some music:

Kutless - Saved Lyrics

You ask me why I need this faith

I tell you now it's the only way

To be set free from all your pain

You must accept these words I say, I say

I need your focus just this day let me reveal to you

a friend

He'll give you purpose and eternal life

He is the Christ and to Him I say, I say

[CHORUS:]

I know that You are the only way to be saved

From my infirmity

You shed your you have your love away

Oh all to cover me

I tell you that He is the way

Jesus You ransomed my fraility

Yes I found I now that He is the truth

The truth the life and the way

The way

[CHORUS]

I know that You are the only way to be saved

From my infirmity

You shed your you gave your love away

Oh all to cover me

I cry out to You with the love that fills my heart

I give my life to You

In faith I won't depart

Oh now won't you come and take him in

He'll be more than you could ever dream

It's Jesus Christ in Him we trust

He is the truth the life and the way

The way, the way, the way

To be saved

[CHORUS]

I cry out to You with the love that fills my heart

I give my life to You

In faith I won't depart

But I know it'll be alright, okay

And I know it'll be alright, okay

Okay, okay, alright okay

Yes, this is a rock band. No they are not satanic. I have other Christian rock bands as well. They have public statements too, most of them make a point of never being alone with female fans. Not all rock musicians are satanic. But yes, Marilyn Manson is.

[Guest yod]

Not all rock musicians are satanic. But yes, Marilyn Manson is.

I totally agree. If we aren't part of the culture, speaking in a way that is relevant to the people of that culture, then we have given up on them. How shall they hear unless someone is sent? Romans 10

That said...how sick is this??

Keith Richards: `I Snorted My Father'

Apr 3 02:59 PM US/Eastern

LONDON (AP) - Keith Richards has acknowledged consuming a raft of

illegal substances in his time, but this may top them all.

In comments published Tuesday, the 63-year-old Rolling Stones

guitarist said he had snorted his father's ashes mixed with cocaine.

"The strangest thing I've tried to snort? My father. I snorted my

father," Richards was quoted as saying by British music magazine NME.

"He was cremated and I couldn't resist grinding him up with a little

bit of blow. My dad wouldn't have cared," he said. "... It went down

pretty well, and I'm still alive."

Richards' father, Bert, died in 2002, at 84.

Richards, one of rock's legendary wild men, told the magazine that

his survival was the result of luck, and advised young musicians

against trying to emulate him.

"I did it because that was the way I did it. Now people think it's a

way of life," he was quoted as saying.

"I've no pretensions about immortality," he added. "I'm the same as

everyone ... just kind of lucky.

"I was No. 1 on the `who's likely to die' list for 10 years. I mean,

I was really disappointed when I fell off the list," Richards said.

[KeilanS]

Not all rock musicians are satanic. But yes, Marilyn Manson is.

I totally agree. If we aren't part of the culture, speaking in a way that is relevant to the people of that culture, then we have given up on them. How shall they hear unless someone is sent? Romans 10

That said...how sick is this??

Keith Richards: `I Snorted My Father'

Apr 3 02:59 PM US/Eastern

LONDON (AP) - Keith Richards has acknowledged consuming a raft of

illegal substances in his time, but this may top them all.

In comments published Tuesday, the 63-year-old Rolling Stones

guitarist said he had snorted his father's ashes mixed with cocaine.

"The strangest thing I've tried to snort? My father. I snorted my

father," Richards was quoted as saying by British music magazine NME.

"He was cremated and I couldn't resist grinding him up with a little

bit of blow. My dad wouldn't have cared," he said. "... It went down

pretty well, and I'm still alive."

Richards' father, Bert, died in 2002, at 84.

Richards, one of rock's legendary wild men, told the magazine that

his survival was the result of luck, and advised young musicians

against trying to emulate him.

"I did it because that was the way I did it. Now people think it's a

way of life," he was quoted as saying.

"I've no pretensions about immortality," he added. "I'm the same as

everyone ... just kind of lucky.

"I was No. 1 on the `who's likely to die' list for 10 years. I mean,

I was really disappointed when I fell off the list," Richards said.

I read that this morning in the paper. I think we need Christian rockers to show people that not all musicians are like that. Believe it or not, you can play music while not on drugs.

[mm70]

true, music can be an instrument of the enemy and we should be wise.