From: bdonison@grover.UVic.CA (Only AMIGA!)
Subject: Re: *Burning*Albums* (Anti-Secularism)
Keywords: LONG, Grips anyone?
Organization: University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 92 22:49:49 GMT

In article <1992Jul24.164055.9617@rice.edu> mueller@owlnet.rice.edu (Ernest Conrad Mueller) writes:
>Dave Learn writes:
> (>> = me)
>[stuff about meanings of a song deleted]
>
>Enjoyment is not affected by such things as what other songs say, or what
>the artist really thinks.  And as for edification, if you only look to the
>most sacred of sources, you'll be terribly uninformed.  You couldn't
>even read the newspaper anymore, because pagans print it!
>
>I defy anyone to show me why it is wrong to interpret a song however
>it appears to me.

For a song specifically that might not be possible, using scripture only.
But don't extend that philosophy too far, it has produced Mormons, JW's, ...

>>> This topic always brings to my mind several different Scriptural concepts.
>>> One is the freedom we have in Christ, and that we are, as Christians, able 
>>> to listen to at least wholesome and neutral music without it really
>>> affecting us.
>
>>I'm not aware of any neutral music except for instrumental music.  Music 
>>itself is neither good nor evil, it is (if you will pardon the horrible
>>pun) an instrument of tremendous power used by both God and Satan.
>
>How about a song that just sings about love? (Not sex, but love).  How about
>a song about the beauty of nature?  How about songs denouncing
>racism?  How about an album about traveling into the future (Weird, I know,
>but at this moment I'm listening to ELO's "Time".)
>You can look at these either of two ways.  One, they do not explicitly
>mention Christ or God or stuff, so they're eeeeeeeeeeeeevil.  Two, they
>point out some of God's characteristics in this world, and are therefore
>valuable as art and beauty.  Some pagans, to our eternal shame, are more 
>sympathetic and loving towards the poor than we are ("Another Day In Paradise",
>Phil Collins).  We could learn from them!  

There are two spiritual powers at work in the world, and scripture says
that you cannot serve two masters, only one.  I serve Christ!
I don't know that inanimate objects can be classified as evil, I doubt it,
anyone has any scripture references for that???
For me that blows option one away.  Two is a posibility, but how about it's
negative: three - it tries to point out faults in God/poke fun at God &
his servents, ....  praises God's enemy Satan, praises or encourages
idolitry (prasing man & his works), .......
Are these items valuable to a Christian as an art form or spiritual
intrument of some kind?  Not to me!

>And all this "Music is a weapon in the battle between God and Satan for
>our souls" is hogwash.  I hate to break it to you, but you're saved!
>So am I!  We don't have to cower in fear anymore!
Tru, the battle theory is a bad argument to use for this:
God's music/Satan's music.

>We only hurt ourselves by discounting anything not of impeccable origin.  Is
>it any wonder that God works through pagans nowadays, when the Church is
>in such disrepair?  And do not all things work to the good of those who 
>serve Him?    
No!  All thing work to the good of those who love God AND are called
according to His purpose.
(Close, but don't forget the AND, and good point)

>>     Yes, we do have considerable freedom in Christ and I am not going to
>>begrudge a brother or sister that.  But don't forget that the freedom Christ
>>gives us also demands responsibility.  In the case of music it is to know
>>what we are getting into (don't just assume--study the Word, pray, talk
>>to other believers, and ask questions) and to act in accordance with Jesus'
>>will.  I myself do not buy music that is produced by musicians who 
>>deliver a worldly hope--I don't want to use the money God has given me to
>>support their ministry.
Me either!!!

>"Guilty by Association."
No that's not it.  I'ld rather give my money to a Christian who is attempting
to do the Lord's will than to a nonChristian who is not.  In most cases
it is a judgement call both ways though.  I see more nonChristians
acting like Christians should nowadays.

>Side note: Jesus paid taxes to Rome, which doubtless used them for both
>pagan worship and the later persecution of Christians.

We are to abide by the laws of the land, and here Jesus demonstrated that.
We are to pay taxes as ordered by the laws of our land, Canadian laws
in no way make me buy a specific type of music though.
The Canadian government uses my money for it's purposes, but I have to
pay them.  The musical artist uses my money for his/her purposes when I
purchase their music, but the law does not make me purchase their music!

>
>Ernest Mueller

Brad Donison

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