From: markc@eomer.hw.stratus.com (Mark Christensen)
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian
Subject: Re: What do you do when....
Date: 17 Nov 92 13:50:32 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer, Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: eomer.hw.stratus.com

In article <97861@netnews.upenn.edu> crawford@ben.dev.upenn.edu (Lauren L. Crawford) writes:
>In article <1e8l8fINNe8a@transfer.stratus.com> markc@eomer.hw.stratus.com (Mark Christensen) writes:
>>>I would be interested in hearing what you think is acceptable music.  By your
>>>interpretation of those verses, no music that was similar, or based on, any
>>>worldly music is acceptable.  What is left?
>
>I would echo this question.  You've let us know why you find all rock music
>unacceptable; what music would be acceptable to you as reflecting Christian
>values?

This isn't an issue of "reflecting Christian values".  Please, I thought
I was clear in some of my previous postings about this but I guess not.
There are several principles I have tried to focus on, not the least of
which has been one's testimony.  Another is that of embracing the same
music as the world at large has.  
>
>>Rock music is, indeed, music that the world enjoys, encompasses, propogates,
>>and uses for many purposes...in many cases to promote Satanism, anti-
>>Christian behavior, sexual immorality, homosexuality, murder and other
>>violence, etc.  This music is accepted by the world, and is thus, worldly.
>
>Well, couldn't this argument also be applied to folk music?  Or country? 
>Even opera?  They all contain plenty of positive
>references to sexual immorality, murder, violence, etc.

Yes, this could.  Much of the music you describe above can indeed fall
into the 'unedifying' arena.  I'm not trying to tell you what to do
in your Christian walk.  I'm pointing out principles from God's word
that you need to decide whether are true, whether they apply here, 
and whether you are going to obey them.  Why do you argue so with the
scriptural passages I have pointed out?  
These principles apply to ALL areas of your life.  Not just music.  Is 
it a wonder that the church has strayed so much when so many believers
have adopted the look and ways of the world around them.

>  Christians
>throughout history have taken popular musical forms and made them into
>hymns of worship -- our hymnals are full of them.    
>
Please give me a history lesson here and point to some examples.  I
really am unaware of this, though I wouldn't doubt it.  This wouldn't
make much difference though, since these hymns are not embraced by the
world, neither do they sound like the world or appeal to the world.

>The same could also be applied to books -- does this mean we shouldn't
>read books?  You could definitely argue that it might not be wise to read
>_some_ books, just as it's probably not wise to listen to _some_ songs.

Yep!
 
>If some mysteries glorify violence and sexual debauchery, does that mean
>one should not read all mysteries?

I will not read books that contain anything that could detract from my
spiritual walk (contain blatant sin, espouse immorality, etc).  And if
I felt there is a certain class of reading material that would affect
my testimony, I would also steer clear of those. 
>
>Why, then, do you make the point that because some rock promotes
>ungodliness, all rock is forbidden?

I think I've answered this.
>
>As I see it, the only part of your argument against Christian rock music 
>that holds up is where you say that if it causes you to sin, don't do
>it.  That I heartily agree with.
>
Not the only.  Just ONE of the several principles that apply.
>
>-- 
Now.  You want to know what I listen to.  Well, I usually listen to 
talk shows on the radio.  No music at all there.  (Good talk shows, not
Phil Donahue types).  The cassettes I do have are in the following 
categories:

hymns (instrumental and vocal)
coral groups (hymns, spirituals, etc by quartets, ensembles, choirs)
classical music

that's pretty much it.  There are two places I get much of my
music from.

Majesty Music in Greenville S.C. and
Sacred Music Ministries in Greenville S.C.

And yes!  I used to listen to rock music and "Christian" rock
music and loved it.  In fact, if I happen to hear a secular rock
song from periods in my life before I was saved, there is definately
appeal to it.  It invokes emotional feelings that I had back then.

But I was convicted in this area (it took time) and have come to
enjoy immensely the music I listed above (though I didn't care
for it at first).

I threw out a record collection valued at greater than $5000 of my
own accord.  No one prompted me to do it.  There was no "record"
burning party or special preaching against it.  I wrestled with
what I found in the word of God and finally submitted to what I
believe was God's will in MY life.  It wasn't easy at first, but
I am sure happy now that I did what I did.

mc
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian