From: tothmd@ucunix.san.uc.edu (Michael David Toth)
Subject: Re: What makes music "Christian"?
Organization: University of Cincinnati
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 92 03:46:51 GMT

In article <1992Sep6.230421.1700@hubcap.clemson.edu> mrayle@eng.clemson.edu writes:
>The referenced append brings up a good point: if a song isn't in sync with what
>we believe, we should throw it out...
> 
>But I'd like to pose a different question: WHAT MAKES MUSIC "CHRISTIAN"?

To me, if the writer is a Christian, and is producing music from the
heart, it will reflect a redeemed life, and is therefore Christian.  The
Christian life is pretty complex and, while salvation itself may be
simple, living the life afterwards definitely isn't.  However, "secular"
music isn't the voice of satan, any more than "Christian" music is
really the voice of God -- music is the voice of PEOPLE.  The people may
be coming from a certain position that reflects views in agreement or
opposition with God or Satan, but you'd have a *REAL* hard time
conivincing me that either is the literal, actual voice of one or the
other.  And one thing that should be noted is that God DOES occasionally
speak through the unsaved to the saved.  I can get specific references
if you'd like, but God sometimes used the actions/words of pagan rulers
to communicate things to His people throughout Scripture and there's no
indication that he's stopped. 
> 
>The other applicable question is: What makes secular music offensive?
>IMO I believe that the one most offensive thing about secular music is that 
>it keeps us away from a loving, healthy relationship with God (Abba Father) and
>His Son (Jesus Christ).  It other words, people make idols out of the music
>and therefore keeps them from God.  I read this into the lives of many christians

That makes "Christian" music offensive as well.  I guess the worth for
me in "secular" music is that it also helps me grow as a human being in
a relationship with the creator of the universe.  More on this below...

>who will make excuses or justify in their minds about how "okay" it is to go 
>to a secular concert and be surrounded by all sorts of immorality: 
lust, drunkeness, and the like. 

Hmm.  I don't know exactly where you live, work, whatever, but I don't
know of anywhere where I'm *NOT* surrounded by all sorts of immorality.
Even in a church, we ALL sin and we ALL need God's grace.  I think the
real issue is, are you putting YOURSELF in a position where you will
tend to sin.

>We, as christians (I hope those reading this forum are, or you are missing the
>whole point of christian music!!) need to stay alert to our own thoughts and actions.
>You see, christian music can do the same thing that the secular music does.  It can
>pull you away from God!!  You say, "Whoa, wait a minute.." But I say "No, I'll
>continue."  If we let listening to christian music keep us from spending time with
>God in prayer, or reading the Bible.  Then we might as well be listening to secular
>trash.  If the music you are listening to doesn't draw you closer to God and His 
>love for you and make you want to spend more time with Him, then youy need to 
>rethink your motives...
> 
I guess for me, while prayer and personal reading of Scripture are
central and crucial, if that were ALL I were doing, I think God would be
a little ticked.  There are an awful lot of dying people out there who
need the presence of Christians in their lives to show them a different
and better way.  And as a human being I have social, emotional, and
physical needs that can't be ignored.  And if music/art "secular" or
"Christian" helps me meet those needs, in challenging me or refreshing
me in its creativity, then it is a positive element in my Christian
growth.  There's quite a bit of "secular" art that has given me greater
understanding and compassion of my fellow man, not to mention God, and
I'm glad *I* got over my big "secularphobia" period because there was a
lot of really wonderful stuff out there.  (and, provided that it doesn't
misprioritize (is that even a word?!) the other aspects of living the
Christian life, God really DOES want us to enjoy this life!  The bottom
line of Ecclesiastes is NOT that all is vanity and that's it, but that
we are to make the most of the life God has given us to enjoy)
And, sometimes, music is merely fun and refreshing!

> 

"Hold on, hold on, hold on tight," 
Michael "I own *three* Herman's Hermits albums" Toth