From: mueller@owlnet.rice.edu (Ernest Conrad Mueller)
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian
Subject: Re: *Burning*Albums* (Anti-Secularism)
Keywords: LONG, Grips anyone?
Date: 28 Jul 92 20:14:37 GMT
Organization: Rice University

bdonison@grover.UVic.CA (Only AMIGA!) writes:
(>> = me)

>>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, ...

Well, sure.  I try not to base any theology on songs anyway, even CCM songs.
I wish more people were as scrupulous.  

>>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
>>by 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!

Me too.

>I don't know that inanimate objects can be classified as evil, I doubt it,
>anyone has any scripture references for that???

Luke 19:40 - "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep silent, the stones
	      will cry out."

Genesis 1:9-10 - And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered into
		 one place, and let dry ground appear."  And it was so.
		 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters
		 he calles "seas."  And God saw that it was good.

(Plus many parallel passages in Genesis 1)

Psalm 98:8-9 - Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing
	       together for joy;
	       let them sing before the Lord,
    	       for he comes to judge the earth.

>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!

Everyone coming into this thread always brings this up.  I agree we should 
not listen to music praising Satan or mocking God.  I have never heard
anyone on this group advocate that.  However music that *DOES NOT* is
what is being discussed here!  There is a lot of "neutral music" which
praises neither God nor Satan, and that's what we're talking about here!
Music that directly leads into sin is denied us by many Scriptures.  Music
that does not, but does not scream "Jesus Jesus Jesus" at the top of its
lungs, is, I argue, allowable and desirable.

>>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)

But, you see, that does not change my point.  WE ARE the ones loving
God and called according to his purpose.  So it does not change the logic
of my above argument - the "AND" does NOT refer to the "all things" but
to the "those who love God."

>>>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.

Oh, like Amy Grant needs more money.  "Guilty by Association."

Ernest Mueller
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian