Music: all things permissable ?

Sort of a survey:

As a Believer, what's your take on secular music.

All things are permissable, but not all are edifying.

Some are convicted that there shouldn't be any secular music in their collection at all. However, there are Christian performers that don't put out "Christian" releases, and are not on Christian labels.

Others have limited secular albums in their collection... nothing that you couldn't play if Jesus were hangin at your house listening to tunes with ya - Philippians 4:8*

There are also those who only have Christian music and yet refuse to play specific bands or styles even though they are Christian - their reasoning is that certain styles cannot be pleasing to God (these are usually the ones who are pretty strong about their convictions and post sites or books about the evils of Christian rock)

Some feel o.k. listening to anything and may have extremely secular albums - they enjoy the musicianship and are not concerned with the dirty or "evil" lyrics.


What's your take on music as a Believer ? (understanding that everyone has differing opinions)




*⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

For myself, I am in the "no secular music" range. I believe that God called me to give it up 19 years ago, and I committed to do just that. I haven't gone back and won't.

I do think that some secular for most Christians would be okay, though. Just make sure that the lyrics honor God.

As far as any one musical STYLE glorifying God more than others, that's a bunch of malarkie! I only abstain from certain styles because I don't personally enjoy them. I don't like Southern Gospel or Unblack (stupid name) metal, so I just don't buy that. I don't like much thrash or anything with a lot of intense screaming. Do I think God can be glorified with those styles? Sure do! I just don't get into them and see no sense spending money on music I would never listen to after the first time.

I listen to a lot of secular metal in addition to the large cache of Christian metal I have. However, other than metal, I stick to Christian music pretty exclusively. I try to be selective about the secular metal I listen to, though sometimes I get convicted about an album or two I still have.

I totally agree with alldat regarding *styles* of music. God can be honored in any style, so long as the heart of the person singing, and the lyrics and lifestyle presented, conform to His Word.

I was "Christian music only" for several years. Mostly because I had made an idol of secualr music. I do have some secular cds now (but very little, less than 10% of my collection), but for the most part I don't even really care for secular music anymore. I certainly wouldn't have any problem letting Jesus listen to my music collection (although some of the Christian stuff might be more embarassing than the secular).

I certainly think that Christians should be allowed to listen to secular music, but they should be wary that it does not cause them to stumble.

To claim that any one genre of Christian made music is any less (or more) edifying than others is rather silly IMO. It suggests that God prefers a certain style of music (and that someone can dertermine which type). That is laughable as far as I'm concerned. If anything I would be more inclined to believe it all sounds juvenile to him. Much like your 3-year old trying to paint a copy of the Mona Lisa. You will probably love it because your child made it for you, but the art it is not even in the same league as the master.

I'm with Staybrite on this one. Christian Music is what makes me love music. I love how it makes me feel SOO close to God and I love being inspired by it. That being said two of my favorite genres that I like the feel of and the rhythm of (funk and jazz) have not been explored too far by Christian musicians yet so I dig a lot of those secular tunes.

Really as far as I'm concerned music is a tool for exploration spirtually, emotionally and otherwise. So for me anything goes as long as it's not going to be offensive or abusive

I agree with ya all.

Quote :

although some of the Christian stuff might be more embarassing than the secular

SO TRUE !

Staybrite hit the nail on the head.

Like the age old debate "Will there be metal in heaven", or "Metal isn't Christian, and you won't hear it in heaven."

I don't think there will be metal in heaven, as I don't think any of the music we make on earth could ever do justice to worshipping God. But in heaven we will have a much better idea.

FUndy

My viewpoint is if something isn't furthering my relationship with God or helping point others to Him, why would I want to waste my time or their's? Does a song or whatever have to be "Christian" to do that? Of course, not. I still choose to limit most things to that though.

I know a beautiful Believer who has tons of Christian music, but in his collection he has ACDC, Megadeth, Metallica, and I could go on. It's not mine to judge him, but I've always held to "garbage in, garbage out". At times I've missed those old tunes, but I made a promise to God back in '89 to not be party to those bands (unless ApologetiX does parodies of them, tben cool !).

I've always been the "DJ" at my places of work, so I mix "clean" secular with an occasional vague CCM here and there. People love it. I have no problem throwin in a Scorpions "still loving you" (being innocuous) along with MWS "missing person" (ie)... people love it. And at times it's been a witnessing op, cuz they ask about a cool song I played that they've obviously never heard and I can say "that's MercyMe, theyre a Christian band.... etc" - then ppl realize that our music is not some monotone "bringing in the sheaves" kinda stuff. (I've been able to burn a lot of comps for non-Christians that way).

I've battled with "if they hear me playing Huey Lewis, then they might think I approve of everything hes' puts out." -But given opportunities, and I've had some, I can tell them I'm very "choosy" about which songs I keep and will play... there's a lot of songs on the cutting room floor that I will not keep.
That's my take on the music thing... it doesn't HAVE to be on a "Christian" Label, but it does have to jive with Philippians 4:8

As a young Christian back in the early 80s, I got musically pushed around by other Christians who thought they knew what was best for me. I had several hundred original Christian rock/metal cassettes that I spent thousands of dollars collecting. Christians at the church I was attending felt it there duty to constantly remind me that the devil was going to get me through my collection. After years of enduring the programming, they finally got from me what they wanted. A guilty conscience and a repentant heart. I ended up throwing the entire collection in the trash bin behind my apartment. Since then I've moved on. I made my decision that I would never let supposedly good intentioned Christians remotely control my walk with Jesus. That includes the types of music I listen to...and yes I do listen to non Christian music. But I am very careful to choose music that will not negatively influence me or my family's character. And you'd be right to think that my secular music collection is pretty small....about 40 artists, mostly classics, in total. Compare that to the 570 Christian artists I own on the flip side of the coin.

I had a similar experience in my infant stages. After destroying ALL my secular music, I got a small collection of Christian tapes (Stryper, MWS, Steve Camp and the like). I felt I was being pleasing to God in my musical choices.... until.... (being a comic book lover) I began reading Jack T Chick comics and some of his publications. I've told my whole story here before, but, in short, I was led to believe that even my Steve Camp albums were Satan's ploy.... egads. The crap they confuse people with is messed up. I pray that newborns in the Lord will have mature believers to help lead them along and not confuse them with a supposed demon under every riff.

This is a good thread. I have enjoyed reading the contributions. Great to hear everyone's opinions on a subject that seems rather important to most of us.

Since I realize how much Jesus suffered on the cross to set me free I gave up to listen to secular music.
The lyrics of some secular hard rock bands doesn't fit with what I believe.
So the best way was quit.

I think that secular bands with positive lyrics are okay to listen too.

For me I think that God looks at the heart of the person while he or she is writing lyrics with the goal to honor God, to give Him the praise and the worship He deserves or to show other what a wonderful God we serve.

I am of the mind that if it doesn't cause you to stumble in your walk with God, and it's not offensive to your faith, it's between you and God whether or not you listen to it. That doesn't mean you should be recommending it to every other believer you know, but use discernment in what you listen to.

I got a hot potato:

When I was a single Christian, I refused to listen to anything of a "suggestive" nature.... now that I've been married for over 12 yrs, I've had no problem listening to certain songs I previously would not.

When I was not married, I refused to listen to certain songs that are inappropriate for a single, like "Touch of Heaven" by Richard Marx (only example that I can think of right now). Not "sleaze", but you definitely know what he's singing about... now, without getting TMI, I'm comfortable listening to romantic songs of a secular nature since that is a natural part of a marriage relationship.

There's obviously a fine line with song content that should not be crossed in my opinion... but too many Christians (on the subject of suggestive songs) would be quick to shut off ALL music having to do with marital relations, and in most songs that's a good idea (since the majority aren't referring to a married couple). But there are classy songs that are of a "romantic" subject matter.

What's the opinion of you married folk out there ? (or its this getting too much on a personal level ?)

I agree with you Guilty/Forgiven. I've been married for 17 years, and my wife and I will listen to some romantic music that I probably wouldn't have listened to before we got married. When I listen to those love songs from artists such as Richard Marx, they fan the flame between the Mrs and I. And that's a good thing.

I don't even want to hear a lot of the romantic/relational stuff. So much of the bands I used to enjoy always sang more from the lusting/hoppin' in the sack with any girl that came along point of view. I still struggle with thoughts I'd prefer not to have, and I am not putting that back in my life. As much as I liked AC/DC and Motley Crue, I just am not going back.

Back to an earlier topic-I also went to a church that did not understand my Christian metal. When I was still into secular stuff and even wearing my band shirts to church, they never said a word. When I left that behind and started getting into Petra, Bloodgood, Shout, etc., that's when the condemnation started. That eventually led me into getting rid of all my Christian rock tapes and me going into Southern Gospel music. I caved under the pressure and pretty much thought this is what I had to do to be a "good little Baptist preacher". Needless to say, I was miserable.

I did that from 1997 to 2000 before I finally had enough. I started off light by getting a couple of Point Of Grace and Avalon CDs. Then I got a couple of Jennifer Knapp and Third Day CDs. When I heard Third Day, I got to missing all my old stuff and the search was on! I Napstered all I could find (that's where I met Yvonne, BTW) and bought all the new and used stuff I could find. I eventually got rid of Point of Grace and Avalon, but all the cool rock stuff stayed. I also discovered modern rock during this time. I felt I had come home to being myself, and I've been rocking ever since.

From now on, no one but God is going to tell me what styles of music are holy.

Amen!!!

In God we can be ourself.
People are always critical towards things they don't understand.
Music is very personal.
What one likes dislikes the other.

I feel not guilty anymore now I listen to Christan music.
I felt very guilty about the secular music I listened to, knowing it was blasepheme.
(KISS, Judas Priest, AC DC)
I remember very well how I felt 9 years ago when I listened to "To Hell With The Devil".
It really rocks, but the lyrics weren't a blasepheme for God.
No I really don't care for my old rockers.
I've found music that honors God and I don't have to think and think again if the lyrics are a curse to God.

I still remember when I first started getting into Christian music. I remember when I was little (when I say little I mean like 8-10 yrs old) I wasn't allowed to buy anything but those cheesy sunday school sing-along CDs (my fav was Carmen: Yo Kids!) but I occasionally stole some of my sister's boy band CDs. Yeah, I know. What a complete turnaround! Then when I started going to Church Camp when I was about 13 I heard some music playing over the loudspeakers that really got me pumped. I went to look for the song that I heard at Camp at my local Family Christian Store and found out it was Fireproof by Pillar (which ended up being my first Christian Rock CD). Ever since then Ive been on a never-ending quest to find as much rockin' Christian music as possible. Although it was only here recently that I started looking for non-mainstream underground/indie/foreign Christian music.

Looking back, I must have been REALLY desperate to listen to Backstreet Boys. What were my parents thinking?!?!?

Guilty/Forgiven wrote:

I got a hot potato:

When I was a single Christian, I refused to listen to anything of a "suggestive" nature.... now that I've been married for over 12 yrs, I've had no problem listening to certain songs I previously would not.

For me it would depend on how suggestive the songs are. I'm not a huge fan of the "love me" type songs, just because they seem so introverted. Some of the other "love" songs make me a little nervous as well, too many lyrics about "love" in that certain context and my mind starts to wander to inappropriate thoughts. So I just try to avoid them, but I can totally understand how they wouldn't be a problem for other Christians. Oddly enough Barren Cross has a song that makes me a bit "nervous" in that way so I constantly skip it (or don't even bother to load in on my MP3 player).

Staybrite wrote:

I certainly think that Christians should be allowed to listen to secular music, but they should be wary that it does not cause them to stumble.

I really like this point! I've had to learn--and I'm still learning--that if I don't have peace about doing something (...in this case, listening to a certain kind of music...), then I need to start praying and seeking God, because there's a reason!

Ty wrote:

...I've had to learn--and I'm still learning--that if I don't have peace about doing something (...in this case, listening to a certain kind of music...), then I need to start praying and seeking God, because there's a reason!

You and me both brother. AMEN!

God Bless you, Staybrite...and thank you!

I will say that my first love will always be Christian rock. It's what I grew up on and still prefer listening to it today. The problem I find is that to me there is a lack of good solid Christian hard rock out there signed to a label. I mean there is still the best like Disciple,Skillet Decyfer Down,etc. But it seems to me that Christian music as far as rock is more centered around PowerPop/Punk & hardcore music. Gone are the days of the Guardian,Strypers of the world. Althou I have been finding a lot of great independent stuff like Overkast,Crossover,Days Divide, that are really good and worth listening to.

As far as secular, i do listen but am very selective of what I get. I am one who scans lyrics to make sure there isn't anything bad and a majority of the mainstream stuff I get I get from WalMart. Honestly, thou I haven't purchased much mainstream stuff lately. I usually go to my local library and check out a cd and listen to it. I may find 1 or 2 songs I like but I can always download them from Itunes or Amazon. But like I said, I would much rather listen to Christian hard rock all the time. Thank goodnes for these independent bands since the major labels are missing out

ChosenOne wrote:

I mean there is still the best like Disciple,Skillet Decyfer Down,etc. But it seems to me that Christian music as far as rock is more centered around PowerPop/Punk & hardcore music. Gone are the days of the Guardian,Strypers of the world.

Yep, the musical times have changed...whether we like it or not.

ChosenOne wrote:

Thank goodnes for these independent bands since the major labels are missing out

My, do I miss the days of Christian metal labels, like Pure Metal, Intense, etc... But, that was then...