“Christian”
Contemporary Music
After we returned home from a preaching
engagement in PA on Saturday, 6.15.13, the next day the Lord sent me back into
our Truck-stop Ministry for the Sunday Service at 10:00 and immediately there
came a driver out of a truck who walked up to our van/mobile chapel and began describing
and telling me about his Christian Contemporary Music experiences.
After
a few minutes he asked me if I listened to the local CCM station to which I
replied, “No, I was saved out of Rock n’ Roll” and he protested by saying that this was not R&R,
but, I explained to him that the beat and the bass tones which drive much of
this music take me back into the days when R&R was an integral part of my
life when I was lost and in bondage to a very sinful lifestyle. Therefore, I
told him, this so-called Christian music was not something that I listened to
at all.
He began berating me and needless to say
he was “Barking up the wrong tree” because his attitude was obvious, he thought
that I was condemning him, but, that was not my focus. By explaining to him in
brief the principles found in Romans 14 which teach that you don’t offend a
brother with your preferences regardless of what you think is right or wrong,
you don’t stuff your “anything” down a brother’s throat even if you are being
blessed by the “anything” that you are doing or promoting!
This is especially prevalent in the church
today. You can put translations of the Bible, CCM, or dress standards etc. in
the blank where “anything” appears. In Paul’s day it was “meat offered to idols”,
but in our day it is all of the above as
the Devil attempts to use “anything” he
can to create division or discord among the brethren…and he is presently having
great success with the three just mentioned.
In the thirty-three plus years that I have
been saved there have been a number of occasions when someone or a group of
people have ‘exploded a church’ in order to get their way with their
preferences. Oftentimes Pastors and their families have been rudely expelled by
certain members who wanted their way to prevail even though there might be many
others in the church who did not want change in their worship, regardless, if
it is over worldly music, translations, or any other change in the church.
But, music seems to be the major offender
in the church splits that we have observed. And, there are principles found in
the Word of God to give guidance for music that can be sung in the presence of
the Lord. One of the first things to
consider for any change in the church is: Does it cause division/discord
among the brethren? How can something be God’s will if it does? Don’t need a
rocket scientist for this one.
Secondly, is it worldly? Once again, when
this music is compared with what the world is listening to, regardless of the
lyrics, if it sounds like the world, and many of those who listen to it look/act like the world in their concerts,
dress, tattoos, piercings, and hair styles, etc. consider it to be of the
world. Is this rocket science?
Third, the God of the Bible is not the
author of confusion as stated in I Corinthians 14:33. Confusion prevails when
there are numerous people attempting to be in charge of the worship in the
church as Paul states in I Corinthians 14:26: “How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath
a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an
interpretation. Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Let’s imagine this scenario: The church at
Jerusalem in 66 A.D. has been singing Psalms from the book of Psalms now for
over three decades and someone, or a group of people, comes in and says:
“Listen, the Romans have this music that we want to use in worship to replace
the Psalms. We have been singing these Psalms for over three decades in the
church and before that at the temple we Jews have been singing them for hundreds
of years. We need to appeal to the young people with this CCM, besides, it is what
we like and you can’t reach the young people with music that’s been around that
long anyhow!”
So, what does Peter and the Apostles do
when this comes to pass? Succumb, and watch the church explode? Or, take a
stand on Godly music that has been proven for almost a full Millennium? As a
matter of fact, some churches today still have Psalters and sing from them
every service. Godly music STILL works!
Now, what should we do when this situation
arises? You better get ready, it is happening at an alarming pace in good
churches across the country as we speak. This is part of the Devil’s assault
as we close in on the end of this age and the Coming of the Lord! Divide and
conquer continues to be his scheme in the church.
Today many churches have become places for
entertainment of the saints instead of edification of the saints. The performers
walk around on the stage, holding their microphones like the world’s pro’s, getting
applause for their performance like in the night clubs I once frequented. They
are getting the glory instead of God, and He will not put up with this forever!
He will have the final word! Read (Isaiah 42:8)
As I explained to this driver, if you are
blessed by this music, keep it in the truck, don’t attempt to force it into the
lives of others and especially do not bring it into the church. But, be sure it
is of the Spirit of God for there are three spirits vying for your attention, your
own fleshly spirit, the spirit of Satan and the Spirit of God. Try the spirits
and see if they be of God! Well, as you might expect, this was not what he
wanted to hear, at least at the first, but we departed on good ground.
Obviously, personal preferences are not
always the same for every believer. Therefore, practice the sound doctrine
found in Romans 14. Be sure to read through the entire chapter. Obey, and you
will not be found guilty of seeking your will, but, seek first the Kingdom of
God and His righteous will! And so, CCM might not be “Garbage” to all, but, it
definitely is to me…for all of the above reasons!
Here are some guiding principles for
choosing the right music for worshipping in God’s presence:
1. Music must exalt and glorify God
[Not the singer[s]/minister[s] (Psalms 47:6, 7)
2. Music must edify the Spirit [Not
the flesh] (I Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:18, 19)
3. Music must enlighten the mind of
the new man (Psalm 47:7; I Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 4:23)
4. Music must be orderly not
confusing or worldly noise (I Corinthians 14:33, 40)
5. Music must be true to God’s Word
(Psalm 101:1; 119:54)
6. Worship must be in the Holy
Spirit not the flesh (John 4:24; Romans 8:8)
7. If the music is questionable,
give God the benefit of the doubt
(Romans 14:23)
Characteristics
of CCM:
1.
Misses
the mark of glorifying God often emphasizing
the singer/performer
2.
Sliding
scale of notes without firm focus on each note
3.
Does
not usually have clear doctrinal message from the Word of God
4.
Usually
performed with lustful, breathy, fleshly emphasis and worldly style
5.
Often
motivated by money not ministry
6.
Displays
clashing harmony and rhythms
7.
Worldly
entertainment of the flesh is the primary purpose not edification/Spirit
8.
Worldly
sounding beat and bass tones drive the music appealing to the flesh
Chaplain
Larry Wolfe
thepilotswolfman@gmail.com
www.btmi.org
Please pray for our ministry!
