I have been asked to do a longer dissertation on the topic of music and how it can be ungodly even if the words are not evil. So I have determined to begin this topic. I apologize for the length of time it has taken me to post again. I have been busy and a lot has been on my mind. Do not think that it is because I am dodging the issue. It is nothing of the sort. I believe one should never say something or believe something unless he is able to argue for and defend it against all assaults.
This is going to not please some people. It also will probably not be seen as correct by many people. And it will also probably anger many people. And when it does just think that you may just be proving my point of the dangers of music. Because if you are angered over something that I am attacking and it is not something that the Bible defends than it is probably going to be an idle in your life. So just remember that anything that we put above God is going to be an idle.
The effects of music on the generations is something that is not to be discarded. The fact alone that music effects culture or culture effects music is not something alone to determine whether or not it is good or evil. But the fact remains that music has a tremendous impact on the culture and individuals around us. This we will look at along with the other aspects of music .
Music is one item that though appears to be totally inert can in fact control not only physical reactions but also spiritual abilities to be in communion with God.
Music is music. There is no difference between secular and Christian rock music. Rock and Roll was invented by pagans for pagans. Christian’s have copied this beat in the Christian Contemporary Music Movement. Christian Rock is non-existent. The words have no bearing upon the fact that Rock and Roll is evil. Yes there is Rock and Roll with bad words. There is Rock and Roll with good words. There is Rock and Roll with nonsensical words. Is it the words alone that determine the fact of whether Rock is evil? No it is the beat and the beat alone. Obviously if the words are bad you don’t even have to look at the beat. But if the words are good how will you determine if the song is bad. To look at the beginnings of Rock and Roll is the only way to see where it comes from and why it was made. Also we can see the effects it has had on both the secular and Christian cultures of the previous generations.
1960s and 1970s
These were the decades that Rock and Roll became a factor in society. The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Eagles, Byrd’s, Elvis, Zombies, Jackson Five, and the Monkeys, etc. These groups defined a culture. They created Woodstock. They created the riots, looting, immorality, and chaos that defined the 1960’s and 70’s. If you asked someone who lived through that time, who is not looking at it in a philosophical view, how it was to live in that time they will probably tell you in short that it was the best of
times and it was the worst of times. “We had the best music ever, and the worst riots ever. Hmm strange isn’t it?”
Most people don’t see a connection between the two but there is. All it takes is watching the video Beatles Shea Stadium that I have uploaded to see the strong physical and emotional reaction to music that would otherwise appear to be benign and definitely not immoral. Watch the video. Listen to the words. What is wrong with it? Is there a verse in the Bible to say that it
is wrong? No. So why the violent reactions? Why the riots and immorality? It can’t be the words. It can’t be the men (these reaction prevailed at any concert and even inside homes listening to records). So it must be the beat.
If you say that it is because there isn’t Christian words in the music and that brings the evil affect then you are wrong. “Look down upon Jesus, you got to help me take a stand, you got to see me through another day….I can’t make it any other way.” That was James Taylor. People killed themselves listening to his music. How about the Beatles. “I guess it is true pride comes before a fall…” They quoted Proverbs. How about the Byrd’s? Their entire song “Turn, Turn, Turn” is a direct quote from the book of Ecclesiastes. But yes people still had sexual relations, got drunk, and got high listening to it.
I will not go into to detail of the immorality that occurred at places like Woodstock. If you are ignorant to them and don’t believe me feel free to go out and investigate. But the fact is that an examination of the evidence and following the thought and evidence trail leads a direct link between the beat of Rock and Roll and the reactions of the people in society and their personal lives.
Seeing the below video I posted shows John Lennon chanting at the Shea Stadium concert. This is, I assure you, not a chant for the glory of God. Notice the words of this song. Not evil, just simple plain word.
Furthermore there is a scientific link between the back beat in Rock music and the realizing of hormones in the body. It is a fact that Rock music releases adrenaline and sexual enhancing hormones.
The Bible says that we are to make no provision for the flesh. As Christians we are to abstain from all forms and manner of evil. If the world created it and the world likes it than we as Christians have an obligation to not be a part of it.
The Rock and Roll movement has accelerated to the point that now the words match the content of the beat. Yes the beat was evil and now the words have changed and the beat has not. Yes as an illegal drug must be used in greater quantities for it to give the same euphoric effect the Rock beat has gotten more intense, but it is still the same. And it is causing even worse physical effects. As the following video shows.
So where are we today? Where has the Christian contemporary music movement gone? Here are two videos. The first is a live concert video of KISS a popular modern “secular rock” band. I don’t want you to fry your brain watching it all but just watch enough to get the feel of it. Then I would like you to watch the video after that, by DC Talk a popular Christian Rock band. Please do watch the second video all the way through. I can tell you Elvis would have been ashamed at the hip movement DC talk is doing in the second video.
I am not your conscience. I have no desire to be. But with what I have just told you, do you think God likes “Christian Rock and Roll?”
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4 comments:
First, my deepest apologies for taking so long to comment.
Nice job using your resources to make a post that goes deep into this subject.
Now, before I go into all the problems with your post, let me say that am not defending secular artists or their music. I am simply defending the beat. I do not claim to protect all of the CCM movements artists either. I just don't see(or hear) how the beat is evil.
Don't worry, I'll start out with some nice, sincere questions:
Is the beat evil as it is? Is a little beat okay?
Um, you might have not noticed this but the people in the first clip are going crazy before the music was playing! Oh my! Could it be that the not-playing music is so powerful that it has these effects on people?! Of course, I'm being sarcastic.
I did some research and I found out that the beat that is found in rock n roll originated from black gospel music.*
I am not surprised that school shootings resulted from listening to music with bad lyrics. If you hear something enough you will believe it.
If we don't make sure our music is Biblically sound then we might be listening to lies, and soon, start believing them.
I'm not intending to attack you personally, but I thought I would bring it to your attention that you spelled idol wrong(you spelled it idle). Not taht I
dnot mkae speling mistaks(heh)
*Wikipedia.com
In Christ,
Elliott
As a person who has grown up under the influence of both rock and CCM, I would like to weigh in on this subject.
I would say that before I became a Christian, rock music was a huge infuence in my life. I would spend hours listening to the same music you have posted here. Great job by the way. I was unaware of the beat, but can honestly say that it was the driving force behind that music.
Later, after becoming a Christian, I was drawn to the CCM that seemed closest to what I enjoyed in the worldly music. That being the same beat. The lyrics were much different, but the beat remained the same. I found that I would listen to these songs over and over again. I regret that I also let my children hear them. I thought I could "get away" with praising the Lord with the same kind of music I enjoyed before becoming a Christian.
Now that I have educated myself on the evil behind the rock beat, I have vowed to not let this infulence me or my children. This is a very real danger that I can personally atest to.
The argument that some CCM is not bad is one that I have wrestled with myself. However, it has been my experience that this only dulls your sensitivity to harder music. What you first start to accept no longer satisfies and you need a little bit "harder" music. Much like an alcoholic needs more to feel drunk.
I hope this has been helpful.
Elliott,
I have discussed extensively with you on this topic both on this blog and in person. As I said in my post, it is not my desire nor is it my place to act as your conscience. I can merely provide you with the facts and logical conclusion of those facts. If you deny this, it is your choice and only you will have to answer for it. I also will have to answer for my position on this topic.
In regards to your latest comment. You have unwittingly defended the very facts that condemn your position. For example, you say that you do not desire to defend the secular artists, but merely the beat. First of all, if you do not defend all contemporary Christian music artists as you said in your comment section, what is your standard that makes them wrong. I know it is not the words. Furthermore, if you defend the beat used in the CCM movement then you are also by default defending the secular artists whose words are not bad but use the same beat. The beat is the only distinguishing factor between good music and music that would be considered on the fence.
You ask if it is possible for music to have an impact on people before it is played such as at the Beatles Shea Stadium concert. Yes it is. You see the music of the Beatles permeated everything in the time. Records, radio, and television covered nothing but rock and roll. The entire actions of the young generation of the 1960’s and 70’s (the riots and drug use) can be directly linked to the music movement of the day. Again, the words weren’t bad just the beat.
Just consider it. Asking me over and over again if the beat is bad won’t convince you. There is only two people that can convince you it is wrong- you and God.
The Statesman
I understand that talking about this subject any further will not produce any difference in the outcome.
I feel I must make some final clarification on your latest comment
My standard for music consists of not only the lyrics, but the person singing them. For instance, there are many CCM artists who would rather not associate with Christians and would like to associate with the world for the fame and fortune thereof.
I don't believe that it is solely the Beatles music that caused all of the social degradation in the 60s and 70s as you seem to say.
I think it probably had something to do with Adam and Eves eating of the forbidden fruit (heh). Not to say that the Beatles didn't have negative effects on society.
You are right that I cannot be convinced by anyone but God and myself.
I really have had a good time talking to you on this matter.
Thank you for having a blog where young men can debate such things as this. This has helped me find out exactly where I stand on this issue.
I will miss seeing you at church but hopefully I will keep up with you here on your blog.
Thanks again,
Elliott
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