Christian music

[Samual]

Why do I constantly see people claim that christian rappers and christian rock bands are actually satanic? A couple years ago I heard a band called Skillet (If you don't know them, they are a christian rock band) and just recently saw them live in concert at spirit song. During the concert, after every couple song, the lead singer would stop and give a quick sermon and talk about Jesus. So then a few minutes ago I see this guy trying to convince people that rap and rock is the devil's music. First thing I'd like to say is this: The devil's music seems to change every few years. How long before country music is the devil's music? How long before Dolly Parton is 'revealed' to be worshipping Satan? So this guy shows this interview, and you can barely hear what the band is saying, then he starts telling you what they said. Then he's saying Metallica, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, and Queen are all openly Satanic rock bands. Give me any shred of evidence that any of those bands are satanic. Just because they don't identify as christian bands doesn't make them satanic. So why does everybody feel the need to try and tell people that very openly christian musicians are actually satanic? Thoughts?

 

[Ugly]

Everybody doesn't feel that way. There are a number of modern music haters, but there are also quite a few supporters, even if they don't listen to it themselves.
This is an old, old argument. When i was your age people were saying the same things. Some people think spirituality can be measured by some rather odd standards. Such as if you play a guitar this way it becomes evil, but you play it another way and it's somehow suddenly holy.
It's generally a pointless argument as it is often a legalistic attitude that brings people into such a mindset. Never have any actual scriptural proof, just out of context scripture, misquotes or exaggerated quotes from non-Christians and a firm belief that they are the sole judges of what is and is not holy.

 

[SolidGround]

There are three main vantage points from which people condemn certain Christian music.

The first is condemning destructive or even "unproductive" songs and groups.
This is the group that I find myself often defending.

The second is condemning music based upon it's stylistic history
These people generally condemn "rock" based upon the historical view of "rocknroll" being attached to the sexual revolution and drug use. They see the style as being invented by Satan, and therefore outside of redemption, and any band or person that uses the style is an agent of Satan.
This is foolishness... but also widespread foolishness.

The third is condemning ALL music that has accompaniment of instruments.
This comes out of the 2nd vantage point, but placing the invention of instruments themselves as being demonic and carnal. Sometimes they will point at percussive instruments as being a tool of Satan to subconsciously make people think of sex. More foolishness.

 

[mwc68]

There are three main vantage points from which people condemn certain Christian music.

The first is condemning destructive or even "unproductive" songs and groups.
This is the group that I find myself often defending.

The second is condemning music based upon it's stylistic history
These people generally condemn "rock" based upon the historical view of "rocknroll" being attached to the sexual revolution and drug use. They see the style as being invented by Satan, and therefore outside of redemption, and any band or person that uses the style is an agent of Satan.
This is foolishness... but also widespread foolishness.

The third is condemning ALL music that has accompaniment of instruments.
This comes out of the 2nd vantage point, but placing the invention of instruments themselves as being demonic and carnal. Sometimes they will point at percussive instruments as being a tool of Satan to subconsciously make people think of sex. More foolishness.

I love Rock and Christian Rock. I have never understood why people would call it satanic. God made everything, including music. Aren't we told that choirs of Angels are constantly singing God's praises ? I think people who are looking for satan will find him everywhere

 

[Budman]

If someone is praising the Lord in the lyrics, it doesn't matter to me what genre of music it is.


Yet, my preference is old-timey southern gospel.


Cuz I'm old.

 

[Budman]

I love Rock and Christian Rock. I have never understood why people would call it satanic. God made everything, including music. Aren't we told that choirs of Angels are constantly singing God's praises ? I think people who are looking for satan will find him everywhere

I liked Stryper back in the 80's.

 

[SolidGround]

I'm way more judgemental about music and musicians than I know I should be.
But at least my criteria deals with intent, depth/edification, and quality; instead of about overspiritualizing style and genre and/or instruments. (At least this is my justification for why I judge)

I get "judgy" when I listen to pop/Christian stations. My wife hates it when I get "judgy" when we're listening to K-LOVE in the car, because she like positive/encouraging music, whereas I prefer more worshipful and reverent songs.
(I don't like the "Jesus is my boyfriend" stuff... even though I know we are the Bride)
I have issues to repent of in regards to judging music, so I shouldn't be casting stones.

 

[Samual]

I'm way more judgemental about music and musicians than I know I should be.
But at least my criteria deals with intent, depth/edification, and quality; instead of about overspiritualizing style and genre and/or instruments. (At least this is my justification for why I judge)

I get "judgy" when I listen to pop/Christian stations. My wife hates it when I get "judgy" when we're listening to K-LOVE in the car, because she like positive/encouraging music, whereas I prefer more worshipful and reverent songs.
(I don't like the "Jesus is my boyfriend" stuff... even though I know we are the Bride)
I have issues to repent of in regards to judging music, so I shouldn't be casting stones.

I try not to judge music based on their religion. I listen to MGK, who despite being christian doesn't actually identify as a christian rappers. In fact a lot of rappers are christian but don't actually identify christian rappers are christian. Game, Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, Meek Mill, Wale, Juicy J, Snoop Dogg, and a lot others. I also listen to Metallica, Nickleback, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, Queen, Skid Row, Guns N Roses, Iron Maiden, and a bunch others. Like I said, I don't judge my taste in music off weather or not they identify as christian musicians. The band Skillet is a christian rock band, and they have fans that aren't even believers. They're music stretches even beyond us, so I think we should treat our judgment the same way

 

[crossnote]

I try not to judge music based on their religion. I listen to MGK, who despite being christian doesn't actually identify as a christian rappers. In fact a lot of rappers are christian but don't actually identify christian rappers are christian. Game, Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, Meek Mill, Wale, Juicy J, Snoop Dogg, and a lot others. I also listen to Metallica, Nickleback, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, Queen, Skid Row, Guns N Roses, Iron Maiden, and a bunch others. Like I said, I don't judge my taste in music off weather or not they identify as christian musicians. The band Skillet is a christian rock band, and they have fans that aren't even believers. They're music stretches even beyond us, so I think we should treat our judgment the same way

Some of the groups mentioned have lyrics that flatly contradict Scripture, hence are lies, and satan is the father of lies.
Having said that, some of what passes for Christian lyrics is quite questionable as well.
The style is not a big issue with me (i do have my likes) but the lyrics are the important thing.

 

[mwc68]

I liked Stryper back in the 80's.

ROCK ON!!!!! Stryper have a new album and are touring now. They were here in Houston a couple of months ago

 

[mwc68]

Some of the groups mentioned have lyrics that flatly contradict Scripture, hence are lies, and satan is the father of lies.
Having said that, some of what passes for Christian lyrics is quite questionable as well.
The style is not a big issue with me (i do have my likes) but the lyrics are the important thing.

I. understand your view. This is one of the reasons Creed didn't call themselves a Christian band though many of their songs have heavy Christian themes. There is some influencial guitar work, imo,on their albums worth listening to if you're a rock fan

 

[Yet]

Let me throw one in here. We went to a Branson show one time that was a Christian family called the Presleys. No relation to Elvis. The show was smack full of the bodily function humor which I hated when I was lost. I do realize that this sort of filthy humor is a Christian staple anymore.
We also went to see the Liverpool legends, Beatle impersonators. Nothing filthy or ugly in the whole show.
These lost sinners didn't offend us whatsoever with any potty humor.
Now many Christians would say I need to stick with the Presley's and drop the Beatle show.

Funny how some Christians will go see a country western music show but condemn all other music.

Another point is that many bands entered the Christian music realm because they couldn't make it in the secular realm.

Having said all this, we each need to hear from God in all areas. If hearing the song Oh Sussana makes you stumble, don't listen to it.
There's plenty of satanic music and lyrics to go around. A baby Christian should know the difference.

 

[Jason0047]

I just can't see Christian Heavy Metal or Christian Gangster Rap as being anything of God. It sounds evil because it is a very aggressive and hateful type music. Listening to it conjures up the wrong kind of imagery. Oh, and yes, I used to love Metallica, Megadeath, and other bands. But when I devoted my life to Christ, listening to those types of songs is no longer satisifying to my soul anymore because I am changed spiritually. Those types of music now grieves my spirit (When I hear them). In other words, give up the Heavy Metal and Rap for a year and just stick to worship music or mild Christian Contemporary type songs. I guarantee you if you stay away from it for a very long while and then you come back to hearing it, you will then find that it sounds alien to you (That is if you have chosen to follow the Lord that is).

 

[mwc68]

I just can't see Christian Heavy Metal or Christian Gangster Rap as being anything of God. It sounds evil because it is a very aggressive and hateful type music. Listening to it conjures up the wrong kind of imagery. Oh, and yes, I used to love Metallica, Megadeath, and other bands. But when I devoted my life to Christ, listening to those types of songs is no longer satisifying to my soul anymore because I am changed spiritually. Those types of music now grieves my spirit (When I hear them). In other words, give up the Heavy Metal and Rap for a year and just stick to worship music or mild Christian Contemporary type songs. I guarantee you if you stay away from it for a very long while and then you come back to hearing it, you will then find that it sounds alien to you (That is if you have chosen to follow the Lord that is).

Sorry dude, Heavy Metal is only evil when YOU make it evil!

 

[Budman]

Sorry dude, Heavy Metal is only evil when YOU make it evil!

True. It's more about the lyrics than anything else. I personally cannot stand reggae music, but if the lyrics glorify Christ, more power to 'em.

 

[Jason0047]

Sorry dude, Heavy Metal is only evil when YOU make it evil!

Like I said. Give it up for a while and then come back to it and see if you like it still. Surely you did not need to listen to such aggressive music all the time. For if you had to give it up to follow Jesus, would you do so?

 

[mwc68]

Like I said. Give it up for a while and then come back to it and see if you like it still. Surely you did not need to listen to such aggressive music all the time. For if you had to give it up to follow Jesus, would you do so?

Actually Jesus has used my talent (He gave me) for aggresive guitar and had me start playing Contemporary Christian music for the church about 3 yrs ago. If Heavy Metal makes you stumble, then don't listen. I have never stumbled with the music.

 

[AllanSnackbar]

Petra are always worth a listen!

I used to have the album Petra Praise: Rock Cries Out.

Never been keep on Stryper. Great musicians though. POD were another band I wasn't too fond of.

 

[posthuman]

Like I said. Give it up for a while and then come back to it and see if you like it still. Surely you did not need to listen to such aggressive music all the time. For if you had to give it up to follow Jesus, would you do so?

oddly enough, in my life i've done just that, and it turns out that a long time later, the 'heavy' Christian music that i find blessing in is even more brutal, more aggressive, darker, more frenetic and broodier than what i used to listen to.

i disagree wholeheartedly with this preconception that anything 'angry' or 'aggressive' cannot possibly reflect God. while He is the God of all comfort and peace, He is also the One who judges the earth, and vengeance belongs to Him. the Lord is a warrior, and war is not a soothing lullaby that gives a person warm fuzzy feelings inside. we are involved in a battle every day - aren't we instructed to put on spiritual armor? is that so we can be lulled to sleep in the back pew by gentle melodies? there is a time and place for these emotions.

to love God is to hate sin. we know we will share in His life because we share in His (violent and gruesome) death. these things are also part of my walk with Him.

and these things have been strengthened and clarified in me as time has elapsed. i listen to, and love, and am blessed by, and thank God for, and glory to God in some very extreme forms of music.
i realize that this is not for everyone, and some are 'not so far removed from idolatry' to be able to accept some forms of expression, because they cannot separate the association with evil from their former lives with the honorable purpose of some emotions and meta-genres. for example, you might perceive all Christians who sing in a hip-hop style, "gangsta rap" even though what they are doing and talking about has absolutely nothing to do with gang activity, or is diametrically opposed to it in content. or you might consider every shrieking voice "satanic" without any regard whatsoever for the reasons behind the use of that artistic form.

i'm not going to post any of this sort of music in this thread because it'll just offend those who can't understand it.
i just want you to know, Jason, that i did spend many years not listening to anything like metal, but listening to a lot of much softer musical styles, but was drawn back to it through the Spirit and in a great deal more powerful way than what i ever gave ear to before.
just so you know, my personal experience is much different than your conjecture.

 

[pwrnJC]

Again, this thread is repeating itself. Any musical style, as long as GOD gets the glory and the holy spirit annoints it..is awesome! Whether it be a banjo, piano, electric guitar, or accordion, matters NOT. The tone of the voice matters NOT..the looks of the one doing the singing, with the high puffed hair, matching colors, polished shoes and striped ties matters NOT! A song can be written by a Secular person and still used for GOD's glory...and visa versa..I've been at rock concerts when the artist on stage did "Amazing Grace"....did it lead people to a conversion at the altar? NO! The Holy Spirit touches down when it is invited and GOD inhabits the praises of His people.