The Music Has Changed

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Ghoti2

Well-known member
Nov 8, 2019
469
283
63
#21
The Jews were heavily into practicing and perfecting structured religious performances directed toward a deity (as are the Catholics and other liturgical orthodoxies), but Jesus corrected that misdirection and mainly taught how we are to treat the other members of humanity that we live among and interact with on a daily basis.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,804
29,184
113
#22
I don't know how to answer this as I know none of the song titles.
Perhaps you could try googling some of the troubling lyrics you have heard.

You said, "That philosophy has crept in to a lot of the music in the contemporary church."

If there is so much of it, it should not be that difficult to find.
 

Kojikun

Well-known member
Oct 5, 2018
4,658
2,721
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#23
Honestly I listen to Gospel and Christian metal. Metal is great for Gods Justice and Wrath statements of "Fearing The Lord" are highlighted in the tone and telling he is not to be trifled with. Gospel is best for his Grace what he achieved on the cross and what it means. I feel like they're kind of like OT and NT one feeds into other
 
Nov 24, 2019
395
196
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Virginia
www.youtube.com
#24
Perhaps you could try googling some of the troubling lyrics you have heard.

You said, "That philosophy has crept in to a lot of the music in the contemporary church."

If there is so much of it, it should not be that difficult to find.
Why would I try to search for any of it? The individual songs themselves are not memorable. I’m speaking overarchingly about something that has occurred over time within the modern church. I think you understand the post. If you don’t agree, you don’t agree. Pastors I have spoken to about this have observed the same phenomena. I’m positive there are those who would disagree though.
 
E

EliBeth

Guest
#25
@RebuildJesussChurch, I for one am really glad you posted this thread. I have found myself pondering on the point behind it quite a bit the last few days. And I have noticed these last few days how a Lot of the current Christian contemporary music is more about us, not Him. A lot of the songs are very casual and...not somberly reverential like older hymns and such. Some of the contemporary Christian music has a very me-focused, selfish, almost flippant theme. Although, I am still deeply touched by a few of the songs. And I think God really does use some of it. (I'm kind of waffling back and forth, aren't I? Lol😌)

The following is kind of off topic, so please forgive me. Tonight I was at a class and the teacher asked a question I have never considered (that I remember):
"If there were no Heaven, would you still serve God with all your heart (simply because He deserves it)?"
I posted the following quote a few weeks or so ago in another non-related thread, but I think it's relevant now in reference to how the focus of worship and praise should be the Holy One Himself.
"Commitment that is unprepared to sacrifice is merely compromise in disguise...the believer's commitment to Christ must exact a price in order to maintain its value. We must prepare for the test of our commitment by daily affirming that Christianity is worth it." -Extreme Devotion (The Voice of the Martyrs)

Hebrews 13:15-16
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

Praise is a sacrifice. Sometimes, I must confess, I listen to contemporary Christian music as entertainment. Sometimes I listen to it to make ME feel good. Not so much to focus on honoring Him.

I realize a lot of people may read this and it may not resonate or make sense to them, but I wanted to let you know, RebuildJesussChurch, that your thread had generated some thought in me. I can't say that I am going to abandon listening to contemporary Christian music, but I do hope to be much more thoughtful about it- e.g. turning off songs that offend my spirit (bc there are some). And I do plan to listen to/sing more hymns. I grew up singing them, and do kind of miss them. So! There's my way-too-long post for the night. ☺️

I pray God draws you and your family closer to Him, Brother, making you increasingly effective in His Kingdom purposes. May His Name be hallowed, revered, and praised in purity.
 
Nov 24, 2019
395
196
43
Virginia
www.youtube.com
#26
@RebuildJesussChurch, I for one am really glad you posted this thread. I have found myself pondering on the point behind it quite a bit the last few days. And I have noticed these last few days how a Lot of the current Christian contemporary music is more about us, not Him. A lot of the songs are very casual and...not somberly reverential like older hymns and such. Some of the contemporary Christian music has a very me-focused, selfish, almost flippant theme. Although, I am still deeply touched by a few of the songs. And I think God really does use some of it. (I'm kind of waffling back and forth, aren't I? Lol😌)

The following is kind of off topic, so please forgive me. Tonight I was at a class and the teacher asked a question I have never considered (that I remember):
"If there were no Heaven, would you still serve God with all your heart (simply because He deserves it)?"
I posted the following quote a few weeks or so ago in another non-related thread, but I think it's relevant now in reference to how the focus of worship and praise should be the Holy One Himself.
"Commitment that is unprepared to sacrifice is merely compromise in disguise...the believer's commitment to Christ must exact a price in order to maintain its value. We must prepare for the test of our commitment by daily affirming that Christianity is worth it." -Extreme Devotion (The Voice of the Martyrs)

Hebrews 13:15-16
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

Praise is a sacrifice. Sometimes, I must confess, I listen to contemporary Christian music as entertainment. Sometimes I listen to it to make ME feel good. Not so much to focus on honoring Him.

I realize a lot of people may read this and it may not resonate or make sense to them, but I wanted to let you know, RebuildJesussChurch, that your thread had generated some thought in me. I can't say that I am going to abandon listening to contemporary Christian music, but I do hope to be much more thoughtful about it- e.g. turning off songs that offend my spirit (bc there are some). And I do plan to listen to/sing more hymns. I grew up singing them, and do kind of miss them. So! There's my way-too-long post for the night. ☺️

I pray God draws you and your family closer to Him, Brother, making you increasingly effective in His Kingdom purposes. May His Name be hallowed, revered, and praised in purity.
That's beautiful, Elibeth. Thank you very much for sharing. Yeah, I'm not encouraging people to abandon all contemporary music. I am encouraging what you are eluding to - our focus in this matter is to be "the Holy One Himself."

Where all creation is heading is "Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father." Why? Because of what creation will get out of it? No. Because that's why there is a creation. He is worthy. Look at what is going on in Heaven right now. Is that exultation occurring because those beings are to get something out of it? That's the culture of our home country. And that's what we're to be redeemed to be a citizen of even in the nasty ol' now and now. We are ambassadors here! The fragrance of our Heavenly culture is the essence we are to spread here on this earth. Not by trying to work it up either. But through a relationship with Him, by His grace, His nature within us.

You're right it is a sacrifice. And Jesus did say we had to lose everything to follow Him. Abide in My Word, He also said, and you will be My disciples. And you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free. From outward religion to an abiding relationship is where we all need to go, by grace. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Thank you again. The grace of God be with you in His mighty Name!
 
Jun 10, 2019
4,304
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#27
Why would I try to search for any of it? The individual songs themselves are not memorable. I’m speaking overarchingly about something that has occurred over time within the modern church. I think you understand the post. If you don’t agree, you don’t agree. Pastors I have spoken to about this have observed the same phenomena. I’m positive there are those who would disagree though.
people will disgree especially when you don’t provide a examples of your insertions
 
Jun 10, 2019
4,304
1,659
113
#28
Honestly I listen to Gospel and Christian metal. Metal is great for Gods Justice and Wrath statements of "Fearing The Lord" are highlighted in the tone and telling he is not to be trifled with. Gospel is best for his Grace what he achieved on the cross and what it means. I feel like they're kind of like OT and NT one feeds into other
I like metal some are not titled as Christian for sure like this one.
 
Jun 10, 2019
4,304
1,659
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#29
I have no problem with this style of music below though I would fall asleep listening. sorry it’s not my style
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,804
29,184
113
#32
people will disgree especially when you don’t provide a examples of your insertions
I cannot help but notice that the complaint is based on the fact that the focus of some modern praise and worship is on how WE feel as a result of being loved by God and saved through His sacrifice... as if that in itself were a sin, to acknowledge our awe and wonder, knowing His love for us, and giving God praise for lifting us out of where we found ourselves without Him. Why should that NOT make us feel better? It strikes me as strange that people want to divorce our feelings from our praise of Him and what He has done for us.
 
Jun 10, 2019
4,304
1,659
113
#33
I cannot help but notice that the complaint is based on the fact that the focus of some modern praise and worship is on how WE feel as a result of being loved by God and saved through His sacrifice... as if that in itself were a sin, to acknowledge our awe and wonder, knowing His love for us, and giving God praise for lifting us out of where we found ourselves without Him. Why should that NOT make us feel better? It strikes me as strange that people want to divorce our feelings from our praise of Him and what He has done for us.
I agree and testimonies rather in songs or through conversations is a good thing, even I sometimes don’t feel ok and songs like this helps me to get through today.

 
Jun 10, 2019
4,304
1,659
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#34
Oooh I like them. They have an almost Motorhead feel.
Hey sorry for the late post, here’s a band that has the Motörhead feel almost to close, the lead singer isn’t Lemmy yet he sounds just like him lol. they been out long before the passing of Lemmy

 

Kojikun

Well-known member
Oct 5, 2018
4,658
2,721
113
#35
Hey sorry for the late post, here’s a band that has the Motörhead feel almost to close, the lead singer isn’t Lemmy yet he sounds just like him lol. they been out long before the passing of Lemmy

Sweet! Yeah almost identical.
 

KhedetOrthos

Active member
Dec 13, 2019
284
158
43
#37
The "New" Christian songs of every 50 years, or so, has been heresy to the generation that came before it.... all the way back to the time Paul and Silas were singing in their prison cell. That's about forty "changes" in music that probably horrified each successive set of grandparents.
This simply isn’t the case. Ancient Christian hymns on through the hymns of the Lutheran Reformation were all uplifting, overtly Christian, and contained large doses of theology and/or history.

Consider our hymn commemorating St. Lazarus...


and a Confessional Lutheran hymn such as...


Though they are separated by generations you can clearly see the difference between either and the musical Cheetos served up by your local praise and worship band. Over the past fifty years you’ve seen a move to secularize the music of the church, initially by abandoning liturgical tones followed by de-Jesusifying the lyrics. Lots of “yous” and the occasional God inserted in it. In many of these modern services, split in such a way that you have a. Half hour of music, 20 minutes of a sermon, and 10 minutes of housekeeping you can get through 2/3rds of a service without hearing the name of Jesus. It isn’t a good trend.

Even Clint Eastwood weighed in on this issue... :)

 

BrotherMike

Be Still and Know
Jan 8, 2018
1,617
1,671
113
#38
I wonder what you are listening to, to come to that conclusion :unsure:I do also wonder what you think you can do for God. He does the calling, and it is Him Who works in us, to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose, which God prepared in advance for us to do. All glory goes to God, always... at least in the modern praise and worship music I have heard. I was not answered earlier when I asked for an example of what the OP explicitly stated. Perhaps you can give one? Here are some examples from me of Christian music that has endeared itself to me from my early days as a Christian:



Modern praise and worship is all about Him! It’s my favorite way to connect with God. Check out the lyrics. I also wonder what songs he is listening to...