music is awesome how come we cant listen to everything?

[horhay14]

well, its obvious we gotta be faithful but why cant we listen to it all?

[Joel]

Because music is now-a-days fallen away from Scripture and God has become separated from it and it has become GROSELY PERVERSE. Thats why:D

[Bek]

Music effects your thoughts a lot. When I listen to secular music I begin to feel depressed, hopeless, and often begin to think lustful thoughts. Perhaphs thats just for me though....

Also remember that saying "What comes in comes out"(or something like that lol)

[punkrawker]

yea. Bek is right. it really messes with your mind. when i listen to secular music i get depressed and get just like mean. it's wierd the way it can change you. also you start to pick up bad stuff like swearing and stuff. it's pretty bad.

[froggee501]

secular music has made me depressed and stuff, sometimes, but other times it has inspired me to the depths of my soul, making me want to go out and tell everyone I love them. It depends what kinds of secular music you listen to.

[Joel]

It does matter what kind. Love music (not lustful love, but stuff like bing Crosby) would be ok I guess, but anything perverted or depressing or anger filled is bad.

[kupcguitarkid]

What everyone said, I agree with. I wouldn't listen to Eminem, but songs like "Beautiful Day" by U2 aren't bad.

I listen to mostly praise and worship because it inspires me and leads me to worship. Not bad, eh?

[SendMe]

My opinion: It depends on how strong in your faith you are to listen to what you want. Everyone has been hitting it on the nose that it messes with the way you act and think.

"Be in the world, not of the world"

We also have to ask the question, would God approve of me listening to this. All in all, i think it depends on your strenght in your faith. If its weak, put the secular music away for a while and focuse on God. Then when you can stand back up, ask yourself if you want to listen to it. Most of the time, you'll stop listening to it because you see what it has or can do.

["BrooksB"]

this is an issue i have a lot of trouble with because i listen to a vast variety of music, and i oftentimes need to be "fed" with enough music (i.e. i can't go a very long time without music that i want to hear without being severely agitated). The only problem with that is that the christian music scene is still young, however growing, so i have an extremely hard time finding a good variety of christian music that i enjoy. i think, when it comes down to it, that if you aren't getting a bad message from the secular music you listen to, then it's ok to listen to it. now, don't let temptation fool you into believing that some music doesn't "effect" you, so you have to be very unbiassed (is that right?) in deciding whether or not it has bad themes or direction.

[Cadence]

Listen to Lifehouse!!!!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

YEAH!



oh yeah...if the song is about godly truth, ex. true love and eternal concepts, then go ahead and listen to it. Just be sure to direct your thoughts towards God.

[Galatia]

It is good to support Christian artists, and therefore support what they are doing (ministry), whereas, at times, the secular artists we are supporting by giving them our money encourages them to act in a very non-Christlike manner...U2 is seen by many to be Christian, just like Creed and Lifehouse. A lot of people see God in their music, or in other music that is not necessarily "Christian." For that matter, a lot of Christians that make music are not really "Christian artists," and there are "Christian" artists whose theology is so out of whack that it would be better if you didn't listen to them at all. Anyways, the point is not that we CAN'T listen to secular music...our focus should be on God. if you are able to do that listening to secular tunes, then God bless you (He already has). However, if, like most people that have posted here, you find that the music is effecting your walk, and/or emotions or whatnot, run from it. Don't let your ears cause you to sin. Pluck off the headphones and ditch that music.

[thrice_denied]

Well, this subject is something that I have struggled with severly. I had ocme out of a very difficult time or a few in my life and I had been encouraged by the wrong people to listen to this music. While I was in this music (Eminem, Luda, Nelly...you name it) I felt relieved, it was a sort of relaxation knowing someone else either knew how to handle it or knew how to express it. Unknowingly...the wrong way. But I was so blind I didnt see that. Under extreme conviction I broke my CD's, all of the ones I had deemed 'bad CD's' and I felt the conviction for pursuing full time minstry. I continued listening to the hip hop/pop songs on the popular radio station of my area, thinking I was right with God. Then one sunday at church we somehow go to a point where there was a discussion about the 'grey area' most people believe in. "Its not of God but its not Satan worshiping" they say. But in reality there is no grey area. You are either shining your light for God, or you are shining your light for Satan. You are eiher living for Jesus, or the prince of darkness. I believe in the 'garbage in garbage out' theory. I soon found out it was true. It took a total of about 5 months of serious struggling with secular music and not listening to it and only listening to Christian music. I had gotten so accustomed to it, secular music had become a part of my life. But a few months ago I feel I had made a final breakthrough in my spiritual life, the secular music had no temptation on me, I no longer any desire to listen to any secular music. I have no thing saying 'you need to stop listening to secular music' or anything like that. When someone told me that it just gave me a greater desire to listen to it. I say though, take this to the throne personally. Let God guide your heart. This is a lesson I learned from my experience. God will always listen, He will guide you.

In Christ,

[Unregistered]

How about Beatles? They are as secular as groups come, but I have a hard time not singing along to some of their older tunes. Heck, groups like DC Talk do covers of them. So what should be our discretion on this?

[rockin4theking]

My view is that if it detracts from our walk with God, just say No!!!

But that is directed at individuals, not all of us at once. I see no problem listening to The Beatles, U2, Creed, Lifehouse, etc. But I won't listen to AC/DC, Eminem, 90% of Crap, er, I mean Rap;) and stuff like Metallica, KISS, etc. You get the idea.:) It really depends on the person and the music.

[thrice_denied]

Unregistered. I think I understand what your saying. yeah I have to say myself that the Beatles are very catchy and I've been known to hum along to some...yes...Elvis songs as well. This is just my own personal idea on this. Personally I have not too much against the music of the Beatles as so much as the lives of the Beatles. Im not saying that you should examine the life of an artist or a group before you listen to their music but if you get raw, hard core and to the facts without sugar-coating it...it still isnt shining the light for God. Jesus Himself said if you are not working for Him, you are working against Him. Now Im still not saying that if you listen to the Beatles you will go to Hell. Only your salvation or the lack thereof will determine that. My personal stance is that within the secular world, I have nothing wrong with most of the 50's and Beach Boy-ish 60's rock and roll. But it is a different story if you look at it through what I have said prior. And with DC Talk, I guess I havent heard enough of them to know if they have done Beatles songs or what, but Im sure everyone has heard their remake of the Doobie Bro.'s Jesus is Just Alright. I see nothing wrong with their remake, especially since they were using it to profess to the world, if you will, in how they stand in their lives. Nonetheless, they did change the song quite a bit.
I have a difficult time giving what I call 'direct advice' to someone as to what they should do. I definately do not feel qualified to do so. All I do know is two things: 1)how I have been taught, and studied and lived in this and how I feel about things such as this. and 2)that if you ever have a problem as to what you should do, give it to God. Believe it or not, He will always guide you. And never fail you.

Thank you,

[R2D2]

Originally posted by Joel
It does matter what kind. Love music (not lustful love, but stuff like bing Crosby) would be ok I guess, but anything perverted or depressing or anger filled is bad.

I agree and I disagree. There's music by some artists (such as Marilyn Manson, for an extreme example) that I don't listen to, and I have absolutely no desire to listen to. However, there's also a lot of great secular music that I listen to: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bob Marley, Lifehouse, Creed, Dream Theater, Santana, Brian Setzer, Dave Matthews Band, BB King, Gypsy Kings, Jesse Cook, and some assorted Jazz and Classical. I don't feel like listening to this music has interfered with my walk with God at all, and that's the most important thing. Rather, this music has greatly enriched my life and contributed to my growth as a musician.

I disagree with your statement that anything perverted, depressing or angry is bad. First of all, I agree that perversion is wrong. But far too often, we equate songs that talk about sex with being automatically perverted. Sex is a beautiful thing that God has given us, and there's nothing wrong with singing about it. There's even an entire book of the Bible (Song of Solomon) about it! Secondly, songs that are depressing or angry are not bad. There's many things in the world that we should be angry about. Christ showed his anger when he overturned the merchant's tables in the temple. Music should proclaim truth. It should not be afraid to offend or depress. If it's the truth, it's the truth. Too often, we judge the value of a song by whether it has a "positive" message or not. I don't know about you personally, but songs that are all positive typically don't change the way I live. Songs that confront me with truth in a jarring way do change me.

Just something to think about.

[dakota]

Originally posted by R2D2


But far too often, we equate songs that talk about sex with being automatically perverted. Sex is a beautiful thing that God has given us, and there's nothing wrong with singing about it. There's even an entire book of the Bible (Song of Solomon) about it!

Are you sure the entire book (Song of Solomon) is about sex?

A fool and his money soon parteth? I find scritpures regarding how a wise man finds a good wife, etc.

[rockin4theking]

Originally posted by dakota


Are you sure the entire book (Song of Solomon) is about sex?

A fool and his money soon parteth? I find scritpures regarding how a wise man finds a good wife, etc.

To put it nicely, the book is a series of "poems," if you will, between a man and his beloved, not unlike many love songs today.

And isn't the verse quoted from Proverbs? I don't remember that being in Song of Songs.

[dakota]

Originally posted by rockin4theking


To put it nicely, the book is a series of "poems," if you will, between a man and his beloved, not unlike many love songs today.

And isn't the verse quoted from Proverbs? I don't remember that being in Song of Songs.

Thanks for the correction!:D

I still don't see Song of Solomon as sexuality, but more importantly love. Which if we're talking about it, would Song of Solomon's wording demonstrate that singing love songs about your significant other publicly would be ok?

[rockin4theking]

I don't see it as just sexuality either. It's like so much of the Bible in that it has more than one message. :)

On one hand it is about sexuality between a "married" man and woman, but on the other hand it is about love, and love is definitely the most important message to get out of this book.

I think that it demontrates that it's okay to sing about your "significant other" in public, so long as it doesn't get out of hand. (as in explicit)

For example, take Sixpence's "Kiss Me." It's a great example of how something romantic can be sung by Christians without becoming explicit.

[dakota]

This is really an excellent topic!

I have always wondered why singing a love song about your woman would be wrong. Having been married 12 years, why would I not want to put a smile on her face?

Are we not to honor our wives? Wouldn't it be scriptural then to sing a love song such as Solomon's?

I give Bebo Norman as an example. "Perhaps She'll Wait" and "Where You Are" Where You Are is a beautiful song to say "Hey, Mom, just because I'm not here anymore, doesn't mean I love you any less. You're the best, Mom. Thanks"

I don't see problems with songs like these, but some people do.

Are there "hidden" meanings to this book that in a debate would come to the forefront? I personally take the story as a pretty girl that was in love with someone other than Solomon, and no matter what solomon did to try to seduce her, she would be faithful to the shepherd she loved. When Solomon realized this, he let her go and be with the man she wanted to marry (she was apart from this shepherd because her brothers did not approve of him).


I agree that the secular songs need to be tasteful. Personally I like NIN, Filter and Limp Bizkit, but I haven't listened to them in 1 1/2 years. Lyrics are pretty filthy.

I do think that if we are to maintain relevance, we need to keep up to date with musical trends in the secular market, which would include listening to it for purposes of what styles are popular with the secular culture. If we didn't all our "christian" music would still be gospel or country based.

[rockin4theking]

I agree completely.:D

[Strider]

music is awesome how come we cant listen to everything?
You can listen to everything.

[R2D2]

Originally posted by dakota
Are you sure the entire book (Song of Solomon) is about sex?


I am no theologin, but I believe that Song of Solomon is primarily about sex. It's poetry written to praise God's glorious gift of sex. And this isn't just my theory - I've heard from many places that Song of Solomon is about sex. If you want to see just how much sexuality and eroticism is in Song of Solomon, read this Introduction to Song of Solomon:

http://foxnet.cs.cmu.edu/people/esb/solomon.html

On a side note, I have heard that the NIV translators actually purposefully mistranslated part of Song of Solomon because of their squirmishness over the erotic language they were translating. I'll try to find out what verses and what they should say if anyone is interested.

[thrice_denied]

I don't feel like listening to this music has interfered with my walk with God at all, and that's the most important thing. Rather, this music has greatly enriched my life and contributed to my growth as a musician.

That is a very good thing. I myself have had great influence with classical music and even that in itself has had an effect on shaping how I write music now. As well, if you read my two posts on this thread then you will see what genre of music that I have listened to, and even those, as bad as I see them, their styles of music have had an effect on me as well. I personally see that these types of music that I used to listen to are coming back for good use as having an influence on some of my music. Even though this is off of the subject, this testifies to how God always will make good come out of the things that were bad. It not only gives me an awesome part of my testimoney, but it also gives me an influence that I wouldn't have otherwise.

Sex is a beautiful thing that God has given us,

I agree and I disagree. I agree with the statement in that same post that not all songs about sex is perverted. But I also disagree that God gave it to everyone. God gave sex to us as a part of marriage and never apart. I dont know if that is what you meant but I needed to just say that.

Christ showed his anger when he overturned the merchant's tables in the temple.

That was an entirely different type of anger. Jesus was angry because the merchants were changing money and selling goods in the House of God. They were defiling what was sacred and Holy. So many of today's songs (really just about all of them) are about unholy anger. This is anger towards your ex or some guy who shot your brother or whatever it may be. This anger is sinful and not justified. Grant it there seems to be a very fine line from Jesus's anger toward the money changers and unholy anger, but Im sure that if anyone who desides to study this does, you will definately be enriched. I myself am in a study on this exact thing.

Too often, we judge the value of a song by whether it has a "positive" message or not. I don't know about you personally, but songs that are all positive typically don't change the way I live. Songs that confront me with truth in a jarring way do change me.

Yes. Which is why I dont listen to positive music. I listen to Christian music. Christian music should make you want to change they way you live. And all types of Christian music should have the same effect. Gospel, Southern Bluegrass Gospel, Christian Rap, Christian Rock. You name it. If it is of God, it should make you want to change the way you live. If it doesnt, ask God to show you something he wants you to see, then listen to it again. If it is of God, it is truth.

Just something to think about.

I truly thank you. I am in no way trying to go against what you are saying. You have actually helped me. Thank You.

You can listen to everything.

Please give me some detail.

Oh, and dakota. I completely agree with the love songs to your wife. I believe those are completely alright. But I do find problems with love songs about someone elses wife or just someone that isnt your wife. As long as it doesnt get unscriptural. By that I mean, you can sing a love song to your girlfriend as long as its not about having sex with her or something like that.

Well, thats all for now I guess.
Thank you again,

[R2D2]

Originally posted by thrice_denied
I agree and I disagree. I agree with the statement in that same post that not all songs about sex is perverted. But I also disagree that God gave it to everyone. God gave sex to us as a part of marriage and never apart. I dont know if that is what you meant but I needed to just say that.


Right, I completely agree. I didn't think I needed to say that here. One analogy for the gift of sex that makes a lot of sense to me is thinking of being given the greatest guitar in the world. When we play it like the maker intended, it makes beautiful music. But when we use it how it's not intended, like for firewood, or as a weapon to hurt others, it's a terrible misuse of the gift we've been given. We're dishonoring both the gift and the giver when we do this. I see this as being like sex - it's an incredibly beautiful thing that glorifies God when it's used as God intended. Otherwise, is an ugly misuse.

Originally posted by thrice_denied
That was an entirely different type of anger. Jesus was angry because the merchants were changing money and selling goods in the House of God. They were defiling what was sacred and Holy. So many of today's songs (really just about all of them) are about unholy anger.

Again, I agree with you. I don't think I said what I meant to quite clearly. There's a lot of "unholy" anger in Today's music like you said. I'm not talking about this type. I'm talking about anger that bemoans the evil, injustice and opression in the world today. These are issues that really should demand our anger. And often times, there are songs that have anger directed toward the church, sometimes warranted and sometimes unwarranted. I think it's important that we hear what these artists have failed, because the Church is far from perfect - we need the accountability that comes from such criticism.

Originally posted by thrice_denied
Which is why I dont listen to positive music. I listen to Christian music. Christian music should make you want to change they way you live.

Yes, Christian music should change the way you live! It should be extremely life changing. However, my experience with a lot of Christian music is that it tends to be lacking in honesty. Especially with the CCM (and especially with the CCM that gets played on the radio), it seems like the artist is simply putting out another song with the same Christian cliche's that don't say anything challenging simply because that's what the Christian public wants. We like being comfortable. We don't like being told we're wrong and we need to change. Thankfullly, In spite of the onslought of overtly positive Christian music, I've managed to find a fair amount of Christian music that is brutally honest, and does challenge you. For example, there's a song by Five O'Clock People (one of the premier Christian bands, in my opinion) called Angry Rant. It's exactly that - an angry rant. There's a line in the song that goes "I'm not ready to be forgiven yet." This is the honesty I'm looking for.


Originally posted by thrice_denied
You can listen to everything.


I never said this, so you'll have to direct your question about this statement to the person who did.

In fact, I don't think we should listen to anything and everything. I'm pretty picky about what i listen to. I agree that there is a lot of music out there that is filled with lyrics that we shouldn't listen to. So i don't listen to it. But there is also a lot of great secular music that you'll miss out on if you choose to set an arbitrary rule that you can't listen to secular music. Those of you who have chosen to listen to only Christian music are choosing to avoid listening to garbage. I also am choosing to avoid listening to garbage. I've realized that all secular music is not garbage. It's just like choosing to avoid reading all secular books versus being selective and making wise chooses about what you read. Or it's like avoiding watching any movies, because there are alot movies with garbage in them rather than choosing to carefully and wisely choosing which movies you'll see.

Just a thought...for those of you that believe that all secular music is bad, what do you do when someone sings "Happy Birthday"? This is a secular song. What about "Jingle Bells"? Again, it's a secular song. Do you avoid these as well? And do you avoid listening to Mozart? If you want to see an example of a musician leading an immoral life, look no further than Mozart, or many other classical composers.

[thrice_denied]

R2D2,
Thanks man, I was pretty sure that most of that was what you were saying but I just felt like I needed to put my 1 1/2 cents in there somewhere. Im really glad that you feel the same way.
About the statement on that you can listen to everything I was simply putting the answer to the question many of us have been told in school while asking the teacher if we 'can' go to the bathroom. I was always asked back by the teacher 'I dont know, can you?'. You can listen to everything. Should you? No, I definately believe you shouldnt listen to everything. I was quoteing a post put by someone under the name Stryder. Im sorry it sounded like I was quoteing you.
I completely agree on the non-garbage secular music although it is a seriously fine line. Like I said in my previous post along with many other things was that I enjoy classical music and it has an awesome effect on my music today. I know exactly what your saying on the angry music. I know I couldnt have and didnt put it as clear as you did.
I greatly appreciate your post. It clarified basically what I wanted to say.

Thanks,

[Louis]

And do you avoid listening to Mozart? If you want to see an example of a musician leading an immoral life, look no further than Mozart, or many other classical composers.

Mozart was explicitly chosen by God to spite Salileri. Didn't you watch Amadeus?

[thrice_denied]

Mozart was explicitly chosen by God to spite Salileri. Didn't you watch Amadeus?

huh?

[rockin4theking]

I think that was sarcasm...........not sure though.........

[R2D2]

Originally posted by Louis
Mozart was explicitly chosen by God to spite Salileri. Didn't you watch Amadeus?

Yes, I've seen Amadeus multiple times, but the relationship between Salieri and Mozart is exaggerated in the movie. Salieri didn't even commission the writing of the requeim that supposedly killed Mozart like the movie says he did. Count Franz Walsegg commissioned it.

[$POOR MAN$]

i think secular music is ok to listen to as long as it not profain peverse and stuff lie that

[Insane Drummer]

dc talk covers help and the next song is so help me GOD.... so if you put the cover in context with the song after it its really actually centered on GOD.... in response to unreg post a while back.....

[stratocaster70]

i dont know whos doing it but i'm sitting here listening to http://www.christianrockradio.com/media/chrock.ram....and someone has done a remake of "living on a prayer" by bon jovi, word for word. i'm also reading this thread and i wonder, whats up with that? i may be toatly wrong but is it ok to listen to that since it was done by a "christian" artist and not by a "secular" artist? can someone help me with that?

[rockin4theking]

Just so you know, that link isn't working. Try this instead:

ChristianRockRadio (http://www.christianrockradio.com)