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What are your guidelines for Christians when it comes to music?  Do you think all Christians should only listen to specifically Christian music? Is music divided into secular and Christian or is it all just music, good and bad? Is there good secular music and bad Christian music?  Should people only sing about God or are other topics okay too?  Do you think only hymns are acceptable? Would you shun people who are inclined to think differently about music than yourself or do you think it's no big deal? What are your thoughts?

Hymns came from melodies of composers..as well as melodies of familiar tunes...
It is so easy to know the guidelines of music...as all we do is to glorify God...when a Christian has to debate a music issue...then it is not glorifying God...but man...much of the Christian music today has no melody and much of it is sparse on lyrics...it is wise to use music that is scripturally sound...

I went to a concert of a major Christian artist and in the whole concert...Jesus was mention 1 time...It cannot be Christian music if it does not lift up the name of the Lord...but many artist are afraid their music will not reach a larger crowd...so many compromise...Hymns that are forgotten should be brought back...not because the music is what is called outdated...but because the words are sound...this is the music that edifies the body and brings glory to the Lord when it is scripturally sound..
Music is not part of worship..but praise...as the music did not enter into the temple...so...if one hears Christian music..let it be scripturally sound and with respect in it's presentation...and very important...those who lead music were skilled in the word and many put talent before the word thinking it is more important...and nothing is more important than the word of God...

I have always been a music lover.  Before I became a Christian my musical taste was pop and hard rock which included some of what were clearly satanic-influenced bands.  After I was saved one of the first things the Lord changed about me was my musical tastes.  In fact, I took a hammer and smashed to pieces all of my rock albums that I had collected over the years. The music of the world no longer appealed to me.  I began to listen to Christian music and that became my strict preference.  It is the only kind of music I will spend money for.  It doesn't matter to me if it is contemporary Christian music, southern gospel, black gospel, praise & worship, inspirational, instrumental or traditional hymns.  As long it lifts up the name of the Lord and gives Him praise and glory I will like it. 

When I listen to Christian music I want to be able to know it is a Christian song when I hear it.  Lyrical content, therefore, is very important to me and is a factor in how I evaluate a Christian song.  One of the best things about the old traditional hymns of the Church is that they are scripturally based and doctrinally sound.  They can actually teach you doctrine when you listen to them.  That cannot always be said about the modern music of the Church.  To be frank, some of the contemporary Christian music out there is hard to distinguish from the world.

I don't judge anyone for listening to secular music and I don't shun them because of their musical tastes.  I know that some Christians still like to listen to it.  However, I would object if my unsaved neighbor was playing very loud music all night long until 4:00 AM...lol.


 

I think that i would object if loud music of any kind were played all night long by my neighbors. 

 ;) :D :D

You wouldn't have to worry about me, Pastor Roger.  I wear headphones.  8)  :)

I could't help but think how music has become more important in the worship service.  One Easter, I told the choir we would not sing Easter Sunday as there was scheduled so many songs and it was as if Easter Sunday was a concert.  I told the choir the word is more important and it is not good to have so much music and 15 minutes of the Word.  Secular music is what many listen to because it stirs the flesh emotions..and we live by faith, not emotions, but if one wants to listen to secular music (which is hard to escape as it is played in stores, offices, etc..)then..let them without murmuring..It is not that we can listen to christian music 27/ 7 but how we live our life 27/7..

I am a avid Country music fan. I am not particularly fond of our australians, some are alright but I love the american country. I found that a lot of them are Christian and stand for similar morals and such. They also sound better and have a better beat! My favourites are Rascall Flatts, Brooks and Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Josh Turner(He has a really great voice), Rodney Atkins, just to name a few!

As for neighbours having their music up loud, just last night our new neighbour had his music up really loud and all we could hear was the 'thump,' 'thump' coming through the walls! I believe my mum called the cops about 3 am. I thought that this morning I should play my Christian music or Country (because they are not hugely popular in this area) up really loud and about 8 in the morning!! Tee Hee!!

ROFL!!

My nearest neighbor lives about 1/2 mile away. ;D ;D

My absolutely most favorite kind of music is southern gospel quartets. There are also several soloists I like. I also like waltzes, big band music, and most anything from the 1950's and EARLIER. Very little good music was written after the 50's except for gospel music--in my opinion.

Well I have to say that God created music and I love pretty much everything....except for maybe the Cyrus family....Both Billy Ray and Miley :)

My favorite band is the Beatles.  And I love to listen to our contemporary Christian station in town, but unfortunately it appears their selection of music is somewhat limited so you tend to hear the same song(s) quite often in short amounts of time. 

Hello Everyone,

I'm a noob here.  Have already enjoyed the good natured banter here.

I go to a conservative church and like the teaching.  I moved out to SoCal from the Midwest where I had attended a church that had peppy music.  I don't have a problem with peppy worship music, but I can see where some think it might be used to hype the people.  The true intent should be to honor and glorify God.  It should be heartfelt for sure, we've been blood bought.  We had an associate pastor step in at the church I'm going to.  He's older and an elder in the church.  I like him.  I respect him, but he succeeded in getting my dander up.  During his sermon from the pulpit, he made an unsubstantiated claim that Rock music is bad... of the devil.  I've been told that includes Christian Rock.

I treat this subject delicately, because I don't want it to spiral into a vitrolic spittin contest.  I talked with a friend who goes to the church, and they affirmed the associate pastor, but based it on personal opinion that secular rock was bad, therefore Christian rock having been derived from the secular was equally as bad.  My dander was starting to get the best of me.

I approached another friend outside of that church, but a Christian as well.  She said something pretty cool.  Delve into the Word on a Biblical Quest, so I'm kind of like on a journey now.  It's been fun.  I use web tools for referencing the Bible, and I found a site that referenced Hebrew musical instruments.  I want to continue this journey, please pray for me.

I briefly looked at what other people on the web had to say about Christian rock and was sorely disappointed.  We're some example to the world on that account.  Both sides are strongly opinionated and have not conducted themselves wisely in my eyes.

I know that this is a tough issue the Christian church faces today.  I've heard that churches have split over this.  It seems to be drawn on generational lines.  At my old church, a member of the band got an earful from one of the older guys... that because the older people had most of the money, the younger people should remember that and not forget the hymns.

What can we do about this, before it rips about the church.  So much for the Devil ripping away, let the Christians do it for him.

Sincerely,
MangoMan

**** MangoMan in '08 - Free Mangos for Everyone ****

Hello MM,

Welcome to Christians Unite forums.

I've heard the same thing said by some about Country and Western music. There is some Country Christian music that I like and does glorify God. There is also a lot of it that does just the opposite. I'm not much for most music that today is called rock but I do enjoy on occasion listening to some of the early Christian rock of 50's and 60's. My favorite music though is Christian Appalachian Hillfolk music. The people of the hills always sang from the heart and it was always sweet with memories of God in every word.

MM

There are some things to note.  First is that no where in the Bible does it say Rock music is bad.  As a matter of fact what the Bible has to say about music is that God created music.  And I feel that qualifies all music, yes even things like death metal.  I speak only of the music and not of the lyrics.  The Bible does not say anything about God creating lyrics, that was left to us. 

Another thing is that based on the Biblical principles since there is nothing specifically stating that certain types of music are good or bad then it is man imposing his judgment on what is good or what is bad...and that is what Got Adam in trouble to begin with.  The Bible gives us very clear moral and ethical boundaries of what is good or bad.  And personally I feel that if something specific is not mentioned then as long as it praises God then it is not my place to cast any sort of judgment upon it.

Good Morning,
There is no verse in the Bible that says Rock music is dead wrong.  I guess where I got my dander up was that the man was speaking from the pulpit making a declarative statement.  I agree we make our own opinions on this one, be they along generational lines or personal preference.  I am open to wise instruction.

I can see with my own eyes what bands have sacrificed to make it to the top in the secular world and the price being at the top has been.  I know that lyrics are messages that can get stuck in this head of mine.  To borrow an engineering phrase GIGO garbage in garbage out.  It's a fine line where you draw that line.  I will say that I have enjoyed many a secular tune.

I know that Satan is the Great Deceiver.  I have learned on my quest that the first musical instrument was created prior to the dawn of man.  According to the Bible, when God created Satan, he was created with a tabret and pipes in hand.  I would surmise that Satan has great prowess in music, as I'm sure God wouldn't have wanted to listen to unskilled drum play and squeaky pipes a blowing.  :)  I also know that according to the Bible, there is nothing new under the sun, music is not new.  We ourselves are keenly affected by music and God made us.  Satan knows that music can be used for ill-work.

With regards to Christian Rock...  I firmly believe that if it was created to honor and glorify God, then amen, go for it.  Doesn't mean I have to enjoy it.  I personally look for sincerity in music.  Sometimes I wonder if the intent is to honor God or make Christian music because it sells, but that too is again subject to personal opinion.  God knows the heart.

BTW, I really appreciate your tagline Brother Jerry.

Thanks for engaging me in this conversation.  My musical tastes run the gamut.  I love many of the olde hymns.  Many of the new worship songs are well loved as well.  Keith Green's music blows me away with his sincerity.  Have a good day.

Sincerely,
MangoMan 

I do realize that some refer to Ezekiel 28:11-19 using it to refer to satan and therefore call him the angel of music. This scripture is actually speaking of King Tyre as we can clearly see in Eze 28:2 where Ezekial is being told to say these words to "the prince of Tyrus". The reference is in how he was born into royalty. The reference of Eden, the tabret and pipe is the depiction of this and has nothing to with satan. The Bible tells us that satan was originally the "bringer of light" (2 Pet 1:19), the "Morning Star" (Isa 14:12 ) hence the reason for the Latin name of Lucifer. This was taken from satan and he became the angel of darkness.

We do know that angels sing and play music however we don't know what kind it is. We simply know that it is beautiful to God and to all others that hear it.

Thank you

And you are also welcome for the engaging in the conversation.  Always like to talk....er type.

I have to say that I agree with Brother Jerry.  I enjoy many genres of music.  I listen to many different types of Christian music mostly.  They can be found in the form of rock, reggae, R&B, country, and pop.  I like them all and have quite a vast collection.
I also enjoy alot of different secular music in these genres also.
I wouldn't however put something on if I was in company that might be offended or would cause another to fall.
I totally believe that God knows each of our hearts individually and to say that because I don't listen to a certain type of music,(Heavy Metal would be one!) that you are an unredeemed sinner if you do.

Rock on!

I personally listen to mostly Christian contemporary
I don't see anything wrong with any perticular kind of music though I do think that a person should pay attention to what kind of lyrics they listen to. I feel this way because I think that music can be very influencing to the way a person thinks and thus to how they act because of what they end up metitating on.
I wont condem anyone for listening to any kind of music but I would strongly sugst that it be something that lifts the name of the Lord and is biblicly  sound. I know that most secular music doesnt do anything but glorify some of the most unGodly behavior there is.

Just my humble opinion
   Monte

I personally like older Country (new country is really just rock and roll), Celtic, Hymns, Southern Gospel, and Folk. I never did like music with a heavy beat. I listen to both secular and Christian music, usually on my way to work and back.

 I don't have music on continually as most folks do these days. In fact, I once deliberately avoided any music at all for quite a period of time, then listened. It was amazing how much more I enjoyed it! I think we are over-saturated with it today, so that it just becomes background noise. We can't seem to exist without constant noise these days.

I enjoy some contemporary Christian songs, but generally I find it to be "dumbed down" music, with a few words and chords repeated over and over and little real message. Hymns weren't always doctrinally sound, but they usually did have a real message and most of them were about God, not about "me and my relationship with God".

I've never been a big fan of particular performers. In fact, I believe Christian performers should take a backseat to the music and the message, and few do. When a "Christian" artist has their name plastered all over everything and is obviously "putting on a performance", I would rather listen to an amateur who is singing to glorify the Lord. Also, too many "Christian artists" are watering down the message to appeal to the secular world. Without a message they aren't going to reach the secular people, so the only reason to do so is that that is where the money is!

There always seem to be divisions in the church over music. As someone else pointed out, there isn't "good or bad" music, though there are good and bad lyrics. Mostly it is a matter of personal taste. A wise church uses a variety of music. Mine includes both hymns and contemporary, though they seem to avoid Southern Gospel. I manage to get a little Celtic in now and then. People seem to dislike hearing or learning anything new, or singing anything remotely difficult.

Interestingly, in the early days of America, there was little music and much preaching in churches. Instruments weren't allowed - one of my early relatives shocked his community by playing his instrument (a cello, I think) in church in Connecticut! Preaching usually went on for several hours in the morning, and again in the afternoon.

My biggest complaint about the music in my own church is the unwillingness of the musicians to "put a cork in it". Our most recent service lasted from 10:30 to 1 PM, mostly because the worship group made like the energizer bunny. Kids were going nuts and many people just walked out before the service ended.

Hello Brother Rhys,

 :D   I enjoyed your description of the ongoing discussion about various styles of Christian music. It's interesting to know that our parents and grandparents probably had like discussions. You made quite a few points that I agree with completely. I'm not a spring chicken, so I enjoy the older styles of music, but I know that many of the younger people don't share my tastes. For this reason and many others, I think it's wise for churches to have additional activities for youth and young adults. We probably don't want to know very much about what they think about us older folks. Besides, some of them might be selecting our rest home.   ;D

Love In Christ,
Tom

Philippians 2:1-2  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,  2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

What do you get when you play New Age music backwards?

New Age music.  :-X



Its no joke, and  I could`nt resist  :P

If the song lyrics are intelligible and moral, and the instrumental does`nt sound like my cat when I step on his tail, or the grandbaby has climbed into the cupboard with the pots and pans, then I`m cool... otherwise my parimeters scream shut that noise off!

 ;D  I'll second that. Otherwise, my personal tastes are the 60's and 70's for secular music. For Christian music, I like the old fashioned hymns at church and a variety of older Christian music at home. I guess that makes me an old square.

Love In Christ,
Tom