Back in the late 70's and early 80's when the Christian rock scene
was beginning to explode, it was not uncommon to see people who
called themselves followers of Christ vocally picketing bands that were
using rock music to spread the gospel through their lyrics. Bands and artists like
Keith Green, Rez Band, Petra and Stryper, who are unashamed of their
stand for Christ were verbally chastised and publicly denounced from the pulpit.
Specifically, Stryper became almost every Pastor's favorite whipping boy
as they decried the immortality of heavy metal. While Stryper's peers
relished the sex-drugs-rock n' roll lifestyle, Stryper was taking the
gospel to clubs and concert halls and delivering it with a sonic
bombast to anyone who would listen.
Stryper and their fans understand what
continues to baffle the American Church as an entity. That is, an open
sanctuary door does not accomplish anything. You have to go out
into the
streets where people live and invite them in with open arms, regardless
of the appearance, status or lifestyle. A missionary does not go
somewhere, build a church and hope that people eventually show up. By
necessity to ensure survival, a missionary must be involved in the
process and engage the people that they are trying to reach on the level
where they live. Ironically, on one level Americans get it, they
support missionaries on foreign soils, but rare is the occasion when a
missionary is supported on mission to their own community. Even Seattle's Bloodgood released an e.p. called Metal Missionaries. In 1990, speed metal masters Sacred
Warrior wrote a song called Minister By Night that contains the line "I`ve
been seen in places that you`d only pass in daylight, but that`s our
biggest difference, in the darkness we spread the light". Sacred Warrior, Stryper, Bloodgood and their compatriots continue live out their calling.
What
has happened to our ability to think? Are we to sit in the pews like
mindless drones
accepting what is told to us or are we to take our
God-given intellect and discernment and test it against the scriptures
for authenticity? As my experience has led me to believe, we are to talk
about "unapproved" music styles and genre's in hoarse whispers for fear of repercussion? forget the lyrical content.
This was reinforced recently by a conversation with a friend who said
that they did not talk about the music that they listen to because they did
not want to cause some one to stumble. I agree with and respect this to a point,
but when does it become legalistic, fearful, or simply spineless. If the
music glorifies God and encourages the listener to seek Him more
fervently, then does the musical style really matter? If we are living
fearfully of the spiritual leadership that has been placed over us then
our submission is not based in love, respect, or obedience. It is based
on a desire for acceptance and a fear of consequences.
Simply
stating that you don't like a certain style of music therefore it is
not "Christian" is wrong! Who are we to say what God will or will not
use to enlarge HIS kingdom. He is God on high and we human beings
are not. God has and continues to use musicians of all varieties and
styles to bring the gospel to those that would otherwise remain
unreached. Conversely, calling music Christian because there are
Christians in the band but whose lyrics are
feel-good-happy-happy-joy-joy and don't address the spiritual reality of
man are just as wrong. In Revelations 3:16, God says that he will spit
these people out of his mouth. Compromising the word of God is a
dangerous and futile exercise in the long run, but no more so than
rejecting His chosen servants and witnesses.
Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the
music. ~President Ronald Reagan
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