Surfing around the internet this morning I came across a blog called the Scofield Prophecy Studies, and a post on Christian music. The blog host, Dr. Mal Couch, shared his thoughts on the contemporary Christian music, writing:
“The issue is entertainment, and nothing else! Don’t let anyone fool you that it has to do with worship or spirituality! This is a lie! … If hot-rock music is required to keep people in church this is proof that the apostasy is already here, as I have been arguing for sometime now. “
Dr. Couch added his criteria for determining if music is biblical:
(1) Can I hum the tune after hearing it? (2) Can I understand the words? (3) Do the words conform to sound biblical doctrine and truth? (4) Do the words, and the tune, honor the Lord rather than pander to the flesh and the physical? (5) Does the song emphasize grace, salvation, eternity, etc.? (6) Does it simply sound like a “love song” that has a romantic tinge to it, rather than proper spiritual love? (7) Is the song loud and blaring in order to bring on an emotional response? (8) Is it a mantra with empty repetition (Praise God, praise God, praise God, praise God)? (9) Can both old and young understand the song and be equally touched by it?
I’m curious to know what you think. Can Christian music simply be for entertainment? Or does it always have to share a biblical doctrine? Does it have to meet all of the above guidelines to be “biblical?” And can music itself even be biblical or Christian (any more than my television set can be biblical or Christian)?
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posted September 22, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Sounds to me like this guy and the “av1611.org” guy would get along well. I liked this little gem:
“By the way, any group of elders who are allowing this kind of music in their church, are compromising and going along with the evil culture! You need to go and sell shoes!”
First of all, most of his points are subjective, leaving him room to criticze whatever he wants for no real good reason.
I see no problem with Christian music simply being entertainment. When I go to concerts, I am most certainly entertained. Other times, it’s a worship atmosphere. It depends on the band. Some bands have that goal in mind, some are trying to pass on a message, and some are just writing songs from thier hearts, and their faith is part of that.
posted September 23, 2008 at 3:19 am
These are the sort of people that normal folks pat on the head and then ignore. (After they manage to stop laughing.)
posted September 23, 2008 at 3:56 am
(1) Can I hum the tune after hearing it?
- That leaves out the majority of church music from the past 2000 years. Ever hear Orthodox chanting the Creeds or the Lord’s Prayer? It can be beautiful, but I’m not leaving the service humming the tune.
(2) Can I understand the words?
- Again, I could not understand the Russian language. Likewise, I’m asking a lot of people when I ask them to understand “Here I raise my Ebeneezer” without some experience in the church.
(3) Do the words conform to sound biblical doctrine and truth?
- Fair enough, however provided your Bible is wide enough and God is big enough. I think the One who created the seas, flowers, and women would be quite pleased to know we are creating songs about them.
(4) Do the words, and the tune, honor the Lord rather than pander to the flesh and the physical?
- False Dichotomy! Ten yards.
(5) Does the song emphasize grace, salvation, eternity, etc.?
- Does Esther? Does Song of Solomon? Of course they do, but not to those looking for simple answers.
(6) Does it simply sound like a “love song” that has a romantic tinge to it, rather than proper spiritual love?
- Hey, I’m not a fan of “Jesus is my Boyfriend” songs either, but if you’re going on sound alone, we’re getting more into the psychology of music rather than the theology. Chances are the church music you love would have a much more secular feel to it 400 years ago. That our hymns can have the feel of folk music of a different era is no mistake.
(7) Is the song loud and blaring in order to bring on an emotional response?
- Stay far away from Handel’s Messiah, “Oh For a Thousand Tongues,” or Ode to Joy. Nothing can be said to bring an emotional response from me like the latter on an Early Easter Morning, played with horns in a packed cathedral or church.
(8) Is it a mantra with empty repetition (Praise God, praise God, praise God, praise God)?
- I have no idea how “Praise God” is empty, unless you’re expecting something to happen because you keep saying it. Unrelated, but avoid the majority of Christian churches in the world if you have this attitude. The Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles Creed, or the Nicene Creed will be recited or sung….and that’s just in Calvinist Churches. The Liturgical one are worse
(9) Can both old and young understand the song and be equally touched by it?
- Good idea. I hope good music transcends age — and it’s easy for people both young and old to get into their ruts and think their way is the best.
posted September 23, 2008 at 10:28 am
Again I will point out Country music fans don’t have this issue. It’s okay for them to sing about their pick up truck and their savior on the same album and no one cares. To me that shows a complete life. Faith should encompass our whole lives and music should speak to our whole lives. Oh how I wish we could tear down the walls and just make the music (and art) that God lays on our hearts and allow it to speak as it will. God has made us so much more than the one dimensional things we try to make ourselves. Why not just seek the Lord do what He says and trust Him to use it to speak to hearts as He will.
posted September 23, 2008 at 10:38 am
To ‘entertain’ is to capture one’s attention.
Of course Christian music can – and should – be entertainment in that sense. I grew weary years ago of groups that would come and perform at a church and start out by saying “We didn’t come here to entertain you tonight…”
I have two reactions:
First, I want to ask if they rehearsed. If they rehearsed, then they just lied.
Second – if they didn’t rehearse and really don’t want to entertain me, I’d love to let them know that they vere successful while I walk out the door.
Why are we afraid to have a good time?
posted September 24, 2008 at 3:42 pm
THat guy is right about contemporary “christian” music, but not for the right reasons.
This video explains it better -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umoEuAey-8E
posted September 26, 2008 at 9:59 am
Christian music needs to truely speak to the heart, mind and spirit not just set us on a high while listening it has to drive us to closer walk with God. Plus the person sing the song has to really live the life behind the song.