Music In The Modern Church

[Jason B]

I believe I am going to start a study on the subject of music/singing in the church. I intend to do this as a private study, not on AFF-but AFF is always good for different viewpoints and opinions. I desire to build up my doctrinal beliefs from scriptures, rather that popular church opinion/tradition and though I have opinions on the topic, I am willing to allow my presuppositions to be challenged and corrected by the Word (if need be). I welcome your thoughts, opinions, arguments.

Here are some random thoughts. Should we be more conerned for the style of music or the content? It seems like the trend is to sing upbeat songs (that one can juke and jive to) that are very weak on lyrics, some times called "7-11 songs" because a chorus of about 7 words is sang over and over (about 11 times).

How important are lyrics? What if they are set in a musical style that makes them difficult to understand (I.e. rap or hard rock)?

Are secular songs acceptable (like a former AFF poster who spoke of using the Beatles song "all you need is love" or NewSpring church in S. Carolina that used "highway to hell" in one of their services)? It is ok to sing songs that are essentially spirtually nuetral,I.e. not particulary mentioning God or anything definitive, but neither gorifying sin,e.g. "I believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly? What about using secular songs as one church did at offering time using Pink Floyd's (?) "Money"?

How important is doctrine in song? For example if we sing a song with scripture taken completely out of context, but yet its a catchy tune so everyone likes it, should we rock the boat and quit singing it?

Should we address satan in a song? (Satan you're kingdom's coming down)?

Should singing in church ever manifest a club atmosphere with a "worship leader" using phrases like "get ya hands up, get ya hands up", "uh huh, uh huh", etc?

How does what we accept as praise and worship (especialy churches which favor a very progressive style) compare in spirit and lyrics to 1)what scripture reveals about heavenly worship and 2)what we know about the secular "worldly" music industry?

Should "worship" service be like a concert where the audience isn't actively involved (not counting capping or dancing), or should all members of the body sing "congregationally"?

Just some things that crossed my mind, I've got opinions on nearly all of them, but I'm going to dig deeper in scripture to see those things are so.

[Sethern]

According to my grandfather, music affects the brain in certain ways, Rock and Rap making people more aggressive... Country causing people to become more suicidal, easy listening causing people to become more calm. So basically music affects your brain in the way you think and act, so if say, Rock was played as a Worship song in the church, people would more tend to start acting more aggressive and that is not particularly a trait that God really likes... Same for Rap.

I personally love, ALL music, and do listen to everything, from Classical music to Deathcore. From Rap to Country. From Oldies to old fashion gospel. I listen to EVERYTHING and like it... Except Pop music, I really don't care to much for that stuff... You should do some research first into how music affects people then you can go further in your studies from that part.

[The Matt]

Originally Posted by Sethern

According to my grandfather, music affects the brain in certain ways, Rock and Rap making people more aggressive... Country causing people to become more suicidal, easy listening causing people to become more calm. So basically music affects your brain in the way you think and act, so if say, Rock was played as a Worship song in the church, people would more tend to start acting more aggressive and that is not particularly a trait that God really likes... Same for Rap.

I personally love, ALL music, and do listen to everything, from Classical music to Deathcore. From Rap to Country. From Oldies to old fashion gospel. I listen to EVERYTHING and like it... Except Pop music, I really don't care to much for that stuff... You should do some research first into how music affects people then you can go further in your studies from that part.

Buddy you need to be veeeery careful about what you listen to...Listen closely to some of the music you listen to. Music is a quick road to whatever you're listening to...Listen to the lyrics, figure out how the "beat" makes you feel. I personally believe that any music not exalting the kingdom is an open channel for spiritual warfare. A lot of things you may be fighting could be from the music you listen to.

[Titus2woman]

If they would just sink 'The Old Gospel Ship' I'd be one happy camper!

I love the hymns of old, and modern worship music. Chris Tomlin and Third Day are some of my favs. I have a weakness for mass choirs. My media playlists show me a very eclectic Jesus Freak.

I'm pretty much done with secular music except when I get a jones for some good Motown.... I used to be into southern rock, grunge and Metallica when I was a rank Baptist sinner.... of course I smoked a lot of dope then too.

[Sethern]

Originally Posted by The Matt

Buddy you need to be veeeery careful about what you listen to...Listen closely to some of the music you listen to. Music is a quick road to whatever you're listening to...Listen to the lyrics, figure out how the "beat" makes you feel. I personally believe that any music not exalting the kingdom is an open channel for spiritual warfare. A lot of things you may be fighting could be from the music you listen to.

You are right, I am trying to change what I listen to, but the problem is, since I love all types of music I can't help it... Or I can, but it will seriously take some time!

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Sethern

Maybe you would like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZtwxc423jg

My sweet spot is right there. I have alwaus prefered his version of that song.

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

If they would just sink 'The Old Gospel Ship' I'd be one happy camper!

I love the hymns of old, and modern worship music. Chris Tomlin and Third Day are some of my favs. I have a weakness for mass choirs. My media playlists show me a very eclectic Jesus Freak.

I'm pretty much done with secular music except when I get a jones for some good Motown.... I used to be into southern rock, grunge and Metallica when I was a rank Baptist sinner.... of course I smoked a lot of dope then too.

I like that one, but would prefer to see I'll Fly Away shot down. I really dislike that song. In thirty more years or so, I might enjoy singing that song.

Originally Posted by Sethern

You are right, I am trying to change what I listen to, but the problem is, since I love all types of music I can't help it... Or I can, but it will seriously take some time!

I will be praying for you conerning this matter. I know that He will help you through.

[Sethern]

Originally Posted by Jay

I will be praying for you conerning this matter. I know that He will help you through.

Umm, it would be good if I actually knew the names of Christian bands O. O the only ones I know are, Steven Curtis Chapman, David Meece, Glory Forever - Gateway, and umm... Upper Room Experience. I think that is about it...

[KeptByTheWord]

Well, in the NT you are not going to find much on music, hence the Church of Christ's stance to have NO music in their churches. So you probably will have to base most of what you find in the OT concerning music.

However, one thing that is mentioned in the NT is singing. I think it is better to focus on what one is singing first, because the words do matter. Singing the 7-11 is just horrible to me. If there is no meaning to the words, then how can you worship with those words to the Lord? They are simply meaningless words repeated over and over with no effectiveness.

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

I think if more songs focused on the Psalms, and using scripture as their basis, they would be more meaningful and powerful.

Yet, again, it does all boil down to personal opinion.
Personally, in the little church group we are a part of, we sing a lot of psalms, which are just music put to the words in the psalms. They are so beautiful, and easy to worship to.

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Sethern

According to my grandfather, music affects the brain in certain ways, Rock and Rap making people more aggressive... Country causing people to become more suicidal, easy listening causing people to become more calm. So basically music affects your brain in the way you think and act, so if say, Rock was played as a Worship song in the church, people would more tend to start acting more aggressive and that is not particularly a trait that God really likes... Same for Rap.

I personally love, ALL music, and do listen to everything, from Classical music to Deathcore. From Rap to Country. From Oldies to old fashion gospel. I listen to EVERYTHING and like it... Except Pop music, I really don't care to much for that stuff... You should do some research first into how music affects people then you can go further in your studies from that part.

I don't intent to use the social sciences in my study. I think such info is so subjective it has no place in the church. Its like saying if you use dark colors in the decor of your home you will be depressed. To me its just nonsense. It goes without saying that we pick up on different tempos and rythms, but I don't believe that "music affects your brain" if you mean it causes us to think or act differently. I would say that is only true inasmuch as someone allows the lyrics of such music to mold their views. For example, if christians choose to listen to pop music constantly finding plasure in lyrics which glorify sleping around, lust, broken relationships, revenge, rebellion, adultery, fornication, covetousness, violent crime, alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic abuse, isolationism, selfishness, and a hundred more ungodly themes, I argue that it will effect their worldview, not because of brain waves, but because of the message they subject themselves to-AND find pleasue in (romans 1:32). Which brings up another question, should Christians listen to secular/worldly music at all, esecially considering eph 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Phill 4:8, and James 5:13? And still yet another question, WHY would a christian even desire and find pleasure in such music? All of which brings us back to one of the original questions, do we justify music because it is "fun" or "catchy" or "has a good beat" rather than actually choose music we listen to based on the lyrics? While the 2 may seem exclusive, they are not, fr often what people like to listen to outside of church works itself into the church.

[Sethern]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

I don't intent to use the social sciences in my study. I think such info is so subjective it has no place in the church. Its like saying if you use dark colors in the decor of your home you will be depressed. To me its just nonsense. It goes without saying that we pick up on different tempos and rythms, but I don't believe that "music affects your brain" if you mean it causes us to think or act differently. I would say that is only true inasmuch as someone allows the lyrics of such music to mold their views. For example, if christians choose to listen to pop music constantly finding plasure in lyrics which glorify sleping around, lust, broken relationships, revenge, rebellion, adultery, fornication, covetousness, violent crime, alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic abuse, isolationism, selfishness, and a hundred more ungodly themes, I argue that it will effect their worldview, not because of brain waves, but because of the message they subject themselves to-AND find pleasue in (romans 1:32). Which brings up another question, should Christians listen to secular/worldly music at all, esecially considering eph 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Phill 4:8, and James 5:13? And still yet another question, WHY would a christian even desire and find pleasure in such music? All of which brings us back to one of the original questions, do we justify music because it is "fun" or "catchy" or "has a good beat" rather than actually choose music we listen to based on the lyrics? While the 2 may seem exclusive, they are not, fr often what people like to listen to outside of church works itself into the church.

The problem is, ALL music affects the brain, with tempo, beats, pitches etc. You can find this out if you look up, "Delta, Theta, Alpha or Gamma wave music" those are all types of music that affect your brain, however all forms of music follow those patterns of music as well, whether it's the beat of the base, high hat, tom toms, tambourine, even the singers. It would be a good idea for you to look into them, however I can not control you and if you do not see a point in it then well. I don't really have a say in it of course, but it is good to warn you ahead of time just in case you change your mind on the subject...