Even a casual observer will have to conclude that music alone, without the assistance of lyrics, does affect mankind. And, that different styles of music affect mankind in different ways. Anthems stir us to pride and duty. They make soldiers serve willingly in the cause of their country. Dixieland sets our hands clapping and our feet tapping. Hymns make us reflective and appeal to the higher senses of God and spirit. What does Rock and Roll do to man? What has Rock and Roll done to man?
While anthems may call to organized war, they do not call to riots or rebellion. While Dixieland calls to physical action it does not call to sexual sensuality. While hymns call to our spirit, they do not call to selfish gratification. Rock and Roll music calls to all the baser inclinations of man...riots, rebellion, sexual sensuality and selfish gratifications. This is not an untested theory or opinion. It is fact that has been publicly demonstrated far too often to be honestly denied.
Music composers have written books regarding the ability of certain notes and music styles to cause various parts of the human body to respond. This phenomenon is why a group of soldiers will march taller and more lively when approaching a reviewing stand and the marching band. This is why even an invalid will begin to shuffle and tap when hearing Dixieland. And, this is why a hush is felt and a tear may be formed at the playing of a sacred hymn. Some rock and roll composers have stated that they play their audiences with the music they compose. They MAKE them move in sensuous ways!
If we took the lyrics of knee slapping "Mississippi Mud" and sang them to the music of the "Star Spangled Banner," they would seem very much out of place. The reverse would also be true. Try to think of "the rockets red glare" and "our flag was still there," to the tune of "Alexander's Rag Time Band." It would be preposterous. The music would overcome the message and render it useless. Likewise imagine the affect of taking the words of "Amazing Grace," "Rock of Ages," or "Search Me O God" (which have for centuries moved untold hundreds of people to a higher plane with God) and setting them to a popular rock and roll music score! Would the message accomplish the same even if the words were identical?
Rock and roll artists are not shy in stating their understanding of the music they play.
"Our music is capable of causing emotional instability, disorganized behavior, rebellion and even revolution." ...'The Beatles'
"The throbbing beat of rock provides a vital sexual release for adolescent audiences."...Jan Berry
"Pop music is sex, and you have to hit them in the face with it."...Andrew Oldham (recording manager for the 'Rolling Stones')
"I'm in rock music for the sex and narcotics."...Glenn Frey of 'The Eagles'
"Rock 'n' roll is 99% sex."...John Oates
"Everyone takes it for granted that rock and roll is synonymous with sex."...Chris Stein, lead guitarist with 'Blondie.'
"Rock music is sex. The beat matches the body rhythms."...Frank Zappa, superstar of 'Mothers of Invention' fame.
Does the Bible speak on the subject of Rock and Roll music? If we understand the above, it clearly and forcefully does. Note the following:
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
The above admonitions to Christians are to participate in spiritual music that will move the heart toward the Lord, not rock and roll which will move the flesh to selfish sensuality and rebellion.
I Chronicles 16:9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
The music identified here is to be "unto God." It would be near blasphemous to think of God being praised by music that moves the flesh and the base nature of man when we are told, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).
Psalms 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise ("loud noise" is rendered "shout of joy" in the NKJV, NIV and NAS).
See the note above regarding music that is unto Him.
Psalms 47:7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
Obviously the lyrics are not to be overcome by the accompanying music. But rather, the music should compliment and accompany the lyrics. Since rock and roll stimulates the flesh, it cannot compliment lyrics which are to help ones understanding of the praises of God.
I Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The cacophony, syncopation and throbbing rhythm of rock and roll is not consistent with the above verses.
God's definition of "works of the flesh:"
To the contrary, God's definition of "fruit of the spirit:"
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance (#1466: self control): against such there is no law.
Rock and roll music stimulates that which is to be deadened in Christians and hampers that which is to be encouraged.
Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Rock and roll music is designed to excite and stimulate the flesh. It is the opposite of that which is commanded by God for His children.
II Corinthians 6:17-7:1 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Romans 3:8 ...Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
Ones who think they may take the evil tool of rock and roll and use it for God's purposes should consider the above.
I John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Since rock and roll music is not found in the scriptures, from whence we derive all that is pleasing to God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), it MUST be a part of this world. Obvious evidence that this is so is by the association of the lust of flesh with this type of music, regardless of the lyrics.
I Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
I Thessalonians 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
I Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
I Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Since rock and roll music is designed to stimulate the baser instincts of man and to activate sensual movement, it is obviously not a part of the "living sacrifice" commanded by God of His children.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
The Christian who desires to engage in the popular music of rock and roll should ask himself who he is really desiring to please, himself or His Saviour?
II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Since the child of God today has been clearly informed by God that ever good thing God wants us to accomplish for Him in this life is commanded in His word, the question should not be does the Bible condemn rock and roll, but does the Bible command its use for God? If rock and roll music is not found in the scriptures as a command of God, and it is not, then it is not a work of righteousness.
I Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
I Corinthians 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
I Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Titus 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
What do rock and roll musicians display in their dress, grooming, and actions as they put words about God to their music? Are they consistent with the above? The new life in Christ described in 2Corinthians 5:17 and the admonitions to live that new life (Galatians 5:25) make it obvious that the rock and roll performer is not in obedience to God as he conforms to the world.
II Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Does rock and roll music fit with the above description of the latter days of the church age? There should be no question.
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I John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Acts 17:11 "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
2 Corinthians 5:10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
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