Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs, or CCM?

Picture the great Apostle Paul standing on stage before a throng of sensuously aroused teenagers holding a mic and singing loudly (to overcome the heavy-metal beat being driven into their ears, minds and souls). His body is swaying and gyrating. He has the undivided attention of the female population of the audience, as well as a decent segment of the "male" audience. Above the beat of the drums, the ear-splitting noise of the instruments, Paul sings out these words from Holy Scripture: Acts 20:18-24

Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

The scene is ludicrous, and yet many today would have us believe that the above scene is not only "Godly" but necessary - that so-called Christian rock and contemporary music are what God is using today instead of the preaching of his word. Instead of "preach the word" as found in the Holy Bible, today's modern evangelist would rather "bellow the false gospel" to mind-numbing music. Can "rock" music legitimately be called Christian? Does the fact that a few are genuinely converted to Jesus Christ (but rarely ever live a holy life), mean that it is a legitimate means of spreading the gospel?

Deceased CCM advocate Keith Green, in his tract "Can God Use Rock Music" stated "[T]he Lord has been teaching me so much lately about motives, and how they are the bottom line in just about everything!" While I am sure Keith was sincere in his belief that God was behind this teaching, he was sincerely wrong. He was deceived by doctrines of devils. (1 Timothy 4:1) He believed he was being taught by God, but he was victim to a false spirit. Motive is NEVER the bottom line in what you do for God. OBEDIENCE to his revealed will IS. Saul (1 Samuel 15:13,14) had a good motive for sparing Agag, but Samuel stated "Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." Many religious people (of all religious persuasions) feel that if their motives are sincere, they will "make it o.k." They will not. Christ stated unequivocally "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) That eliminates all who try some other way, no matter how sincere their motive.

Anyone with more than a surface understanding of the Bible and an honest heart would understand that the doctrinal content of Christian rock, or CCM just doesn't come close to that of the old "slow boring" hymns. They are slow and boring because today's modern Christians are "dull of hearing". (Hebrews 5:11). Doctrine doesn't matter anymore. The great truths of the Bible no longer thrill Them. They want music that appeals to the flesh rather than the spirit. If it doesn't make your body move, then it can't be much good. But, although there may be an emotional high associated with CCM, the songs themselves are, for the most part, useless for re-inforcing the great doctrines of the word of God in the hearts of children and adults. The old hymns are full of God-honoring truth. The singers and promoters of CCM for the most part are Biblically illiterate, many of them falling into some of the doctrinal falsehoods discussed elsewhere on this site.

Open Door Baptist Church stands without apology against all modern contemporary music and Christan rock. The Judgment Seat of Christ will find mountains of wood, hay, and stubble facing those who tried to marry the world, the flesh, and the Devil to that which was given by God to be one of the highest forms of worship known to man.

If you listen to or perform Christian rock and CCM, PLEASE take the time to look at the links provided below. There you will find documented evidence to the wickedness and worldliness of these forms of music. This page is not designed to "push" our point of view on you, but rather to help you and your family fit the description of God's children given in Hebrews 11:13 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." Don't just reject this admonition out of hand, but rather seek the will of God on this critical issue. For many Christian young people, Christian rock is only one step from immorality and heartbreak.

Have you been delivered from CCM or perhaps have a testimony about it that would be a help to someone else? If so, e-mail your testimony, and we will post those it on this website. God Bless.

Terry Watkins, who was saved out of rock music, has done as much or more than any one out there, to show Biblically, scientifically, and logically, the wickedness of rock music, Christian or otherwise. Having no desire to "re-invent the wheel", I refer you to the evidence he has collated. His evidence cannot be refuted. Before you get offended and write me, please check out these pages on his website.

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