Post by pitbull on Feb 3, 2006 11:18:19 GMT -5
If the previous five guidelines are met:
1. The primary [not only] purpose of Christian music should praise the Lord Jesus Christ — not man. (Psalms 9:2; 21:13; 28:7; 33:2-3; Matthew 16:23)
2. Christian music is for the Lord — not the world. (Psalms 9:11; 137:1-4; Isaiah 12:2; 2 Corinthians 6:14, 17; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16)
3. Christian music is a new song — not an old song. (Psalms 40:1-3; 144:9; 149:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
4. Christian music's message [lyrics] should be clear — not vague or deceptive. (Acts 4:10-13; 9:29; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 1 Corinthians 2:4; 14:15; 2 Corinthians 3:12; Colossians 2:4)
5. Christian music should emphasis the message — not the music or the musician. (Psalm 66:2; John 12:43)
Then the next guideline should be the natural outcome of obedience to them. As I have studied the Bible, I notice that true Christian music is only for the local church — not concert halls, bars, civic centers, nightclubs, etc. – excluding the exception of recordings.
In the Bible, we find that God's place of worship and fellowship is the local church. Since true Godly music is to praise God and encourage the saints [not entertainment], it makes natural sense that this music would be kept in this location.
· “Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the CONGREGATION of saints. “ [Psalm 149:1]
· “I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the CONGREGATION will I praise thee.” [Psalm 22:22]
· “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the CHURCH will I sing praise unto thee.” [Hebrew 2:12]
While I realize there are exceptions, the principal place for Christian music (excluding tapes, CD's and other recordings) is the local church. We should not use the exceptions to justify disobedience to this Biblical guideline. Maybe it is just I, but my personal observation is that when the music leaves the local congregation the following two things happen:
· It has already compromised the previously mentioned Biblical guidelines and this is the natural progression of that spiritual concession.
· It quits being a serious ministry to the Lord and the saints to become an industry – this goes for CCM as well as other genre of Christian music.
1. The primary [not only] purpose of Christian music should praise the Lord Jesus Christ — not man. (Psalms 9:2; 21:13; 28:7; 33:2-3; Matthew 16:23)
2. Christian music is for the Lord — not the world. (Psalms 9:11; 137:1-4; Isaiah 12:2; 2 Corinthians 6:14, 17; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16)
3. Christian music is a new song — not an old song. (Psalms 40:1-3; 144:9; 149:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
4. Christian music's message [lyrics] should be clear — not vague or deceptive. (Acts 4:10-13; 9:29; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 1 Corinthians 2:4; 14:15; 2 Corinthians 3:12; Colossians 2:4)
5. Christian music should emphasis the message — not the music or the musician. (Psalm 66:2; John 12:43)
Then the next guideline should be the natural outcome of obedience to them. As I have studied the Bible, I notice that true Christian music is only for the local church — not concert halls, bars, civic centers, nightclubs, etc. – excluding the exception of recordings.
In the Bible, we find that God's place of worship and fellowship is the local church. Since true Godly music is to praise God and encourage the saints [not entertainment], it makes natural sense that this music would be kept in this location.
· “Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the CONGREGATION of saints. “ [Psalm 149:1]
· “I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the CONGREGATION will I praise thee.” [Psalm 22:22]
· “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the CHURCH will I sing praise unto thee.” [Hebrew 2:12]
While I realize there are exceptions, the principal place for Christian music (excluding tapes, CD's and other recordings) is the local church. We should not use the exceptions to justify disobedience to this Biblical guideline. Maybe it is just I, but my personal observation is that when the music leaves the local congregation the following two things happen:
· It has already compromised the previously mentioned Biblical guidelines and this is the natural progression of that spiritual concession.
· It quits being a serious ministry to the Lord and the saints to become an industry – this goes for CCM as well as other genre of Christian music.