Post by pitbull on Dec 14, 2005 8:37:20 GMT -5
CCM – THE TROJAN HORSE OF APOSTASY
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service. These articles cannot be stored on BBS or Internet sites without express permission from the author. The articles cannot be sold or placed by themselves or with other material in any electronic format for sale, but may be distributed for free by e-mail or by print. They must be left intact and nothing removed or changed, including these informational headers. This is a listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. Our goal is not devotional. OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. If you desire to receive this type of material on a regular basis, e-mail us, tell us who you are and where you are located, and request to be placed on the list. Also include your postal address and the name of the church of which you are a member. Please note that we take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and you will be expected to participate. Some of these articles are from the "Digging in the Walls" section of O Timothy magazine. David W. Cloud, Editor. O Timothy is a monthly magazine in its 14th year of publication. Subscription is $20/yr. Way of Life Literature, 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277. The Way of Life web site is wayoflife.org/~dcloud. The End Times Apostasy Online Database is located at this web site. (360) 675-8311 (voice), 240-8347 (fax). dcloud@whidbey.net (e-mail)]
April 2, 1998 (Fundamental Baptist Information Service, 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277) - The following article by Victor E. Sears first appeared in the Baptist Bible Tribune 18 years ago under the title "Modernism in a New Form." It is reprinted from The Fundamentalist Digest, Nov.-Dec. 1997 (Don Jasmin, Editor, P.O. Box 2322, Elkton, MD 21922). Victor Sears "was one of the early motivating figures in the Baptist Bible Fellowship (BBF)." Writing in the Feb. 13, 1981, issue of the Baptist Bible Tribune, R.O. Woodworth, former national representative of the BBF, made the following comment about Sears' article:
"Perhaps as much as any issue confronting Baptist Bible Fellowship, Brother Sears is concerned about the 'hippy' music creeping into our churches that antagonizes so many of our people. Compounding the problem is the music program in many of our schools. Consequently there is much liberal support for contemporary music which Sears calls 'gospel garbage.' In an article 'Modernism in a New Form,' carried by the Baptist Bible Tribune recently, which incidentally received wide acclaim, he points out that the invasion of contemporary music into our churches will cause irreparable harm unless it is checked."
Sadly, these warnings have been ignored by many Baptist Bible Fellowship preachers. Dr. Jasmin, editor of the Fundamentalist Digest, remarks: "In the BBF, contemporary Christian music not been checked in many churches. Consequently, the BBF movement has drifted aimlessly toward the New Evangelical orbit. Pastors, if you don't want the next generation in your church to become apostate, exercise oversight over your church music program NOW!"
MODERNISM IN A NEW FORM
By Victor E Sears
Forty years ago when I first entered the ministry, the word "modernism" was on the lips of every fundamentalist. The word had a connotation of such organizations as the Federal Council of Churches (now the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches). Individual names such as Harry Emerson Fosthingy, Harry Ward, E. Stanley Jones and others became synonymous with our exposure of modernism or apostasy.
Many great pulpiteers and Bible expounders became well-known for their battle against modernism. Included among these were T.T. Shields, J. Frank Norris, Harvey Springer, Carl McIntyre, Bob Ketchum, Bob Jones, Art Wilson, Noel Smith, Archer Weniger, Henry Grubs, and a host of others too numerous to list. All these men have been very close friends.
They fought seemingly insurmountable battles against apostasy and unbelief in denominations and councils. These men were giants in their day. They fought those who would bring false doctrine into our churches and those who would attempt inclusive policies of fellowship between fundamentalists and modernists. The lines were definitely drawn so that people knew unequivocally the difference between fundamentalists, neoevangelicals, and modernists. Today these lines are fast becoming obliterated.
CCM MUSIC--THE NEW FORM OF APOSTASY
Now there is a new form that modernism and apostasy has taken to creep surreptitiously into our churches and destroy their Scriptural testimony. THIS TIME IT DOES NOT COME IN THE FORM OF PREACHING OR TEACHING, BUT RATHER IN THE CARNAL PRODUCTION OF THE MUSICAL PROGRAM FROM MANY CHURCH PLATFORMS. Much of the singing heard today by choirs and specials on the average church platform is what is known as contemporary or as soft rock and is often backed with the sound of canned music that could be produced by the average dance or disco band at the corner honky-tonk.
In my personal estimation, much noise or racket (certainly not music) is a polluting stench in the nostrils of a holy God. With its sensual tones, jungle beat, and night club presentation, it appeals to the flesh rather than to the spirit. It motivates the carnal interest instead of the new nature. The sad truth is that most of this new contemporary, soft rock, offbeat style of music was conceived in hell, hatched among the charismatic crowd, and printed in their publishing houses.
BEWARE: CHARISMATIC MUSIC IS TAKING OVER OUR CHURCHES!
Good fundamental Baptists and others that refuse the teachings of the charismatic crowd concerning tongues, signs, miracles, and so forth are now singing their music in our churches and preparing our people for the world, the flesh and the devil. It is the new Trojan Horse move of modernism to deaden our churches to spiritual truth. Icabod can be written over most of its lyrics and notes. The sad part of this is that many of our pastors are not aware of what is taking place. A lot of these musical arrangements (arranged by the charismatics) come in the form of "canned music" with the sound of drums, amplified guitars, plus other instruments with the offbeat of the jungle just like you would expect to hear in the honky-tonk saloon.
MUSIC THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE WORLD
I have heard several people say that it carries the same beat and swing that they used to dance with before they were saved. There is a sort of hippy-oriented "pop" flavor that is disgusting to any consecrated Christian and must be repulsive to Almighty God.
Too many soloists and groups singing such music put on the poise and style of Hollywood entertainers. Many of these "entertainers" wear clothing (or lack of it) that is the same as worn in nightclubs. Often men have long hippy-type hair arrangements that speak of the rebellion of this age and are a contradiction of 1 Corinthians 11:14 where it states: "Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?" Many of these "entertainers" would not go across the street to win a soul to Christ or attend a Bible study or prayer meeting.
The average musical group turns up the public address system so high that it destroys all hearing of the words and receiving of a message. I heard B.R. Lakin say in Orlando, Florida, that the "average quartet, if they sang in an auditorium the size of a telephone booth, would want a public address system." This blatant, senseless roaring of a PA system is ridiculous beyond words. Its only ministry is NOISE, not even good-sounding noise.
SHALLOW HERETICAL LYRICS
The words of most of this contemporary music used in our churches is shallow, unscriptural, and even heretical. Someone said recently that "weak preaching always goes along with worldly music." That, I believe, is the truth. Just as years ago we preachers lifted up our voices against modernism as depicted by the National Council and World Council of Churches, so today we preachers need to "rise up like a tomcat spitting tobacco juice in a bull dog's eye" and start preaching against the modernistic evil of most contemporary and all rock music in our churches.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PASTORS TO OVERSEE THE CHURCH'S MUSIC PROGRAM
We used to say that the musical program of the church prepared the way for the pastor's sermon. I BELIEVE GOD HOLDS THE PREACHER RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT GOES ON THE PLATFORM OF HIS CHURCH. Possibly we need to tie a knot in the tail of some of our song leaders. Some of them have gone far too worldly in their musical programs. Let's get back to the old time gospel hymns and singing that stirs the heart, brings glory to God, and draws us closer to Him. The old-time hymns like "Rock of Ages," "The Old Rugged Cross," "Throw out the Lifeline," and "When the Roll is called Up Yonder" are still relevant in this dark Laodicean age. "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls..." (Jer. 6:16).
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service. These articles cannot be stored on BBS or Internet sites without express permission from the author. The articles cannot be sold or placed by themselves or with other material in any electronic format for sale, but may be distributed for free by e-mail or by print. They must be left intact and nothing removed or changed, including these informational headers. This is a listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. Our goal is not devotional. OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. If you desire to receive this type of material on a regular basis, e-mail us, tell us who you are and where you are located, and request to be placed on the list. Also include your postal address and the name of the church of which you are a member. Please note that we take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and you will be expected to participate. Some of these articles are from the "Digging in the Walls" section of O Timothy magazine. David W. Cloud, Editor. O Timothy is a monthly magazine in its 14th year of publication. Subscription is $20/yr. Way of Life Literature, 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277. The Way of Life web site is wayoflife.org/~dcloud. The End Times Apostasy Online Database is located at this web site. (360) 675-8311 (voice), 240-8347 (fax). dcloud@whidbey.net (e-mail)]
April 2, 1998 (Fundamental Baptist Information Service, 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277) - The following article by Victor E. Sears first appeared in the Baptist Bible Tribune 18 years ago under the title "Modernism in a New Form." It is reprinted from The Fundamentalist Digest, Nov.-Dec. 1997 (Don Jasmin, Editor, P.O. Box 2322, Elkton, MD 21922). Victor Sears "was one of the early motivating figures in the Baptist Bible Fellowship (BBF)." Writing in the Feb. 13, 1981, issue of the Baptist Bible Tribune, R.O. Woodworth, former national representative of the BBF, made the following comment about Sears' article:
"Perhaps as much as any issue confronting Baptist Bible Fellowship, Brother Sears is concerned about the 'hippy' music creeping into our churches that antagonizes so many of our people. Compounding the problem is the music program in many of our schools. Consequently there is much liberal support for contemporary music which Sears calls 'gospel garbage.' In an article 'Modernism in a New Form,' carried by the Baptist Bible Tribune recently, which incidentally received wide acclaim, he points out that the invasion of contemporary music into our churches will cause irreparable harm unless it is checked."
Sadly, these warnings have been ignored by many Baptist Bible Fellowship preachers. Dr. Jasmin, editor of the Fundamentalist Digest, remarks: "In the BBF, contemporary Christian music not been checked in many churches. Consequently, the BBF movement has drifted aimlessly toward the New Evangelical orbit. Pastors, if you don't want the next generation in your church to become apostate, exercise oversight over your church music program NOW!"
MODERNISM IN A NEW FORM
By Victor E Sears
Forty years ago when I first entered the ministry, the word "modernism" was on the lips of every fundamentalist. The word had a connotation of such organizations as the Federal Council of Churches (now the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches). Individual names such as Harry Emerson Fosthingy, Harry Ward, E. Stanley Jones and others became synonymous with our exposure of modernism or apostasy.
Many great pulpiteers and Bible expounders became well-known for their battle against modernism. Included among these were T.T. Shields, J. Frank Norris, Harvey Springer, Carl McIntyre, Bob Ketchum, Bob Jones, Art Wilson, Noel Smith, Archer Weniger, Henry Grubs, and a host of others too numerous to list. All these men have been very close friends.
They fought seemingly insurmountable battles against apostasy and unbelief in denominations and councils. These men were giants in their day. They fought those who would bring false doctrine into our churches and those who would attempt inclusive policies of fellowship between fundamentalists and modernists. The lines were definitely drawn so that people knew unequivocally the difference between fundamentalists, neoevangelicals, and modernists. Today these lines are fast becoming obliterated.
CCM MUSIC--THE NEW FORM OF APOSTASY
Now there is a new form that modernism and apostasy has taken to creep surreptitiously into our churches and destroy their Scriptural testimony. THIS TIME IT DOES NOT COME IN THE FORM OF PREACHING OR TEACHING, BUT RATHER IN THE CARNAL PRODUCTION OF THE MUSICAL PROGRAM FROM MANY CHURCH PLATFORMS. Much of the singing heard today by choirs and specials on the average church platform is what is known as contemporary or as soft rock and is often backed with the sound of canned music that could be produced by the average dance or disco band at the corner honky-tonk.
In my personal estimation, much noise or racket (certainly not music) is a polluting stench in the nostrils of a holy God. With its sensual tones, jungle beat, and night club presentation, it appeals to the flesh rather than to the spirit. It motivates the carnal interest instead of the new nature. The sad truth is that most of this new contemporary, soft rock, offbeat style of music was conceived in hell, hatched among the charismatic crowd, and printed in their publishing houses.
BEWARE: CHARISMATIC MUSIC IS TAKING OVER OUR CHURCHES!
Good fundamental Baptists and others that refuse the teachings of the charismatic crowd concerning tongues, signs, miracles, and so forth are now singing their music in our churches and preparing our people for the world, the flesh and the devil. It is the new Trojan Horse move of modernism to deaden our churches to spiritual truth. Icabod can be written over most of its lyrics and notes. The sad part of this is that many of our pastors are not aware of what is taking place. A lot of these musical arrangements (arranged by the charismatics) come in the form of "canned music" with the sound of drums, amplified guitars, plus other instruments with the offbeat of the jungle just like you would expect to hear in the honky-tonk saloon.
MUSIC THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE WORLD
I have heard several people say that it carries the same beat and swing that they used to dance with before they were saved. There is a sort of hippy-oriented "pop" flavor that is disgusting to any consecrated Christian and must be repulsive to Almighty God.
Too many soloists and groups singing such music put on the poise and style of Hollywood entertainers. Many of these "entertainers" wear clothing (or lack of it) that is the same as worn in nightclubs. Often men have long hippy-type hair arrangements that speak of the rebellion of this age and are a contradiction of 1 Corinthians 11:14 where it states: "Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?" Many of these "entertainers" would not go across the street to win a soul to Christ or attend a Bible study or prayer meeting.
The average musical group turns up the public address system so high that it destroys all hearing of the words and receiving of a message. I heard B.R. Lakin say in Orlando, Florida, that the "average quartet, if they sang in an auditorium the size of a telephone booth, would want a public address system." This blatant, senseless roaring of a PA system is ridiculous beyond words. Its only ministry is NOISE, not even good-sounding noise.
SHALLOW HERETICAL LYRICS
The words of most of this contemporary music used in our churches is shallow, unscriptural, and even heretical. Someone said recently that "weak preaching always goes along with worldly music." That, I believe, is the truth. Just as years ago we preachers lifted up our voices against modernism as depicted by the National Council and World Council of Churches, so today we preachers need to "rise up like a tomcat spitting tobacco juice in a bull dog's eye" and start preaching against the modernistic evil of most contemporary and all rock music in our churches.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PASTORS TO OVERSEE THE CHURCH'S MUSIC PROGRAM
We used to say that the musical program of the church prepared the way for the pastor's sermon. I BELIEVE GOD HOLDS THE PREACHER RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT GOES ON THE PLATFORM OF HIS CHURCH. Possibly we need to tie a knot in the tail of some of our song leaders. Some of them have gone far too worldly in their musical programs. Let's get back to the old time gospel hymns and singing that stirs the heart, brings glory to God, and draws us closer to Him. The old-time hymns like "Rock of Ages," "The Old Rugged Cross," "Throw out the Lifeline," and "When the Roll is called Up Yonder" are still relevant in this dark Laodicean age. "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls..." (Jer. 6:16).
