MUS:Is Gospel Rock Christian?  by Chris Gardner

   Many Christians today are faced with the controversy of Gospel rock
music. Are you? Are your loved ones? What does the Bible say? Because
of the growing place that Gospel rock has in Christendom today, we are
concerned that individuals come to a Scriptural conclusion in order to
satisfy the Holiness of God. Let's "search the scriptures; for in them
ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me"
(John 5:39).

   What is acceptable music? The question is not what is acceptable to
us, but what is acceptable to God. Remember, we must, in everything we
do, present [our] bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is [our] reasonable service" (Romans 12:1). Verse 2: "And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will
of God."

   Let's hear what some supporters say about Gospel rock: "Gospel rock
is a matter of individual choice." "God is using Gospel rock to reach
many lost souls." "It has a special message for youth." "It attracts
the attention of the drug users." "It is effective."

   These statements sound good and logical to the carnal ear. There is
no doubt that Gospel rock is effective, but to what end?

   Music today is one of the most popular and effective forms of
communication. Its language speaks in every tongue and to every nation.
Music stimulates one's emotions in different way according to the
rhythmical tempo, the lyrics, and so forth. One can be soothed to
relaxation and contentment, or one can be stirred to dance to the
pounding beat. Music with lyrics is one of the most common channels of
self-expression, and one's mood or motive usually determines the nature
of what is expressed. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he (see
Proverbs 23:7).

   Let's focus on the nature of Gospel rock music.

   In order to justify Gospel rock music, one must sacrifice purity of
heart. As born again Christians, we must realize that "the flesh
lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these
are contrary the one to another: so that ye cannot do the things that
ye would" (Galations 5:17). Is it right for the Born again Christian to
expose himself to that which will arouse the carnal senses and activate
a struggle against the Spirit of truth within us?

   Gospel rock contains lyrics which talk about Christ, however, they
exist within the realm of compromise. Because of the rapid growth of
Christianity and the popularity of rock and roll, men have chosen the
way of compromise. They are seeking to degrade the pure Gospel of Jesus
Christ to accommodate their carnal desires. They do this when they take
something which seems to represent God and combine it with something
which identifies with Satan.

   GOD HATES COMPROMISE! Revelation 3:16 says, "So then because thou
art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my
mouth." Where is the line of separation concerning Gospel music? The
Bible says, "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. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that
doeth the will of God abideth forever. Little children, it is the last
time: and ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there
many antichrists; whereby we know that is is the last time" (1 John
2:15-18).

   The reason we cannot love the things of the world is because of
their influence and effect on the Christian's relationship with God.

   We must identify with God's people and, most of all, God's Holiness.
God's Holiness demands separation from the world in every step of the
Christian's walk. Because music is a big part of the Christians
worship, and worship is the channel of self-expression to God, we must
be careful not to compromise true holiness to satisfy our own desires.

   2 Corinthians 6:14-17 exposes the line of separation which we are
accountable to: "Be ye not equally yoked together with unbelievers: for
what fellowship hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ
with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And
what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple
of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in
them; and I will be their God and they shall be my people. Wherefore
come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch
not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."

   Notice the contrasts in verses 14-16: Christians being unequally
yoked together with unbelievers, righteous with unrighteousness, light
with darkness, and Christ with Belial.

   Separation from the world must be a distinct part of every born
again Christian's life. God first instituted separation in the very
dawn of creation when He separated the day from the night, light from
darkness, and land from sea. It is interesting to note that in the
creation, separation came before fruit-bearing. It was only after the
separation of light from darkness and the division of land from sea
that the earth brought forth her fruit. And so it is with us. How can
we expect to bear fruit if we are still part of the devil's kingdom?

   It is well-known fact that rock music has laid the foundation for
rebellion in the hearts of many young folks. But what about all those
who claim salvation through the influence of Gospel rock music? The
incongruity that salvation through Gospel rock represents in the light
of the divine grace of God working in the heart of the believers, is
challenged by the words Jesus spoke when the scribes accused him of
having an evil spirit in him. Mark 3:22: "And the scribes which came
down from Jerusalem said, He hath Baelzebub, and by the prince of
devils casteth he out devils." Notice the answer Jesus gave them in
verses 23 and 24: "And he called them unto him, and said unto them in
parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided
against itself, that kingdom cannot stand."

   It is plain to see that God does not use something satanic, or
satanic influence, to bring salvation to the lost. He gave His Son
Jesus Christ, and through His death and resurrection made it possible
for all to be saved. And it is only through the death of our fleshly
desires and the resurrection of a new creature within that we are
saved. "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the
father, but by me" (John 14:6).

   We can also see by the lives of the rock artists that they identify
with the kingdom of this world by the suggestive clothing they wear.
The hair styles and the make-up are no different from those who are
lost in the depths of sin. The appearance of the child of God on the
outside should be a reflection of the child of God within.

   Gospel rock relies heavily upon instrumental music to achieve its
purposes. We as Christians, however, are thankful to God for the voices
we have to praise God in song. We have no need of the aid of earthly
instruments to express ourselves in worship to God. "God that made the
world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and
earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped
with mens hands, as though he needeth any thing, seeing he giveth life,
and breath, and all things" (Acts 17:24, 25).

   Does the music we listen to, draw our attention to the God we
worship? Does it encourage purity within? Does it speak to our inward
need?

   Suppose we would subtract the driving beat of the music; would it
still satisfy? Or would is sound barren? Would it melt our desire to
serve God? If the words you sing to God cannot be sung without the
driving beat of rock music, then perhaps you are serving the wrong God!

   We who worship the living God must unite ourselves in spirit and in
truth (John 4:24) and stand against the evil influence which Gospel
rock represents. Let us worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! And
let us thank the Lord for youthful hearts, filled to overflowing with
gratitude and praise, for voices to praise Him in song. It is a pure
and holy way to express ourselves in true worship to our Creator and
Redeemer.

   If we look at the world's standard of rock music and compare it with
the "Christian" standard of rock, the only difference is that the
latter is done in the name of Christ. How degrading!

   To subject oneself to the influence of Gospel rock merely creates an
emotional upheaval and leaves us "groping for the wall" as in Isaiah
59:10.

   God hates sin in every shape and form. Surely if God did not hate
sin He would not have sent Christ to die for the sins of the world.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue to sin, that grace may
abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer
therein?" (Romans 6:1, 2).

   Judge for yourself. Is Gospel rock Christian?

   by Chris Gardner