The Controversy in Christian Music - Part 3
Bro. Terry Stalnaker

As we looked at the many misconceptions concerning “Christian” music, we’re left to wonder – just what is Godly music?  What are the properties that go into making music that is really pleasing to the Lord?  Can we really know what is the right kind of music? While there is room in the subject of what makes good music for personal taste, there are some definite, Scriptural principles that need to be applied to evaluating music today:

We mentioned in the previous articles that the current CCM crowd is trying to present their “message” is such a way that is almost “sneaks up” on the listener.  But while we are trying not to offend the listener, we’ve watered down the message of the Gospel so much, that it’s no longer recognizable.

2 Corinthians 3:12  Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

Music in the Word of God is direct in its message.  And it goes beyond the Praise & Worship crowd’s idea that the only good music centers exclusively on who God is.  The Psalms are filled with “songs” praising God for what He had done in Israel’s past – deliverance from Egypt, victory of God’s enemies (yes, He has enemies!), and so on.

It’s also critical that the lyrics are Biblically sound.  Songs that teach unscriptural doctrines have no place in our churches – no matter how pleasing they may be.  I heard a song once that declared that the reason God takes His saints home to Heaven is because He is running short on angels!  Meant as a comfort to those who lost family, it still teaches principles not supported by the Word of God

2. Lyrics that exalt God, not bring Him down to human level

The concepts brought out in some music need to place God on the level He deserves – high and lifted up.  He is holy!  God is not the “Big Guy upstairs.” 

Psalms 8:1-5  O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.  When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

Psalms such as this (and many others) place God where He deserve to be – above all others – and at the same time places man where he needs to be; totally unworthy of any favor from God (which is where grace comes in).

3. Accompaniment that isn’t dominant or suggestive.

Previously, we pointed out the tremendous effect music can have on the spirit & soul of a human being.  The rock industry knows and exploits that fact.  But as a Christian, we need to be reminded of some Scriptural facts:

1 Corinthians 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

This verse teaches us that Holy Spirit lives inside the believer – a concept not disputed in Christian circles.

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Here, we see the Holy Spirit is teaching and reminding us of God’s Word.  Again, no argument here.

Luke 12:12  For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

We see that the Holy Ghost is leading us… these are all fundamental truths.  What they show us is that the believer is to be controlled from within – living “inside-out.”  But when we structure our music to appeal to our fleshly desires, we are violating this principle and begin functioning “outside-in.”  Just the way the world lives!

Music that obscures the message (makes it hard to understand), music that reminds us of secular songs, music that speaks to the flesh… these need to be avoided in our churches today – not embraced as a method to draw crowds!

Music is a gift from God – designed to allow us a way to express our worship to Him.  And though the master counterfeiter Satan would want to draw us away from God, we have the sound principles in the Word of God which we can apply to be sure that the Lord gets the glory and honor He deserves!

Read Part 1 and 2 of The Controversy in Christian Music:
The Controversy in Christian Music - Part 1
The Controversy in Christian Music - Part 2