If you’re afraid of challenging my points, then I would suggest taking a look at some of the stories on this blog with good discussion. You’ll find that I have been more than willing to concede entire points and arguments when I am shown to be wrong. If you were to present some argument that showed CCM or rock music (music, not lyrics) to be a sin, then I am absolutely sure that I would have no problem conceding. My main concern, is and always has been, to please God in everything I do, including the music I listen to. Therefore, I’m more than willing to hear you out. Many people have tried, and I’m always of an open mind.

It’s up to you. I’m here if you decide to return.

I can’t imagine anything good happening if I were to “challenge any of the points” you’ve made if your answers to an actual challenge would be a biting as those where a challenge didn’t exist.

Be well.

I believe you won’t find a single verse of Scripture that outlines the correct “style” of music, nor a single verse that condemns any “style” either. All you will find in the arguments against styles of music is loosely interpreted principles of scripture, hijacked by legalists to not only keep themselves in bondage to a self-imposed law, but to also eventually put others under that same bondage.

By all means, challenge any of the points I’ve made … but don’t accuse me of not using scripture without using any of your own.

First of all, your blog is great. I have nothing against you or it at all. In fact, minthegap.com covers many of the same topics I cover here, but with different conclusions (which I absolutely love!) So, please don’t take anything I say personally.

Second, I’ve read your entire post… multiple times! Regardless of your emphasis, the fact is I still think that your post represents a position I disagree with.

For instance, you said:

Take music for instance. One argument for Christian rock is that it attracts the youth to Christ. They merely exchange one set of lyrics for another and everyone’s happy.

I would respond to that with a similar statement: Take the Bible for instance. One argument for the Bible is that it attracts the people to Christ. They merely took a sinful secular carnal book, exchanged some words for the “word of God”, and everyone’s happy.

Moot point, huh? Replacing neutral or sinful words with godly, worshipful words is exactly what we SHOULD do!

Also:

How do lyrics with a carnal beat nourish a young believer’s renewed spirit?

You forgot to establish that the words are “carnal”. Is it “carnal” when we heat/cool the church building? Is it “carnal” to use a sound system to make it easier to hear the message? What is so “carnal” about CCM?

Finally, to respond to the post you made here, you said:

Does it glorify God or man (including those that compose or perform the music)?

Completely relative to what you make it do. You’ve yet to establish that there is a certain style of music that God likes/prefers.

Does my singing a certain style in the church cause my brother to stumble or offend my brother? If a brother cannot sing a song because he believes that he was saved from a style of music– who am I to force that style of music on him?

Say for a minute that I was saved from a very ritzy lifestyle where opera and symphonies were a weekly excursion. What about a country or bluegrass background? Shouldn’t we just throw out music altogether since, after all, someone might have been saved out of a lifestyle that included ANY NUMBER of musical styles! Why pick on rock? We, yes the CHURCH, shouldn’t have to go around worrying ourselves sick and watching our backs to make sure we don’t offend someone. If it offends him, he’s more than welcome to go to another church that uses music that’s more to his liking.

By the way, since we’re pulling out examples of particular cases to prove our points, what would you say if I told you that a teenager not only would get “offended” but wouldn’t get saved because you wouldn’t use CCM in your church to remove his preconceived barriers. Wouldn’t you be sinning just as much as you accuse the church who “offends” the guy “saved from” CCM style music of doing? Just a thought.

If the appeal to the flesh is getting in the way of appropriately worshiping God, then it needs to go.

As I made very clear in the article by saying:

It allows me to worship sincerely. It removes the barriers of music that I don’t like so I can get to that place where I worship and reflect most effectively.

If it doesn’t do that for you, then go to a church where the music does do that for you. Are you saying that a church that plays traditional hymns (something that would absolutely get in the way of MY “appropriately worshiping God”) is sinning by playing them? Or is this just a strategy to find a way to offend the least amount of people?

I’m sincerely curious about your position on CCM, and of course, CCM in the church. I hope you’ll come back and elaborate for us.

I do take to task your one catchphrase that is cute but misses the entire point.

If we are supposed to be picking ice cream because of how we enjoy the taste, then, by all means, pick the ice cream. Eat more chicken, and listen and sing whatever appeals to you.

The problem is that it’s not about what you think about the music. It’s all about what He thinks about the music, and how the music in the church effects the ability for the corporate body to worship.

So, check your music with the sources:
1. Does it glorify God or man (including those that compose or perform the music)?

2. Does my singing a certain style in the church cause my brother to stumble or offend my brother? If a brother cannot sing a song because he believes that he was saved from a style of music– who am I to force that style of music on him? (Paul: If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no meat.)

3. (And this was the closing point of the post that you quoted) If the appeal to the flesh is getting in the way of appropriately worshiping God, then it needs to go.

I have bolded in the church above because that’s where the article is talking about. Christian liberty applies in the cases of being in the home. Then again, I’m sure you would have adequately addressed my position had you read the article and the ensuing discussion.

Definitely get in on the contest and tell your friends (or blog about it) so your chances are even better. Who doesn’t like free stuff?

Talk to you soon

I read your series. Good stuff.

I’ll be checking your blog out more. And I got to get in on that contest. I’m the ultimate sucker for free books, you know. :^)

God bless you brother, because of Jesus.

Bob Hayton