We seem to be locked in a continual debate about whether the more extreme forms of music- death metal, hardcore, thrash, goth, industrial, black metal, et. al.- can be used by GOD or not, whether a Christian should listen to these styles or not, is it universal or just personal preference. . .the list goes on and on. Since being part of the more extreme side of Christian music for almost ten years now, I've had my fare share of questions, comments, arguments and rebukes about the subculture. Some I have answered directly, some I have thought about and mulled over for a while. In this series of articles, I wish to revisit some of the comments I've come across over the years, and (prayerfully) give my responses to them. Please realize, however, that I am in no way trying to instill a sense of unrighteous indignation for those in the pro-extreme music camp, or to bash the critics. I accept anyone's opinion and/or open rebuke with an open mind, and only hope they'll do likewise. This is not to start arguments, but (I hope and pray) to "sanctify the Lord GOD in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." - I Peter 3:15, 16
=========================================================================
"I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean." -Romans 14:14
I'm going to let you in on a personal secret of mine: I have a deep-seated love for the old-style hymns sung in the older traditional denominations. They have such a lyrical depth and poetic artistry, melded beautifully with the writer's faith that, in my opinion, puts to shame more of the modern praise and worship choruses of today. But, it may surprise many (depending on one's knowledge of Church history) that these same hymns were crafted using music that was considered wicked by the religious views of the day:
MARTIN LUTHER wrote at leas 36 well-known hymns, including "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God", using tunes borrowed from the common German folk songs (1). . .
ISAAC WATTS, credited with over 750 hymns and psalms, including "Joy To The World" and "O God Our Help In Ages Past", introduced poetry to the writings (i.e.- rhyme, rhythm and structure), a style that, at the time, was considered "enslaved to vice and profaneness" and had "so far lost the memory of its birthplace as to be engaged in the interests of hell," and viewed by the Calvinists at the time (the mid-to late-1600s) as a wicked thing (2). . .
CHARLES WESLEY, along with his brother John Wesley, crafted an astonishing six thousand hymns, including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "Jesus, Lover Of My Soul" in the mid- 1700s, melding Watts' style of poetry with the popular opera and English folk melodies (read: bar music). "It was Wesley's practice to seize upon any song of the theater or the street the moment it became popular and make it carry some newly written hymn into the homes of the people." (3) The tune to "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" was written by Mendelssohn, not to worship GOD but in praise of the printing press! (4). . .
Even the earliest form of "Christian music", the Gregorian chant, was modified from the pagan Greek civilization, the secular musical source that the Body of Christ borrowed from during the first centuries. (5). . .
The point of this brief history lesson is this- GOD can, and has, used music styles and customs both for HIS glory and to spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, styles that has been thought of at one time to be "evil", "wicked", and "unholy". And, if you look closely, there is a pattern: when the new style becomes the acceptable norm of worship, that in turn becomes the sacred tradition and anything new is almost immediately looked on as ungodly. What it boils down to is, ultimately, personal taste. It's really no skin off of my back when someone calls my music "wicked", "evil" or "ungodly". Only GOD knows the heart. I can rest knowing that HE is in control.
=========================================================================
How's that for using onomonopia? To clarify, this question was raised during one of the many coffee shop runs with some of the people in my youth group. He was mimicking the vocal style that general death metal groups, particularly Christian death metal groups, use. This is a good question.
It is my sincere belief that any heart-felt, genuine song of praise to GOD, no matter what style, form, or execution of, is acceptable and pleasing to HIM. It is said that we should "let everything that hath breath praise the LORD" (Psalm 150:6a). I am hard-pressed to find anywhere in the Bible where GOD rejected praise and worship based on the style it's presented in; the times that GOD has rejected praise and worship, however, are based on the condition of the worshiper's heart: "Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor ME with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from ME" (Isaiah 29:13a), "Nevertheless, they flattered HIM with their mouth, and they lied to HIM with their tongue; for their heart was not steadfast with HIM, nor were they faithful in HIS covenant." (Psalm 78:36,37), "For with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain." (Ezekiel 33:31b). Truly, GOD is much more concerned about our attitude, the condition of our heart while praising, than the style, the outward appearance, it is presented.
Death metal is a style, a tool that can be used to worship GOD. One of the finest examples is an Australian band called Ethereal Scourge, who's album 'Judgment And Restoration' always puts me in a worshipful mood. Other examples, though not falling in the death metal category, but are just as misunderstood tools, are Zao's "In Loving Kindness" (from 'All Else Failed'), One Bad Pig's "Wholly My Lord" and "Never Forget The Cross" (from 'I Scream Sunday'), Mortification's "Majestic Infiltration Of Order" (from 'Mortification'), the first Deliverance album, and Saviour Machine's "Jesus Christ" (from 'Saviour Machine'), just to name but a few.
| xiandrow (Guest) | 10.0 / 10 | Thu 24 Apr 08 |
|---|---|---|
I whole heartedly agree with being able to worship to extreme forms of music. Symbiotic (Living Sacrifice), The Latter Rain (Zao) and yes, definitely Jesus Christ by Saviour Machine! Granted, a lot of their songs aren't worship, but the ones that are are just as impactive as anything I've heard at church
|
||
Powered by Simple Review