Contemporary Christian Music – Apostasy and Deceit
Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) is a modern golden calf. Christian words are mixed with pagan music and used in worship. Few people understand the dangers of this practice and we reap some very destructive results. Many people can’t see the danger of this combination though in our daily communication we know that the words get different meaning depending on the tone we use: if you shout the words “I love you”, the other person will understand that there is anger in you, reproach etc (verbal violence+good words). At the opposite extreme, if your little daughter says “I love you” in a sensual way, you will be shocked, asking yourself when and where did she learn to say those things in that way. THE WAY WE SAY THINGS can change radically the meaning of the words. The same applies to songs (music/melody+words). And this is why Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) is dangerous: the good words are not enough to make it good and accepted by God.
Music and Worship (click to download) – you can read here some more information about the origins of the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) and its use in Christian churches today.
Music and the Brain – a very instructive message regarding good music we should listen, by Dr. Neil Nedley (Weimar Institute)
The following video is a blessed example of someone who was the slave of the wrong kind of music and escaped from its trap: Ivor Myers – Escape from the Black Hole.
To understand better the danger of listening to bad music, you can watch the following video, which is part of a longer interview, about a young lady who used to listen Rock music literally beaten by demons:
There are many examples of Contemporary Christian Music and musicians promoted even in very unexpected places.The following video is a live recording from the program “The Evidence”, with Dwight Nelson (an evangelistic program), at Newbold College in the UK; MD – Ken Burton. The song is entitled “Sanctuary” and is sung by Paul Lee:
In the same location as mentioned above took place another performance “You’re not Alone” – by Ken Burton and Croydon SDA Gospel Choir:
Below you can watch an example of music, signed by Alan B Charles (England UK), Who Is Da Man, using reggae style combined with Christian words:
In the next video, believe it or not, there is a group of Christians from England UK, using the drums. You will see how even the somehow acceptable way of using them makes people dance, and in the second part of the video things just get worst, both on the way the drums are used and the reaction of the audience:
Those who want some spicy so called “Christian” music, the group Heritage Singers has lots to offer. The next two videos are just examples of how most of their music sounds. The first one is more “spicy”, the second one starts slow but soon after that becomes more “spicy” :
Cyril Scott, an eminent 20th Century composer wrote: “The prevalent notion holds that styles of music are merely the outcome and expression of civilizations and national feelings – that is to say that the civilization comes first, and its characteristic species of music afterwards. But an examination of history proves the truth to be exactly the reverse: an innovation in musical style has invariably been followed by an innovation in politics and morals. And what is more . . . the decline of music in [Egypt and Greece] was followed by the complete decline of the Egyptian and Grecian civilizations themselves.”
The American philosopher Henry David Thoreau (19th century) wrote “Music can be intoxicating. Such apparently slight causes destroyed Greece and Rome, and will destroy England and America.”
“Plato, when he writes The Republic, spends one paragraph on economics; he spends forty pages on music.
“One of [Plato’s] contemporaries, Damon of Athens, wrote, ‘Let me write the songs of a nation, and I care not who writes its laws.’
“Musical innovation is full of danger to the State, for when modes of music change, the laws of the State always change with them.” (Plato, Plato’s Republic: The Theatre of the Mind)
“Music directly imitates the passions or states of the soul… when one listens to music that imitates a certain passion, he becomes imbued with the same passion; and if over a long time he habitually listens to music that rouses ignoble passions, his whole character will be shaped to an ignoble form.” Aristotle
“Music was made to serve a holy purpose, to lift the thoughts to that which is pure, noble, and elevating, and to awaken in the soul devotion and gratitude to God” Patriarchs and Prophets, p.594, by E.G. White
“We should exercise great care in the choice of music in our homes, social gatherings, schools, and churches. Any melody partaking of the nature of jazz, rock, or related hybrid forms [our note: these hybrid forms are pop, soul, r&b (rhythm and blues), reggae, rap, hip hop, ska etc):, or any language expressing foolish or trivial sentiments, will be shunned.” Adventist Church manual, p.144 (2010 edition)
Excellent article, thank you.
i agree..this article is great…im very concerned of the worship/music style evading our church..and for me..even if there are no drums..something about it is sinister..and when i feel uncomfortable..even if the words are supposedly christian i have to get up and walk out bc it makes me feel so uncomfortable…as if its satan himself sinning it. i wish more in our church would wake up and realize that part of the job of guiiding the youth is having clear boundaries of what is and is not appropriate…or holy instead of thinking it is just their culture and a different era…im astounded at the youth leaders who are promoting this and fighting to have this in our sacred worship services..taking the youth down the wrong path…and defiantly promoting what i believe is lucifers lie…and deception…and infiltrating it into our pews…into our minds and everyone sitting there like zombies taking it itn..(young and old). as i said..i find it unbearable and most time have to get up and leave….if it is in a church i attend.. something about it seems to be the wrong spirit down to the very core. i attended this past weekend a church…where i grew up..and the academy got up to sing..on the platform…and there were no drums..just instruments..however…the mood of it..was dark and the words…seemed so satanic even though it was supposedly about God. their faces were serious somber and dark and almost angry as if in defiance…and it was the most unusual feeling i got listening to it..almost like rebellion..and control. and the words repeat over and over as if brainwashing…i find it sad…something just isn’t right..and I’m glad to find this article explaining…as how the words are presented….the tone and the music…can be of the wrong spirit…it was very monotone..and over and over..(I’ve heard the song before)..and this no drums..but it seemed so evil …..(obviously I’m going on and on bc this is how concerned i am this is hitting our church and churches..in every denomination)