Expert: Phillip Senn - 7/6/2004

Question
I have a hard time with this one: is rock music "bad" or "evil"?  I mean, so the music has a beat and is loud, but with the right intention and lyrics, is it bad?  thanks!

Answer
This question has been around for many years. I grew up on what is now called oldies music. Quite frankly, I still like that type of music. I prefer Southern Gospel, but I don't think some of it glorifies the Lord, even though the music is nice, I usually look at the lyrics as well. But what does the Scripture say? It says, "Whatsoever you do, do it as unto the Lord". Notice it doesn't say, "Do whatever you like to do".

Several years ago, I had a young person in my youth group ask, "What is wrong with Christian Rock?" He was referring mainly to "heavy metal rock" with a Christian message. I used an extreme to try to get my point across. Some would say, "Yeah, but that is extreme". The point is, "Sin will always take you further than you want to go, and make you pay more than you expect to pay".

The extreme was this:
"Let's go to Memphis this weekend and round up a large number of prostitutes, both men and women, and take them to church with us Sunday AM. We will advertise to the community that they will be there for everyone's enjoyment. The only drawback will be that while everyone is having a good time, the preacher will be in the Pulpit preaching a soul stirring message. Do you think anyone would hear the preacher's message?"

The same can be said for music. Sometimes we listen to just the music and never get past it to the lyrics. That also happens in some of the old hymns we sing at church. But the point is, we shouldn't try to lure the world through worldly means. Our message should be clear both in words and in demonstration of the Spirit of God.

Remember the story of David playing his harp before Saul... It is said that when David would play his harp, the evil spirits would depart from Saul. Perhaps we should utilize music that is more soothing to the Spirit.

As far as saying a particular type of music is "good" or "bad", without Scriptural reference would, I believe, be dangerously presumptive, but I think perhaps we can determine whether or not the music is glorifying to the Lord BOTH by its lyrical and musical content. Even with the right intentions, it could be misleading if that rule is not utilized.

I hope this helped you in your quest for information and in your walk with the Lord. Please rate me so I can know how I am doing, and that I may know in areas that I need to improve.

With Love in Christ,
Phillip Senn