Expert: Joe Norman - 5/26/2008

Question
Is it ok to listen to rock/metal music? as long as the lyrics is ok?! or listening to heavy metal music with explicit lyrics and altering while listening?

Answer
Hi,

I will be happy to answer your questions regarding music. There are many who will say that all rock/pop music is sexual in nature and thus not something Christians should listen to at all. This was especially true in the early days of rock and roll.

I do not think all pop/rock genres are bad, but will concede that what is known as metal or acid rock is very much filled with violence even in the music itself. Punk is also similar in this regard. Hip/Hop and RAP are as well.

But some rap that I have heard is harmless in relation to Christianity. The stuff Will Smith did early in his career was humorous for the most part and I am not aware of any of his stuff that encouraged violence or casual sex.

It seems to me that the words matter the most because they are what guide our thoughts more than the sound. Consider this passage from the letter to the church in Philippi.

Php.4:8, 9
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

What we dwell on in our minds can change us dramatically. Serial killers focus their minds on how they feel when they end a life. They experiment with small animals usually before progressing to humans. They become addicted to the feelings of power and control and see themselves as gods. A sex addict can barely think of anything other than sex. You can see the effects of minds that focus on evil things easily in those who are addicts.

I think the main reason Paul encourages Christians to set their minds on good and pure things is because there is a much less chance of one who does so to commit sin against God.

So, although it might be harmless to you as a Christian to listen to metal music as long as the lyrics are not explicit or violent or something, there is probably not much in that field of music that would not have those things in the lyrics.

The bottom line though is that this is not for me to tell you right or wrong or anyone else for that matter. You must decide for yourself if you can be pleasing to God and listen to such things for entertainment.

What we choose to be entertained with - movies, music, tv, video games, etc...should be decided in light of our desire to be pleasing to God. If we know there are things that we should not see or listen to in our entertainment, we need to avoid it.

I hope this helps you. I am very glad that you asked this of me because I think I need to determine for myself if there are some things I have been watching and listening to that I need to avoid from now on as well. The passage I shared above is one of my favorites and I think it really helps us to live a Christian life if we can focus on good and pure things.

Not all our entertainment has to be about Christian topics or anything though. There is much in this life that is good and pure and yet is not religious in nature at all - well other than the fact that all good things come from God. If you need any clarifications or have a follow-up question, please let me know.

              In Christ, Joe Norman