Music IV - Common Arguments & Gray-zone

Common Arguments of CCM Proponents: The commonest argument for the use of CCM is that the music is neutral (amoral - has no moral quality) and that it is the lyrics that are important. Proponents of CCM are the only people in the world that say that music is neutral - throughout history man has known that music has a powerful effect on them.

New Penguin Dictionary of Music, pg. 345 defines the term rock n roll as "bodily movement of response."

The Billboard Book of Rhythm says "the beat is what ties music to human rhythm."

Mickey Hart a rock n roll drummer for more than twenty years wrote in his book Drumming at the Edge of Music:

"Everywhere you look on planet earth people are using drums to alter consciousness," (pg. 28);
"I've discovered the extraordinary power of music, particularly percussion, to influence the human mind and body," (pg. 30);

"In West Africa, it is said that every drum has its rhythm and every rhythm its dance. In America the novel African-American rhythms quickly inspired new dances. The Charleston, Lindy, Jitterbug, Black Bottom - all emerged from the early experiences of audiences whose bodies were responding to this music for the first time," (pg. 228).

In trying to justify the "neutrality" of music the proponents of CCM often use the subtle trick of playing a single note on a musical instrument and asking if the note is moral or immoral. Of course, the answer is that a musical note is neutral. It is neither good or bad. It is like asking if the letter "d" is moral or immoral. However, when letters are strung together they can produce the Bible or pornographic stories. Therefore, the way notes are strung together can produce either godly or ungodly music and spiritual or sexual music.

Another argument commonly used by CCM proponents is that the music is not as important as the lyrics, therefore, we should not be too concerned about the type of music used. In other words they are saying that the form of communication is not important, so long as the message is good. The truth is that the perception of a message is affected by the way it is communicated. For example, if a businessman went bare-bodied and wore crumbled smelly jeans for an important sales meeting with a prospective client, and gave an excellent sales presentation - what would be the client's perception of the message? If our Prime Minister gave his National Day speech in his swim-trunks - would we take his message seriously? Obviously the form of communication must match the content of the message.

Another commonly used argument is that the lyrics make the music clean. In HAG 2:11-13 we learn an important principle, namely, that holy things do not make unholy things holy but unholy things make holy things unholy. Applying this principle, Christian words do not cleanse ungodly music but unholy music contaminates the godly message. Put in another way, a clean shirt does not make dirt clean but dirt dirties a clean shirt.

Another popular argument is that we should be positive and think of the great benefit that hearers will get when they hear the message, and not be negative and think of the bad effects of the music. The reasoning is similar to being persuaded to drink a glass of water that contains a few drops of cyanide. Would we drink this glass since it contains so much good water in it? Or would it be wiser to get another glass of water without cyanide in it?

Another argument is that we should use CCM because this type of music is so popular with people everywhere. "After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do" (LEV 18:3). "And be ye not conformed to this world" (ROM 12:2).

Putting away ungodly music: Music is the language of the emotions and is very addictive. Many people cannot give up their music - they would rather give up their church than their music. And many pastors, realizing this, change their music rather than lose members. It is common knowledge, that the fastest way to increase attendance in church is to provide top-class worldly music.

The Bible teaches us that we must differentiate between godly and ungodly. "And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between clean and unclean. And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken…." (LEV 10:10,11). God condemns leaders who do not differentiate between holy and profane ("Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and clean…" EZE 22:26). It is the duty of God's leaders is to teach the difference between godly and ungodly ("And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean" EZE 44:23). Paul's prayer for the Philippians was that they may "approve things that are excellent" (PHI 1:10).

While many Christians will put away ungodly music because they are convinced that it displeases God, some may be less convinced to put away music that is in the "gray" zone, ie, where the bad influences are subtle. The gray-zone is the zone of confusion - where it is unclear which side the music belongs to. Since "God is not the author of confusion" (1CO 14:33), this zone of confusion actually belongs in Satan's territory. In other words, whenever we think that something is in the gray-zone it is wise to put it away because "he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (ROM 14:23). It is always wise to err on the side of safety. However, many carnal Christians want to get as close to Satan's territory as possible - so that they can satisfy their carnal desires. We must never forget that even after we become Christians we still have a carnal nature (ROM 7:14-24). "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (ROM 7:25).