The Theology of Music

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by obriencp

just for the record, I wasn't bashing the UPC. I was just commenting on my experiences in a single church that had been part of two different organizations neither of which were UPC.

Yes you were. If not, why even mention the false teachings you were forced to believe when you were in the UPC (that none of us UPCers were ever taught)??

See if I did not want to bash the Baptists, from where I came from, I'd never mention them in any sort of negative light...

[n david]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Yes you were. If not, why even mention the false teachings you were forced to believe when you were in the UPC (that none of us UPCers were ever taught)??

See if I did not want to bash the Baptists, from where I came from, I'd never mention them in any sort of negative light...

I think you got the wrong guy...

[Pneuman]

Originally Posted by n david

Spotify is awesome! I'm a paid subscriber so I can have it on my phone and be able to "download" playlists. I love being able to select songs and add them to playlists. It beats having to pay for a cd just to get one or two good songs. Growing up, I was criticized for listening to Carman. My youth pastor confiscated a cassette I had of Carman, Commissioned and the Christ Church Choir. Can you believe that?


It's a good question on how to apply that verse, and if it applies to more than just idle words. IMO we will be judged by everything we do, word, deed, thought...everything. That's not to say we can't enjoy ourselves and listen to music that isn't for praise and worship to God. There are a lot of times when I remember, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O God."

Part of God being your guide and being led by the Spirit is through reading the Bible. I don't believe one is without the other. Prayer and the word are how we are led by the Spirit.


Southern Gospel, twangy, hillbilly music is of the debbil! I apologize if that's your favorite genre. I have heard some ministers say that southern Gospel music was the only Godly music genre around. I couldn't tell if they were joking or serious.

IMO, music is best when used in worship to God. Nothing is more moving than a song with lyrics of worship to God, sung by people who are pouring their love out to Him.

Carman had a well-known saying I heard him say at every concert: "Garbage in, garbage out." It's true. What you fill your mind with will have an effect on your spirit.

LOL ND!

Allow me to be carnal here for just a moment:

Jake Blues: What kind of music do you play here.
Bar Owner: Both kinds, country and western!

OK, now that I have that out of my system!

I listen to and play all kinds of music. I am not really into the Southern stuff, although I like some Crabb family and a few others, and it is my wife's fave (yes she has horns and carries a pitch fork). Love doing worship, well most of it anyway, and play Bass in our worship band at church. I listen to a large variety ... some stuff that would be considered more on the christian pop cultural side (Casting Crowns, Big Daddy Weave, Jeremy Camp) and even some of the lighter stuff (Kari Jobe, Laura Story, PCD, etc), but there are times I want to rock out a little (there I go using that heathen term again) and I throw on some of the harder stuff (Fireflight, Decyfer Down, Flyleaf, Ashes Remain, Red, Nine Lashes, etc.), and have even been known to occasionally make a foray into music that is by people who claim to be Christian playing music that does not have the name of Jesus in it (these people claim to be trying to reach people for Christ but that they can't playing Christian music because they would get stigmatized, and I can clearly see that. Bands like Paramore, 12 Stones, Icon for Hire, The Letter Black, etc.).

My position is, and will always be, that church should have the best worship music in the world. My question is, however, how much time do we spend ministering to ourselves, and what would the church look like if everything we did was with a mind to reach the lost and not just to keep ourselves saved. Would our music change any if there was a chance we could see more people turn to Jesus? How does that look? Are we afraid to go there because we might lose our food on the way?

Funny story about Carmen. He was one of the first Christian musicians I heard when God saved me. The person who turned me on to him shortly after received a "revelation" that she should only listen to music put out by UPC artists. And help everyone else to the same standard.

[Pneuman]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Good grief. We should change the forum name to "Bash the UPC (and pretend you aren't)"

Hey Prax, not sure where I did the bashing, it wasn't intended to be a bashing session, just the UPC is the only place I knew for 20+ years and that is where I received a whole lot of bad teaching (and a whole lot of good teaching as well). Sorry if you see it as a bash session. I am sure I would have received the same from WPF, AMF, or a whole slew of other "holiness" churches, it is just the UPC is all I knew.

[Pneuman]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Yes you were. If not, why even mention the false teachings you were forced to believe when you were in the UPC (that none of us UPCers were ever taught)??

See if I did not want to bash the Baptists, from where I came from, I'd never mention them in any sort of negative light...

I think you are talking about me Praxeas. I think what you said is partially true. I can see how somebody who is still an adherent could see my initial comments as "bashing." But really, the term bashing is extremely subjective and is directly related to the feeling one gets from the dialog. Another person may see it as freeing, or for somebody like myself who has been "delivered" from the UPC (yes I said delivered) as a confirmation even. Offense is most often about the hearer. Like Jesus said in His discourse on Mt. Olivet, "and many shall be offended" .... notice he did not say and many shall offend. I have no ill will toward the UPC! Many of the people up here have treated us horribly for leaving "the fold" and they will be judged by the one who is righteous to judge ... I pray that they repent of their lies and hatred. On the otehr hand, I have good friends who are faithful to the UPC and her doctrines with whom I am good friends and even though we don't hold exactly the same position on many things, we are solid on the salvation message. I don't know where it because taboo to disagree with the requirement that disfellowhip is the only alternative for those who differ from the party line, but so it is.

Anyway, you will no doubt see this as bashing as well. Be at peace my brother! (Psalm 119:165).

[Disciple4life]

Pneuman,

You listen to bands that have electric guitars? (Gasp) AND they use amps that use distortion?!? (Double GASP)

[n david]

Originally Posted by Disciple4life

Pneuman,

You listen to bands that have electric guitars? (Gasp) AND they use amps that use distortion?!? (Double GASP)

[Pneuman]

Originally Posted by Disciple4life

Pneuman,

You listen to bands that have electric guitars? (Gasp) AND they use amps that use distortion?!? (Double GASP)

And drums no less!! :/

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Yes you were. If not, why even mention the false teachings you were forced to believe when you were in the UPC (that none of us UPCers were ever taught)??

See if I did not want to bash the Baptists, from where I came from, I'd never mention them in any sort of negative light...

Bashing is not the same thing as stating your experience.

[Pneuman]

Originally Posted by ILG

Bashing is not the same thing as stating your experience.

Thank you my friend!! My wagon has room for you!