The Lord blessed my family with a love of music. Since I was a small child our family often sang together in four part harmony. At the age of twelve I found an old guitar stored in the generator shed behind the school and put fish line on it for strings. When I was fifteen I started writing my own songs. I became a professional musician in 1975 and later went on to commercial jingle and Christian album production. Having been around music all my life, I know quite a bit about what goes on behind the scenes of Contemporary Christian Music. I want to pass along some things I have learned about music in the church from my experience and from the Scriptures. THE PROBLEMS Too many churches today are allowing music to be used in their services that is not glorifying to the Lord and can actually be a hindrance to the teaching of sound doctrine. Pastors and leaders should be using their leadership role to test what is being played and sung in their churches. Though some are quick to test preaching and teaching from their pulpits, many ignore the music being used in the same services. This is a tragic mistake. Music is a powerful medium. It is something that effects deeply the body, mind and emotions. It is a proven fact that music often stays with a person far longer than what is taught or preached. Songs roam around in our heads, especially if the melody appeals to us. What is often overlooked is the serious impression music makes on people, and the teaching they are getting over and over again as they allow the song to repeat in their minds and on their lips. Music teaches things much more subtly yet sometimes far more effectively. THE SOLUTION That's why the lyrical content of music in the church, as well as its effect on the spiritual lives of those who perform and listen, should be vigorously examined by the leaders of the church. I am not suggesting that it should be done in a legalistic way. Church leaders do not want to discourage youth, for example, from leading singing in church. But discernment in the area of music must be done nonetheless. Shepherds have an obligation from the Lord to protect their flocks. It should be established by the church leaders that any music done in the church will be held up to the same scrutiny as any other teaching or materials used in the church. If you donut allow just any book, any Sunday school material, any magazine to be on display in your church, then why would you allow music that has unsound doctrine and might cause people to sin? STYLE VERSUS SUBSTANCE Please understand that I am not one who puts down any particular instruments, style or form of music. Instruments are neither good nor evil in themselves. It is rather the motive and intent in using musical instruments that gives the interpretation or “spirit” to the music and lyrics. It is the musician that gives the instruments and vocals the words and music that create any particular mood, message or atmosphere. Musical instruments have been around since before the flood (Genesis 4:21). All musical instruments can be used to glorify the Lord, or glorify something else. I do not agree with the current teaching, in some circles, that drums and percussion instruments were not used in Biblical times for worship, therefore we should not use them now. Those who teach these things are ignorant of Scripture. The “timbrel” or tof was “a percussion instrument with a membrane. The drums varied in size and were played either with bare hands or with sticks.” (Ralph Gower, The Manners And Customs Of Bible Times, pg. 309.)
The “timbrel” or tambourine can be found being used for worship in the following passages: Genesis 31:27, Exodus 15:20, Job 21:12, Psalms 81:2, 149:3, 150:4. Many noisy instruments such as cymbals and horns were used in worship: Psalms 81:1-3, 150:3-5, 2 Samuel 6:5, 1 Chronicles. 13:8, 15:16, 15:28, 2 Chronicles 15:13. So apparently it is not the noise level but the motive and intent of the people playing the instruments that count. MOTIVE AND INTENT The motivation behind the use of music and lyrics are what Christians leaders should be looking at seriously today. It may surprise you but, lyrically, I know of old hymns that have bad theology. I also know of hard rock music that pictures very effectively scenes like the death of Jesus Christ and are doctrinally sound. So it is not always the style of music that is necessarily the problem. The problem comes in the way it is presented and the lyrical content. FLESHLY WORSHIP MUSIC I am sad to say that much of the modern “worship and praise” music tends to appeal to the flesh. Much of it has lost focus on Christ, tends to be humanistic and has little or no beneficial lyrical content. Modern “worship” music today is often way too repetitive and, in fact, tends to send a person into a trance-like state. We are called to worship God with our whole mind, body and spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14-15). Trance induction is an occult technique, not a biblical one. [Also See Mysticism in The Church] The lyrics to much of the music used today in churches is shallow theologically, and some teach downright false doctrines. Much of it also tends to be so simplistic that it no longer contains even the basics of good musicality. Thankfully there is also good modern music out there to be found if churches make the effort to obtain it. LEADERSHIP IS NEEDED We have a great tradition of music through hymns that teach good theology, even though hymns must also be held to the highest biblical standards. When a person wants to do special music I believe it is the duty of the church leaders to ask that person to provide them with the lyrics and play a sample of the music before they are allowed to play it in church. When the song is an original composition, what better opportunity could there be for church leaders to help composers write theologically correct lyrics! Body language and dress style can also be discussed at that point, with the goal in mind of helping, especially young people, to be aware that they should be careful not to cause others to sin (Luke 17:1) because they represent Christ. Christians are always to worship God and bring glory to Him in all situations. They are to enrich and build up the lives of other believers who listen and participate in church meetings. Young musicians could really benefit from the help and encouragement of elders in the church. Why? They are usually also young believers and may not have a solid theological understanding, which would cause them to produce lyrics that are helpful and not a hindrance to the growth of the body of Christ. | 
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