Featured 2 Services of Different Styles?

:thumbsup:

 

let me translate it for your benefit!

Doesn't the Lord save and use Christians in varying styles of music, rock/country/church etc?

that he does NOT expect all saved singers and musicians to stop playingin their fields, and sing in church only?

 

God saves the Elect. If they happen to make noise and call it music, okay. I am simply saying that noise is not appropriate in a worship service.

Now I shower, shave, brush my teeth, eat, sleep, snore. But those things are not appropriate in a worship service.

 

EDIT....Unintentional duplicate.

 

So much of what people say is "appropriate" for worship has to do with their own preferences, it seems. There are many that would say a rock style is inappropriate, but have no problem with bluegrass or country & western.

We know that bluegrass and country & western is inappropriate because you can't pull that off with just a piano and an organ! :smilewinkgrin:

 

The problem is that we all love to use the phrase "God looks on the heart", but we often forget that the rest of the phrase is "Man looks on the outward appearance". What is appropriate for private worship (God looking on the heart) might not be appropriate for public worship (Man looks on the outside).

Even though we might be able to worship God in many different ways, we are failing the great commission if we turn people away from God, or confuse them by sending a mixed message. This is why I think a lot that might be ok, is not necessarily prudent.

 

The Apostle Paul makes a similar point in his discussion of speaking in unknown tongues in 1 Corinthian 14!

 

Actually instrumental music is not mentioned in the Apostle Paul's recitation of a proper worship service [1 Corinthians 14] but he does say: Let all things be done unto edifying.

I may be wrong but I don't believe musical instruments are mentioned for worship in the New Testament. Again the Apostle Paul states in his sermon on Mars Hill:

Acts 17:24, 25
24. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25. Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

Are musical instruments made with men's hands and played with men's hands?

So! I don't know if people can sing the pagan beat of rock, heavy metal, death metal, or rap without drums, stringed instruments, and such or not. The larger question is: Does such noise edify, and who?

 

I think classic Opera is "no good", but still appreciate their talents, and they can still glorify God!

 

That is fallable logic. We are talking about appropriate, not right or wrong. The Bible doesn't tell us where to draw the line while telling jokes, it doesn't tell us not to burp out loud at a funeral. There are a lot of things where the Bible doesn't tell us what is appropriate.

Using the logic you presented here, it is ok to be naked at home, so it must be ok to be naked in public.

This phrase, "Show me in the Bible" is used way too often on the BB. Sometimes the Bible isn't explicit in everything. Sometimes we must apply common sense.

Unfortunately, and unfairly, the world has expectations of us as church-goers. However, since they are the ones watching, they make the rules. If they think we are being worldly, then we are.

This is why I stay away from Christian Rap/Hip-Hop. (Plus, I don't like it.) Here's a good test: Listen to the soundtrack of a song without the lyricist singing or rapping. Does it sound like it's praising God? Or does it sound like an in-your-face I-don't-care-who-you-are I-am-my-own-authority song?

Edited to Add: Now, since we are talking of appropriateness as determined by the world; there might be some things or music styles that are more appropriate than others depending on where you are located geographically. Inner city kids will have no expectations of Christianity musically. However, a country farmer would. As some have said before, it's a cultural thing. It goes along with the idea of not eating meat offered to idols if it is going to offend someone.

 

#4. I would say that your conclusion #4 is incorrect!

#3. Some of Sousa's music is not appropriate for congregational worship. I have not heard all so cannot comment further.

#2. There is a big difference between use of musical instruments and sitting in chairs in worship.

#1. You mistakenly state:

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14 is talking about corporate worship.

1 Corinthians 14:26. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

I would further commend Sapper Woody's post above, His comments are very perceptive for one I assume is very young!

 

well, if one ever attending a Black baptist church, would have seen in worship whole lotta shaking going on!

 

Does the bible state anywhere though that God only likes hymns sung, slow tempo, no fast tempo beats?

 

Has anyone noticed the subtle change from what is right or wrong to what is "appropriate". The anti-music crowd cannot support their position with Scripture that speaks DIRECTLY to their doctrine. Therefore, they speak in terms of personal opinion. Where are the Scriptural commands, references, & examples of the classification of "christian" music. It does not exist.

A key fallacy in this debate is the belief that there is an unwritten, but Biblical, set of rules governing how we are to worship God when gathered together. Under the New Covenant, every believer is free to worship God in the way that he/she deems appropriate. The "anti-" crowd is constantly trying to bring us back under an old law covenant form of Christianity, where religious rules are to govern every aspect of the Christian life. This is an offense to the very nature of our position in Christ under the New Covenant. I've never seen in Scripture where we should have cookie cutter congregations that all act, look & sound the same when "worshiping" God. Where does Scripture say that we have to worship Him with three dry hymns & a sermon? That's not worship, that's dead religion.

 

The scripture clearly says to avoid even the very appearance of evil.

So if I am ministering to someone caught up in the country honkytonk scene, I don't want to take them to a church where only the words are changed. Too much baggage.

And if I am ministering to someone coming out of a pagan religion (like my time among the Navajo) I don't want to use music that has meaning for usage in that pagan religion.

If I am ministering to a gangbanger, I won't use rap or hip hop as it encourages them that nothing has to change in their lives except getting stamped "on the way to heaven."

So yes, we have scripture.

Some of us misuse it to the point of legalism.

Some of us misuse to the point of bringing polluting paganism into the worship of the church.

And we could all quit fighting and use common sense

 

All too often, the "appearance of evil" passage is misused to impose one's own personal views on the Body. I could just as easily say, and with more Biblical support, that pharisaistic legalism is a greater appearance of evil. Christ openly rebuked & condemned the pharisees of His day for imposing their own law beyond the clear teachings of Scripture. Therefore, we should avoid the appearance of evil by not adding our own laws & rules to Scripture.