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What Are Key Justifications for CCM/CWM Today?

Discussion in 'Music Ministry' started by Scripture More Accurately, Sep 30, 2022.

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  1. Scripture More Accurately

    Scripture More Accurately Well-Known Member

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    20-40 years ago, the supposed neutrality or amorality of music was a key justification given for the rightness of contemporary Christian music (CCM) or contemporary worship music (CWM). Based on the literature, both printed and online, and the postings online that I have seen in the past decade or so, it seems that belief is no longer a key justification for CCM/CWM.

    I wonder what has taken its place in the minds of the brethren today who favor and use CCM/CWM.
     
    #1 Scripture More Accurately, Sep 30, 2022
  2. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    I don't think we have a burden to justify any music. Music should be judged by lyrics. On that note, half the hymns in the Baptist hymnal have lyrics that are as questionable and as nearly empty as CCM and CWM. A lot of CCM has excellent lyrics.
     
    #2 Reynolds, Oct 1, 2022
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  3. Scripture More Accurately

    Scripture More Accurately Well-Known Member

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    To say what you say is to assert or at least imply strongly that any instrumental music that is used is inherently acceptable to God.

    Does the Bible teach that music should be judged (only) by the lyrics? Does the Bible say that we do not have to justify any (instrumental) music that we use in worship?
     
    #3 Scripture More Accurately, Oct 1, 2022
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2022
  4. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    Does the Bible say we have to?
     
    #4 Reynolds, Oct 1, 2022
  5. Scripture More Accurately

    Scripture More Accurately Well-Known Member

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    You made the statement that music should be judged by the lyrics. Where does the Bible teach that only the lyrics matter (which is what your statement asserts or strongly implies)?
     
    #5 Scripture More Accurately, Oct 1, 2022
  6. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    Where does the Bible say the melody maters?
     
    #6 Reynolds, Oct 1, 2022
  7. Scripture More Accurately

    Scripture More Accurately Well-Known Member

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    I did not say anything specifically about melody.

    God commanded that those who worshiped Him had to play instruments skillfully as part of that worship (Ps. 33:3). The Bible never says that such playing concerned only the playing of melodies.

    You still have not shown where the Bible teaches that music should be judged (only) by the lyrics.
     
    #7 Scripture More Accurately, Oct 1, 2022
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2022
  8. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    I don't prove a negative. A negative stands until refuted by a positive. There is no Scriptural prohibition against music style.
    By using the standard set In Ps 33, skill, not type is measured. According to your interpretation of Ps 33, an unsaved secular professional musician playing Amazing Grace brings more glory to God than a young, saved, learning to play, musician brings Him when playing from the heart.
     
    #8 Reynolds, Oct 2, 2022
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  9. Scripture More Accurately

    Scripture More Accurately Well-Known Member

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    You made the assertion that music should be judged by the lyrics. That is not a negative statement. You have to prove your assertion. It's obvious that you do not have any Scriptural basis for your belief that music is only to be judged by the lyrics.

    Psalm 33:3 is a divine command; it is not my opinion or interpretation. Moreover, I never said that it is the only requirement that God has for the use of instrumental music in worship.

    You have misapplied what I said to come up with the false notion that you have attributed to me concerning an unsaved professional vs. a saved beginner, etc.

    What Psalm 33:3 does do is refute your position that it is only the lyrics that matter. That belief is false. It is not just the lyrics that matter.
     
    #9 Scripture More Accurately, Oct 2, 2022
  10. Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin

    Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin Well-Known Member
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    I think the primary measure for any song used in Worship is that it should be as correct as we can possibly make it regarding His attributes and Bible doctrines.

    There are some old songs that I sing when out in the field (Great High Mountain) that are doctrinally squishy and I would never put them in a Worship service. However, this problem of a lack of solid doctrine appears to infect 90%+ of modern CCM. My family and I purposefully arrive late to Sunday Service in our Church because the music is horrendous and borderline sinful IMO.

    God is an all powerful and mighty God deserving of our best and deepest praise and singing "You are good" over and over does a disservice to the other 99% of God's attributes.
     
    #10 Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin, Oct 4, 2022
  11. Scripture More Accurately

    Scripture More Accurately Well-Known Member

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    I encourage you to find a church that has music that pleases God where you and your family can give God the glory that He is due in corporate worship that includes music that pleases Him.
     
    #11 Scripture More Accurately, Oct 4, 2022
  12. Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin

    Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin Well-Known Member
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    I am praying through it currently. We have limited options because of the remote/rural area we live in.

    I need to know from the Lord whether He would like me to attempt to reform the music at the current Church, or whether He is using the music to move us to a different one.

    My wife also hates all the other Church options in the area because the congregations are all older and there's no kids to be with our kids. That factors into my decision somewhat as well.
     
    #12 Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin, Oct 4, 2022
  13. Scripture More Accurately

    Scripture More Accurately Well-Known Member

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    May God grant you speedy success in finding a suitable church.

    Your children will be much better off in a church that honors God with their music and has no kids their ages than in a church that dishonors Him with their music and has kids their ages. Ungodly music will damage their spiritual sensibilities and make it harder for them to consecrate themselves fully for His service.
     
    #13 Scripture More Accurately, Oct 4, 2022
  14. Scripture More Accurately

    Scripture More Accurately Well-Known Member

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    Here's an excellent message by my pastor that will profit you concerning the importance of godly music:

    Heavenly Worship Music
     
    #14 Scripture More Accurately, Oct 4, 2022
  15. Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin

    Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin Well-Known Member
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    I've wound up speaking to the Elders about it recently, and it turns out several other heads of households have voiced the same concern over certain lyrics in some CCM songs we sing.

    The Elders recently opted to remove the current Worship Leader and the Church is changing to theologically solid Hymns (Both old and new), the Psalms and CCM that is vetted and theologically solid in the lyrics.

    Little bit of drama with the Worship Leader's tongue on the way out throwing accusations everywhere, but that simply verified the concerns my family and others had. It will be good in the long run.
     
    #15 Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin, Jan 8, 2023
  16. Scripture More Accurately

    Scripture More Accurately Well-Known Member

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    It's good to hear that things have moved in a good direction in your church.
     
    #16 Scripture More Accurately, Jan 9, 2023
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