What is your Standards when it comes to music?

The real question isn't about what one prefers, but about whether the music is sensual or not. If was merely about preferences, then rock music should be tossed out and never allowed a foot in the door because it is divisive.

If it's about the difference between the tastes of the young and the old, then the Scriptures clearly state the younger are to submit themselves unto the older. (1 Pet. 5:5) In most cases wisdom comes with age.

But the argument against rock music isn't about the styles of the day or preferences. It is about whether that style of music is good or evil.

 

Hi, Aaron --

I guess I am confused by your use of the word
sensual. By sensual, should I assume sexual?
Or should I assume that the music makes the
body want to move to the music? Or that the
music appeals to my emotions?

If you refer to the first, rock music is totally non-
sexual to me. It is sensual only in that it sensates
me, propelling me toward the stereo, hand out-
stretched, compelling me to find the quickest way
to either silence it or find music. Yes, this makes
my body move, and it appeals to my emotions!
8oD

Classical music also sensates me--in many ways.
It sooths, it sometimes makes me laugh, it is also
joyous. And yes, some could even be called (eek)
sexy. (Am I getting a little too old for this stuff or
what? While that is easy to admit internaly, it was
hard to write.)

Hymns sensate me. They cause me to lift my heart
up to our God. They bring praise to my mouth.
They sooth. Sometimes, I have cried with joy or
with sorrow or with passionate contrition. In my
opinion, if they do not elicit some kind of emotion,
they are of no use; they are mere noise and time-
fillers, empty words sang out of habit.

 

I use the term "sensual" in the sense that it is used in James 3:15 and Jude vs 19. It simply means "unspiritual." Certainly illicit sex is a form of sensuality, but so is overeating or any other activity that appeals to our natural man.

For the natural man receive not the things of God 1 Cor. 2:14.

 

Aaron, I'm not tryng to split hairs with you (I'm really not) but, if that's how you define "sensual", then how do you define, "spiritual"?

There are songs that I do believe are spiritual and God does use to touch me on a spiritual level, which I'm sure you would say are sensual.

All this does for me is to further illustrate my belief that music is subjective.

 

Thank you, Aaron. Still trying to figure it all out.
8o)

 

I was referring to the comments Helen made that it was mainly older people that were against contemporary music. In my case and my family's case, this is not true. I also know of several other families that have the same standards. Maybe the world likes to blame the older generation for not being into the contemporary scene, but I believe God gave us standards in music to follow and contemporary music is off base.

[ January 01, 2003, 04:53 PM: Message edited by: Justified ]

 

I'm not sure what you mean. Could please explain that?

 

I honestly think the issue is not about music at all, its about change. Just like hymns used to be "evil" when they first came out..they brought newness, and newness to many Christians is wrong. I think its funny that the 80's "contempory" praise and worship such as the "As the Deer Panteth" song was controversial in the '80's but now is considered on the lines of a hymn and acceptable in many musically conservative churches. In 20 more years, the contemporary praise and worship of today will be acceptable and thus the cycle continues due to those who equate change and new with sin. <sigh>

 

Care to back that statement up with some evidence?