The controversy over Contemporary Christian music is huge. I want to get answers that are sound doctrinally and that are in line with the Bible and have nothing to do with personal opinion.
204178
When people say it is "worldly" music, what they mean is it reflects the way this world is.  A lot of secular (non-Christian) music is about sex, hatred, anger, drugs, and other forms of sin.  Take a look at the world today.  Many commercials and television shows involve sex and sexuality to promote themselves.  Kids are turning to drugs.  I won't say that all secular music is that way.  There are a lot of songs that aren't filled with anger, or hatred, or sex, or drugs.  Still, there are a lot more that are.  Those are songs that are referred to as "worldly".  Contemporary Christian music is different in that all of it is singing praises and prayers to God.  From the beginning, music was meant to be used as a form of praise and prayer to the Lord.  King David danced and sang in the streets in joyous praise to the Lord.  Most of the Psalms were actually songs.  Music solely created for Him.  That is what music is intended to be.  That is what Contemporary Christian music is.
121227
Though I myself DO support the use of musical instruments in music, I am sad to see how many people who are not informed about the historical debate on this quickly toss the "LEGALIST" label a person whose views differ from their own. \n\nFolks, this discussion goes back centuries, and for many centuries congregational worship, in fact, did NOT use instruments.   So don't be so dismissive.  Try to figure out WHY people have this view, and even if you don't share it you may learn something.   And it has specifically to do with God's commands concerning the organized WORSHIP of HIM, not every specific thing we do in our lives.   \n\nSOME FONDATIONS:\n\n1) The core issue is HOW does God himself direct us to worship in ways that are in keeping with his revealed character?  Whatever "freedom" we have in worship, we are NOT free before God to decide to use any and every form we dream up or see others using.  That's what is behind the second commandment prohibition of idols -- not simply of worshiping other gods, but of trying to use idols to worship the TRUE God!  And the Law also declares "you are not to worship me in the way they worship their gods", that is, God's people are not simply to adopt whatever worship practices they may see the pagans doing.   \n\nThese basic truths DO still apply, even if the OT sacrificial-temple system does not.  They are expressed in Jesus' words "God is SPIRIT and those who worship him must worship him in s/Spirit and in t/Truth [Jn 4:24, cf Phlp 3:1-2 which relates this to the Spirit of God and to worshping CHRIST... who is the Truth].  In other words, the WORSHIP of God must be consistent with the revealed NATURE of God.    \n\n2) An other thing to keep in view --as the questioner properly points out-- is that the OT Temple system of worship involving animal sacrifices and ritual washings has been done away with in Christ (see esp Hebrews). \n\nThis is sort of related to the first point, for the CHANGE that comes with Jesus' death & resurrection brings a new, fuller revelation of God --in Christ-- AND, tied in with that, changes in how we worship God (though we DO, at heart STILL come to God by means of atoning blood sacrifice -- the finished sacrifice of his Son! --and by a cleansing work)\n\nLet's also grant that the use of musical instruments is NOT, like idolatry, ALWAYS wrong and inconsistent with God's nature.  It was deemed perfectly appropriate in the OT system and considered an appropriate image to be included in Revelation's picture of heaven's worship.\n\n-----------------\n\nPerhaps the most important question then, is whether the use of instruments in our congregational worship is itself inconsistent with the NEW revelation of the fulfillment of the Law, and esp. of the Temple-sacrificial system, in Christ.   If the Word anywhere says this OR implies it.  I think you will agree that it does not expressly forbid this practice.  \n\nHere is, I think, the key.   And I do NOT believe Scripture anywhere teaches us that the use of musical instruments is at its court bound to the TEMPLE-ritual-sacrificial system, anymore than the use of the OT's PSALMS (which the church continued) is so part-and-parcel of that system as to be inappropriate to the New Testament revelation/fulfilment in Christ.\n\nRather, I believe that the use of musical instruments is not itself an "element" of worship (that is, one of a list of specific things we are called to do, as, for instance, praying and reading the Word are), nor something (like idols) that is  itself central to the CONTENT of our worship.  Instead it is, to some degree like singing, a WAY in which that worship is carried out.\n\nIncidentally, the two main passages that "command us to sing" in worship (Eph 5:18-19, Col 3:16) actually begin with our 'SPEAKING' the Word. Tbat is, what is key is our verbally expressing the content (to encourag
306432
There are plenty of criticisms of Jesus (or the authors of the New Testament) on the internet. Contact me and I will give you a few. No room to list them all here.
358265
siamsalem007: are you serious or are just that dumb? it is by leaps and bound easier to follow the herd so you don't have to formulate original thoughts or have an individual opinion.  i don't mean to bash or berate, but come on! jeewhiz! <---hehe that rhymes with jesus. HA!\n\nand for all of you christians supposedly being supportive and caring, you sure are a bunch of ravenous close-minded religion-mongers. what makes you think you deserve eternal paradise? because some book written by the hands and fingers of men tells you so? at the very LEAST, practice what you freaking preach! so few of you do.
226973
Lanani has eloquently provided the right answer and has earned the points.  That said, I would just like to elaborate a bit further:  Despite "Christian" protestations to the contrary, Catholics, like Baptists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, etc are ALL Christians.  Despite whatever problems we all may have with the Catholic Church, keep in mind for more than a thousand years they were the Catholics were the ONLY Christians around. If you were Christian, you WERE Catholic.  Nuff said.  \n\nAdditionally, the Catholic Church you love to hate on are the ones who put together the Bible you love to quote from.  THEY picked which gospels went in (there were more than 4 to choose from, you know) and which ones to keep out.  They compile the letters of Paul, and they added in the Revelation of John.  The Catholic Church has picked exactly which words you take literally and choose to live from, every day.  So smarten up.\n\nSecondly, to the two people who said she shouldn't change but he should, um, why is that?  What's with the arbitrary decision making there? Not that either way is right or either way is wrong, that's not for me to say, but how can one be right and one be wrong?\n\nFinally, to all those who ripped on her grammar and spelling, lol.  Some of you did it cleverly and some crudely, but I think you all got your point across.  That's just how it is these days, so chill.\n\nHope this helps--\nJ.
23370
It is a non-issue. If you waste your time worrying about it or fruitlessly discussing it, you are sidetracked from the Gospel of Scripture. (That would please Satan.)
651505
mine is just right. It has the word  of God. I would change nothing. I donot like the mega churches because if you want the concert type worship music, go to a concert.  If oyu're worshipping the lord you do not have to go all out, you can keep it simple, if I would change things about churches I've been to then I would  wish it was more hymnal old fashioned instead of a crazy concert scene.
619393
That is exactly why I don't listen to mainstream music. I'm in highschool, and it really ticks me off when i hear kids blasting degreating crap from cd players, cars, ipods, etc. I think it's really sad that those songs make billboard, and get awards. They are apart of the giant drop in society. If you think it's funny to hear those types of lyrics, you're sick. I know what you mean totally. And i'm not just saying this because I was brainwashed by parents, church, school. I am a non-christian, freespirited, girl with hippie parents who don't force me to not listen to stuff like that. It's totally my opinion.  I wish someone would start a boycott or something. Thanks for posting this question!
102806
As a christian, I can say that it is not the rock music , I myself love led and pink floyed and of course Ozzy.Its not the music that currups its the life style , don't fall into those trappings (drugs .alcoholeisum) and I see nothing wrong with it after all didn't god give us rock and roll
663497
Err... Christian Band?  I have to say my favorite is Phillips Craig and Dean, an "older" Contemp Christian Band.  Personally I have a personal thing against Christian Rock or Christian Rap.  I just dont really see it as worship when you have a guy on stage head banging, covered in long hair and tatoos, holding up the evil fingers and singing "Oh how I love Jesus".  You go to a "Soulstock" and all the kids there (who are usually between 12-16) bouncing around, screaming and shouting, just as high and drunk as they would be at the Metallica concert!  What levels dare we stoop to just to be accepted?!  \nBut what really just grind my gears is how the Christian music scene can put out music they claim as Christian when it really has nothing at all to do with God, Christ or his message.  One particular song I remember inparticular was a song with the lyrics "You are a Godsend" over and over and OVER AGAIN, it was a REALLY cruddy song, talking about an unmarried guy having "relations" with his girl.  I mean I REALLY dont have no SUPER conventions about that particularly but C'MON!!  I mean I go into a Christian Music store and there are "christian" CD's by big name Rap, Rock and Country artists?  It might not be the heavy stuff you'll find in the Metal section, but its still really not any good.  I say be hot or cold, bad or good, heavy or light, dont pussy around somewhere in the middle.
175836
Um, there IS a gospel of Judas, and it says NOTHING about Judas being the Messiah. You can read it for yourself at the link. What's with the disdainful way you phrase your questions? I know it has little to do with beliefs, because I've met many a respectful and tolerant atheist and agnostic on this site.
392101
I agree with you! If the questions are listed correctly under religion & spirituality, then they have no room to complain. What else do they expect to find here?? If someone posts outside of the correct topic area then it is considered abuse, and it should be reported, just as we would report someone for posting advertising of immoral subjects somewhere. I just believe that some folks have never taken a stand spiritually and are not knowlegable about it and it scares them. So the recourse they use is, "Don't shove it down my throat".  Also as far as the other person that said you weren't being christianly by your post is wrong, being upset is not a sin.........Jesus overthrew the tables of the money changers in the synagoge...done properly it is okay.
506010
Dude, I don't know where you get your views, but they are not a reflection of God as revealed in the Holy Bible.  Have you ever read it?  Ever had a serious discussion with real people who have also studied it and could have dismissed it all as bunk, but instead they "bet the farm", their lives, reputations, livelihoods on it.  Talk to some real Christians in person.  Anonymity on a yahoo answers forum is not going to get you the real answers you're seeking.
594418
I dont listen to Taylor Hicks so I dont know.    And why should christian music be restricted to christian stations only?    Isn't that discrimination?   If its a good tune it should be played nationally.   Who knows,  maybe secularists would like it too.   Music is universal, and art.   Even the secularist appreciates different musics.    Not all secularists are atheist.
635326
Well its simple really... every denomination is one mans opinion of something he doesnt agree with that the denomination before him thinks. I am a Christian but not part of any denomination. I also dont sware I know the Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth either. As long as I live I will continue to learn. Most religious leaders, Pastors and Priests wont admit they could be wrong about something. Thats a HUMAN trait, it has nothing to do with the Bible and it's teachings.
263003
Unfortunately, the majority of people in this forum who question the Christian faith design their "questions" to be extremely inflammatory - they're looking for the reaction, to offend; not for a reasonable dialogue. Not everyone excells at letting such things roll off their back.\n\naddition: see some of the above responses to your question to see what I mean
204997
Yeah! i agree with you 100% and a lot of them that i've talked to claim that it doesn't "SPECIFICALY" say that its wrong in the bible and uhhh hello! Leviticus 18:22, "Do not lie with another man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." So my advice would be attack them with their own source of their job, the bible and god, also im pretty sure god wouldn't have song of solomon in the bible with a man and a woman instead of two men or two women. I mean c'mon people use some common sense! Like there was this gay guy and his bf that wanted to come to our youth group and we obiously had no prob. w/ it except it was really wierd and he claimed there was nothing wrong with it! HOW DARE HIM! i tried to not get upset and be respectful because its the devil whispering in his ear and ya don't fight fire with fire\n\n\n\n\nGod made adam and eve not adam and steve... lol sry, cheesy :)