Should we rock the Gospel? 2of2

“Christian” Rock: Syncretism welcomed in the Church

“Syncretism of the Christian gospel occurs when critical or basic elements of the gospel are replaced by religious (or contemporary) elements from the host culture. It often results from a tendency or attempt to undermine the uniqueness of the Gospel as found in the Scriptures or the incarnate Son of God. The communication of the Gospel involves the transmission of a message with supra – cultural elements between a variety of cultures. This includes the disembodiment of the message from one cultural context and the re-embodiment of it in a different cultural context.” – Billy Calderwood

Contextualization of the Gospel in order to make it “relevant” always results in syncretism, whether in a milder form or otherwise. Recently I was pondering on the video posted “Contextualization in action” (posted under ‘Doctrines’ on the blog) where the Hindus have maintained their way of worship and lifestyle but substituted the names of their gods with Jesus’. The same as been recorded to have done with other religions such as Islam, Buddhism etc. There are a couple of reasons for such a strategy:
– to make converts without offending their practices;
protection from persecution; 
– and to make the Jesus “attractive” and acceptable to the populace. 
I believe there is another reason which many Christians would deny is that such an approach is much easier and safer; beseeching the unbelievers to repent and turn their ways often requires extreme courage and boldness. 

Contextualization gives a sense of “good deed” to the missionaries who use such strategies, without serving the purpose of God. Don’t get me wrong, some of these missionaries may be well-intentioned but that does not cancel out the fact that they are deceived and hence deceiving others.

Having given a brief example of syncretism from a religious perspective, I would like to apply the same principles of such a contextualization to the culture of youth today. Pastors and youth pastors are trying to make the Gospel “relevant” to today’s culture by synchronizing the teachings of Christ with the trends of the world.  One of these trends is the Rock music. The Rock music is the base of today’s culture. Prior to the 1960s, there was much fear and respect for those in authority. However, the Counter-culture Movement brought about rebellion, feminism etc which have created havoc in the world; and Rock music has played a gigantic role in this. This genre of music has its roots in the occult, and occult is undoubtedly of Satan.  The occultists have not used the method of preaching its beliefs but rather used music to reach the masses.

Now, syncretism happens when Christians use Gospel words and add Rock music to it so as to make it “relevant” for those Rock-lovers (because Christians think they will help God out by making His way easy.)

Gospel Rock is an oxymoron; they are antagonists. It is as deceptive as telling a Hindu to have the same form of idolatry but put a sign of a cross instead of the idol and take the name of Jesus instead of his gods. Light and darkness have nothing in common, Christ and Belial have no connection! There is no agreement between God’s temple and temples of idols! The Gospel and Rock are unequally yoked.

“Listen, rock ‘n roll AIN’T CHURCH. It’s nasty business. You gotta be nasty too. If you’re goody, goody, you can’t sing or play it. . .” (Lita Ford, Los Angeles Times, August 7, 1988) Are Christians so foolish that it took an unbeliever to state the obvious??

There’s a lot more to Rock/Christian Rock which I haven’t mentioned, but please look Google and YouTube, and let your eyes be opened! A discerner will repent immediately after having researched this music of the occult.

Legalism or biblical holiness – What’s the difference?

Legalism is man trying to be saved through his good works, while Biblical holiness is one who is already saved, showing good works as a result of their salvation (James 2:26), and never the means of ones salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9)! – Evangelist Sean Bonitto

 Legalistic churches are those which follow a set of rules not with the intention of wanting to be Christ-like, but rather with the intention of wanting to “feel” religious. Legalism and biblical holiness may have the same do’s and don’ts, however it is the motive behind the these do’s and dont’s. The prior is man-motivated while the latter is Spirit-motivated. Take tattooing for an example, a legalistic Christian will not get a tattoo because his conscience says that it is ‘good work’ to stay away from tattooing. On the other hand a holy, discerning believer will refrain from getting tattoos on him/herself out of reverence for God; wanting to be set apart from the rest of the world. He is well aware that the work of salvation has been completed by Christ and hence does good as a result of God’s call of being holy as He is holy (1Pet 1: 15, 16).

Likewise with rock music. A legalistic Christian would stay away from it because it is the devil’s music. He may think that God will not be pleased with him if he listens, hence trying to gain approval of God. While the saint of God is aware of the history and the occult source of the music, realising that there is no middle ground between God and Satan and hence chooses to be on God’s side. Again, he intention is to obey and revere the command of God of being holy as He is holy. So what is wrong with rock music? Well to begin with. the whole world listens to it and is under its influence, where is the setting apart of the believer in that? (Plus rock has many side-effects: personal as well as societal (the spiraling of morals began in the 1960s, around the same time rock started becoming popular. I would encourage any rock-lover (even with “christian” lyrics) to do some research on it)

I hope you are able to get the subtle yet huge difference between legalism and biblical holiness. It’s all in the motive behind the refraining: you are legalistic if you do things because you want to be saved and appease God, but you are holy by the biblical standards if your good works are a result of the changed life from making Christ your Lord and obeying His command to be set apart from the world. There is no room for works of self-rightousness when we turn to the Lord, but only His blood that makes us righteous.

Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world – Titus 2:12

Religion of the Youth Culture

Every culture is based on a religion. Every religion is based on a belief in a certain higher entity by which a certain worldview is formed. Individual as well as community values are based on this worldview.  The culture of Christians is based on the Bible, the culture Hindus is based on their Vedas, the Islamic culture according to Koran, Buddhism according to the teachings of Buddha, and so on. There is yet a culture whose religion has never been pin-pointed. Recently I had a thought and it makes perfect sense: a thought regarding the culture of the youth. How did this culture begin? What has influenced this culture so immensely?  The Counterculture Movement of the 60s led to a definite moral decline, and this decline has continued until today.  It’s the religion of youth that has brought about such a depraved culture, and this is the religion of rock (and roll).

 Rock has played a gigantic role in forming the mindset of the young.  It has manipulated them in order to conform them to the mind of rock.  This religion of rock does not preach or write books, it plays music and uses lyrics!  The roots of rock grow deep into the occult; the occultists are the ones behind the initiation of such music and hence the immoral culture. Knowingly or unknowingly, rock albums, artists, lyrics all uphold Satanism and the occult with their symbols and signs. (And Christians are such wannabes in creating ‘christian’ rock with the excuse of reaching to the rock-lovers, when they themselves are addicted to this type of music.) Every rock-lover is addicted to rock music; the heavier and darker the music, the higher their emotions escalate.

It will be argued, no doubt, that signs and symbols don’t mean anything as long as one does not take them seriously or practice them. Is that really so? The devil has clearly put up signs and symbols on his property where Christians love to hang out. There’s no such things as “it won’t affect me as long as I don’t believe in it.” Ignorance is exactly what Satan wants of God’s people; “harmless” fun on Satan’s property is not harmless at all!  Foolish Christians even argue that this music of the occult music is okay! It’s as okay as dabbling in the occult for fun (as if there’s such a thing!).  Confucius once said, “Signs and symbols rule the world, not words nor laws.” Sad how a heathen discerned that.

 “Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour..” 1Pet 5:8

Church, the devil is our adversary looking for every opportunity to deceive us and lead us on the path to ungodliness, and eventually death!  And you are so easily being deceived! That is frightening!  Is it so difficult to give up the things of this world for the sake of your souls? Satan is the god of this world; he has been given a green signal for a time-being to lead souls astray.  He will make the world look fun and attractive (and many times “christian”), but the end of it is death.  Yet you argue that the music of the occult is innocent! Logically, can that be possible? Music is not neutral!  Whoever came up with such an idea was a deceiver, in order to compromise his way of life. Stand alone notes are what’s neutral, but when they are brought together and arranged to produce music, the tune that comes out is no longer neutral. Have you ever come across a night club where they play Gospel music (no lyrics) or Metal/Rock? If music is neutral then it should be okay to play any genre of music at a night club; however, the DJs at the club don’t want to lose business and they know that the appropriate music would be a slow, romantic kind.  (Now, I don’t approve of night clubs, but that was an example I could think of.)  Would you allow a three-year-old to listen to Rock music (minus the lyrics)? Or would you rather he listens to music appropriate for kids?  Hence it’s ridiculous to think that music is neutral. That’s a lie of the Deceiver in order to drive his music into churches and hence his rebellious mindset into the minds of unsuspecting Christian. How many Christian children disobey and rebel against parents when told to refrain from rock? Rock and rebellion go hand in hand.

 There has emerged a division between youth and grown ups. Youth want their way, their kind of music, their kind of sermons, their kind of clothes, their kind of gadgets, their kind of language, TV shows, etc. In the olden days, there was no distinguishing between the young and the old, everyone listened to the same sermons at church, without the young thinking highly of themselves. But now, everything is about and for youth; no one wants to offend a youth, it is youth this youth that. The world, including Christians, has lost respect for grown ups, demanding they know better in every way, esp. the ways of God!  Growing old is seen as a curse. It is the most prevalent culture regardless of ethnicity, religion, color, education et al. The occult has penetrated the minds of the children and teens, telling them they have their own minds and do not need grown ups’ voice (parents, teachers) to tell them anything. This is the result of the religion of rock on those who follow it, non-Christians and Christian alike.

I encourage every rock fan  who claims to be a follower of Christ to do a detailed research on this genre. Rock (and Metal) was created with a very different intention, not at all for the sake of appreciating it like most there genres. May the Spirit convict you to forsake the ungodly and cling to what is of God.