http://www.kjv1611.org/ for more information on this topic. See G. A. Riplinger's work, particularly.
Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
Recently, it was posted as a comment on a blog that if Jesus were here, he would duck tape my mouth shut. I don't think Jesus would resort to such crass conduct as using duck tape. I don't think he would tie me up and force me to listen to a bunch of loud-mouthed exhibitionists performing a "christian" rock concert, either. That's a tactic used by thugs and weenies. God has a long and distinguished history of "shutting people up" and it's interesting to note the circumstances. Most people who have read any Bible at all know the story of Zacharias. In every case I've found, the offending party had his "mouth shut" because of disregarding God's words. The duct tape crowd seem to have little use for God's words, and choose to read whatever Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck version of the "bible" suits their particular sin. Hence we have a plethora of specialty "bibles" and one-size-fits-all "bibles" to fit any jaded appetite. You don't have to stop sinning... it's not a sin any more! No need to bring forth fruits mete for repentance... heck, what's repentance? I can't find the word in the latest new improved Piggly Wiggly Version. Not to worry... your new "bible" doesn't mention sodomy or whoremongers or drunkards or effeminate or backbiters or adulterers or fornicators or whisperers either. We can just be one big happy family. What was that other archaic word... separation? Forget that... it isn't politically correct. Let's party with the Moabites.
1 Corinthians 6:11 "And such WERE some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." Which brings me to the POINT of this post. God cares what Bible you use... or more specifically, he cares what Bible you BELIEVE. They're obviously NOT doctrinally the same. It shows in the actions of the users ("believers"?). Corrupt "bibles" produce corrupt "christians". Destroying the language destroys the culture.
Languages become corrupt over time. God had promised to preserve His Word FOREVER. "The words of the Lord are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace of earth, PURIFIED SEVEN TIMES. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them FROM THIS GENERATION FOREVER. Psalm 12:6. The KJB is the seventh English translation from the Textus Receptus family of manuscripts. There were others from the wrong manuscripts, but God has never blessed that line of corruption. So for the English-speaking people of the world, The King James Bible is THE ONE. I have more on this if you're interested in a history lesson, but not now.
God ordered Jeremiah to throw his ORIGINALS in the river. The Scripture doesn't say "all Scripture WAS given by inspiration of God, it says IS GIVEN. So where IS it? The "Scripture" is not the "original autographs". Timothy studied THE SCRIPTURES. Does any sane person believe that he possessed THE ORIGINALS? The Scriptures that God gave us are in the Authorized King James Bible, and no other English modern version. NO modern perversion is PURE! Panin proved that the text underlying ALL MODERN VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE SINCE 1881 is not God's text. It has NO MATHEMATICAL PATTERN. The men who concocted the polluted text were out-and-out Satan worshippers, and those scribes who use that text are blind guides leading the blind. "And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul and will cut him off from among his people." Lev. 20:6 Hang in there... this is where it gets interesting.
"The Lord will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the SCHOLAR." Malachi 2:12. "And when they shall say unto you, "Seek after them that have familiar spirits...' it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8: 19, 20. For 30 years, while concocting their manufactured text, based primarily on Siniaticus and Vaticanus, NOT the Textus Receptus, Westcott and Hort consulted familiar spirits, held seances, got drunk and hung out with homosexuals and people of like faith and practice. Such is the recorded testimony of their families, friends and historians. Kenneth Taylor lost his ability to speak. Philip Schaff, collaborator on the New Greek Committee and director of the American Standard Version, which formed the basis of the New American Standard and The Living Bible, was also silenced. He worked with Westcott and Hort on the RV committee. 12 years after its release he was still unable to speak. S.P. Tregelles, author of the New Greek Text became "scarcely able to speak audibly". Westcott's speech was "audible to few and understood by still fewer".
"The froward tongue shall be cut out." Proverbs 10:31. J.B. Phillips testified in his own autobiography that he, also, became speechless, as did Zacharias, "because thou believest not my words." Luke 1:20 "What hast thou to do to declare my statutes or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee." Psalm 50: 16-20 Not only did these men become speechless, but many of them had bouts of clinical depression and insanity. You think "changing a few words means nothing?" God disagrees, and I disagree. The word "psychotic" is found near "psychic" not only in the dictionary, but in the lives of these scribes. J.B. Phillips was visited by a devil disguised as C.S. Lewis, and was left with "hellish torments of the mind" after he heeded that devil's advice to "empty the mind of the... Authorized Version."
Phillips' substitution of Jung for Jesus, the TV for the KJV, and the "spirit of C.S. Lewis" for the Holy Spirit makes him an apt translator for a generation of christians who are blindly following in his footsteps. "Accuracy and honest heart"? "Men can only hope..."? Gimmeabreak! My God is not a liar. You have two choices: 1. Go kiss a rattlesnake or 2. Go do your homework. I've been doing mine for 20 years. I could give you a lot more on Ivan Panin, but this is enough ranting for one day, except for one thing. As a babe in Christ, 20 years ago, I spent 3 and 1/2 years in a charismatic "church". The day I started believing my Bible instead of the TV preacher was the day I knew I had to get out of that mess. That's a topic for another day.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Friday, March 04, 2005
Points of Clarification
With regard to the Randy Travis comment. I said and meant nothing negative about Randy's music. My point was simply that just because it is a beautiful and inspiring ballad about a praying Mom (another really good one is "Three Wooden Crosses") that doesn't mean that it is on the same level with, for example a congregation singing "Nothing But The Blood of Jesus". I'll bet that if you asked Randy, he'd agree.
I think I've posted enough information (and provided links) to show the negative influences of CERTAIN KINDS of music. Listening to this music, regardless of your thoughts and intentions, has negative moral, physical, mental and spiritual impact. I neither judged nor criticized anyone's good intentions. I'd rather assume good of someone and be wrong than to assume evil and be wrong. To do the latter and to verbalize it is also called blasphemy. My initial comment was intended to point out that if you listen to certain music too much, your life may be headed for a train wreck, and the engineer is asleep at the switch. Past "mistakes" may be repeated.
The "let it all hang out" or "get rid of all your inhibitions and hang-ups" approach to living is contrary to God's repeated commands in the New Testament to be "sober-minded". Of course, having been a charismatic myself long enough to know well their teachings and practices (I stopped being one when I started taking Bible study seriously) I also understand that I am talking to people who are unfamiliar with a real Bible, hence they are "slow of hearing".
I have seen how things have "worked out" over the years in the lives of my former friends in the charismatic church. Divorces, fornication, adultery, out-of-wedlock pregnancies, drug and alcohol abuse, insanity, total backsliding... and these things were in the lives of people who had been faithful "brothers and sisters in Christ" for years. There but for the grace of God go I. I saw their disregard for the Word of God and decided to get out. It hurt a lot at the time, but I cannot say that I've ever regretted leaving, and neither have my wife and children. I've been in hundreds of charismatic worship services and rock concerts, so don't make the mistake of thinking I'm ignorant of the "blessing" I'm missing. At the time, I thought "This is the real thing, man! Everybody else is missing out!" The atmosphere was a negative moral and spiritual influence on me and my family. THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT THERE WERE NOT ALSO BENEFITS. All I'm saying is, there's a better way. I'm also aware that there's an extremely low probability of the existence of a thriving, vibrant, growing, fundamental Independent Baptist Church anywhere near where you are. When I left the charismatic church, there wasn't one near me either, but there is now. (There was a Baptist church, but not much was happening there.) Without it, my family would not be what it is today. Thank you Jesus!
You will find, I think, that if you ever take it upon yourself to point out the unscriptural nature of a lot of what goes on in contemporary liberal churches in general and in charismatic/pentecostal churches in particular (in the privacy of your liberal pastor's office, of course) you will be about as popular and welcome as a wart. I was treated to a vivid demonstration of the fact that "the heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked". It didn't MATTER what the Bible said, they were going to "follow the money". My wife and I were treated like filth behind closed doors, but as soon as the doors opened, it was all "lovey-dovey" for a show in front of others. What two-faced hypocrites. I was tempted to deck the little punk, but why bother? Let God sort it out. "Vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord."
That music can be used for evil is clear from Scripture. Lucifer was created with a wealth of musical talents, which were evidently to be used for directing the angelic host in the worship of God (Ezek. 28:13 [KJV]). Lucifer's fall (Ezek. 28:11-19) evidently led to the perversion of music, so that its improper use could actually be OFFENSIVE TO GOD (Amos 5:23; 6:5). That music can have a powerful influence on ones emotions, mood, or state of being is clearly taught in Scripture (e.g., I Samuel 16:15-17, 23; II Ki. 3:15).
Amos 5:23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. Amos 6:5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent TO THEMSELVES instruments of musick, like David; (READ this one in context. The implication is that David's actions (in inventing these instruments) were NOT pleasing to God)
Further comments on music (quoting):
"Nevertheless, some biblicists continue to say that music is amoral (rather than moral or immoral), and that it can have no power to cause one to sin. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but the scientific research indicates just the opposite to be the case (not to mention the biblical record cited above)." Even Allan Bloom (an unbeliever), in his book The Closing of the American Mind, makes some interesting observations concerning the moral effects of music on people (pp. 68-81):
"Nothing is more singular about this generation than its addiction to music. … Today, a very large portion of young people between the ages of ten and twenty live for music. ... Rock music encourages passions and provides models that have no relation to any life the young people ... can possibly lead. ... I suspect that the rock addiction, particularly in the absence of strong counterattractions, has an effect similar to that of drugs." ( In fact, covert Military Intelligence ops such as MK Ultra conducted in the 1960's and 1970's eventually yielded the finding that the use of drugs was unnecessary in breaking down the human mind... music alone could achieve that result even without its lyrics.)
For millenia, the drumbeats of Africa have been used to summon demonic spirits. A wise man once said, "If you want to know where you're headed, it helps to know where you're from."
The roots and origins of much of contemporary music go a long way toward explaining the "whigger" phenomenon. Wrong direction. There's an interesting parallel in the origins of modern "bibles". Their root texts go back to Alexandria, in Africa. The Authorized King James Bible, on the other hand, traces its lineage through 15 centuries (before 1611) of bible-believing church history to Antioch in Syria, where the believers were first called "christians". "It helps to know whar yer from, Sonny Boy." That's a topic for another day.
Plato had quite a bit to say about the morality of music from a philosopher's standpoint. In the Republic, Plato devotes considerable time to the role of music in political and moral life: "Plato's teaching about music is, put simply, that rhythm and melody, accompanied by dance are the barbarous expression of the soul. BARBAROUS, not animal. Music is the medium of the human soul in its most ecstatic condition of wonder and terror ... Music is the soul's primitive and primary speech and its alogon, without articulate speech or reason. It is not only not reasonable, it is hostile to reason. Even when articulate speech [lyrics] is added, it is utterly subordinate to and determined by the music and the passions it expresses. ... Armed with music, man can damn rational thought. Out of the music emerge the gods that suit it, and they educate men by their example and their commandments." (Emphasis added.)
"To the question, 'Does music affect man's physical body?' modern research applies in the clear affirmative. There is scarcely a single function of the body which cannot be affected by musical tones [score] ... Investigation has shown that music affects digestion, internal secretions, circulation, nutrition and respiration. Even neural networks of the brain have been found to be sensitive to harmonic principles" (p. 136). (Emphasis added.)
(f) "Researchers have discovered that consonant and dissonant chords, different intervals, and other features of music [score] all exert a profound effect upon man's pulse and respiration-upon their rate and upon whether their rhythm is constant, or interrupted and jumpy. Blood pressure is lowered by sustained chords and raised by crisp, repeated ones. [It has also been found that the tension of the larynx is affected by melodies, that sound stimuli can have a negative effect upon the skeletal muscles, that rock rhythms cause the heart beat to lose its perfect rhythm, and that certain rhythms can even cause a rare malady known as "musicogenic epilepsy" (76 documented cases as of 1984), with which some of its victims have been tormented to the point of committing suicide or murder.] ... We can see, then, that music affects the body in two distinct ways: directly, as the effect of sound upon the cells and organs, and indirectly, by affecting the emotions, which then in turn influence numerous bodily processes" (p. 137). (Emphasis added.)
Julius Portnoy has also found that not only can music [score] "change metabolism, affect muscular energy, raise or lower blood pressure, and influence digestion," but "It may be able to do all these things more successfully ... than any other stimulants that produce those changes in our bodies" (p. 138). Musicologist Alice Monsarrat points out that it "is precisely at this point that rock 'n' roll ... becomes potentially dangerous. This is because, to maintain a sense of well-being and integration, it is essential that man is not subjected too much to any rhythms not in accord with his natural bodily rhythms" (p. 199).
(g) Extensive research has also been conducted on the effects of music upon non-human life, both animals and plants. Paradoxical as it may seem, plant experiments concerning the effects of music upon life are even more convincing than human experiments: that music does affect life, including human life. This is because in plant experiments the effect of the mind's subjective preconditioning and subjective reaction to the music, or one's "feeling" for the music, or one's personal tastes in music have obviously all been removed; i.e., if music [score] can be shown to affect plants, then such effects have to be due to the objective influence of the musical tones and rhythms directly upon the cells and processes of the life-form itself. (It is also easier to set-up a valid, scientifically controlled experiment with plant life than with human life.)
The plant research findings are solidly in the traditionalist camp: not only did rock music stunt the growth of a wide variety of plants, but if played long enough, the plants actually died. And even more startling were the findings of Dr. T.C. Singh, head of the Botany Department at Annamalia University, India. His experiments demonstrated that not only did certain forms of music and certain musical insturments (specifically, classical music and the violin) cause plants to grow at twice their normal speed, but that later generations of the seeds of musically stimulated plants carried on the improved traits of greater size, more leaves, etc.! Presumably, the same effect can result in the negative sense, from bad music. The possible significance of Dr. Singh's findings to human life is evident, and should be at least a little disconcerting to rock music fans (pp. 141-145).
For the world, it is impossible to separate from the lure of the pleasures of the flesh; they have no desire to do so nor do they have the power to do so if they did desire. But what reasons do we as Christians have to ignore our Lord's command to come out and be separate? Instead, we adopt the world's music in all its destructive forms [score and character], add Christian lyrics to it, and think we are being pleasing to the Lord and are a testimony of holiness to an unbelieving world.
- More recent medical research (than that cited by Tame) also disputes the notion of the supposed "neutrality" of music:
(a) Dr. John Diamond, a medical doctor, has conducted extensive research on the medical effects of music. He has noted that man is rhythmic in respiration, heartbeat, pulse, speech, and gait, and when the rhythm of music corresponds to the natural body rhythms, it produces feelings of ecstasy, alertness, and peace, and it energizes the mind and body, and facilitates balance and self-control. (These secular medical findings are also supported by Scripture [I Samuel 16:15-17,23]).
(b) Dr. David Nobel, another medical doctor and an authority on music, has done extensive research on the value of music rhythms [score] corresponding to body rhythms. He writes that, "None of these qualities accrue to the rock sound. Instead, rock contains harmonic dissonance and melodic discord while it accents rhythm with a big beat. In fact, the anapestic beat [two short beats, a long beat, then a pause] used by many rock musicians actually is the exact opposite of our heart and arterial rhythms [thereby causing an immediate loss of body strength]."
[Dr. Diamond confirms Dr. Nobel's findings and adds that the stopped anapestic rhythm "heightens stress and anger, reduces output, increases hyperactivity, and weakens muscle strength." (Admittedly, the technological ability to objectively measure stress and anger is problematical at best, while the measurement of muscle strength is quite precise and meets all the requirements of scientific reliability and statistical significance.)]
(h) "Like human nature itself, music cannot possibly be neutral in its spiritual direction ... ultimately all uses of tone [score] and all musical lyrics can be classified according to their spiritual direction, upward or downward. ... To put it plainly, music tends to be of either the darkness or of the light" (p. 187). In his famous work, Laws, Plato lamented the musical revolution of his time and its "unmusical anarchy": "Through foolishness they deceived themselves into thinking that there was no right or wrong in music-that it was to be judged good or bad by the pleasure it gave. By their work and their theories they infected the masses with the presumption to think themselves adequate judges. ... As it was, the criterion was not music, but a reputation for promiscuous cleverness and a spirit of law-breaking" (p. 189).
How does music help? Some studies show it can lower blood pressure, basal-metabolism and respiration rates, thus lessening physiological responses to stress. Other studies suggest music may help increase production of endorphins (natural pain relievers) and S-IgA (Salivary immunoglobulin A). S-IgA speeds healing, reduces the danger of infections, and controls the heart rate. Studies indicate both hemispheres of the brain are involved in processing music. Dr. Sacks explains, "The neurological basis of musical responses is robust and may even survive damage to both hemispheres" ("Music's Surprising Power to Heal," 8/92 Reader's Digest).
"In conclusion, we can say that insofar as the physical body is concerned, the notion that music has no effect upon man, or that all music is harmless, is ABSOLUTELY IN ERROR" (Tame, p. 141). (Emphasis added.) "No longer [can] modern musicians possibly claim that music is a matter of 'taste,' or that the musician should be allowed to perform anything he chooses ... Every moment of music to which we subject ourselves may be enhancing or taking away our … clarity of consciousness, increment by increment " (Tame, p. 144).
In essence, what the medical experts are saying is that today's rock sound (irrespective of the lyrics tacked-on to it in order to classify it as either secular or "Christian") fights against the rhythmic nature of man's creation. In the face of such evidence, it is difficult to understand how anyone can maintain that the music itself is neutral.
- In his 1985 book, Set the Trumpet To Thy Mouth, charismatic David Wilkerson (of Cross & the Switchblade fame) said: "One of the reasons God's Spirit was lifted from the Jesus Movement [not that It was ever there] was their refusal to forsake their old music. They gave up pot, heroin, alcohol, promiscuous sex, and they even gave up perverted life-styles. But they refused to give up their beloved rock. ... Amazing! I say its hold is stronger than drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. It is the biggest mass addiction in the world's history. Rock music, as used and performed in Christian circles, is of the same satanic seed as that which is called punk, heavy metal, and is performed in devilish rock concerts worldwide."
- By attending Christian rock concerts, does not one identify oneself with their false doctrines and become a partaker of their evil deeds? (The Bible clearly teaches a theology of "guilt by association"-see 2 John 10,11.) And since we will all be accountable to the Lord at the Bema Seat for our stewardship with the resources He has entrusted to us while on this earth, how can anyone possibly justify allocating any resources to the support of rock music?
I think I've posted enough information (and provided links) to show the negative influences of CERTAIN KINDS of music. Listening to this music, regardless of your thoughts and intentions, has negative moral, physical, mental and spiritual impact. I neither judged nor criticized anyone's good intentions. I'd rather assume good of someone and be wrong than to assume evil and be wrong. To do the latter and to verbalize it is also called blasphemy. My initial comment was intended to point out that if you listen to certain music too much, your life may be headed for a train wreck, and the engineer is asleep at the switch. Past "mistakes" may be repeated.
The "let it all hang out" or "get rid of all your inhibitions and hang-ups" approach to living is contrary to God's repeated commands in the New Testament to be "sober-minded". Of course, having been a charismatic myself long enough to know well their teachings and practices (I stopped being one when I started taking Bible study seriously) I also understand that I am talking to people who are unfamiliar with a real Bible, hence they are "slow of hearing".
I have seen how things have "worked out" over the years in the lives of my former friends in the charismatic church. Divorces, fornication, adultery, out-of-wedlock pregnancies, drug and alcohol abuse, insanity, total backsliding... and these things were in the lives of people who had been faithful "brothers and sisters in Christ" for years. There but for the grace of God go I. I saw their disregard for the Word of God and decided to get out. It hurt a lot at the time, but I cannot say that I've ever regretted leaving, and neither have my wife and children. I've been in hundreds of charismatic worship services and rock concerts, so don't make the mistake of thinking I'm ignorant of the "blessing" I'm missing. At the time, I thought "This is the real thing, man! Everybody else is missing out!" The atmosphere was a negative moral and spiritual influence on me and my family. THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT THERE WERE NOT ALSO BENEFITS. All I'm saying is, there's a better way. I'm also aware that there's an extremely low probability of the existence of a thriving, vibrant, growing, fundamental Independent Baptist Church anywhere near where you are. When I left the charismatic church, there wasn't one near me either, but there is now. (There was a Baptist church, but not much was happening there.) Without it, my family would not be what it is today. Thank you Jesus!
You will find, I think, that if you ever take it upon yourself to point out the unscriptural nature of a lot of what goes on in contemporary liberal churches in general and in charismatic/pentecostal churches in particular (in the privacy of your liberal pastor's office, of course) you will be about as popular and welcome as a wart. I was treated to a vivid demonstration of the fact that "the heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked". It didn't MATTER what the Bible said, they were going to "follow the money". My wife and I were treated like filth behind closed doors, but as soon as the doors opened, it was all "lovey-dovey" for a show in front of others. What two-faced hypocrites. I was tempted to deck the little punk, but why bother? Let God sort it out. "Vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord."
That music can be used for evil is clear from Scripture. Lucifer was created with a wealth of musical talents, which were evidently to be used for directing the angelic host in the worship of God (Ezek. 28:13 [KJV]). Lucifer's fall (Ezek. 28:11-19) evidently led to the perversion of music, so that its improper use could actually be OFFENSIVE TO GOD (Amos 5:23; 6:5). That music can have a powerful influence on ones emotions, mood, or state of being is clearly taught in Scripture (e.g., I Samuel 16:15-17, 23; II Ki. 3:15).
Amos 5:23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. Amos 6:5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent TO THEMSELVES instruments of musick, like David; (READ this one in context. The implication is that David's actions (in inventing these instruments) were NOT pleasing to God)
Further comments on music (quoting):
"Nevertheless, some biblicists continue to say that music is amoral (rather than moral or immoral), and that it can have no power to cause one to sin. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but the scientific research indicates just the opposite to be the case (not to mention the biblical record cited above)." Even Allan Bloom (an unbeliever), in his book The Closing of the American Mind, makes some interesting observations concerning the moral effects of music on people (pp. 68-81):
"Nothing is more singular about this generation than its addiction to music. … Today, a very large portion of young people between the ages of ten and twenty live for music. ... Rock music encourages passions and provides models that have no relation to any life the young people ... can possibly lead. ... I suspect that the rock addiction, particularly in the absence of strong counterattractions, has an effect similar to that of drugs." ( In fact, covert Military Intelligence ops such as MK Ultra conducted in the 1960's and 1970's eventually yielded the finding that the use of drugs was unnecessary in breaking down the human mind... music alone could achieve that result even without its lyrics.)
For millenia, the drumbeats of Africa have been used to summon demonic spirits. A wise man once said, "If you want to know where you're headed, it helps to know where you're from."
The roots and origins of much of contemporary music go a long way toward explaining the "whigger" phenomenon. Wrong direction. There's an interesting parallel in the origins of modern "bibles". Their root texts go back to Alexandria, in Africa. The Authorized King James Bible, on the other hand, traces its lineage through 15 centuries (before 1611) of bible-believing church history to Antioch in Syria, where the believers were first called "christians". "It helps to know whar yer from, Sonny Boy." That's a topic for another day.
Plato had quite a bit to say about the morality of music from a philosopher's standpoint. In the Republic, Plato devotes considerable time to the role of music in political and moral life: "Plato's teaching about music is, put simply, that rhythm and melody, accompanied by dance are the barbarous expression of the soul. BARBAROUS, not animal. Music is the medium of the human soul in its most ecstatic condition of wonder and terror ... Music is the soul's primitive and primary speech and its alogon, without articulate speech or reason. It is not only not reasonable, it is hostile to reason. Even when articulate speech [lyrics] is added, it is utterly subordinate to and determined by the music and the passions it expresses. ... Armed with music, man can damn rational thought. Out of the music emerge the gods that suit it, and they educate men by their example and their commandments." (Emphasis added.)
"To the question, 'Does music affect man's physical body?' modern research applies in the clear affirmative. There is scarcely a single function of the body which cannot be affected by musical tones [score] ... Investigation has shown that music affects digestion, internal secretions, circulation, nutrition and respiration. Even neural networks of the brain have been found to be sensitive to harmonic principles" (p. 136). (Emphasis added.)
(f) "Researchers have discovered that consonant and dissonant chords, different intervals, and other features of music [score] all exert a profound effect upon man's pulse and respiration-upon their rate and upon whether their rhythm is constant, or interrupted and jumpy. Blood pressure is lowered by sustained chords and raised by crisp, repeated ones. [It has also been found that the tension of the larynx is affected by melodies, that sound stimuli can have a negative effect upon the skeletal muscles, that rock rhythms cause the heart beat to lose its perfect rhythm, and that certain rhythms can even cause a rare malady known as "musicogenic epilepsy" (76 documented cases as of 1984), with which some of its victims have been tormented to the point of committing suicide or murder.] ... We can see, then, that music affects the body in two distinct ways: directly, as the effect of sound upon the cells and organs, and indirectly, by affecting the emotions, which then in turn influence numerous bodily processes" (p. 137). (Emphasis added.)
Julius Portnoy has also found that not only can music [score] "change metabolism, affect muscular energy, raise or lower blood pressure, and influence digestion," but "It may be able to do all these things more successfully ... than any other stimulants that produce those changes in our bodies" (p. 138). Musicologist Alice Monsarrat points out that it "is precisely at this point that rock 'n' roll ... becomes potentially dangerous. This is because, to maintain a sense of well-being and integration, it is essential that man is not subjected too much to any rhythms not in accord with his natural bodily rhythms" (p. 199).
(g) Extensive research has also been conducted on the effects of music upon non-human life, both animals and plants. Paradoxical as it may seem, plant experiments concerning the effects of music upon life are even more convincing than human experiments: that music does affect life, including human life. This is because in plant experiments the effect of the mind's subjective preconditioning and subjective reaction to the music, or one's "feeling" for the music, or one's personal tastes in music have obviously all been removed; i.e., if music [score] can be shown to affect plants, then such effects have to be due to the objective influence of the musical tones and rhythms directly upon the cells and processes of the life-form itself. (It is also easier to set-up a valid, scientifically controlled experiment with plant life than with human life.)
The plant research findings are solidly in the traditionalist camp: not only did rock music stunt the growth of a wide variety of plants, but if played long enough, the plants actually died. And even more startling were the findings of Dr. T.C. Singh, head of the Botany Department at Annamalia University, India. His experiments demonstrated that not only did certain forms of music and certain musical insturments (specifically, classical music and the violin) cause plants to grow at twice their normal speed, but that later generations of the seeds of musically stimulated plants carried on the improved traits of greater size, more leaves, etc.! Presumably, the same effect can result in the negative sense, from bad music. The possible significance of Dr. Singh's findings to human life is evident, and should be at least a little disconcerting to rock music fans (pp. 141-145).
For the world, it is impossible to separate from the lure of the pleasures of the flesh; they have no desire to do so nor do they have the power to do so if they did desire. But what reasons do we as Christians have to ignore our Lord's command to come out and be separate? Instead, we adopt the world's music in all its destructive forms [score and character], add Christian lyrics to it, and think we are being pleasing to the Lord and are a testimony of holiness to an unbelieving world.
- More recent medical research (than that cited by Tame) also disputes the notion of the supposed "neutrality" of music:
(a) Dr. John Diamond, a medical doctor, has conducted extensive research on the medical effects of music. He has noted that man is rhythmic in respiration, heartbeat, pulse, speech, and gait, and when the rhythm of music corresponds to the natural body rhythms, it produces feelings of ecstasy, alertness, and peace, and it energizes the mind and body, and facilitates balance and self-control. (These secular medical findings are also supported by Scripture [I Samuel 16:15-17,23]).
(b) Dr. David Nobel, another medical doctor and an authority on music, has done extensive research on the value of music rhythms [score] corresponding to body rhythms. He writes that, "None of these qualities accrue to the rock sound. Instead, rock contains harmonic dissonance and melodic discord while it accents rhythm with a big beat. In fact, the anapestic beat [two short beats, a long beat, then a pause] used by many rock musicians actually is the exact opposite of our heart and arterial rhythms [thereby causing an immediate loss of body strength]."
[Dr. Diamond confirms Dr. Nobel's findings and adds that the stopped anapestic rhythm "heightens stress and anger, reduces output, increases hyperactivity, and weakens muscle strength." (Admittedly, the technological ability to objectively measure stress and anger is problematical at best, while the measurement of muscle strength is quite precise and meets all the requirements of scientific reliability and statistical significance.)]
(h) "Like human nature itself, music cannot possibly be neutral in its spiritual direction ... ultimately all uses of tone [score] and all musical lyrics can be classified according to their spiritual direction, upward or downward. ... To put it plainly, music tends to be of either the darkness or of the light" (p. 187). In his famous work, Laws, Plato lamented the musical revolution of his time and its "unmusical anarchy": "Through foolishness they deceived themselves into thinking that there was no right or wrong in music-that it was to be judged good or bad by the pleasure it gave. By their work and their theories they infected the masses with the presumption to think themselves adequate judges. ... As it was, the criterion was not music, but a reputation for promiscuous cleverness and a spirit of law-breaking" (p. 189).
How does music help? Some studies show it can lower blood pressure, basal-metabolism and respiration rates, thus lessening physiological responses to stress. Other studies suggest music may help increase production of endorphins (natural pain relievers) and S-IgA (Salivary immunoglobulin A). S-IgA speeds healing, reduces the danger of infections, and controls the heart rate. Studies indicate both hemispheres of the brain are involved in processing music. Dr. Sacks explains, "The neurological basis of musical responses is robust and may even survive damage to both hemispheres" ("Music's Surprising Power to Heal," 8/92 Reader's Digest).
"In conclusion, we can say that insofar as the physical body is concerned, the notion that music has no effect upon man, or that all music is harmless, is ABSOLUTELY IN ERROR" (Tame, p. 141). (Emphasis added.) "No longer [can] modern musicians possibly claim that music is a matter of 'taste,' or that the musician should be allowed to perform anything he chooses ... Every moment of music to which we subject ourselves may be enhancing or taking away our … clarity of consciousness, increment by increment " (Tame, p. 144).
In essence, what the medical experts are saying is that today's rock sound (irrespective of the lyrics tacked-on to it in order to classify it as either secular or "Christian") fights against the rhythmic nature of man's creation. In the face of such evidence, it is difficult to understand how anyone can maintain that the music itself is neutral.
- In his 1985 book, Set the Trumpet To Thy Mouth, charismatic David Wilkerson (of Cross & the Switchblade fame) said: "One of the reasons God's Spirit was lifted from the Jesus Movement [not that It was ever there] was their refusal to forsake their old music. They gave up pot, heroin, alcohol, promiscuous sex, and they even gave up perverted life-styles. But they refused to give up their beloved rock. ... Amazing! I say its hold is stronger than drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. It is the biggest mass addiction in the world's history. Rock music, as used and performed in Christian circles, is of the same satanic seed as that which is called punk, heavy metal, and is performed in devilish rock concerts worldwide."
- By attending Christian rock concerts, does not one identify oneself with their false doctrines and become a partaker of their evil deeds? (The Bible clearly teaches a theology of "guilt by association"-see 2 John 10,11.) And since we will all be accountable to the Lord at the Bema Seat for our stewardship with the resources He has entrusted to us while on this earth, how can anyone possibly justify allocating any resources to the support of rock music?
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Give 'em The Bird
Quote of the day: Quran (9:11) -- For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; and there was peace.
Note the verse number.
God is able to reveal His truth even through a heretic. The Quran is the Islamic "bible", and the eagle is America.
I haven't researched the veracity of the quote, but it's worth thinking about, regardless. I suspect that this "quote" was invented by somebody on the internet. Maybe I'll look into it if I have the time... lots of more important things to do.
Thanks Christopher for taking care of the "astrology issue" for me. You're right.
Note the verse number.
God is able to reveal His truth even through a heretic. The Quran is the Islamic "bible", and the eagle is America.
I haven't researched the veracity of the quote, but it's worth thinking about, regardless. I suspect that this "quote" was invented by somebody on the internet. Maybe I'll look into it if I have the time... lots of more important things to do.
Thanks Christopher for taking care of the "astrology issue" for me. You're right.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Thou Shalt Not Judge! ... choke ! ... "Excuse me?"
http://www.av1611.org/crock/judbynum.html
"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:14). W.E. Vine says of the meaning of discern, "a distinguishing, a clear discrimination, discerning, judging; is translated 'discerning' in I Cor. 12: 10 of discerning spirits, judging by evidence whether they are evil or of God. " Strong also agrees that it means to judge. Those who are unwilling or incapable of discerning or judging between good and evil are in this manner revealing either their disobedience or their immaturity.
Many today believe that it is wrong to expose error and to name names. Liberals have always seemed to believe this, but in recent times it has been widely espoused by evangelicals and charismatics. Now we are seeing the same fatal error being declared by those who profess to be Bible believing fundamentalists. Those who are faithful in exposing error according to the Bible are now being widely denounced, and are accused of being unloving and unkind.
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment " (John 7:24). Here our Lord commands that we are to "judge righteous judgment, " which is judgment based upon the Word of God. If judgment is made upon any other basis, other than the Word of God, it is a violation of Matt. 7: 1. Webster's Dictionary says that a judge is "one who declares the law. " The faithful Christian must discern or judge on the basis of God's inspired law, the Bible. A fornicator is described in I Cor. 5:1-13. Paul "judged" (v.3) the man even though he was absent, and he told the Church at Corinth that they were to "judge" (v. 12) those that were within. The Greek word for "judge" is the same here as in Matt. 7: 1. Paul did not violate "judge not, that ye be not judged, " in judging the man, nor in instructing the Church to judge also. All of this judgment was according to the Word of God.
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they be of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4: 1).
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa. 8:20). Every message, messenger, and method is to be judged according to the Word of God. The church at Ephesus was commended because they had "tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars " (Rev. 2:2). The church at Pergamos was rebuked because they tolerated those that held "the doctrine of Balaam, " and "the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate" (Rev. 2:14,15). It is never right to tolerate false teachers, but they are to be tried by the Word of God, and exposed. Of course those who want to disobey the Word of God will seek by every means to avoid this teaching.
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them " (Eph. 5:11). Reprove means to censure, condemn, find fault, rebuke, and to refute. How can we obey this Scripture unless we try them by the Word of God?
"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which ye received of us " (II Thess. 3:6). We are to withdraw from those whose doctrine and conduct does not conform to the Word of God. The context clearly shows that obedience to sound doctrine is what Paul has in mind, for he says, "if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet, count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (II Thess. 3:14-15). Paul admonished Timothy to "withdraw thyself " from those who "consent not to wholesome words ... and to the doctrine which is according to godliness " (I Tim. 6:3-5).
We are to TURN AWAY from them. Concerning the last days, he says that some will have "a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" for such people are "never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (11 Tim. 3:5,7). How can we turn away from them if we do not identify them, and this requires that their message be compared to the Word of God. It is the business of the true preacher to: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine " (II Tim. 4:2). This is usually an unpopular and thankless task but it is the duty of the God-called man.
We are NOT to RECEIVE them into our house. "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds " (2John 1:10,11). There is no doubt about who John is speaking about, it is " Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ... " (v.9). By radio, TV, music and literature, false prophets are brought into the homes of many Christians today. Brethren, this ought not to be!
We are to look out for those who preach another gospel. Paul warned about those who preached "another Jesus ... another spirit ... or another gospel" (II Cor. 11:4). How can we know them unless we judge their Jesus, their spirit, and their gospel by the Word of God? Paul called such preachers "false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ" (2 Cor. 11:13). He explains in v. 14-15 that these preachers are the ministers of Satan. The God-called man must be just as faithful today in exposing the ministers of Satan.
Paul named Demas for loving the world. "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world" (II Tim. 4:10). Those who forsake the cause of Christ for worldly living and pleasures should be named and exposed. (Christian Rock!)
In fact, the whole Bible abounds in examples of false prophets being named and exposed. All this modem day talk about love, USED AS AN EXCUSE FOR NOT EXPOSING ERROR , is not really biblical love but merely sloppy agape.
Moses called the name of Balaam. (See Num. 22-25). Peter exposed "the way of Balaam ... who loved the wages of unrighteousness " (2 Pet. 2:15). Balaam was a prophet that was in the work for money, just like some of the TV false prophets today. They beg for money and live like kings, while multitudes of innocent people send them their hard earned money. They are always building colleges, hospitals, TV network satellites, and amusement parks that have a water slide for Jesus. And then we are supposed to keep our mouth shut about these religious charlatans. How can we be silent and be true to God?
Jude exposed "the error of Balaam " (Jude 11)."Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core." 2Peter 2:17-22 "These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." John exposed "the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication " (Rev. 2:14). This gets right to the heart of the matter, concerning the doctrine of separation. Balaam never did curse Israel even though he wanted the wages that he was offered to do so. The men of Israel committed "whoredom with the daughters of Moab ... and bowed down to their gods " (Num. 25:1,2). Why did they do this? Because Balaam taught Balac how to break down the barrier of separation between the Moabites and the Israelites. We know this to be so because it is plainly stated in Rev. 2:14 and Num. 31:16. This sin resulted in 24,000 men of Israel dying under the judgment of God. Separation from the world is important.
It seems to be believed by many that some people are too high and mighty to be named or exposed. Men in high places, pastors of large churches, and those with great radio or TV audiences, are supposedly above criticism. Whatever they may do or say, no matter how contrary to the Bible it may be, is supposedly all right. Nothing could be further from the truth.
"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:14). W.E. Vine says of the meaning of discern, "a distinguishing, a clear discrimination, discerning, judging; is translated 'discerning' in I Cor. 12: 10 of discerning spirits, judging by evidence whether they are evil or of God. " Strong also agrees that it means to judge. Those who are unwilling or incapable of discerning or judging between good and evil are in this manner revealing either their disobedience or their immaturity.
Many today believe that it is wrong to expose error and to name names. Liberals have always seemed to believe this, but in recent times it has been widely espoused by evangelicals and charismatics. Now we are seeing the same fatal error being declared by those who profess to be Bible believing fundamentalists. Those who are faithful in exposing error according to the Bible are now being widely denounced, and are accused of being unloving and unkind.
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment " (John 7:24). Here our Lord commands that we are to "judge righteous judgment, " which is judgment based upon the Word of God. If judgment is made upon any other basis, other than the Word of God, it is a violation of Matt. 7: 1. Webster's Dictionary says that a judge is "one who declares the law. " The faithful Christian must discern or judge on the basis of God's inspired law, the Bible. A fornicator is described in I Cor. 5:1-13. Paul "judged" (v.3) the man even though he was absent, and he told the Church at Corinth that they were to "judge" (v. 12) those that were within. The Greek word for "judge" is the same here as in Matt. 7: 1. Paul did not violate "judge not, that ye be not judged, " in judging the man, nor in instructing the Church to judge also. All of this judgment was according to the Word of God.
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they be of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4: 1).
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa. 8:20). Every message, messenger, and method is to be judged according to the Word of God. The church at Ephesus was commended because they had "tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars " (Rev. 2:2). The church at Pergamos was rebuked because they tolerated those that held "the doctrine of Balaam, " and "the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate" (Rev. 2:14,15). It is never right to tolerate false teachers, but they are to be tried by the Word of God, and exposed. Of course those who want to disobey the Word of God will seek by every means to avoid this teaching.
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them " (Eph. 5:11). Reprove means to censure, condemn, find fault, rebuke, and to refute. How can we obey this Scripture unless we try them by the Word of God?
"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which ye received of us " (II Thess. 3:6). We are to withdraw from those whose doctrine and conduct does not conform to the Word of God. The context clearly shows that obedience to sound doctrine is what Paul has in mind, for he says, "if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet, count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (II Thess. 3:14-15). Paul admonished Timothy to "withdraw thyself " from those who "consent not to wholesome words ... and to the doctrine which is according to godliness " (I Tim. 6:3-5).
We are to TURN AWAY from them. Concerning the last days, he says that some will have "a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" for such people are "never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (11 Tim. 3:5,7). How can we turn away from them if we do not identify them, and this requires that their message be compared to the Word of God. It is the business of the true preacher to: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine " (II Tim. 4:2). This is usually an unpopular and thankless task but it is the duty of the God-called man.
We are NOT to RECEIVE them into our house. "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds " (2John 1:10,11). There is no doubt about who John is speaking about, it is " Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ... " (v.9). By radio, TV, music and literature, false prophets are brought into the homes of many Christians today. Brethren, this ought not to be!
We are to look out for those who preach another gospel. Paul warned about those who preached "another Jesus ... another spirit ... or another gospel" (II Cor. 11:4). How can we know them unless we judge their Jesus, their spirit, and their gospel by the Word of God? Paul called such preachers "false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ" (2 Cor. 11:13). He explains in v. 14-15 that these preachers are the ministers of Satan. The God-called man must be just as faithful today in exposing the ministers of Satan.
Paul named Demas for loving the world. "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world" (II Tim. 4:10). Those who forsake the cause of Christ for worldly living and pleasures should be named and exposed. (Christian Rock!)
In fact, the whole Bible abounds in examples of false prophets being named and exposed. All this modem day talk about love, USED AS AN EXCUSE FOR NOT EXPOSING ERROR , is not really biblical love but merely sloppy agape.
Moses called the name of Balaam. (See Num. 22-25). Peter exposed "the way of Balaam ... who loved the wages of unrighteousness " (2 Pet. 2:15). Balaam was a prophet that was in the work for money, just like some of the TV false prophets today. They beg for money and live like kings, while multitudes of innocent people send them their hard earned money. They are always building colleges, hospitals, TV network satellites, and amusement parks that have a water slide for Jesus. And then we are supposed to keep our mouth shut about these religious charlatans. How can we be silent and be true to God?
Jude exposed "the error of Balaam " (Jude 11)."Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core." 2Peter 2:17-22 "These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." John exposed "the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication " (Rev. 2:14). This gets right to the heart of the matter, concerning the doctrine of separation. Balaam never did curse Israel even though he wanted the wages that he was offered to do so. The men of Israel committed "whoredom with the daughters of Moab ... and bowed down to their gods " (Num. 25:1,2). Why did they do this? Because Balaam taught Balac how to break down the barrier of separation between the Moabites and the Israelites. We know this to be so because it is plainly stated in Rev. 2:14 and Num. 31:16. This sin resulted in 24,000 men of Israel dying under the judgment of God. Separation from the world is important.
It seems to be believed by many that some people are too high and mighty to be named or exposed. Men in high places, pastors of large churches, and those with great radio or TV audiences, are supposedly above criticism. Whatever they may do or say, no matter how contrary to the Bible it may be, is supposedly all right. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Apologetics
apologet'ic defending by words or arguments; said or wtitten in defense, or by way of apology;
as, an apologetic essay.
David Tame (another unbeliever), in his 1984 book, The Secret Power of Music, not only further demonstrates the moral nature of music, but he also reveals extensive medical research demonstrating the destructive effects of rock music (on both the mind [emotions] and the body): [See the attached abbreviated bibliography for additional reference materials that details some more of the extensive research (including scientific) that has been conducted concerning the effects of music.]
"Were we to scour the globe in search of the most aggressively malevolent and unmistakably evil music is existence, it is more than likely that nothing would be found anywhere to surpass voodoo in these attributes ... as the rhythmic accompaniment to satanic rituals and orgies, voodoo is the quintessence of tonal evil. ... Its multiple rhythms [score], rather than uniting into an integrated whole, are performed in a certain kind of conflict with one another. ... What is certain is that to hear this music is to become instantly encompassed by the sound of its raw, livid power. ... Musicologists and historians are in no doubt that the drum rhythms of Africa were carried to America and were transmitted and translated into the style of music which became known as jazz. Since jazz and the blues were the parents of rock and roll, this also means that there exists a direct line of descent from the voodoo ceremonies of Africa, through jazz, to rock and roll and all the other forms of rock music today" (pp. 189-190). (Emphasis added.)
"In the one corner: the ancients and traditionalists; the conviction that music affects character and society, and that therefore the artist has a duty to be responsibly moral and constructive, not immoral and destructive. In the other corner: the materialists; disclaiming responsibility and the need for value judgments, paying no heed to the outcome of their sounds. The second camp contains not only the radical avant-garde, but the entire mass of the much more popular and culturally significant jazz and rock musicians. Who, then, is correct? ... Do life patterns follow music patterns or do they not? " (p. 136). Tame goes on to cite extensive research that overwhelmingly supports the contentions of the traditionalists: that music in general can be, and rock music specifically is, a negative influence on both the physical body and moral nature of man.
"To the question, 'Does music affect man's physical body?' modern research applies in the clear affirmative. There is scarcely a single function of the body which cannot be affected by musical tones [score] ... Investigation has shown that music affects digestion, internal secretions, circulation, nutrition and respiration. Even neural networks of the brain have been found to be sensitive to harmonic principles" (p. 136). (Emphasis added.)
"Researchers have discovered that consonant and dissonant chords, different intervals, and other features of music [score] all exert a profound effect upon man's pulse and respiration-upon their rate and upon whether their rhythm is constant, or interrupted and jumpy. Blood pressure is lowered by sustained chords and raised by crisp, repeated ones. [It has also been found that the tension of the larynx is affected by melodies, that sound stimuli can have a negative effect upon the skeletal muscles, that rock rhythms cause the heart beat to lose its perfect rhythm, and that certain rhythms can even cause a rare malady known as "musicogenic epilepsy" (76 documented cases as of 1984), with which some of its victims have been tormented to the point of committing suicide or murder.] ... We can see, then, that music affects the body in two distinct ways: directly, as the effect of sound upon the cells and organs, and indirectly, by affecting the emotions, which then in turn influence numerous bodily processes" (p. 137). (Emphasis added.)
Julius Portnoy has also found that not only can music [score] "change metabolism, affect muscular energy (rock music WEAKENS muscle strength), raise or lower blood pressure, and influence digestion," but "It may be able to do all these things more successfully ... than any other stimulants that produce those changes in our bodies" (p. 138). Musicologist Alice Monsarrat points out that it "is precisely at this point that rock 'n' roll ... becomes potentially dangerous. This is because, to maintain a sense of well-being and integration, it is essential that man is not subjected too much to any rhythms not in accord with his natural bodily rhythms" (p. 199).
as, an apologetic essay.
David Tame (another unbeliever), in his 1984 book, The Secret Power of Music, not only further demonstrates the moral nature of music, but he also reveals extensive medical research demonstrating the destructive effects of rock music (on both the mind [emotions] and the body): [See the attached abbreviated bibliography for additional reference materials that details some more of the extensive research (including scientific) that has been conducted concerning the effects of music.]
"Were we to scour the globe in search of the most aggressively malevolent and unmistakably evil music is existence, it is more than likely that nothing would be found anywhere to surpass voodoo in these attributes ... as the rhythmic accompaniment to satanic rituals and orgies, voodoo is the quintessence of tonal evil. ... Its multiple rhythms [score], rather than uniting into an integrated whole, are performed in a certain kind of conflict with one another. ... What is certain is that to hear this music is to become instantly encompassed by the sound of its raw, livid power. ... Musicologists and historians are in no doubt that the drum rhythms of Africa were carried to America and were transmitted and translated into the style of music which became known as jazz. Since jazz and the blues were the parents of rock and roll, this also means that there exists a direct line of descent from the voodoo ceremonies of Africa, through jazz, to rock and roll and all the other forms of rock music today" (pp. 189-190). (Emphasis added.)
"In the one corner: the ancients and traditionalists; the conviction that music affects character and society, and that therefore the artist has a duty to be responsibly moral and constructive, not immoral and destructive. In the other corner: the materialists; disclaiming responsibility and the need for value judgments, paying no heed to the outcome of their sounds. The second camp contains not only the radical avant-garde, but the entire mass of the much more popular and culturally significant jazz and rock musicians. Who, then, is correct? ... Do life patterns follow music patterns or do they not? " (p. 136). Tame goes on to cite extensive research that overwhelmingly supports the contentions of the traditionalists: that music in general can be, and rock music specifically is, a negative influence on both the physical body and moral nature of man.
"To the question, 'Does music affect man's physical body?' modern research applies in the clear affirmative. There is scarcely a single function of the body which cannot be affected by musical tones [score] ... Investigation has shown that music affects digestion, internal secretions, circulation, nutrition and respiration. Even neural networks of the brain have been found to be sensitive to harmonic principles" (p. 136). (Emphasis added.)
"Researchers have discovered that consonant and dissonant chords, different intervals, and other features of music [score] all exert a profound effect upon man's pulse and respiration-upon their rate and upon whether their rhythm is constant, or interrupted and jumpy. Blood pressure is lowered by sustained chords and raised by crisp, repeated ones. [It has also been found that the tension of the larynx is affected by melodies, that sound stimuli can have a negative effect upon the skeletal muscles, that rock rhythms cause the heart beat to lose its perfect rhythm, and that certain rhythms can even cause a rare malady known as "musicogenic epilepsy" (76 documented cases as of 1984), with which some of its victims have been tormented to the point of committing suicide or murder.] ... We can see, then, that music affects the body in two distinct ways: directly, as the effect of sound upon the cells and organs, and indirectly, by affecting the emotions, which then in turn influence numerous bodily processes" (p. 137). (Emphasis added.)
Julius Portnoy has also found that not only can music [score] "change metabolism, affect muscular energy (rock music WEAKENS muscle strength), raise or lower blood pressure, and influence digestion," but "It may be able to do all these things more successfully ... than any other stimulants that produce those changes in our bodies" (p. 138). Musicologist Alice Monsarrat points out that it "is precisely at this point that rock 'n' roll ... becomes potentially dangerous. This is because, to maintain a sense of well-being and integration, it is essential that man is not subjected too much to any rhythms not in accord with his natural bodily rhythms" (p. 199).
Monday, February 28, 2005
Is God Serious?
Eight rules the Jews used in copying of the Synagogue Rolls of the Old Testament Scriptures.
1. The parchment must be made from the skin of clean animals; must be prepared by a Jew only, and the skin must be fastened together by strings taken from clean animals.
2. Each column must have no less than 48 nor more than 60 lines. The entire copy must be first lined.
3. The ink must be of no other color than black, and it must be prepared according to a special recipe.
4. No word or letter could be written from memory; the scribe must have an authentic copy before him, and he must read and pronounce aloud each word before writing it. He had to pronounce every word before he wrote it down, with an authentic copy before him. He had to pronounce it aloud, not just see it in his mind. This was to avoid any errors, duplications, omissions, etc.
5. He must reverently wipe his pen each time before writing the word for "God" [which is Elohim] and he must wash his whole body before writing the name "Jehovah"[which is translated "LORD" in our King James Bible] lest the Holy Name be contaminated.
6. Strict rules were given concerning forms of the letters, spaces between letters, words and sections, the use of the pen, the color of the parchment, etc.
7. The revision of a roll must be made within 30 days after the work was finished; otherwise it was worthless. One mistake on a sheet condemned the sheet_ three mistakes found on any page_ the entire manuscript was condemned.
8. Every word and every letter was counted, and if a letter were omitted, an extra letter inserted, or if one letter touched another, the manuscript was condemned and destroyed at once. [Notice that. The words and letters were counted. Think of all the letters on every page of the Hebrew Old Testament. Talk about exactness. Yet that was the method God used to preserve the Old Testament.]
Conclusion: "Some of these rules may appear extreme and absurd, yet they show how sacred the Holy Word of the Old Testament was to its custodians, the Jews (Rom. 3:2), and they give us strong encouragement to believe that every letter of every word is important to God. As proven by Ivan Panin, God’s Word has an protective, sealed, encrypted, unbreakable copyright… its numerical pattern. Greek and Hebrew are the only languages in which every letter has a numerical value, hence every word, phrase, and passage has a numerical value, everything being constructed in a perfect pattern of sevens. The KJB is the only Bible that fits the image of the Greek and Hebrew texts of the TR. The King James Bible says the same thing (it is a true translation) but in the universal language of the 20th century. The meaning of its words can easily be determined by using the Bible itself as a dictionary, or by consulting Webster’s 1828. God’s providence gave us our copyright laws, so that all other English versions would be OBVIOUSLY polluted., and NECESSARILY polluted in order to obtain a copyright. There is no copyright on the TEXT of the KJB, hence anyone can reproduce it without paying royalties, and no one profits from its use EXCEPT YOU. It is clear that there is only ONE Word of God for the English-speaking people of the world. The rest would better be considered books of thoughts ON the bible, not true Bibles per se. God takes perfection in His Word seriously, and so should we.
Google Search of the day: satanic roots + rock music. Good place to start: http://www.av1611.org/crock.html See also:
http://www.av1611.org/crock/crock1.html
1. The parchment must be made from the skin of clean animals; must be prepared by a Jew only, and the skin must be fastened together by strings taken from clean animals.
2. Each column must have no less than 48 nor more than 60 lines. The entire copy must be first lined.
3. The ink must be of no other color than black, and it must be prepared according to a special recipe.
4. No word or letter could be written from memory; the scribe must have an authentic copy before him, and he must read and pronounce aloud each word before writing it. He had to pronounce every word before he wrote it down, with an authentic copy before him. He had to pronounce it aloud, not just see it in his mind. This was to avoid any errors, duplications, omissions, etc.
5. He must reverently wipe his pen each time before writing the word for "God" [which is Elohim] and he must wash his whole body before writing the name "Jehovah"[which is translated "LORD" in our King James Bible] lest the Holy Name be contaminated.
6. Strict rules were given concerning forms of the letters, spaces between letters, words and sections, the use of the pen, the color of the parchment, etc.
7. The revision of a roll must be made within 30 days after the work was finished; otherwise it was worthless. One mistake on a sheet condemned the sheet_ three mistakes found on any page_ the entire manuscript was condemned.
8. Every word and every letter was counted, and if a letter were omitted, an extra letter inserted, or if one letter touched another, the manuscript was condemned and destroyed at once. [Notice that. The words and letters were counted. Think of all the letters on every page of the Hebrew Old Testament. Talk about exactness. Yet that was the method God used to preserve the Old Testament.]
Conclusion: "Some of these rules may appear extreme and absurd, yet they show how sacred the Holy Word of the Old Testament was to its custodians, the Jews (Rom. 3:2), and they give us strong encouragement to believe that every letter of every word is important to God. As proven by Ivan Panin, God’s Word has an protective, sealed, encrypted, unbreakable copyright… its numerical pattern. Greek and Hebrew are the only languages in which every letter has a numerical value, hence every word, phrase, and passage has a numerical value, everything being constructed in a perfect pattern of sevens. The KJB is the only Bible that fits the image of the Greek and Hebrew texts of the TR. The King James Bible says the same thing (it is a true translation) but in the universal language of the 20th century. The meaning of its words can easily be determined by using the Bible itself as a dictionary, or by consulting Webster’s 1828. God’s providence gave us our copyright laws, so that all other English versions would be OBVIOUSLY polluted., and NECESSARILY polluted in order to obtain a copyright. There is no copyright on the TEXT of the KJB, hence anyone can reproduce it without paying royalties, and no one profits from its use EXCEPT YOU. It is clear that there is only ONE Word of God for the English-speaking people of the world. The rest would better be considered books of thoughts ON the bible, not true Bibles per se. God takes perfection in His Word seriously, and so should we.
Google Search of the day: satanic roots + rock music. Good place to start: http://www.av1611.org/crock.html See also:
http://www.av1611.org/crock/crock1.html
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Epiphonema
EPIPHONE'MA n. in oratory, an exclamation; a vehement utterance of the voice to express strong passion, in a sentence not closely connected with the general strain of the discourse.
EPIPH'ANY, n. appearance; to appear. Definitions are from Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary.
The Greek word is used in II Timothy 1:10. The English word for it is "manifest", as it appears in the AKJB of 1611.
Sometimes when I close a window on my computer, another window is revealed that had been behind the window I just closed. If I had used Expose' (a useful feature on the Mac) I would have seen it sooner. A quirky little bug in my FireFox browser causes a little window to repeatedly pop up asking for my password for the "software security device". I have learned that entering the password does no good... the same window immediately reappears elsewhere on my screen. So I tell it to go away, without giving it the password, and then it's back to business as usual... SOS_DD. Sometimes we try to treat God that way.
Lately, I've been vividly reminded of a quirk of human nature that has been obvious in my own life. As fleshly creatures (more fleshly than spiritual) we want to please ourselves more than we want to please God. We want what feels good, regardless of what God might be trying to reveal to us. I lived through the "if it feels good, do it" era of the sixties. I generally don't say I "grew up" in the sixties, because I didn't... grow up, that is. In Romans 1:19, "manifest" (the word in II Timothy 1:10) is used again. Sometimes (as in this passage in Romans) God shows something to people, but they refuse to "see" it, and they claim ignorance. We cover our eyes, stamp our little feet, and say, "No! I can't see it." Kind of like that little FireFox window that I wish would go away and never come back. Verse 20 says they are without excuse. Sometimes the truth is less plain. God wants you to seek it with your whole heart, just because you love Him and want to please Him. When you meet that requirement, "ye shall find it." The question is, "How much do you love God?" Are you willing to give up something that you are hooked on (like rock music or that "occasional" beer) for the simple reason that to do so would be pleasing in God's sight? "We love Him because He first loved us, and gave Himself for us." (Love is an act of giving, not a warm fuzzy feeling.True love gives to meet a need, even though it may not feel good.) But do we love Him enough? I have NEVER believed (here I go again with one of my "judgemental opinions" that stir up such a fuss around here) that ANY of us meets the requirements of the first and second Commandments. Disagree if you must... I think that your disagreement simply proves your own pride and self righteousness. In my own experience I have found that people (including myself of course) want to have their own way, their own "individuality" that seems right to them. Our culture constantly affirms that we should do what "is right FOR US". There are many ways that "seem right". Each of us has a way that seems right to us. But what is right to God? Romans 1 describes people who "don't know" (although God has plainly showed it to them) and don't care. "There is A WAY which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof ARE the ways of death." Prov. 14:12. God does not have a grammar problem here. It means exactly what it says, especially in the uses of the singular and plural forms. There are multiple WAYS things may turn out if the way that seems right to you is chosen, and they all are the ways of death. The way to life, peace, fulfillment and happiness, on the other hand is through the death of self. Mark 8:35.
Music is a way of expressing our individuality. We cling to it , fiercely defending "our turf", and attacking (sometimes viciously!) anybody with the gall to suggest altering our preferences. Sometimes, we need to go to our preference folder and delete our preferences and let God recreate an uncorrupted preference folder. Sometimes we have the realization that the problem could best be fixed by not merely defragging the intracranial hard drive, but by erasing the disk and installing God's OS. My Mac does just fine on OS X (10.3.7 to be exact) but my brain needs OS J ("J" for Jesus). The Bible is clear that we need to DIE TO SELF. John Knox the great Scottish reformer and evangelist said to God, "Give me Scotland ere I die." God said, "You die first, and then I'll give you Scotland." John Knox died to self and God gave him Scotland. One seemingly small "deviation" (error in a file) wreaks great havoc in our lives. In the case of music preferences, we are slow and reluctant to see or admit the root cause of the difficulty. Music is a powerful, addictive force. When people get saved, it is rare that all sins are given up at once. Usually it is a progression, a slow substitution of better preferences in place of the old. The area of music preferences is usually the most adamantly defended "turf" and is given up to God one precious inch at a time, if at all. I have seen this in my own life. There have been changes large and small, and times of no change at all or even of regression. Looking back I can see the hand of God ever-present in my life, patiently correcting and guiding me by whatever means necessary, depending on my level of stubbornness. Sometimes pain was necessary to get me to change. It took a long time to arrive where I am now (and I have a long way yet to go) so I try to be patient with young christians who are going through the same choice-making process... and making wrong choices. I want to help, but help is not wanted. I understand how the father of the prodigal son must have felt, knowing his beloved son was headed for the hog trough. Too bad the boy had to learn the hard way... but lessons WILL be learned, one way or the other.
Recently, my "music consciousness" went through a "quantum shift". I obtained two things. The first was a DVD of Dr. Jack Schaap preaching at Youth Conference 2004 at First Baptist Church, Hammond Indiana. The second was an audio file I downloaded from http://hylesanderson.com/chapel. It is a chapel message preached by Brother Brian Cassada on 10-27-2004 entitled "I Can't See Your Heart, But I Can Hear It". You can download it yourself for free at the site. It takes guts to preach that kind of a sermon. I listened to it and had an epiphany. I thought, "Oh my soul... HE'S RIGHT!!!" The next thought was, "Oh God, I'm sorry." That was several months ago.
I have a special interest in music in that I record and produce all of the audio and video at my local fundamental Independent Baptist Church. I've been doing that for about eight months. Being able to do this has been a source of indescribable blessing for me. The whole thing kind of snow-balled after I recorded (for my own use) my daughters singing in church last June. Now I record everything... and haven't regretted it for a minute.
I just this week introduced myself to blogging and have since been reminded of just how adamantly I have defended my own "music turf" in the past. People get real mad real fast about the issue. This morning as I was slowly coming out of the fog of sleep, I had another epiphany. God was telling me, "Look, you can't expect people to just spend their hard-earned cash on a gamble that you might be right about a different kind of music being worth a listen. You weren't willing to spend YOUR money, were you?" I was NOT willing to go out and buy new music. Experience has shown that for $15 you're lucky if you get one or two really good songs on a CD, and the rest are "filler". The good ones you can hear on the radio six times a day for free, anyway. Out of curiosity, since I hadn't had a good look at the music department of a "christian bookstore" in a number of years, I had visited a local "christian bookstore" and found NOTHING of interest. So I got to thinking. God has put me in a position where I get ALL KINDS of music for free. People bring me tapes, DVD's and CD's and I burn disks. I get the music for free and charge $5 for a CD, $7 for a DVD, printable media with nice labels. Mostly I take cassette tape material and put it on a CD (the owner paid retail for the tape), or make a duplicate copy of a CD so that the owner (who paid retail for the original) can have multiple copies for use at home, in two cars, for several rooms at home, or whatever. I don't think that the fact that I am a "middle man" somehow makes this beyond the "digital rights" of the owner of the cassette or CD. And I don't think that keeping the material on my hard drive is illegal, since it also appears to be legal to swap music among friends. I'm sure there's at least one ambulance-chasing lawyer out there who would say otherwise. It's always about the money with some people. The spirit and intent of the law is to protect the rights of those who have invested a lot of money in producing and distributing the material. It obviously would injure them if someone made thousands of copies and sold them on the street, and they would have "legal standing" to bring a law suit against the offender. That's NOT what I'm doing. The DVD that I offered is not copyrighted, and I know that the people who did the preaching would be delighted that the material is getting around. My son, who attends the college where this material originated, just made a DVD that will be distributed FOR FREE to 11,000 people two weeks from now. It is OBVIOUSLY not about the money with these people. However, it might appear that I am "stealing" if I were to give away music. So to avoid "all appearance of evil" (Colossians 5:23) I have withdrawn the offer I previously made on this post with regard to trying some good hymns for free. Sorry, you're on your own. Actually, the silence has bespoken volumes of just how narrow-minded my detractors are. You would THINK that some would at least want to have a free listen, but NO!! THEY'RE TOO DOPED ON 'CHRISTIAN' ROCK TO CARE! Anyway, I highly recommend "Hymns For The Home" from Sacred Music Service. I have four (RETAIL) albums of their's and it's all really great stuff. They have other music and materials as well, and they're on the Net.
EPIPH'ANY, n. appearance; to appear. Definitions are from Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary.
The Greek word is used in II Timothy 1:10. The English word for it is "manifest", as it appears in the AKJB of 1611.
Sometimes when I close a window on my computer, another window is revealed that had been behind the window I just closed. If I had used Expose' (a useful feature on the Mac) I would have seen it sooner. A quirky little bug in my FireFox browser causes a little window to repeatedly pop up asking for my password for the "software security device". I have learned that entering the password does no good... the same window immediately reappears elsewhere on my screen. So I tell it to go away, without giving it the password, and then it's back to business as usual... SOS_DD. Sometimes we try to treat God that way.
Lately, I've been vividly reminded of a quirk of human nature that has been obvious in my own life. As fleshly creatures (more fleshly than spiritual) we want to please ourselves more than we want to please God. We want what feels good, regardless of what God might be trying to reveal to us. I lived through the "if it feels good, do it" era of the sixties. I generally don't say I "grew up" in the sixties, because I didn't... grow up, that is. In Romans 1:19, "manifest" (the word in II Timothy 1:10) is used again. Sometimes (as in this passage in Romans) God shows something to people, but they refuse to "see" it, and they claim ignorance. We cover our eyes, stamp our little feet, and say, "No! I can't see it." Kind of like that little FireFox window that I wish would go away and never come back. Verse 20 says they are without excuse. Sometimes the truth is less plain. God wants you to seek it with your whole heart, just because you love Him and want to please Him. When you meet that requirement, "ye shall find it." The question is, "How much do you love God?" Are you willing to give up something that you are hooked on (like rock music or that "occasional" beer) for the simple reason that to do so would be pleasing in God's sight? "We love Him because He first loved us, and gave Himself for us." (Love is an act of giving, not a warm fuzzy feeling.True love gives to meet a need, even though it may not feel good.) But do we love Him enough? I have NEVER believed (here I go again with one of my "judgemental opinions" that stir up such a fuss around here) that ANY of us meets the requirements of the first and second Commandments. Disagree if you must... I think that your disagreement simply proves your own pride and self righteousness. In my own experience I have found that people (including myself of course) want to have their own way, their own "individuality" that seems right to them. Our culture constantly affirms that we should do what "is right FOR US". There are many ways that "seem right". Each of us has a way that seems right to us. But what is right to God? Romans 1 describes people who "don't know" (although God has plainly showed it to them) and don't care. "There is A WAY which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof ARE the ways of death." Prov. 14:12. God does not have a grammar problem here. It means exactly what it says, especially in the uses of the singular and plural forms. There are multiple WAYS things may turn out if the way that seems right to you is chosen, and they all are the ways of death. The way to life, peace, fulfillment and happiness, on the other hand is through the death of self. Mark 8:35.
Music is a way of expressing our individuality. We cling to it , fiercely defending "our turf", and attacking (sometimes viciously!) anybody with the gall to suggest altering our preferences. Sometimes, we need to go to our preference folder and delete our preferences and let God recreate an uncorrupted preference folder. Sometimes we have the realization that the problem could best be fixed by not merely defragging the intracranial hard drive, but by erasing the disk and installing God's OS. My Mac does just fine on OS X (10.3.7 to be exact) but my brain needs OS J ("J" for Jesus). The Bible is clear that we need to DIE TO SELF. John Knox the great Scottish reformer and evangelist said to God, "Give me Scotland ere I die." God said, "You die first, and then I'll give you Scotland." John Knox died to self and God gave him Scotland. One seemingly small "deviation" (error in a file) wreaks great havoc in our lives. In the case of music preferences, we are slow and reluctant to see or admit the root cause of the difficulty. Music is a powerful, addictive force. When people get saved, it is rare that all sins are given up at once. Usually it is a progression, a slow substitution of better preferences in place of the old. The area of music preferences is usually the most adamantly defended "turf" and is given up to God one precious inch at a time, if at all. I have seen this in my own life. There have been changes large and small, and times of no change at all or even of regression. Looking back I can see the hand of God ever-present in my life, patiently correcting and guiding me by whatever means necessary, depending on my level of stubbornness. Sometimes pain was necessary to get me to change. It took a long time to arrive where I am now (and I have a long way yet to go) so I try to be patient with young christians who are going through the same choice-making process... and making wrong choices. I want to help, but help is not wanted. I understand how the father of the prodigal son must have felt, knowing his beloved son was headed for the hog trough. Too bad the boy had to learn the hard way... but lessons WILL be learned, one way or the other.
Recently, my "music consciousness" went through a "quantum shift". I obtained two things. The first was a DVD of Dr. Jack Schaap preaching at Youth Conference 2004 at First Baptist Church, Hammond Indiana. The second was an audio file I downloaded from http://hylesanderson.com/chapel. It is a chapel message preached by Brother Brian Cassada on 10-27-2004 entitled "I Can't See Your Heart, But I Can Hear It". You can download it yourself for free at the site. It takes guts to preach that kind of a sermon. I listened to it and had an epiphany. I thought, "Oh my soul... HE'S RIGHT!!!" The next thought was, "Oh God, I'm sorry." That was several months ago.
I have a special interest in music in that I record and produce all of the audio and video at my local fundamental Independent Baptist Church. I've been doing that for about eight months. Being able to do this has been a source of indescribable blessing for me. The whole thing kind of snow-balled after I recorded (for my own use) my daughters singing in church last June. Now I record everything... and haven't regretted it for a minute.
I just this week introduced myself to blogging and have since been reminded of just how adamantly I have defended my own "music turf" in the past. People get real mad real fast about the issue. This morning as I was slowly coming out of the fog of sleep, I had another epiphany. God was telling me, "Look, you can't expect people to just spend their hard-earned cash on a gamble that you might be right about a different kind of music being worth a listen. You weren't willing to spend YOUR money, were you?" I was NOT willing to go out and buy new music. Experience has shown that for $15 you're lucky if you get one or two really good songs on a CD, and the rest are "filler". The good ones you can hear on the radio six times a day for free, anyway. Out of curiosity, since I hadn't had a good look at the music department of a "christian bookstore" in a number of years, I had visited a local "christian bookstore" and found NOTHING of interest. So I got to thinking. God has put me in a position where I get ALL KINDS of music for free. People bring me tapes, DVD's and CD's and I burn disks. I get the music for free and charge $5 for a CD, $7 for a DVD, printable media with nice labels. Mostly I take cassette tape material and put it on a CD (the owner paid retail for the tape), or make a duplicate copy of a CD so that the owner (who paid retail for the original) can have multiple copies for use at home, in two cars, for several rooms at home, or whatever. I don't think that the fact that I am a "middle man" somehow makes this beyond the "digital rights" of the owner of the cassette or CD. And I don't think that keeping the material on my hard drive is illegal, since it also appears to be legal to swap music among friends. I'm sure there's at least one ambulance-chasing lawyer out there who would say otherwise. It's always about the money with some people. The spirit and intent of the law is to protect the rights of those who have invested a lot of money in producing and distributing the material. It obviously would injure them if someone made thousands of copies and sold them on the street, and they would have "legal standing" to bring a law suit against the offender. That's NOT what I'm doing. The DVD that I offered is not copyrighted, and I know that the people who did the preaching would be delighted that the material is getting around. My son, who attends the college where this material originated, just made a DVD that will be distributed FOR FREE to 11,000 people two weeks from now. It is OBVIOUSLY not about the money with these people. However, it might appear that I am "stealing" if I were to give away music. So to avoid "all appearance of evil" (Colossians 5:23) I have withdrawn the offer I previously made on this post with regard to trying some good hymns for free. Sorry, you're on your own. Actually, the silence has bespoken volumes of just how narrow-minded my detractors are. You would THINK that some would at least want to have a free listen, but NO!! THEY'RE TOO DOPED ON 'CHRISTIAN' ROCK TO CARE! Anyway, I highly recommend "Hymns For The Home" from Sacred Music Service. I have four (RETAIL) albums of their's and it's all really great stuff. They have other music and materials as well, and they're on the Net.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
