How different are todays CCM performers. They copy the world's tunes. Many try to "crossover" into the worldly music world. They copy the world's looks and "hip-hop" language. They fellowship with the world. They even play the world's songs – even some of the most anti-Christ, Satanic songs available!

We've documented this many, many times in our material, but here's a few examples.

AMY GRANT
Amy's album, House of Love includes the environmental-mother-earth song, Big Yellow Taxi, by new-age-priestess — Joni Mitchell. Time magazine, (December, 16, 1974, p.63) tells of Joni Mitchells intimate relationship with a muse (a demon spirit) named Art. Joni says, "I feel like I'm married to this guy named Art, I'm responsible to my Art above all else." Some of the words to Big Yellow Taxi, "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot". How different from the words of the Lord Jesus in Luke 23:43, "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

DC TALK
You'll never guess the song dc Talk uses toward the close of their "Jesus Freak" concert? Amazing Grace? Blessed Assurance? OH NO! They do a cover of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana's "All Apologies"!

Kurt Cobain is one of the worst ANTI-CHRIST, blasphemers since John Lennon. Kurt Cobain decorated his home with blood-splattered baby dolls hanging by their necks! The inside of Nirvana's album In Utero, which is the album dcTalk got "All Apololgies" from, is pictures of chopped up babies! Look at it. Cobain ran around his neighborhood spray-painting, "ABORT CHRIST" and "GOD IS GAY". Cobain's first band was called "Fecal Matter". (Des Barres, Pamela, Rock Bottom, pp.54-55)

dcTalk also sings songs by the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, REM, and the Doobie Brothers!

REZ BAND
The secular group Jefferson Airplane is one of the most blasphemous in all of rock music. Their song "The Son of Jesus" spews their hatred and blasphemy of the Lord Jesus Christ, they sing, Jesus was involved in the occult, had illegitimate children by Mary Magdalene, and that God the Father was sexually attracted to Jesus' daughter.:

So you think young Jesus Christ never a lady, and you think young Mary
Never saw him smile wide & free,
You won't read it in the Bible but if you look you're liable
To come across the truth about the man from Galilee

The man upon the water, they had a son, they had a daughter she hid them
From the slaughter in the deep Black Sea
God loved the son of Jesus Ol' God got off on the spaklin' daughter too

DELIVERANCE
One of the most openly Satanic bands in all of rock is Black Sabbath. They have actually given invitations during their concerts for young people to receive Satan. One of their albums, is truthfully titled, "We Sold Our Soul for Rock'n Roll". Their song N.I.B. (Nativity In Black) is one of the most openly satanic songs ever recorded. It is a love-song from Lucifer, in which Lucifer invites the listener to "please take my hand", the lyrics:

Some people say MY LOVE cannot be true
Please believe me, MY LOVE, and I'll show you
I will give you those things you thought unreal . . .
YOUR LOVE FOR ME has just got to be real . . .
Look into my eyes, you will see who I am
MY NAME IS LUCIFER, PLEASE TAKE MY HAND!"

Now surely, it's NOT POSSIBLE — no CCM group would EVER go that far and do a song by Black Sabbath? Wrong. . . The CCM group, Deliverance, on their album "What A Joke", have a song by satanist rockers — Black Sabbath — "After Forever!"

Here's a short list of some so-called Christian Contemporary performers who sing "worldly-secular-rock" songs.

Amy Grant "PLAYS" Joni Mithchell
Johnny Cash "PLAYS" Danzig, Beck, SoundGarden, et. al!
Petra "PLAYS" Argent (ditto KISS)
77's "PLAYS" Led Zeppelin.
DC talk "PLAYS" Doobie Brothers, Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, REM, et. al.
Audio Adrenaline "PLAYS" Edgar Winter
Point of Grace "PLAYS" Earth, Wind and Fire
Jars of Clay "PLAYS" Ozzy Osbourne
Rez Band "PLAYS" the Who, Jefferson Airplane
Holy Soldier "PLAYS" Rolling Stones
Rachel, Rachel "PLAYS" Kansas
Deliverance "PLAYS" Black Sabbath
MXPX plays Buddy Holly

Many, many more examples could be given. See our other articles for more examples.

The Bible clearly commands us to "come out from among them, and be ye separate" and to "touch not the unclean thing" — CCMers not only "touch" it — they "honor" them by singing their songs!

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the UNCLEAN thing; and I will receive you, 2 Cor. 6:17

Where is the CCMers "NEW SONG, even PRAISE unto our God" from Psalms 40?

Why did the same God that gave me, Fanny Crosby, and millions of others a NEW SONG, not do the same for them, as He promised on Psalms 40 and 2 Cor. 5:17? Acts 10:34 says, ". . . God is no respecter of persons". And I know ONE thing — GOD DOES NOT LIE!

I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the UNDERSTANDING also. 1 Cor. 14:15

The message in Christian music should be clear, not vague, or unclear. Christian music should praise the Lord and — the listener should clearly understand the message.

The apostle Paul didn't try to "trick" anybody, he wanted to make sure he was understood:

Paul warns against "enticing words", such as CCM does:

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with ENTICING words. Colossians 2:4

Martin Luther, the German Reformer, also avoided any worldly influence and wanted the message clear:

"But I would like to avoid any new words or the language used at court. [DTTM – Is that ever contrary to the CCMers who imitate the rock world’s slang and lingo; like dcTalk’s "Jesus Freak"] In order to be understood by the people, only the simplest and the most common words should be used for singing; at the same time, however, they should be pure and apt; and further, the sense should be CLEAR and as close as possible to the psalm." (Martin Luther, "To George Spalatin," Letters II, p. 69)

Look how clear these songs praise the Lord. And literally thousands of examples could be given:

"Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine" by Fanny Crosby
"My Jesus I Love Thee" by Adoniram Gordon
"Wonderful, Wonderful Jesus" by Anna Russell
"Victory in Jesus" by E.M. Bartlett
"Jesus Is All the World to Me" by Will Thompson
"Jesus Is the Sweetest Name I Know" by Lela Long
"Jesus Lover of My Soul" by Charles Wesley

Most of CCM music is vague, or it is sung in a "worldly-hip-hop-cool-lingo". Rather than "Jesus", they will say "he", "you", "I", etc. CCMers want to appeal to the world (to $ell records and make dollar$!) so they use "double-speak" tactics. They won't come right out and say what it means — but they'll usually put in enough "double-speak" "hidden agenda" to "$ell" it to Christians.

Some of their songs they'll explain on they lyric sheets what the song means — because when you listen to it — it's total nonsense!

Here's some samples of the unclear, vague, ridiculous and nonsense messages in CCM: And we could give hundreds!

• Michael W. Smith. Listen to it
• Tourniquet. Listen to it
• Plankeye. Listen to it
• Newsboys. Listen to it
• Mortification. Listen to it
• Jars of Clay. Listen to it
• Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it
• Third Day. Listen to it
• Seven Day Jesus. Listen to it

Stan Moser, former head of Word Records (the man responsible for signing Amy Grant) and CEO of Star Song Records, was one of the pioneers and most important executives in CCM. And after 26 years in CCM, in November 1995, walked away from CCM. In an article in Christianity Today, titled "We Have Created a Monster" about CCM, Mr. Moser freely admits:

Christian music should give ALL the attention and praise to the Lord — and NONE to the music, or the musician, or the singer. The Lord should get ALL the praise, ALL the glory, and ALL the honor. Spiritually speaking, the Christian musician should be heard but not seen — the Christian musician should be hide in Christ.

Christian music should emphasis and praise the Lord — not the music nor the musician.

Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. Psalm 66:2

Christian musicians today are so caught up with their "music" and just the "right-sound" that the message takes a backseat. A lot of Christian music (especially with the "canned" accompaniment tapes) is a "performance" rather than a message. When that happens, the "performance" completely destroys the message by pointing all the attention to self or the music. Consequently, the musician "robs" the Lord of any praise and from a Christian perspective, it's fruitless.

For they loved the PRAISE OF MEN more than the praise of God. John 12:43

Stan Moser, former head of Word Records (the man responsible for signing Amy Grant) and CEO of Star Song Records, was one of the pioneers and most important executives in CCM. And after 26 years in CCM, in November 1995, walked away from CCM. In an article in Christianity Today, titled "We Have Created a Monster" about CCM, Mr. Moser freely admits:

"But to be candid, I look at the majority of the music I hear today and think it's virtually meaningless." (Christianity Today, "We Have Created a Monster", May 20, 1996 p. 27)

Mr Moser goes on to say:

"There is a growing chasm between CCM and the church – between what's actually happening in the real world of ministry, or even in the music ministry of the church, and what we're doing in CCM. In fact, I would probably be more inclined to call the industry "commercial Christian music," rather than "contemporary Christian music."" (Christianity Today, "We Have Created a Monster", May 20, 1996 p. 27)

HM magazine says, "a lot of Christian bands do not feel it necessary to speak about God or Christ":

"There are a lot of bands out now who do not feel it necessary to speak about God or Christ". (HM mag, Issue #67, p.26)

Ghoti Hook (now how's that for a Christian name), says "point-blank", they, "don't mention God onstage..." and rather than get their audience interested in God, they want their audience to get "interested in them" (Satan's goal; man-worship, see Matt: 16:23):

"Sometime people give us a hard time because we don't mention God onstage. . . I know that a lot of other bands and people are called to talk about God onstage a lot more than we do, and that's great, but we just feel that our calling is to get people interested in our MUSIC, interested in US . . ." (HM mag, Issue #67, pp.34-35)

Christian rockers, Spudgun, says:

"We don't normally say stuff about God from the stage". Jason Keely, Spudgun (HM mag, Issue #67, p. 40)

Much of Christian music today is more entertainment than ministry. A lot of Christian musicians (and not limited to CCM or Christian Rock) are far more interested in impressing their audience and "flaunting" their musical talent than ministering to the Lord. You can not sing to "please men" and sing unto the Lord. It's one or the other.

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should NOT be the servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

Christian music is not entertainment. Christian music is spiritual "food". Real Christian music admonishes [reprove mildly], while praising the Lord.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and ADMONISHING one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your HEARTS to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

Christian music is from the heart, not just the voice. Beautiful voices are a "dime a dozen". But beautiful hearts are "more priceless than gold". I can't remember the times I've watched a Christian musician, flaunt, pomp, articulate, get every note and vibrato perfect — and yet God was nowhere around. And yet, I've seen several times, when the singer may not hit the right notes — and yet God was all over them — and it showed!

A church we once attended had a man, named "J.C." Brown. "J.C.", by the world's standards "wasn't all there" — but "J.C." and the Lord "was all there". When "J.C." would sing, he didn't know all the words, he wasn't musically "in tune" — but he was spiritually "in tune" with the Lord. And when "J.C." sang, hearts were moved, tears would flow and you knew God was there. Why? "J.C." was "in tune" with the Lord.

Christian music is not entertainment, not a talent show, not a performance or a concert — but a SERIOUS ministry to the Lord.

Augustine once stated:

"When I am moved by the voice of him that sings more than the words sung, I confess to have sinned". (Oliver Strunk, Source Reading in Music History, Vol. I, p. 74)

Dr. Frank Garlock, author of several books on Christian music, and an instructor in Christian music for over 40 years. Dr. Garlock writes in his book, Music in the Balance:

"Contrary to popular opinion, sacred music is not for entertainment. Christian music is first and foremost a vehicle for praise unto the Lord." (Garlock, Frank & Woetzel, Kurt, Music in the Balance, Majesty Music, 1992 p.54)

Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the CONGREGATION of saints. Psalm 149:1

I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the CONGREGATION will I praise thee. Psalm 22:22

Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the CHURCH will I sing praise unto thee. Hebrew 2:12

While I realize there are exceptions, the primary place for Christian music, (excluding tapes, CD's and other recordings) is the church. CCM'ers justify their performing in worldly concert halls, auditoriums, et. al. as "trying to reach the lost". Of course, at the same time they charge $15 - $20, rarely mention Jesus Christ and never, never, never — mention hell, judgement, sin or enough "salvation doctrine" to get anyone saved!.

CCM artist, Michael Card, admits to this "separation of CCM and the church":

". . . we started with little root in the church, and now we’re bearing the fruit of that separation . . . There’s a big accountability gap in the industry as a result of a lack of connectedness to the church." (Christianity Today, Can't Buy Me Ministry, May 20, 1996 (p. 22)

A lot of CCM performers rarely ever perform at church services. When they do perform at a church, it's a "concert-only-service" rather than a "church" service.

Michael W. Smith

" . . . my goal is not to speak to the church. I want to talk to the kids and address the whole peer pressure thing." Michael W. Smith (CCM June 1986, p. 18)

Amy Grant

Dan Harrel, Amy Grant's brother-in-law, and promoter of Amy said:

"We never played many churches with Amy. That was the way everyone else had done it, and nobody had ever made it." (Rolling Stone, June 6, 1985, p.10)

Stan Moser, former head of Word Records (the man responsible for signing Amy Grant) and CEO of Star Song Records, was one of the pioneers and most important executives in CCM. And after 26 years involved in CCM, in November 1995 walked away CCM. In an article in Christianity Today, titled "We Have Created a Monster", about CCM Mr. Moser says:

"In the beginning of the eighties, Sandi, Patti was singing Dottie Rambo songs in church concerts; toward the end of the eighties, she was singing at the Republican National Convention. We went from the church to Carnegie Hall, from the church to large, secular arenas, where Bill and Gloria Gaither would hold praise gatherings. . .

We as an industry weren't running away from the church at that time, but I do think we walked away, hoping to bring enough of the church along so we could still make a living-so we could still, basically, get rich. Materialism, a lot of it, crept in and started affecting our values. . .

"There is a growing chasm between CCM and the church – between what's actually happening in the real world of ministry, or even in the music ministry of the church, and what we're doing in CCM. In fact, I would probably be more inclined to call the industry "commercial Christian music," rather than "contemporary Christian music. . . "(Christianity Today, "We Have Created a Monster", May 20, 1996 p. 27)

Most CCM artists mainly perform at concert halls, auditoriums, some even perform at worldly night clubs.

Robert Sweet, formerly of Stryper.

"We always had this attitude that we didn't want to be characterized as this little religious band sold in religious bookstores and happy and content to play in a church for love offerings." (Milwaukee Journal, Aug 25, 1987 p. 11)

Mark Farner, of the 70's mega-group Grand Funk Railroad, now is a born-again Christian and CCM performer. Farner plays the same bars and nighclubs as before he was saved. According to Farner, 90% of his performances are secular.

"Music is a part of my ministry no matter where I go and 90 percent of that is secular," Farner said. Farner also continues to tour the nation performing in some of the same nightclubs and bars that he played as a member of Grand Funk. (Calendar Fall/Win 91 p 6)

CHRISTIAN MUSIC IS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH — NOT CONCERT HALLS, NIGHT CLUBS.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:6-7

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him MUST worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24

I will sing with the SPIRIT, and I will sing with the understanding also. 1 Cor 14:15

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and SPIRITUAL songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Ephesians 5:19

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and SPIRITUAL songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the FLESH with the affections and lusts." Galatians 5:24

And Rock music (which is what CCM is) is FLESH.

There is no doubt — rock music is FLESH. It’s CARNAL. That’s why the world "loves" rock music. The world does not love "spiritual" things – But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians. 2:14) – but FLESHLY, CARNAL things. And that is why the world "loves" rock music. A few "testimonies" from the world:

"But rock music has one appeal only, a barbaric appeal, to sexual desire – not love, not eros, but sexual desire undeveloped and untutored." (Bloom, Alan, The Closing of the American Mind, Simon & Schuster, 1987 p.73)

"Its admirers want to make rock appealing by making it respectable. The thing can’t be done. Rock is appealing because it’s vulgar, . . Rock is the quintessence of vulgarity. It's crude, loud, and tasteless." (Pattison, Robert, The Triumph of Vulgarity, 1987, preface, p.4)

Rock music, any rock music – is FLESH! You can label it "Christian", but that doesn’t change it’s nature – it’s still FLESH. You can label strychnine "candy", but that doesn’t make it candy – it’s still POISON.

In order to answer that question, let's examine the components of music. Music is composed of three main components; melody, harmony and rhythm. If these ingredients are not present, then it's not music, but noise.

Webster's Dictionary defines melody as; 1. Sweetness of sound; music 2. The chief theme of a musical composition. 3. A tune; song (The Grosset Webster Dictionary, p. 372)

Melody is the most prominent part of music. Melody is the theme of the tune. Without the melody line, there is no music. Melody is the horizontal line the notes follow on the music score.

Here's a few quotes from famous musicians on melody:

Webster's Dictionary defines harmony as; Agreeable proportion of sound. A succession of chords. (The Grosset Webster Dictionary, p. 281)

Harmony is when two or more note are played at the same time. Harmony adds depth to the melody line. Harmony is the basis for the formation of chords. Harmony is the vertical line where the notes meet on the music score.

Rhythm:

Our friend, Webster defines rhythm as; The pattern of tones with regard to their relative time value. (The Grosset Webster Dictionary, p. 490)

Rhythm is the movement in music. Without rhythm, music would be one, long continuous sound, or an uncontrollable noise. Rhythm or the beat is the "glue" that holds everything together. The rhythm is an "unseen" but required component of the music score.

Because of that, rock is unlike any other music. In other music, the melody is the main component, but in rock – the rhythm or th beat literally takes over the music.

"The rhythm in rock is the dominant part of the sound. The heavy emphasis on the BEAT is what distinguishes rock from every other type of music." (Frank Garlock, Music in the Balance, p. 32)

"Perhaps the most important defining quality of rock and roll is the BEAT, . . . Rock and roll is different from other music primarily because of the BEAT." (Charles Brown, The Art of Rock and Roll, p. 42)

Larry Norman, in his song, "Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music", sings about the FLESHLY and PHYSICAL response (moves my feet) of the BEAT of rock.

I ain't knocking the hymns,
Just give me a song that has a BEAT.
I ain't knocking the hymns,
Just give me a song that moves my feet

I've had hundreds of CCMers' say to me, "The Bible gives no instructions on the STYLE of music for a Christian to listen to. It's all a matter of preference and culture." I have read many articles and books by CCM advocates, that claim, the Bible gives no instructions on the type of music for a Christian to listen to.

"There is no such thing as 'gospel music'. Every style and form of music can become gospel, whether it's jazz, pop, rock 'n' roll, or rap." (IM Mar/Apr 1991 p. 27)

But "what saith the Lord"? Does the Bible give us any indication to the type of music we should sing? Did the Lord God who made heaven and earth, who created music and sound, who put so much emphasis on music in His Word — did He forget to tell us what is Christian music?

Not hardly. Thank God — He has given us instructions for our music. Thank God — we can BURY "once and for all" the ridiculous LIE that — "the Bible gives no instructions on the type of music for a Christian to listen to. It's all a matter of preference and culture."

Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet MELODY, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered. Isaiah 23:16

For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of MELODY. Isaiah 51:3

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making MELODY in your heart to the Lord; Ephesians 5:18-19

The Lord God refers to music as — MELODY! According to God — the emphasis of Christian music is the MELODY — not the BEAT! How is it, that the CCM world keeps "parroting" — "the Bible gives no instructions on the type of music for a Christian to listen to. It's all a matter of preference and culture"? Is it because they can NOT read 5^th grade English? Or is it — they do NOT care what God says! I've shown many CCMers Ephesians 5:19, and nearly all coolly, reply, "Aw, It don't really mean that". In other words — "I don't care what God says — I'm gonna rock 'n' roll"!

I'm reminded of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, as he described some people, much like the CCMers, who "having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not?"

Now are you ready for this? Fasten your seat belt and hold on — here comes a biggee! Most of rock music and CCM does not have ANY MELODY! According to the technical definition of music — rock is NOT even music! According to the Lord God — rock music is NOT music!

NO MELODY = NO MUSIC!

The world famous composer and conductor, Dimitri Tiomkin said of rock music:

"The big beat is deliberately aimed at exciting the listener. . .There is actually very little MELODY, little sense in the lyrics, ONLY RHYTHM [beat]". (Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, Aug., 8, 1965, p. 9J)

Lenny Seidel, a concert pianist and twenty-five year Christian music scholar, gives this definition of both godly music and rock music:

"True godly music will be composed of three elements - all in perfect balance with each other. They are: melody, harmony, and rhythm.

Rock "music" has NO MELODY only fragments of melody endlessly repeated. Since there is no true melody, there is no real harmony. There is ONLY RHYTHM. And rhythm in and of itself is not music." (Leonard J. Seidel, Face the Music – Contemporary Music On Trial, pp. 46-51)

In his classic book, The Understanding of Music, author Charles R. Hoffer, answers our question: How does rock differ from other popular music?:

"How does rock differ from jazz and other popular music? One characteristic is its HEAVY BEAT, which led one critic to define rock as 'music in which the bass drum carries the MELODY?'" (Charles R. Hoffer, The Understanding of Music, p. 503)

Popular author, Martha Bayles, writes in her eye-opening book, "Hole in Our Soul: The Loss of Beauty and Meaning in American Popular Music":

". . . popular music seems terminally hostile to any sound traditionally associated with music." (Martha Bayles, Hole in Our Soul: The Loss of Beauty and Meaning in American Popular Music, p. 4)

Even the secular, satanic rockers the Rolling Stones admit rock is NOT music — but NOISE!

THE DRUM

The Bible lists many kinds of instruments: Psalms 150:3-5 says:

3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Psalms 150:3-5

With all the many references to musical instruments, there is one instrument that is NEVER mentioned! The DRUM! Why is that? The drum was a very common instrument in Egypt and the lands around Israel. And yet the DRUM is NEVER mentioned in a King James Bible.

Did the Lord just forget to include the DRUM or is there another reason?

Is it because — drums are associated with voodoo, shamanism, paganism and magic rituals?

Robert Palmer is a contributing editor to Rolling Stone and other rock magazines. Palmer has also taught courses in music at Yale, and many other universities. Palmer was the chief advisor for the highly acclaimed "History of Rock 'n' Roll" that aired on public television. Palmer, an advocate and lover of rock music, is among the leading authorities on rock music. Here's what Palmer says about rock and the drum:

Palmer describes how drums are used in "voodoo" possession — and the same drum patterns are part of the basics of rock 'n' roll and CCM!

"Bata drummers tap out their toques, or rhythm patterns, like signals to the realm of the gods, inviting and enticing them to come on down and mount or POSSESS their horses, or devotees. . .The specific drum patterns or toques include some riffs and licks basic to the rock and roll vocabulary." (Palmer, Robert Rock & Roll An Unruly History, Harmony Books, New York, 1995 p.62)

Little Richard, the self-professed "architect of rock ’n roll", readily admits Satan’s control and influence in his life and rock music:

"My true belief about Rock ‘n’ Roll — is this: I believe this kind of music is demonic . . . A lot of the BEATS in music today are taken from voodoo, from the voodoo DRUMS." (Charles White, The Life and Times of Little Richard, p. 197)

Danny Sugerman, an authority on rock music, and author of several books on rock, writes in Appetite for Destruction:

"The shaman was the original 'long hair', the first rock star draped in leather, dancing possessed to a rhythm banged out on a DRUM. . . To these people, communication with the gods was synonymous with DRUMS . . .the body can become the conduit for a deity, a deity not necessarily the same sex as the worshiper, and DRUMS are the catalyst for the whole process. The trance of the RHYTHM then begets the hysteria, which begets what Westerners simplistically call 'possession'." (Danny Sugerman, Appetite for Destruction, p.208, 181)

David Tame writes in The Secret Power of Music:

"Today's DRUMMER differs but little from the shaman in his incessant beating out of a rhythm, and likewise often enters into a form of trance while performing." (The Secret Power of Music, David Tame, p. 199)

The DRUM has always been associated with the paganism and the devil. In fact, a little more than a hundred years ago, drums were forbidden (except for the military) in America!

"The arrival of African slaves has had one of the strongest influences on North American music. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, millions of African people were taken as slaves to the U.S. to work on plantations in the South. They brought many of their own traditions with them but were forbidden to play their DRUMS." (Louise Tythacott, Musical Instruments, Thomas Learning, 1995, p.19)

Do you know why New Orleans is the voodoo capital of the U.S, and also the birthplace of jazz? Because drumming was forbidden in the U.S. – except in New Orleans!

"This was especially true in New Orleans. African-based DRUMMING, singing, and dancing, discouraged and repeatedly banned elsewhere in North America, had flourished there since the early eighteenth century. This unique heritage has informed and enlivened New Orleans music ever since, as well as distinguishing it from the rest of American musical culture, making the city an ideal incubator for a nonmainstream music as rhythmically oriented as rock and roll. (Palmer, Robert Rock & Roll An Unruly History, Harmony Books, New York, 1995 p.21)

When the first blacks from Africa were converted to Christianity they knew the power and evil influence of DRUMS. And the converted blacks strictly forbid the use of drums! They referred to the drums as "the Devil's drum". (Martha Bayles, Hole in Our Soul: The Loss of Beauty and Meaning in American Popular Music, p. 138)

"Historically blacks had drawn the line between particular instruments and practices; They permitted tambourines, for instance, but not DRUMS." (Martha Bayles, Hole in Our Soul: The Loss of Beauty and Meaning in American Popular Music, p. 130)

One simple guideline for Christian music is NO DRUMS!

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: Acts 13:22-23

It's interesting to note that before David was a soldier — he was a musician!
It's interesting to note that before David was king — he was a musician!
It's interesting to note that when God choose David — he was a musician!

It's also very interesting that when the servants of Saul sought for a musician to play before Saul because an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him, they chose David!

14 But the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
15 And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. 1 Samuel 16:14-18

(These verses CLEARLY "knock out" that LIE that music is neutral!)

that is cunning in playing, [good musician]
and a mighty valiant man, [valiant-heroic, courageous]
and a man of war, [how did they know that? David hasn't fought Goliath yet]
and prudent in matters, [prudent - wise and disciplined in conduct]
and a comely person, [comely - fair, handsome, modest]
and the LORD is with him. [The world knew David was dedicated to God]
1 Samuel 16:14-18

Christian musicians, like David, should have a clear-cut testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ! Christian musicians, like David, should be separate from the world — Saul's servants KNEW David was different!

Christian musicians, like David, should have this testimony — "the LORD is with them"!

In the Old Testament the Levites had a special place with the Lord. They were the spiritual leaders. And do you know who God told David to choose for musicians! THE LEVITES!

And David spake to the chief of THE LEVITES to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy. 1 Chronicles 15:16

God did NOT allow just anybody to be His musicians! Apparently the Lord took His music very serious! For when He choose His musicians — He SPECIFICALLY choose the most dedicated and consecrated tribe in all of Israel — the LEVITES! WOW! The Levites were separated for the service of the sanctuary. The priests were also chosen from the Levites.

How does that compare with what is happening today! We've got people today, who are supposed to be God's musicians who have committed adultery [Sandi Patty, Michael English], arrested for child molestation [singer for Whiteheart], used drugs [Andrea Crouch, Gary Chapman], fellowshipped and singing ungodly, wicked songs [Johnny Cash, Deliverance, dcTalk, 77's, et al.] and on and on and on! And all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Boy, what a carnal, wicked mess!

But that was the Old Testament. That was the children of Israel.

What about the New Testament?

In Ephesians 5:19, the Lord mentions "singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Ephesians 5:19

Look at the verse 18, the requirement for verse 19, "be filled with the Spirit".

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:18-21

Also, look at verses 20 and 21, that also qualify (see the semi-colon;) verse 19 —

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

In order to justify Christian Rock and CCM — you have to throw out the Bible!

But, believe me, I've talked to many CCM fans who could quote the lyrics of their CCM rock stars! They knew the words of their rock "gods" — but when it came to the Words of the Lord God — they didn't KNOW and what's worse — they didn't even CARE what God said!

The group Christian rock band Tempest were popular in the 1980's, but since have broken up. Read these words of guitarist Mikk Rowe of Temptest:

"I had no business being out there in a Christian band, trying to tell others about their problems when I had so many problems in my life that I wasn't even seeking guidance for. " (HM, Issue #64, p. 40)

There's a lot of Christian musicians (especially in CCM) that have no business singing and representing the Lord Jesus Christ! There's a lot of CCM artists, who have no business, being an example to young people of a "dedicated" Christian — BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT!

When asked about their blatant, worldly looks most CCMers immediately quote 1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

The worldly CCMer is quick with "for man looketh on the OUTWARD appearance, but the LORD looketh on the HEART". They think 1 Samuel 16:7 means, "see there God doesn't care what we look like — God looks on the heart!"

But is that what the Lord is saying in 1 Samuel 16? Look at the context of WHY the Lord said that! Notice the first part "Look not on his COUNTENANCE, or on the HEIGHT of his stature; because I have refused him:" Lord, wasn't talking about his DRESS, or his HAIR — but how TALL he was!

Why did the Lord say that to Samuel? Because God was about to choose His king of Israel and His "chosen one" was NOT impressive by "man of war" standards. David wasn't TALL. David was a TEENAGER. David was not even in the line-up! David was not even in the running! The Bible says about David:

11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet THE YOUNGEST, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 1 Samuel 16:11-12

As you can see from the context of 1 Samuel 16, God is not referring to clothes, etc.

There's no doubt that God does indeed "looketh on the heart".

And there's NO doubt that YOU and I can NOT "look on the heart". As 1 Samuel 16:7, says, "for MAN looketh on the outward appearance". And the Lord Jesus commands us in Matthew 5:16:

There's no doubt that God DOES indeed care how we LOOK!

If God doesn't care about the way we look — why did He write the following? Just to take up space in His Word?

The Bible tells us in Romans 12:2 "be not CONFORMED to this world". We're to not "conform" to this world. We're to be different. We're to act different and look different.

12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

CCM artists openly and mockingly disobey God's "be not conformed to this world". Mylon Lefevre irreverently titled one of his albums, "Sheep in Wolves Clothing".

One of the obvious copying of the rock world's appearance is the long hair on males. I've had numerous CCMers, say, "Show me in the Bible where long hair is wrong? Just give me a verse!" And when I show them 1 Corinthians 11:14:

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have LONG HAIR, it is a shame unto him? 1 Corinthians 11:14

Most of the time, the average CCMer, stares at 1 Cor. 11:14, for the first time — they did NOT know it was there! Usually their next statement is, "Well Jesus had long hair!" With that I usually pull a "dirty-trick" — I ask them to show me from the Bible that Jesus had long hair. End of conversation. . .

When the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, and other rockers started wearing long hair, it was because of REBELLION!

Here's what David Lee Roth of the secular group Van Halen (who has songs like "Running with the Devil") says his long hair "is a flag" and "anti-establishment" otherwords — REBELLION:

"[his long hair] It's a flag. It's Tarzan. I'll always be anti-establishment". (USA Today)

Jerry Rubin, a 60's leader of rebellion says LONG HAIR is the "mark" of REBELLION:

"Young kids identify short hair with authority, discipline, unhappiness, boredom, rigidity, hatred of right, and LONG HAIR with letting it go. . . Wherever we go, our HAIR tells people where we stand on Viet Nam, Wallace, campus disruption, dope. We are living TV commercials for the revolution. . . LONG HAIR is the beginning of our liberation from sexual oppression that underlies the whole military society." (Jerry Rubin, Do It)

"Last night I was up late watching an old episode of "I Love Lucy." In this episode Lucy wanted to get a new "Italian" haircut. This is a haircut that is similar to if not identical to the one on the heads of at least 50% of the women in most churches I have preached in (and I have preached in hundreds of churches in nearly all 50 states). In fact, the "Italian" cut that Lucy wanted was longer than the "do's" I have seen on the heads of a lot of Baptist pastor's wives.

Ricky's (Desi Arnaz) reply was: "Lucy, there is a difference between men and women. Men have short hair and women have long hair. I am not going to have my wife getting her hair cut off and looking like a man. It will confuse Little Ricky and I do not want my son to grow up with a mother that looks like his father."

"If Ricky Ricardo could preach I Cor. 11:14-15 on his TV show, I should hope preachers will start to do so from their pulpits.quot;

It's gotten pretty bad when television actors preach and KNOW more of the Word of God than most Christians and PREACHERS! By the way, 1 Cor 11, is just as much the Word of God as John 3:16.

Long hair is also worn by shamans and demonism. A shaman is someone who invokes demon spirits and invites the demon to possess their body.

"The shaman was the original 'LONG HAIR', the first rock star draped in leather, dancing POSSESSED to a rhythm banged out on a drum." (Danny Sugerman, Appetite for Destruction, p. 208)

I find it very interesting also that in Revelation 9:7,8 describing the demonic creatures as:

". . .their faces were as the faces of men. And they had HAIR as the hair of women," Revelation 9:7,8

No honest person can deny that God intends for a man to have short hair and a woman long hair. Asking silly questions like, "How long is long?", just shows your rebellion to the Word of God.

My answer to the "classic", "How long is long?" is simple — if you've got to ask — it's too long!

When I got saved, I had long hair. At that time, my long hair was very important. I mean, very important! I don't believe I would have cut my hair for $1000! But after a few months of reading my Bible, fellowshipping with the Lord and other Christians — I went to the barber shop and got a haircut! I mean a real haircut that I had not had in many years. It wasn't easy! But I remember coming home and looking in the mirror. I felt wonderful! I felt clean! I can honestly say, that cutting my long hair was one of the greatest victories of my Christian life! I put so much importance on my long hair. After it was cut, I realized how silly and rebellious, I was to let something, like the length of my hair, get me to disobey the Word of God.

God clearly intends for a man to look like a man and a woman to look like a woman. And as we've seen (and any sane person knows) the hair length is a distinguishing characteristic of the male and female gender. A man who has womanish looks (such as a man with long hair) or characteristics is called effeminate. In 1 Cor. 6:9-10, the Lord has some very stern warning against "effeminate"! Look who the Lord groups "effeminate" with!

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, NOR EFFEMINATE, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor 6:9-10

The evidence is clear CCM is not Bible-Believing, Christian music.