Christian Pop Music 2

------------------------------------------------------------------------Pop-Idiom Music in Worship and Evangelism (part 2) God hates pride and exhibitionism In worship, and in the presentation of the Gospel, all the glory must be the Lord’s. The clear principle of the Scripture is that truly Spirit-filled ministry is God-centred, modest and non-exhibitionist- For we have not heralded ourselves, but Christ as Lord (2Cor 4:5) … He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30)…No flesh should glory in his presence (1 Cor 1:29), for God has said, my glory I will not give to another (Isaiah 42: 8). Pop-idiom methods are undoubtedly saturated with exhibitionism. It is heartbreaking to see youngsters (some of whom undoubtedly have true faith) being encouraged by pastors and Christian leaders to imitate secular performers in the way they draw attention to themselves, bow for applause, and preen (to be very pleased with yourself) themselves for adulation (praise and admiration for someone that is more than they really deserve). Professing believers are encouraged to be conceited (an attitude that shows you have too high an opinion of your own abilities or importance) and vain, and to relish (great enjoyment of something) the flattery of this world. The bible says that young believers should not be commissioned easily and quickly for the proclamation of the Gospel because of the great temptation to become puffed up, yet here we have a most destructive form of personal showmanship pressed upon the youngest Christians in church youth activities etc. Speaking about how we must draw near to God the epistle of James says – God resist the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). This is one of a very large number of scriptures (including the magnificat) emphasizing that God deals with and uses the humble spirit. God resists the proud. In other words if the ego is inflamed, if we are admiring ourselves or our art and abilities, or if we are hoping to be noticed and applauded by other people – then God will resist us. He will not bless our witness either. He will withdraw from us and deal with us as He dealt with Cain of old. No flesh may glory in the presence of Almighty God. No person may at the same time worship God and vaunt himself. In true worship all individualism must recede into the background. A believer in Christ must never adopt, imitate, revel in (to enjoy something very much, especially praise, popularity, or something that other people do not expect you to enjoy), or give himself to the vain exhibitionism of this passing world. The simple musical aids which God trusts His people to use with discretion should never have been distorted into a means by which people are admired for their ‘performances’ and their beautiful voices and gifts are praised. What about the gifted? Sometimes people say, “But if it is not right to have special music and the singing of many solos, what will happen to those very special Christians who have been gifted with beautiful voices and wonderful musical ability?’ Such questions are often asked in a tone of amazement, as though it is unthinkable that such gifts should not be put on public display. What is to be done with the person who has such very special gifts? But let us answer the question with another question: what shall we do about the person with a special gift to play cricket or rugby? What shall we do for the gifted cook, or the gifted mathematician? Everyone has a special gift for something, but all our capabilities cannot be employed in direct spiritual worship.We must always watch out for the human tendency to magnify the flesh, to esteem men, to serve the ego; and to be lovers of their own selves…boasters, proud…lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (2 Tim 3:2-4). (Analysis by Dr Peter Masters)

The burden of this booklet is the widespread use of pop-idiom music in Christianworship and witness. Its appeal is not concerned with the more extreme manifestations of pop-Gospel music, which most Christians rule out as utterly carnal in character, but with the more modified, mellow kind which is performed and encouraged by many sincere believers. Various arguments are presented in the hope that these evangelicals will reconsider their use of pop-idiom music. The use of pop-idiom music is shown to conflict with eight important principles taught in God's Word, and special attention is given to the use of instruments inthe worship of Old testament times. -Peter Masters------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pop-Idiom Music in Worship and Evangelism (part 2) God hates pride and exhibitionism In worship, and in the presentation of the Gospel, all the glory must be the Lord’s. The clear principle of the Scripture is that truly Spirit-filled ministry is God-centred, modest and non-exhibitionist- For we have not heralded ourselves, but Christ as Lord (2Cor 4:5) … He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30)…No flesh should glory in his presence (1 Cor 1:29), for God has said, my glory I will not give to another (Isaiah 42: 8). Pop-idiom methods are undoubtedly saturated with exhibitionism. It is heartbreaking to see youngsters (some of whom undoubtedly have true faith) being encouraged by pastors and Christian leaders to imitate secular performers in the way they draw attention to themselves, bow for applause, and preen (to be very pleased with yourself) themselves for adulation (praise and admiration for someone that is more than they really deserve). Professing believers are encouraged to be conceited (an attitude that shows you have too high an opinion of your own abilities or importance) and vain, and to relish (great enjoyment of something) the flattery of this world. The bible says that young believers should not be commissioned easily and quickly for the proclamation of the Gospel because of the great temptation to become puffed up, yet here we have a most destructive form of personal showmanship pressed upon the youngest Christians in church youth activities etc. Speaking about how we must draw near to God the epistle of James says – God resist the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). This is one of a very large number of scriptures (including the magnificat) emphasizing that God deals with and uses the humble spirit. God resists the proud. In other words if the ego is inflamed, if we are admiring ourselves or our art and abilities, or if we are hoping to be noticed and applauded by other people – then God will resist us. He will not bless our witness either. He will withdraw from us
and deal with us as He dealt with Cain of old. No flesh may glory in the presence of Almighty God. No person may at the same time worship God and vaunt himself. In true worship all individualism must recede into the background. A believer in Christ must never adopt, imitate, revel in (to enjoy something very much, especially praise, popularity, or something that other people do not expect you to enjoy), or give himself to the vain exhibitionism of this passing world. The simple musical aids which God trusts His people to use with discretion should never have been distorted into a means by which people are admired for their ‘performances’ and their beautiful voices and gifts are praised. What about the gifted? Sometimes people say, “But if it is not right to have special music and the singing of many solos, what will happen to those very special Christians who have been gifted with beautiful voices and wonderful musical ability?’ Such questions are often asked in a tone of amazement, as though it is unthinkable that such gifts should not be put on public display. What is to be done with the person who has such very special gifts? But let us answer the question with another question: what shall we do about the person with a special gift to play cricket or rugby? What shall we do for the gifted cook, or the gifted mathematician? Everyone has a special gift for something, but all our capabilities cannot be employed in direct spiritual worship.We must always watch out for the human tendency to magnify the flesh, to esteem men, to serve the ego; and to be lovers of their own selves…boasters, proud…lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (2 Tim 3:2-4). (Analysis by Dr Peter Masters)