Giving up Non Christian Music and Films

D

deltadom Sep 3, 2008

In a world which is shadowed by a world in which most people spend sitting at a movie theatre or watching television.
Is the cost of giving up something like Non christian music so great or anything.
Do we live in a christian world that is dogged in unreality which gets it gadge of reality by TV shows or the newspapers.
how much of our age and christians that are biblically illiturate, I am not saying people on this site.
The christian world music is hillsong and other things to keep a reality of Jesus whilst keeping things of the World!
A agenda not to change anything in which the church functions.
How many people spend time outside! with Creation.
Are we thankful for Gods creation?
If we wer to question you say on subjects, how would your bible knowledge compare to say other subjects? Would you know more say about friends or a tv series than the bible.
Does god have to wake us up to how he sees things?

H

hmmhmm Sep 3, 2008

I think you are on to something, i think 90% of what i have encountered in my walk with the Lord has nothing to do really, with Jesus or the christian life, most is entertainment dressed up as Christian. It may not be evil or bad or sinful, but it takes our eyes of what is the eternal best for our souls.

90% of all christian movies and music is crap and not worthy to listen to or watch. So easy it is to watch a christian film for two hours, how our legs drag to the two hour prayermeeting with some fellow believers.

May God help me get my priorities right for the kingdom and His Glory

E

enid Sep 3, 2008

1 Tim 6v8, 'And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Real sacrifice for the Christian is giving of our finances, Matt 6v1-4, and also fasting, Matt 6v16-18.

Giving up secular entertainment is not a sacrifice, because it is not need.

Many 'Christians' are discontent with what they have, and what they are, because they feel as though they are 'missing out'.

We try to straddle the world and the Church, but God does not compromise His word.

Either we take it or leave it.

To leave God means death.

S

sojourner7 Sep 3, 2008

Is it edifying ?? Is it inspirational ??
Is it truthful ?? Would Jesus listen to
or watch this with you ??

sermonindex Sep 3, 2008

Actually I've seen some pretty decent Christian movies lately. "Second Chances" was pretty good. "Flywheel" had a great story even tho the production was obviously lower budget.

"Facing The Giants" is fantastic.

As far as Christian music is concerned, too many Christians who think themselves super-spiritual tend to throw the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to music. I'll agree that it seems most Christian music is about $$. No argument there. But there are many artists that really do have something worth saying and listening to.

It's really quite silly to take the entire thing, declare it worldly, and then condemn it all. Thats not being intellectually OR spiritually honest. It's called being judgemental.

I find with music or movies you have to take each one individually and examine it in the light of scripture... just like ~~[b]~~sojourner7[/b] said. A lot of the music Petra put out was incredibly edifying, inspirational and truthful... and yes, I believe Jesus would listen to it.

I also believe a lot of Christian music today is about the artist first and foremost. That is a problem. A BIG problem. We must ~~[b]~~discern[/b]... not judge it all as evil and get puffed up about how spiritual we think we are.

I'm more concerned about Christians who are living wordly. I went to a wedding this weekend attended by a lot of people from a prominent, very large Southern Baptist Church here in the Asheville NC area. The couple getting married attend there and claim to be born again, and most of the people in attendance claim the be born again. I know a lot of them.

Most everyone here knows I do not share the view that moderate alcohol consumption is a sin. You wont find that anywhere in scripture. However, at this wedding there was more wine and beer than you could shake a stick at, and it was "open bar". They went thru 2 1/2 kegs. Thats rediculous especially considering there were only about 200 people there.

This is the type of thing I am concerned about. Not whether Christian music is ok. I'm more concerned with how people are living. There was NO Christian music being played at the reception either. It was all secular music... some of it very sexual... like "Wild Thing" by Ton Loc.

We left early.

There was no difference between this wedding and other non-Christian weddings we've been to. None what-so-ever. Same secular music, same drinking, same sexual dancing, etc.

By the way, for those quick to condemn Christian music as a whole... I think it says something that all this was going on... and the bride & groom recognized that Christian music would have been out of place there. I think that says something positive about Christian music.

This is the state of the church. No wonder revival isnt happening. The church is too busy partying.

By the way, altho the wedding was not held at that big church and was not officiated by any of the staff of that big church (mainly because the bride and groom couldnt afford the facility rental and cost of their own pastors)... I think what I witnessed at that reception speaks quite loudly about that church.

Krispy

H

hmmhmm Sep 3, 2008

i think we need to look at the money issue, if a group or a film maker do a movie or a record and sells it in the name of Jesus it is wrong. It is the same thing as a pastor would charge a fee for entering the church to listen to his sermons.

And yet so many use the name of Jesus to earn a living, it is Babylon. I dont care if it is "rock" or "hip hop" or calm music.

Money makers in the name of Jesus is Babylon.

There are a few who was called by God and gives their music for free, and i guess movies too. That was not made with the goal set on profit.

It bugs me people can pay entrance fees to see a group play, it is sad the "poor" who cant afford the fee can not enjoy the worship and praise.

it is a deception.

~~[i]~~...freely ye have received, freely give... [/i]

sermonindex Sep 3, 2008

I disagree with that thinking. Yes, God has called a few to it for free. But He perhaps has not called all.

I heard one artist say once something to the effect of "I will go and preach anywhere for free... not charge a dime. But music is my craft, its what I do... it's how I feed my family."

I'm a structural engineer. I dont design churches for free, I can tell you that. Should I just because they need a building and I'm a Christian? No.

Sad to say, but I've been ripped off and cheated more by churches than I have anyone else I've done business with. I've even had churches ask me if I could give them a discount since I'm a Christian. The answer is always "no".

Thats not a sin. It's called feeding my family. because someone has musical talent we expect them to give it away for free? Why? I have talent... just not musical. But there's something magical about music that Christians think it should be given to them for free?

Krispy

B

boG Sep 3, 2008

I hear what you are saying Krispy, and it is true.

Yet, there is something different about Christian ministry. So I guess it depends on whether you consider the music or, even, structural engineering to be a ministry.

On one hand, we have musical talents or business men or various specializations that we may consider to be ministries of help. And yet, there is still the balance of a laborer being worthy of his wages.

Personally, in my opinion, if it is a ministry of the Lord it ought to be free. That being those ministries listed in Corinthians, as those ministries are of the Holy Spirit. How can we put a price on the work of the Holy Spirit?

"What's that? O, you would like the Holy Spirit to minister a revival in your church? Ah, yes, we have several payment packages for that! The Premium package comes with a double portion!"

It is indeed a delicate balance between meeting the daily needs of the minister (and family) and ministering unto the Lord (and His family).

H

HeartSong Sep 3, 2008

It bugs me people can pay entrance fees to see a group play, it is sad the "poor" who cant afford the fee can not enjoy the worship and praise.

Maybe this is a blessing. Could it be that this is one of the ways that the sheep are divided from the goats? For the rich man, trusting in his riches, can not enjoy the things that are free - for he perceives them to be of little or no value. And a greedy man will not offer his services for free for to him this would be foolishness.

H

hmmhmm Sep 4, 2008

the architect are not taking money for something that is ~~[i]~~needed[/i] to build the body of Christ. a church building is good if you can have one but not a must. Worship and praise are.

I can not find one single occasion where Jesus sold his preaching, healing or any part of His ministry, or His talents he has received from God, I do think he got payed as a carpenter but not selling that what is Gods. Many have filled their pockets in Jesus name and they will have to pay back.

Jesus did not sell his ministry and we should not. We see the result of this thinking clearly in modern Christianity, where money becomes a central part.

H

hmmhmm Sep 4, 2008

HeartSong wrote:
It bugs me people can pay entrance fees to see a group play, it is sad the "poor" who cant afford the fee can not enjoy the worship and praise.

Maybe this is a blessing. Could it be that this is one of the ways that the sheep are divided from the goats? For the rich man, trusting in his riches, can not enjoy the things that are free - for he perceives them to be of little or no value. And a greedy man will not offer his services for free for to him this would be foolishness.

My opinion is God is not inside where you have to pay to get in, may it be a WOF meeting with Benny, or a music concert with a popular group.

God will not be bought with a price, neither His spirit

H

HeartSong Sep 4, 2008

God will not be bought with a price, neither His spirit

Amen.

J

JoanM Sep 4, 2008

I must not know what people mean by Christian music. Do people dance to it with one another and worship God with it?

~~[u]~~KrispyKrittr wrote[/u]: “~~[i]~~As far as Christian music is concerned, too many Christians who think themselves super-spiritual tend to throw the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to music.[/i]” The last time I heard that argument it was embedded in a thread about Lakeland. Is it super-spiritual (super-natural) to say that Christian music is something that is offered to the Lord? As in an offering? As in a free will offering?

Maybe one way to keep things clear would be if Christian musicians did not call what they do a ministry or present themselves as ministering to the Body of Christ like Krispy doesn’t call his business a “structural engineering ministry”.

~~[u]~~KrispyKrittr wrote[/u]: ~~[i]~~I'm more concerned about Christians who are living wordly. I went to a wedding this weekend attended by a lot of people from a prominent, very large Southern Baptist Church here in the Asheville NC area. The couple getting married attend there and claim to be born again, and most of the people in attendance claim the be born again. I know a lot of them.[/i]...[AND]...~~[i]~~By the way, altho the wedding was not held at that big church and was not officiated by any of the staff of that big church (mainly because the bride and groom couldnt afford the facility rental and cost of their own pastors)... I think what I witnessed at that reception speaks quite loudly about that church.[/i]

It sounds like their Church “is living worldly” and attracted/taught the couple the same world view. I now have a new question to ask of any church I would attend. “If I and my family are faithful members here to grow up in Christ and one of my children finds God’s choice for a spouse, will they need to plan to pay money to be married in the church? When I die will I need to pay money to be buried in the Church?” Alternatively, one could consider including on the invitations to either service the itemized bill from the Church along with the cost of the ticket to come to the “event”.

OK my spirit does not recommend either of those. My spirit weeps that there are pastors that charge to marry, or bury, ones that they have pastured and nurtured in the Lord and musicians that would charge to play at a wedding or memorial service of brothers and sisters they have worshiped with.

OK, I still have this feeling (in my flesh?) that I want the name of that “church” and want to e-mail them a “Let me see if I’ve got this straight…” kind of note.

I can tell if I write about how many kegs of beer and cases of wine would be acceptable (enough to relax/get a buzz but not fall down drunk..?), there will be a big uproar and I kinda (really) love posters here so I won’t (but did a bit). Besides I don’t really know what a moderate drinker is.

sermonindex Sep 4, 2008

OK, I still have this feeling (in my flesh?) that I want the name of that “church” and want to e-mail them a “Let me see if I’ve got this straight…” kind of note.

Actually I did name the church orginally, but quickly took it out of my post because it could probably become a legal issue not only for myself but also for SI. It's not important which church it is anyway... it's represenative of a lot of churches today.

Back to music... I understand what you're all saying. If it is ministry it should be without charge. I'm not defending people who do charge for ministry. And if you've been here for awhile I very much DO have an issue over money being the bottom line for most of Christian music... and also the fact that ALL of Christian music today in the general market is owned by huge secular companies such as SONY, Fox, etc. That in itself is unscriptural because they are unequally yoked together.

There are some honest musicians out there who do state that music is their craft, and as Christians they write music that is "Christian" because thats where they are coming from. They do not necessarily call it ministry.

My real issue is that we Joe-Christian types sit back and declare any music that mentions Christ to be ministry... and therefore give it to me for free. Thats my contention.

If a musician calls his music "ministry", then yes... there can be a legitimate argument made that he should not be getting rich off the gospel. But lets be real, most Christian music is entertainment... not ministry. Unfortunately most artists cant or wont admit that.

There are those who truly are ministers. Steve Camp comes to mind... and he does offer all his music for free and doesnt charge people to come to his concerts. Keith Green was the pioneer of that.

But then you have a band like the Resurrection Band (now retired after being together from 1972-2000)... a hard rock Christian band who used the proceeds from album and ticket sales to financially support their inner city ministry in Chicago... Jesus People USA. They didnt get rich on their music. There's about 100 people living in that ministry, and each family lives on a "fixed income" (gets a certain "salary"... sharing all things). They run soup kitchens, etc for the homeless and street people etc. Here's an example where the music financially supported the work of the ~~[b]~~real[/b] ministry.

I think that is totally acceptable, not to mention creative.

If a band comes to town, says they are a Christian band and can admit that what they are are entertainers... fine. I've been to Christian concerts where I was thoroughly entertained, had a great time, was encouraged in the Lord... and paid for the ticket. I dont have a problem with that.

HOWEVER... if they come to town calling what they do a crusade or a "worship experience"... and they charge people to come and worship... yea, I have an issue with that.

Krispy

E

enid Sep 4, 2008

Can we just look at the title of the original post of this thread?

I believe it said, 'Giving up NON Christian Music and Films'

So why we have included Christian ones is anyones guess.

Oh well, I'll leave you to it.

C

Compton Sep 4, 2008

Besides I don’t really know what a moderate drinker is.

Someone who drinks only in secular company and never in view of church friends. ;-)

sermonindex Sep 4, 2008

Someone who drinks only in secular company and never in view of church friends.

No, thats a hypocrite. I've never shied away from this topic with church folks. Why? Because telling believers that any consumption of alcohol is a sin is a ~~[b]~~lie[/b]. It's not Biblical whatsoever.

Does the Bible warn against alcohol? Absolutely. And most believers need to heed that warning. But nowhere in scripture will you find a prohibition against alcohol. But today a lot of Christians are more forgiving toward an adulterer than they are someone who has a glass of wine.

I'm not about promoting the consumption of alcohol... I'm about promoting ~~[b]~~truth[/b].

Krispy

sermonindex Sep 4, 2008

So why we have included Christian ones is anyones guess.

Uhmmm... perhaps you didnt read the original post, which stated this:

The christian world music is hillsong and other things to keep a reality of Jesus whilst keeping things of the World!

No one hi-jacked this thread. The original post headed down that road.

Krispy

C

Compton Sep 4, 2008

I've never shied away from this topic with church folks.

Nor would anyone who knows you ever mistake you for a moderate on any topic Krispy. ;-) That's what I love about you!

MC

sermonindex Sep 4, 2008

lol... yea, you're right.

Thats why I try as hard as I can to stay out of political debates on this forum!

Krispy