The Kind Of Music God Likes

I just discovered some free music from a guy named Eric Gilmour. I find it has been a blessing for me in my prayer closet.Eric Gilmour prayer closet songsTry the song, {I need you} one it's my favorites.As for Christian music, I have had to throw out some so called Christian music.Sorry just couldn't stand Petra.I have found however there is some really good inspiring music that blesses me, like David (ordinary man, extraordinary GOD)and casting crowns just to name a few.GOD Bless

I've never been able to understand the debate over Christian music and speaking in tongues. Those are the two things that I don't find confusing. God speaks and interprets one thing, the heart. There's Christian music where the words are just fine, but the singer is doing it for their own glory. I know for a fact, a very well known Gospel bunch, and I'm talking the biggest bunch in Nashville, I know for a fact, because my cousin was married to the piano player and if I called his name, everyone would know him, I know that this guy has been playing Gospel Christian music since he was 3 years old and he's heading for hell like a freightrain. There's not a person on this website who wouldn't think their music is 'godly', but the person playing it isn't. Worship is a heart matter. Same thing with tongues. God doesn't speak a particular language. You can't say someone is doing something ungodly because they are just using syllables. They might be pouring their heart out to the True and Living God. God made tongues and brains and mouths. That ain't nothin to him. I pray in tongues every day! And I do it because I can't express myself through my own understanding. I pray with understanding also. No one can tell me that a certain kind of music is ungodly because of the beat. God doesn't care about a beat. That's just determined by decibels and repitition. God cares about hearts. There are just as many hearts that are far from God playing 'Gospel' music as there are playing 'Contemporary' music. I know for a fact. If someone loves and knows God, they aren't going to be saying and doing things that dishonor God. It's that simple. That's my 2 cents. Love, Dian.

At the risk of living up to my reputation for pedantry, what is 'Christian Music'? Sometimes ago I saw an advertisement in a Christian magazine for software for a "Christian Hairdresser". It left me wondering how we might recognise a 'Christian Haircut'.'Christian' is never used as an adjective in the scriptures, only as a noun. Adjectives describe nouns and may modify them. We can put adjectives before the noun 'Christian'; good, bad, earnest... but I am not at all sure about using the word as an adjective.Can music have the life of Christ in it? Do we mean music inspired by Christ? And if it was inspired by Christ who holds the copyright?The danger is that music is used to create moods. I distrust all such music; whether it is 'worship' music in the 'minor' key, or rejoicing in the 'major'. I think it is legitimate to use music to express moods but I am personally uncomfortable when it is used to create them.In other words music is a great accompaniment, but when it leads...

The danger is that music is used to create moods. I distrust all such music; whether it is 'worship' music in the 'minor' key, or rejoicing in the 'major'. I think it is legitimate to use music to express moods but I am personally uncomfortable when it is used to create them.In other words music is a great accompaniment, but when it leads...This opens up for a great discussion. How do we distinguish the difference between 'creating' and 'expressing' moods? I have some ideas, but wondered if you would share your thoughts. Is it possible that while expressing a certain mood in worship or praise that that 'expression' actually fuels the desire to praise and worship all the more? There is a statement I hear in Pentecostal circles that states that there are two times to worship and praise God:1) When you feel like it2) When you don't feel like itYet there has to be a fine line between trying to 'work something up' or 'hype' the service up and actually singing with the intent to praise. It has been a long held belief that God inhabits the praises of His people. Add this to the admonitions of the Psalmist that we should praise with the psaltry and harp and the symbols and high sounding symbols, etc. It ends up as a procedure for attempting to get God to manifest Himself by singing and praising. Is that making sense?

Are certain styles of music "evil"?I believe Keith Green answered this question quite well, here is a clip from an article he wrote many years ago;"I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything is unclean, to him it is unclean."Rom 14:14I do not believe that any kind of music is "evil" in itself. I mean, that there are no such things as rhythms or chord structures or melody lines that were born in hell. The idea that the devil has invented certain styles of music so that he could capture the innocent young souls of today's youth is not only without foundation, but is the same kind of ridiculous tale that was told to young people by the church as recently as a generation ago - that "masturbation could cause blindness." Why try to scare the poor little guys into doing what's right? Why not deal with the real problem - selfishness!The suggestion that there is such a thing as intrinsically5 "good music or evil music" seems preposterous to me. I have been involved with almost every aspect of music my whole life, and I have witnessed the various effects it has had on me and other people - and I have to say that I have never once seen a case where music was the direct cause of sin or wickedness in a person's life.On the other hand, I have seen music be used as a tool for selfishness and egotism in people's lives (as well as my own). I have also seen it be used to create sensual moods by people with lust and manipulation on their minds. I have seen rock groups that were admittedly worshippers of Satan, and were open practioners of black witchcraft, who employed music as a tool to mesmerize their audiences. Yes, I must admit that it would appear to the casual observer that anyone involved with rock music could at least be charged with "guilt by association."But all the examples I mentioned above have to do with the motives of the heart, not the music itself! That is why I believe that music, in itself, is a neutral force.If you would like to read the entire article it can be found at Can God Use Rock Music?In Christ,Ron

As a young guy I think about this area a lot. Many of my contemporaries are really "into" this whole scene, and music plays a central part in how they think about there faith. Many young people's meetings are dominated by what is commonly called "The Worship". This term has become almost universal to describe music in a congregational setting.In the NT (apart from Revelation's trumpets etc) I can only think of three or four references to songs/ music (psalms, hymns and spiritual songs x2; James' "is anyone cheerful? let him sing psalms" and again in Corinthians singing in the Spirit/ with understanding + is there a reference to Jesus and the Disciples singing a hymn somewhere... maybe Mark?). So why then does this little-touched-on subject make up 80% of many of our meetings? I think, sadly, that "creating moods" might have a great deal to do with it...What do you reckon?

KrispyKrittr wrote:Personally i like all kinds of music. I happen to believe that Jesus' favorite kind of music is bluegrass. ;-) KrispyWellll, hallaluer! I rekon so! Bluegrass? I live in Ky and don't even like it. Sorry, just trying to give ya hard time KrispyI personaly think God is a fan of urban Gospel (Freddy Hammond, Joel Pace etc.). Really I think God is pleased when the music we offer up is for his glory and glorifies Him. Not to be reduntandt, but I've heard nearely every type of CCM and other brand of Christian Music--there is some that really glorify God and then there are some songs that you don't know if they're talking about Jesus or a burrito, it's so vauge.I also think it has a lot to do with the spirit attached to the music. Coletrane, who as far as i now was a believer, can blow his sax and it is great! The music is beautiful and most of the time (at least on love supreme) you get the distinct impression that it is not for the audience but for God.I think it has to do with heart. If your heart is right beofe God, then the music that flows out of it will be also. if your motives are pure then your music will be too. Then I have to consider that we are mostly speaking in trends of Western culture. What about poland or Germany? I;d say (not trying to be offesivie or funny) they may have debates on wether or not to do hymns with accordians and such. Like wise, in many Latin places, they incorperate beats and rythms that we would consider a little improper in most orthadoxed churches. Pray about what you listen to and if it jives you the wrong way, pray for the musician. As far as the where to draw the line. . . that's a whol other thread.

So why then does this little-touched-on subject make up 80% of many of our meetings? I think, sadly, that "creating moods" might have a great deal to do with it...Great comment here nimble. There is a story that when Watchman Nee visited England he was asked his overall impression of the church. His quaint answer was 'too much little book, not enough big book'.There is a massive presumption that you haven't had a meeting unless 50% of it was music and at least 10 mintues notices. Why? keep asking that question! :-D

'Personally i like all kinds of music. I happen to believe that Jesus' favorite kind of music is bluegrass'Excellent!! That is very good news for all us bluegrass fans!This wouldn't have anything to do with you playing a five string banjo would it? :-P

Hi Krispy - I'm 20!KrispyKrittr wrote:I'll tell ya what ushered me into the presence of God... salvation!exactly! that's where its at.Oh, and my little brother plays the Mandolin! haha long live Chris Thile! (sorry clueless, couldn't help it ;)

(please dont let this venture off into a conversation about tongues... there are other threads for that. Lets stay focussed!)Hi krispy,Are you referring to this passage? What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. (I Corinthians 14:15)OrLet 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)OrSpeaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19)Of course the 'model' for thansgiving, praise, and worship is based upon:Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (Psalm 100:4)This is a metaphorical progression entering the Wilderness Tabarnacle. It is a commentary as it were on:Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4)Moreover we are told to set our affections on things above and not on the earth. This is to be a literal house from which prayer and praise unto God is offered up unto God continually; that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. It is called - the Sacrifice of Praise! If we find our primary expression of Faith towards God in thanksgiving, praise, Worship, study (as do the Jews) and service in pure religion, it will protect us from finding our expression in other negative things.God Bless,-Robert