For Christians, must all songs praise and give glory to God?

[Hobie]

One day a back in the day a visitor came to our school to tell us of the 'evils' of 'Rock and Roll' and how we cant be a 'slave to the rhythm'. He was a musician who had repented of the rock star life, given his heart to the Lord, and written a book about it. Many were impressed and listened to him as he gave his testimony and showed us how the music could 'move' and 'arose' the senses. The whole student body was strongly affected, and many spiritual and religious outreach was begun or strengthen by the spirit. We gave up our 'rock and roll' records, tore up our Led Zep, threw away our Santana, and yes, let go of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

My question is, does the music/content/words that Christians listen to have to be to 'spirtual' or give praise and give glory to God?

I checked who the music channel VH1 thought was the best to see if they had any 'redeeming' or truly 'uplifting' music/content/words in their songs. As you can see in the comments, there wasnt much to find:

1) Beatles - Cant think of any (My Sweet Lord was to Lord Vishnu so doesnt count)
2) The Rolling Stones -Definitely Not
3) Jimi Hendrix - No
4) Led Zeppelin - (Stairway just doesnt cut it)
5) Bob Dylan - Maybe, didnt understand much of the words
6) James Brown - No
7) David Bowie -- No
8) Elvis Presley -- Yes, His gospel songs set the standard in my book.....
9) The Who -- No
10) The Police -- Beautiful Music but the words are focused on man.
11) Stevie Wonder -- Stevie has a lot of love and it comes through
12) Ray Charles -- Hmmm, I know he did some Gospel
13) The Beach Boys -- No
14) Marvin Gaye -- No
15) Eric Clapton -- No
16) John Lennon -- See Beetles
17) Elton John -- No
18) The Artist (Formerly Known as Prince) -- I heard he was SDA, but never picked up nothing in his songs.
19) Pink Floyd -- NO
20) The Doors -- No
21) Aretha Franklin -- Not quiet sure
22) Fleetwood Mac -- No
23) The Eagles -- See Fleetwood Mac.
24) Bob Marley -- The greatest Reggae singer ever... but still no.
25) Van Morrison -- Not much purity or lovely, or virtue
26) Chuck Berry -- No
27) Bruce Springsteen -- No
28) Sly & The Family Stone -- Didnt he start in a choir?
29) U2 -- No
30) Neil Young -- I dont know all of his music..
31) The Clash -- See Van Morrison
32) Joni Mitchell -- More political from what I remember
33) Queen -- No, (I've searched all their songs, nothing.)
34) Buddy Holly -- Bit really
35) Otis Redding -- See Van Morrison
36) Little Richard -- See Prince
37) Al Green -- No
38) Elvis Costello -- See Van Morrison
39) Miles Davis -- The greatest jazz man ever, but does just music count?
40) Michael Jackson -- Think sleeping with kids, no.

You can add most of the rest to list with much the same, etc...

Are the sound and words of praise and giving glory to God, really uplifting and open our minds to the divine,  while others a detriment. Well it seems that much does have a much stronger affect than one would think, take a look.

"An "outburst of the soul," the composer Frederick Delius called music. The sounds associated with the form produce "a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without," observed Confucius. It is the art "which is most nigh to tears and memory," noted the writer Oscar Wilde.

It turns out that these guys were more on target than we thought. Our experience of the music we love stimulates the pleasure chemical dopamine in our brain.... The researchers followed the brain patterns of test subjects with MRI imaging, and identified dopamine streaming into the striatum region of their forebrains "at peak emotional arousal during music listening." Turns out that music really is intoxicating, after all | Ars Technica

Study finds that music more sexually arousing than touch and more likely to turn them on than the touch or feel of their partner. https://www.cnn.com/2012/10/24/tech/science-behind-the-song/index.html

We find today many churches, in a misguided attempt to attract new members and retain the youth, are bringing in drums and electric guitars, and having rock and roll being played up from the pulpit. It is nothing to do with praise and worship but now we can see it is a destructive use of what the world does for entertainment with the same clapping and applause we find giving praise to rock stars and such, to say nothing of the hidden affects on the emotions and thoughts..

[Alan]

I'm not a Beatles fan but My Sweet Lord was a George Harrison solo effort. The Beatles did write Elanor Rigby and Let it Be, which were spiritual at minimum.

Why not U2? They may not be Hillsong, but they're very vocal about their Christian faith.


As for Christian Rock? Not a fan either, I don't mind the selection of instruments, but I'd prefer slower, softer, keyboard and piano orientated praise and worship music.

[Rella]

We find today many churches, in a misguided attempt to attract new members and retain the youth, are bringing in drums and electric guitars, and having rock and roll being played up from the pulpit. It is nothing to do with praise and worship but now we can see it is a destructive use of what the world does for entertainment with the same clapping and applause we find giving praise to rock stars and such, to say nothing of the hidden affects on the emotions and thoughts..

A good subject.

But it is not just of today for 60 years ago our local RCC was offering a "rock" mass weekly. Not sure when but I sispect it might have been early in the evening... maybe Friday?... before they would be running out to the bars and dance clubs.

Music is very powerful. But I do not think it is from the words only.

Did you ever see either of the movies "Sister Act" or Sister Act II"  I am guessing not as the story went... at least from the first... a woman was hiding from a mobster and she went undercover as a nun. He job in the convent was to teach music... her 'speciallty', to the children

It ends up with her knowing that secular songs were not appropriate for the church... the lyrics, and she worked and worked and switched them all around so the music was the same but the lyrics were all in praise.

But I also remember when Jimmy Swaggart would cruise about town screaming hell fire and damnation to Jerry Lee Lewis... NOT because of his life style but because his music got people all churned up.

My reply to " My question is, does the music/content/words that Christians listen to have to be to 'spirtual' or give praise and give glory to God?"

It all depends.

If in church then all has to be to the glory of God. PERIOD... no excuses.

But if listening to the soundtracks of say Sound of Music, or My Fair Lady... or or mega musicals of that vintage. NO.

There is nothing offensive  to them.

As far as those you posted. I had to give up listening to most any music many years ago after a trauma in my life and the way it affected me mentally... so I still say it does not have to be spiritual but when in Rome  as they used to say..

But something I find personally offensive... and yes I am one of those basically hooked on the "Christmas" movies that run from October to New Years. I find people hearing a Christmas carol.. Such as Silent Night... and her saying it is her favorite and they end up in a romantic slow dance.

THAT is offensive to me.

It is never to 12 days of Christmas... It is always Silent Night or Oh Holy Night or one that tells it as it is

[Texas Conservative]

But if listening to the soundtracks of say Sound of Music, or My Fair Lady... or or mega musicals of that vintage. NO.

There is nothing offensive  to them.

Every musical is offensive.  If I was President, all musicals that do not contain the Muppets would be banned.  Any singing or playing of such would result in imprisonment.

[Texas Conservative]

[mommydi]

TC, those Rankin Bass shows you love so much ARE musicals! 



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SGlPnA_iCk&t=3s

[Texas Conservative]

TC, those Rankin Bass shows you love so much ARE musicals! 



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SGlPnA_iCk&t=3s

Those get an exception.  No live action musicals without Muppets.

[mommydi]

(Sorry - thread derail)

I'm officially old. My car needs to offer a quiet boat ride down the highway and my music needs to be soothing. It's been quite a while since I've tuned into 70s on 7, 80s on 8, etc.

One of my favorite groups which would maybe be considered easy listening folk?? -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UNT3poCd6U

[Rella]

(Sorry - thread derail)

I'm officially old. My car needs to offer a quiet boat ride down the highway and my music needs to be soothing. It's been quite a while since I've tuned into 70s on 7, 80s on 8, etc.

One of my favorite groups which would maybe be considered easy listening folk?? -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UNT3poCd6U

Give me good old talk radio or off it goes.

It all brings tears... even elevator music, and heaven forbid anything in a parade.

I miss Rush..............

[Alan]

I watch TV series in my truck on my commute home, usually Simpsons or South Park, shows that are less visual. It helps make the drive a bit more relaxing and enjoyable. 

[Rella]

I watch TV series in my truck on my commute home, usually Simpsons or South Park, shows that are less visual. It helps make the drive a bit more relaxing and enjoyable.

You are still a young man. Just make sure you are not texting

[Texas Conservative]

I listen to mostly bluegrass and older country on mp3's on a USB stick in my car.

[mommydi]

It all brings tears...  and heaven forbid anything in a parade.

It happens to me, too! I tear up when I'm at a parade and the marching band passes by. Every.single.time. I was in band in school, so maybe it triggers something from those days? IDK, but it's weird to cry when a marching band passes by.

[Rella]

It happens to me, too! I tear up when I'm at a parade and the marching band passes by. Every.single.time. I was in band in school, so maybe it triggers something from those days? IDK, but it's weird to cry when a marching band passes by.

Hey sis... must be in the blood??? 

[Texas Conservative]

Maybe the XX Chromosome

[Wycliffes_Shillelagh]

I know exactly what this topic needs...

...The Levite instrument players (never called music) "made the Lambs dumb before the slaughter." And so, Jesus said of the doctors of the law (used to defend instruments) took away the key to knowledge. That was their assigned job.  That is why Jesus came to seek and save lost spirits who will be identified by:

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him:
        for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,
        and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

...All of the sacrifices for ATONEMENT with blood--did not include either the Levites or noise making machines.

THIS IS WHAT GOD COMMANDED FOR THE LEVITES ALTHOUGH DAVID ADDED THE INSTRUMENTS.

2Chr. 29:25 And he SET the Levites in the house of the LORD [court]
        with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps,
                according to the commandment of David,
                and of Gad the king's seer,

We know that the command for instruments (did not make music) came through Gad, a Star Gazer, because the Nation had been abandoned to worship the starry host.  This is proven by WHOSE command the instruments were actually sounded.  The trumpets and harps made a loud crashing noise ONE NOTE only.  This was like the sounds of rushing water.

    Constituo 1. To station or post troops somewhere, to draw up, set in order: "legionem
    Con-custōdītus closely watched, carefully guarded:
    II.  With the accessory idea of hindering free motion, A.  In gen., to hold something back, to preserve, keep: 
    Custodio: hold something back, preserve, hinder free motion, watch, preserve. hold back simulation.

God did not command David's instruments in any sense: He did command that the Levites surround the Tabernacle (prophetic type of the Tabernacle in Heaven).

    Numbers 18:2 And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee,
            that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee:
            but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister BEFORE the tabernacle of witness.
    Numbers 18:3 And they shall keep thy charge,
            and the charge of all the tabernacle:
            only they [Levites] shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar,
            that neither they, nor ye also, die.

The Jacob-Cursed Levites now under the King and Commanders of the Army are PROPHETIC TYPES of those in the future who will prevent baptized believers from "coming boldly before the throne of Grace."

PREPARATON OF THE PRIESTS FOR THE HOLOCAUST

The other part of the command made clear by the Syriac and the many parallel examples.

and Nathan the prophet:
for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.

    Num. 10:8 And the sons of Aaron, the priests,
            shall blow with the trumpets;
            and they shall be to you for an ordinance
            for ever throughout your generations.

There is no command for "musical" instruments in The Book of The Covenant or The Book of The law. God commanded the Levites to execute anyone who came near: He commanded only two silver trumpets to send certain signals. The other instruments when Solomon built God a HOUSE when He had given David only a TENT are said to have been imported from Egyptians along with the instrument players.

THE LEVITES STOOD GUARD AS GOD HAD COMMANDED THAT NO ONE--NOT EVEN A LEVITE--COME NEAR anything they had devoted to God.

    Sto, a. To stand in the ranks or under arms, to fight: "quisque uti steterat, jacet obtinetque ordinem, Sententiā,"

Remember that God had given the Levites this job to keep the godly people away from the not-commanded sacrificial system because they were willing to execute 3,000 of the brethren who had engaged in musical idolatry.

THE ACTUAL CONDUCTING THE HOLOCAUST PROVES THAT DAVID COMMANDED THE INSTRUMENTS

2Chr. 29:27 And Hezekiah commanded
        to offer the burnt offering upon the altar.
                And when the burnt offering began,
                the song of the LORD began also with the TRUMPETS
                and with the INSTRUMENTS ORDAINED by David king of Israel.

There were no Levites making noise (not music) in any of the blood atonements prophetic of Jesus Christ Whom God made to be that offering--once for all times.

The were called to PERFORM (and guard) only for the Burnt Offering specificially for Israel Whom God had abandoned.  These were commanded by David because God had "turned them over to worship the starry host" affirmed by the Jewish Encyclopedia.

You're welcome!

[Hobie]

I'm not a Beatles fan but My Sweet Lord was a George Harrison solo effort. The Beatles did write Elanor Rigby and Let it Be, which were spiritual at minimum.

Why not U2? They may not be Hillsong, but they're very vocal about their Christian faith.


As for Christian Rock? Not a fan either, I don't mind the selection of instruments, but I'd prefer slower, softer, keyboard and piano orientated praise and worship music.

Guess who George Harrison was singing about... https://theharekrishnamovement.org/tag/my-sweet-lord/

[Alan]

Guess who George Harrison was singing about... https://theharekrishnamovement.org/tag/my-sweet-lord/

That's not the point, and yes, Harrison was weird after their trip to India.

[RB]

I have two that I would sing to my wife IF I could just sing....... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0EBs6uRgtw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KFvoDDs0XM

Yes, I do get in the flesh every so often for HER.

[RB]

https://www.countrythangdaily.com/johnny-cash-gospel-songs/

[Alan]

I know exactly what this topic needs...

You're welcome!

For all of the many, many, followers of piney.com, the site has changed domains and is now http://www.pineycom.com/

[mommydi]

For all of the many, many, followers of piney.com, the site has changed domains and is now http://www.pineycom.com/

Well, I haven't thought of Kenneth Sublett in a long time. I wonder if he's still around? He has to be in his 90s by now - if he hasn't gone on for his reward.

[Alan]

Well, I haven't thought of Kenneth Sublett in a long time. I wonder if he's still around? He has to be in his 90s by now - if he hasn't gone on for his reward.

Out of curiosity, I browsed around his new site, looks like he's still active there.

[Hobie]

That's not the point, and yes, Harrison was weird after their trip to India.

I wouldnt call it 'weird', they knew what they were doing, and what they were writing, and for who... https://happymag.tv/sympathy-for-the-devil/

[DaveW]

Larry Norman was a brilliant musician in the mid 60s into the late 70s.  After his plane crash he kinda went downhill imo.

He had 1 pop song hit with his group People in 1967 called "I Love You." 
He invented Rock Opera.  (where do you think the Who came up with Tommy?)
He was an early rap experimenter.

The Jesus movement started in his house.  He invented the genre called Contemporary Christian Music. 

The style of music is irrelevant.  Be it a vocal niggun, a symphony, a bluegrass tune with blazing banjos and mandolins, or heavy metal; it is the lyric content and the attitude of the hearts of the players that matters with God. 

[Alan]

I wouldnt call it 'weird', they knew what they were doing, and what they were writing, and for who... https://happymag.tv/sympathy-for-the-devil/

I never said "they", I said "him", referring to Harrison, and yes, he was very weird.

[Hobie]

I stand by what I said, "They' all knew what they were doing... https://www.provenway.org/resurrection/who-said-were-more-popular-than-jesus.html

[Alan]

awwrightythen 

[DaveW]

"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul."  -  J.S. Bach

[Hobie]

Larry Norman was a brilliant musician in the mid 60s into the late 70s.  After his plane crash he kinda went downhill imo.

He had 1 pop song hit with his group People in 1967 called "I Love You." 
He invented Rock Opera.  (where do you think the Who came up with Tommy?)
He was an early rap experimenter.

The Jesus movement started in his house.  He invented the genre called Contemporary Christian Music. 

The style of music is irrelevant.  Be it a vocal niggun, a symphony, a bluegrass tune with blazing banjos and mandolins, or heavy metal; it is the lyric content and the attitude of the hearts of the players that matters with God.

Well, its hard to sing praises when the 'style' is a heavy beat that tends to make one a 'slave to the rhythm" rather than the content and a uplifting message...

[DaveW]

Well, its hard to sing praises when the 'style' is a heavy beat that tends to make one a 'slave to the rhythm" rather than the content and a uplifting message...

And I find it hard to sing praise if there is a pedal steel guitar crying all the way thru it. 
That does not mean that it hinders others from focusing on HIM. 

It is a cultural bias that is irrelevant to God.

[Hobie]

I'm not a Beatles fan but My Sweet Lord was a George Harrison solo effort. The Beatles did write Elanor Rigby and Let it Be, which were spiritual at minimum.

Why not U2? They may not be Hillsong, but they're very vocal about their Christian faith.


As for Christian Rock? Not a fan either, I don't mind the selection of instruments, but I'd prefer slower, softer, keyboard and piano orientated praise and worship music.

So if they have one or two songs that are 'spiritual', and the rest are clearly not, even evil or satanic, they are ok?

[Rella]

So if they have one or two songs that are 'spiritual', and the rest are clearly not, even evil or satanic, they are ok?

Well, the title of this thread is ...

"For Christians, must all songs praise and give glory to God?"

I would ask how that would work? There are a lot of people in the world that are not Christian, and many who say they are but are not.

How about Mary had a little lamb, 3 Blind Mice, Old MacDonald, or Hail to the Chief?

Should everything non christians hear be subjected to be only praise and glory to God?

Or, better yet... how can we as christians avoid hearing songs that do not give praise and glory to God?

There is background music in virtually every single movie and commercial
that we see. Even within the leading to commercial pauses on a lot of news programs.Lawrence Welk and Guy Lombardo would need to be shunned.(Even though they both are dead.)(If you dont know you are too young)

Uh OH ... There goes the wedding dance.

We could enjoy the Gospel albums of Elvis..... ?

I just don't know how that would work.

Perhaps a total ban on all music... though I just had a thought that if we could arm several drones with loud speakers and music on a loop... wonder how long it would take to drive Hamas nutty if all they heard over and over and over again..24/7..."Onward Christian Soldiers?" 

[Hobie]

Well, the title of this thread is ...

"For Christians, must all songs praise and give glory to God?"

I would ask how that would work? There are a lot of people in the world that are not Christian, and many who say they are but are not.

How about Mary had a little lamb, 3 Blind Mice, Old MacDonald, or Hail to the Chief?

Should everything non christians hear be subjected to be only praise and glory to God?

Or, better yet... how can we as christians avoid hearing songs that do not give praise and glory to God?

There is background music in virtually every single movie and commercial
that we see. Even within the leading to commercial pauses on a lot of news programs.Lawrence Welk and Guy Lombardo would need to be shunned.(Even though they both are dead.)(If you dont know you are too young)

Uh OH ... There goes the wedding dance.

We could enjoy the Gospel albums of Elvis..... ?

I just don't know how that would work.

Perhaps a total ban on all music... though I just had a thought that if we could arm several drones with loud speakers and music on a loop... wonder how long it would take to drive Hamas nutty if all they heard over and over and over again..24/7..."Onward Christian Soldiers?" 

For those who claim they are 'Christian', there should be a higher standard.

[Rella]

For those who claim they are 'Christian', there should be a higher standard.

Agreed.

But do you listen to any music Hobie?

My goodness, I have a football game on... Steelers V Arizona.

There is music in every single ad..... and occasionally in the game.