Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Biblical Christian Metal/Rock


The cross (or crucifixion) was an ancient torture instrument used by the Roman Empire and other primeval societies to execute criminals. It was a symbol of the world and known for death, torture and public humiliation. Rome was not the only society who used the cross for execution purposes. Alexander the Great hung 2,000 people on crosses when the city of Tyre was destroyed.

“From the early days of the Roman Republic, death on the cross was used for rebellious slaves and bandits, although Roman citizens were rarely subjected to this method of execution. The practice continued well beyond the New Testament period as one of the supreme punishments for military and political crimes such as desertion, spying, revealing secrets, rebellion, and sedition. Following the conversion of the emperor Constantine to Christianity, the cross became a sacred symbol and its use by Romans as a means of torture and death was abolished.”

The cross was never a Christian symbol or did it have any Christian meaning until Constantine. You might say that Constantine “redefined” the meaning of the cross and it has now has become the new symbol of redemption for the sake of Christ. These days, many Christians actually wear this ancient and worldly symbol of death, humiliation and execution around their necks as jewelry as a symbol of their faith.

This is the very same contrast between the worldly Rock and Roll music and the godly Christian Rock. According to the Bereans (www.bereanbeacon.org/), Rock and Roll is evil, demonic and fleshly. I agree. However, my argument is that Christian Rock is not evil, demonic or fleshly. I submit that Christian Rock is holy, godly and fully Christian in its origin. How and why, you may ask?

The reason is because just as Constantine redefined the cross, Christians have “redefined” Christian Rock. The “Rock” in the title “Christian Rock” does not mean Christians who love to have sex in the back of cars; that is the worldly definition according to the quotes the Bereans have posted from worldly Rock and Roll musicians. The “Rock” in Christian Rock means that Christ is the biblical “Rock” and foundation of the heart of the music.

“The word “rock” is often used figuratively in the Bible to speak of God and Christ. As Rock, God is the Creator (Deut. 32:18), His people’s strength (Deut. 32:4), His people’s defense and refuge (Ps. 31:2–3; 94:22), and His people’s salvation (Deut. 32:15; Ps. 89:26). In the New Testament, Christ is the Rock from whom the Spirit of life flows (John 4:13–14; 1 Cor. 10:4), the foundation of the church (Matt. 16:18) and its cornerstone (Eph. 2:20).”

Christian Rock is totally biblical and redefined to tell the world that Christ is, what He has done and what He will do. Christian Rock has taken from what the world loves and has redefined it in order to glorify Christ as the one and only redeemer of mankind. For Christ is the spiritual Rock and Peter, whose name means rock, was the first mentioned in the bible to be commissioned as the receiver of this spiritual truth in which Jesus said to him, “That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). ” This revelation of truth was not an idea from carnal man but from the Spirit in which Jesus says, “for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 16:17).”

Allow me to reiterate and get this through your thick skulls please. “Hear and give ear: Do not be proud, For the LORD has spoken (Jeremiah 13:15).” Christian Rock is Christian to the very core. If it were not for Christ Himself, Christian Rock would not exist! Let me remind you though, not every song from a Christian Rock band is always about Christ or about God. Some songs deal with the personal struggle of sin in someone’s life or the resistance and overcoming of an addiction that has victory in Christ. Not every Scripture talks about Christ or God either; many Scriptures do not even mention Christ’ name. He has many names and He means many different things to different people; so does Christian Rock. As there are many topics, parables and stories mentioned from Genesis to Revelation, they are as many songs from Christian Rock, Rap, Punk and Contemporary bands as well.


Why would the Bereans assume that Christians who like, listen to or play instruments in a Christian band would associate sex with Christian music? Because that’s the way the Bereans think. They believe that they are the only ones who have the monopoly on truth. The Bereans believe that they are the only ones who have the right answers and the right teachings. The Bereans believe that what they believe is the only way to believe and if you disagree with what they teach or believe, you are a heretic or an apostate. Plain and simple, the Bereans are the New Testament version of the Old Testament Pharisees or Sadducees. If you disagree with what the Bereans teach, they will make a public mockery of you and verbally hang you for the entire world to see as to teach you a lesson not to disagree with them.

Christian Rock has numerous subcategories as well. There is Contemporary, Metal, Rap, Praise and Worship, Black Metal and Punk. These subcategories are also founded upon the “Rock” of Christ, not the Rock and Roll of the world who glorifies sex in the back seat of a car.

My advice to the Bereans is this; if you do not fully understand Christian Rock, do not comment until you know all of the facts. The facts can only be known if you have listened to, researched and investigated lyrics, testimonies and the musicians’ intentions and heart behind the songs. Facts are not what you say they are, facts are facts and they come from first hand observation, not outside biased opinions. If you do not read the lyrics, listen to or play an instrument in a Christian Rock band, you are not qualified to critic on it.

If you do not like loud music, don’t listen to it. Being a Berean does not give you a holy license to accuse other Christians of being “fleshly” or “worldly” because you do not like Christian Rock. Let’s face it; the Bereans have absolutely no Scriptures to back up their belief that Christian Rock is “fleshly” or “evil.” Personally, I do not like praise music that includes only a piano and an organ. I find it boring, mundane and unexciting. However, you don’t find me preaching about it in a negative manner. I may not like it but it doesn’t mean I have a right to condemn the music or those who choose to listen to it. God is a God of variety and He created in us the abilities and talents to be diverse, not only in skin color and facial characteristics but also in music and other ways He made man.

Can you imagine that if every Christian liked and listened to the same music and we all dressed the same, had the same haircuts, the same skills, the same thoughts, the same dreams, same talents and all had the same language? We would be virtually a bunch of boring robots that are headed for a cultural descent into a society of pure dullness. I wouldn’t be surprised that at some point, many people would probably beg for sudden death instead of dying of slow boredom.

If you do not know the origins of any video made by these Christian artists, then you are not qualified to comment. Videos on youtube.com made by Christian Bands have many or multiple meanings. Some of which you may not know the real meaning or background or intentions of the heart of the band members or the video director. If you see dead people in a video made by Christian bands, it probably does not mean that they glorify death or worship the devil. It may mean that the band members are trying to convey the message of being once dead to God before coming to Christ. If you absolutely do not know the exact meanings, you are not qualified to negatively comment until knowing all of the facts.

It is not a sin listen to or play an instrument in a Christian Rock, Contemporary or Metal band or group. There are absolutely no Scriptures that imply that anyone can lose their salvation because of listening to any kind of music. Where in the bible does it say “Thou shalt not bang thy head?” Where does it say, “Thou shalt not dance” or “Thou shalt not play guitars loudly” or “Thou shalt not scream lyrics” or “Thou shalt not dress in spandex” or “Thou shalt not play drums” or “Thou shalt not play music loud?” The Scriptures do suggest any of these things, so why do the Bereans insist that Christian Rock is “fleshly” or “evil?”

I know why. It’s because the Bereans hate it. They hate it because some Christians might actually enjoy Christian Rock music that is loud, fast, heart-pumping, intense and exciting. And, the very thought of actually enjoying music they hate is an abomination to them. How can they call themselves Christians when they hate what is from God? “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he (Deuteronomy 32:4).”

Christian musicians and people who listen to Christian Rock, Rap or Metal are not accountable to the Bereans. By the very thought of the Beareans trying to police the music that Christians are led to listen to or worship with, is appalling and arrogant and the Bereans should be ashamed of themselves. Every Christian, regardless of their individual taste in music, is accountable only to God for whatever they do in the body. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable (Hebrews 4:13).


“So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God! (Acts 5:38-39)”

3 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. "Where in the bible does it say “Thou shalt not bang thy head?” Where does it say, “Thou shalt not dance” or “Thou shalt not play guitars loudly” or “Thou shalt not scream lyrics” or “Thou shalt not dress in spandex” or “Thou shalt not play drums” or “Thou shalt not play music loud?” The Scriptures do suggest any of these things, so why do the Bereans insist that Christian Rock is “fleshly” or “evil?”

    You must consider Bible principles. The Bible does not literally state" Thou shall not rob a bank" so does that make me want to rob a bank? NO!! Bible principles: "Thou Shalt Not Steal"

    Another thing I must add is the fact most of"Impending Doom's" lyrics reflect anger/wrath/hate. Where is the love in these "Christian" Death Metal songs? How is anger/wrath/hate part of the 9 Fruits of the Spirit? Self-control and love in these songs? NOPE. So get off your high horse and rethink this argument.

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  3. ".....just as Constantine redefined the cross, Christians have “redefined” Christian Rock." Just because the cross is negatively redefined does not make it ok to redefine "Rock" in Christian Rock. Logical fallacy
    It is not a good idea to use the eisegetical approach to Scripture. We are not to conform to the things of this world. Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

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