There has been a question going round; “Should a Christian listen to secular music”. A good question, you might think, but I know with great certainty that there is an even better question that Christians MUST ask.
See the problem is not on the supposed selection of good music over bad, though it might be a problem for some, yet the bigger problem lies in the grey area. I mean the subtle, thin and ‘unclear’ line between true and nearly true but not true gospel songs.
I have listened to many a song, or so I think, especially the Christian genre and I can’t help but be dismayed by most of these songs. Increasingly there is an influx of songs into this genre whose message, core teachings and/or intent are contrary to scriptures. Not for God’s glory, not for the edification of men, not for instructing in the truth’s of the gospel.
Most actually, unlike in former times, are not scripture-based; as such they actually entice to the sensual and egocentric nature of man!
‘Unlike in former times’, yes. Look at many hymns in English, Swahili or your vernacular. Most of these songs have reference verse(s) to them, not just for the sake, which makes their message ever true, resound the scriptures and nourishing to the soul.
So when did Christians lose track, when did the church stop to require musicians to base their songs on scripture and scripture alone? Have you not had many musicians sing of personal experience, feelings e.t.c?
Another worry is how many churches have continued to embrace thin songs for purposes of musical worship. Some of these songs driven or approved; affirmatively or passively, by the worship leaders(the preachers).
By thin I mean the selective extraction of, deemed great, sentences and or phrases that are just repeated over and over without clear or full meaning or instruction or reason as to why the sentence or phrase is true. This actually contradicts Christ’s prohibition of mindless repetition Matt 6:7
But this points to an even bigger problem. Is the gospel of Christ being truthfully proclaimed in our churches? The complacency by many Christians to require truthful instruction from the preaching in the pulpit to the sings they listen to and sing makes one believe otherwise. The Bereans would be up in arms!
