Quote
BradJHammond said:

Just curious how people feel about "holy" hip-hop, or hip-hop with "God-glorifying" lyrics. Are lyrics all that matter?

Brad,

My first reaction is... boy,oh boy, how far we've moved from singing Psalms only. I agree with the comments you've quoted: "I cannot hear this style of music, even performed by Christians, without being harassed by emotions of anger, contempt for others, justifications for drugs, violence, perverted sex, and other forms of rebellion against God" Somehow I can't see how singing Amazing Grace to hip hop could be very edifying or God glorifying. Surely the music matters too and not just the words. However, over the years we have embraced music that has been drawn from secular tunes.

Quote
we cannot eliminate music based on who wrote it, the year in which it was written, nor for what purpose. When we begin to make our decisions based on personalities, circumstances, or the calendar, we find ourselves trapped and playing the role of the hypocrite for it is impossible to be absolutely consistent.

Charles Wesley’s music for “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” came from a cantata written by Mendelssohn in praise of Gutenburg’s printing press! The music was well-written and the theologically correct words certainly matched the music. That same thing can and is being done today.

“O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing,” sung to “The Happy Wanderer” makes for enthusiastic singing. “How Great Thou Art” sung to “Londonderry Air” engenders a new appreciation. The criteria is the music itself, not the association.

There is another side to the coin. Those who would promote the use of any kind of music fused with scriptural truth invariably argue that Luther, Watts, and Wesley used the barroom tunes of their day. That is simply not true. Martin Luther used only one melody taken from the plain living of his day and then he changed the notes in a couple of places. [See Martin Luther, His Music, His Message, published by Musical Ministries, Box 6524, Greenville, SC 29606.] You can be sure that spiritually sensitive men such as Isaac Watts or Charles Wesley would have been careful to use well-written music even if they were to occasionally “lift” a melody from the popular tunes of their day.

We must do the same thing today. There is such a thing as throwing out the baby with the bathwater! Discard the poorly written music, don’t waste your money on it! It will, like so many other pieces of music, pass into oblivion. That music which is well-written and is a perfect union with the words will last forever. Stick with it and you will be greatly enriched for doing so.

Finally, we must not forget the message of Romans 14 and I Corinthians 8. Because we’re children of The King, we’re charged with the responsibility of functioning within certain principles. You — and I — must not offend any weaker brother by our choice of living, decisions of conduct, or tastes in the arts, lest by any means this liberty of yours becomes a stumblingblock.

Evaluating Music Intended for Christian Worship

Worship in the Melting Pot

Pleasing God in our Worship

Although we have progressed in a positive way over the years with many hymns with words that teach us good theology and give us reasons to praise the Lord I don't think hip hop, rap, or rock can accomplish that. One must ask have we tried so hard to reach this generation that we have lost our focus on what's glorifying to God. I may be old fashioned in many ways but I believe sacred music is important and should be sung in reverence to a holy God. When I hear a Christian rock group performing it doesn't seem to achieve the above goals. It may be emotive and lively but does it appeal to the flesh or the spirit?

Wes

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts