The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Holy Hip-Hop?

Brad,

First off let me state my over-used example to illustrate the erroneous type of argument used by many to justify their view that all music is to be deemed Adiaphora:

God created music,
Therefore music is good.
Rock & Roll (add your favorite genre here) is music,
Therefore Rock & Roll is good.

Need I state the obvious error in this illogical syllogism? Often I must and I do so by simply substituting something which is nearly universally agreed upon as being sinful.

God created sex,
Therefore sex is good.
Homosexuality is sex,
Therefore homosexuality is good.

The problem with the argument above re: music is that it should read,

God created music,
Therefore music is good.
God created Rock & Roll (add your favorite genre here),
Therefore, Rock & Roll is good.

The fact is, however, that God did not create Rock & Roll, Rap, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Heavy Metal, Classical or any other type of music. All are the product of human design. And knowing that all men are sinners by nature, everything created, invented, produced by man must be scrutinized carefully under the light of Scripture, either by its direct commands or by way of its principles. The articles I have provided in my reply above should be a good starting place in helping to examine musical forms which are to "glorify" God.

Now.... again I have written this many times over here and elsewhere. Simply put, to "glorify" God is to faithfully reflect His nature and attributes as found in His self-disclosure, i.e., the Bible. Thus music must be analogous to God Himself and in accord with His revealed will given to us. Does Rap mirror the nature and/or attributes of God? Does Rap et al forms of music produce within us an attitude of self-denial or does it appeal to our base emotive element?

My personal conclusion has been for years that ANY type of music which is based upon a syncopated beat is unacceptable from the get-go. If I had to equate this type of music with something else I would have to say it is in the same category as the current "boost your self-esteem" fad. The bottom line is that this type of music is self-ingratiating; it feeds the raw emotions.

Okay... enough for now and I'm sure that the above will enrage some, especially those who are addicted, yes addicted, to pop music because in truth, because of my assessment of it by its very nature it is like a drug; it seizes and controls you. (cf. 1Cor 6:12; Col 3:1ff; 1Pet 4:1-5; et al)

In His grace,