Is Heavy/Metal acceptable?

AJS · 05-16-08

I have been thinking a lot abot Heavy Rock/Metal music lately.
I went to the youth group my children attend and was shocked at what I heard, it sounded as though the Devil was present.
The music was very heavy with screaming. What is the Christian world coming to when it allows this type of music in the Church.
The Church should be a beautiful place with the Lord's presence.
Shouldn't people be attracted to Christianity because of Jesus and his Power? But the Church is attracting young people by using this dreadful music.
I like the odd rock song myself, but there must be a line drawn somewhere. I just cannot see how this heavy, agressive screaming music can be used to give praise and worship to our wonderfull Creator.
Music is an expression of the soul.
From a soul occupied by the wonderfull Spirit of God comes beautiful music.
All music should reflect the fruits of the Spirit - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self control Galations 5:22.
I don't believe Heavy Rock/Metal reflects these fruits. It demonstrates aggression, rebellion, depression, confusion etc and it distorts the soul of those who listen to it.
I would like to hear some comments on this.

Vicente · 07-26-08

some lyrics from my favorite Christina metal band
The incomprehensibility of A love so pure Too good to be true It seems

This preposterous act of empathy
Unveiling my insufficiency
The will of God accomplished
Redemption revealed

Realize, repent, receive
Confession of inadequacy
Initiate, admit, believe

I am not my own- I belong to he who sacrificed The glory of eternity and fullness of peace To fathom this mystery Is beyond what I can express That he'd endure this path of pain

Realize, repent, receive Confession of inadequacy Initiate, admit, believe Freedom

The incarnation of the one I am? Inverting the course of history
Hiding the kingdom in the heart of man For him to share the grace of God
Part of another song of theirs. Essence

oh, let your warm breeze blow away all this filth in my soul
wash me white as snow
lift me up again
oh, let your mercy flow
give me life so I can live
and so, now I can once again lift my head up high
shamelessly look into anyone's eyes
because when I'm weak, then you are strong
yeah, I will leave condemnation and sin behind
confidently marching forward with this in mind
you are right when I am wrong
I will not let go, I will not give in
'cause he told me so: by his love I'll win

I would be inclined to say that these songs Honor and Glorify God as much as if not much more then many of the so called worship songs I often find myself singing in church. Another thing these people aren't paid to wright worship songs to God in fact they would be paid much better of they didn't.

AJS · 05-16-08

Yes, I like your reply. I am interested to see what others think.
I can't fault the words of the songs.
Anyone can come up with nice words however.
The words don't go with Heavy Metal/Rock . Words should correspond to the music played.
This type of music is an expressive tool for the angry and rebellious not for the joyous and peaceful soul.
( yes Heavy Metal bands do have some softer songs but I am concerned about the HEAVY music) I'll accept the softer ones.

I would hope that any one replying to this post knows what it is to have the Spirit of God within them in reality
and that they live with the fruits of the Spirit in their lives, otherwise their comments will be tainted heavily by the flesh
or the desires of the outward man.

I am particularly concerned when some of the bands sound as though demons are coming through their voice,
screeching and growelling. example - Demon Hunter who I have listened to.
This is not even up for discussion. If you can't see the error in this then something is wrong or you are an immature Christian.

Should I teach my 5 children to listen to this music? Would those that view these statements encourage me to steer them in this direction?
Should I corrupt the beautiful atmosphere in my home with heavy rock?
Should I allow these warped album covers in my home to produce warped feelings in my children? Should I teach my children to smash guitars on my floor while playing violent music? Should I encourage them to follow the image of these bands - I don't think so!

I am endeavoring to teach them to follow Jesus.

Shutterbug · 08-07-08

Taken to extremes, Christian music can cover nearly as many genres as secular music. I recall listening many years ago to Christian rock bands playing in a Christian store. My own thoughts were the only thing different were the words. Jimi Hendrix smashed and burned his guitar for attention. But, the man could play a guitar very well. A broken and burned piece is mostly all that remains of the instrument and the man who once played it.

Yeah, I still like the church hymns I grew up with and I enjoy Bluegrass harmony on gospel songs. I once took the chorus of a Lanny Wolfe song "I Keep Falling In Love With Him" and a applied a modified percussion track from a song titled, Digging the Grave" into a MIDI format. The two blended quite well.

Do I think this should be the norm? No. At some point, our desire to please God will get crossed with our desire for recognition and pleasing others. Christian musicians come from different backgrounds of music, but there is little argument that some styles work better than others. Also, I really don't listen to Christian music as such anymore because of something called a Dove award. If you think people don't compete for it, think again.

Cheers,
John

Mirjam · 08-20-08

I have liked metal music since I was 16. I know of some people in metal who became Christians : Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, Nico McBrain of Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper. And they sing about Lord Jesus too, in metal-style.

This is a song of Megadeth : Never walk alone...a call to arms

"Hiding in any doorway, in any shadow
Any place where danger waits to kill my time
There is one who lies in wait, to seal your face
As sure as you live an die

When you feel that something's wrong
I'll shelter you and keep you warm
I'll never let you walk alone
I loved you and you still hated me
I'm coming and it won't be long
Time to reap what I have sown
Never, ever let you walk alone
I know your enemy, it once was me

Let me wrap my arms all around you
Suffer the trespasses that you've made
I will take your pain away, forever and a day
If you'd just call out my name-even whisper it "

AJS · 05-16-08

Thanks guy's for your input.

So far it appears that the only support for HeavyRock/Metal, is that they can at times, have good words.
What else do they have going for them?

And I will repeat my previous questions -
Should I teach my 5 children to listen to this music?
Would those that view these statements encourage me to steer them in this direction?
Should I corrupt the beautiful atmosphere in my home with heavy rock?
Should I allow these warped album covers in my home to produce warped feelings in my children?
(just look at Demon Hunters website, it's nothing but depressing)
Should I teach my children to smash guitars on my floor while playing violent music? (as I saw Pillar do)
Should I encourage them to follow the image of these bands?

The Lord has entrusted me and my wife to lead my children in the right direction.
If it's not good for children, it's not good for adults.

Am I to teach them to go down this path? I don't think so.

Please supply the bands, album titles so I can investigate.

You can email me if you like to save space here.

Yours in Christ with Love

ajs

John14:1 · 08-14-08

I grew up on rock/metal music and will always prefer that style of music. Now that I've been a Christian since 2004 there are some bands/lyrics that I just turn off because of the bad message/lyrics. That's the guidance from the Holy Spirit and it goes across the whole spectrum of modern media.

One thing I think that's just as important as the musical lyrics is who is the artist and what causes are they supporting with their millions of dollars. There are some music artists who may not have objectionable lyrics but are involved in new age religions or other activities that are contrary to Christian values and should not be supported with our dollars.

There is no such thing as a right or wrong style of music. It's all about the message in the lyrics and the values of the person making the songs. My pastor had a good comment about music in church once. He said contrary to some peoples beliefs there has been music written since the 1800's and it can be played on instruments other than the organ.

Atonement · 05-22-08

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

What makes music non-Christian? Is not everything created for God's glory? I dislike rap and hip hop, but does it make it non-Christian? Of course not! I respect the Christian artist but I do not like the style of performance. I jam guitar for over 20 years now. I play everything from classical-blues-country-rock-thrash metal. I was given this gift by God and I use this gift for His glory.

I think people confuse music vs. the message behind the music. Meaning a 'song' labeled non-Christian is the lyrics behind the song, and not the style of it's performance. I also grew up listening to music like Slayer, Canibal Corspe, Death, Venom, Deicide etc etc

However if you like fast hard hitting music that has a message of hope, a message of the Cross and a message of Salvation then I would recommend these below.

Vengence Rising
Believer
Seventh Angel
One Bad Pig (Punk)
Tourniquet
White Cross

Thanks for your time.. God Bless

misao777 · 08-18-08

a. Should I teach my 5 children to listen to this music?
b. Would those that view these statements encourage me to steer them in this direction?
c. Should I corrupt the beautiful atmosphere in my home with heavy rock?
d. Should I allow these warped album covers in my home to produce warped feelings in my children?
(just look at Demon Hunters website, it's nothing but depressing)
e. Should I teach my children to smash guitars on my floor while playing violent music? (as I saw Pillar do)
f. Should I encourage them to follow the image of these bands?

----------------------------------------
a. for me not actually teach them, let them if they like it

b. even me, at home. My mom hates rock, but her kids does; its about freedom^^
c. how do you define a “beautiful atmosphere” then? What if rock is beauty for your kids?
d. not because metal is about growling and screaming it will warped your children’s feelings and emotions, actually, it depends upon their hearts,
e. same as in letter A 
f. same..

actually bro, in our church we really exercise freedom. There are a lot of Christian church here in our country that once a church member or som1 who serves in the church has long hair, or blonde, or has tattoo, has a girlfren or boyfren who is an unbeliever they tend to let that member not to serve anymore, but in our church, whatever is ur appearance be like, or u may be doing something or a sin that almost evy1 doesn’t know, its about u and God with that issue. Now for rock music, the bible it says: sing to God a new song and shout for joy (somewhere in psalms) we can also growl when were happy right? You can talk to your kids about it, why do they listen to rock music? how does it help them in their faith? it really depends upon their hearts, they can praise God thru the lyrics of rock music. They can headbang thinking.. God is great, wonderful for having such music such as metal..hehehe I don’t know. I hope my side helped hehehe

Atonement · 05-22-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by misao777

a. Should I teach my 5 children to listen to this music?
b. Would those that view these statements encourage me to steer them in this direction?
c. Should I corrupt the beautiful atmosphere in my home with heavy rock?
d. Should I allow these warped album covers in my home to produce warped feelings in my children?
(just look at Demon Hunters website, it's nothing but depressing)
e. Should I teach my children to smash guitars on my floor while playing violent music? (as I saw Pillar do)
f. Should I encourage them to follow the image of these bands?

----------------------------------------
a. for me not actually teach them, let them if they like it

b. even me, at home. My mom hates rock, but her kids does; its about freedom^^
c. how do you define a “beautiful atmosphere” then? What if rock is beauty for your kids?
d. not because metal is about growling and screaming it will warped your children’s feelings and emotions, actually, it depends upon their hearts,
e. same as in letter A 
f. same..

actually bro, in our church we really exercise freedom. There are a lot of Christian church here in our country that once a church member or som1 who serves in the church has long hair, or blonde, or has tattoo, has a girlfren or boyfren who is an unbeliever they tend to let that member not to serve anymore, but in our church, whatever is ur appearance be like, or u may be doing something or a sin that almost evy1 doesn’t know, its about u and God with that issue. Now for rock music, the bible it says: sing to God a new song and shout for joy (somewhere in psalms) we can also growl when were happy right? You can talk to your kids about it, why do they listen to rock music? how does it help them in their faith? it really depends upon their hearts, they can praise God thru the lyrics of rock music. They can headbang thinking.. God is great, wonderful for having such music such as metal..hehehe I don’t know. I hope my side helped hehehe

Good Post.. Thank you for sharing your view..

God Bless

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Have You Been Wearing Fig Leaves?	Coconut	Church & Sermons	0	02-26-08 11:18 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)