Why I do not listen to contemporary Christian Music

            There have been many times in my life when  a brother or sister will come to me and ask me what I thought about a particular contemporary Christian singer.  I usually respond with  “I do not listen to that type of music?” The conversation will then end up with me explaining to that individual, why it is not proper for a New Testament Christian to listen to Contemporary Christian Music (CCM).  When discussing this topic, the individual in favor of CCM will usually present these 2 reasons why he or she does not see any thing wrong with what he or she is listening to.

1.  The Bible Doesn’t say we can’t!

            It is a true statement that the bible does not address the topic of CCM, and there is a reason why it does not, (in the first century it was not a problem).  However the bible does give us commands and principles that apply to the topic of CCM.  First of all, the bible tells us how God wants to be praised.  Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 both tell us that the way God wants to be praised, is in “in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;” (ASV).   Second, God for a good reason excludes the use of a mechanical instrument.  Since God excluded the instrument, we should too.  The problem with CCM is that the artists performing the songs use mechanical instruments in an attempt to offer praise up to God.  The bible may not directly say that we cannot use instrumental music, but it does say what we can use.  The bible only gives us the authorization to worship God with the most beautiful instrument that we have; the human voice.

            Often after I present this argument to the person I am discussing this with, usually the next reason he or she uses to attempt to justify the listening to CCM is…

2.  I am not Worshipping when I listen to it.

            When presented with this position, I have I hard time believing it.  I know that from personal experience that if I were to listen to a talented musician sing a worship song that I know the lyrics to , such as “This world is not my home”, with the use instrumental accompaniment, it would be very difficult to keep my self from developing worshipful thoughts. 

            It would not be fair for me to judge and say that it is impossible for an individual to listen to CCM and not think worshipful thoughts, but I am correct in saying that it still does not make it right.  Everyone would agree that it would be wrong for me to continually go in to an assembly of the Baptist Church and listen to the music being played for entertainment purposes without ever trying to teach them the truth.  But yet many do not see the problem in listing for entertainment purposes to a group offering up false worship to God.  It should not be entertaining to us to listen or watch people involved in sinful activity.  It is wrong to listen to Satanic Death Metal, it is wrong to listen to Hard Core Gangster Rap, and it is wrong to listen to Contemporary Christian Music.  All three of these groups of music are wrong, because they are all sinful.  One sings about Satan, one sings about drugs and sex, and one offers up false worship to God.  CCM should not be entertaining to us, truthfully would should and need to abhor it.  When we read the story of Nadab and Abihu we do not find it entertaining, when we read about the children of Israel worshipping the golden calf at the foot of Mt. Sinai it disturbs us, but yet it does not disturb us when we listen to a group offering up false worship to God.

            God takes worship very seriously, it is ether offered in a right way or a wrong way.  For Christians to buy and listen to CCM, it is to condone sinful behavior, and it would be the same as me going to The Baptist Church and helping pay the organist’s salary.

Conclusion:

            The bible tells us  to “…Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good” (Rom 12:9 ASV). We are also reminded  in Eph 5:11 to “…have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them;” (ASV).  Contemporary Christian Music is an unfruitful work of darkness, and a child of God has just as much authority to listen to it, as the Children of Israel had, to worship a golden calf.  Let’s make sure that our congregations are informed on the issue of CCM, so that they can be ready to give an answer when someone asks  “Is there anything wrong with listening to Contemporary Christian Music”.