Monday Morning Insights

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    “Something Dark and Slithering is Hiding Under the Rock”

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    1.  What better way to propagate your message on the evil of Rock and Roll music, than with YouTube, which would, I’m pretty sure, have to at least be the son-in-law of Satan.

    2.  I remember in college one of the chapel speakers almost getting laughed off campus: Something like: “Rock music emphasizes the 2nd and 4th beats of the measure.  Real music emphasizes the 1st and 3rd beats of the measure.  That’s how Satan takes control of your heart, by getting you off it’s normal beat.”

    3.  Someone should write and tell these folks that YouTube is a VIDEO platform, rather than a phone in sermon platform.

    4.  Some things never change.  It will ALWAYS be something.  Some people are still latching on to the rock music being evil thing.  And just today, others have taken on other Christian leaders, calling them “far worse than inappropriate” and “spiritually disqualifying” and “not above reproach”.

    5.  There is something dark and slithering hiding under the rock.  My fear is that it’s not hiding; and that it’s not who we necessarily think it is.

    6.  A quote from 1976 is a great way to start a message… always.

    OK… I’ll be quiet.

    Todd


    Oh, this brings back memories. How many of you were subjected to messages like this when you were growing up?


    Of course... I have a couple thoughts...

    Comments

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    1. Gergs on Thu, April 16, 2009

      Why do all these people always seem to come from southern states?  Or is that just me that seems to think most people who preach this message have a southern accent?  Not saying anythying about the south, just wondering about demographics and things.  It’s interesting to me.  And, I love all of the oh-so-recent examples….1976, 1989…and the preacher uses some very very fringe music…wow.

    2. Lori on Thu, April 16, 2009

      Ok, I agree that there are some scary bands out there.  But there is also scary politicians, teachers, preachers, etc. and we must use discernment for us and our children. 


      A few points of fact, the Eagles have repeatedly said that “Hotel California” is about the slavery to drug addiction.  Also, the backmasking thing was discredited years ago.  According to Rolling Stone, “Highway to Heaven” is 33rd on the list of the Greatest Rock songs of all time - not #1.  Lastly, most of the groups mentioned either no longer exist or are in the fringe minority of rock music.  However, a parent should always be involved in knowing what their kids are listening to.


      I have heard these kinds of lectures since 1983 and I was in the sixth grade.  I also have a current seminary professor who thinks rock music, playing cards (not just gambling but any kind)  and dancing are of the devil.  My dad thinks that having drums and guitars in church is wrong.  I think these kinds of lectures fuel this kind of thinking.

    3. Richard on Thu, April 16, 2009

      Not one to defend the devil’s music, but in most cases aren’t metal bands musical theater?  What about the sexualizing of Hannah Montana?  Did anyone see the South Park episode on the Jonas Brothers?  I’m more impressed with the devil’s more subtle work.  Consumerism just might be more devilish than the heavy metal genre.

    4. calvinwisen on Thu, April 16, 2009

      I promise the average teenager does not spend 6 hours a day listening to rock music… these radio programs need to be done with, they self righteous and hateful and are doing nothing for the cause of christ, especially in the lives of young people

    5. Q on Thu, April 16, 2009

      I guess the 80’s really ARE back!!!!!


      “David Bowie is Gay”?  His wife is in for a big surprise…


      Dave Mustaine (from Megadeth) is a Christian, I can hear him laughing right now…  Sometimes metaphor and symbolism are lost on certain people (that always seem to capitalize on their inability to discern the difference interestingly enough; I know they couldn’t just be trying to prey on parent’s fears (sarcasm intended))…


      “Slayer is the most popular band in all of rock music”?  I think they’d like to know that.  Their’ record label would probably like the bragging rights that came along with that title (if only it were true). 


      Rod Stewart the anti-christ?  Maybe the spandex led him in that direction…


      It always made me feel uncomfortable that I had no trouble understanding metaphor even early in middle school and yet some outspoken fully grown adults couldn’t even begin to grasp it to save their lives.  It’s so wild that some seemingly well adjusted adults couldn’t understand the idea of speaking from the Devil’s point of view as a warning to get a point across…  It was the same thing with Ozzy’s song “Suicide Solution”.  People got all up in arms because they ignorantly thought it was encouraging suicide, if they had only listened to the song they would have CLEARLY learned that it was a warning about drinking yourself to death.  Not to mention, it doesn’t make much sense to try and encourage all your fans to kill themselves…  Even if all Ozzy cared about was money (which he doesn’t appear to), that would be a HORRIBLE thing because the consumer would then be gone therefore no more money…


      WOW, people capitalized on that fear like CRAZY in the 80’s.  It’s funny how these people would get paid to spread the fear but no one ever asked, “How did you hear these songs in the first place?”  Closet metal fans?  OH YEAH!!!!


      It’s funny to think back on it now.

    6. Shawn on Thu, April 16, 2009

      As a former teenager, current father and Worship Pastor, I have to agree with the danger of most of the bands mentioned in this message.  I must say that there is nothing wrong with warning parents of the dangers of ignoring the cultural preferences of children and teens.


      However, it would make absolutely no sense if many of these “fringe” bands were not making a come back through the genius of “Guitar Hero.”  Most recently, Guitar Hero’s second tribute game “Metallica” features the music of mainly Metallica, but also Slayer, Social Distortion, Suicidal Tendencies, Judas Priest and others.  This “fringe” music is experiencing a come back, predominantly among teens whose parents grew up on the so called “fringes.”


      Nevermind the underground uprising of hate-filled bands like Korn and Marilyn Manson.


      You can laugh at the idea that rock music is Satan’s tool.  I’m with you. But you can’t ignore the fact that he is using it. 


      All music can be Satan’s tool.  Without wisdom and discernment of loving parents, kids can find themselves down a path that they will seriously regret.


      Check out iamsecond.com for testimonies from former rockers about how their music was intentionally written to lure kids in and turn them against their parents.  After coming to Christ, these men have abandoned their “craft.”


      Is all rock music wrong “no,” but to ignore the threat of what is becoming less of a “fringe” culture is irresponsible and downright dangerous.

    7. Q on Thu, April 16, 2009

      Also, I feel like everyone who listened to the whole thing should have some extra treasures in heaven (because that’s 27:22 we’ll never get back).

    8. Leonard on Thu, April 16, 2009

      If you plat my sermons backwards it says 10% is God’s way… 10% is God’s way.  I then preach in an unorthodox cadence so as to throw the rhythm of a persons mind off and make them more susceptible to my diabolical planning. 


      Once while preaching to pygmies in the deepest part of the outback, someone heard the cadence of my preaching and said, “why do you use the devil rhythm to your preaching.


      ugh…

    9. Q on Thu, April 16, 2009

      Leonard, they’ve found you out…  RUN, HIDE, LEAVE TOWN!!!!!!!!!  http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/wink.gif

    10. CindyK on Thu, April 16, 2009

      Leonard, you always crack me up.  http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif  Thank you!


      I’m not worried about the aforementioned Bands.  I’m worried about Brittney Spears’ new song “If you seek Amy”.

    11. dave on Thu, April 16, 2009

      The devil can use anything to move us farther away from God.  Even in some churches they twist the gospel into something ridiculous (like saying there’s no hell or Jesus is not the only way :S)  I don’t think criticizing rock music is any good; we just need to watch out what is according to the Bible and what’s not.


      “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”  Mt. 7:15

    12. jbaize on Thu, April 16, 2009

      There isn’t any question that much contemporary music has gotten more and more profane.  The era of my birth, the fifties, saw Ed Sullivan show Elvis Presley from the hips up, because it was too provocative and would not have made it past the censors.  Yet, today the profanity, sexual descriptions, and acts of lewdness are common among many of the songs of today’s youth. 


      To say that this man’s message is over-reaching, or just another hell-fire and brimestone southerner is to dismiss the truth that he does state.  I teach for a Christian College, and the music and world views of many youth within the Church that claim to be Christian and have grown-up in the Church is the same as the rest of the world’s.  It is a fact that you can’t fill your mind with images or thoughts and not be affected by them over time.  If this were not so, then pornography would not be a problem in the Christian community.  Plus, there have been numerous suicides, murders, and kidnap cases that have been connected to and influenced by youths who have listened to various kinds of hate music for years, and they were eventually influenced to act on the lyrics that became their world views of women, parents, and society as a whole.   We can become so comfortable with filth that we can’t discern moral righteousness any longer.  Yet, the problem isn’t just one type of music, it can be found in every type of music that is produced.  As parents, we are still to establish what is acceptable and unacceptable within our homes, and what we will allow our children to participate in. In our family, if it was profane and I or my wife discovered it, we broke the CD, regardless if it was on loan from a friend.  Our son may have gotten around us, but it was said loud and clear that there were some types of music that would not be permitted.  Period!

    13. Leonard on Fri, April 17, 2009

      There is a meeting at Todd’s house at 2:00 on Saturday.  We are going to burn all our Aerosmith albums.  After that we will sing pass it on.

    14. jud on Fri, April 17, 2009

      Coming from a very proud Southern Man, Satan hides in subtlety. Such as, in slick over produced performances of man centered worship “experiences”.  Such as a church getting to the point of using AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” to open an Easter service which happened this past weekend. This is what happens when we focus on the “experience” (which is what many churches are beginning to call the production that worship is becoming) instead of the person we worship.


      This is what happens when the Church sacrifices at the alter of relevance instead of the Throne of our Holy God. GOOD INTENTIONS become the cornerstone as we turn a time of worship into a moment of carnal pleasure.


      Go ahead, fire away at me!

    15. Chris on Fri, April 17, 2009

      Finding anti-Christian messages in pop/rock is like shooting fish in a barrel. This guy may have a strong Southern accent and quote mostly marginal, outdated stuff (how old is this message, anyway?), but he’s mostly right. I fear we may be too jaded to all of this. For a good alternate opinion, see Carl Trueman’s defense of his Led Zeppelin penchant:


      http://www.reformation21.org/we-get-letters/post-62.php

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