Bible Discussion Thread

More on the "seeker unfriendly" concept

The obvious issue of worldly appeal in regard to music and other entertainment features; and watering down or shortening sermons to draw people in has been going on for decades now in many mainline denominations. My beef here isn't to necessary deliberate each point (such as movie or game night) to determine what is right or wrong. What I am focusing on is the purpose of such an event.

Entertainment is something which laypersons need to be cognizant of monitering; especially when there are activity directors involved. Such was the case with a particular concert event which my local church routinely has monthly. The group; to be left anonymous had some noteriety playing with secular bands; and their music also was either secular or quite worldly. Thankfully; after I left halfway through the Pastor coordinated with several others in agreement that it would no longer be represented at our church. I have also seen issues when a church decides to pay for outside entertainment rather than looking to ways they can host events with their own music; for instance. Thankfully; I have seen several good venues after that aformentioned group; where local musicians limit their touring to churches; as well as secure incomes in reputable employment outside their concert venue. Speakers also have to be watched; such was the case with another person I will also keep nameless. It turned out he had ties with a group that is into spurious teachings (again to avoid being flagged here I will just say that it is a pretty well known organization). Finally; of course the fruit in lives of people often isn't clear; a background check is needed in all cases!

We do well to heed to Paul's words; 2 Corinthians 11:6 shows how this Mega-Apostle wasn't particularly gifted in oratory.

In short; for the Lord to be active and present; one should feel uncomfortable in their flesh and in the presence of His Holiness.

Nothing else matters.

Hello, I have a heavy heart, When I meet my husband, he knew the Bible very well. for a point in his life people would tell him that JESUS wasn't the son of God he was just a Messager. I was starting to feel some kind of way about this because I know God let Jesus die on the cross for our sin and I know he is the Father the son and the holyspirt that made me upset to hear that from him. In 2021 my husband Got covid and he pass away 2022 he was in the ICU for 1month but before he went in the hospital a week before that, he says Jesus isn't the son of God and he walk away, so I am putting up the Christmas tree and he said I don't care about no Christmas. Now before all of this unbelief my husband made a big cross out of wood and put light on it every year, he put it out in the yard. When he was in the hospital, I ask him do you know Jesus is the son Of God he said yes, and do you know he came down and die for our sin. I need some help because I don't know about this feeling. Thank You for listening.

You say that your husband has died , I'm so sorry . You are not responsible for his behaviour and he isn't responsible for yours . It can break our hearts when someone we love turns away from our God . You must try to move on , you are still here , God wants you to be alive today . He hasn't finished showing you His lovingkindness yet , try to enjoy the rest of your life that God has granted you , stay strong in your faith , cling to your God and He will bless you every day . Thank Him and trust Him and He will give you happy days in His love .

People think just because they use Yewah name when they play their music it doesn't mean they are saved. I am so sickening when the church let their peoples come in the house of God and sing Rap. I don't understand Church music is to make your soul happy, peaceful. I think that kind of music is not the place in the home of God to me, just saying, comment on the Richard H Priday.

I agree with you , any songs or music in a church should glorify and praise God alone , not those performing it , they are trying to glorify themselves and feed their own egos and please people and themselves . It totally detracts from what a church service should be , which is to the glory of God and to honour Him .

Hi Jema, Agreed.

I do think that how contemporary music is presented in many churches today reflect to way present generations have been exposed to the music styles and special effects of worldly music. Certainly MTV and those that followed influenced how music is presented. Performances have become increasingly more and more visual sometimes even overpowering the vocals. Christian musicians, music directors, church leaders have approved the usage of these worldly aspects of music more and more.

I grew up in the era where music concerts began to be prevalent. I went to a few as a teenager (in the 70's). As an adult I pretty much rejected indulging in secular music. I went to a few Christian concerts (back in the 80's). Even then I was put off by the emphasis among the crowd of adulation of the performers. So I stopped going to these concerts. Then after 2000 I was invited to go to a few Christian concerts and was overwhelmed by the special effects. The light show, smoke, and big screen images of the performers with them dancing and jumping around the stage seemed to me to be less about God and more about the performers and the performance. After enduring a few of these and feeling literally sick, I said, "No more". Then this style was showing up in the churches during services. Uuuugh!

I say all this because the way "sacred" music is being presented in churches today has a direct correlation to the way people were groomed for it when they were growing up. It saddens me greatly, because like you, musical worship should be all about God and none about self. It should reflect that we deem God and His name as "hallowed" and that coming before Him in worship should be spiritual, not carnal. This does not mean that we cannot sing with vigor and gladness and use many types of instruments and differing music styles. Rather, the use of these things should always put the focus on God and exalt Him from the heart as well as with our voice, hands, and instruments.

I have to be honest , I love music , all kinds from the 1950's to the 1990's but when it comes to church services , they are to the glory and praise of God , I love all the old tradition hymn's and the organ . I have a horrible singing voice though :( .

Jema, Music appreciation is a good thing. There are many musical compositions, songs, and genres to enjoy. But my problem with the music that has been dominant in generations since the 60's is that it is worldly minded, often having lyrics that speak of immoral things. Many have occultic lyrics. many of the artists were or are involved with drugs/alcohol abuse, occultic fascinations and pagan religious affiliation. For me, I choose to not have anything to do with music such as this. I rejected such pop music early on when I became an adult and was more dedicated to following the Lord.

Everyone must prayerfully make choices about the entertainment/hobbies they partake of or pursue. Living out our life in Christ is sacred in every day life just as much as it is when we are in church service. We should have an overall consistent lifestyle that involves godly actions, words, thoughts, preferences, affections, appetites, and witness. This is how I want to live my life.

There are some very beautiful secular songs out there. But overall, secular music is pretty godless and not very innocent, in my opinion.

Jema, we all have things in our life that give us pleasure. If yours is music, then indulge in it according to the Spirit's leading. I love to grow things. So gardening is what I am enjoying now that I am retired. But I must also subject this pleasure to the will of the Holy Spirit, too. I love to cook new recipes and make up my own. I love to write out ideas. I love to be around nature. These are all good things to enjoy. But even so, we can indulge in these things so much that we ignore God or push Him aside when we wish to commune with Him. So, in everything that is permissible, we are to control our participation in such a way that our hobbies/secular interests do not master us or lead us into sin.

Thanks for letting me know that you love music. I have found that the more you sing out loud., the better your voice becomes, as it is trained by the music heard

Hi Richard,

So sorry to hear. I would think God's house would be spending it's resources on saving souls..not entertainment.

There are so many souls crying out to be helped/saved in our streets today, and probably just as many sitting in churches being entertained.

Only God can correct this mess .

All I can say is we need to pray a lot for Christs intervention, and help whoever we can at this point.

GBU