POSITION PAPER ON CONTEMPORARY MUSIC AT CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH

The following is a letter that I wrote to a church member concerning Contemporary Christian Music. It wasn’t written as a position paper at the time but I am going to use it as such until I have the time to put one together.

Please understand that I have spent a lot of time thinking & praying about this also, and am certainly not an expert on music either. But I will answer to God someday for what I allow at Calvary Baptist Church. It may at times seem “choppy” where I have deleted personal references. Also, it is no doubt dated since it was written almost 6 years ago.

10/01/2001

Dear _________,

I’m surprised that you don’t know how I feel about CCM. I’ve mentioned it many, many times in my messages over the years, but I must admit, not as much lately, simply because I was trying not to cause a controversy. That is my fault. I had hoped that my concern was just an isolated incident.

I understand that people many times lump a whole lot of music into CCM that isn’t necessarily bad music. Not all new music is wrong. Neither is all traditional music necessarily right. Just because music has ‘age’ does not guarantee its trustworthiness or doctrinal purity. Just because it is in the hymn book, doesn’t sanctify it as godly. I agree that there is nothing wrong with drums, or guitars if they are used in an appropriate manner.

The Following is the beginning of a study I have begun on Contemporary Christian Music. This is a rough draft (a very rough draft : )

MY STAND AND THOUGHTS AND QUESTIONS ON CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC.

I have started many times to try to put on paper my thoughts and beliefs on Contemporary Christian Music. My biggest difficulty has been a lack of time, and a clearly well thought-out biblical defense of what I have believed in my heart, but never reduced to paper. I’m thankful for the honest questions that have been asked of me over the years on this subject, but mostly thankful for the “final push” from a church member to get it “down in writing”.

First of all let me say at the outset, I am a musical ignoramus. I don’t know one note from another. I don’t pretend to understand the nuances of back-beats, off-beats or even dead-beats. My opposition to much (not all) of what is called Contemporary Music has to do more with three other concerns:
1. Its doctrinal integrity (or lack thereof)
2. The testimony of the performers.
3. Its association with and influence toward secular or worldly music.

The biggest problem that I have had in studying this issue is in defining CCM. There is an abundance of information out there from anti-CCM Christian sources, but I wanted an unbiased definition. I wanted a definition that I believed a CCM artist could agree with.
I found the following definition on the web: (Paragraph numbers were added by me)

Article From: The Almost Definitive Contemporary Christian Music Hot Page
http://www.afn.org/~mrblue/ccm/ccm.html#what
WHAT IS CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC?
1
Christian Music has been around in some form for almost 2000 years, since the time of Christ. But what exactly is Contemporary Christian Music? Before the early 1970's, Christian Music could be categorized as either Traditional Hymns, Southern Gospel or as Traditional Black Gospel styles.
2.
From the Peace Movement of the late 1960's came a time of Christian revival for young people across the country. This concurrent movement was known as the Jesus Movement. From the Jesus Movement, came many new Christians who were anxious to tell others about Jesus, but found the traditional methods of sharing and worshipping restrictive and out-dated. Many of these Jesus People started developing new worshipping and witnessing styles. A effort was made to write music which was culturally relevant or contemporary. The desire was to create music that would appeal to the current searching generation. Thus was born Contemporary Christian Music. From the early days of the Jesus Movement, new Christian singers such as Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill and Chuck Girard emerged to reach their generation.
3.
The name Contemporary Christian Music was coined to distinguish this style of music from the more traditional forms of religious music. The word contemporary has proven to be an appropriate description of this music over the last twenty years, as the styles have kept up with its secular counterpart. The ever evolving state of C.C.M. includes such diverse and contemporary styles as rock, jazz, blues, dance, metal, rap, alternative, new age, grunge, punk, thrash, death, gothic and industrial. Yet regardless of the form, the essences of all Contemporary Christian Music is the same-to share God's love to the current generation in a way that can be both understood and enjoyed.
4.
This Contemporary Christian Music Hot Page is designed to be a current guide of the different C.C.M resources on the Internet. Any current information would be welcomed and encouraged to help keep this place, contemporary. As far as whether or not you agree or disagree with the particular spiritual condition of some of the artist listed here-Sorry- Deal with It! I hope that using this page, you will get as much out of Contemporary Christian Music as I have over the years.

From all that I have read on Contemporary Christian Music, this definition seems to fit the general information on the subject.
So if we can agree that this definition is accurate, then all Christian music that we have today that is not considered “Traditional Hymns, Southern or Traditional Black” can be considered “Contemporary” according to this definition.
However, I don’t believe that Contemporary Music should be so strictly defined by its age, (when it was written or composed), but by its style. I believe that “non-traditional” is a much more accurate term than Contemporary, at least for this discussion.
But “Contemporary” is the term that they use. So I will use it also.
Webster’s: Contemporary 1 : happening, existing, living, or coming into being during the same period of time
2 a : SIMULTANEOUS b : marked by characteristics of the present period : MODERN, CURRENT
There is no problem with definition number one as it refers to Contemporary. 1. “Music happening, or existing or coming into being during the same period of time” is not necessarily unbiblical. As I stated above, I believe music is better categorized by its style than by its date of origin.
I am sure there is much good music out there today, written by godly people, who love the Lord. It would be preposterous to say that music is only good if it has a certain age to it. Music, being written or “ happening, or existing” in our time is not prima facie “bad music”
But definition number 2b points to the objection I have to most CCM. “b. marked by characteristics of the present period.”
I believe that most would agree that the music we are talking about is characterized by the “present period,” or there would be no discussion. That is why it is called Contemporary Christian Music, or CCM for short.
When we apply this definition to music, we must also ask the question: What are the characteristics of the “present period?”
I believe that question partially is answered in paragraph 3 of the definition. “ The ever evolving state of C.C.M. includes such diverse and contemporary styles as rock, jazz, blues, dance, metal, rap, alternative, new age, grunge, punk, thrash, death, gothic and industrial.”
So if I had to sum up what contemporary music is, as I understand it, it would be as follows. Contemporary Christian music is music that is characteristic of the music of this present world. Christian musicians put their words to this style of music which is then transformed into what they call Contemporary “Christian” Music.
The largest limiting factor however seems to be the style of music. The words in many of the songs never even mention Jesus or God, and you must read between the lines to find God in them. Many of the CCM songs could just as easily have be written to a lover or a friend as to an Almighty God.
I did some scanning for information that I could find on some of the “good” CCM artists. I realize that there are many that most Christians would (hopefully) shun, (Stryper, Jars Of Clay etc.) and don’t want to set up a straw man. I am looking for the truth also. But I must say that as I visited these performers web pages I found that the talk about number one records, Grammy awards, Dove Awards, Super Stars and record sales far out-numbered the sometimes token mention of the Lord, His Holiness, righteousness, separation from the world, and godly living. I saw a whole lot of glitz and glamour. Glamorizing, of course, the artist more than the Lord.

1 Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

These are some of the comments excerpted from a chat by Steven Curtis Chapman (One by SCC and the rest by the moderator)
Steven Curtis Chapman chatted with Prodigy members on Monday, 11/4/96
CC Emmy (PRODIGY Member) Who would you most like to record a duet with? Why ?
Steven Curtis Chapman (Speaker) Well, I have already had the opportunity to sing with some of my favorite vocalists in the world, like Bebe and CeCe Winans. But one of my favorite singers is Michael McDonald. I had the chance to meet him recently, and told him some day I'd love to sing with him. So who knows? Maybe some day...
BTW. Who is Michael McDonald? I can’t find anything on him as a Christian artist.
Moderator (Speaker) Contemporary Christian music is the fastest growing form of popular music in the world today and Steven Curtis Chapman has achieved unprecedented levels of success in the genre, racking up three Grammy Awards and 28 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards!
Moderator (Speaker) Before striking out on his own, Steven made a name for himself as a songwriter, penning tunes for Billy Dean, Charlie Daniels and Glen Cambell, among others.
Moderator (Speaker) Steven’s latest recording Signs of life, follows in the wake of three Gold records! In support of the record, Steven is currently playing an 80-city tour in venues usually reserved for rock ‘n roll’s biggest names.
DB “The fastest growing form of popular music in the world today?” I have grave reservations about anything that is called Christian that is also that popular with the “world.”
Michael W. Smith
"I know if I'm too blatant about my Christianity and talk about Jesus I won't succeed in the mainstream. But hey, I'm not an evangelist, I'm a singer" (MICHAEL W. SMITH, cited by Monica Langley, "Rock of Ages," Wall Street Journal, Sept. 11, 1991, p. 1).
DB Is succeeding “in the mainstream” his life’s goal? Or is it serving the Lord in Spirit and in Truth?
". . .you’re always going to have those very very conservative people. They say you can’t do this; you can’t do that, . . . you can’t drink; you can’t smoke. . . . It’s a pretty bizarre way of thinking" (MICHAEL W. SMITH, The Birmingham News, Feb. 1993, p. 1B).
From artist biography at http://www.praisetv.com/artists/artist_profile.asp?artistid=7

You hope somebody says, 'man, he's getting better.'" Always reaching higher has been a way of life for this artist, and that kind of expectation both from his fans and from his own self can be a burden as much as an inspiration. "I've been doing this along time," he reflects, "and some days I do wake up and go, 'gosh, what can I do next?'" That question is hard for anyone to answer. But imagine if you are 17 years into a career which began as Amy Grant's keyboard player, you've already been awarded 23 #1 songs, 1 platinum record, 6 gold records, two Grammy awards and 22 Doves awards. This year also saw Michael walk away with the prestigious Dove Award for Artist of the Year. His successes in the pop music field (which began with his top five hit "Place in This World" and the number one hit, "I Will Be Here For You) continues with his recent Jim Brickman duet, "Love of My Life." Add to all that his recent coup as the first Christian artist to ever receive the ASCAP "Golden Note" Award for lifetime achievement in songwriting (which puts him in the same company as Stevie Wonder and Elton John) and you have to wonder if it's all downhill from here.

Amy Grant
We realize the way we communicate is probably more subtle than the way other people might do it, but we desperately need the support and freedom from the church to allow us to approach it in our own contemporary style" (Dan Harrell, one of AMY Grant’s managers, MusicLine Magazine, Feb. 1985, p. 18).

"I have a healthy sense of right and wrong, but sometimes, for example, using foul, exclamation-point words among friends can be good for a laugh. It seems to me that people who are most adamantly against premarital sex have experienced some kind of pain in their own lives. Like the people who say absolutely NO to rock 'n' roll. Chances are it has something to do with a past sadness..." (AMY GRANT, interview with Ladies Home Journal, December 1985, p. 210).
DB And of course the quotes could go on and on.
These are not the attitudes that are conducive to holiness, and separation from the world, even though I am sure there are many good things that these people say also.
I understand that what I believe is not in the mainstream of Christianity. Just perusing the articles above about the wild popularity of CCM, lets me know that I am in the vast minority with my stand on music.
But of course mainstream Christianity is not to be our standard, and worldly popularity should certainly not be our standard. Neither should our standard be set arbitrarily by the style of music that we like personally.
The question could be asked why do you hate Rock & Roll? The answer is that I don’t hate Rock & Roll. My flesh like’s it. That is my problem. I don’t listen to R&R because I believe it is worldly, not because I don’t like it.
I like Country Music, but I don’t listen to it because most of it is worldly. Singing about adultery, boozing, etc. But my flesh likes Country Music.
Just because we like a certain style of music, shouldn’t give it carte blanche acceptance.
Popularity with the mainstream is certainly not a good standard. Mainstream Christians today use the NIV, and the RSV, and The Living Bible. That doesn’t make it right.
Mainstream Christianity in many instances is ordaining women to the ministry and even homosexuals, which is clearly unbiblical. Mainstream Christianity has thrown out most standards of right or wrong, and will accept almost anyone or anything into its fellowship, no matter what their testimony or background is.
Mainstream Christianity today, in many cases, will use whatever style of music, or whatever big name it can to bring in the largest crowd.
I am not a mainstream Christian, and hopefully never will be.
1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
We are supposed to be different than the world.
Anytime that lines are drawn, or standards are set up, someone is going to be offended, but draw lines we must. Most Christians have standards of conduct that they would not abridge. I know also that there is some music (probably lots of music) that most would be opposed to in our church. So we all draw lines, we all have standards. But the devil of course is in the details.

This brings up three questions to me.

Question Number 1

1. Should the integrity, character, background or testimony of a person play any part in accepting or rejecting the music they perform?

In other words, would it be prudent to invite Marilyn Manson to sing Amazing Grace here at CBC, as long as he sang directly from the hymnal with piano accompaniment?

Well of course not. If that performer had a bad testimony, we certainly wouldn’t promote him to our people no matter how popular he is. But I guarantee you that we could draw a crowd! There would be many people that would applaud us in our “openness and Christian love, and non-judgmental attitude.” But it would still be wrong.

I had a former member ask several years ago if she could come back and sing for us when we were still at the old church building. She said that she was singing in some of the night clubs around town and wanted to sing for the church. By the way, she was a great singer, and would have sung a hymn if allowed. Any questions as to my answer to her?

The argument may be made, “what about the hymns that we sing every time we meet in church? Have all of those musicians and writers been checked out?”

The obvious answer is no. Certainly not by me. But many of these hymns have stood the test of time, and scrutiny over many years. Scrutiny, I might say especially at their inception. And beside all that, we are held accountable for what we do know. If I know that a musician has a bad testimony, should I promote his or her songs? I don’t know of bad testimonies from the writers of most of our hymns, but if I did, I would be very inclined to stop using them.

I believe that the testimony of a contemporary performer should be one of the criteria used in evaluating weather we should use their music in a church service, as I’m sure it was with the “traditional” hymns and hymn writers.

I also know that there are probably many CCM performers who live godly lives, have sweet families, and are sincere in their service to God. But that in no way negates the questioning of their style of music according to Biblical standards.

That brings us to the second question.

2. Should the type or style of the music ever be questioned, or is music truly neutral and beyond question?

For example, would it be acceptable to have George Beverly Shay sing Amazing Grace to the music of We All Live In A Yellow Submarine by the Beatles?

I believe that we sometimes unwittingly provide a young person with a hook to the worlds music. The temptation is already overwhelming to some. Most young people would have no problem moving right over into secular music after having heard the same style of music at church, although with “Christian” words.

Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Offend means to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall.
It is a very small step from most contemporary Christian music to secular popular music. That then can open up doors to all of the world’s music. I am not willing to have a part in offending, “tripping up” one of our young people. They get plenty of opportunity for that out in the world. God forbid, that they should ever be turned on to worldly music because of Calvary Baptist Church.

Picture a young man testifying that he got turned on to dcTalk by listening to the hymn I Come To The Garden Alone, in a traditional church service. It’s not going to happen, because that kind of music is not popular with the world. There is no “hook” or connection between the two. But I could very easily see that happening to a young person listening to what is usually called CCM in a church today. The hook between most CCM and the world’s music is very clear and also very deceptive.

And by the way, contemporary music is the worlds music by definition.

2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

The Bible tells us that we are to be separate from the world.

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the “course” of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

“Course” - 1) an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government
They were in harmony with the world.

Most CCM music today is in harmony with its secular counterpart especially in the music if not in the words.

So Pauls tells these Ephesian believers that they used to, while they were still unsaved, walk according to the course (in harmony with) this world.

I believe that most of what constitutes CCM today is in harmony with this world, or it wouldn’t be called contemporary.

A review of definitions:
Webster’s
Contemporary - 2 a : SIMULTANEOUS b : marked by characteristics of the present period : MODERN, CURRENT
CCM Definition – paragraph 3 above.
The word contemporary has proven to be an appropriate description of this music over the last twenty years, as the styles have kept up with its secular counterpart.

Webster’s again:
Secular - sec•u•lar (s k y -l r)
adj.
1. Worldly rather than spiritual.
Not specifically relating to religion or to a religious body: secular music.

And then the third question:

3. Is it possible to dress up worldly music with Christian words and make it palatable to God? After all, our music is to praise Him.

Questions:
Since I am speaking of CCM and saying that because it is contemporary, it is by definition worldly, then what about everything else in our society that is contemporary?

What about automobiles, television, clothing, etc.

Can music be contemporary and not worldly?
Of course it can (as explained above)

But there are very few things in this world that are as powerful and persuasive as music.

Can clothing be contemporary and not worldly?
Of course it can.
I believe that clothing can be contemporary and godly at the same time. But I also believe that there is clothing that is worldly.

Most Christians know worldly clothing when they see it.
But many still dress that way.

Most Christians know worldly language when they hear it, but many still speak in a worldly manner.

Most Christians know worldly attitudes when they observe them. But many still have worldly attitudes.
Most Christians know worldly music when they hear it. But sadly, many still listen to it.

Question: Does a short skirt, and tight blouse become godly because it is worn by a Christian?

Is worldly language sanctified because it is spoken by a Christian?

Is a worldly attitude sanctified because it is displayed by a Christian

Is worldly music sanctified because it is performed by a Christian?

In Conclusion:
So much in CCM points to the world, with the exception of some of the lyrics.

For Example:
The worlds songs are known primarily by their performer. This feeds on a persons pride.

The worlds songs have top 10 list’s
So does CCM.

But traditional hymns have no such thing because the world isn’t interested in that kind of music, and by the way, never has been.

The worlds songs elevate the performer more than the words to the song.
So does CCM

The “worlds” great songs are judged by how much money they make or how many records they sell.

So it is with CCM, they talk of Gold and Platinum records etc.

The worlds songs have an abundance of publicity, magazines, newspapers, advertisments tours, concerts etc.

The same with CCM.

The worlds performers are highly exalted, and many times almost worshipped.

Some of the things that go on at CCM concerts looks just the same as the worlds concerts. I’ve seen clips from some of the videos, and heard clips from some of the introductions, and there is no better way to describe it than worldly at best and idolatry at worst.

And then a final question:
Say you were put in a room, and told to listen to two instrumental selections. No words, just instruments. One was a traditional hymn and one was a contemporary song.

How would you determine which was the contemporary track?

What standard or criteria would you use to label one from the other? How would you describe the distinction?

I am convinced that the main standard that would have to be used to pick out the contemporary track would be its likeness to secular (worldly) music. And that worldly music is unacceptable in a church service.

Some verses that mention the word “world” so that the context may be seen.

We are not to be “conformed to the world”
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

A Christian is not to have the spirit of the world, but of God
1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

We are to shun the world and “crucify it”
Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Loving this present world will cause a person to forsake those who hate the world.
2 Tim 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

Unspotted from the world – what more can be said?
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Again, Contemporary Christian Music is worldly, by definition.
1 Jn 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Honestly, from what I have seen and heard, there is precious little CCM music out there that I could support for Calvary Baptist Church.

I have condensed this paper tremendously. It was originally 17 pages and I still wasn’t close to being through. When it is finished, and edited and many more examples included, I would like to make it into a booklet to give out.

All music at Calvary Baptist Church must be approved by the Pastor or the song leader and it will, (whenever possible), be judged by the following criteria.

1. The testimony of the original performer.
2. The doctrinal content of the words of the music.
3. The style of music or how close it conforms to secular music.

I understand that some of this will be subjective, but I believe that this is the fairest way to do it. The alternative would be to limit everything to the hymnbook, or to “throw the doors open” and allow any music that anyone wants to use, and have no standards at all.

And then lastly. As I said in the beginning, as Pastor, I will answer to God for this church and anything that I allow to go on here. I cannot, in good conscience support most of what is called CCM in our church.

Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

If I allowed CCM music in this church, it would not be by faith. I could not continue to pastor here. I would not be a member of a church that condoned CCM music.

Again, I am perfectly aware of the fact that relatively few churches have the standards of music that we do at Calvary. And I am perfectly at peace with the stand that we have taken. We are completely open about it, and we don’t try to hide it.

To sum it up I think of the words of Martin Luther, “Here I stand, I can do no other”

In His Service,

Pastor Beatty