Should Christians Listen to Contemporary “Christian” Music?

Contemporary worship band

Contemporary “Christian” music has grown in acceptance and popularity over the last several decades. During this time, artists in more and more genres – including rock and hip hop – have been writing songs with lyrics that are more spiritual than secular. For many religious people, this is seen as an unquestionably positive development.

Before we consider whether these songs are ones that Christians should listen to, let us start with a definition of what we mean by Contemporary “Christian” music.

“Contemporary Christian music (CCM), also known as Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music, is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and stylistically rooted in Christian music. …the term is typically used to refer to pop, but also includes rock, alternative rock, hip hop, metal, contemporary worship, punk, hardcore punk, Latin, electronic dance music, R&B-influenced gospel, and country styles.” (Wikipedia)

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Church Asks Judge to Strike No Instrumental Music Clause in Land Deed (11.04.21)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re discussing a church in Tennessee filing a lawsuit to determine whether the property deed prohibiting instrumental music is binding. The Otter Creek church of Christ acquired the property from the West End church of Christ last year and this prohibition was written into the deed. Now they want a judge to determine whether this is binding.Continue Reading

Singing Only? (Sermon #10)

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Singing Only? (Sermon #10)

We’re in between season 5 and season 6 which will start on April 25th. During the break we’re posting audio sermons each week instead of the regular episodes. The sermon for this week was preached on December 11, 2016 at the Eastside church of Christ in Morgantown, KY.

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Why We Do What We Do in Worship

Communion Trays

As Christians, we have an obligation to “do all in the name of the Lord” (Colossians 3:17). This means to do things by His authority (cf. Matthew 7:21-23). When it comes to the worship of the church, abiding by what has been authorized in God’s word means we will do those things that we can read about in the New Testament.

So what did the churches in the first century do when they assembled together to worship the Lord? There are five “acts” we can read about in the New Testament:
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Lessons from the Melodeon at Midway (Season 2, Episode 7)

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Lessons from the Melodeon at Midway (Season 2, Episode 7)

One of the most significant events of the Restoration Movement was the introduction of a melodeon in the assembly of the church in Midway, Kentucky. According to L.L. Pinkerton, the preacher at Midway, this was the first time an instrument had been successfully introduced among those of the Restoration Movement. So how did the melodeon find its way into the worship of the church in Midway? It certainly did not happen overnight. If we can learn the lessons from this event, then hopefully we will be prepared to guard ourselves against potential apostasies today. So in this episode, we’re going to consider three lessons from the melodeon at Midway.

  1. Perceived Problems
  2. Gradual Slide into Apostasy
  3. Opposition Evolves into Acceptance

Article: Lessons from the Melodeon at Midway

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Instrumental Music in Worship to God (Season 2, Episode 3)

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Instrumental Music in Worship to God (Season 2, Episode 3)

One of the things that sets the Lord’s church apart from most churches of men has to do with the music used in worship. Most other churches use instruments in their music for worship. Faithful brethren have rightly opposed this for years. The practice, however, is certainly not going away. And there seems to be more and more in the church who see nothing wrong with the use of instruments in worship. Every so often it is necessary to remind brethren why we do not use instruments. To stop teaching on a topic can eventually lead to apostasy. In this episode, we will briefly examine why we do not use instrumental music in worship to God.

Article: Instrumental Music in Worship to God

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“They Thought More of Me Than of My Lord”

The following is a quote from J.D. Tant (1861-1941) in which he described an experience he had with some brethren who differed with him on the issue of instrumental music in worship. Tant opposed instrumental music. The brethren he mentioned here accepted it. Yet for Tant’s sake, they did not use it while he was with them.
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