In Defense of Contemporary Christian Music!

by Ken Rich  

There is a PDF file attached download the complete book for free. This book soundly refutes and debunks the critics of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Every major argument from philosophy, theology and science is addressed.  

In brief, these and many other points are forcefully brought out:  

• The critics base their thinking on Greek philosophy and an unbiblical gnostic metaphysic which poisons their whole approach to Biblical exegesis.

• The hierarchy of instruments dictated by western art music is found no where in scripture.

• The premise, of the appeal to physical motion generated by rhythm being evil, is gnostic heresy and contradicts the word of God.

• Modern musical forms are considered evil (negative ethos) because they do not have the same balance (melody, harmony, rhythm) as western art forms (common practice period) the touchstone of the critics. However, the balance of western art music is no where near the balance ( melos ) of the Near Eastern music of the Bible.

• The science (so called) used as scare tactics by the critics is thoroughly debunked. Anapestic beats, earworms and mind control are all examined and put in their proper context.

 

The champions of the critics such as Garlock and Woetzel, Samuele Bacchiocchi - The Christian and Rock Music and many others, have their specific arguments addressed.  

This is a well researched and documented book which draws upon many sources. There are dozens of quotes from theologians, musicologists, philosophers, and authors.  

Here is an excerpt, from the beginning of the book, which outlines how I was drawn into this thorny debate (the worship wars).

 

In Defense of Contemporary Christian Music!

by Ken Rich

The Controversy

I recently had a friend and fellow Christian musician tell me he will not use drums in his music. His music Ministry was just getting started when he was hamstrung by listening to Brian S. Neumann (author of From Rock 'n' Roll to Rock of Ages ). As a consequence, he will never reach the people he could have for the Lord.

This is tragic because his lyrics are Biblical and his voice and talents could have given him mass appeal. He is one of the best performers and song writers I have ever heard and could have had a huge influence outside of Christian circles. Perhaps even putting Biblical messages on mainstream charts.

He left the secular music scene some time ago and quietly wrote enough Christian songs for 5 or 6 albums. I helped him set-up a home studio and the tracks he was working on impressed me more than I can adequately describe. I believed that he would become one of the most influential artists to hit the Christian music scene in decades.

Now his music will never become popular and few, if any, souls will be won. Thanks to Neumann, Walter Veith and similar influences, he does a watered down version of his former style. It is bereft of passion, with no rhythm section, and a just a few worthy instruments.

Instead of reaching out to the masses with a Gospel message riding on the popular folk music he can do so well, he is reduced to sacred music . He has eliminated the possibility that the holier than thou will be offended by his work, but will anyone but the most conservative Christians listen to it? In effect, he has been limited to preaching to the choir , instead of reaching out to the lost. I fail to see how that wins souls.

I have met people, read books and heard presentations espousing the idea that drums and certain other instruments should not be used in Christian music. Some people feel that a 4/4 time signature is of the devil. Can a musical instrument like a drum or a musical form like a certain rhythm be evil in and of itself? What if the beat reputedly originated in Africa where Voodoo was prevalent?

Some people feel that notes played on a violin are heavenly, but if you play the same notes on an electric guitar they are evil. For some the guitar is acceptable as long as it's not amplified. By that logic, preachers who amplify their voices must also be evil. In fact, their microphones and PA systems are identical in function to those used by secular rock musicians.

I can understand placing limitations on the use of extreme styles on both ends of the spectrum. Hard core , head thrashing , screaming, rock styles, are inappropriate for communal worship.

By the same token, dull, boring, traditional and classical styles, are abhorred by numerous modern day Church goers. Many people would rather not come to Church if they are forced to suffer through them, especially the younger generation. Despite the protests of the youth, many of the older generation equate somber to reverent and staunchly defend their traditional hymns.

There are people who believe that any appeal to physical movement, by rhythm, is intrinsically evil (Gnostic heresy). Those who support dance are quick to point to their numerous proof texts, to refute them. Some see the lack of evidence of instrumental accompaniment in the New Testament as a reason to conclude that only singing should be allowed. All of these groups have proof texts, logical arguments and historical evidence to back up their claims, so who is right? (continued...) 

Want more? Get the free download below, 57 pages, 400 KB. 

Download PDF - (Right click here and select "save target as") 

Contact the author: ken@indiegospel.net

If you find this book helpful and appreciate not having to purchase it, please consider making a small donation to the Indie Gospel  network.

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Ken Rich
https://kenrich.me
updated by @ken-rich: 04/30/20 02:53:05PM

I couldn't agree more. I also couldn't help to laugh. This if very well put. I'm going to check out your book here.I think I'm one of those that couldn't be forced to listen at one time. It's a little bit easier for me now. But I know many that still cannot tolerate it.After all if the music was evil in the first place. Why would God create 7 major chords to run off of? This includes Metal and Thrash. lolSomething to think about huh?Great read.Dan

Thank you Ken,I just read the first page of the pdf file and The Holy Spirit began to speak. Once again man has taken his eye off of God. For every good and perfect gift comes for above. That is why my theme song is Breath On Me. I will add it to the playlist later during the week. This song God gave me during a time of great testing to help some one promote their gifts and talents in music. At the last min after all the arrangements had been made they informed me that they could not go because their Pastor would not permit them to go and record the gifts that God gave them.The relationship that we have with God and hearing his voice will lead us to every gift and talent for the kingdom. I am excited to have this materiel to read and use as part of the discussion on Joshua's House March 24th Show. Thank you Ken, blessings.

KenOnly thing I can say is God gave me the songs I do with Psalms 149 & 150 in my heart. I strive to make perfectly clear that He gets all the glory, and if any of the songs reach just one more person, then I feel I'm doing what He wants me to do. So far, I've been one blessed fella.My prayer is that God will open peoples ears and eyes to anything that will truly bring them to know, love, and accept the Lord into their lives.Bless ya brotherBarry

Hi Kenn - it has taken some time to read your post about "In Defense Of Contemporary Christian Music." As a minister of 35 years as minister of music and youth pastor, I have sang about all kings of music there is (except Christian Rap, I don't do that very well). As I grew through the years as youth pastor, I learned to do music that the youth liked. Contemporary Christian Music was a big part of that, and I used it a lot to reach youth for Christ. I am a man of the 60's and I was in the crowd that followed the music of the late 60's. You haven't really been blessed unless you've seen me with long hair, bell bottom jeans, and platform shoes (LOL). When I married in 1977, my hair was longer than my wife to be, but that soon changed as I looked at my life and it's witness to the youth. When I was younger, I grew up listening to country music (I grew up in South Alabama).

After I became disabled and could no longer serve a full time church, and I began a new ministry through CD's, I went back to my roots of Country Music, recording Christian Country Music (purely a personal option). But, I still enjoy most genres of Christian Music, and have no problems with them, as long as they have the gospel of my Lord, Jesus, Christ, as their out reach. After reading your book, "In Defense Of Contemporary Christian Music," I agree wholeheartedly with your defense of Contemporary Christian Music. As you know, I am so thankful for your vision of reaching the world through "Indie Gospel Artists." You have done much and given many avenues of outreach that we can use to spread the gospel to the lost world.

I recommend your book to all those, either members of Indie, or those interested in becoming members. God Bless Your Work For Our Lord!

Rev. Zack Martin Sr.

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In His Name,
Rev. Zack martin Sr.

Hi Zack - thanks. It was cathartic to write that after seeing my friends Ministry be affected. It's hard to believe those sorts of attacks still work, but they do. I still occasionally run into anti-instrumentalists, and proponents of anachronistic music from the 1600's. Strange but true.

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Ken Rich
https://kenrich.me

Hi Ken - The Southern Gospel Quartet I sang in from 1983 - 1991 had piano, bass guitar, lead guitar, Drums, and keyboard. We were all out of that one church in Dothan, Alabama, We had a lot of talent in that church and we used all of them. Music was a great part of the quartet. The only thing we did a few times was put our drummer behind a plexiglass en-closer in a few of the churches that asked us to tone down the drums, but most of the time we did have to do anything. The music was a great help to our quartet.

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In His Name,
Rev. Zack martin Sr.

Of course having experienced the music and it' effect on people you know and can testify that it was coming from heartsset onsoul winning and edification, and that it had those types of effects on the listeners. Not negative effects. Do you think the outreach would have been lessoned,if you were restricted to harps, or plain chant, or outdated hymns from the 1600's that have long lost their appeal to modern audiences?

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Ken Rich
https://kenrich.me

O, I know that the outreach would have been lessoned without the music behind it! Just the tempo of the songs (especially the faster ones) got the crowds into the program, and the Holy Spirit was felt in each song we did. I believe God led us in our arrangements of the songs and He also touched the hearts of the listeners.

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In His Name,
Rev. Zack martin Sr.

I think most reasonable people would expect the outreach to have been lessoned, and personal experience of many performers and audiences supports the contention that contemporary music is not only valid, but powerful in it's ability to touch hearts and win souls.

It is stamped with God's approval by the outpouring of his Spirit, as people at such events can testify, so I find the arguments of the critics incredulous. It seems their minds arecloseddue to preconceived errors and prejudices that they argue fordespite undeniable evidence to the contrary.

If I had not seen their arguments destroy someone's Ministry, I would not have believed it possible that someone couldfall for such nonsense.To me it's astonishing that such blindness can prevail.

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Ken Rich
https://kenrich.me