January 30, 2004
Don't Listen To Secular Music
If you listen to secular music, you might be persuaded to adopt the lifestyle or philosophies of the artist. This makes sense in a small way, considering a small factor. It should annoy the follower of Christ to be pestered by a false or undermining message. For example: You have a friend that you like to go shopping with. However, at every shop he or she is always whispering in your ear, demanding, "Let's rip this off! Let's steal this! Let's take that!" Now, being the law-abiding citizen that you are, you do not want to take this friend's advice. Their persistence in the matter should annoy you. Eventually, you will tire and demand your friend to shut up.
When listening to any kind of music in what I like to call "fan mode," you are claiming those songs as your friends. If you really like an album, you soon memorize the whole thing, including the transitions and feel between one song and another. In your mind, you become so familiar with it that you associate track 2 being followed by the sound of track 3's opening bars. You hear the opening chords before they start. That type of "relationship" with music is so fun. If you are listening to an album 2-3 times every couple of days, that's the kind of unabashed "love" that "develops" between you and the songs. Now, let's say a song's lyrics are leaning towards an unChrist-like attitude, like treating overweight people with disdain, for example. After multiple repeated listenings, that message should start to annoy you, the believer, lover, and follower of Christ.
Okay, having made that point, that's one of the only reasons I would give people for not listening to secular music as a believer; because I think it's healthy and balanced TO listen to secular music. Granted, a brand new believer who is freshly and dramatically born again and turning their backs on a lifestyle of selfish sinning -- yeah, he or she might need to make some drastic decisions with their listening habits, places of entertainment, and sometimes even friends. Sure, a drunk or drug addict shouldn't hang out with their drinking and drugging friends (especially while in the context of those friends actively ingesting chemicals...duh!). Abandon them altogether? I hope not all the time. That gets tricky, but it's sometimes necessary. Okay, those are two exceptions where people should think seriously about not listening to secular music. On to my next sarcastic points:
You shouldn't go to a "secular" college or university!
You shouldn't go to a Bible college or seminary, either!
And... you should never, ever travel the world and expose yourself to other cultures.
You'd be surprised how many people lose their faith or get severely disillusioned after going to a theological seminary or a Bible college! It appears that some (many) theological professors don't believe that the Bible is the Word of God. I've known friends that have practically "learned not to believe" in God by attending a Bible college (but that's another point altogether...) And some parents (and students) wouldn't consider not going to a Christian-based or Bible college.
You know what? I went to the University of Texas. I was exposed to all kinds of ideas and lifestyles. Many of them weren't Christian, and many of them opposed the tenents of Christianity, if you boil it down. But, you know what? My God and the faith He placed in me was not so fragile that it crumbled when faced with opposition, persuasion, temptation, or variation. Christianity, the teachings of Christ, the universal body of Christ -- this is the Truth. The Truth is not like a tiny baby or glass statue that must be guarded. The Truth is like a hungry tiger that you turn loose! The Truth can stand up to any opposition. The Truth need not be afraid.
I cannot let my children grow up and leave home! The world outside is too dangerous!
Hogwash! Although hard at times (think of the parenting analogy), it is necessary to let go. Sure, part of growing up is tripping, falling down, failing, not being able to "win" every battle. Have confidence, church! You are not so feeble that you cannot survive testing and interaction with the world.
Travelling the world and/or simply interacting with people from other cultures and other religions certainly is broadening, but it is not something that should be feared. Certainly, you don't take junior high kids into a Palm Reading Psychic and "expose them" to different philosophies. There's a time and a maturity level for everything (and that's a heck of an extreme example!). Early adulthood -- 18-22 years of age is a real formative time and it's exciting, but full of risks and trials. The believer stays most healthy by staying connected to the body of Christ (fellow believers, friends) during this time. If Jesus is Who He said He was (I'm certainly convinced He is), then no question, no philosophy, no theory is too hard for Him to face or tackle. Sure, we might get stumped and not know the answer to every question, but we shouldn't live our lives sheltered in such a way that we never get challenged by stuff that's out there.
Again, I'm not asking us all to become explorers of every religion, philosophy, culture, experience. There is wisdom and truth in the Scripture, "I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil." It's great that Josh McDowell knows a lot about voodoo. That doesn't mean we have to become experts in it, too. Balance, but without fear. (And there's also a difference between purposeful exploration and facing something that crosses your path...)
Let the Truth run wild!
