Music

What is "good" music? what is "bad" music? Do good lyrics make bad music good? Discuss.

Well, I doubt if music is ever mentioned in the New Testament. Do you know any verse?

Here are a couple verses from Ephesians 5. :)

"18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,"

NIV, by the way.

Well, Eunice Sophia, often we can draw conclusions on certain issues from Biblical principles rather than on specific chapters and verses. I don't know if we really need any specific verse that directly addresses this issue as long as we can draw a principle from Scripture that can lead us to a correct view on it.

Anyway, my view on the subject of "good" music and "bad" music is fairly lenient, actually. I believe that most of the types of music out there are not "bad" in themselves. Good lyrics do not make bad music good; good lyrics make neutral music good (and bad lyrics make neutral music bad). Now, there are some types of music that I believe it is very difficult, if possible at all, with which one can glorify God appropriately. I do not think, for instance, that a song wherein the singer is screaming the lyrics, however good they may be, can be very God-glorifying. But if the lyrics are intelligible and glorifying to God, I believe that the song is a good song. Even if electric guitars, drum sets, or whatever else is used in the song, it can still be a good song–as long as the lyrics can be heard and bring glory to God.

This is not to say, however, that I greatly enjoy listening to all types of God-glorifying (or those which claim to be so) songs that exist today. I personally do not find a great amount of enjoyment, nor am I very benefited from listening to, much of contemporary Christian music. Even some songs which have good lyrics don't appeal to me because of the style of music. But I am not saying that this makes the songs bad; if you can benefit from the song and glorify God through it, very good. I just personally have more trouble doing that.

However, I have to say that most contemporary Christian music today is not glorifying God. An alarmingly large amount of "Christian" music is being produced that greatly waters down the message which it is supposed to be carrying across to its listeners. Some of these songs can be listened to purely for entertainment purposes, but I do not believe that they really glorify God very much.

I personally enjoy most Christian rap (as that happens to be the music style which some of the most solid Christian music artists use), along with a fair amount of songs by Christian artists in other music styles. I understand if some are averted to all modern Christian music, and I don't consider you to be doing something wrong by doing that; but I personally am more lenient on this issue, as I said.

All that to say this: If a song has understandable and God-glorifying lyrics, it probably is a good song. I'd like to hear what the rest of you think about this topic. :)

Just to plug in some controversy, would we define Taylor Swift as bad? I already know how everyone feels about Justin Beiber.

Uh, from what I've heard… YES! :P

@Sam: I have no clue who Taylor Swift is.

@SBG: I disagree with you here.

I do not think that Christian rap is good music. And I think that good lyrics do not make a song good. The tune has a lot to do with the song. I agree that I don't think that singers screaming the lyrics is a good song. And I think that some electric guitars and drums are okay…but I do not like Christian rap/rock or whatever you call it. I would suggest that you read this article written by Mr. Jennings who went to be with the Lord in November last year. http://illbehonest.com/good-music-bob-jennings

Taylor's style of music: not inherintley bad. Taylor's songs/lyrics: an abomination to the Lord, advocating a satanic lifestyle to anyone who listens to her music. Glorifying booze, fornication, and break ups Taylor is ready to split hell wide open when she dies.

Yes Jimmy, there are verses concerning everything in life and we just have to know the Will of God.

The verses you have shown do give the meaning that we need to sing and make music 'From your Heart' to the Lord.
Even in other verses like Col 3:16, James 5:13 it gives the same meaning.
(If you don't mind I'd prefer KJV in that as 'melodious' is used limiting the meaning conveyed by 'music' ie, sweet music)

But I'm not against music at all as long as Phil 3:3 is followed for that is the Will of God.

Phil 3:3 - For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Sounds like Taylor Swift is very bad…

Here are my personal thoughts regarding music.

I personally believe that their are two different ways of classifying songs as good or bad. There is "good" and "bad" as in the song is pleasurable to listen to or makes you want to plug your ears. There is also "good" or "bad" as in whether a song is morally appropriate to listen to or not. I believe, Biblebee, that your question refers to the second classification.

With regards to the first, there is definitely good and bad music. This classification, however, is relative. I like the classical piano music of Chopin, while some people I know cannot stand it. :) I see it as good, and they see it as bad. There is nothing wrong with this and there is really no true answer as to whether it is good or bad (under the classification of pleasurableness). The same idea corresponds to lyrics. Under this idea of good music and bad music, the lyrics of a song make no difference as to whether a song is good. Regardless of what the song advocates, it can still be fun to listen to.

However, there is a second way of understanding the question. Is there such a thing as morally wrong music? The answer is ABSOLUTELY! We all know that song lyrics, particularly those of modern writers, can advocate and encourage sinfulness. This is wrong. Filling your head with impurities can corrupt your mind and lead you astray. I think this concept of moral wrong, however, can only be applied to lyrics. The lyrics of a song can definitely be sinful and wrong, but I believe that a tune in and of itself is not a sin. Because people have different ideas of beauty (especially in music), we cannot classify certain styles as sinful.

This, in effect, answers the question about whether bad lyrics make good music bad and vice versa. Bad lyrics definitely can make otherwise good music bad (we see this all the time in modern culture). I would argue, though, that good lyrics only make bad music good in the minds of some. I am one of those people who can't stand words in music (with the exception of a very few songs). :) As a result, no matter the lyrics, I always look at the tune to determine whether I "like" the song (excepting songs containing sinful lyrics). If a song has wonderful Christian lyrics but is based on an atonal tune, I'd prefer to not listen to that music.

In summary, the tune defines the music as pleasurable, whereas only the lyrics make a song morally wrong. :)

I hope that answers your question, Biblebee. :)

I think some however may be thinking that some tunes or types of tunes are morally wrong. I think that this is because of the association of sinful attitudes and lyrics which we have towards those tunes.
I think that would have to depend then on a personal basis.
As for good lyrics makeing a bad song good, I think not only is it in bad taste (changing a popular sinful songs lyrics into 'Spiritual ones'), but it also reflects bad theology, for what purpose would you do this but to try to make your song popular because of the previous association, when with many it will have the opposite affect, to those who listened to that music, and were saved from sin, they will be repulsed that someone would do that.
I think for some, doing that to a peticular style of music, can do the same thing, but maybe not to such an extent.
We must be sure that whatever we do, whether it be writing music, or listening to it, or not listening to a peticular type of music, that it is for the glory of God, then we can live with a clear conscience that we have not sinned.
Hope the rambling that has come from me makes sense.

Just wanted to share what I know about God's Will in this.

Col 3:23,24
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

The purpose of singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs is for the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom and for teaching and admonishing one another.

Our Lord should INCREASE and we should DECREASE.

@ Biblebee: the hyperlink you suggested is a Very nice article! Everyone should read it.

@Eunice Sophia–I agree, psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are very likely the best type of music, and they can be greatly encouraging and admonishing when used in church–and anywhere else, for that matter. But that does not have to be the only type of music we use. :)

@MilesChristiSum–I agree, putting "Christian" lyrics to the exact tune of a popular secular song, is, at best, very unwise. Christians should not make it look as if they are promoting that type of music, because we certainly should not. Anyone who knows the real lyrics to that song will likely think that the person who "Christianized" it is okay with the original song. But "Christianizing" secular songs is not what I am talking about. I think that using certain styles of music is not inherently wrong; it becomes wrong only when you put bad lyrics to that good music.

YES, Taylor is a servant of the devil, and evidently, FEARLESS.

Not so sure about Christian rap, dawg. Rap is the world's music. The Bible says that light has no fellowship with darkness. That would mean that rap and Christianity should go together like oil and water, right?

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them”. Ephesians 5:11

“If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” 1 John 1:6

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” 2 Cor. 6:14

I think that mixing any kind of good with bad is BAD!

Not necessarily, C4C. :) I don't think that any kind of music is inherently evil, nor is any of it the possession of the world. True, light has no fellowship with darkness, but rap is not "darkness." I believe that any type of music has the capacity to be glorifying to God; unless, of course, that involves lyrics being impossible to hear–at that point, it cannot really bring God glory unless one strains his ear to hear the words. :)

I think you should check out some Christian rap, if you haven't already. It really is an amazing thing, and some of those who do it are some of the most solidly Biblical people I know. I have been taught more by Christian rap than by any other type of music except hymns. :)

Thanks for the response. This is one of those many issues where I feel like a truly see through a glass darkly. I agree that there are are some solid Christian people like yourself that listen to Christian rap, but I also can see what a lot of fundamental preachers mean when they say there is no such thing as Christian rap. Rap is the world's music, and is associated with all kinds of immorallity. If we put God-glorifying words to the devil's music, is that God glorifying? If one listens to a lot of Christian rap, will that open the door for satanic wordly rap? I guess my hang up is this, SBG. Music is VERY instrumental in one's develpment, and has a profound effect even on plants and animals. There are some beats that I believe are simply unnatural and associated with rebellion. These types if music have a dumbing effect on one's brain, probably because of satanic influence. I'd reccomend you do a little reasearch on the effect cts of rap music on plants, animals and people. The unatural beat of rap music seems to promote a rebelious attitude, and stunts brain development according to some studies I have read about. Look into it, it's interesting stuff…

O.k. so I'm really trying to think hard about this whole music thing…
Obviously Music is not amoral.
I will also say that there is no such thing as a so called "grey" area.
Music is either white or black in God's sight right or wrong.
However, the main question is what makes music right and what makes music wrong?
Jesus said that they who worship Him must worship Him "In Spirit" and "In truth".
In my opinion "In Spirit" means that true worship is carried by the Holy Spirit, and is happening mainly as an inward event in the soul of man.
"In truth" means that the words are communicated with godly principles. Whether this be the psalms or other lyrics that are truthful and not truths that are written in the wrong syntax.
The thing that makes Music is the attitude of the people performing.
I have been in services where the Music is just piano and organ and the music does not please God, because its a look at me with no reverence.
I have also been in contemporary churches where the whole attitude is about a Holy God and how to please Him.

True Worship needs to be radically oriented on the experience of the heart with little emphasis on form and place.

I'm still trying to think about this, it's relatively new but I guess my question to you, on this matter since you said it's satanic influence,
Is Satan Glorified by Christian rap?
I just don't picture Him being too pleased about people singing truths.

SBG, please understand that I'm trying to answer some questions in my own mind, but how do you know that rap is not "darkness"?

I've been brought up in a family that has constantly said that anything that is not classical or historical Christian music is "darkness."

However, I came to the point where I have moved out and now need to make my own decisions, even according to them about where I stand. I want to be backed by God's Word.

Up until about a century ago, many people put Christian lyrics to the popular bar tunes, and we now call them hymns. No one remembers the bar tunes. So…all you need is a tune that doesn't sound evil, be it from a bad song or a good one, a good poet who can come up with catchy, Godly lyrics, and a hundred years, and you have a new hymn!

I don't much like Christian contemporary songs with shallow lyrics. Has anyone seen the Messy Mondays How to Write a Worship Song in 5 Minutes or Less? (That was the first one I ever saw.)

That's very interesting. It's hard for me to believe at first though.
Could you Please give me some examples?
I totally agree with you about shallow lyrics, I believe that the truth to the words of the songs is what matters.

I have! And their finished song sounds like something you'd hear on a Christian radio station! That was both mind-blowing, and sort of disappointing at the same time.

Abi, I did some research on this, and I think it's pretty much just legend.
I think they didn't use bar songs they used the bar form.

For another conclusion I would have to say that if the music drowns out the words to the song then the song is not good.

SBG, you're saying that there's such a thing as nuetral music or "grey" area?

The Star Spangled Banner is one example, but it technically doesn't qualify as a hymn. I don't remember any particular hymns at the moment.

Actually, yes. I don't believe that any music is "black" in itself–and, believe it or not, I don't believe that any music is "white" in itself either. It all depends on the lyrics; and, of course, the attitude of the person singing (whether he is doing it to glorify himself or God). Also, music that drowns out the lyrics is bad music.

But that doesn't mean that loud music is bad. Even some good worship songs can get loud, but I don't think the volume would classify the song as bad…….unless if the person singing is distorting the words. Like with screamo. If you can't understand the lyrics, can we say it's good?

No, the loudness does not make the music bad–it's when the loudness drowns out the lyrics that it becomes bad. :) And yes, if it's very difficult to hear the words of a song, I wouldn't consider that a good song either.

Anyone can turn up the volume on a loudspeaker, then call the song "bad" bacause it's loud! But if the song has words and no one can understand them over the drums and hard rock electric guitar…yeah, who knows what the singer is trying to say? It might not be all that great, and I'd probably not suggest looking up the lyrics.

R u 2 saying that a song is morally bad when the music drowns out the singer or r u just saying that u don't really like it? (Don't get me wrong I don't like music where u can't understand a thing the singer is saying but I don't think it's morally bad. )

Not necessarily. Just that usually that type of song isn't too good. Anyway, what's the use of having words in a song if no one can hear them?

Yeah ok just making sure. :) I don't really get the point either.. :) lol

There are two parts to music. The actual music and then the lyrics.
We don't want in our music any sensuality or anything that doesn't bring glory to God. When you are listening to a song, you have to ask yourself "does this song bring glory to God or diminish my testimony" what was the artists purpose in playing or singing the song??
Remember. God killed aarons sons for offering strange fire. Strange fire is insufficient worship towards God.

Wonderful Thoughts Stefani Longo!!!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing!

Your welcome!!
Your family knows the Staddons right??

So, what about secular music with neutral lyrics? If the lyrics don't encourage sinful behavior ( a la, Miley Cyrus's new direction these days….) can it be considered good?

@Stefani: I'm SOO sorry that I didn't reply sooner…I didn't see it till now. We have met the Staddons (some of them) but we don't know them really well.
@Sam: In my opinion that music is wrong. Period.

Why do you consider it wrong, Carissa?

Cause it's bad music.

And why is secular music with neutral, or even uplifting lyrics "bad"?

It's the music that's bad…even if you put good lyrics with the music…it's still bad, because normally secular music is rocky (ugh!), pop, etc… and listening to that music affects how you act.

So, you're saying that secular music can never affect you in a positive way?

Not necessarily, but from what I've heard (which I wish I hadnt' heart!) it doesn't appear that the average secular music affects you in a positive way.

What sets the average? I just finished listening to "When Can I See You Again" by Owl City, and it left me in a very positive mood. And also, why would people listen to music that left them in a bad mood?

Just pointing this out to you Sam, leaving you in a positive attitude is not the same thing as affecting you in a positive way. I know a guy who has a really optimistic attitude, but the music he listens too, well let's just say the lyrics aren't that great.

Carissa- I have a question. How can rock, or pop music affect you in a bad way?

@Ian: Well, for me, it does. I don't listen to and I don't like it. It has a beat to it and very unmusical sounds. For me it makes me unable to concentrate or think and when I hear it I find that my mind can't focus and I don't think so much about Spiritual things and God. That is what it does to me…maybe not to everyone but it does to me.