The Power And Influence Of Music

In the mid-sixties I read a truly disturbing book by Dr. David Noebel, a noted anti-communist author of the day. The title of the book, “Rhythm, Riots, and Revolution,” indicates its thesis and the evidence presented by the author to sustain his assertions.

During the sixties and seventies the author went on to write other books on this theme such as: “The Marxist Minstrels: A Handbook on Communist Subversion of Music,” An Analysis of the Communist Use of Music, The Communist Master Music Plan.” Evidence used to confirm his thesis included speeches and statements by well known Soviet leaders as well as international Communist and/or Marxist revolutionaries.

Having read his books all those years ago, I have lived to see many of Dr. Noebel’s predictions fulfilled. The master plan has been to undermine the Judeo-Christian moral foundations of Western Civilization through the use of music; rock (and rap) music in particular. Even today, when I hear the heavy jarring beat of rock music and the vulgar profanity of rap performers blaring from shops as I walk through large shopping malls, I am reminded of Dr. Noebel’s timely and timeless warning. When I consider the state of our Western cultures, the true evil nature of the master plan is clearly apparent.

Underlying all this is the Marxist/Socialist concept that in order to “build the revolution” the existing social, moral and political structures of a nation must first be torn down. Modern day communist revolutionary Saul Alinsky’s handbook, Rules for Radicals, which a former president of my native country has praised, makes this process absolutely clear. Is it not significant that the former communist nation of Russia has much stricter laws and attitudes relating to homosexuality and rock music than do Western nations today?

One of the saddest aspects of this is the infiltration of ungodly music into churches today. My heart has been broken to witness this infiltration into once sound Baptist Churches; even to the extent of having “concerts” with strobe lights and mosh pits etc.

There are those who sincerely feel that the CCM music is harmless as well as helpful. When I questioned someone recently who was “jiving” to a heavy beat so-called Christian rock song I was told, “But there is nothing wrong with the words!” Perhaps so, but I could hardly make a judgement since I could not understand much of the repetitive jibberish being spouted by the so-called performer.

A Life Of Praise

I sometimes ask myself if true praise should not be expressed more sincerely and frequently in our daily lives. In our cynical, cold, crass and critical word, could it be that we have lost the true art of praise and worship? So many times it seems so difficult for the people of God to come together and worship and praise Him just for worship's sake. For that matter, it seems nearly impossible to persuade His people not to forsake the assembling of themselves together in these last days.

Oh yes. We too can still mouth the proper words, but some attempts at true worship and praise seem to be increasingly elusive, empty and void. Other attempts seem to have become more crass entertainment than reverent and respectful worship. Could it be because we have forgotten our real purpose in life? The very essence and rationale for our continued existence? Have we forgotten and abandoned the principle voiced by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "Even everyone that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory.” Have we forgotten that we are created for the praise and glory of God day by day? Some of our ancestors said it like this, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

If this is the case, then the Christian's life should be one long never ending song of praise to God. Whatever he does or wherever he goes and in whatever circumstance he finds himself, he is to praise God with his life and being. Just what part of our life should be praise? A small part? A significant part? A large part? No! Praise is to be our life. In the praise life, there is no room for carping, complaining or criticism. Any expressed dissatisfaction with the life God has given us is an indictment of God's provision for us. In whatever state we are in we are to be content. In everything we are to give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us. An unknown author grandly caught the attitude and philosophy of the life of praise with the following versem:

The Divine Weaver

My life is but a weaving, Between my Lord and me;

I cannot choose the colors, He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow, And I in foolish pride,

Forget that He seeth the upper, and I the under side.

Not till the loom is silent. And the shuttles cease to fly,

Shall God unroll the canvass, And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful, In the Weaver's skilful hand,

As the threads of gold and silver, In the pattern He has planned.

- Author Unknown

Why Preach The Gospel?

Why preach the gospel? For those in the fellowship of the saints in a Bible-believing and Bible-preaching church, this question might seem overly simplistic or simply redundant. But even in Paul's day there were those who had already strayed from the basic task given to His churches of preaching the gospel. Paul wrote to the church at Galatia about this problem.

Our world is daily bombarded with a variety of gospels. Some preach a social gospel. A gospel that is focused upon the social ills of our culture. This gospel is based upon the false concept that life in the here and now is what really matters. After all, they contend, those who believe in hell, judgment and life beyond the grave, are just wistful dreamers looking for the panacea of pie in the sky by and by.

Others preach a revolutionary gospel. A gospel that advocates violent change at the end of a gun barrel. This is an egalitarian gospel. Strangely equating real happiness with the concept of everyone possessing an equal amount of material goods, no matter how little each might have. During the cold war era much of the budget of ungodly ecumenical groups was expended in support of revolutionary movements in Central and South America, Africa and Asia. Movements dedicated to the violent overthrow of governments to achieve change. The fall of the Berlin wall made it obvious that this gospel just doesn't work. Those who might be puzzled by the position of the present pope on social issues, need look no further than his nurturing in the revolutionary gospel prevalent in Latin America in his earlier days.

Some preach a gospel of humanism. This gospel begins with the false premise that man is innately good. That he has within him a tiny spark of divinity. A bit of judicious fanning will bring out the divine. The spark will then flame into a roaring collective fire that will ultimately bring about a materialistic utopia on the earth. It doesn't take an academic or scholar to observe the practical failure of such a theory in our world today.

There are those who are more Biblically based who preach a good works gospel. A gospel of working one's way to heaven through the keeping of God's laws, observing rituals and liturgies and ultimately establishing their self-righteousness . Some of the most popular preaching today is focused upon yet another gospel. One might term this the feel good gospel. This gospel presents the basic proposition involved in the power of the positive. This gospel emphasizes the value of an individual. It proposes that if people can be given a positive self-image, then all will be well with them and the world. It ignores many of God's eternal moral absolutes such as, sin, repentance and all negatives. The power of this gospel is in positive thinking and positive preaching.

Why is the true gospel of real repentance and absolute faith not often preached in the power and boldness of God today? Perhaps there is fear of scorn and ridicule or loss of popularity. Such neglect only emphasizes the urgency we should attach to the preaching of the true gospel.