THE CHRISTIAN and ROCK MUSIC
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15 iblical erspectives THE CHRISTIAN and ROCK MUSIC A STUDY ON BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF MUSIC Editor Samuele Bacchiocchi CONTRIBUTORS Samuele Bacchiocchi, Calvin M. Johansson, Brian Neumann, Eurydice V. Osterman, Güenter Preuss, Tore Sognefest, Wolfgang H. M. Stefani iblical erspectives 4990 Appian Way Berrien Springs Michigan 49103, USA BOOKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR THE CHRISTIAN AND ROCK MUSIC is a timely symposium that defines biblical principles to make good musical choices. THE SABBATH UNDER CROSSFIRE refutes the common arguments used to negate the continuity and validity of the Sabbath. IMMORTALITY OR RESURRECTION? unmasks with compelling Biblical reason- ing the oldest and the greatest deception of all time, that human beings possess immortal souls that live on forever. THE MARRIAGE COVENANT is designed to strengthen your Christian home through a recovery of those biblical principles established by God to ensure happy, lasting, marital relationships. THE ADVENT HOPE FOR HUMAN HOPELESSNESS offers a simple, schol- arly, and comprehensive analysis of the biblical teachings regarding the certainty and imminence of Christ’s Return. FROM SABBATH TO SUNDAY presents the results of a painstaking research done at a Vatican University in Rome on how the change came about from Saturday to Sunday in early Christianity. THE SABBATH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT summarizes Bacchiocchi’s exten- sive research on the history and theology of the Lord’s Day and answers the most frequently asked questions on this subject. WINE IN THE BIBLE shows convincingly that the Bible condemns the use of alcoholic beverages, irrespective of the quantity used. CHRISTIAN DRESS AND ADORNMENT examines the Biblical teachings re- garding dress, cosmetics, and jewelry. An important book designed to help Christians dress modestly, decently, and reverently. DIVINE REST FOR HUMAN RESTLESSNESS offers a rich and stirring theo logical interpretation of the relevance of Sabbathkeeping for our tension-filled and restless society. Translated in 15 languages. HAL LINDSEY’S PROPHETIC JIGSAW PUZZLE refutes with compelling logic the senselessness of the predictions made by writers like Hal Lindsey. It received the 1987 Associated Church Press Award. WOMEN IN THE CHURCH shows why Scripture supports the participation of women in various church ministries but precludes their ordination to the representative role of elder or pastor. THE TIME OF THE CRUCIFIXION AND THE RESURRECTION examines the time element of the Crucifixion/Resurrection as well as the meaning of Christ’s death. GOD’S FESTIVALS IN SCRIPTURE AND HISTORY. Vol. 1: The Spring Festivals; Vol. 2: The Fall Festivals examine the historical development and theological meaning of the ancient Feasts of Israel. Each of the above books costs $20.00, mailing expenses included. To order them call (616) 471-2915 or mail your prepaid order to: Biblical Perspectives,4990 Appian Way. Berrien Springs, MI 49103 Web Page: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Cover design by Donald J. Wood Copyright 2000 by © Samuele Bacchiocchi To purchase a copy of this book call (616) 471-2915 or mail your prepaid order ($20.00, postpaid) to BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES 4990 Appian Way Berrien Springs Michigan 49103 Phone (616) 471-2915 Fax (616) 471-4013 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Web site: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. An Overview of the Music Debate ............................................ 9 Defining the Terms ............................................................................ 12 Rock Music ................................................................................... 12 Contemporary Christian Music ..................................................... 13 Acknowledgments ........................................................................ 15 Method and Style .......................................................................... 16 An Overview of the Issues ............................................................... 17 The Morality of Music .................................................................. 18 Rock Music Is Not Immoral ......................................................... 21 Rock Music and Evangelism ........................................................ 24 Rock Music and Black Heritage ................................................... 27 Rock Music and the Bible ............................................................. 28 The Role of Luther ....................................................................... 30 Church Music and Adventist Theology ........................................ 32 Rock Music and the Endtime Deception ...................................... 33 Endnotes ........................................................................................... 35 2. The Worldview of Rock Music ....................................................... 38 The Evolution of the Concept of God ............................................... 42 The “God Beyond Us” Orientation ............................................... 43 The “God For Us” Orientation ...................................................... 47 The “God Beside Us/Within Us” Orientation .............................. 51 African Roots of Rock Music ........................................................... 55 Revival Music and Afro-American Conversions ......................... 57 The Influence of Humanism ......................................................... 58 Conclusion ........................................................................................ 59 Endnotes ........................................................................................... 61 3. Rock Music from a Historical Perspective ................................... 65 The Beginnings of Rock Music ........................................................ 68 Rock Music in the 1960s .................................................................. 73 Rock Music in the 1970s .................................................................. 78 Rock Music Since the 1980s ............................................................. 83 Conclusion ........................................................................................ 88 Endnotes ........................................................................................... 94 Table of Contents 5 4. The Rock and Roll Religion ......................................................... 97 The Rock and Roll Religion ............................................................ 99 An Experience of the Supernatural ............................................ 99 Feelings Rather than Reason ...................................................... 100 Worshipping Rock Stars ............................................................ 101 A Pantheistic Religion ............................................................... 103 The Ritual of Sex, Drugs, and Dance ............................................ 105 Sex as Union with the Infinite ................................................... 105 Drugs to Experience the Infinite ............................................... 107 The Rock Dance ......................................................................... 108 Conclusion ..................................................................................... 112 Endnotes ......................................................................................... 114 5. The Rock Rhythm and a Christian Response ............................ 117 The Structure of Rock Music ........................................................ 119 Rhythm in Rock Music .............................................................. 121 The Effect of the Rock Beat on Muscles.................................... 124 Rock Rhythm and Sexual Response .......................................... 126 The Effects of Rock on the Mind .............................................. 128 A Christian Response to Rock Music ........................................... 132 An Unholy Alliance ................................................................... 133 The Pulse of the Heart and the Rhythm of Music ..................... 138 Making Hymns Meaningful ....................................................... 140 A Ground-swelling of Contemporary Hymns............................. 141 Conclusion ..................................................................................... 142 Endnotes ........................................................................................ 144 6. An Adventist Theology of Church Music .................................. 149 Church Music in the Context of the Sabbath ................................. 154 The Sabbath Offers Reason for Worship ................................... 154 Holiness in Time as Holiness in Church Music ......................... 158 The Mixing of the Sacred with the Secular ............................... 158 Church Music in the Context of the Heavenly Sanctuary ............. 160 The Worship of the Heavenly Sanctuary ................................... 161 No Secular Music Allowed in the Temple ................................. 164 Lessons from the Temple’s Music .............................................. 166 Church Music in the Context of the Second Advent ..................... 167 Worship in Anticipation ............................................................. 168 Advent Music ............................................................................. 169 Advent Inspiration