On Music & Christian Ethics

A friend and I were talking the other day about what should be the Christian's perspective on music: ie. What to listen to, what not to listen to, and why? Many Christians will probably agree with the conclusions I have come to in the article I wrote below, but I wonder how many of us have actually taken the time to sit down and think our views through from a logical point of view. Why do we believe what we believe? Do you accept what others tell you without searching the Scriptures and and thinking things through for yourself?
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Here's my official stance:

First of all, I hold that music styles are morally neutral, but am not
dogmatic about it because sometimes after listening to something like
death metal or even the tune of "like a rock" or "we will rock you" I
am left wondering if it really is true, that is, that music really is
morally neutral. I don't know, but I tend to say "Yes, it is morally
neutral." Why? Because what would be the implications if we knew music
was not morally neutral? Would it not be to sing nothing at all?! If
music is not morally neutral, then I believe we as Christians would
not be allowed to sing-- because the Bible, as far as I know, does not
contain a music prescription which is acceptable/detestable unto God.
For example, we only have the lyrics of the Psalms in our inspired
Bible-- the Lord has not preserved the accompanying music which David
played on his harp. There must be a reason for these things!

The following gigantic paragraph within the parenthesis is some
inconclusive speculation I have regarding the moral neutrality of
music:

(Perhaps it depends on how far we believe a message can be sent
through music? People call music a "language"-- and if this is true,
in what sense? A language, as in we can send messages through it which
affect the heart? If so, music may be similar to the tongue-- and we
know the tongue is certainly not morally neutral. The book of James
says, "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of
deadly poison." So perhaps music is a different sort of language, or
no language at all, but it certainly can express emotions-- so then,
perhaps the expression of emotion is also morally neutral? If yes,
then music remains morally neutral. If no, then music is not morally
neutral, but certain melodies can be good or evil. Based on reading
Job, who constantly expressed his honest emotions, and the same of
David in the Psalms-- I believe the honest expression of emotions,
both good and negative, are neither righteouness nor sinful, but
morally neutral. So perhaps it is when we act sinfully on these
positive / negative emotions, (often given to us by various styles of
music), is when sin begins to creep into the picture.

James 1:13-17 has the sort of thinking that I have in mind,

.13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God
cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:14 But every
man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it
is finished, bringeth forth death.16 Do not err, my beloved
brethren.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,
neither shadow of turning.)

Secondly, I hold that the message spoken by singers / lyricists is NOT
morally neutral, as the Word of God is certainly clear in the area
regarding men's tongues. "5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and
boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire
kindleth!6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the
tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth
on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." - James
3:5-6

Now thirdly, I respect and enjoy the God-given artistic talents given
to ungodly artists such as tupac, marley, zeppelin, etc... I
appreciate many of the innovations these godless artists have made to
the musical creativity in various genre's. But I am not required to
appreciate every innovation made in their respective musical genre's
because not everybody appreciates the same genre's of music nor is
everybody required to appreciate the same genre's of music. Now the
problem lies in that these ungodly artists have not given glory to the
Lord with their lives and talents. This I disapprove of.

So now my conclusion: I can and do enjoy various ungodly musicians of
my choice whose innovations in various music genre's I appreciate-- I
am able to listen and enjoy them solely for their musical creativity
and am inspired / influenced by them, (knowingly or unknowingly
because the fact is these musicians influence us whether we know it or
not); therefore for these reasons I am able to listen to ungodly
music, but I do not chiefly* listen to ungodly music for the reason
that the accompanying ungodly messages they send through their lyrics
are quite disagreeable and as the scripture says, "set on fire of
hell"-- and so that is why I listen to music chiefly created by
artists who are of the Christian faith by whom I am encouraged and
edified in my walk with the Lord.

In short: Ungodly musicians may be enjoyed, but their messages and
lifestyles must basically be hated. For this reason it does not make
sense that a Christian would chiefly listen to music composed by
ungodly artists. It is much like digging in the trash can looking for
treasure. Can we not see that beside the trash can our Lord has
already given us a treasure box full of obvious treasure, that is,
music written by Christians to the Lord? Therefore music by Christians
to the glory of God is the best music Christians should be listening
to and creating, but ungodly musicality is not forbidden and may be
appreciated and even enjoyed by Christians, but certainly not the
accompanying messages therewith.

*Websters 1828 - CHIEFLY, adv.

1. Principally; eminently; in the first place.
It chiefly concerns us to obey the divine precepts.
2. For the most part.
In the parts of the kingdom where the estates of the dissenters chiefly lay.

Adam Schaefers.
www.yoadam.com