WARNING: YOUNG CHILDREN MUST READ WITH PARENTS– MATURE CONTENT
Is Music Amoral?
(Written as a persuasive speech for a speech tournament.)
Is music amoral? Are there right and wrong types of music? Or is it just taste or preference? There is a significant problem within the Christian community concerning music standards which stems from the belief that music is amoral. But music is not amoral; it affects the body, mind, and soul. Today we will look at how music affects us and, in particular specific types of music, both secular and Christian.
Let’s first define what music is. Music is a language that communicates a message. It isn’t always the lyrics of a song that tell us its meaning; it’s the music itself. Different styles of music can affect us differently. In the book Music in the Balance, the author Frank Garlock says, “since music is an emotional language, and since some emotions are wrong for the child of God, then some music is wrong for the Christian.” (Music In the Balance) Since music can create emotions within someone it is vital that one understands how different music affects them. This will help them know what styles of music to avoid because it creates the wrong emotions.
Before discussing the wrong types of music, I’d like to break down music for you and how it affects a person. Frank Garlock, an expert in music, has a doctorate from Bob Jones University and has graduated from every music course offered by Eastman School of Music. He says there are three parts of music, melody, which affects the spirit; harmony, which affects the mind and rhythm, which affects the body. Since we are not supposed to let our bodies or minds control our souls, harmony and rhythm should not overpower the melody. Rhythm does control the body, and though it is needed in the music, it must not cause the body to move in a way that is not pleasing to God.
Are there right and wrong types of music? Some say that only words define good and bad music, but this is not the case. Why do we have a soundtrack in a movie? The reason is that it can create emotions within the viewer that the script itself cannot portray. Soundtracks do not have words, yet each of us knows exactly what emotions and messages the music tells us. Whether a sad scene, a thrilling moment, or a scene that causes you to be angry, music alone can be good or bad based on the emotions, it creates within you and the order of the melody, harmony, and rhythm. Frank Garlock says, “Like human nature itself, music cannot possibly be neutral in its spiritual direction.” (Music in the Balance) This quote articulates that music cannot be amoral it does promote either godly or worldly messages.
To give an example of music that does not praise, or honor God is rock music. There are three ways I believe this is the case, first is that the beat promotes immoral sexual thought. Rock stands out from other genres because of its heavy emphasis on the beat over the melody. Simon Frith said in his book on music says, “The sexuality of music is usually referred to in terms of its rhythm- it is the beat that commands a direct physical response.” (Music in the Balance) It is the music, the beat, the repetition that drives a physical response from the music, a physical reaction that is against God.
This leads me to the following reason, which is the purpose of rock music; this is summed up by what Allan Bloom, a professor, said, “rock music has one appeal only, a barbaric appeal to sexual desire- not love, not eros, but sexual desire undeveloped and untutored.” Music in the Balance) This is not the same purpose God has for music. Dan Lucarini was a prior worship pastor who introduced and endorsed Contemporary Christian Music in his church until he realized how CCM, and rock n roll music was related. He said in the book, “Why I left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement,” “Rock and roll is a musical style that was created for immoral purposes by immoral men and has always been used by the world to express its immoral attitudes in song.” (Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement) The music in and of itself is a twisted sexual passion contrary to God’s design.
The last reason rock music is against God’s desire for music is its effects. Here are some of the things rock artists say themselves about their music from the book Harmony at Home by Tim Fisher. Mick Jagger in Rolling Stone said “You can feel the adrenalin flowing through your body. It’s sort of sexual. I entice my audience. What I do is very much the same as a girl’s striptease dance.” Freddie Mercury of Queen said “I do deliver sex appeal. It’s a part of modern rock. I sell sex appeal with my body movements on stage” Frank Zappa said “Rock music is sex. The big beat matches the body’s rhythms.” (Harmony at Home) Obviously, the message of rock music conflicts with glorifying God. These effects show us that rock music is indeed immoral.
Contemporary Christian Music has become a widely used and accepted form of praise and worship music in church. Sadly, many Christians are unaware of the dangers of allowing this music into our churches. I’m not saying that all CCM is immoral or that all recently composed music is contrary to God, but if the music is written with the style and beat of rock music or its musical cousins, then it will lead to a result that is not honoring to God.
One of the reasons CCM is contrary to God’s design for music is because of the underlying “toned down” rock beat in the music. Dan Lucarini also says “CCM embraces many different contemporary music styles with a heavily syncopated beat, such as soft rock, smooth jazz, rap, and pop/rock, but the father of them all is rock and roll.” (Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement) This music creates the wrong emotions within us. It can lead us back to immoral rock music. Lucarini struggled with still listening to rock music. He said, “Like other contemporaries, I was blind to the subtle sexual influences creeping into my worship teams and unwilling to admit that my worship music could possibly be tainted by sex.” Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement). He continues “Of course, this type of sin can rear its ugly head in any musical environment, but CCM creates an atmosphere that actually fosters it.” (Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement) The rock beat in CCM allows for the sin that comes along with rock and roll music. There is also a parallel between the repetitiveness of rock n roll and CCM.
The next reason CCM is contrary to God’s desire for music is that there is a contradiction between the music and words of the CCM. The music, which has a rock beat, promotes immoral sexuality, but the words sing praises to God. An advocator for Christian rock and CCM music Steve Lawhead said “When the rhythms of rock are put to use with the intent of worship, praise, edification, or any other higher purpose, it becomes a distinctly different animal than the raging, devouring beast roaming at large through most rock albums. It is different because it is infused with a different purpose.” This is untrue because the message of the music is much more powerful than the message of the words. The message of this music is worldly and sensual. In the book Why I left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement, the author says “We believe we can handle rock music safely and clean it up because we are saved, and we ask God to use it. Wrong! We cannot separate the style of music from its immoral associations. Rock music inevitably corrupts Christians.” (Contemporary Christian Music Movement). Even if the words of the songs are acceptable, the music and beat will allow immorality to come into the church. In Ephesians, Paul talks about how we used to be of the world and corrupted by sin, but once we are saved, we must flee the lusts of the flesh.
Lastly, we may need to change our perspective and evaluate our music standards. The evidence in the Bible, plus examples of music in the world today, show us that music is not amoral. Where does this new perspective leave us? What’s the next step? We must evaluate our music standards by asking ourselves questions and answering them honestly. What type of music do we listen to? Does it please the Lord? Does the music promote Christian values? Does it build up Christianity or cheapen and tear it down? Does this glorify God?
Another thing to watch out for is the beat. If the drums accent the off beats, not the strong beats, then it replicates the rock beat. For example, if we are in the 4/4 time signature, where there are four beats per measure, 1-2-3-4, rock music will accent the 2nd and 4th beats, 1-2-3-4, instead of the 1st and 3rd beats, 1-2-3-4.
Garlock said, “The world recognizes that music has a spiritual value. The Christian must recognize the same and be on guard as to the kind of music upon which he allows his heart, mind, and soul to feast.” (Music in the Balance)
As we have seen, music is not amoral but a powerful force for good or evil. We’ve looked at what music is and evaluated the wrong types of music. I hope you’ll consider your perspective on music and assess if the music you listen to is genuinely honoring God in all aspects. Frank Garlock says “Music has tremendous power for good and evil. Our prayer ought to be, ‘Lord, give me the discernment and the desire to fill my home and church with the music which has the power for good and the discipline to avoid the sound of the world.’” (Music in the Balance)
Works Cited
Garlock, Frank, Kurt Woetzell. Music in the Balance. Greenville, SC, Majesty Music. 1992
Lucarini, Dan. Why I Left The Contemporary Christian Music Movement. Auburn, MA, Evangelical Press. 2002
Fisher, Tim. Harmony At Home. Greenville, SC, Sacred Music Services, Inc. 1999.
