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The Precious Priceless Potential Value of Every Small Church

May 23, 2013

Applying the teaching of a remarkable passage in Genesis 18 to the world today reveals a profoundly encouraging aspect of the priceless potential value of small churches.

The Judge of All the Earth Reveals the Profound Value of Righteous People

Genesis 18 records a remarkable exchange between Abraham and the Lord, the Judge of all the earth:

22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

²³ And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

²⁴ Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?

²⁵ That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

²⁶ And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

²⁷ And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

²⁸ Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.

²⁹ And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake.

³⁰ And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

³¹ And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake.

³² And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.

This conversation reveals that the Judge would have spared Sodom, despite its exceeding sinfulness, had there been even ten righteous people in it. Thus, the presence of even ten righteous people among a vast number of exceedingly wicked people in a contemporary city, state, or country potentially could have a profound sparing effect on the entire population!

The Incomparable Potential Value of a Small Church

By applying this truth to our world, we learn that a small church of as few as ten righteous people could have a precious priceless value for a community that no other group could have for it. This reality should profoundly encourage all believers in small churches to persevere in walking worthily before God regardless of how small their ministry may be!

Because the revelation of this remarkable exchange in Genesis 18 was in the context of intercessory prayer by a righteous man, we should also learn of the immense potential value of even one righteous person who intercedes faithfully for his city, state, and country. Moreover, we should allow this passage to motivate us to be faithful to attend prayer meetings in our small churches, and we should make intercession for our communities one regular aspect of our praying for them.

May God grace all of us in every church to be true to Him, especially in private and corporate prayer for our communities.

In Exhortation, Prayer, Theology

"Un Santo del Rey"

May 21, 2013

Un Santo del Rey is my latest Spanish song! Sung to the tune of A Child of the King, this song highlights that I as a believer am a saint of the King spoken of in a glorious heavenly song:

“And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.” (Rev. 15:3)

“Y cantan el cántico de Moisés siervo de Dios, y el cántico del Cordero, diciendo: Grandes y maravillosas son tus obras, Señor Dios Todopoderoso; justos y verdaderos son tus caminos, Rey de los santos.” (Apocalipsis 15:3)

The song is in the key of D and uses only basic chords in the key of D. This PDF provides the lyrics, melody notes, chords, and chord diagrams for the song.

Here is the audio for this song: Un Santo del Rey

In Guitar Music, Spanish

What the Sufficiency of Scripture Does Not Mean Concerning the CCM Debate

May 20, 2013

Second Timothy 3:15-17 definitively asserts the sufficiency of Scripture. Applying that teaching to the CCM debate, some argue that there must be a direct reference to things such as specific music styles in order for us to speak definitively about the propriety of their use in Christian worship.

Several passages show us that this is a mistaken approach to the CCM debate:

1. Psalm 19 teaches us that God is continuously infallibly communicating moral truth to all people without the use of any words and regardless of whether they ever hear any Scripture or not. Especially in connection with other teaching in the Psalms, God’s doing this has important implications for the CCM debate (see Natural Revelation, Music Related to God’s Providence, . . .).

2. Titus 1 unequivocally supports believers’ using statements by expert secular authorities to confirm their own biblically based assessments of moral issues in the lives of people (see Titus 1 and the CCM Debate). On the authority of Titus 1 (and other Scripture), believers are justified in arguing against the use of CCM by citing secular authorities who confirm their own negative assessments of it.

3. Mark 6 and Matthew 14 show us that Scripture can communicate authoritatively that an activity can be sensual by only mentioning the activity itself in a given context and without having to give any details about the activity. This observation validates the understanding that certain Scriptural statements about music need not be explicit or detailed in order to teach us that music can be sensual (see Will the Sensuality of CCM in Your Church . . .).

4. First Corinthians 11 is another passage that helps us to know what the sufficiency of Scripture does not mean for the CCM debate. Although its teaching and relevance are related to those of Psalm 19, this passage has unique aspects that warrant treating it separately.

Even “Nature” Taught the Corinthians That Something Was Shameful

Paul wrote to believers in Corinth to instruct them concerning the use of head coverings while they were praying or prophesying (1 Cor. 11:1-16). To support his argumentation for his teaching about that practice, he cited the teaching that even “nature” provided them:

1Co 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

¹⁴ Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

¹⁵ But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

Although there are many debates about various aspects of this passage, it is indisputable that Paul held that a source other than Scripture was teaching the Corinthians infallibly that something was shameful. Paul thus believed and taught that Scripture was not the only source of authoritative information that informed believers about the moral nature of certain things.

The Specificity of Nature’s Moral Teaching to the Corinthians is Noteworthy

Paul declared that “nature” was teaching the Corinthians that if a man was having long hair, it was a shame to him (1 Cor. 11:14). A non-biblical source of information, therefore, was teaching them authoritatively about the moral character of a specific aspect of the hair of a man.

Moreover, we must note that because God made humans to have hair on their heads, hair itself is not amoral—it is morally good. Yet, a non-biblical authority was instructing the Corinthians that long hair was a shame to a man.

Does “Nature” Teach Us about the Moral Value of Music?

Before we can answer the question of whether “nature” teaches us anything about the moral value of music, we should consider at least briefly what “nature” means in this passage. Some hold that it means what is observable in the natural world that God created. Some believe that it refers to intrinsic moral perspectives that God has put within humans. Some seem to equate “nature” in this passage with culture.

Views that combine these ideas in various ways probably also exist. Regardless of what the word “nature” means here, it is clear that Paul was teaching that something other than Scripture was teaching the Corinthians that something would be shameful concerning something that in and of itself was actually moral.

For an example of how “nature” teaches us about the moral value of music, listen to the following audio with your eyes closed and try to detect impartially whether what is sung is sensual music or not: Nature’s Teaching About Music. Were you not able to know that this music was sensual in spite of there not being any sensual words sung by the singer?

As this example plainly shows, a believer does not need to have Scriptural teaching about what makes music sensual in order to know that this song was sensual. The sufficiency of Scripture does not mean that Scripture must provide an explanation of what comprises music that is sensual.

In CCM, Interpretation, Music, Theology

Beware of Calling Other Believers “Pharisees”!

May 18, 2013

Calling other believers “Pharisees” is a very serious matter. An examination of Jesus’ dealings with the Pharisees shows why you should beware of doing so.

Jesus’ Rebuke of the Pharisees

Mark 7:1-13 records an incident when Jesus sternly rebuked the Pharisees. The incident began with the Pharisees asking Jesus why His disciples did not follow certain traditions:

Mar 7:1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

² And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

³ For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

⁴ And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

⁵ Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

Jesus responded initially by using Isaiah 29:13 to rebuke them for their hypocrisy:

Mar 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

⁷ Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

He continued His stern dealings with them by charging them with neglecting God’s commandments in order to follow human tradition (Mark 7:8). He then rebuked them further for their invalidating God’s Word through their tradition (Mark 7:9-13).

A Closer Look at Jesus’ Response

Jesus did rebuke the Pharisees for following certain human traditions instead of keeping the word of God (Mark 7:7), but He did so based on His knowing that their hearts were far from God (Mark 7:6b). He had the supernatural ability to know their hearts, and thereby exposed them as hypocritical and vain worshipers of God.

He thus made known that they were not holding to these human traditions because they thought that they would help them honor God; they knew in their hearts that they were dishonoring God with what they were doing. Moreover, Jesus later explained to His disciples the solemn truth about the true condition of these Pharisees:

Mat 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

¹³ But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

¹⁴ Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Jesus revealed that these Pharisees were not planted by His Father—despite their religiosity, they were unbelievers.

Only Someone Who Can Know the Heart Can Legitimately Call Another Believer a “Pharisee”

When Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their following human traditions instead of God’s Word, He did so knowing that their hearts were far from God. He had the supernatural ability to know the true condition of their hearts and thereby excoriated them for being hypocritical unbelievers.

Because no believer has the ability to know the heart of another believer the way Jesus did, it is unrighteous for him to call another believer “Pharisee.” Before you call another believer a “Pharisee,” you should think carefully about your inability to know the heart of that person.

Beware of calling other believers “Pharisees”!

In Discipleship, Exposition, Theology

Guitar Music for "My Song is Love Unknown"

May 17, 2013

My Song is Love Unknown is a beautiful hymn in the key of C. This PDF provides the melody notes, first stanza, and guitar chords for this song, including every chord change that takes place in the song.

Learning to play all the chords, including the slash chords, is challenging and requires an advanced knowledge of guitar chords and the ability to play them well. If you find the song too hard to play with all the slash chords, you can simplify it by playing all the slash chords as just the chord without the bass (for example, play G instead of G/D).

Listen to the melody:

In Guitar Music

Resources That Provide Answers to Key Issues Concerning CCM

May 16, 2013

Are you looking for help in finding answers to key issues concerning CCM? I commend these resources to you to that end and pray that God will give you the help that you are seeking (click on the links below to read the full article that explains each point)

1. Scripture itself teaches that Scripture is not the only source for authoritative information for knowing the moral character of some things

—What the sufficiency of Scripture does not mean for the CCM debate

2. A sound theology of music must account for all that the Bible reveals about music

—First Samuel 16:14-23 teaches us several key truths about music that are lacking in the theology of music of many believers today

—A fully biblical theology of sound teaches us that we should reject certain music

—God does pay attention to the instrumental music used to worship Him!

—Elisha’s calling for a minstrel to play for him, and God’s response to that music also teaches about divine attentiveness to instrumental music

3. Music without words is not amoral nor is it inherently moral

—David’s instrumental music was not amoral.

—Some believe in the amorality of music because they have mishandled the accounts of David’s music ministry to Saul.

—Natural revelation and music related to God’s providence teach us that music without words is not amoral.

—An examination of some truths in chemistry illumines the debate about the morality of music without words.

—Sound reasoning shows that we must reject the view that music without words is inherently amoral.

—A comparison between photography and music shows that it is wrong to say that music without words cannot be inherently evil.

—A careful analysis of Daniel 3 supports holding that instrumental music is not inherently moral even though God created music.

—An examination of Genesis 3:7 and 3:21 shows that it is illegitimate to say that rock music necessarily is inherently fit for human use because it is merely a combination of good musical elements that God made.

—Genesis 4:21 teaches us that it is unbiblical to assert that God created all musical styles and that supporting CCM on that basis is invalid.

—Biblical revelation about worship in Genesis 8 shows that an argument from Creation that argues that all music is necessarily inherently fit for use in divine worship is invalid.

4. Scripture can teach us that something is immoral because of its sensuality without having to say so explicitly and without having to give any details about it

—Scripture never explicitly says that dancing can be sensual, but the account of Herod and Herodias’ daughter’s dancing clearly teaches us that it can be—without saying anything directly about the dancing and without giving any details about the dancing.

—Scripture teaches us that it is not necessary for those who reject CCM/CWM to define these terms and explain in detail exactly what these terms signify and why such music is unacceptable

5. Scripture is not silent about musical styles that are unacceptable to God

—A sound handling of Genesis 4-6 shows that it is not true that all musical styles are inherently moral

—Several passages help show why “cultural racism” is not a major cause of Christian opposition to “holy hip-hop”

—Scriptural teaching about the songs of fools, drunkards, and harlots shows that there are musical styles that are inherently unacceptable to God.

—How 1 Cor. 10:23 teaches that not all musical styles are fit for use in worship

—Five Key Requirements for Acceptable Kinds of Instrumental Music Used in Corporate Worship

6. Clear biblical teaching directs us to reject CCM

—A biblical approach to music for believers must be based on the Psalms. They teach us that the Psalmists would reject CCM.

—Amos 6 provides Scriptural information that teaches us to reject CCM.

—An application of Romans 14 to the testimony of someone who was spiritually harmed by exposure to CCM in the church shows that we should reject CCM.

—Vital biblical considerations and other evidence warns us to beware endangering others and ourselves through music.

7. It is biblical to use secular sources to confirm one’s assessment that CCM is unfit for Christians

—Paul’s use of secular sources in Titus 1 to confirm his assessment of the Cretans shows that it is biblical to use secular sources to confirm our biblically based view that CCM is not fit for believers.

—Christians should heed what secular musicians and music experts say about the morality of music

—Secular testimonies about fallen spirits as the source of ungodly music are not inherently unreliable

—Using secular testimonies about demonic influence on human musicians is legitimate

8. Reliable secular sources confirm that CCM is unfit for Christians

—A brief video of a secular rock icon who advised a minister shows that CCM is not fit for Christian ministry.

9. Music can be sensual without having any sensual lyrics

—Listening to an audio of a song that has no sensual lyrics but is still clearly sensual proves that music can be sensual without having any sensual lyrics

10. My testimony concerning music that is fit for believers

—God moved me from heavy metal, soft rock, and pop to psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

11. Other resources concerning CCM

—Shelly Hamilton has written an excellent book that provides solid answers for dealing with many of the key issues concerning CCM.

—This interesting parable should provoke your thinking concerning issues related to CCM.

—God warns us about sensual worship and sensual music

— Scriptural revelation about sensual music warns us against using contemporary worship to evangelize people

— Even if David used a harp that an ungodly man invented, his doing so does not justify CCM

— Why this “thought experiment” does not justify “Christian rock” and “Christian rap”

— First Timothy 4:4-5 and Romans 14:14 do not refute what Shai Linne says they do

—Second Kings 4:38-41 provides revelation that biblically answers one of the most common arguments used today to justify CCM

—The testimony about a “new song” in Psalm 40 does not justify using CCM to evangelize lost people

—Using passages about meat offered to idols to support the use of disputed musical styles is a serious misstep

—Demonically assigned musical meanings to rock music is another key issue to consider

—Some CCM Defenders or the Glorified Christ: Choose Carefully Whom You Will Follow!

12. The Golden Calf incident (GCI) is foundational for understanding key issues concerning CCM. This series of articles will treat the incident thoroughly from many viewpoints to explain why believers should not use CCM. To profit fully from this series, you should read the articles in order.

A. Toward Fully Understanding the Golden Calf Incident

B. More Insights about the Golden Calf Incident

C. Leadership Failure and the Golden Calf Incident

D. Religious Syncretism and the Golden Calf Incident

E. The NT Key to a Fuller Understanding of the Golden Calf Incident

F. How The Golden Calf Passages Illumine the CCM Debate: Part I

G. Is Exodus 32 a Record of Singing and Dancing without Musical Instruments

H. Is Exodus 32 a Record of an Event Featuring the Sound of Ungodly Singing

I. Poll Results and Analysis: Is Exodus 32:17-18 Divine Revelation about Worship Music?

J. What Does Ungodly Worship Music Sound Like?

(I anticipate having several more articles in this series, including an article that specifically addresses issues concerning CCM.)

In CCM, Music

Do You Have the Proper “Gospel” Hatred of Sins That You Should Have When Ministering to People Who Have Been Defiled By Having Indulged Their Flesh?

May 15, 2013

Certainly, God has called Christians to be loving and compassionate people in our ministries to needy people. Through Jude, however, He instructs us that we must also be people characterized by a proper hatred when we minister the gospel to people who have been defiled by indulging the flesh.

We Must Hate “the Garment Spotted by the Flesh”

Jude teaches believers vital truth about how they are to minister to certain needy people: “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 23). This text clearly directs believers that they must have a proper hatred of something even while they are engaged in gospel ministry to save such people.

Green provides helpful explanations of this directive:

That is to say, they are to have pity upon even the most abandoned heretic, but to exercise great care while getting alongside him lest they themselves become defiled. They are to retain hatred of sin even as they love the sinner. (Gene L. Green, TNTC, 2 Peter and Jude, 204)

Jude previously spoke about the “flesh” in relationship to the sin of the angels, which was considered to be sexual acts, and of the heretics who had “defiled the flesh” (v. 7-8).
Jude likely has this particular fleshly desire in mind here. Sexual immorality was one of the hallmarks of the heretics’ praxis (vv. 4-8, 11-12, 16, 18), and here Jude envisions the sexual act as staining the tunic. The “stained tunic” is literal, but it becomes a metaphor for the sinful life of those who have fallen into the sins of the heretics. Jude warns those engaged in this rescue operation not to be taken in but to “hate” the stained tunic, which represents the sin itself (Gal. 6:1). Coming close to the situation of the fallen could ensnare those who did not undertake the operation “in fear.” The ones who show mercy should detest the very acts that have ensnared some of the members of the church (John 3:20; Heb. 1:9; Rev. 2:6). (Gene L. Green, ECNT, Jude & 2 Peter, 128)

Hiebert concurs:

Their godly reverence will prompt an attitude of “hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” The reverent soul can never regard false doctrine or moral pollution as a matter of indifference or of little consequence. “Hating” (misountes) does not prescribe a malicious or antagonistic attitude but rather a proper feeling of aversion and loathing.” (D. Edmond Hiebert, Second Peter and Jude, 291; bold text is in italics in the original)

Moo understands the directive in the same way:

The false teachers and their disciples are following their own “natural instincts” and paying no attention to the Spirit (v. 19). They are producing teaching and behavior that is offensive to God. And, Jude is saying here, it should be equally offensive to believers. They should naturally “hate” such conduct. Even, then, as they act in mercy toward those who have fallen, praying that the Lord may bring them back, they must not overlook in any way the terrible and destructive behavior these people have engaged in. (Douglas J. Moo, NIVAC, 2 Peter, Jude, 289)

As these remarks by various commentators show, believers must hate the sinful acts of fleshy indulgence that people have engaged in.

When we as believers engage in gospel ministry to people who have been defiled by having indulged their flesh, we must have within us a proper hatred of their sinful behavior. We must not be fooled into thinking that showing mercy to people means not at the same time having internal revulsion and loathing for the sins that they have committed. We do not have a proper gospel mindset if we lack such hatred within us for sin when we minister evangelistically.

Loving one’s neighbor does not mean that all we have in our hearts is a love that totally looks beyond the detestable defilement that their fleshly indulgence has wrought upon them. Rather, Jude 23 directs us that when we engage in evangelistic ministry to these needy people, we must have within us both love for people and hatred for their fleshly sins.

Do You Have the Proper “Ick” Response When Ministering Evangelistically to Such Needy People?

A proper gospel mindset when ministering to people who have defiled themselves through indulging their flesh includes having within us an “ick” response to the sins that they have committed that have defiled them. In light of Jude 23, do you have the proper “gospel” hatred of sins that you should have when ministering to people who have been defiled by having indulged their flesh?

In Discipleship, Evangelism

Guitar Music for "I Know a Fount"

May 14, 2013

This PDF provides the lyrics, melody notes, and chords for the song I Know a Fount by Oliver Cooke. The song is in the key of D and uses several advanced chords that should make it a good challenge for more experienced guitarists.

In Guitar Music

Will The Sensuality of CCM in Your Church Worsen the Wickedness of Many Herod-Like People in Your Church?

May 11, 2013

Matthew 14 and Mark 6 record an appalling incident in the life of Herod the tetrarch. A close look at this incident points to a very serious matter that churches need to consider.

The Preceding Wickedness of Herod

Herod had married Herodias, his brother’s wife (Mark 6:17). John the Baptist continually rebuked him for doing so, charging him that what he was doing was unlawful (Matt. 14:4). Herod hated John for doing so and wanted to kill him (Matt. 14:5). He had John imprisoned (Mark 6:17), even though he knew that John was a just and holy man (Mark 6:20).

The Role of Entertainment in Furthering Herod’s Wickedness

On his birthday, Herod and his many esteemed guests feasted (Mark 6:21). As part of their entertainment on this occasion, the daughter of Herodias, Herod’s wife, danced in front of Herod and his guests (Mark 6:21).

They were all pleased with her dancing (Matt. 14:6; Mark 6:22). In fact, Herod was so taken with her dancing that he publicly offered to grant her whatever she might ask him (Matt. 14:7), as long as it was not more than half of his kingdom (Mark 6:23).

In consultation with her mother (Mark 6:24), she asked that John be beheaded immediately (Mark 6:25) and his head brought to her in a charger (Matt. 14:8). In spite of his intense sorrow about the situation that he was now in (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:26), Herod consented and ordered that John be executed (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:27). Jesus’ disciples heard of John’s tragic death, obtained his body, and buried it (Mark 6:29). They informed Jesus about what had happened to John (Mark 6:30).

The Unstated Yet Plainly Sensual Nature of the Entertainment That Contributed to Herod’s Killing John

Scripture does not explicitly say (in either of the two accounts of this horrible incident) that the dancing of Herodias’ daughter that so pleased Herod and his guests was sensual. Any non-naive and honest reader of the accounts, however, unmistakably knows that her dancing was pleasing to him precisely because it intensely appealed to his sexual lust.

The Holy Spirit did not deem it at all necessary to specify that her dancing was sensual—He expects rightly that the reader will understand exactly what its nature was from the information that He chose to provide. In this way, He instructs believers about a crucial point of how to interpret Scripture—God can clearly communicate truth about the essential character of an activity without ever having to explicitly specify that truth.

How Herod’s Enslavement to His Fleshly Lusts Was Intensified Through Sensual Entertainment in spite of His Previous Encounters with God’s Truth from a Faithful Man of God

Herod used to love to hear John speak to him (Mark 6:20). John was a faithful prophet of God who undoubtedly proclaimed God’s truth faithfully to Herod. In spite of hearing that truth on repeated occasions, Herod was yet living in gross sin.

Because of his sinful living, Herod was a man who was enslaved to his sexual lust. Tragically, hearing God’s truth faithfully proclaimed to him by a superb man of God did not profit him savingly.

Instead, enslavement to his fleshly lusts and the intense stoking of that lust through the sensual entertainment that he experienced on this crucial occasion led him not only not to be saved but also to destroy the very man of God whom he had liked hearing on many occasions. Instead of heeding the gospel that had been given to him previously by John, Herod, faced with sensual entertainment that intensified his already strongly being consumed with his lusts, increased greatly in his wickedness by murdering him.

The Grave Danger That the Sensuality of CCM in Churches Poses for Herod-Like People Who Attend Their Services

Many people who attend services in Christian churches are enslaved to their sexual lusts. This is especially true for many of the younger people in our churches who are incessantly bombarded with sensuality in virtually every context outside of their churches.

Tragically, when they come to a contemporary service in a church that plays sensual Christian music, they are put in a situation similar to the one Herod encountered when the daughter of Herodias danced sensually before him. At the same time that they hear various gospel truths about God, just as Herod had, they are put in a situation of continuing to feed their sensual lusts through music that is sensual.

Barring a gracious and miraculous work of intervention by God, they will become more enslaved to their fleshly lusts even while they are hearing some grand truths about the gospel of God. Even if God does mercifully save them in spite of the CCM, the sensuality-laden music will hinder their becoming disciples of Christ who mortify the lusts of their flesh (Col. 3:5) in order to follow Christ fully for His sake and for the sake of the gospel.

An Earnest Plea to All Brethren to Forsake the Use of CCM in Christian Ministry

Many who believe in the propriety of using of CCM in Christian ministry argue that the Bible never says that music itself can be sensual or that such and such styles are sensual. Applying what Matthew 14 and Mark 6 reveal to us about dancing that is sensual even though there is not anything said explicitly in either passage about it being sensual, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God does not have to state explicitly that something is sensual in order to communicate to us that it is.

Even though Scripture does not say anything directly about specific styles of music (such as CCM that uses rock music) being sensual, we still are not justified in concluding that we cannot say that such music is inherently sensual. A sound application of Matthew 14 and Mark 6 to the CCM issue shows us that God expects us to learn from statements such as “sing as an harlot” (Isaiah 23:15) and others (cf. Ezek. 33:31-32; Amos 6:4-6) that there is music that inherently appeals to fleshly lusts.

We must shun completely the use of sensual music in our churches. I earnestly appeal to all believers not to endanger themselves and others gravely through using CCM in their churches.

Beware Endangering Yourself and Others through Music

In CCM, Discipleship, Music

"Celebremos su Gloria": An Excellent Spanish Hymnal!

May 10, 2013

I first began using Celebremos su Gloria by Librios Alianza/Celebremos about two years ago in a guitar class that I began teaching then at Iglesia Bautista Fundamental Tabernaculo in Greenville, SC. It is an excellent Spanish hymnal because it provides the following:

1. Music, words, and guitar chords (in both Spanish and English) for 652 songs that are divided into the following categories:

Nuestro Maravillos Dios

Nuestro Señor Jesucristo

Nuestro Divino Consolador

Nuestra Santa Biblia

Nuestra Grandiosa Salvaciόn

Nuestra Vida en Cristo

Nuestra Amada Iglesia

Nuestro Glorios Futuro

Nuestros Grupos y Ocasiones Especiales

Nuestro Culto

Having the guitar chords for all the songs in the hymnal makes this a uniquely valuable book among my hymnals because it is the only hymnal that I have that does so. This resource has been a great help in my teaching all my guitar students.

2. An excellent introductory section Disfrute Su Himnario that explains how to enjoy your hymnal by understanding these features in each song:

Symbolos; Pasajes Biblicos; Matiz; Transiciόn; Duraciόn; Punto Resaltado; Reconocimientos; Derechos Reservados; Versiculo Lema; Respuesta Musical; Acordes Para La Guitarra; Tonada; Tonalidad; Introduccion Instrumental

3. Many other innovative features designed to help you delight yourself:

Deléitese Con Estas Novedades: 32 páginas a color, poesías, reflexiones doctrinales, lecturas bíblicas integradas en cada secciόn, indices, gráfica de acordes para la guitarra, anécdotas biográficas y de inspiraciόn, música hispana y universal, e himnos y cánticos de ayer y hoy.

4. A very helpful explanation of symbols used in the hymnal: Explicaciόn de Los Símbolos. This section is excellent for learning many Spanish musical terms.

5. A Table of Contents that lists the ten sections of the hymnal (listed above in point one), the subsections in each section, and information about the subsections of section eleven Nuestro Himnario, an extensive collection of indices.

6. A superb ending section Nuestro Himnario that includes Informaciόn general and a collection of twenty-two indices that provides a vast wealth of information about the songs in the hymnal:

Dibjuos y fotografías
Índice de dueños
Índice de autores y compositores
Índice de notas biográficas
Índice anécdotas histόricas
Índice de lecturas antifonales
Índice de citas de lecturas antifonales
Índice de pasajes biblicos
Himnos basados en pasajes biblicos
Índice de versículos lema
Banderas
Índice de tonadas (melodías)
Índice de metros poéticos
Índice de cadenas musicales
Lecturas especiales y reflexiones
Índice de respuestas musicales
Índice de poesías
Música especial
Acordes para guitarra
Índice tópico
Índice general
Índice de cánones (rondas)

This superb hymnal is available for purchase online at amazon.com: Celebremos su Gloria. I praise God for leading one of my students to give me a new hardbound spiral copy of this hymnal last night in our guitar class!

In Christian Books, Guitar Music, Music, Spanish

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