blauch@bilge.ece.cmu.edu (Andrew J Blauch) (05/05/91)
[ This is a interesting observation. Would any of the true Christians here explain this: can we worship, pray and idolize our ancesters and the same time be a christian? For example, pray to Jesus and Confucious (or one of the ancesters of our specific root) for help at the same time when we have a problem? I don't see why we can't. dhsy@vax5.cit.cornell.edu] Anything that is placed equal to or above God is sinful. God must have our total commitment. Therefore, praying to someone else other than God is wrong. Now, if you pray to both there must be a reason why. Jesus has the power to answer our prayers. "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will recieve and your joy will be complete." NIV John 16:24 Our ancestors do not have any power to answer prayers. If they did it would have to come from God, and since we're praying to God through Jesus Christ already any other pray is useless. At best it is an act which does nothing. At worst it is placing faith in an 'idol', which is sin. I realize that people are not converted into 'adult' Christians over night. All Christians have sin in their life. True Christians are working, through the help of Jesus Christ, to remove the sin in their lives. In other words, I believe praying to anyone other that Christ is sin, but to a person who does I would first stress the fact that God alone can answer prayer and then move on. [ I'm wondering how many of you out there are fed up with Amy Grant switching over to secular music charts. Her new album, "Heart in Motion", is too close to the secluar music world. I think she is really walking the line when she does this. I also feel that she is letting a lot of Christians down. She says you have to go with your gut feelings sometimes. I agree, but not when it goes against God's will and word. Any comments or complaints are welcom.] Is a song that has no mention of God wrong or sinful. If I recall, there are two books of the Bible that have no mention of God. There are several parts music can play in Christian lives. First it can serve as a spiritual 'lifter'. Sandi Patti is an excellent example. Of songs are used to point out specific issues, to help open your eyes. 'Who will save the children' for example. Both of these types (and you could probably mention a bunch of other types) are for Christians. Now music can also be used as an evangalistic tool. I don't think a young non-christian teenager is going to get excited about the average Christian song. The beat is not what is popular (secular) and the words are too 'religious'. Here is where a lot of Christian rock and heavy metal groups come in. They use the rock music and put Christian words to it. The music itself is not bad. What makes secular rock music bad is the words they use and acts they perform on stage. Therefore, I see no problem with using pop rock as another form of music aimed at the non-christian teen. Did you notice that 'Baby baby' was number one on the secular hit list the other week. If you like a particular singer you will look for other tapes they have. You'll read articles about them. You'll go to their concerts. What Amy is doing is creating an excellent audience for evangelism. I admit, I didn't like her 'baby baby' video at first because it wasn't Gary, but that IS a video. I've heard Gary is not very photogenic, and Amy said she wouldn't want the whole world srutinizing her relationship with Gary. Anyhow, many Christians may not like her songs but that does not make them wrong. There are many 'true' Christian artists which I don't like and they even mention God. PS This is my first time writing on this BB. It's nice to read Christian letters and responses.
hilli@bohra.cpg.oz.au (Hilli Gibson) (05/08/91)
[In response to the Amy Grant discussion > Is a song that has no mention of God wrong or sinful. If I recall, there > are two books of the Bible that have no mention of God. There are several > parts music can play in Christian lives. First it can serve as a spiritual > 'lifter'. Sandi Patti is an excellent example. > ... Now music can also be used as an > evangalistic tool. I don't think a young non-christian teenager is going > to get excited about the average Christian song. The beat is not what is > popular (secular) and the words are too 'religious'. Here is where a lot > of Christian rock and heavy metal groups come in. They use the rock music > and put Christian words to it. The music itself is not bad. What makes > secular rock music bad is the words they use and acts they perform on stage. --clh] Thank's guy, this is exactly what have been trying to tell them, but I am just very good in expressing them. However, I don't listen to Amy's songs not because I disagree with her musics but more because I do not find her songs could be useful for my own spiritual growth. Remember God use certain people and tools to preach the Gospel. People are also different in their own interests, musics, hobbies, habits and personalities. and this is not Sin ! cuz' God create people in a unique way. Therefore, we can serve the Lord in the are we are called Let's do it !!! *** MOTIVATION and HEART *** is what God's more interested in seeking you. But put in your mind : You can't serve THE LORD and MONEY at the same !!! This doesn't imply that Christians should not work for living ! > but that does not make them wrong. There are many 'true' Christian artists > which I don't like and they even mention God. Me too, there are few Christian artists (I won't mention) that I do not like their musics because they don't reflect the pure motivation !!! -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hilli Gibson |\/\/\/\/\/| Computer Power Software Pty Ltd Australia | |