No condemnation, but interestingly enough if you want to know why these things are so true and infiltrating particularly the religion/relationship Christianity, listen to Tape 3B at http://menmyclashes.blogspot.com/2008/06/full.html
Urgent. ASAP
| Dr. Terry Watkins, Th.D | • PART TWO • | Dial-the-Truth Ministries |
| THIRD DAY • A tell-tale statement comes from David Carr of Third Day in CCM magazine: “Worship has to come from the heart and be sincere, so we’ve been really wary about jumping on a ‘worship music’ bandwagon.” (CCM, Sept. 1999)Is Carr saying Third Day is not sincere? And why is worship not in Third Day’s heart? Carr's irreverent wording of ". . . jumping on the worship music bandwagon" is not to be taken lightly. And then again, Carr admitts maybe they are "jumping on the worship bandwagon" after all?
"Some of our songs we never thought of in a worship context until we began performing them live and saw people raising their hands and worshipping. It surprises us and makes us realize that what we do is sometimes more worshipful than we know.” And these are Christians?
Psalm 29:2
Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matthew 4:10 THE OCCULT
Third Day's Time album was the 2000 Dove Awards Rock Album of the Year! Third Day's album Come Together also advertises another occult symbol.
The symbol is a variation of a very common occult symbol known as the "winged disk" or "winged globe". Like the infinity symbol, found on Third Day's Time album, the winged disk is also on the rock group Journey's albums. Author Eric Barger writes of Journey's winged disk:
According H.G. Wells, the winged globe, is 'to become the symbol of the New World Order when it [the Antichrist] overtly rules the world," (Fritz Springmeier, The Watchtower and the Masons, p. xi) The winged globe is many times (such as with the group Journey) associated with the "dung beetle" or "scarabaus". The "scarabaus" is worshipped as a pagan god in many cultures. The Third Day symbol plainly bears a striking likeness to the scarabaus.
Noted occultist Helena Blavatasky directly equates the "winged globe" with the "scarabaeus":
"The 'winged globe' is but another form of the egg, and has the same significance as the scarabeus,. . ." (Blavatasky, Helena, The Secret Doctrine, Vol I, p. 365)Anton Lavey, the founder of the Church of Satan and author of The Satanic Bible, writes in The Satanic Bible that the scarabaeus represents the devil or Baal:
"The Phoenicians worshipped a fly god, Baal, from which comes the devil, Beelzebub. Both Baal and Beelzebub are identical to the dung beetle or scarabaeus of the Egyptians. . ." (LaVey, Anton Szandor, The Satanic Bible, p. 60) The occult and pagan connection with the moon is widespread. Harper's Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience, reads, "The moon is associated with witchcraft, magic and sorcery, and is considered to be the source of witches' power. . .The moon itself is believed to cast a spell;" (Rosemary Ellen Guiley, Harper's Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience, p. 376) There is another connection I found very interesting. According to occultists, it is the moon that gives the divine scarab beetle life! The scarab or "dung beetle" deposits her eggs in a "dung ball" where it remains for twenty-eight days under the moon. During these twenty-eight days the moon passes through all the twelve signs of the Zodiac and this mystical moon-magic gives the revered scarabaus life and deity! "By thus remaining under the moon, the race of scarabaei is endured with life." (Barbara G. Walker, The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols & Sacred Objects, 418) Without question, the mysterious symbol on Third Day's Come Together album has a bizarre history of occult and satanic influence. It's worth mentioning the Come Together album is an anthem for an ecumenical, one world, "come together" "love everybody" utopia. The same basic new age-love-mantra put out in the 60s and 70s by The Beatles and John Lennon. Some of the words to Third Day's "Come Together": You can all call me crazy / For the things that I might say Sounds like Lennon's "Imagine" (which is the official anthem of the New Age Movement): Imagine all the peopleBy the way, Third Day's Come Together album was the 2002 Dove Awards Rock Album of the Year! And Third Day was the Dove Awards 2002 Group of the Year. Third Day has received at least 17 Dove Awards!
MICHAEL W. SMITH • The continual excuse of the Christian rockers is they're trying to reach the young people with the gospel of Jesus Christ by using rock as a tool. Here's what a secular reporter in The Birmingham News wrote after watching a Michael W. Smith concert: "If you weren't familiar with Michael W. Smith's standing in the world of contemporary Christian music, you might attend one of his concerts and come out none the wiser." (The Birmingham News, Feb. 12, 1993 p. 5c) Amazing! After Michael W. Smith's concert, there was not even enough of God for the lost world to even know this "so-called CHRISTian star" was a Christian! What a pitiful testimony for a Christian! How are you going to reach the young people with the gospel of Jesus Christ when they can not even tell you are a Christian! A Christian is supposed to be peculiar (1 Peter 2:9), pure (1 Tim. 5:22), clean (2 Cor. 7:1), sanctified (1 Cor. 6:11), separated (2 Cor. 6:17) and holy (1 Peter 1:16). But not according to Michael: ". . .you're always going to have those very very conservative people. They say you can't do this; you can't do that, . . . you can't drink; you can't smoke; . . . It's a pretty bizarre way of thinking." Michael W. Smith (The Birmingham News, Feb. 1993, p.1B) God help us! What a wicked, rebellious and ungodly statement! Several years ago, Michael W. Smith attempted the Amy Grant inspired "secular rock crossover". It was a total failure. So Smith went back to $inging to the gullible Christians! The CCM hot $eller now is the rockin' "praise and worship" albums. Of course, Michael W. $mith has a "wor$hip" album. Did I hear cha-ching? THE OCCULT
The Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult, says of the "rune", "From the German word raumen, meaning 'secret' or 'mystery'. . . For witchcraft a rune is a magical chant. There are various rune alphabets used by occult groups"..(Mather, George A. and Larry Nichols, The Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult, p. 235) Author and occult symbol researcher, Dr. Cathy Burns, was so alarmed by Michael W. Smith's use of the runes on his Big Picture album, she wrote Smith requesting an explanation. Here is her reply: "When I wrote to Smith about this, his manager responded. He denied that the record contained runic characters, but he did tell me that if I wanted to know more about runes that I should check out my library for more information! He may not be fully endorsing the runes, but he certainly didn't try to warn me that runes were occultic symbols." (Dr. Cathy Burns, Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated, p. 288) In the book, Web of Darkness, former satanist Sean Sellers says, "Runes are the oldest form of occult knowledge and magic . . . their use sets a person against God." (Sean Sellers, Web of Darkness, p. 72)
THE ALAN PARSONS INFLUENCE One of the most surprising "confessions" by any CCMer was made by Michael W. Smith in Inside Music magazine, (Jan/Feb 91, p.23). During the interview, Michael W. Smith was asked,"There's also the influence of such groups as Alan Parsons in your music. It's especially noticeable on the first record, the Michael W. Smith Project [even named after the Alan Parsons Project]." And Smith's reply, "DEFINITELY!" What? Alan Parsons is among the most occultic and bizarre groups in rock! Alan Parsons has songs titled: "Lucifer", the sacreligious "Genesis Ch 1 v32" (there is no Genesis Chapter 1 verse 32), their album "Eve". The Alan Parsons Project, album, Eye In The Sky (and several other albums) displays proudly on the cover the occultic Eye of Horus (also called the "all-seeing Eye" of Lucifer). According to Harpers' Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience, The Eye of Horus "It has become commonly associated with esoterica and the occult." (Harpers' Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience, p. 197) Horus is known as the Sky God. Interesting. . . In Ephesians 2:2, the Bible calls Satan (aka Horus) as ". . . the prince of the power of the air. . ." According to Dictionary of Symbols the "eye" is also associated with the drug LSD, "Today it is used by subcultures using illicit drugs as a general symbol for altered or higher states of awareness, e.g., in association with the use of LSD. (Carl G. Liungman, Dictionary of Symbols, p. 502) Get this! Like Alan Parsons, Michael W. Smith also has an album titled, I2(EYE). Of course, the name of Jesus is nowhere to be found in I2(EYE). The Alan Parsons album Vulture Culture displays the occult symbol called the "ouroboros". It is a "serpent" (a.k.a. Satan) biting his tail. It represents Satan is Lord by surrounding the earth. The book Occult Geometry says of the ouroboros, "One form of the Circle is a serpent with a tail in its mouth. . . symbolizes evolution, the Serpent Circle involution. . ." (A.S. Raleigh, Occult Geometry, p. 10) Alan Parson Project album Stereotomy's cover appears pure evil.
POINT OF GRACE • There is no mistaking the new age-occult message of the group Earth, Wind and Fire. They openly saturate their album covers with occult symbols and imagery. A quick glance at their albums is a visual barrage of the all-seeing eye of Horus, Shiva, Jupiter, zodiac signs, pyramids, hexagrams, the Egyptian ankh, and many others. Throughout paganism the concept of mother-earth-is-god begins with Earth, Wind and Fire. On the back of Earth, Wind and Fire’s Greatest Hits Vol. I, this pagan heresy is promoted with the words, "In The Beginning, There Was Earth, Wind and Fire." Rather than "In The Beginning, There Was God" – "God" is replaced with the pagan elemental god of "Earth, Wind and Fire."  One of their albums is titled Avatar. Avatar is the new-age-superman-god (known by Christians as the Antichrist) the occult world is longing for. New Age-Luciferian, author Alice Bailey writes in. The Reappearance of the Christ, "The coming of the Avatar, the advent of a Coming One and, in terms of today, the reappearance of the Christ are the keynotes of the prevalent expectancy. When the times are ripe, the invocation of the masses is strident enough and the faith of those who know is keen enough, then always He has come. . ." (Alice Bailey, The Reappearance of the Christ). The Christ Bailey is referring to is not the Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible – but Lucifer of the Bible. Bailey’s publishing company was originally titled Lucifer Publishing. The Coming Avatar is none other than the Antichrist. Earth, Wind and Fire is more than an innocent music group. Founder and leader Maurice White proudly admits their music is to preach their metaphysic occult message: "I always studied metaphysics and Egyptology. It got so interesting, what I was trying to do was share with the audience what we were learning at the time. As we learned more, we went about trying to share it with the audience, bring a message to the music." In the same interview, Verdine of Earth, Wind and Fire, also provides insight into their new age message — acknowledging they promoted the demonic practice of occult Trancendental Meditation: "Maurice always studied astrology, numerology, astronomy, We introduced Trancendental Meditation to a lot of the black audience. That was very new for them. Of course, the Beatles had brought TM to the people in the 1960's, but we brought it into the 70's to an audience that was looking for something alternative." Their song "Serpentine Fire" is based on the new age teachings found in Shah Kriza Yogi Meditation Cult. On the back of Earth, Wind and Fire’s Greatest Hits Vol. I has this enlightening statement: "Looking back to the pyramids and forward to the eternal cosmos, Earth, Wind and Fire conjured up some of the most enduring songs of our time." Incredible. The word "conjure" means, "to call upon or command a devil or spirit by invocation or spell." Searching in the sky one night, while looking for the moon Do you know who Jupiter is? Occult research author, William Hutchinson says Jupiter is "painted with horns" and "he is the same as Baal. . ." (William Hutchinson, The Spirit of Masonry, pp. 82-83) Satanist Anton LaVey, writes in The Satanic Bible, "The Phoenicians worshipped a fly god, Baal, from which comes the devil, Beelzebub. . ." (Anton Szandor LaVey, The Satanic Bible, p. 60) Anyone slightly familiar with the Bible recognizes Baal as the devil worshipped in the Old Testament. In Jeremiah 19:5, the followers of Baal burnt their sons for a human sacrifice to Baal. They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind: There is no question to the motive, message, and mission of the music of Earth, Wind and Fire. None. They proudly and loudly boast of their occult message and mission.
Answer this question. . . Believe it or not the CCM group, Point of Grace includes on their album Life, Love and Other Mysteries the Earth, Wind and Fire song "Sing A Song"! I kid you not! It is there. Check it out. Remember the album note we previously read where Earth, Wind and Fire boasted about "conjuring up" their music? One of the devil conjured songs on that particular album is "Sing a Song". Wow! Let me also remind the reader that for every Life, Love and Other Mysteries sold by Point of Grace a percent or royalty is paid to Earth, Wind and Fire for the use of their music. Every time a Christian buys Life, Love and Other Mysteries, they are financing the occult message of Earth, Wind and Fire. And make no mistake, Point of Grace is a merchant advocate for Earth, Wind and Fire – and their message! Do not tell me how the Holy Spirit is using Point of Grace. The Holy Spirit is not going to "lead and guide" Christians to sing the occult songs of Earth, Wind and Fire. Ain’t gonna happen! Ain’t gonna happen! You can scream and kick about Point of Grace being a blessing, blah. . . blah. . . blah. But it ain’t gonna happen! Someone may think, what is the big deal of singing the metaphysical, Baal-inspired songs of Earth, Wind and Fire. Tell that line to the prophet Elijah. May I remind you of the battle between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. Remember how God answered Elijah’s prayer and lighted the fire on the altar. And how prophets of Baal "cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them." (vs 28) And in 1 Kings 18:40 the Bible says: And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. Tad bit of difference between Point of Grace singing and paying royalties to the "prophets of Baal" and Elijah’s condemnation. CCM & THE OCCULT Why do these so-called Christians have known occult symbols and influences on their albums? I do not believe these Christian artists are occultists or pagans. In fact, I believe many of them are saved. So why the occult symbols and obvious pagan influences? Matthew 16:13-23 has an amazing and very enlightening dialogue, between Jesus, Peter and Satan: 13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? A few interesting things about Matthew 16: In verse 17, Peter had a direct revelation from God - " . . .for flesh and blood hath not REVEALED it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Again, notice God "REVEALED" it unto Peter. Notice what happens in verse 23, just seven verses later. Jesus addresses Peter as Satan! Satan had completely taken over Peter. God, the Father was communicating directly to Peter in verse 17 and in verse 23, Satan had completely taken over Peter! But what is really interesting is Peter's motive. As Jesus began in verse 21 to tell how He would be crucified, verse 22 reads, "Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee." Peter's motive was his LOVE FOR THE LORD JESUS! He did not want Jesus to be crucified. And even though Peter's motive was RIGHT - when he got out of the will of God - Satan COMPLETELY TOOK OVER. You can have the RIGHT motive (even love for the Lord Jesus Christ!) and be completely WRONG! Even to the point of under the control of Satan. Sincerity, and even love, is no substitute for the WILL OF GOD. Let me say that again. . . Sincerity, and even love, is no substitute for the WILL OF GOD. These CCM stars may have the right motive but anyone, with any spiritual discernment, could honestly believe rock music was the direct will of God. And most of the CCM rockers know it. They know rock music, any rock music, is contrary to the will of God. Oh, they want to believe it is the perfect will of God. . . They try to convince themselves that God is pleased with their music - but they KNOW better. . . The CCM group Stryper was very popular in the 80s until they spirirtually "bottomed out". Read what Robert Sweet admits concerning God and Christan rock music: "As a matter of fact, the band was one thing that was making us turn and walk the opposite direction from Christianity. . . If you're doing something you like doing, and God says not to do it then you're not going to pay attention."(RIP, April, 1987 p. 49) Sweet knew Stryper and Christian rock was "the opposite direction from Christianity" and "God says not to do it". These CCMers KNOW God is not pleased with their rock music. But like the chief rulers in John 12:43, ". . . they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." Many of these CCM groups have gone so far from the will of God, that like Peter, Satan has completely taken over. Their dress. . . Their talk. . . Their lyrics. . . Their music. . . Their symbols are the same as their secular counterparts. Why? The same source of inspiration is controlling them both. And that source of inspiration is not the Holy Spirit - it is the unholy spirit! The secular world knows who is the "god of rock. music": Rock star David Bowie said, "Rock has always been THE DEVILS MUSIC. . . I believe rock and roll is dangerous. . . I feel we're only heralding something even darker than ourselves." (Rolling Stone, Feb. 12, 1976, p. 83) Secular rock bad girl Lita Ford, said, "Listen, rock'n roll AIN'T CHURCH. It's nasty business. You gotta be nasty too. If you're goody, goody, you can't sing or play it. . ." (Los Angeles Times, August 7, 1988) Even secular Time magazine, (March 11, 1985 p.60) in an article about Contemporary Christian Music titled the article, "New Lyrics for the DEVIL'S MUSIC".
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One of the most shameful incidents I have ever witnessed at a Christian concert occurred at a Third Day concert in Birmingham, AL. During the concert, singer Mac Powell, said, “Now we’re gonna do one for mom and dad”. And what song did these Christians sing for mom and dad? Amazing Grace? Victory in Jesus? No, they did outlaw rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama”! 
The inside of Third Day's "winged globe" is also very interesting. According to the Dictionary of Symbols it is an "ing rune" and "an ideogram for the moon god". (Carl G. Liungman, Dictionary of Symbols, p. 458) 
Inside Music, (Jan/Feb 91), describes a Michael W. Smith concert, “His concerts draw hundreds of thousands of fans each year, mostly teenage girls who scream out their affection for him non-stop throughout. To his fans, Smith is the absolute greatest there is, bar none.” 
Something else very alarming is in "Michael W Smith". The "M" in Michael and the "T" in Smith is part of the Runic (runic means secret) alphabet used in witchcraft and satanism! 
On many of their album covers is the occult symbol for the god of Jupiter. Earth, Wind and Fire’s song Jupiter describes a "visit" from a superman-Avatar "light being" named Jupiter. Interesting, the name Lucifer means "light bearer". 
Would a born-again Christian fill their heart and mind with Earth, Wind and Fire’s new age, metaphysical, Baal-inspired message? And even worse, would (or could. . .) a supposedly born-again Christian, that is ". . . guided in all truth" (John 16:13) by the Holy Spirit, sing and promote the metaphysical, Baal-inspired, demonic message of Earth, Wind and Fire? | How can CCM "mention the Lord Jesus" and yet be wrong? |
 Many people have written, and truthfully asked:"Yes, there are serious compromises in CCM. People believe that if Jesus Christ is mentioned or if the person professes to be a Christian then — it must be ok! But that false ideal does not match the word of God. "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because MANY false prophets are gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1 But before we begin, let me establish a few basic Bible facts:
Satan's message doesn't necessarily have to be "wrong" or "evil", in fact it can even appear "good" or "pleasant" — as long as it keeps you from obeying the word of God. In Genesis chapter three, as Eve eyed the "forbidden" fruit, the Bible says: "And when the woman saw that the tree was GOOD for food, and that it was PLEASANT to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." Genesis 3:6 According to Genesis 3:6, the "forbidden fruit" was "good", "pleasant" and "make one wise". What is wrong with that? It wasn't "satanic". It wasn't "evil". It was "good" and "pleasant". What is wrong with that? Simple. IT WAS AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD! "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Genesis 2:16-17 That single, simple act of rebellion damned mankind! That innocent act of disobedience damned mankind! And yet it appeared "good" and "pleasant"! The ONLY problem was — it was against the word of God! Just because something isn't "evil" — just because something isn't openly "satanic" — does NOT mean Satan is not the author! And just because something appears "good" — and just because something appears "right" — does NOT mean it is RIGHT! Does it disobey the word of God? If it does — no matter how it appears — it is NOT the will of God! God does NOT lie. God is NOT going to DISOBEY His own words. For if He did — God would be a LIAR. And that is NOT possible. . . "In hope of eternal life, which God, THAT CANNOT LIE, promised before the world began;" Titus 1:2 Christian rock (CCM), as we have documented on this site over and over, blatantly, openly, and many times proudly — disobeys the clear teaching of the word of God!
But even "love" is NOT a guarantee against Satanic influence. Even though someone "loves" the Lord — even though their motive is "love" for Jesus Christ — they can still be "controlled" by Satan — if they disobey the will of God! Find that hard to believe? Matthew 16:13-23 has an amazing dialogue, between Jesus, Peter and Satan: 13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? A few interesting things about Matthew 16:13-23:
Sincerity, love and motive is no substitute for obeying the WORD OF GOD! The Christian Rock stars may have the RIGHT motive, but only a carnal, backslidden, disobedient Christian could possibly think rock music was the direct will of God! The secular world knows the God of the Bible is NOT the "god of rock". The lost, secular world knows Satan is the "god of rock". Rock star David Bowie said, "Rock has always been THE DEVILS MUSIC." (Rolling Stone, Feb. 12, 1976, p. 83) When rock music first appeared, even the secular world knew it was wrong. The very term "rock'n roll" means "sexual fornication". In The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll (p.474) for the definition of "rock & roll" is "The term is a blues euphemism for sexual intercourse". Encyclopedia Britannica Yearbook for 1956 described rock' n roll as, "insistent savagery . . . deliberately competing with the artistic ideals of the jungle."
In 2 Corinthians 11:14-15:, the word of God reveals an alarming characteristic of Satan and his ministers: 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.(2 Corinthians 11:14-15) The Bible CLEARLY says in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15: 1) Satan can appear as an angel of light. Could not Satan's musicians appear as "musicians of righteousness"?
Let me make something VERY clear. I do NOT believe most of the CCM artists are Satanists. I do NOT believe most of the CCM artists are willingly doing Satan's will. But as I've documented throughout this web site, I DO believe Satan is the author of Christian rock. I DO believe most of the CCM artists are unknowingly caring out Satan's plan. By the way, do you know who said the following? "If we continue on this path, respectable, industrious and honest, if we fulfill our duty faithfully, it is my conviction, the Lord God will continually help us in the future. He will not leave respectable people in the lurch indefinitely. He may test them, but in the end He lets His sun shine upon them and gives them His blessing." Billy Graham? Jack Van Impee? Billy Sunday? Dwight Moody? ADOLPH HITLER! Adolph Hitler also called his plan "Positive Christianity." Watch out for the "positive" pushers! Just because someone mentions the Lord or acts like a Christian, does not mean there are following the Lord Jesus Christ. The real test is — are they following the word of God? Jesus Christ says in Matthew 7:15 warns of "false prophets, which appear to you in sheep's clothing [as a Christian] but inwardly are ravening wolves"
I've seen them in concerts mention Jesus Christ. I've seen them praise the Lord. Would Satan do that? In Mark chapter 5, the Lord Jesus Christ has an interesting encounter with a man possessed with an unclean spirit. Verse 6, says, the unclean spirit "worshipped him". Verse 7 says, the unclean spirit, refers to the Lord Jesus, as "Jesus, thou Son of the most high God". 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. According to Mark 5:1-8, the fact that someone mentions Jesus, or even "worships" Him, does NOT mean it is from the Holy Spirit — but could actually be an "unclean spirit".
Isn't that enough to prove it's from God? Just because someone calls Jesus "Lord" does NOT mean they are a Christian. In Matthew chapter 7, there are MANY people who call Jesus, "Lord"; who " prophesied in thy name"; who "in thy name have cast out devils"; who "and in thy name done many wonderful works" — and yet they were NEVER saved — Jesus Christ NEVER knew them! Notice, not a "few", but verse 22, "MANY . . ." are doing this! 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. You ask, "How do I know who is truly following the Lord Jesus?". Simple. Are they obeying the clear teachings of the word of God?
Would devils or evil spirits mention the name of Jesus or tell of His salvation? Yes. In Acts 16, an evil spirit follows Paul, and tells the truth: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation. Even though the evil spirit was telling the truth, the apostle Paul would not honor her testimony. Why? Why didn't Paul say, "C'mon up hear sister, and give a word of testimony". Why? Because even though the message was RIGHT — the medium that brought it was WRONG! And God would NOT honor it! The same with rock music. Either rock music is from God — from day one. Or rock music is from Satan — from day one — and God will NOT honor it's message! I have NEVER heard a clear, old-fashion, Bible-based plan of salvation from a CCM artist. I have heard several "feel-good", watered-down, "make-a-decision" whatevers. I have NEVER heard a simple, You are a sinnner; You're going to face judgement; You're going to spend eternity in a lake of fire without Jesus Christ; You can do nothing to save yourself; etc. from ANY CCM artists.
The purpose of this article is NOT — to "judge" who is saved and who is not. We do not know. We do not even try to guess. Only God knows for sure who are truly born again. The purpose of this article is — just because someone appears to be Christian – just because the message appears to be Christian – just because they appear to worship the Lord Jesus — does NOT mean they are following the Lord Jesus Christ! "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because MANY false prophets are gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1 This article, our web site, our ministry has one MAIN purpose — to get people back to the word of God — the King James Bible. And that is your ONLY safe guide! There is only ONE source you can be 100%, absolutely sure of — the word of God! You can NOT absolutely trust me. You can NOT absolutely trust CCM artists. You can NOT absolutely trust your church, your preacher, your spouse, your parents, your children, nor anybody! "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; . . ." Romans 3:4 And you can NOT EVEN absolutely trust in your own heart! "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9 The ONLY absolute safe position is — the word of God. And that should be the ONLY test for CCM — or anything or anybody else! It's NOT they seem to worship the Lord; But does it AGREE with the word of God! If NOT — it is NOT following the Lord Jesus Christ. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3 In Numbers 22, Balak the king of the Moabites calls Balaam, the prophet of God, to "curse" the children of Israel. And even though Balaam would not "curse" Israel, he taught Balac to "intermingle" and "fellowship" with Israel. "But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication." Revelation 2:14 Just as Balaam, CCM does NOT openly "curse" this generation. But I believe CCM is a modern-day Balaam, who "cast a stumblingblock before our children, to feed their minds with music sacrificed unto idols, and to commit spiritual fornication". Who has taught our children to "intermingle" and "fellowship" with the enemies of the Lord Jesus. And I believe the fruit of CCM is spiritual disaster! We have shown over and over on this web site (and other publications) that Christian Rock does NOT follow the word of God. And we have preached over and over on this web site (and every way we know how) for God's people to "search the scriptures". There is too much at stake to be naive or lazy! May the Lord help you to have the testimony of the Bereans in Acts 17:11: ". . . they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so". Acts 17:11Our prayer is you will prayerfully, seriously and obediently "try" CCM with the word of God. |
| Dr. Terry Watkins, Th.D. | • PART THREE • | Dial-the-Truth Ministries |
MARSHA STEVENS •
 | In 1971, the first Christian rock album was recorded, titled “Come to the Waters” by the group Children of the Day. Led by singer Marsha Stevens, her song “For Those Tears I Died” was the spark that ignited the CCM wildfire. Dr. Mark Powell, author of An Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, writes, “[Marsha] certainly deserves to be known as ‘the mother of contemporary Christian music’”. (p.870) CCM’s “Mother” is also a militant lesbian. Marsha started the spiritually perverted group B.A.L.M. (Born Again Lesbian Music).
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KING'S X •
Another popular CCM group is King’s X. Despite the fact, that King’s X member Doug Pinnick is a proud homosexual, they are still romanced by the Christian world. Pinnick told Aquarian Weekly, in May 2000, “Yeah, I’m gay; big deal”. During Christian concerts, Pinnick proudly wore the homosexual trademark; “pink triangle”. Viciously denouncing Christianity, Pinnick told Metal Manaics: 
“I just finally kinda somehow weaned myself out of religion, out of the whole thing to the point I just do not believe in Christianity anymore at all. . . Why do people live their lives for God, wasting their lives. . .” (Metal Maniacs, Nov. 2000, p.78)Even after Pinnick’s hate-filled attacks on Christianity and homosexual perversion, Dr. Powell, writes in An Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, “King’s X is one of the most popular and most highly respected Christian bands in the world. . .” (p.489) Popular CCM author, Mark Joseph incredibly calls Pinnick’s homosexual outing as a “courageous confession”!
STRYPER •
The 1980’s were rocked and shocked by the Christian metal-glam rockers Stryper. Stryper pranced around wearing mascara, lip gloss, eye shadow, earrings, spandex and women’s hair styles, deliberately mocking 1 Cor. 6:9-10 (“effeminate. . . shall inherit the kingdom of God”). Stryper’s popularity and perversion of Christian music garnished a CCM-record-breaking, two platinum and four gold records!
Robert Sweet of Styrper, makes a startling admission about Christian rock in RIP magazine:
“As a matter of fact, the band was one thing that was making us turn and walk the opposite direction from Christianity. . . If you’re doing something you like doing, and God says not to do it then you’re not going to pay attention.”(RIP, April, 1987 p. 49)Sweet knew Stryper and Christian rock was “the opposite direction from Christianity” and “God says not to do it”. Tim Gaines of Stryper, revealed to HM magazine,
“From the end of 1988 ‘til February of this year [1997], I was drunk every day.” (HM, Mar/Apr 97 #64, p.47)For over three years while Stryper was performing Christian concerts, Tim Gaines was drunk every day!
Oz Fox of Stryper honestly says,
“To be honest, Stryper wasn’t what we should have been spiritually speaking... there was sin happening in the band. . . And the reason why it was happening is because we didn’t know the Lord like we should have.” (HM, Mar/Apr 97 #64, p.49)Did I mention Stryper was one of the most popular bands in rock music history?
SANDI PATTI •
In 1995, shock waves shook the CCM planet. CCM’s queen-of-clean, Sandi Patti, confessed to committing adultery since 1991 with singer Don Peslis. And he was not her first. Christianity Today reports,
“According to several independent sources who at different times were aware of Patty’s activities, she took part in two extramarital relationships, in both cases with married men.” (Christianity Today, Sept. 11, 1995 p. 72)During much of Sandi Patti’s CCM career, she was committing adultery with married men! When Sandi Patti came out on stage, giving testimony and singing for the Lord, she was committing adultery! Sandi soon divorced her husband and married her adulterous companion Peslis, even though her husband was willing to forgive her and restore their marriage.
PsychoHeresy Awareness writes, "Patty's rising popularity is indicative of the trashed condition of Christians who claim the name of Christ but will not follow the doctrines of the Bible. Marrying a partner in adultery does not make the relationship right. It constitutes a continual condition of disobedience to God. How does one repent of adultery while one continues in an ongoing relationship with a former accomplice in adultery?" (PsychoHeresy Awareness Letter, March-April 1998 pp.1,8).
By the way, Sandi is more popular than ever.
Proverbs 30:20 has Sandi’s name on it:
Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
Proverbs 30:20
RAZE •
One of CCM’s recent emerging stars was the dance-hip-hop group Raze. In 2001, Raze singer, founder and former dancer for Carman, Ja’ Marc Davis was arrested and charged with five counts of lewd molestation, three counts of rape by instrumentation and three counts of forcible sodomy. His three victims were ages 13 and 16 (2). Incredibly, much of the time Raze is singing for the Holy Lord Jesus, the lead singer has molested a 13-year-old girl!
Loudly testifying to CCM’s total lack of any Christian convictions, a few months after Davis was arrested for molesting a 13-year-old girl, the prestigious Dove awards honored Raze with two Dove Awards! Frank Breeden, president of the Gospel Music Association said, “If they [Raze] should win, it would go to them”. Breeden describes Davis’s child molestation, rape and sodomy charges as simply a “moral difficulty”. It is no wonder much of Christian music is wallowing in the moral and spiritual sewers because the leaders label child molestation as a “moral difficulty” and also honor the pervert with two Dove awards!
MICHAEL ENGLISH •
1994 was an unprecedented night at the famous Dove Awards. CCM superstar former Bill Gaither Trio Star, Michael English won an unbelievable, record-breaking, six Dove Awards! Just as unbelievable, less than 24 hours later, English called a press conference to confess an adulterous affair with Marabeth Jordon of the CCM group First Call. To make matters even worse, both were married and Jordon was pregnant with English’s illegitimate child.
Despite English’s highly publicized adultery, the very next year he won another Dove award for his recording with the Bill Gaither group! English soon filled the tabloids with such juicy slime as frequenting strip clubs; dating a stripper; being arrested for assault charges filed by his shacked-up girlfriend. During much of this open-sin-decadent time, English was still happily working within the CCM world. In 2000, English was arrested and pleaded guilty to 12 counts of illegally obtaining prescription painkillers. Despite his open rebellion, English can still be found performing Christian concerts, and for a while, even hosting the Michael English Show on TBN. English flippantly says of his drug addiction, forged prescriptions and arrest, “It was an innocent mistake. It could happen to anybody.”
Why air out all this dirty laundry infesting CCM? Because Christians need to wake up to the fruits of rock music. Rock music was born and bred with the seeds of rebellion. Calling it Christian and changing a few words will not transform the rebellious nature of rock music. The Encyclopaedia Britannica Yearbook for 1956 described rock’n roll as, “insistent savagery . . . deliberately competing with the artistic ideals of the jungle.”
Secular rocker Lita Ford got it right,
“Listen, rock’n roll ain’t church. It’s nasty business. You gotta be nasty too. If you’re goody, goody, you can’t sing or play it. . .” (Los Angeles Times, August 7, 1988)Homosexual rock star David Bowie said,
“Rock has always been the devil’s music. . . I believe rock and roll is dangerous . . . I feel we’re only heralding something even darker than ourselves.” (Rolling Stone, Feb. 12, 1976)
Clearly, the fruits of CCM stink with the stench of sin and rebellion of rock music.
THE MYTH OF CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC •
After documenting the many sins polluting Christian rock, I always get the question, "But how will we reach our young people if we do not use Christian rock?" Barna Research Group prepared an extensive survey of Christian teenagers titled Third Millennium Teens Report. In the report they write (p. 68), “Among the surprises emerging from the research is that teenagers do not come to church because it has hot music.” In the report (p. 54), Barna constructed a list of “What Teenagers May Look For In a Church”. And out of 18 items on the list – at an insignificant number 14 was the type of music! Barna’s extensive report has an error rate of less than 5%. The “Great Drawing Card” of rock music is a myth! The evidence proves it is not true!
Undoubtedly, the most outspoken promoter of Christian rock is CCM artist Charlie Peacock. In his book, At The Crossroads, Peacock admits Christian rock is NOT reaching lost people! Peacock polled 35 popular CCM artists. He asked them “to estimate the number of letters received from non-Christians over the span of their careers”. Peacock writes, “. . . over 50% gave ten or fewer letters as their answer”. He adds, “. . . we must give serious consideration to the possibility that we’re producing very little evangelism and cultural penetration for the cause of Christ.” (Peacock, Charlie, At The Crossroads, p. 184) And may I remind you – that is from CCM’s greatest supporter!
Christian rock is not getting people saved!
It is spiritually blinding and perverting Christians!
CCM veteran Michael Card, warns about CCM,
“The direction and value system are getting worse faster than any of us can imagine.” (Christianity Today, May 20, 1996, p. 22)
JACI VELASQUEZ •
CCM star, Jaci Velasquez’s starring role in the movie, Chasing Papi, confirms Card’s warning. Chicago Sun-Times, famed movie critic, Roger Ebert describes Chasing Papi, as a “. . .feature-length jiggle show with Charlie’s Angels transformed into Latina bimbos. . .” Ebert compares Chasing Papi to the nearly-nude magazine Maxim (Walmart removed Maxim for it’s filth). Papi, he writes, “. . would make your average Maxim reader feel right at home.” One scene in Chasing Papi, is the three women (including Jaci) hiding in Papi’s bedroom wearing very (very, very) skimpy red lingerie. When Papi appears they all lusciously pop-out. Ebert says the scene looks like “. . . a fashion show by Victoria’s Secret”. Another reviewer says Chasing Papi is “. . . as lubricious as a centerfold.” (Lubricious means sexual arousal or lustful)
Unbelievably, Velasquez tells CCM, "With my music and now this movie, I feel like I've been given a platform. More than ever, I want to use that platform to be authentic about my faith to people who may not know God. . ." How can anyone be "authentic about their faith" by appearing in a lustful, movie that is compared to a centerfold, wearing red skimpy lingerie in a man's bedroom? Can people really be that spiritually blind? Velasquez proudly tells CCM, after her concerts ". . . I always get letters saying, 'You dress too sexy. I was offended; I'm never taking my kid to your show again.'"
EVANESCENCE •
Another revealing testimony to the complete spiritual blindness of CCM is the unmasking of the gothic metal band Evanescence. Evanescence’s album Fallen was heavily marketed by the mega Christian music distributor Provident and it swiftly climbed to the Number One spot on Billboard’s Christian charts! Virtually overnight, Evanescence was the new “shining star” of the Christian Music world. But there was one little-bitty problem. . .
Evanescence is not a Christian band!
In Entertainment Weekly (April 18, 2003), Evanescence finally could no longer take it. The spiritual blindness of the Contemporary Christian Music world even baffled Evanescence! Guitarist Ben Moody flatly tells Entertainment Weekly,
“We’re actually high on the Christian charts, and I’m like, What the f*** are we even doing there?” (Entertainment Weekly, April 18, 2003, p. 41)Yea, what are they doing there?
Here is how spiritually-blind, CCM magazine reviewed Evanescence’s Fallen:
“Evanescence’s unapologetic declaration of faith in songs like ‘Tourniquet’ and ‘Whisper’ have Christian message boards buzzing with commentary about the band’s seemingly brave ‘Jesus’ agenda.” (CCM, May 2003, p. 41)Their “unapologetic declaration of faith”? Their brave “Jesus agenda”?
Let's take a look at some of Evanescence's lyrics. Let us examine their “unapologetic declaration of faith”:
In their song, Breathe No More, they openly sing, ". . . I've come to believe my souls on the other side".
Breathe No More - Evanescence (Fallen)
I've been looking in the mirror for so long.
That I've come to believe my souls on the other side. . .
And I bleed, I bleed, . . .
Convince me that I've been sick forever.
Bring Me To Life - Evanescence (Fallen)How can you see into my eyes. . .
Without a soul
my spirit's sleeping somewhere cold . . .
Save me.
Call my name and save me from the dark.
Wake me up.
Bid my blood to run. . .
Everybody's Fool - Evanescence (Fallen)In Farther Away, Evanescene sings, "I sold my soul just to hide the light!" To a Christian - the Light is the Lord Jesus Christ (John 8:12). "And now I see what I really am - A thief, A WHORE and a liar". Is this the kind of music our Christian youth should be listening to? Would anyone, with ANY spiritual discernment, possibly believe this is Bible-Believing Christian music?Lost in your lies . . .
I know the truth now
I know who you are. . .
Never was and never will be
Not for real that you can save me
And somehow now you're everybody's fool
Farther Away - Evanescence (Fallen)I sold my soul just to hide the light.
And now I see what I really am,
A thief a whore, and a liar.
Hello - Evanescence (Fallen)In their song Imaginary, even throws in a little wicca, pagan, new-age doctrine with "the goddess of imaginary light"Don't try to fix me
I'm not broken
Hello, I'm the lie living for you so you can hide...
Imaginary - Evanescence (Fallen)Oh how I long for the deep sleep dreaming
The goddess of imaginary light
My Last Breath - Evanescence (Fallen)In their song Whisper, Evanescence sings the "this truth drives me into madness" and "fallen angels at my feet" who "whisper voices at my ear. Death before my eyes". Who, with any real Christian spiritual discernment, could honestly recommend and endorse this to our Christian young people?Closing your eyes
You pray your dreams will leave you here,
But still you wake and know the truth -
No one's there.
Say goodnight, don't be afraid
Calling me, holding me, as you fade to black.
Whisper - Evanescence (Fallen)"truth drive me into madness. . ."?No one's here and I fall into myself
This truth drive me
Into madness
I know I can stop the pain. . .
Fallen angels at my feet
Whispered voices at my ear
Death before my eyes
How different from the words of the Lord Jesus. Jesus says in John 8:32, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"
How in the world, can ANYONE possibly believe this is Christian music?
In the song Tourniquet, Evanescence sings a haunting, dark, gothic, blasphemous cry mocking salvation. They even toss in the title "Christ". Music-Critic.ca says of Tourniquet: "The question of whether God is listening or even there at all is brought up throughout the song,. . ." (www.music-critic.ca/album-reviews/evanescence_fallen.shtml) And this is a Christian message?
Tourniquet - Evanescence (Fallen)And CCM magazine praises this wickedness for their “unapologetic declaration of faith” and their “brave ‘Jesus’ agenda”! How can anyone possibly be that spiritually blind?Am I too lost to be saved ?. . .
My God! My Tourniquet,
Return to me salvation. . .
Lost for so long.
Will you be on the other side ?
Will you forgive me ? . . .
My soul cries, for deliverance.
Will I be denied ?
Christ! Tourniquet! My suicide.
No wonder Singer Amy Lee also tells Entertainment Weekly, “I guarantee that if the Christian bookstore owners LISTENED to some of those songs, they wouldn’t sell the CD."
Now what does that testify to the spiritual discernment of the Contemporary Christian Music world? Compare CCM's misleading "brave 'Jesus' agenda" and "unapologetic declaration of faith" review of Fallen to MTV's review of Fallen: 
"Sounds Like: Exactly how they look: dark, eerie, and unabashedly rocking. . . "Here's how Unearthed.com's describes Fallen:
MTV's review of Fallen
(www.mtvasia.com/reviews/cds/Items/2003050702.html, emphasis added)
"When one looks longs into the darkness, it stares into the depths of your soul as well. This abysmal introspection builds the beautiful ruins of truth. Just such a stark glory is what shines in the band Evanescence. . . pristine vocals soar over emotional, ethereal instrumentals ranging from the soft and sorrowful to the dark, heavy melees of aggression. . .Evanescence is not brutal, but is darkly heavy."
(http://www.unearthed.com/reviews/review_r_0232.shtml)
What's the difference? The secular world is simply listening to the music and making an honest evaluation. And the CCM crowd, as Evanescence's lead singer told Entertainment Weekly, "There are people hell-bent on the idea that we're a Christian band in disguise, and that we have some secret message,"
She got that right! They are "HELL bent". There is no way the Holy Spirit of God EVER lead anyone to recommend Evanescence to Christian young people! Not in a million years!
In Matthew 13:15, the Lord Jesus Christ describes some people whose "heart is waxed gross" and their ears are "dull of hearing". They hear it, but because of the deception in their heart, they can no longer hear the truth. A perfect description of many in Contemporary Christian Music. They are so caught up in rock music, they are not spiritually capable of hearing the truth.
Matthew 13:15
CARMAN •
When Elvis and the Beatles first appeared, the secular world was shocked as teenage girls screamed in lustful affection for their gods. Shout! magazine (Dec.1995, p.35) says of Carman, “...just the mention of his name brings excitement to throngs of fans, many of whom are women.”
Carman tells Shout, "I don't know what I do to attract women, I'm just trying to do what God told me to do long ago - bring the gospel to the world."
Yea. . . Right. . .
The Minneapolis Star Tribune in an article titled "Is he Elvis? Is he John Travolta? Nope. He's Carman", describes a sensual, carnal and ungodly Carman concert as:
"On his toes, he's a deep-voiced Elvis, swiveling his hips until the pointed-finger disco of 'Saturday Night Fever' kicks in, and he's suddenly John Travolta with a Bee Gees shrill. He raps, he rocks, he line dances. . ."
(Minneapolis Star Tribune, Is he Elvis? Is he John Travolta? Nope. He's Carman, 09-13-1996, p. 01E)
For some strange reason, I do not think swiveling your hips, rapping, rocking, line dancing, Elvis and John Travolta impersonations is what the Lord Jesus had in mind when He said in Mark 16:15, ". . . Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel. . ."
To no great surprise, Carman's "The Official R.I.O.T. Tourbook" lists Carman's Dream duet with none other than sex-symbol-heartthrob - Tom Jones!
| An "enlightening" display of irony occurred when Carman printed his back page ad for "Halloween 3:16" in the Oct. 29, 1998 "Life" section of USA Today. It seems there was a slight typographical error. . . The ad stated referring to Carman - "See Him live." (See image at RIGHT)The "h" in "him" was "capitalized". To capitalize a "pronoun" (other than the beginning of a sentence) is to emphasize deity or God! The capitalization of a pronoun is reserved for God ONLY! Sound familiar? It was the same lie Satan told Eve in Genesis 3:5, ". . .and ye shall be as gods. . ." According to CCM (CCM, December 1998, p.24) this little typo cost Carman $300,000.
|  |
 | Carman’s Resurrection Rap video is some of the worst blasphemy I have ever witnessed. The video has the Lord Jesus Christ as a confused street hippie, the Pharisees and apostles are black street gang members. The crucifixion takes place, not on Calvary — but in a back alley gang fight. The body of the Lord Jesus is thrown into a garbage dumpster! |
DC TALK •
Dallas Morning News, (April 27, 1996), describes a dcTalk concert, “As teenagers’ shrieks filled the Dallas Convention Center moments before dc Talk took the stage Friday night, one of the relatively few grown-ups in the sold-out crowd observed, ‘This is just like the Beatles.’”
The secular rocker Kurt Cobain is among rock’s worst antichrist. Cobain went around his neighborhood spray-painting, “ABORT CHRIST” and “GOD IS GAY”. (Des Barres, Pamela, Rock Bottom, pp.54-55) The CCM group dcTalk pays homage to antichrist Cobain by singing his song “All Apologies” in their concerts! Toby McKeehan of dc Talk, told USA Today, “Sometimes, being labeled a Christian band, we consider that a negative. . .”
A reporter for the San Diego North Country Reader, (Feb. 29, 1996), covering a dcTalk concert writes,
“. . . we both laughed during the buildup for the encore of “Purple Haze/Jesus Freak” as several young booty shakers cried, almost in unison, ‘These guys are the sh**, man.’”Another undeniable testimony to the rotten, vulgar fruit of Christian rock – young people spewing profanity!
PLUS ONE •
CCM even has their own “sex-symbol-boy-bands”. CCM (June 2000) writes of Plus One,
“Following in the footsteps of ‘NSync, Backstreet Boys. . . The men are already Christian music’s latest sex symbols, with excitable teen girls doing what excitable teen girls do — screaming their adoration and begging for tokens of love.”
True Tunes describes a Plus One sex-symbol-show, “Suddenly, they appear. . . Girls scream. . . The silk robes are dropped to reveal sleek wardrobes. The female population of the audience is now screaming at a deafening pitch.”And what about 2 Timothy 2:22 — “Flee also youthful lusts: . .”
CCM performer, Michael Card, tells Christianity Today (May 20, 1996 p. 22), “Now, the industry is celebrity-driven. The song is almost irrelevant. The focus is on the person, and songs have become disposable.”
ADD BACKSET BOYS TO DO A CHRISTAIN ALBUM
Do you know this CCM-man-worship is abomination to the Lord? Luke 16:15 says, “. . . that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God”? Do you realize, that according to the Lord Jesus, Satan’s goal is to uplift man? Jesus Christ said in Matthew 6:23, “. . . Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”
Could there possibly be any clearer proof of the real “god” of Christian Rock?
NEWSBOYS •
The award for the most nauseating display of spiritual blindness easily goes to Jody Davis of the Newsboys. Davis says of their album, Love Liberty Disco,
“Back in the 70’s when disco originated, the people who were into that would go to these clubs looking for love and acceptance. That’s something we have in the Church...” (Release, April/May 2000, p. 24)
Discos were homosexual hell-holes of filth and perversion. Here is how secular writers describe “discos”:
Disco music is a “call for gays to come out of the closet.” (Newsweek, April 2, 1979 p. 63)
“For the heyday of disco was also the heyday of recklessness in the gay male life-style. . . it cannot be denied that many gay men saw disco as the theme music of their collective orgy…” (Hole in our Soul, p.281)
“A 1980 handbook for would-be disco proprietors, describes discos as a pleasure palace where the public can ‘abandon themselves to the tidal wave of raw animal emotions that engulfs them’” (Ibid, p.281)And Davis of the Newsboys likens the homosexual disco to the church!
THE ROCK •
Fanny Crosby is the greatest hymn writer that ever lived, writing over 9,000 songs! Before Fanny got saved, at 45 years old, she wrote many secular songs. But after she got saved - things were different. . . Here's what Fanny said about mixing Christian and worldly music:
"Sometimes I need to reject the music proposed for my songs because the musicians misunderstand that the Fanny Crosby who once wrote for the people in the saloons has merely changed the lyrics. Oh my no. The church must never sing it's songs to the melodies of the world."And do you know why Fanny Crosby said that - because Fanny got saved! And God "hath put a NEW SONG in my mouth, even PRAISE unto our God" inside the NEW Fanny Crosby! Fanny Crosby wrote over 9,000 songs to the Lord! Fanny used over 200 different pen names because she wanted to make sure God got the glory and not her.
- Fanny Crosby
Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in Glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellant greatness;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!
-- Fanny J. Crosby
There is no such thing as “Christian” rock music. Just as there is no such thing as “Christian adultery” or “Christian homosexuality”. When it is rock, it is not Christian. There is only one “Christian rock” and “THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST” (1 Cor 10:4).
Deuteronomy 32:31
| What about the “thousands” of people getting saved at CCM concerts? |
If you haven’t read, What's wrong with using rock as a tool to reach young people? please read it first.
We do NOT believe "thousands" of people are getting saved at CCM concerts. While we certainly will not say, no one can be saved at a CCM concert – we do not believe "thousands" are being saved at CCM concerts. If people are getting saved — Praise the Lord! If people are getting saved, it is for factors outside the CCM concerts, such as someone "witnessing" and "praying" for that person. It’s because that person has at some time heard the "preaching" of the word of God.
But we can NOT believe "thousands" of people are getting saved at CCM concerts, for the following FOUR reasons from the word of God:
| REASON ONE: |
God’s method of salvation is "PREACHING the word of God".
"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of PREACHING to save them that believe." 1 Corinthians 1:21
This is God’s method. He hasn’t changed. God does NOT LIE. (Titus 1:2) Every revival in history, bar none, came through the PREACHING of God’s word – Torrey, Sunday, Moody, Spurgeon, Wesley, et. al.
Most CCM concerts have NO PREACHING and NO PREACHER present!
"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a PREACHER?" (Romans 10:14)
Notice "without a PREACHER", not a SINGER, not an ENTERTAINER – A PREACHER!
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)
The word of God is the instrument of saving faith – NOT A SONG!
Not only do CCM’ers not have a PREACHER – they go out of their way to "abstain from all appearance of PREACHING"!
Steve Taylor:
"Our concerts attract people because they know they won't be preachy or insult their intelligence." (What About Christian Rock, Peters Brother, p. 138)
(According to Steve Taylor, if you tell someone they’re going to hell without Jesus Christ – to Mr. Taylor that’s "insulting their intelligence" – no wonder Mr. Taylor has such a low opinion of Jesus Christ, as he would write a song title "Jesus is For Losers"
Rich Mullins
"I'm really sick of all this heavy-handed Christianity. Musicians take themselves too seriously. They should have more fun, and they should stop preaching unless that's what God has called them to. If I want to hear a sermon, I'll go to church, thank you." (CCM magazine, April, 1987, p. 12)
Michael W. Smith
"My songs are not preachy -- at all . . ." (Michael McCall, Contemporary Christian, June 1986, p. 19).
Here's what a secular reporter in the Birmingham News wrote after watching a Michael W. Smith concert:
"If you weren’t familiar with Michael W. Smith’s standing in the world of contemporary Christian music, you might attend one of his concerts and come out none the wiser." (The Birmingham News, Feb. 12, 1993 p. 5c)
Stryper
"We're not religious fanatics who are trying to convert everybody we meet. . .We honestly believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior, but we're about the most unreligious Christian band you could imagine. . . " Robert Sweet, of Stryper (Hit Parader Nov, 1986, p. 21)
Holy Soldier
"We're just trying to show that it doesn't need to be pretentious or preachy to be Christian." (CCM July 92 p 54-56)
HM magazine says, "a lot of Christian bands do not feel it necessary to speak about God or Christ":
"There are a lot of bands out now who do not feel it necessary to speak about God or Christ". (HM mag, Issue #67, p.26)Ghoti Hook (now how's that for a Christian name) says:
"Sometime people give us a hard time because we don't mention God onstage. . . we just feel that our calling is to get people interested in our music, interested in us. . ." (HM mag, Issue #67, pp.34-35)Christian rockers, Spudgun, says:
"We don't normally say stuff about God from the stage". Jason Keely, Spudgun (HM mag, Issue #67, p. 40)
Wayne Watson
"There's one way I won't write. I won't write a song that says, 'You better get right with God.' From my own experience I find that way sometimes makes people defensive. . . " (Christian Activities Calendar, Spring/Summer, 1989, p. 111)
So we KNOW:
1. God’s method of presenting salvation is PREACHING the Word of God by a PREACHER.
2. CCM performers refuse to PREACH, and usually have no PREACHER there.
So we have two choices:
1. God is LYING! He did NOT mean what He said.
2. "Thousands" of people are NOT getting saved at CCM concerts.
Who do you think is RIGHT? CCM? The Word of God?
I can hear someone say, "Yea, but you’re limiting God."
No we’re believing what God said.
But we do believe God is limited to TRUTH. God cannot LIE.
"In hope of eternal life, which God, THAT CANNOT LIE, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through PREACHING, . . ." (Titus 1:2-3a)
"God said it and that settles it!"
| REASON TWO: |
Another reason I believe "thousands" of people are NOT getting saved at CCM concerts is the requirements for the "conviction" and "working" of the Holy Spirit are NOT present at CCM concerts.
Jesus Christ, in John 16:8, gives the "working" of the Holy Spirit:
"And when he is come, he will REPROVE the world of SIN, and of RIGHTEOUSNESS, and of JUDGMENT:" (John 16:8)
There is no "PREACHING" or "REPROVING" of SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS, or JUDGEMENT at CCM Concerts.
The message at CCM concerts is a "hip-hopping", "partying", "non-judgmental", "self-esteem", "positive", "feels-good", "humanistic", "fleshly", "carnal" message. There is usually no mention of HELL. There is usually no mention of JUDGEMENT. There is usually no mention of personal SIN. There is no REPROVE. The requirements for the working of the Holy Spirit are NOT present.
CCM concerts are a "dancing", "be-bopping", "fleshly", "carnal" atmosphere – which is completely contrary to the Holy Spirit!
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are CONTRARY the one to the other: . . ."Galatians 5:16
Some examples of CCM concerts "flesh" atmosphere:
ADVERTISEMENT FOR ONE BAD PIG Blow the House Down"
"They're loose again! And this time it's LIVE, unbridled mayhem. In their most daring release yet, One Bad Pig begs the question, why just shake the house, when you can blow the house down?! On stage screaming, stomping, slam dancing, stage diving, pleading and praying. It's the absolute wildest Christian concert ever recorded, and we've captured every wallowing, squealing moment on video! " (Release, Summer 92 pp. 16-17)
Michael W. Smith
"His concerts draw hundreds of thousands of fans each year, mostly teenage girls who scream out their AFFECTION FOR HIM non-stop throughout. And that's where the problems start. To his fans, Smith is the absolute greatest there is, bar none. To his detractors, he is a manipulator who utilizes his good looks and stage show presence to gain unwholesome adoration from his Christian audience as part of a master plan to pursue pop stardom regardless of the cost." (IM Jan/Feb 91 p 22)
"Smith, with synthesizers blaring, drums blazing, and guitars screeching, sent a young crowd into a frenzy from beginning to end." (Tulsa Tribune)
"With sweeping strobes lighting the stage and crowd areas, Smith took the stage with some twirling dance steps that sent the crowd into rocking frenzy. The moment Smith's hands hit the air, the audience responded with over-the-head hand claps and stomping feet."
WHITE HEART
"Crossover, a hot new six-piece band from Rhode Island, got the place rocking with a blend of pop metal melodies and straight-ahead power. . . The crowd was in a frenzy by the time Whitecross appeared, and the front of the auditorium was packed with screaming metalheads."
CARMAN
"One of the first song routines Carman swings into is a jazzed-up 50's imitation of Elvis Presley called "Celebrating Jesus." Carman shakes, stutters and shimmies just like the "King" himself, as the crowd cheers and be-bops in the aisles".
Now, honestly, who in their right "spiritual" mind, could possibly believe that is the "working of the Holy Spirit".
If it is — we can throw our Bible away because that is completely opposite to the word of God! And if you don’t believe that — get your King James Bible out and read it!
"5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. . . .
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:5,8
| REASON THREE: |
We do NOT believe "thousands" are being saved because at most CCM concerts man is glorified and lifted-up.
And according to the Lord Jesus Christ that is Satan’s goal:
"But he [Jesus] turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." Matthew 16:23
According to the Lord Jesus Christ (read it! Turn the music off and READ IT!) Satan’s goal is to uplift man. A satanist is someone that glorifies and uplifts man!
According to the Lord Jesus Christ the following comments and quotes are satanic:
dc Talk:
Here's how Dallas Morning News, (April 27, 1996) describes a DC Talk "Freak Show" concert:
"As teenagers’ shrieks filled the Dallas Convention Center moments before dc Talk took the stage Friday night, one of the relatively few grown-ups in the sold-out crowd observed, ‘This is just like the BEATLES.’"
Michael W. Smith
Smith’s concerts are filled with teenage girls who "scream out their affection for HIM" (not the Lord Jesus Christ). Here’s how Inside Music, Jan/Feb 91, describes a Smith concert:
"His concerts draw hundreds of thousands of fans each year, mostly teenage girls who scream out their AFFECTION FOR HIM non-stop throughout. . . . To his fans, Smith is the absolute greatest there is, BAR NONE . . ." (IM Jan/Feb 91 p 22)
Now how can a Christian, who believes the Bible — possibly believe God is a part of that man-worshipping atmosphere?
How can the Holy Spirit, who inspired Matthew 16:23, possibly be a part of CCM's man-worshipping concerts?
It is simply NOT possible for most CCM concerts and Matthew 16:23 to harmonize!
The most pitiful remark comes from author Josh McDowell about CCM’er Steve Camp:
"Thank God for Steve Camp. The body of Christ is enriched because we have his heart and his music. My oldest daughter thinks he hung the moon." Josh McDowell (CCM, Aug, 91, p. 15)
Did you read that? — "My oldest daughter thinks he hung the moon"! Do you know who hung the moon? The Lord Jesus Christ hung the moon! (John 1:3)
It’s one thing for young teen age girls to "idolize" these CCM’ers, but Josh McDowell, who is supposedly a minister to makes such "satanic" statements – there’s no excuse!
Shame on you Josh McDowell!
Not surprisingly, the message Satan delivered Eve in the garden of Eden is ". . . ye shall be as gods. . ." (Genesis 3:5) — exactly what is happening at CCM concerts.
The atmosphere, the music, and man-worship are completely opposite to the word of God! And don’t tell me you "love the Lord Jesus Christ" and defend CCM!
Because Jesus Christ said in John 14:23 " . . .If a man love me, he will keep my words. . ."
If you "love the Lord Jesus Christ" — according to the Lord Jesus Christ — "you'll keep His words" And CCM is AGAINST His word!
Again, we do not believe "thousands" of people are getting saved at CCM concerts -- but:
Even if people are getting saved – does that make CCM right?
What kind of Christians is CCM producing? What kind of Christian "foundation" is CCM building? If it takes music and lifestyles that blatantly imitate the "world", that teaches "no worldly separation", a "nihilist-anything-goes-Christianity" – what will it take to reach the next generation? How far will CCM "depart from the word of God" to "reach the lost"?
What "seeds" are CCM planting? What kind of crops are CCM growing? If the Lord Jesus tarries – what "kind of fruit" will CCM "reap" in our young people?
You’d better pray about that youth pastor, pastor, parent that is "feeding" your young people with the spiritual "counterfeit" of CCM. If the Lord tarries, these young people will grow up and the "seeds" of CCM will NOT produce the "fruits" of the Holy Spirit?
Here's an example of the fruits of Christian rock:The Christian Rock group Audio Adrenaline spent seven days with seven Christian young people and during that time conversed with them. These are Christian young people "hopped-up" on Chrisitian rock. Even, the group Audio Adrenaline was surprized at their "tolerance" and compromise. Here's what Audio Adrenaline reported:
"One guy was totally questioning his faith, teetering on atheism. One of the girls couldn't hold a conversation without dropping the f-word. . . On the issue of absolutes, I heard some comments that surprised me. I think there are a lot of Christian young people who are lured into the philosophy of tolerance. . . I thought some of the kids were a little out there, almost New Age, real accepting and tolerant. .." (CCM, Feb. 1998)The "seeds" of the flesh will NOT produce the "fruits" of the Spirit!
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man SOWETH, that shall he also REAP." (Galatians 6:7)
What is CCM, with it’s "partying" and "rock’n’rollin" atmosphere, doing to the future of "bearing his reproach" (Heb. 13:13)? What is CCM doing to the Christian crops and vineyards of tomorrow? Will these young people "nurtured" on the "beat" and "high" of Christian rock be able to "stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11)?
In the book, Builder of Bridges, Dr. Bob Jones, Sr., gives a frightening analysis of the type of "Madison-Avenue" salvation show, used in CCM.
"Suppose I have a beautiful garden, and you are a fruit gatherer, and you tell me that you will gather my fruit. I go away on a trip. You gather the fruit and pile it in the corner. It looks good. But when I go out into my orchard, I find that my trees are ruined. The limbs are broken, there is damaged bark on the trunks, and the roots are damaged and exposed. My trees begin to die, and there is no more fruit." (Johnson, R.K., Builder of Bridges, p. 291)
As old-time preacher, Carl Lackey once stated:
"The devil’s a good checker player. He doesn’t mind giving up a few souls, to damn and destroy a generation." (from the message, The Kind of Man God is Looking For, by Carl Lackey)
| REASON FOUR: |
The "end" does NOT justify the "means".
Even if people are getting saved – does that mean CCM is RIGHT?
Does the "end" justify the "means"?
Pat Boone, among the first who "rock ‘n’ rolled" with Jesus, truthfully confessed his use of rock songs (such as "Tutti Frutti", "Ain’t That a Shame") were "means to an end".
"I recognized a long time ago, that God built a platform for me with those early rock ‘n’ roll songs I did. They weren’t gospel songs, but they were means to an end." (CCM Magazine, May 1997, p.9)
Doug Van Pelt confesses on the use of Thrash metal (thrash metal is a "hellish" and "satanic" growling music popularized by groups like Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Danzig, Exodus, Suicidal Tendencies) in CCM magazine:
"Thrash metal, like other contemporary forms of Christian music, may be one of those rare occasions where the ‘means’ are justified by the ‘ends’". (CCM Magazine, Feb.1989, p.20)
But does the Bible endorse the "end justify the means"?
NO. It clearly does not. . .
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 3:5-8, to those, such as Pat Boone, who justifies the means by the ends:
5 But if OUR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through MY LIE unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. (Romans 3:5-8)
"And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive LAWFULLY." (2 Timothy 2:5)
Here’s a good example illustrating the problem with the "end justifies the means".
The Bible teaches every baby that dies goes to heaven. The Bible teaches an "age of knowledge and accountability".
"Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it." Deuteronomy 1:39
So every baby goes to heaven – if the "end" justifies the "means" – then abortion is great!
Millions of people are getting saved! Over 1.5 million babies, every year, are going to heaven — thanks to abortion! Since 1973, over 30 million babies are in heaven — thanks to abortion! Who cares they're being murdered? Who cares they're little brains are literally being sucked out? So what, they're being sucked out and chopped up like ground meat? The "end justifies the means" — little people are getting saved! Let’s start preaching the "salvation through abortion" in our churches. Hey, let’s have "abortion-calls" in our churches! Think of the millions that could be "saved"?
Do you get the picture? Do you see how ridiculous the "end" justifies the "means" is?
As Franky Schaeffer writes in Addicted to Mediocrity:
"The excuse that ‘sometimes people are saved’ is no excuse at all. People have been saved in concentration camps because God can bring good from evil, but this does not justify the evil." (Schaeffer, Franky, Addicted to Mediocrity, p. 45)
It is NEVER right to do WRONG — Even if people get saved!
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin,[CCM] that grace may abound?
God forbid . . ."
(Romans 6:1-2)
