WHY USE CHRISTIAN ROCK MUSIC?
(Colossians 3:23, 24)
“Worship has nothing to do with the style or volume or speed of a song. God loves all kinds of music
because He invented it all – fast and slow, loud, soft, old, new. You probably don’t like it all, but God
does! If it is offered to God in spirit and truth, it is an act of worship.”
Christians often disagree over the style of music used in worship, passionately defending their
preferred style as the most biblical or God honoring. But there is no biblical style! There are no musical
notes in the bible; we don’t even have the instruments they used in Biblical times. Frankly, the music
style you like best says more about you – your background and personality – than it does about
God. One ethnic group’s music can sound like noise to another. But God likes variety and enjoys it
all.” (page 65-66).
The bible says that we must serve Him with all of our heart (Colossians 3:23- 24). This means we must
give Him our best. The problem is, the best that we have may not be what everyone else thinks is
best. Perhaps it is best to say that “Our best” should always be according to Gods’ specific design that
He has in mind for each of us. Anything less is not our best. That’s why whenever I consider a
particular “style” of music (rock, pop, country, or whatever) I see them all as individual instruments
like my guitar. I choose the style of music that will deliver the words of the song into the heart of the
listener as effectively as possible.
For example, if the song is about the power of God and His ability to deliver His people (such as Goliath’
s Challenge) then I pick a style that will emphasize the faith of Gods’ people and God's invincible power
in the face of overwhelming odds. In other words, I need a style that has a powerful sound. If the
song is about the healing love of God from the hurt that life tends to bring, then I pick a style that will
take such a message and gently place it in the heart so that hopefully the healing can begin (such as
the style used in Precious).
Jesus described this method in the parable of the seed and Sower (Luke 8: 5-8 and 11-15). According
to the parable, the desired harvest can only happen when the seeds make it into the rich soil. Jesus
goes on to say that there are many things that will hinder or prevent the seeds from getting to this
rich soil. The Sower knows that unless his seeds make it into the rich soil, he is only wasting his time,
so he is going to do whatever it takes to get as many seeds into the rich soil as possible.
Whenever I write songs, the message that is in the music is all about God and coming to a deeper
understanding of who He is. The objective is to get as many “seeds” as possible into rich soil (rich soil
means a ready and attentive heart). Music tends to prepare the heart. It’s usually just a matter of
knowing when to use certain styles of music and when not to. It all depends on the person I am
trying to reach. In other words, I must become “all things to all men so that by all possible means,
some will be saved” (1 Cor. 9:19).
The various styles of music provides us with vast array of creative tools that can provide us with a
means of communication that otherwise wouldn’t be there. Music bridges cultural barriers and
provides a common median to get those “seeds” planted in rich soil. In other words, music (in all it’s
various styles), when used properly, can work like a plow, removing obstacles and whatever other
hindrances there are to provide rich soil, ready for the seeds of the Sower.
So that I might become “all things to all men so that by all possible means, some will be saved”, I will
become creative for Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 9:19).
©2007 by Scott Campbell/Tacklebox Ministry Music/BMI.
All rights reserved.