The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum "The Merger of Calvinism with Worldliness"

Tom,

You should know by now that the subject of "music", particularly when it is discussed in relation to corporate worship has been at the forefront of controversy for some time. It all boils down to whether or not one wants to consider all things as "neutral" and thus it is a matter of "taste" or if one considers all things as either "good" or "evil" and thus there is a biblical (objective) standard by which all things can be judged. Within that which is judged to be "good", i.e., approved of God, there is the Adiaphora; things indifferent, which true believers may have scruples about, e.g., alcohol consumption, tobacco use, certain foods, etc. This doesn't change the fact that these things are not sinful but that their use may be regulated due to the scruples of weaker brethren. The Church, however, should not formulate polity based upon the scruples of the weaker brother but rather what Scripture teaches concerning such matters.

Now, in very plain terms, Dr. Masters has taken the position that all forms of modern rock music, country, etc., which all have basically the same form, are worldly, i.e., they do not glorify God and thus are unacceptable, both for private and corporate use... particularly corporate worship. Those which disagree have the onus upon them to show that such music is godly and thus acceptable. You know where I stand on this issue as I have stated my position and defended it here many times and in other places on the Internet. I believe Dr. Masters is 100% correct in his understanding of what Scripture teaches on this subject. His book Worship in the Melting Pot is excellent and I would highly recommend you read it.

And, are you saying that you are also ambivalent to the use of coarse language and the other blasphemous displays made by some of these men, e.g., wearing a "Jesus t-shirt", etc.? Have you not thought of these things over the past 10 years of so and been able to come to a decision based upon YOUR study of God's infallible Word? Or, do you consider everything "neutral" and a matter of "personal taste"?