Comments on: CAN WE ROCK THE GOSPEL? http://rshanks.wordpress.com/2007/01/08/can-we-rock-the-gospel/ For what its worth... Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:27:16 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Larry Robbins http://rshanks.wordpress.com/2007/01/08/can-we-rock-the-gospel/#comment-645 Larry Robbins Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:53:55 +0000 http://rshanks.wordpress.com/2007/01/08/can-we-rock-the-gospel/#comment-645 A MUST READ! Here’s why: (1) the author’s clearly establish and document from both points of view that there is essentially no difference, as a musical genre, between the popular music of the last 50 years and what is being used in the bulk of Christian churches today. (2) It is also very obvious to the reader that from the secular performers perspective, they have no desire whatsoever to be associated with the religious crowd who claims to be Christian. What clearly struck me was, “Why in the world would I, as a Christian, have any desire to be associated with those who hate Christ?” (3) The last half of the book (beginning at chapter 7 – Red Flags) is where the real “meat” of the text begins. The “five concerns” of chapter 7 bring the reader to where the “rubber meets the road.” My thoughts were “Why was Egyptian idol worship rejected when it was directed toward God in Exodus 32, and yet we think God is thrilled with American Idol worship today? – What’s the difference?” Reading others criticism’s of this volume in review as well as other various blogs simply give credence to the conclusions the authors make in their book. There is a stark difference between those who promote Christianity attempting to reform culture and welcome in the kingdom, and those who attempt to follow the philosophy of distinctively different Christianity as they prepare for the eminent rapture of the church. Frankly, I must agree with Blanchard and Lucarini that it is imperative that I follow scriptural principles (not selectively) and be actively engaged IN the world without being OF this world. The danger of following our hearts when we try to interpret the Bible, is that our heart is “desperately wicked, who can know it?” I believe that is the greatest danger in following a path away from our human nature, and embracing a position of separation and holiness—a wonderful challenge brought to the reader in the final chapter! A MUST READ! Here’s why: (1) the author’s clearly establish and document from both points of view that there is essentially no difference, as a musical genre, between the popular music of the last 50 years and what is being used in the bulk of Christian churches today. (2) It is also very obvious to the reader that from the secular performers perspective, they have no desire whatsoever to be associated with the religious crowd who claims to be Christian. What clearly struck me was, “Why in the world would I, as a Christian, have any desire to be associated with those who hate Christ?” (3) The last half of the book (beginning at chapter 7 – Red Flags) is where the real “meat” of the text begins. The “five concerns” of chapter 7 bring the reader to where the “rubber meets the road.” My thoughts were “Why was Egyptian idol worship rejected when it was directed toward God in Exodus 32, and yet we think God is thrilled with American Idol worship today? – What’s the difference?”

Reading others criticism’s of this volume in review as well as other various blogs simply give credence to the conclusions the authors make in their book. There is a stark difference between those who promote Christianity attempting to reform culture and welcome in the kingdom, and those who attempt to follow the philosophy of distinctively different Christianity as they prepare for the eminent rapture of the church. Frankly, I must agree with Blanchard and Lucarini that it is imperative that I follow scriptural principles (not selectively) and be actively engaged IN the world without being OF this world. The danger of following our hearts when we try to interpret the Bible, is that our heart is “desperately wicked, who can know it?” I believe that is the greatest danger in following a path away from our human nature, and embracing a position of separation and holiness—a wonderful challenge brought to the reader in the final chapter!

]]> By: Dale Philip http://rshanks.wordpress.com/2007/01/08/can-we-rock-the-gospel/#comment-523 Dale Philip Sun, 28 Oct 2007 04:34:55 +0000 http://rshanks.wordpress.com/2007/01/08/can-we-rock-the-gospel/#comment-523 Thank you for your review of the book which I have also read. I have been involved with church music in Australia for 50 years. 50 years ago we wouldn't have been having this discussion, because church music in general followed the doctrinal teaching, mood, and focus(e.g. Gospel outreach) of each denomination. With the advent of "Praise & Worship" music many churches not only changed their focus but also introduced different instruments, noise and a greater emphasis on music at the expense of prayer and bible reading. People became alienated with even young mothers saying "I am not going to have my baby's ears damaged by the high level of sound". There is no doubt that churches are being divided for all of these reasons and many people are leaving church altogether. This is sad because we should be the family of God, with each caring for the other. Dale Philip (Worship Leader) Thank you for your review of the book which I have also read. I have been involved with church music in Australia for 50 years. 50 years ago we wouldn’t have been having this discussion, because church music in general followed the doctrinal teaching, mood, and focus(e.g. Gospel outreach) of each denomination. With the advent of “Praise & Worship” music many churches not only changed their focus but also introduced different instruments, noise and a greater emphasis on music at the expense of prayer and bible reading. People became alienated with even young mothers saying “I am not going to have my baby’s ears damaged by the high level of sound”. There is no doubt that churches are being divided for all of these reasons and many people are leaving church altogether. This is sad because we should be the family of God, with each caring for the other.
Dale Philip (Worship Leader)

]]> By: Can We Rock the Gospel? | John Blanchard and Dan Lucarini at PastorBookshelf http://rshanks.wordpress.com/2007/01/08/can-we-rock-the-gospel/#comment-162 Can We Rock the Gospel? | John Blanchard and Dan Lucarini at PastorBookshelf Wed, 21 Mar 2007 19:02:55 +0000 http://rshanks.wordpress.com/2007/01/08/can-we-rock-the-gospel/#comment-162 [...] Randall Shanks, Randall’s Ramblings (01/07) Review [...] [...] Randall Shanks, Randall’s Ramblings (01/07) Review [...]

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