Music and Morality

First let me apologize for posting so late. We're in the middle of camp this week so I am using that as my excuse. Please forgive me. I want to also say that I am thrilled by all the discussion that has been taking place in this blog and in our sister blog, Word. I think the issue of secular and sacred is one that doesn't get discussed enough, and I am glad to see so many people joining in.

What constitues good music?

Or perhaps I should have asked what constitutes morally acceptable music. What music is OK for APs to listen to, and what music should be rejected? We have heard some opinions already (genre, lyrics, lifestyle), but I want to go a little deeper in exploring this topic. As with all questions in our lives we should turn first to the Bible.

Anyone who has grown up AP probably knows the first verse that would come up in any discussion of healthy and harmful entertainment: Philippians 4:8 (NKJV). "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

What do you mean "context?"

I find it interesting that people have used this verse to tell me that I should not watch movies, television programs, or listen to music that hasn't been produced by non-Christians. But they fail to recognize where this verse of scripture is located, namely, in scripture. The same Bible that says "meditate on these things" also tells of Lot having sex with his two daughters, God-sanctioned genocide, and a place filled with weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Are these stories pure anlovely? Are they virtuous and praiseworthy? Yes, they are. Otherwise we wouldn't be able to meditate on the Bible.

So in the same Word of God that contains graphic details of gang rape, we are told to think on the lovely, noble, and just. So what does this mean? If the Bible is our example of the kind of things to meditate on does that open up to us Marilyn Manson's expressions of bitterness or Eminem's angst-ridden railings against his mother? How can we figure out what is virtuous and praiseworthy based on the example that we have been given in the Bible?

In Closing...

This is the question that I would like to use for discussion this week, but I do have a couple of offerings toward an answer.

1) Context-what is being glorified overall? Is it God, goodness, truth or love? Is it lust, lies, evil or Satan? Despite the content, the context can give a good indicator of whether something lines up with Philippians 4:8.

2) Outcome-in a story or a song what is the outcome of sinful actions? Acts 5 might be described as a story glorifying deceit and lying for the sake of making money were it not for the outcome. Because the story ends with judgment and an exposing of the truth, this story is good for us to meditate on.

Ok, these are just a couple, but I want to hear from you. What are some more guides for us? How can we make sure we are honoring Philippians 4:8 even while listening to/writing/ performing songs that aren't all positive?