I am going to stray away from my current series, and talk about something else, today. However, as I mentioned earlier, if this blog works out, I will continue with the series that I was working on. I am going to discuss the issue of music, Christian music to be specific. What is “Christian” music? How is it different from secular (non-Christian) music? What genres can be defined as “Christian”? Are there any genres that cannot be classified as “Christian”? These are all questions I will answer in this post.
First of all, what is “Christian” music? Is any artist who labels themselves “Christian” really a Christian band? Why or why not?
The simple answer? No. No, you are not a Christian band merely by labeling yourself as one, and getting yourself on a “Christian” label. You are not truly a Christian band merely by talking about Christ in your songs in a positive light, and preaching the Gospel. A lot of new bands will attach “Christian” onto their genre so that they can appeal to a larger audience. They scale down on the bad language, and add some songs which speak highly of God. That way, they get the Christians to start buying their songs, without losing any of their secular listeners. However, this does not stop as they become more popular. Take As I Lay Dying, for example. They are one of the leading Metal bands, who originally claimed to be Christian, and still claim to be Christian, at least somewhat. However, I have looked at their lyrics, and at the band members, and I do not believe that they are Christians.
So what IS “Christian” music? How would I define “Christian” music, and how can you tell the difference between it and secular music?
A truly Christian band glorifies God with their music. That is the one defining rule for telling whether a band is Christian or not. A truly Christian band is a band whose music is focused around God. A band that merely has God in some of their songs, is probably not Christian. The reason a Christian band exists is to glorify God. When the band formed, that should have been the reason. The way you can tell the difference between true Christian music, and music that is only pretending to be Christian, is what emphasis they put on God and Godly matters. Do the majority of their songs have a positive impact on you, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually? Or do they simply make you feel good, or make you look cool by listening to them?
Are there any genres that are inherently non-Christian?
That is a difficult question. While it important to note that there is always an exception to every rule, I think that there is only one genre that, as a general rule, cannot honestly label themselves Christian (besides Satanic Metal, of course). That is Hip-hop (note: does not include Rap). Hip-hop is, by default, associated with immodest, sinful dancing. If it is not, then it is moved into another genre, such as Rap. Sure, a Hip-hop song could have Christian lyrics, but when you play the song on-stage, there is no escaping the dancing. No matter how modest the clothes are, the dancing itself is never glorifying to God. Rap is pretty much rapid talking, to a beat. therefore, it could be used as a sermon (take KJ-52, for example), and it does not necessarily entail immodest, sexual displaying of the human body.
So, there you go! Your regular dose of theology from a 15 year old! I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a comment with your personal opinions and thoughts on the matter, or just a word of spiritual encouragement.
Be warm and be filled!
Filed under: Christian teens, Music, Pop culture, Teenage, Teens, Teens for God | Tagged: As I Lay Dying., christian music, Do Hard Things, hip-hop, KJ-52, Music, non-christian music, satanic metal, secular music, theology
To be honest, you don’t really sound like you’re half my age!
I totally agree with what you said, and it couldn’t come in a much better timing than this.
I am currently developing a website for Christian artists and got the initial genre/artist list from About.com.
However, as I was getting to know the bands better, I noticed that some of them like “As I Lay Dying” and “Demon Hunter” sounded pretty “different”. With all the shouting in their songs I wonder how they can ever get the “Good news” across.
I’m still trying to fine tune the list in my site. Please let me know if there are artists in my list which should be removed (until further notice).
Thanks a bunch Trey!
Well, I actually do not recognize most of the artists on that list. However, I have serious questions about TobyMac. I get the distinct feeling that the message he is (or was) trying to present has been saturated by fame and public recognition. However, His music is still good, morally, and has Christian values, and therefore does not necessarily need to be removed from the list. I think that any band that claims to be Christian should be analyzed by the listener. My saying they are not Christian does not have any more authority than them saying that they are. If you are trying to decide whether they are spiritually sound, you cannot base your opinion off of them from a statement from a person who you do not know for certain to be doctrinally sound themself (me). In this article, the point that I am trying to make is that there are a lot of so-called Christian artists, and give some facts to back up that statement. I cannot tell you for certain whether an artist is Christian or not, because I am not fit to judge someone on that. I am simply trying to awaken people to the fact that there ARE fake “Christian” artists out there, and to give them a few pointers on recognizing who they are. If you gave me one artists, and asked me to tell you whether they were Christian, I would do a lot of research, and then give you my opinion, along with the facts and the way I used those facts to come to my conclusion.
Oh, and thank you for showing me the list. One band in particular caught my eye, Narnia. I am listening to it now, and am enjoying. Swedish music is very talented, musically (although they are somewhat lacking in good vocalists).
I hope to speak about this a lot in the future, dealing with particular artists and genres in particular.
(No, you are not rid of my incessant rambling, yet)
In response to your statement of artists like Demon Hunter and As I Lay Dying being hard to understand, I would totally agree. I no I said I have no authority to judge an artist, but this case is different, as Demon Hunter and As I Lay Dying are two of my favorite bands (me labeling As I Lay Dying as non-christian, by the way). As far as Demon Hunter goes, I do have a hard time understanding what they say, but, one of the things that I like about them, is, in the most important part of the songs, they make sure the lyrics are legible. Also, for Metal bands, I think there is something good about making your lyrics hard to understand. People try harder to understand them. If somebody likes the song, yet cannot sing along, because they do not know the lyrics, what do they do? They go look them up. Becoming The Archetype is another good example. Generally hard to understand lyrics, but when they are understandable, they are singin about God’s might, sovereignty and power. They deal with a lot more complex issues, and the common person most likely would still not recognize a lot of their lyrics, unless they have studied at least some theology. Several of their songs are even in biblical latin. Also, another good group is The Showdown. Their first album was PURE Thrash Metal, with basically the same type of lyrics as BTA, although even deeper at times. however, their second album simply BLEW ME AWAY. Talk about living blatantly for Christ! Their first song, Fanatics and Whores, shows how COMPLETELY they believe in not being afraid of what the world think of you, and proclaiming the Word anyway. They replaced their Thrash singer with a heavy Southern Rock singer, and you can understand it easily. I highly recommend both of these groups. Disciple is another of my favorites, they are even more blatant than The Showdown sometimes, at least in their older stuff. I know you already have them on the list, but I was not sure how thoroughly you have studied them. If you have not, I strongly suggest it.
I know you are probably tired of me by now, but I have one last artist I would like to mention, that I have already gone over briefly. Demon Hunter. Go look up some of their lyrics (darklyrics.com is a good site). Their older albums were really good, but their singing could not really be understood. However, their newest album, Storm The Gates Of Hell, is a lot easier to understand, at least for the most part. That album was literally the turning point in my spiritual life. It changed my life in a way that nothing other than The Rebelution could even hope to come close to.
Hello Trey, thanks for commenting. I think my post fell rather short of the line and I’m going to be doing one soon that is a bit better. I had some very confusing sections in there. Oh well. Lol.
Let my try and explain what I mean by courting not taking the place of dating. First I’m going to define dating, then courtship.
According to the world the definition of “Dating is the activity of looking for a suitable partner for an intimate, sexual relationship. The word refers to two daters agreeing on a time and date when they can meet and engage in some activity, thereby assessing their suitability for one another.” Sorry if that is a bit blunt, but it was wikipedia and they are definitely secular. Notice that the definition didn’t even say anything about marriage! We will also note that there is no set age for dating, there are girls who are 12 and they have boyfriends. Basically dating has nothing to do with marriage as teens from the ages of 12 to 17 probably couldn’t get married anyway.
Now courtship on the other hand is “a man’s courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage).” The bottom line is that courtship cannot take the place of dating because it is a totally different activity. In fact, nothing needs to take the place of dating because dating is totally unnecessary!
Good point about the links, the only thing is most of them were books, and I didn’t feel like getting them all of Amazon
As for your blog, wow, it is really great! I cant’ believe you are only 15! I totally agree with your music post. You have some great points. Your theme could use a little modification, but overall you have done a fantastic job so far, I’ll be sure to come back.
Eric
The header could use a little modification to get your point across. Maybe some teens on it or something? If you would like I could take a shot at it.
I can make sure they have copyright free pictures. Do you want me to send you some sample designs?
Eric
Thanks Trey for the quick response!
I’m currently a bit busy doing some other projects. But I hope to be back to discuss this matter again soon!
Thanks again.
Wow Trey! That’s an excellent post! And you’re all fired up for the Lord, which is excellent. Praise Jesus!
What do you think about taking some songs that center around God positively from bands that may not always?
Meshaay
Please clarify your question.
I do not understand what you are asking.
Let’s say Demonhunter is one of those fake Christian bands (I’m not implying anything-I don’t know their music) but they sang one really positive song about God, how He’s good, kind, has helped them, etc. Do you think it’s okay to listen to that song or put it on my ipod or make it my favorite song?
Even though they’re a fake Christian band and the rest of their songs are secular?
No, there is nothing wrong with it. “Whether you eat or you drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” As long as we are holding ourselves to that standard, it is ok to listen to the song.
Oh, and, by the way, Demon Hunter is one of the best chrisitan bands I have ever listened to.
Their new album was one of the biggest turning points in my life.
Actually, I want to say one more thing on that subject. If the artist in question is well-known for not being a Christian, then if someone else sees you listening to that artist, you could lead them astray. If, however, you were listening to it with a bunch of really good Christians, who have no problem with it, then I think it would be ok. Just try to use some discretion.
ok I’m going to throw you a curve ball:
Music is a subject very dear to my heart. I’ve been involved with it in both Christian and secular ( I attended a public high school) environments. That being the case, do you think that there may be more than one divide in music (or literature) i.e. just Christian and non-Christian? For example: Works of art, music and literature can glorify God in two different ways. I believe they can reflect God’s character in their truth or beauty. For example, Handle’s Messiah is both true in content and beautiful in form, but if I sing Amazing Grace it might only be true while lacking in beauty. For me the problem comes with the 3rd category: beautiful but not true, works that were not created to glorify God but reflect him anyway. These bands (or books or whatever else) do not qualify as “Christian” so what are we, as Christians, to do with them?
No. From the point of view from which I was speaking in the post, there are two types of music, Christian, and non-Christian. In the Bible, Jesus said “You are either for me or against me” (do not know reference. mid-Luke?). That does not leave room for any in-between. As Christians, I believe it is okay for us to listen to “secular” music, as long as it is edifying. “Beautiful” music as you described it is edifying, it lifts up the spirit, and provokes deeper thought.
Did that answer your question?
Be warmed and be filled!
For an interesting discussion on this subject might I suggest the chapter Jesus on Vinyl from Jesus Made in America by Stephen J Nichols. I bet you can find it in your dad’s office.
Yes… sir.
…Dad.
Personally, I’d be more concerned about Switchfoot then TobyMac. One of the things you didn’t mention, but is quite relevant, is that often, “Christian” record labels seem to be run by business men, and not by Christians. Thus, some artists are forced to add spiritual content to their songs to sell to a ready Christian market (Mute Math and He Is Legend come to mind). And at the same time, some record labels will remove or require the artist to remove religious references in their music. As I Lay Dying could fit under that category, since they aren’t on a Christian record label.
Basically, what I’m trying to get across is that just because an artist has or doesn’t have spiritual lyrics, that it doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t Christians. It’s a matter of personal conscience. All we can really do is pray, try and discern truth from lies. I think the best example is the song “Fanatics and Whores”, that you mentioned. That would totally be against my mothers conscience, but I doesn’t bother me. I certainly wouldn’t play the song around her, since it would be a stumbling block to her, but I don’t mind listening to it myself, since I know it’s a good, solid, Christian song. Just extremely raw, and bitter.
At the same time (no, my somewhat scattered sermon continues
), while all things are open to us in Christ, not all things are good for us. Thanks Paul, for the wise words I just copied. So it may not matter in the long run if you listen to, say, listening to Aiden (first secular band to come to mind). It may not be a sin, but it’s consistently hearing all about violence and depravity isn’t really all that healthy.
I’m looking forward to your response.
Correction: On the last sentence of the second paragraph, I meant to say honest, not bitter. Sorry!
Iit was not As I Lay Dying’s lyrics that I disagreed with, it was a video interview I watched. In the video, the lead member was asked what his favorite albums were, and he put out some pretty bad ones. Plus, he acted too much like a normal punk/metalhead.
I would also like to point out that if they were solely in the music industry to glorify God, then they would never accept a contract from a label that would censor their lyrics. So, in response, I would say that if they were on a restrictive label, then they are most likely not truly Christian, but that they would be okay to listen to, because they still sing somewhat biblical lyrics, and are not offensive in any way.
Since we are on the subject of music, I wonder if you have ever read this
Trey: I’m not trying to get you to listen to As I Lay Dying’s music again. I’m just trying to point out something you may not have know.
Actually, I respect your decision to not listen to As I Lay Dying. I think that’s pretty cool that you are willing to give up something that you enjoy for your faith. That shows you have your priorities in line. Which is good.
Trey’s Dad: No, I haven’t. I’ll have to look at that.
Uh… I think you misunderstood me. I said As I Lay Dying was not Christian. I did not say I had stopped listened to them. I listen to a lot of secular bands. I just do not listen to anything that is anti-God, or has a negative effect on the mind/soul. As I Lay Dying is one of my favorite bands, because it is from a genre that I like, and their lyrics, while not directly Christian, are very clean.
[...] I told you about two posts down, and I felt I needed to make a comment. Remember my post about music, and fake Christian artists? Today, I’d like to condemn one of the artists on the free download as a completely FAKE [...]
Okay, sorry about that. My mistake.
Don’t worry about Tobymac. He is an amazing Christian man. Take a close look at his lyrics and you will see that. Also I am reading the book that DC Talk wrote (Jesus Freaks Vol. II) and it is filled with Biblical insight and stories of martyrs. And as to the hip-hop dancing, I have been to their(Diverse City band/Tobymac) concerts and their dancing is really clean. They only have one girl anyway. They are some of the best performers that I know (they do some sweet flips and just are GREAT) and their concerts they do speak a mini message to the fans and all that good stuff.
Switchfoot, I love them. Sadly they don’t mention God directly in their songs but they are scripture filled songs (especially Jon Foreman’s solo stuff). Take a look at the lyrics. I am going to be doing a series on my blog about some of my favorite songs and about how much we can learn from the lyrics after I finish my current series and another one.
Soli Deo Gloria!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS, OLIVIA!!!! YOU ARE OFFICIALLY THE ONE HUNDREDTH COMMENTER ON MY BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(no, I don’t have a prize)
I have been to one of his concerts, too. I agree with you on both points. While I believe that Tobymac should be much more overt in his lyrics, as should Switchfoot, I still believe them to be Christians. I do not know what label Switchfoot is under, but their problem could that someone is censoring their songs.
WOW That is SOOOOO cool!!!!! 100th commenter! I am so happy! (I think you should have a prize lol, jk)
Good point about the whole censoring thingy with Switchfoot. I never thought of that. Though Tobymac does mention God in his songs. (Slam: “gonna get rowdy like Jesus tossing em temple tables” Fly (or is it feeling so fly?):”can’t help but glorify my adoni, gonna testify.”) But there could almost always be more. If you want a great Christian band check out Solution 2 pollution. It’s my brother’s band so I can verify that all the guys are strong Christians : ). Check out their myspace.
(Also to defend some of the songwriters that don’t have direct references to God in their songs, as a songwriter, I know that it can be hard to intentionally add God’s name to songs. I guess I am not as though on people because I know the creative process. I have two different type of songs, my worship songs (that are bolder and use God and Jesus in them more), and my regular songs, (that are based off of scripture or are kind of like prayers, yet don’t usually have direct reference to God). Just to give you a songwriter’s point of view on this.) Sorry this got so long. : )
i have on thing to say dude as i lay dying is christian and they have songs that dirrectly quote the bible they were in an interview with breakaway magazine and they say they defend there faith in the midst of touring with mainstream non christian metal bands metal isn’t anti christian it isn’t demonic just becuase there screaming or yelling dosn’t mean there worshipping the devil or something band like the devil wears prada and norma jean are christian and there metal christian metal has been growing over the years screaming/yelling is a way of letting out your emotions in a song as i lay dying lyrics are all positive and spiritual and leave all the glory to christ they might not totally preach it on stage but they are christian live with it
In my post, I said “I do not believe them to be Christians.” I am not going to judge them and say for 100% certainty that they are not Christians, I was merely expressing my opinion. What made me chuckle, however, was you saying that metal music isn’t demonic because of the screaming. There is an actual genre called Satanic Metal, that is what was referring to. I am known for blasting loud heavy metal in my room. I listen to every type of metal, from MetalCore to Thrash to Death to Melodic to Symphonic to Gothic to European, and every genre in between. I have nothing against metal, I listen to it all day, almost to the point of obsession. My biggest waste of money is on music, and that is 90% of the time on heavy metal music. As I Lay Dying is one of my favorite bands, I merely regard them as a clean, possibly Christian metal bands. I watched one of their videos lately, Sound Of Truth, and I actually enjoyed the meaning behind it. They could be Christians, for all I know, I am not going to judge.
Dude i hate to be the one who tells you this but dancing its self is not a sin. Take a look at King David you know that guy after God’s own heart he danced in his under wear, that was in 2 Samuel 6:16, also in Psalm 149 it tells us to dance, just to name a couple of place were it says it is okay to dance. And there is a difference between hip-hop and rap manly rap is manly lyrics over a beat, hip-hop has a singing in it. i.e. Nas rap Will Smith hip-hop p.s. KJ-52 is consider 3h which means Holy Hip-Hop
Hi I know this is somewhat an old posting but I just came over your website (particularly this page since I just did a search about Christian artists) I just wanted to comment about the last user’s post about King David dancing in his underwear… and about Psalms. I’ll keep this short because I’m at work and it’s hard to keep full attention to this response and work.
1) About the comment posted from user regarding King David “dancing in his underwear”. The Bible in 2nd Samuel – first of all, 6:16 talks about how Michal Saul’s daughter SAW David dancing for the Lord and she DESPISED him in her heart… obviously because she despises the Lord. Now 2 verses prior it does talk what David was wearing in chapter 6 in 2 Samuel when he started dancing, but it wasn’t underwear:
2 Samuel 6:14 – And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
An Ephod is a very elaborate linen priestly garment that the Hebrew Priests wore… Not underwear… God teaches us that we are to edify Him by being Holy since we are no longer of this world, born again and created into an new creation through saving faith in Jesus Christ. Hip hop, dancing in a manner that is sexually explicit is not edifying God. When you tempt someone into evil desires you are sinning, not edifying the Lord. I pray that this helps you, the one of this website because I noticed you said your views changed… e-mail me if you wish to talk. And I hope this clarifies things with the poster intended because I want you to know the Lord in a way that saves you from this world’s course. Remember Phillipians 2:8-12 What we are to dwell on? This is just one of the maaaanny guides God gives us in His holy Bible. God bless you both…
Love in Jesus Christ,
Aaron
Thanks for your biblically constructive comment, Aaron.
2 Samuel 6:14 – And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
This COULD but does not neccessarily mean that it was the same thing he was wearing when Michal saw him. If that was all that was said on the subject then it would be reasonable to assume that he was wearing a complete linen garment. But look at verse 20:
20:And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” He had “uncovered himself” apparently after verse 14. In verse 12b-13 the author says: “So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. 13: And when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal.” Then comes verse 14: “And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.” So, six steps from the house of Obed-edom, David WAS wearing a linen ephod. Verse 15-16: “So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn. 16: As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.” This event is now between several hours to several days after verse 14, since they had traveled from the house of Obed-edom to Jerusalem (the “city of David”). He was no longer wearing the linen ephod at this point because his wife’s objection was not to his dancing but to the fact that he “had uncovered himself” like “one of the vulgar fellows (which I can only assume means their equivalent of a stripper)”. If he had been wearing a linen ephod when Michal objected, then your point would be true. But he had taken that off since verse 14 since a man wearing a linen garment can by no stretch of the imagination be labeled as a man who has “uncovered himself”
Other versions:
NSAB: “uncovered”
KJV: “uncovereth”
NIV: “disrobed”
ASV: “uncovereth”
NKJV: “uncovers”
…the point here that the author is trying to make is obviously that of undressing or removing one’s clothing.
What Michal was meaning was removing his Kingly vestments to downdress to that below a ruler/king. I guess the best way to resolve this is to look at 1 Chronicles 15. Read 1 Chronicles 15-16… it gives a direct account. King David was never naked… But he also didn’t wear Kingly attire which angered his wife. Another good resource is http://www.doesgodexist.org/JulAug06/DancingNakedorUnderstandingBadly.html... This actually helped me in understanding what actually transpired because if King David actually danced ‘uncovered’ before the Lord, it would be a transgression, causing contradiction… but Chronicles is a deep rich recording of all the events that took place during the above questioned situation.
Also I want to apologize if I had came off hauty or anything towards you or anyone here. I also want to say that I just accepted the Lord in my heart on 06/15/09! I pray this helps strengthen your resolve for the Lord as it did mine. Continue to preach and teach the truth of the Gospel and the Love of Christ
http://www.doesgodexist.org/JulAug06/DancingNakedorUnderstandingBadly.html
link was bad on the last post… not sure why… reposting. If it doesn’t work, just search on google for King david dancing naked or Understood badly.. God bless =)
I will reply in a new thread as this one has nested beyond readability.
I meant purposefully sensual dancing.
FYI to future commenters: This post is somewhat old, and does not necessarily represent my current views accurately.
That was what I thought. I was hoping what you clear fie what you met
There is no such thing as a genre of metal called satanic metal! You probably mean black metal… and while it was originated by Anti-Christian sympathizers and evolved into a blatantly satanic genre there are many great Christian black metal bands like Horde and Synnove! God can be in any kind of music… just so you know… oh yeah I’m 15 too…
I’ve seen and heard Satanic Metal, and you can look it up. It exists.
Not everyone dances sinfully to hip-hop music. There are many other ways to dance to it…
That all depends on the person or people viewing the dancing. What may cause temptation for one person is not necessarily what causes temptation for another person.
RE: “Stand for Jesus”
Thank you again for your biblically constructive (and not haughty at all) comment, but I must again disagree with you here.
“if King David actually danced ‘uncovered’ before the Lord, it would be a transgression…” …yet that is exactly what the Bible says that he did, yet it was not considered a transgression to him. And if we truly believe that the Bible is the innerent, holy, inspired Word of God, then we must let it shape our beliefs instead of letting our preconceived notions shape how we interpret it. We assume that if David had “uncovered” himself, then it would be sin. Before we were christians, we assumed that God did not exist. That was wrong, proven so by God’s Holy Word, so why not this assumption as well? Every single translation that I looked at except for the NIV which used “disrobed” used the word “uncovered”, or some variation of it, so (since God’s Word is incapable of error), that MUST have been what David did. And since when Michal despised him for that she was cursed by God, we MUST accept that his “uncovering” of himself was not sinful.
I looked at the link you sent me and I strongly disagree with what that guy said in his article. He says that Michal’s problem with David’s dancing was that it was politically incorrect. However, that is not at all what she SAID her problem was. Her problem was that he had been “uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” (2cd Sam 6:20). Her problem was with his (supposed) immodesty in front of the servant girls. If she had been lying about this then the Bible would have mentioned that, and since she wasn’t, we must assume she was telling the truth regarding her reasons. He “uncovered” himself. In front of the servant girls. His wife rebuked him for his immodesty. God rebuked her for being wrong. Thus we must assume that he was not, in fact, being immodest.
(I will reply again below this, don’t want to make this comment too long)
It may seem as if I am contradicting myself in my new comments in light as to what I said in my older comments. This is, in fact, true. To relieve all further confusion as to my current views, I shall state them briefly here:
I do not believe that hip-hop music is inherently sinful. I believe that hip-hop music, like any other thing on earth, can be USED sinfully or can be a stumbling block to a christian. I do not listen to christian hip-hop music because it (musically) is so much like the secular music I used to listen to when I was unsaved, that it brings back memories and the sinful thoughts I experienced in them, making it a stumbling block to me. However, I know of some very very good christian hip-hop bands with some absolutely incredible lyrics that has changed many many lives. While I would never listen to these bands on a regular basis because of my past, I will not keep other christians from listening from these bands if, in listening to them, they glorify God, (1st Cor 10:31)which I truly believe they do. If you listen to hip-hop music, I will not object, and I will probably reccomend some lyrically good artists to you, but I will not listen to it on a regular basis.
King David wore an Ephod – This is an exact description (which is also in the bible) of an ephod:
-ephod sacred linen garment worn by the high priests of Israel. It was in two parts—one covering the back, one the front of the body to the hips—and was fastened at the shoulders by two clasps of onyx on which were engraved the 12 tribal names, six on each. The vestment was held in at the waist by a twined linen girdle of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet; on the ephod was the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim , hung by golden chains and rings. The priest was adorned in this fashion to symbolize the presence of God with his people.
Now imagine a Queen who is kinda stuck up from royalty peering out and seeing a king… that ‘uncovered’ because his upper thighs will show, his lower legs will show, his arms will show, but all the rest of him is covered. The Ephod extends over your underwear but still exposes a high amount of upper legs. Think of a miniskirt for women.
-crude depiction-
http://www.silvershake.com/store/peridot/images/A-Reconstruction-Of-The-Ephod-%26-Breastplate-Ephod.gif
He was not uncovered indignantly or sinfully. research it yourself and seek it out in God’s word.. God is NOT inconsistent, cause if God accepted one sinful act from David as you might’ve suggested happened above, why not the rest? (good example read Psalms 54 when david took Bethsheba) God is Holy, if He overlooked even just 1 sin, there would be no need for Jesus. But God’s standard is so high, that if you EVEN THINK anger, hatred, lust, envy in your HEART and MIND you commit affrontion to God. That’s how high our Sovereign Lord’s standard is. That’s why we need Jesus. I’ll end it here… I respect your stance and I agree with a lot of it (especially how you don’t indulge on things that bring bad thoughts) I just want to clarify this misunderstanding of scripture. God bless you and keep you
P.S. remember it says that when David went to bless his home, she came out to meet him and rebuked him.