Brief On Philippians 4:8: Audio

Rogers Arena at R40, July 17. 2015

Chuck and I viewed Rush at the R40 tour for our tenth Rush show each. Perhaps the last Rush concert for us as the band is ceasing major tours due to family and health concerns according to media reports.

We both agreed that overall this was our favourite tour for setlist and performance.

Chuck, once again (2013) did not stay in his assigned seat, but this time did not face Rogers Arena security, justice and seat reassignment.

However, a 'dancing biker' type was in front of me in the next row, separated by metal railing and was removed twice by the Vancouver Police Department and Rogers Arena security.

A woman in the next row below 'dancing biker', that appeared with a man and children, really did not appreciate the special attention from the 'dancing biker'.

This may have had an impact on events.

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A very fine pastor I listen to online that is very knowledgeable with the Scriptures, has some rather, what I would consider fundamentalist views on music.

Therefore, this is one point of cumulative points and reasons why that although I listen to him much for his Biblical teaching, I do not listen to him so much for his theological or philosophical teaching.

The pastor was stating in his most recent online sermon that Christians should basically (paraphrased) be careful with or avoid secular music and listen only to Christian music because secular music likely has a negative effect on the human spirit.

But of course the effects are such that Christians are often unaware.

My philosophical side states:

How convenient.... 

Philippians 4: 8 would often be used in context from a fundamentalist position

Philippians 4:8

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is [a]lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, [b]dwell on these things.

Footnotes: Philippians 4:8 Or lovable and gracious Philippians 4:8 Lit ponder these things New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Strictly speaking if I was to take this verse legalistically, with my educational background, no theological or Biblical teacher could pass the test.

For example, in this case I view this pastor as speaking the truth and being right most of the time in regard to Biblical Studies, but is not always speaking the truth and is right in terms of theological and philosophical issues.

In regard to music, I question seriously whether he is speaking the truth and is right.

Should I therefore not listen to him?

Should I not dwell on his ministry?

No, further the verse states if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise dwell on these these things.

In a fallen world one has to parse through and divide up truth from non-truth, what is right from what is not right.

This is the case with all preaching, secular music and all things where there is learning involved.

Is the case of Rush, for example, it is performance based music that one can listen to primarily for the musicality and while hearing the lyrics, they need not be the focus.

I would agree with some of the lyrics and not agree with others, if I focused on them, which I rarely do and I also rarely read them.

But I am aware the lyricist is writing from a definitive non-Christian worldview.

For any pastor or person in ministry (or Christian) to assume that the music based on the lyrics would have a negative impact of my spirit is theological and philosophical assumption and unsubstantiated.

It is very difficult to prove.

However, I can state that the music relaxes me and also has taught me about the need for innovation and complexity in how I approach my own work, such as this blog.

I also have seen ten very good performances, especially last evening.

Therefore, the positives outweigh the negatives, including spiritually in my case. As we are spiritual, intellectual and physical beings.

It also needs to be stated that much of modern Christian music, not all, is worship and not performance focused.

Some classical music, for example, that is performance orientated is relating to Christian culture I realize.

I admit that I am not expert on all genres of performance orientated Christian music.

However, much of modern Christian worship music is rather on the simplistic side in order for people in a church congregation to sing along and 'worship'.

Some persons like myself, generally do not relate to this kind of music, artistically, although there can be agreement on much of the lyrics.

The pastor implied there may be a spiritual problem with those that do not like Christian music, basically worship music, but he intellectually, theologically and philosophically completely avoided the issue of worship music versus performance music and personal taste.

This is not a robust enough theology or philosophy.

Again I acknowledge the intellectual limitations of a blog post as I have in the past.

He tied the listening of secular music to possible spiritual problems.

This is possible in some cases where the lyrics and culture of a secular artist have too much influence on the listener.

Reasonable.

However to without significant substantiation suggest that secular music has a negative influence typically on the willing Christian listener cannot be reasonably proven.

It also can operate as a type of evangelical cop-out theologically as in blaming secular music for spiritual problems when the problem is most often something more direct and obvious.

For example, depression is caused by lack of employment and is not caused by listening to secular music.

A pastor, Christian in ministry (Christian) would be wiser to focus on the actual true solution to a problem, and I am acknowledging there is always a spiritual aspect.

Problem A is often solved by

Solution A

God willing

If God does not provide a solution at least a reasonable Biblical, theological and spiritual approach was taken.

Vancouver:trekearth