Spiritual Effects Of Rock Music

Bill van Schie. Trowel & Sword. April 1975

Preamble: Has there ever been a more contentious topic of discussion between parents and and their offspring than music? As a general rule each generation has a preference for the music that they grew up with. The advent of Rock and Roll in the second half of the twentieth century produced many a lively discussion of the various styles of music being played at the time. But was it ever any different? Just as music differs from one generation to the next, so it also differs from one culture to the next; each having its own distinct sound. In this article Bill attempts to draw a distinction between between what he regards as “good” music and “bad” music by comparing “Rock” to Christian music. He also attempts to define what constitutes “good music”. He’s a brave man. We would particularly love to receive some thought and comments on whether you think he succeeded.

Spiritual Effects Of Rock Music

When talking to young people about this subject the first reaction I always receive is, “You take rock music too seriously. More seriously than we take it. Yes, we like the sound of it, we like to dance to it but we don’t take this religious nonsense of the Stones and the others seriously at all. We only listen to it as a means of entertainment. Mum and Dad have Beethoven, Mozart and Bach; well, I like the Stones, Bob Dylan and Frank Zappa. It is just a matter of taste in entertainment.”

When young people talk like this I am worried. It reminds me of the illustration that Frank Garlock uses to describe many teenagers in the church today. There was a man who had a Mercedes Benz. He didn’t have his own house, he didn’t have much money in the bank but his pride and joy was his Mercedes. He made out his will and stated that when he died he would like to be buried sitting behind the steering wheel of his Mercedes. One day he died and the funeral directors saw to it that his last wish was carried out. They dug big hole, lifted the Mercedes by crane and put the dead man’s body behind the steering wheel. As they lowered the Mercedes into the great grave one of the dead man’s friends standing by watching said to another friend, “Boy that is really living”. Although the man was dead this was classed as really living.

Many young people could be doing and saying the same thing today: Look at those Rock groups with their free and easy style. Look at the groupies, their followers who can let go and be free. Look at the young people who go to their concerts and do what they want to do without inhibitions. Boy, that is really living.

Rock is Dead 

But Rock and what it has to offer is dead. The whole Rock culture, the drug culture is dead. It may give a few kicks, but it is dead. Rock may encourage young people to let their bodies move to the impulse of Rock’s beat, but Rock is dead. Rock may encourage young people to blow their minds and think as the groups think, but Rock is dead. Rock may claim to have religious answers and spiritual experiences, but Rock is dead, it is satanic, anti-Christian and of this world; and the things of this world will pass away. Yes, it looks attractive to young people, the whole life style looks attractive; but those in it are washouts and spiritually dead. Only the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ can save them from their deadness. Our young people should not be asking: How far can I go with Rock? Where is the border-line and I will live right on it. Young people should be encouraged to seek the things of Christ.

In Christ Alive

In Ecclesiasties 12:1 it says, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.” Religion is not only for when you settle down and get married. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth. With your studies, with your boyfriend and girlfriend, with your social life and with your music; remember your Creator in the days of your youth.

In 2 Cor.6:14-17 the Bible commands Christians, which includes the covenant youth, to be separate and not unequally yoked to unbelievers. This applies to marriage, to business, to friendships and whereever yoking (binding) would mean that we would have to bend our principles. This also applies to our music and social life. Young people are not to be involved in, or committed to, a style of music that is anti-Christian in meaning and direction. Instead young people should be free to serve the Lord with all their heart, bursting with song.

In 2 Tim. 2:22 Christians are encouraged to aim not at the things that defile and stain with sin. But to aim at righteousness, holiness and purity; the things of God. Instead of dabbling in Rock and seeing how far they can go, our young people should be aiming at what is righteous, holy and pure and as young people they will lead happier and more satisfying lives in Christ.

In Cor.10:31 Christians are encouraged to do all things to the Glory of God. This means that also with their music our young people need to glorify God. Can this be done with groups, songs and music that preach free sex and rebellion; that worship evil and personify the devil himself; by dabbling in the occult? No, must be the answer. For what has light to do with darkness and the kingdom of heaven with that of the evil one? The break must be a clean and complete one.

The Alternatives

We must not overlook that for young people Rock music is not only a means of entertainment but also a means of social expression. It is theirs and it is what distinguishes them as individuals. The social importance of Rock Music may be of more importance to young people than we may realise. So if we are to encourage young people to make a clean break with Rock then we must also help them find an alternative. What kind of music can be a satisfactory alternative?

We must be careful here that we do not fall into the trap of recommending to the young people what we may find is suitable according to our tastes. Some may like the more classical type of Beethoven and Mozart. Others may like the popular types of Bacharach and Kostelanetz, while yet others may like the country and western types such as Johnny Cash or the Carpenters. Rather than say one type of music is better than another or that one piece of music is better than another, it is better to teach the PRINCIPLES OF GOOD MUSIC. Remember what Dr. H. Hanson said about music, “Music is made up of many ingredients and, according to the proportions of these components it has powers for evil as well as good.” The question is which proportions of musical components make up a good piece of music?

Principles of Good Music 

Frank Garlock in his book “The Big Beat” lists three major characteristics to be found in good music.

1. Good music must have beauty of design and coherence of form.

2. A good composer must have discipline, consistency, originality, subtlety, variety, dignity and a comprehensive detailed knowledge of the tools of composition.

3. The composer must show an innate sense of balance between the intellectual and the emotional elements and an impeccable sense of relation between tension and relaxation, contraction and release, dissonance and consonance, motion and response.

Testing Music

Besides these major characteristics there are other tests that can be applied to see if a piece of music or a style of music is sick or not. The listener should ask the following questions:

1. Is there a variety of volume changes in the music? A good piece of music changes its volume from loud to soft or soft to loud as part of the constant pattern.

2. Are there tempo changes in the music? A good piece of music changes its speed quite often and very soon after it has begun.

3. Are there rhythmic changes in the music? The rhythm is normally found in the background and with the help of pauses it changes throughout the piece of good music.

4. Does the melody fluctuate? In a well balanced piece of music we have normally four stages. There is the introduction which leads into the well developed melody which builds up to a climax after which the music slows down to a rest.

5. Is there variety in the music? The key to all good music is variety. In volume, tempo, rhythm and melody there must be variety. Variety is important to maintain the balance of the music. The balance between tension and relaxation. Music that is all tension with little relaxation is sick music, as is music that is all relaxation and no tension. There must be a balance between tension and relaxation. Rock music is all tension with little relaxation.

Alternatives Available 

Are there alternatives available for our young people? Music that is exciting, thrilling and also well balanced? Is there good Christian music available so that they can sing out their hearts to the praise of God?

Yes, there is. Recently some very good material has become available. Groups like the Proclaimers, the Medical Mission Sisters, Nigel Brook Singers, Young World Singers and people like Ralph Carmichael are producing music that is an acceptable alternative to Rock. These are only a few of the many groups and composers writing good music today.

Our Aim

Christian parents have vowed to bring up their children in the fear of the Lord. This includes education in the powerful sphere of music. Do we train our children in everything except in the way they must distinguish good music from bad? Christian parents must train their young people to distinguish what is right and wrong in music. Too often it is left to the young person to work this out all by him or herself. Yet, with the increasing deterioration of the values and morals of society Christian parents must be aware of the deterioration of the music that is an expression of the values and morals of our society. Let it be our aim to equip our youth with the ability to judge what is pleasing to God in the sphere of music.

Johann Sebastian Bach once said:

“The aim and final end of all music should be nothing but the glory of God, and the refreshment of the spirit”.

Bill Van Schie.

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