the purpose driven music paradigm
Transcription
the purpose driven music paradigm
THE PURPOSE DRIVEN MUSIC PARADIGM Doctrinal perspective and analytical research providing biblical insight into how and why the magick of Satan’s disciples is strategically attempting to destroy the distinction between secular (unholy) and sacred (holy) music in the body of Christ Credit: Brooke Palmer Contending for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints by identifying Satan’s cunning trickery within New Evangelicalism ‘s Purpose Driven Music Paradigm Table Of Contents (pg.2) Forward (pg. 3-6) Introduction (pg. 7-10) Chapter 1: Definition And Characteristics Of The Church (pg. 11-16) Chapter 2 :The Purpose, Order and Operation Of The Church (pg. 19-26) Chapter 3: Idolatry In The Church (pg. 27-33) Chapter 4: The Content, Purpose And Focus Of Music In The Church (pg. 34-42) Chapter 5: What Is Music And Are It’s Effects Morally Neutral? (pg. 43-52) Chapter 6: Can Demons Be Associated With Music? (pg. 53-80) Chapter 7: Demonic Conspiracy To Use Music Against The Church (pg. 81-95) Chapter 8: Occult Infiltration Of Secular Music (pg. 96-111) Chapter 9: Is God Pleased With Our Worship Because We Say Our Purpose Is Worship? (pg. 112-115) Chapter 10: Rockin’ To Lukewarmness In Roughly A Generation (pg. 116-127) Chapter 11: Mass Musical Deception Led By Professing Christians (pg. 128-134) Chapter 12: Professing Christians Deceiving Through Mainstream Rock Music (pg. 135-148) Chapter 13: U2’ s Bono and Creed‘s Stapp: A House Divided Against Itself (pg. 149-164) Chapter 14: The New Gospel Of The Purpose Driven Music Paradigm (pg. 165-175) Chapter 15: The Everlasting Gospel Of The Kingdom (pg. 176-184) Chapter 16: Capitalizing Off the Purpose Driven Music Paradigm (pg. 185-198) Chapter 17: Is The Purpose Driven Music Paradigm Biblical? (pg.199-205) Chapter 18: The Love Of Money Is Still The Root Of All Evil (pg. 206-217) FOREWARD The purpose of this book is to provide biblical doctrine and analytic research proving that Satan is strategically attempting to destroy the distinction between secular (unholy) and sacred (holy) music in the body of Christ. In chapters to follow it will be shown that this attack is intended to lead the church into spiritual lukewarmness and eventually apostasy prior to the revealing of Antichrist, the Beast 666. I endeavor that one of Satan’s chosen vessels to help accomplish this objective is what is termed in this book the Purpose Driven Music Paradigm. Throughout the Old Testament and into the New Testament the Lord taught his people that there was to be a distinguishing difference between His holy people and the unholy pagan world as the scriptures below reveal. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (Exodus 19:5-6) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness int o his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but n ow have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:9 -12) With the arrival of New Evangelicalism in 1947, however, the line of separation between the church of the Lord Jesus Christ and the secular antichristian culture began to be blurred. Now in the 21st century with the broad acceptance of the Purpose Driven Music Paradigm in the mainstream evangelical christian church, what little remains of the original line of separation is in the process of being completely erased. New Evangelicalism: Definition and history What is the origin of New Evangelicalism and the Purpose Driven Paradigm? Mac Dominick of Cutting Edge Ministries (cuttingedge.org/news/n1506ch12.html) has written a brief and insightful history of New Evangelicalism and the Purpose Driven Paradigm which I’ve summarized to help answer the question. New Evangelicalism seeks to “maintain the historical theological orthodoxy of Fundamentalism while rejecting its separation and militancy”. (Moritz, Fred. Contending for the Faith, Bob Jones University Press, Greenville, SC, 2000, p.104.) It’s founding father, Harold J. Ockenga, originally held to the biblical doctrine of separation. In 1947, Ockenga tagged his new movement “New Evangelicalism“. He began teaching his followers to stop separating from and instead become infiltrating change agents within apostate churches. Although this infiltration approach isn’t backed by the sound doctrine of scripture, this movement took hold and the gradual descent into the prophesied apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2 was underway. New Evangelicalism had multiple goals which are subtly fueling the gradual descent into apostasy: address social issues; include with salvation a “social philosophy”; avoid testing those who teach error; enter into debate concerning biblically related scientific questions; address intellectual questions using contemporary educational resources and allow liberty in minor areas. (Dollar, George. A History of Fundamentalism in America, Bob Jones University Press, Greenville, SC. 1973. p.204.) Harold Ockenga eventually spread the movement throughout America as he rose to prominence among evangelicals assuming the following leadership roles: 1st President of the National Association of Evangelicals Chairman of the Board of Christianity Today 1st president of Fuller Theological Seminary President of Gordon-Conwell Divinity School Director of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (Cloud, David. “Fundamentalism, Modernism, and New-Evangelicalism” (Part 2), O Timothy magazine, Volume 12, Issue 1, 1995) Television personality Robert Schuller put legs to Ockenga’s New Evangelical theology. Dr. Schuller added psychology and marketing principles to New Evangelicalism. Dr. Schuller’s philosophy of church growth was simple: Perception must be changed from viewing people as “saved” or “lost” to “churched” and “unchurched”. “Find out what impresses the unchurched in your community” and do it. Bring in popular “heroes” to attract the multitudes. Utilize the successful principles of Retailing: Accessibility, Surplus Parking, Inventory, Service, Visibility, and Good Cash Flow. Pastors should model themselves after businessmen and plan strategically. “Do not preach expository sermons, you have to win them and build relationships.” Move from a theocentric approach to ministry to a “human needs approach”. Dr. Schuller‘s theology categorizes him clearly as an apostate believer and heretic to be shunned. His theology has been quoted as follows: “We must begin to say, ‘I am not trying to convert any other religious people to my viewpoint.’” “There is no need for one to recognize his own personal sin, no need for repentance, no need for the crucifixion of self” “The Christ Spirit dwells in every human being.” “Nothing exists except God” “Christ was self-esteem incarnate.” “The most destructive thing that can be done to a person is to call him a sinner.” “Sin is any act or thought that robs myself or another human being of his or her self -esteem.” (sources: Pritchard, G.A. Willow Creek Seeker Services, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 2001, p.50-54; Burns, Cathy. Billy Graham and His Friends, Sharing Press, Mt. Carmel, PA, 2001, p.113115) Dr. Robert Schuller trained seeker purpose driven church gurus Bill Hybels and Rick Warren at his Institute on Church Leadership in these principles years ago. Bill Hybels subsequently repackaged Dr. Schuller’s philosophy as “Willow Creek Seeker Style Ministry”. Warren massaged Hybels philosophy and is now marketing it as “Purpose Driven Ministry”. Origin of the Purpose Driven Music Paradigm The next phase in the departure of the church from a biblically sound doctrinal base is the emphasis of music ministry within the Purpose Driven Church. This philosophy matches the music of the church with the unchurched group of people the church is targeting. Bill Hybels Willow Creek Seeker Service philosophy has been doing this for over 15 years now. In chapter 15 of Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Church book, Warren, who today trains tens of 1000’s of pastors, clues us in on the prominent role that secular sounding worship music will play in tomorrow’s church. Warren states: "I'm often asked what I would do differently if I could start Saddleback over. My answer is this: From the first day of the new church I'd put more energy and money into a first-class music ministry that matched our target. In the first years of Saddleback, I made the mistake of underestimating the power of music so I minimized the use of music in our services. I regret that now." The use of what Rick Warren is calling a “first-class music ministry that matched our target” is what I’m calling in this book the Purpose Driven Music Paradigm. In promoting this paradigm, the church is opening it’s doors wide to incorporate all forms of instrumental music in it’s idolatrous worship services and seeker sensitive events. This is because the Purpose Driven Music Paradigm redefines music as an evangelistic tool to be used to reach out to the unchurched. This outreach consists of a progressive luring process baiting targeted seekers in order to gain their commitment to the church. Some of the information contained in this book is taken from the dark realm of the occult. Why is this information included? From Ezekiel 8 we see the Lord reveal to his watchman Ezekiel the great secret abominations that the elders of the house of Israel were committing. This allowed Ezekiel to understand the reason for God’s anger concerning the abominable wickedness. It showed Ezekiel the compromise of the leadership of the house of Israel concerning that wickedness and fueled the conviction and sense of urgency necessary for him to warn the people concerning God’s impending judgment. In addition, the church is in a spiritual battle against Satan’s demonic forces. To avoid being seduced by the trickery his legions, the church must be able to identify their strategic methods. Jesus’ Parable of the Wheat and Tares below reminds us that he’s concerned with the moral purity, integrity and holiness of his church. It reminds us that Satan’s mission within the church using his servants is to lead the church astray. This book is an attempt to uncover his mission in the area of music ministry. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. -Matthew 13 INTRODUCTION Does the Bible teach that the Lord wants to remove the distinction between the music of His church and the music of the secular world? One of the many differences of belief that has existed for years within the body of Christ concerns contemporary music. There are varying degrees to which contemporary music is used within the church today. Conservative or traditional churches employ hymns, traditional songs and possibly contemporary praise and worship songs without any rock influence. Contemporary churches include praise choruses with a lighter rock influence accompanied by acoustic guitars or other instruments. Cool or radical churches power their songs with a heavier rock beat driven by an electrified band set patterned after the secular rock culture. Such bands are popular among seeker style and purpose driven churches. Blended churches offer conservative or traditional worship service for hymn lovers and a contemporary worship service for contemporary music lovers. Most contemporary and blended churches mix lyrics considered to be Christ centered with pop or soft rock music. Cooler, radical churches mix lyrics considered christian with various rock music genres such as rap, hip-hop, punk, hard rock and heavy metal music. The majority of church leaders currently believe that the instrumental portion of a song is a morally neutral and negotiable evangelistic tool to be used as one of many means to save some. As a result, mainstream evangelical church leadership is cooperating with the movement designed to remove the lines of separation between secular and sacred music. The main point of this book is to teach that the Lord doesn’t want to remove the distinction between the spiritual music of His church and the music of the secular world. The biblical studies and analytic research contained herein show that the movement removing the distinction between secular and sacred music in the church isn’t being led by the Holy Spirit working through the leadership of his church. This movement is a seductive work led by the cunning magickal trickery of Satan. The chapters to follow are prayerfully written in the hope that the church will flee from the idol of secular styled worship music and draw a biblically based “line in the sand” preserving biblical unity in the body of Christ amidst post-modern musical expression. The scriptures are clear that we can honor God with our lips while our hearts aren’t in loving, obedient submission to the truth of his word. In our prideful decision to use secular styled worship music in the worship of the Holy One, are we re-fashioning an unchangeable God as simply “one of us”? Are we choosing to worship in a way delighting to us, but not to Him? Isaiah 66:1-5 teaches that the Lord doesn’t delight in mainstream worship claiming to glorify the Lord if that worship includes elements displeasing to him. It also reveals that the persecuted minority cast outside mainstream worship will be in joy when the Lord appears while the mainstream claiming to be glorifying the Lord will be ashamed at his appearing. Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. He that killet h an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if h e offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted no t. Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. Personal background surrounding the issue My church background is diverse involving churches in the northeastern and southeastern U.S. I have been active in Free Methodist, Independent Baptist, Young Life, Businessman Lunch Bible Studies, Home Churches, “Willow Creek Seeker Style Churches”, Independent Evangelical, Southern Baptist, Presbyterian (PCA), Fellowship Bible and Calvary Chapel churches since I first became a Christian at 22 years of age in 1979. Educationally, I’ve earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and have worked professionally in Industrial Engineering and in teaching middle/high school in both secular and Christian Schools. After completing 26 graduate credit hours of study while enrolled in Columbia Biblical Seminary’s Master of Divinity program, I backslid in my life with Christ for a few years. My faith was miraculously and mercifully restored by the Lord in 2001. I believe that the power of secular instrumental music was one of the factors Satan used to lead me astray as a professing Christian. Before I was a Christian I was severely addicted to Burton Cummings and the Guess Who. From 1974 until 2000, I bought many hundreds of pop, soft & hard rock, jazz, blues, soul and vocal recordings. I have seen many live concerts including K.I.S.S., Alice Cooper, Chicago, Paul McCartney, Burton Cummings, The Guess Who, Doobie Brothers, Seals & Crofts, Outlaws, Hootie & the Blowfish, Sammy Hagar, John Mellancamp, Neil Young, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride and B.J. Thomas among others. It was a B.J. Thomas Christian album named “Home Where I Belong” that introduced me to Jesus Christ and Christianity. Throughout the 1980’s into the early 1990’s I bought the records of many of the popular Christian recording stars including Amy Grant, Phil Keaggy, B. J. Thomas, Mylon Lefevre, Russ Taff, Keith Green, Roby Duke, and Maranantha Praise. I also purchased releases from secular turned Christian recording artists like Dan Peek (America), Johnny Rivers, Randy Travis, James Vincent, Kerry Livgren (Kansas), Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), Leon Patillo (Earth, Wind & Fire) and others. If the music sounded like the world I thought I had left behind, I loved it. My only personal hands-on musical experience is a few months of guitar lessons during the mid-1980’s. During the 1980’s I observed independent evangelical churches in suburban northeast split into two music camps. The first camp wanted to sing traditional hymns. The second camp wanted to incorporate the original Maranantha Music style praise and worship songs with or without traditional hymns. At that time I appreciated both music camps. I desired to see a mixture of traditional and contemporary music in the church. As a fairly new Christian at that time I couldn’t understand why music was dividing churches. I thought the traditional crowd was being legalistic in not being willing to adapt to contemporary music. In 2001, however, I began to study the music issue after watching Sky Angel‘s TVU and the INSP’s Steel Roots heavy metal, hard edge “christian” music programming. When my wife and I asked our Pastor at that time how he felt about harder edge “christian” music, he told us he believed that all instrumental music was morally neutral and acceptable to be used in worship as long as the words were “christian“. After seeing my wife in tears over Sky Angel’s TVU music; and sensing in my spirit that this music was antichrist, not christian, I began to seek God‘s wisdom. I prayerfully studied what the scriptures taught about music and researched the realm of the occult in order to understand and identify it’s imprint upon music before beginning this book. As a result of this prayerful pursuit of wisdom and knowledge, I now understand why a growing christian’s musical convictions must be firmly fixed upon the solid ground of biblical commands and principles rather than the shifting sands of emotional feelings. I praise the Lord Jesus Christ for answering my heart’s cry for wisdom and understanding. He has given me peace in the midst of a sea of contemporary musical confusion. Before reading further, I invite you to ask the Lord to give you wisdom and discernment concerning the issue of music in his church. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after kno wledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth come th knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He kee peth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. (Proverbs 2:1-9) CHAPTER 1 Definition and characteristics of the true church of God The book of Jude contains an exhortation for the church to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. In order to successfully contend or struggle to defend and preserve the true biblical faith against the assault of Satan through the Purpose Driven Music Paradigm, it’s essential that the true characteristics of this faith be defined from it’s authoritative base, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. That is the intended purpose of the first three chapters of this book. The book of Jude tells us that the faith was “once for all” delivered unto the saints. In other words, like the true character of God, the true christian faith remains the same throughout history. In light of the unchanging character of the Lord and the christian faith, Jude warns the church that impious men lacking a deep reverential awe of God have secretly crept into the church and perverted the gospel by misrepresenting the true character of the Lord. These false teachers have fallen away and rejected the true grace of God which teaches us “that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:12-14) In place of this true gospel of grace, sensually oriented, greedy false teachers are marketing a perverted gospel appealing to the natural desires of human nature. Their gospel of lasciviousness is a soft, luxurious, loose gospel characterized by Satanic selfishness, pride and self-indulgence as opposed to Christ-like selflessness, humility and selfdenial. These false prophets ignore promises of joy amidst the distress, persecution and tribulation promised in Matthew 7:13-14 to those who follow Jesus’ narrow course of life. Instead they deceitfully promise joy amidst a wonderful, purpose-filled “American Dream” life to potential converts. Jesus is recorded in Luke 18:8 as saying concerning the mindset of the world he will return to at his second coming, “when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?“ As we get nearer to the return of Jesus Christ, his church is increasingly moving away from the “once for all” simple biblical faith towards a gospel of lasciviousness which appeals to the natural desires of human nature. As we begin the 21st century, a postmodern hybrid faith is emerging which integrates the secular arts and sciences with messages on biblical topics serving the 5 purposes of purpose driven ministry. In this hybrid faith, secular tools are being increasingly used to help the church pursue the 5 purposes of the purpose driven ministry paradigm: worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship and discipleship. Although these 5 purposes are biblical, their primary underlying purpose is reaching targeted seekers or the unchurched. As a result, evangelism, not worship, becomes the true focus of true purpose driven churches. Purpose driven churches risk ultimately becoming secular music based and evangelism centered, rather than biblically based and Christ centered. A secular music based and evangelism centered church in Jesus’ name has tremendous negative implications upon the moral behavior and mindset of the church because of the powerful emotional message of secular music. Principle of cultural accommodation? The purpose driven philosophy of evangelism, also known as the principle of cultural accomodation, is based upon subtle, cunning misinterpretations of two seemingly innocuous verses-1 Corinthians 9:22-23 and 10:32-33. An entire philosophy of pastoral ministry and evangelism has grown out of the careless exegesis of these two verses. The purpose driven church growth strategy of becoming “all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” resulting from the subtle misinterpretation and resulting misapplication of these verses has spread it’s viral infection throughout the mainstream conservative evangelical church. These verses are studied in detail in chapter 14 of this book. This exegetical error has enabled church leaders to feel comfortable promoting the use of secular tools such as rock music to reach seekers and build lucrative mega-churches. In purpose driven ministry, outward things such as music are arranged to please the seeker and attract them to events. Because worship services are planned with sensitivity toward those outside the church, sound exegesis of the biblical text and Spirit-led prophetic preaching has been set aside in favor of balanced, seeker sensitive messages and events. This has resulted in the doctrinal dumbing down of the church to the point that the church is increasingly “in the world and of the world” instead of “in the world but not of the world“ as Jesus desires. As the church is increasingly dumbed down and spiritually undernourished, it becomes increasingly comfortable with it’s sinful nature and it’s culture. As a result, the church becomes increasingly conformed to it’s culture rather than Christ. Sound biblical doctrine must be compromised to some degree in the purpose driven church because the messages must remain balanced between reaching the targeted seeker and edifying the church. In executing purpose driven ministry, biblical exegesis of biblical passages must remain subservient to the purpose of balancing the 5 purposes within each message. In truth, however, one particular passage will rarely, if ever, accurately lend itself to balancing the 5 purposes. As a result, in order to accomplish the 5 purposes in each message, Spirit-led teaching must be set aside for purpose driven teaching. In order to be faithful to his ministry paradigm, the purpose driven pastor cannot always rightly divide the word of truth. He can’t faithfully communicate the pure, simple direct meaning of every passage of scripture and still fulfill the purpose driven ministry paradigm. This is why some purpose driven pastors give lip service to or downplay the importance of doctrine in the church. In spite of the fact that these churches grow numerically and people feel good about themselves because upbeat music is deliberately programmed to create positive emotions in people, the reality is that downplaying doctrine biblically dumbs down and spiritually undernourishes the church. Many professing Christians are led to a false sense of security in their relationship with God by the positive emotions created within them as a result of the tonality of upbeat worship music. Purpose Driven Church lingo Another tool of the purpose driven paradigm helping remove the godly separation between the secular world and the church is purpose driven church lingo. Purpose driven church lingo replaces biblical terminology when biblical terminology is offensive to the self-esteem of the lost. An example of this is that the people the bible calls pagans, heathen, lost or antichrist, the church now calls seekers or unchurched. What the bible calls the world, the church now calls the culture. The use of essential biblical words like repent and sin is eliminated, or minimized. Lip service is given to the Bible as being the sole authority for living. In the corporate world and playing field of the purpose driven church, what really counts has falsely become what really works in fulfilling the purpose of reaching the targeted seeker and fulfilling the complex multi-acred dream common to the purpose driven pastor. Many pastors today live as enemies of God, for it’s written: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4) It isn’t my intention to judge the motives of those involved in purpose driven ministry. In my opinion, some purpose driven pastors are sincere in their concern for reaching the lost and building the body of Christ. There are others, however, who aren’t biblical pastors. These are the false prophets Jesus warned his followers of in Matthew 7:1315. They’re the ravenous wolves disguised as sheep who today function as religious CEO’S fleecing the flock while justifying whatever secular methods they use because these methods increase fan attendance, gate profits and help fulfill their dream vision. Why focus on the purpose driven music paradigm in contending for the faith? As the guru of the Purpose Driven Paradigm, Rick Warren, correctly says in apparent ignorance of the potential power secular music has for evil: " a song can often touch people in a way that a sermon can't. Music can by-pass intellectual barriers and take the message straight to the heart." As Rick Muchow, Warren’s pastor of magnification at the 15,000 plus member Saddleback Church states, “Aristotle said, "Music has the power to shape a culture." There is no doubt that God is using music as a primary event feature in today's western culture. Connected to the Spirit of God, music is the most powerful tool available to reach and win your target”. (www.purposedriven. com) It is my prayer that the chapters to follow will shed new light on the real truth behind the statements by these two purpose driven church gurus. Before then, though, it’s essential to benchmark the church from scripture. The church: the house of God and the pillar and ground of the truth One of the many names given to the church in scripture is the house of God. As the house or household of God, the church is where God presently lives on earth. He lives within his believers in the person of the Holy Spirit. Another name for the church in scripture is the pillar and ground of the truth. As the pillar and ground of the truth, the church supports the truth that there is one God, and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:14-17; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; Ephesians 2:19-22) As the pillar and ground of the truth, the church provides a supporting basis for the truth that the man Jesus Christ is the one true living God the Son whose once for all blood sacrifice on the cross in obedience to God the Father’s will was offered on behalf of everyone’s sin. Through faith in the once for all blood sacrifice of God the Son, Jesus Christ, a person can receive the righteousness of God freely. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnes sed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in : for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified ( to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be) freely (undeservingly) by his grace through the redemption (liberation procured by the payment of a ransom) that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (relating to an appeasing or expiating, having placating or expiating force, expiatory; a means of appeasing or expiating, a propitiation) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for t he remission (passing over, letting pass, neglecting, disregarding) of sins that are past, through the forbearance (toleration) of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in J esus. (Romans 3:21-26) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in th at, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrat h through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:6-10) The blood of Christ has purchased his church How was the church established? The blood of the sinless Christ provides humanity’s only means of salvation from the power and penalty of sin. The blood of Christ, shed as a ransom payment for sin, purchased the church. (John 14:1-7; Hebrews 1:1-3; Acts 20:28) The church doesn’t include everyone, but only those that repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s just punishment of sin for those who refuse to repent and receive the forgiveness of sins from the Lord Jesus Christ is hell and impending eternal judgment in the lake of fire, the second death. (John 3:16-18; Revelation 20:12-15) The ransom payment of Jesus Christ, however, if properly received in repentance towards God and faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, results in forgiveness and eternal life in the kingdom of heaven for the otherwise condemned. This faith makes one a member of the house of God, the church. (Acts 2:36-38; Acts 26:20; Hebrews 9:24-28; Colossians 1:12-20) The church should logically conform to the word of Christ rather than it’s culture In light of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul taught that it was only logical for Christians to worship and serve the Lord in holiness by placing their lives totally at the Lord’s disposal rather than patterning their thinking, speech, actions and interests after the present culture in which they live. (Galatians 1:3-4; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:1) Jesus’ true friends obey his word Another post-modern counterfeit Jesus is thought to be able to be our friend and buddy without being our Savior. The true Lord Jesus Christ isn’t our friend until he’s properly received for who he really is; not our buddy, but the great God and Savior. Love for others is based upon love for God as expressed in obedience to his commandments. (John 15:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 5:2-3) A people selected by God for his own possession For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to al l men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:11-14) The peculiar people mentioned in this verse are the church. The word peculiar means a people selected by God from other nations for his own possession; his own private property. The Greek word translated church in English is ekklesia. In context, ekklesia is a gathering or assembly of citizens called together, marked off and separated from the rest of humanity, in united worship of the living Head of the church, Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 1:22-23) God’s own people receive God’s word as revealed in the scriptures Those chosen by God to be his own special possession receive the words of the Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in scripture as truth. They worship Jesus Christ alone in spirit and in truth. They believe that God’s word is perfectly written and preserved by him forever. They consider the entire canon of scripture constituting the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments to be equally inspired by God. The promises of scripture equip them to live holy lives and escape the corruptive power of the world which naturally appeals to the various lusts of their fleshly human nature. (John 4:16-26, 14:6, 17:17; Hebrews 4:12; (Revelation 19:11-16; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Psalm 12:6-7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:2-4, 16-21) Moral truth is determined only by scripture The moral acceptability of church teaching, attitudes and actions is to be determined only from the sound doctrine of Jesus Christ and his apostles found only in the 66 books of scripture. Truth isn’t determined by comparing ourselves against any other individual person or group of people inside or outside any period of church history. (1 Corinthians 1:10-31; 2 Corinthians 10:12-18) Christianity isn’t inherited individually or nationally The only nation that God has a special covenant relationship with is Israel. Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquit ies. (Amos 3:1-2 ) The United States isn’t synonymous with the nation of Israel in the scriptures. The scriptures don’t state that the U.S. is uniquely blessed by God. The historical Christian roots of a nation doesn’t make a nation a Christian nation any more than the true Christian faith of one’s ancestors make one a Christian and a true member of the church. (Psalm 105:8-11; 1 Chronicles 17:20-24; Psalm 89:1-4; Philippians 3:2-20; John 3:1-6) It’s important to grasp the truth that the U.S. doesn’t have a special covenant relationship with God like Israel does and isn‘t a christian nation because of christian roots. Unless this biblical truth is grasped, it’s difficult to accept thebiblical reality that the U.S., like every other nation on this earth, is under Satanic control and contains it‘s own cultural false gods, or idols. The entire world system, including the U.S., is under Satanic control Until the Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth, the entire world system, including the secular culture of the United States of America, is under the control of Satan and contains false gods or false idols. (1 Corinthians 8:5-6; (2 Corinthians 4:1-4; 1 John 5:19-21; Matthew 4:8-10; John 14:27-31) Satan is the god or prince of this world. He has temporary control of the world system. Although he is the god or prince of this world, Satan temporarily operates within the constraints of the will of the Lord to fulfill God’s will. (Job 1:6-12; Revelation 16:14, 17:16-17; (Zephaniah 3:8; Zechariah 14:1-4; Psalm 97:5-10) The church becomes the people or Israel of God in the New Covenant The church is composed of all people from all nations who have turned to God from false gods or idols in order to serve the only living and true God, the Lord Jesus Christ. As Israel was specially chosen by God to be the holy nation of God as promised in the Abrahamic Covenant, individuals from all nations chosen as believer’s in the Lord Jesus Christ become a holy nation, the people or Israel of God in the New Covenant. (Exodus 19:3-6; 34:10-17; Deuteronomy 26:16-19; 1 Corinthians 10:1-14; Galatians 6:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 2:4-10) The church is not to love this world or things characterizing Satan’s world system The Lord desires that we enjoy the good things that he brings into our lives, but that enjoyment is a by-product of doing his will and not a deliberate pursuit of happiness or pleasure. The body of Christ in America, or anywhere in the world, isn’t to love the secular culture or the things that characterize the devil’s world system like the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye’s and the pride of life. (Matthew 6:19-34; 1 Timothy 6:3-10, 6:17; (James 2:1-7; Revelation 3:14-17; Colossians 2:1-10; 1 John 2:15-17; Revelation 18:1-19) A biblical description of the church (Titus 2:11-14) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Te aching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. The church of Jesus Christ is described in Titus 2:11-14 as follows . 1. Purified (katharizo): Purified is translated form the Greek root verb katharizo. It is translated in the aorist tense and subjunctive mode. Tenses in the subjunctive mood are determined by the context of the verse, although they also have a future orientation. The context of this verse is the sober, righteous and godly life of good works that God calls his own peculiar people to in this present world after they have been cleansed from the guilt, wickedness and defilement of sin through faith in the blood of Christ. Upon the future glorious appearing of the Lord, his own people will be changed from their corruptible, mortal earthly form to an incorruptible, immortal heavenly form. (Ephesians 1:3-14; 1 Corinthians 15:49-53) 2. Peculiar A people selected by God from the other nations for his own possession. The church is God‘s private property so to speak. 3. Redeemed (lutroo) from all iniquity Lutroo is also an aorist tense in the subjunctive mood meaning in context that the believer is redeemed from wickedness, contempt and violation of God’s law while alive in this present world by the ransom payment of Jesus Christ’s substitutionary death. (1 Peter 1:13-23) 4. Zealous (eagerly desiring of and contending for) of good (beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence praiseworthy) works (business, employment, that which any one is occupied. James 2:14-17) 5. Denying (one’s self) ungodliness (irreverence for God’s holy character such as would be indicated by disobeying his commands) and worldly (having the character of the present corrupt earthly age) lusts (cravings and longings especially for things forbidden by God . James 1:27) 6. Living soberly in this present world (temperate and self controlled as opposed to excessive and self indulgent. Possessing a calm, patient, sound mind as opposed to an impatient, violent mind) 7. Living righteously (honestly conforming to the truth of God’s word . Romans 12:9; Ephesians 5:3-12) 8. Living godly (piously reverencing God and obeying his commands in all areas of Life. 1 John 2:3) CHAPTER 2 The purpose, order and operation of the church The church is the living body of Christ of which the Lord Jesus Christ is head The church is the living body of Christ. Christ is the living Head of the body. Each christian is a member of the church of God, the body of Christ. Each christian is the temple of God housing within themselves God the Holy Spirit. (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 12:4-5) The church is a living organism Individual members of the body of Christ, the church, are also compared to living stones which make up a spiritual house which has Jesus Christ as it’s chief corner stone. (Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:5-10) Members are distributed a spiritual gift and arranged in the body by it’s head Each individual believer is an integral part of the overall body of Christ. Each receives a spiritual gift distributed to them by the head of the body, the Lord Jesus Christ. That gift is to be used in service to other members of the body of Christ. The Lord designed these diverse gifts to work in united, biblical love through each member of his body. Each christian is arranged by the Lord to be either a visible body part like a hand, foot or eye or some other less visible, but most essential interior body part. The purpose of the gifts is to edify or promote the growth of Christ-like character and well being of each member of the body that meets together. (Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Corinthians 14:26; 1 Peter 4:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-27; Romans 12:4-8) The ultimate purpose of the church is to reveal the full character of Christ According to scripture, the purpose of the church is to grow to reveal the full character of the Lord Jesus Christ to all people and the heavenly powers. This purpose is to be accomplished through the working of a variety of spiritual gifts distributed by the Lord. (Ephesians 3:9-11) The church isn’t an organization The church isn’t a financial bottom-line oriented organization to be led by the coercive, authoritative external political power of a pastor functioning in the manner of a corporate executive officer. (Luke 22:24-27; 1 Peter 5:1-3) or we are not as many, which corrupt (teach the word of God for financial gain) the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:17) Biblical ministry involves studying, obeying and teaching sound doctrine Being a living body rather than an organization, the church is to be served by those whose Christ-like character and spiritual gifts equip and qualify them to serve as bishops, elders and pastors. These individuals exist primarily to serve the Lord Jesus Christ by exemplifying the life of Christ and speaking all of the truth in love to the body of Christ The shepherding work of these members involves first studying and then obeying and teaching sound doctrine from the word of God. The goal of the biblical pastor in teaching and preacher isn’t balance. The goal is to rightly divide or teach the truth directly and correctly. The teacher’s goal is to determine the one true intended meaning of a biblical passage and show how the moral truth it contains should be specifically applied in relations with God, the church, family, employers, customers, neighbors, businesses, schools and government. It involves exposing false doctrine and identifying and rebuking false teachers in order to protect the body of Christ. Their lives, like the Apostle Paul’s, are to be modeled after the Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in the word of God. A survey of the New Testament will reveal that a significant amount of time was spent by both Jesus and the apostles exposing false doctrine and identifying and rebuking false teachers. This was also the experience of the prophets of the Old Testament. Jesus’ preaching ministry was obviously characterized by the blunt, fiery rebuking style of the Old Testament prophets. Matthew 16:24 informs us that the public opinion of him according to his disciples was that he was either a resurrected John the Baptist, Elijah and Jeremiah. (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 11:1 Acts 20:25-31; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Titus 1:5-13; Titus 2:1-15; 1 Timothy 4:17; Ezekiel 3:7-10; 2 Timothy 3:10-17, 4:1-5) And have no fellowship (participate and share in company) with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (convict of error by proof, warn or notify of a fault with mildness) them. (Ephesians 5:11) Christ-like ministry is characterized by loving simplicity Business administration isn’t the biblical function of the pastor. Jesus Christ isn’t interested in or impressed by attractive facilities. He’s concerned that his body sacrificially cares for one another‘s needs. This truth is clearly evidenced by both the ministry of Christ and the ministry experience of the apostles of the early church. Although the most intelligent, creative and powerful person to have ever lived, the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ was one of humble simplicity, not flashy complexity. Likewise, the ministry of the apostles was characterized by simplicity. Like Christ’s, the ministry of his apostles was definitely low overhead.(Mark 13:1-2; Acts 6:1-8; John 13:34-35; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:2-4; 1 Timothy 4:12-16; 1 Timothy 5:17; 2 Timothy 2:15-19) People aren’t targets to be manipulated by human tools People aren’t targets to be persuaded to receive the Lord Jesus Christ through the use of human tools in human wisdom. Conversion from serving idols to Christ is a supernatural, spiritual work of the Holy Spirit beyond mere intellectual enlightenment, psychological conditioning and healing. (1 Corinthians 1:2-5; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 4:1-5) The church isn’t to show favoritism toward target groups It’s not God’s will for his church to follow the teachings of or to exercise favoritism towards any particular individual, group or subculture inside or outside the body of Christ based upon external human criteria. Such criteria includes but isn’t limited exclusively to things like cultural acceptability or popularity, age, appearance, income level, education level, numerical growth or financial success. Deliberately choosing a secular style of music favored by a particular target group of people in order to determine the kind of people that will attend your church is a subtle form of favoritism. (James 2:1-9) The work of ministry is spiritual warfare fought with spiritual tools According to scripture, the work of the pastor is spiritual, not psychological warfare. The weapons or tools designed by the Lord to be employed by the pastor and other members of the body of Christ in their wrestling match against the strategic, cunning methods of the devil are spiritual, not carnal. They are unrelated to unregenerate human nature. The devil’s kosmokrators, or hierarchical organization of supernatural demonic beings, possess intellectual and spiritual power superior to mere human intelligence and ingenuity. Because of this, the war against the darkness of this world isn’t truly accomplished through human excellence employing tools like secular music, organizational psychology, business marketing and systems integration. The tools of the body of Christ in it’s service to their Lord are personal faith in and obedience to the word of God, the spoken word of God and prayer. (2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Timothy 2:15) Satan’s counter ministry of false teaching The ministry of speaking the truth in love is critical to the spiritual health of the church because Satan’s ministers transform themselves as angels of light in order to deceive the church and cause quarrels. They lead professing Christian teachers to teach false doctrine and misrepresent the true character of Jesus Christ. Satan plants tares (self deceived and false professing Christians) within the true professing body of Christ in order to corrupt the good behavior and values of true believers. (2 Corinthians 11:2-15; Matthew 13:36-43; Jude 3,4; Matthew 7:13-27; 1 Timothy 6:3-10) The church is the specific target of the artful tricks and cunning travesty of Satan The church is the specific target of the artful tricks and cunning travesty of Satan and his powerful hierarchy of demonic beings. These demonic rulers and their fellow demonic beings act as if they are in a wrestling contest with individual members of the body of Christ as they cunningly seek to “pin the church to the mat” and immobilize her spiritual service to the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith in God’s word and prayer according to the will of God offered through faith in Jesus Christ defeat the devil and his demons in this spiritual battle. (Ephesians 6:10-18) Holiness isn’t to be compromised for the sake of unity or practical reality God’s word is truth intended to make his church holy. To be made holy means to be distinguished or set apart from the actions, attitudes, idols, and values common to the secular culture in which one lives. While there is a place for remaining balanced in the center of biblical tension concerning issues like the sovereign election of the church by God, it’s never acceptable to balance the application of biblical truth to life. (John 17:13-23; Hebrews 12:14) Satan’s true occult orders seek balance. The works of their initiates seek to balance the spiritual and material. They seek to reach an equilibrium between intellectual responsibility and natural human passions. If and when this balance or equilibrium is achieved, the initiate is taught they will realize their own immortality and will respect and love others. Balancing the application of biblical truth, however, isn’t a biblical goal. The scriptures are full of contrasts between man’s will and God’s will. The church isn’t called to balance truth and error; moral and spiritual darkness and light; loving and serving God and loving and serving material wealth; fondness for and friendship with God and fondness for and friendship with the secular culture; honesty and lying; wisdom and foolishness; loving pleasure and loving God, loving others and hating others, …etc. True spiritual unity is based upon obeying, not compromising sound doctrine Quarrels are not God’s will within the body of Christ, his church. God‘s will for his people is unity based upon the mutual submission of believers to the authoritative teachings of scripture. This unity is proof to the world that Jesus is the Son of God. The refusal of individuals to submit to the commands and principles of scripture can cause division. According to the Lord Jesus Christ, however, holiness isn’t to be compromised or balanced with practicality for the sake of unity and peace. (Matthew 10:34-41; 2 Timothy 3:12-16) Quarrels result from the selfish desires of the sinful human nature or flesh. Variance (quarrels based upon differences of opinion,interpretation, or altered legal conditions), emulations (malicious, unrighteous heated jealousy or indignation), wrath (fierce, violent, extreme anger), strife (any form of competitive rivalry or contention for superiority for the purpose of promoting yourself above someone or placing them below you) are all works of the flesh. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strif e, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21) From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:1-4) It’s God’s will that the church walk (conduct and regulate one’s life) in the Spirit and not fulfill (perform, execute, complete) the lust (desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden) of the flesh (mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Romans 8:5-9) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:22 -26) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:8) Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm you rselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. (1 Peter 4:1 -5) True liberty results in serving God and others, not our selfish desires The liberty that the church is called to isn’t a license to act and think as one pleases or to believe or do whatever feels good. It’s a true liberty to live in obedience to the commands and principles of the word of God. It’s being a servant of others and not a servant of our own selfish desires. (Galatians 5:13-14; Philippians 2:1-7) The church is to avoid leading other members into sin or to fall away It’s not acceptable to offend (lead into sin or alienate and cause to fall away from faith) any member of the body of Christ over personal beliefs or preferences not mandated in scripture. Activity which causes distrust, hurt or temptation in the life of another member of the body of Christ should be forsaken out of love. (1 Corinthians 8:13; 1 Corinthians 10:32-11:1; Galatians 5: 13-26) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things (collectively speaking all food in context) indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eatet h with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth (trip up and ind uced to sin), or is offended (enticed to sin, cause to fall away and distrust or desert Christ whom he should trust and obey), or is made weak (feeble, weak or sick). (Romans 14:19-21) Truth isn’t determined by a democratic vote or a pastor’s paradigm. The attitude of a member of the body of Christ must be evaluated within it’s proper context against the whole counsel of God’s word before it can be labeled sin or divisive. The inability or unwillingness to teach and or follow the commands and principles of God’s word regarding the inter-relationship between the church, the flesh and the world, is the cause of true division in the church. Whether or not a person or a teaching is divisive isn’t determined by a congregational vote or a pastor’s opinion. Divisiveness is determined solely by whether or not a person is teaching or behaving contrary to the word of God. The attitude of a person shouldn’t be taken out of the context in which it is displayed in order to label a person divisive. For example, a person may be justifiably angry and constructively critical about the fact that the leadership of a ministry is sinning by mixing error with truth and using unbiblical methods harmful to souls and the testimony of the church. If his criticism and anger is taken out of context ignoring the truth that the person is actually protectively warning and “earnestly contending for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints”, this person could be said to be causing disunity. Was Jesus Christ being divisive and sinning when he angrily knocked the tables and benches of the irreligious, greedy bankers over in his house of prayer? Was his emphatic display of anger unloving and unkind? Was he imbalanced? If we remove his attitude and actions from the context surrounding them, we could say that Jesus was sinning because his attitude wasn’t in accordance with Colossians 3:12-15. We could ignore the context of his anger and scriptures like Ephesians 5:26; Mark 3:1-5; Acts 5:1-11, Acts 8:9-25; Acts 13:6-13; Acts 17: 1618; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 which justify anger in the correct ministry context. No, Jesus wasn’t imbalanced or sinning and causing disunity in the house of God even though he was a minority angrily attacking a lucrative religious paradigm. In reality, Jesus was emphatically protecting the moral purity of his house in love. You say, but he was Jesus and we are merely men. True, however, anger can be godly. It isn’t a forbidden emotion. God’s word commands us to follow Christ and be ye angry and sin not. (Ephesians 4:26) If today’s pastor’s are truly going to love the body of Christ, they need to remember that the word of God, not their philosophy of ministry paradigm, is the standard of truth for the church. Biblical love protects the moral purity and holiness of the house of God. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying (teaching, affirming, maintaining), I am Christ (the present fact that Jesus is the anointed Messiah, the Son of God); and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:4 -5) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions (disunion, dissension) and offences (a trap, snare any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall, a stumbling block, occasion of stumbling) contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly (figuratively their own hearts which are lusting after earthly things rather than heavenly things); and by good words (smooth and plausible address which simulates goodness) and fair speeches (polished language artfully crafted to captivate the hearer) deceive (seduce wholly) the hearts of the simple (innocent). For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. (Romans 16:17 -19) Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Wh o shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. (Philippians 3:17-4:2) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers (propagator of erroneous Christian doctrine) among you, who privily (bring in secretly or craftily) shall bring in damnable heresies (a body of men followi ng their own tenets and the accompanying dissensions arising from a diversity of opinions and aims), even denying (disregarding the true character of the Lord Jesus Christ in their teachings and actions) the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness (greedy desire to have more) shall they with feigned (false, fictitious) words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (2 Peter 2:1-3) Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that afte r my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speakin g perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is a ble to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:26 -32) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly (having the character of thi s present corrupt age) lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed h ope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar (a people selected by God from the other nations for his own possession) people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee (exalt the mselves and their own opinions above the authoritative word of God). (Titus 2:11 -15) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in se ason, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departe d unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord rew ard him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me , and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:1-18) Pastors, elders and bishops are to be held accountable by members of the body Pastors are spiritually gifted but fallible human shepherds. Because of their fallibility, it’s the responsibility of each individual member of the body of Christ to search the scriptures to see of what they are being taught is true. Pastors and teachers are to be held accountable by the body of Christ and corrected from scripture when they’re wrong. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched th e scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. (Acts 17:10-12) Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. (1 Timothy 5:19-21) CHAPTER 3 Idolatry and the church Because of the prominent role that music plays in the life of individuals and nations in the world, and God’s prohibition against idols and idolatry, it’s essential that this book concerning music in the church provide the biblical definition of idols and idolatry. The church has turned from serving idols to serve the true God Idolatry is a gross sin of the mind or impulses of the will against God. It’s revealed in thoughts of evil which are the root of evil deeds. The hostility of man’s natural mind against the law of the Lord alienates all people from God until they are reconciled to God by repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In being saved a person turns away from living for the false gods or idols to living for the Lord Jesus Christ. The human heart naturally establishes false gods or idols if it isn’t devoted to the true God, the Lord Jesus Christ. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. (Colossians 1:21) Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth and He was grieved in His heart. (Genesis 6: 5-6) because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:7 -8) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in ti mes past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ephesians 2:1-3) Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to th e rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:37-41) For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; (1 Thessalonia ns 1:9) Idolatry is an expression of human pride. It’s a by-product of the deceitfulness of the human heart. The human heart naturally causes us to trust in things appealing to our senses and to seek approval from visible people rather than the only true invisible God. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD. Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers. Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is al so full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots: Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made: And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not. Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that da y. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall, And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtin ess of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which the y made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of t he ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? (Isaiah 2:5-22) Thus says the Lord, Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart is turned away from the Lord. For he will be like a b ush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt withou t inhabitant. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends it’s roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not b e anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield it’s fruit. The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:5-9) All mankind is stupid, devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his id ols, for his molten images are deceitful, and there is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work of mockery; in the time of their punishment they will perish. The portion of Jacob is not like these; for the Maker of all is He, and of the tribe of His inheritance; the Lord of Hosts is His name. (Jeremiah 51:17 -19) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodli ness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident with in them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even thou gh they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lust s of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a li e, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:18 -25) An idol is primarily a visible phantom, reflection or likeness of an idea or fancy Idolatry and idols exist today both inside and outside the United States. An idol is primarily a visible phantom or likeness of an idea or fancy. The idea is a reflectionor an image of a false god that is adored and worshipped. It influences a person’s life in ways contrary to the will of God as revealed in the word of God. An idolator is enslaved to the ideas that his idol represents. Rock music in it’s many forms is an idol according to the biblical definition of the term. Just ask Bono about the powerful influence of rock music. In a Fall 2001 Special Issue of Time Magazine entitled “Music Goes Global”, U2’ s Bono is quoted on page 53 as saying, “Rock music can change lives. Rock is a reality about the transcendent feeling. There’s life in the form. I think rock music is the only place that can still get you to that eternal place where you want to start a revolution, call your mother, change your job or change your mind.“ Bono is right on target in this statement which basically attributes the power of a false god or idol to rock music. Listen again to his insightful words: “Rock music can change lives. Rock is a reality about the transcendent feeling. There’s life in the form. I think rock music is the only place that can still get you to that eternal place where you want to start a revolution, call your mother, change your job or change your m ind.“ Bono is stating the well attested to fact that rock music has a mind altering power inherent within it. His honest evaluation elevates rock music to a status only the true God should occupy in a person’s life making rock music an idol or false god. The scriptures teach us that the power in the idol of rock music lies in the demons behind the music. Another example of a form of idolatry in scripture common to our culture is covetousness. Covetousness is the greedy desire for more wealth or mammon. It is often the motive behind rock music performance as later chapters will show. The scriptures teach the church to flee and keep itself from idols and idolatry. Little children, guard yourselves from the idols ( whatever represents the form of an object, either real or imaginary) (1 John 5:21) Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry (worship of false gods including mammon). ( 1 Corinthians 10:14) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which y e also walked some time, when ye lived in them. (Colossians 3:5-7) For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, n or covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. (Ephesians 5:5 -8) Devils (demonic beings) and their associated powers lie behind idols The scripture teaches that devils (demonic beings) and their associated powers lie behind idols. In other words, demons lie behind the power of rock and other forms of secular music as this book will reveal. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? (1 Corinthians 10:14-22) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship ha th righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentil es, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: (1 Peter 4:1-4) The cup and table of demons is real today Those unacquainted with the Lord Jesus Christ, inaccurately labeled unchurched but biblically called pagans, Gentiles, heathen or antichrists, offer sacrifices to demons. The cup and table of demons is real today. It involves communion with devils. (demonic beings, fallen angels and false gods) An ungodly amount of people’s resources are sacrificed to the idol of secular music worldwide today. But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifi ce to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, a nd the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. (1 Corinthians 10:20-21). Participating in pagan feasts where things are being publicly offered to idols and eating things commonly and publicly known to be sacrificed by unbelievers to devils or demonic beings is idolatry from which the church is to flee. Not only should the church flee rock music in it’s various forms, but the church should also abstain from any appearance of a rock music stage performance. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. (1 Corinthians 10:7,14) Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22) Church members shouldn’t tolerate church leaders teaching the body of Christ to integrate the idol of secular music into the life of the church. The teaching of the apostles and Jesus Christ in scripture condemns eating things publicly advertised or acknowledged by someone to you as being sacrificed to idols. The same teaching condemns tolerating teachers leading the church to eat things publicly advertised or acknowledged by someone to you as being sacrificed to idols. For this reason, church members shouldn’t tolerate church leaders teaching the body of Christ to integrate the idol of secular music into the life of the church. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof: (1 Corinthians 10:28) For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. (Acts 15:28-29) As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. (Acts 21:25) And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those day s wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nico laitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mou th. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I wil l cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I w ill kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2:12 -23) Summary of doctrinal chapters 1-3 Chapters 1-3 have presented some characteristics of the body of Christ from scripture. They have particularly focused on those characteristics which relate closely to the issue of the removal of the separation between secular and sacred music in the church. I have taken for granted that Christians should increasingly manifest love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and brotherly love in their interpersonal relationships within the body of Christ seeking to do all things, even church discipline when necessary, in God’s protective and restorative love. Balanced biblical love doesn’t exclude anger when the anger is an unselfish response towards injustice and hardness of heart in others. An example of such hardness of heart is the selfish attitude of church leaders causing division and offenses in the body of Christ by advocating the integration of the idol of secular music, especially rock music, into church life. The commands concerning interpersonal behavior within the body of Christ assume that associating believers aren’t currently practicing sexual sin, covetousness, idolatry, drunkenness, unethical financial dealings, verbal abusiveness, or departure from teaching sound biblical doctrine. Paul taught Christ’s followers to reprove and disassociate themselves from professing Christians with moral character of this nature. (1 Corinthians 5:9-13; Ephesians 5:1-12; 1 Timothy 6:3-10; Revelation 2:20; 2 John 9 -10) The church is to mildly warn them of the seriousness of their sin, prove them wrong from scripture as necessary, and call them to repentance before disassociating from them for refusing to listen. (Ephesians 5:11; Matthew 18:15-20) The church is not to kindly, patiently and forgivingly tolerate rebellion against the commandments of God among it’s professing members. It’s the morally neutral irritating personality differences, ingrained habits and unintentional faults in others that we are to put up with patiently, kindly and forgivingly. Any church that isn’t functioning according to the biblical pattern established in this chapter isn’t a biblical church. The Lord calls the leadership of unbiblical churches to repentance and his sincere disciples to leave rather than infiltrate unbiblical churches as change agents. The truths in this chapter will be referenced as necessary in proceeding chapters to disclose the confusion that Satan has brought into the church as a result of the failure of church leadership to apply the commands and principles of scripture to the subject of music in the church. This study doesn’t intend to judge the motives behind, but the fruit resulting from the purpose driven music paradigm. The integration of secular philosophy with scriptural truth is moving the theology and music of the church increasingly away from the sound doctrine of scripture. In order to restore the holy separation that God desires between the music of his church and the music of the secular world, we must recognize the human philosophies and motivations presently controlling church thought. If we recognize we’re using transient human philosophy and earthly wisdom rather than God’s eternal word to build his church; the next step is to exercise faith in God’s word and exchange our temporal earthly wisdom for the Lord’s heavenly higher level wisdom. This difficult exchange needs to be made no matter how much we fear the thought of change. Once the church has exchanged human philosophy for higher level biblical thinking it can act to protect itself from the pernicious effects of carnal music and help restore the holiness God desires for his church. The first disciples dropped their fishing nets immediately to learn from Jesus how to make disciples. True purpose driven leaders need to repent and do the same. Paul told us to follow him as he followed Christ. Is our ministry today anything like Paul’s was? If our ministry was like Paul’s, we would sometimes be called to endure the same beatings he endured from those inside and outside the church for the same reasons he did. The following chapter examines commands from the New Testament regarding music and the characteristics of music pleasing to the head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ, who emphatically reminds us his house shall be called “the house of prayer“. CHAPTER 4 The content, purpose and focus of music in the church Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wis dom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord . (Colossians 3:16) This chapter will simply teach the content, purpose and focus of music in the church according to the truth of scripture. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to instruct the churches at Ephesus and Colosse concerning the ministry of music. Notice the following three points to his teaching about music: 1. The content of music is to be the word of Christ (Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…speaking to yourselves…) 2. The purpose of the word of Christ in the music is instructional (…in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another…) 3. The focus of the music is the Lord (singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord…) The three types of biblical music: psalms, hymns and spiritual songs The scriptures mention three types of biblical music: psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Both Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 instruct the church to sing the word of God found in the Psalms. The Book of Psalms consist of 150 songs or poems sung to the accompaniment of musical instruments. It has also been known as the Book of Praises. Psalters consisting of the Psalms are available on the internet at www.cgmusic.com/workshop/index.htm. One example is the 1719 Isaac Watts metrical paraphrase which is available on the cgmusic website. Another source of Psalters providing original lyrics, sheet music scores, guitar chords, midi and mp3 download files for each Psalm (all 150 of them) for study, worship and praise is Psalms Music found at www.all-psalms-music.com/Supplement2001/1.alt1.htm. A third resource is found at www.swrb.com/music/psalm.htm and offering Scottish Metrical Psalters from the Scottish Metrical Psalter (1650) by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland Northern Presbytery Choir and others. The second type of music mentioned in Paul’s word to the Colossians and the Ephesians is hymns. The greek word for hymn used here is humnos or humneo meaning a song of praise such as is found in singing of the paschal hymns found in Psalms 113 - 118 and 136, which the Jews called the “great Hallel”. Is any merry? let him sing psalms is the teaching in James 5:13. Jesus and the apostles are recorded as singing Psalms in Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26. Paul and Silas sang humneo or psalms to the Lord just prior to their miraculous deliverance from prison. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises (humneo-psalms) unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundati ons of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. (Acts 16:25-26) The singing of Psalms was an integral part of group worship in the Corinthian church also. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm (psalmos-one of the Pslams), hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath a n interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying (the act of one who promotes another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness) (1 Corinthians 14:26) The third type of music mentioned in Paul’s letters is spiritual (pneumatikos-non-carnal, regenerate, belonging to the Holy Spirit of God) songs (odes-short musical poems). In my opinion, both the old traditional hymns and the newer conservative, nonsecular sounding scripture based music would be more accurately categorized as spiritual songs rather than hymns. This music is not carnal or fleshly and sensual. It doesn’t borrow it’s lyrics or background music from the secular, antichristian world of the past or present. It doesn’t contain secular rock music’s syncopated backbeat which unnaturally emphasizes the second half of the beat rather than beginning notes or lyrics on the down beat as traditional hymns and conservative Christian music does. It isn’t the product of the unsaved, unregenerate human mind which is naturally born at war with God. It’s not self oriented entertainment. It doesn’t draw attention to the people involved in it. It’s not a performance intended to please or impress people. It glorifies and praises God while edifying the spiritual life of the Christian. It’s the product of the Holy Spirit of God working through the saved, regenerate believer in Jesus Christ much like the Holy Spirit of God desires to work through a pastor-teacher as they bring a message from the word of God to the body of Christ. As a result, the music is edifying to the body of Christ. Since it’s message is from the word of God or paraphrased and derived from the word of God, it builds the faith of those singing and listening to it’s message. It teaches and admonishes, or imparts biblical doctrine and warns and exhorts the church to do what is good and right in a mild manner. Making melody is singing unselfish praises of gratitude to God The attitude with which music is to be sung to the Lord is one of gratitude and praise to the Lord. The word melody used in Ephesians 5:19 is the greek word psallo which again means to celebrate the praises and worship of God in psalms and spiritual songs. It is not a reference to the structure or order of the instrumental music used in worship. Since the melody is to made to the Lord in the heart, the inmost seat of our thoughts, feelings and emotions, to make melody is to sing unselfish praises of gratitude to the Lord. The music is not to made for the purposes of self glorification, making money, pleasure or entertainment. Along the same lines, Colossians 3:16 instructs us to sing with grace or an attitude of thanksgiving and praise in our hearts to the Lord for all his benefits to us. The question of instruments Concerning the question of what instruments if any are allowable in the church: no instruments other than our voices and harps are mentioned in the context of New Testament church worship. The church at that time was determined to be set apart from the secular culture in it’s worship. Harps are mentioned in the context of heavenly, not earthly worship. (Revelation 14:2) In the Old Testament, David established the prophetic service of musicians to include the use of harps, psalteries, cymbals and singers of the songs of the Lord. (1 Chronicles 25:1-7) The instruments of prophetic service are described as follows: Psalteries (nebel): stringed instrument like a dulcimer or harp Timbrels (toph) : handheld tambourine Harps (kinnor): a stringed harp like a lyre Cymbals (metseleth): cymbals Drums were not used in divine service. Electric guitars were non-existent of course. According to The New International Standard Bible Encyclopedia p. 2101, 1 Chronicles 13:8 and 2 Samuel 6:5 mention the use of timbrels or toph. This toph corresponds to the Arabian word duf. The handheld duf consists of an 11 inch diameter, 2 inch deep circular wood frame with a skin tightly stretched over it and thin metal disks attached to it. Handheld tambourine like timbrels are misleadingly equated with the modern cylindrical drum by purpose driven church leaders. 1 Samuel 10:5 mentions the use of a pipe (chaliyl) or a simple flute by a company of God’s prophets along with tabrets (toph) possibly a mandolin type instrument. Trumpets (shofars) were also used outside temple worship. In addition to the timbrel, psaltery, harp, trumpet, loud and high sounding cymbals, two additional instruments were mentioned in Psalm 150 to be used to praise God. stringed instruments (men): stringed harp organs (uggab): flute, reed-pipe or pan-pipes The use of the word loud in this Psalm isn’t loud in the sense of excessively, continuously loud rock music. It refers to an emphatic religious impulse like a shout of joy, a sudden trumpet blast or the clash of a cymbal. Pastor David Cloud provides some excellent reasons for the church to avoid the use of the modern drum because of their proven association with voodoo, shamanism, paganism and magic rituals. Here are some quotes taken from his article titled “Drums and Christian Music” found at www.wayoflife.org/fbns/drumsand.htm. “[Drums] represents the beat of the heart and is played to summon up magic powers” (Miranda Bruce-Mitford, The Illustrated Book of Signs & Symbols, DK Publishing, 1996 p. 80) In Siberia, in northern Asia, drums are used i n shamanic rituals to heal people. It is believed that the shaman can communicate with the spirit world THROUGH DRUMMING (Louise Tythacott, Musical Instruments, Thomas Learning, 1995, p. 37) “Pagan dances and rituals are always accompanied by the incessant BEAT of DRUMS. Rhythm plays a major role in these demonic activities” (Lowell Hart, Satan’s Music Exposed, Salem Kirban Inc., 1980 p. 71) “Bata drums [drums used in voodoo], sacred to the Yoruba people of Nigeria and Cuba: Their push and pull provided a template for the inner rhythms of rock and roll” (Robert Palmer, Rock & Roll An Unruly History, Harmony Books, New York, 1995, p. 46) “The idea that certain RHYTHM patterns or sequences serve as conduits for spiritual energies, linking individual human consciousness with the gods, is basic to traditional African religions, and to African-derived religions throughout the Americas . And whether we’re speaking historically or musicologically, the fundamental riffs, licks, bass figures, and drum rhythms that make rock and roll can ultimately be traced back to African music of a primarily spiritual or ritual nature. In a sense, rock and roll is a kind of voodoo’ . . . ” (Robert Palmer, Rock & Roll, An Unruly History, p. 53) “Bata drummers tap out their toques, or rhythm patterns, like signals to the realm of the gods, inviting and enticing them to come on down and mount or POSSESS the ir horses, or devotees. . .The specific drum patterns or toques include some riffs and licks basic to the rock and roll vocabulary” (Robert Palmer, Rock & Roll An Unruly History, p. 62). “I remembered a conversation I’d once had in Cuba with a reporter from The New York Times, Stay away from those drums,’ he had told me, referring to the ones said to call down the gods in Santeria’s sacred ceremonies. ‘If I ever really gave in to those DRUMS, my life would change in ways I’m not prepared to take on,’ he had added. I knew what he was talking about. It was all there in the drumming. Listen long enough, and some energy field, some kind of interconnectedness, became palpable. I was hungry for those drums. Yet I still ran from them” (Elizabeth Hanly, “A Shaman’s Story, A Vodoun priest leads the author on a journey of understanding,” New Age Journal, March/April 1997 pp. 56 -57). “My true belief about Rock ‘n’ Roll - is this: I believe this kind of music is demonic . . . A lot of the BEATS in music today are taken from voodoo, from the voodoo DRUMS” (Little Richard, cited by Charles White, The Life and Times of Little Richard, p. 197). “Today’s DRUMMER differs but little from the shaman in his incessant beating out of a rhythm, and likewise often enters into a form of trance while perfor ming” (David Tame, The Secret Power of Music, p. 199) “The arrival of African slaves has had one of the strongest influences on North American music. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, millions of African people were taken as slaves to the U.S. to work on plantations in the South. They brought many of their own traditions with them but were forbidden to play their DRUMS” (Louise Tythacott, Musical Instruments, Thomas Learning, 1995, p. 19) “This was especially true in New Orleans. African-based DRUMMING, singing, and dancing, discouraged and repeatedly banned elsewhere in North America, had flourished there since the early eighteenth century. This unique heritage has informed and enlivened New Orleans music ever since, as well as distinguishing i t from the rest of American musical culture, making the city an ideal incubator for a non-mainstream music as rhythmically oriented as rock and roll” (Robert Palmer, Rock & Roll An Unruly History, p. 21) When the first blacks from Africa were converted to Christianity they knew the power and evil influence of DRUMS. And the converted blacks strictly forbid the use of drums! They r eferred to the drums as “the Devil’s drum” (Martha Bayles, Hole in Our Soul: The Loss of Beauty and Meaning in American Popular Music, p. 138) “Historically blacks had drawn the line between particular instruments and practices; They permitted tambourines, for instance, but not DRUMS” (Bayles, Hole in Our Soul, p. 130) Based upon the occult symbolism associated with it, and it’s use as a magickal tool of Satan by a growing number of occult musicians as presented in this book, I would contend that the church should begin viewing the electric guitar in a light similar to the way drums are viewed by some churches. Chapter 5 details the unique association of the electric guitar with the Satanic occult in the past couple of decades and the occult plan to increase it‘s use as a magickal tool for spreading the New Religion in the New Age in the Antichrist’s New World Order. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 exhort the church to perform a quality control operation on the things that we accept into our lives in order that our entire being be sanctified or separated from secular things and be consecrated to God: prove all things: scrutinize or examine something before accepting it as genuinely excellent and beneficial hold fast that which is good: after examining something, retain it only if it’s excellent in character and well suited for it’s intended purpose abstain from all appearance of evil: refrain from using or retaining anything which actually is or even appears to be evil in any way, shape or form. It’s true that musical instruments are inanimate objects possessing no inherent moral nature. This is probably why the scriptures don’t specifically command us not to use drums or electric guitars. On the other hand, drums and electric guitars aren’t listed among the instruments used in divine service so there is no divine mandate to use them. Like technology, the morality of musical instruments is determined by how and why they are used. With the proven association of drums and electric guitars with the occult, their primary role in driving secular rock music, and the temptation they present for misuse in ministry and offending others, it’s logical to ask why the church would want to use them? Is the best motive we have a desire to appeal to the flesh of pagans or immature Christians in order to win them to Christ and increase church growth? 2 Peter 2 tells us that baiting potential followers by appealing to the desires of human nature is characteristic of false prophets like Balaam. Jesus and his apostles didn’t use drums and electric guitars. Why should we vary from their example if our only motive is one characterizing the ministry of a false prophet. In addition, it could well be argued that a large, prominently displayed drumset and electric guitar(s) patterned after the world’s rock bands in the church creates an appearance of evil that should be abstained from in accordance with the teaching of 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22. I know in my mind such stage sets have an evil connotation and grieve my spirit because of my familiarity with the secular music culture and past experience in partying in that environment. Applications Questions The following list of questions is designed to help evaluate whether or not the music ministry of a church is functioning biblically. 1. Questions concerning a song’s lyrics that you should answer “YES“ to before you conclude the song selection of your music ministry is acceptable to the Lord: a. Are the lyrics filled with scripture? b. Do the lyrics teach sound biblical doctrine for the edification of the church? c. Do the lyrics build faith in the scriptures and the Lord of the scriptures? d. Do the lyrics teach and warn the church to do what what’s right in a mild manner? e. Can the lyrics be sung with gratitude and praise to the Lord in worship of Him? f. Do your lyrics include the Psalms? g. Do the lyrics present scriptural teaching in way that isn’t overly shallow theologically or overly repetitive? h. Do the lyrics of selected songs over the course of approximately 3 months present a biblically balanced view of the character of God? 2. Questions concerning a song’s background instrumental music that you should answer “NO“ to before you conclude a song is acceptable to the Lord: a. Is the instrumental music deliberately imitating or conforming to any particular current musical style in your culture? b. Does the emotional message of the instrumental music focus attention upon self in any of the following ways: Does the emotional message of the instrumental music make you feel like letting loose or partying? Does the emotional message of the instrumental music arouse feelings of pride within and make people feel “cool“? Does the emotional message of the instrumental music help you express or arouse repressed feelings of anger, rage and hatred? Does the emotional message of the instrumental music make you sense or bring to mind the mysterious, dark, hidden demonic forces of the occult? Does the emotional message of the instrumental music make you feel like you’re entering another state of mind and escaping your surroundings? Does the emotional message of the instrumental music of the song orderly support the tone of the biblical message of the lyrics or does it communicate a conflicting or confusing emotional message? Does the emotional message of the instrumental music make the lost feel so good that they might be deceived into thinking they are truly Christians because they like the feeling the music provides? c. Is the motive for using a particular instrumental background music to appeal to the desires of the lost or immature? 3. Questions concerning music that you should answer “NO“ to before you conclude music is acceptable to the Lord: a. Is the stage presentation and performance of the music patterned after popular mainstream culture or a radical sub-culture in order to appeal to the desires of the lost or immature within the culture? b. Is the appearance and stage mannerisms of musicians and singers modest or do they scream “I‘m cool“ or “look at me!” c. Is there anything in the performance of the music which could be somehow be associated with evil in the mind of a brother or sister in Christ, or the lost,which might cast doubt about the sincerity of your church’s testimony for Jesus Christ? d. Is there anything in the performance of the music which could be somehow be associated with evil in the mind of a brother or sister in Christ which might be used somehow to lead that person to return to a lifestyle or behavior that’s displeasing to the Lord? e. Are electric guitars and drums being used that could be used to play “riffs and rhythms” found in magickal music commonly written according to occult numerological patterns by secular musicians in order to invoke demonic spirits? f. Does your song selection over the course of approximately 3 months overemphasize any particular doctrinal message or aspect of God’s character? These questions are provided to help make practical the biblical teaching of this chapter on the acceptable content, purpose and focus of music in the church according to God’s word. They are meant to be used as guidelines for prayerful evaluation of church music ministries. The chapter to follow will reveal many examples which clearly prove that the purpose driven music paradigm’s belief that all forms of instrumental music are morally neutral is false. CHAPTER 5 What is music and are it’s effects morally neutral? Rhythm and melody supply imitations of anger and gentleness, and of courage and temperance, and of all qualities contrary to these and of other qualities of character, which hardly fall short of the actual affections, as we know from our own experience, for in listening to such strains our souls undergo a change...Enough has been said to show that music has a power of forming character,…-Aristotle (Aristotle, Theory of Music, in Antaeus On Music, ed. Daniel Halpern (Hopewell, NJ: Ecco Press, 1993), pp. 4-6.) Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything…For they must beware of change to a strange form of music, taking it to be a danger to the whole. For never are the ways of music moved without the greatest political laws being moved, as Damon says, and I am persuaded. ...'So it's surely here in music, as it seems,' I said' that the guardians must build the guardhouse. 'At least,' he said, this kind of lawlessness easily creeps in unawares...it attacks laws and regimes with much insolence until it finally subverts everything private and public. (Plato, The Republic of Plato, trans. Alan Bloom (New York: Basic Books, Inc., 1968), p. 424.) According to the philosophy of the ancient Chinese, music was the basis of every thing. In particular they believed that all civilizations are shaped and molded according to the kind of music performed within them....a civilization remained stable and unchanged as long as its music remained unchanged... Confucius believed there to be a hidden significance to music which made it one of the most important things in life, possessing potentially tremendous power fo r good or evil. And we discover the same basic beliefs in every advanced civilization of antiquity. It was the same in Mesopotamia. The same again in cultures as far apart as India and Greece...Music was not conceived by any of them, as it is conceived today, as being an intangible art form of little practical significance." (David Tame, The Secret Power of Music , Rochester, VT: Destiny Books, 1984), pp. 15-16.) The purpose of this chapter is to answer the question as to whether or not instrumental music is morally neutral and whether or not it has an inherent moral message even when it’s divorced from lyrics. The questions above from three of the world’s all-time greatest human intellects testify to the tremendous moral power of instrumental music. This isn’t to say that the mere human opinion of such great philosophical minds settles the debate. The opinions of these men may serve to open minds to receive from the scriptures the answer to this question. The scriptures testify to instrumental music’s power to influence emotions in ways both beneficial and harmful to people. If we conclude hat instrumental music isn’t morally neutral, then we must admit that doesn’t love all types of music as the Purpose Driven Music Paradigm teaches. Music is the universal science used to create emotion The origin of the word music comes from Greek word mousike. The Greek word mousa applies to development from a principle, to every sphere of activity where the spirit passes from potency to act and clothes itself in a sensible form. Music combines words determining ideas (poetry); melody communicating sentiment and rhythm characterizing expression. Music separated from poetry is like a soul without a body. Poetry gives clarity to the thoughts and emotions expressed by music. Poetry and music should work together as ministers of thought. All the ancient sages of worldly wisdom such as Pythagoras, Zoroaster, Confucius, Plato believed instrumental music was the universal science to be used to create emotion. Interestingly, the same belief is echoed today by the guru of the purpose driven music paradigm, Rick Warren. Warren has capitalized upon the emotional power of music in order to increase church attendance. Professionally trained musicians like Dr. Max Schoen point out the following: “music is the most powerful stimulus known among the perceptive senses. The medical, psychiatric and other evidence for the non-neutrality of music is so overwhelming that it frankly amazes me that anyone should seriously say otherwise. (Dr. Max Schoen, The Psychology of Music, 1940) Dr. Howard Hanson, an American composer, conductor , teacher and a Director of the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester wrote in the American Journal of Psychiatry, Volume 99, page 317: “music is a curiously subtle art with innumerable, varying emotional connotations. It is made up of many ingredients and, according to the proportions of these c omponents, it can be soothing or invigorating, ennobling or vulgarizing, philosophical or orgiastic. It has powers for evil as w ell as for good.” ( Quoted from “A Musician’s Point of View Toward Emotional Expression” at the 98 th annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, 1942) Leonard Bernstein is quoted in Newsweek, October, 29, 1990, page 79 saying : “music is something terribly special…it doesn’t have to pass through the sensor of the brain before it can reach the heart…an F-sharp doesn’t have to be considered in the mind; it is a direct hit, and therefore, all the more powerful.” Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys is quoted regarding the persuasive power of instrumental music as recorded on page 210 of the “The Rock Story by Jerry Hopkins copyright 1970: ”I’m very aware of the value and power of speaking through a song, not messages -just what you can say through the music itself.” Muzak Corporation and the emotional power of music Consider the history of the Muzak Corporation taken from their website as a testimony to the emotional power of music. Muzak is CEO Bill Boyd and about 2000 other believers. Believers in what, you might ask? Believers in the emotional and persuasive power of music. We've already put it to work for thousands of businesses. Needless to say, we'd be happy to put it to work for you. Have something to say? Questions to ask? Suggestions to make? We'd love to hear from you. Muzak LLC 3318 Lakemont Boulevard Fort Mill, SC 29708. Once "Background Music," now "Audio Architecture," Muzak creates experiences with music. Muzak is creating experiences for some of the biggest names in business – including Pizzeria Uno and Outback Steakhouse – through Audio Architecture, the art of capturing the emotional power of music and using it to enhance a client’s brand image. Through Audio Architecture, the art of capturing the emotional power of music and putting it to work for clients seeking to enhance their brand image, Muzak serves approximately 300,000 customer locations in the U.S. and 15 foreign countries; more than 80 million people hear it each day. The company delivers music, video, messaging, and sound system design through more than 200 sales and service locations. (http://www.muzak.com) Dr. John Diamond and the healing power of music Consider the history and findings of Dr. John Diamond, author of over 20 books. He’s a pioneering figure in alternative and holistic medicine. He’s used music in healing for over 45 years and conducted extensive research on the medical effects of music. He’s a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry, a Foundation Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, a Member of the American Holistic Medical Association and is a Fellow and past President of the International Academy of Preventive Medicine. His research concerning rock’s anapestic beat supports the findings of Dr. David Nobel who points out that rock music’s harmonic dissonance and melodic discord and accented beat (two short beats, a long beat, then a pause) is the exact opposite of our cardiovascular rhythms. Dr. Diamond has concluded that rock’s anapestic beat raises stress and anger levels, increases hyperactivity, and weakens muscle strength. Dr. Diamond has even found that stressful sounds unrecognizable to the human ear are present in today’s electronic digitally recorded music. Dr. Diamond first published in 1980 and modified and with a postscript in 2003 an article entitled: HUMAN STRESS PROVOKED BY DIGITALIZED RECORDINGS: INTRODUCING LIFE ENERGY PLUS™ . The article reveals that the electronic digital recording process introduces stress not present in analog recording processes and reduces the therapeutic power of analog music. http://www.diamondcenter.net) http://www.freedomministries.org.uk/ccm/crock1.shtml) Subsonic or infrasonic sound and Vibroacoustic disease Science has not only confirmed the healing power of music, but also it’s potentially destructive power. The SUN AND WEEKLY HERALD (Sun-Herald.com) recently interviewed Dr. Robert Fifer, the Director of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, at the Mailman Center for Child Development at the University of Miami. He discussed Vibroacoustic Disease and its relation to infrasound and boom cars. Vibroacoustic Disease, or VAD, is a chronic, progressive, cumulative, systemic disease. Exposure to high-intensity/low-frequency sound and infrasound can lead to Vibroacoustic Disease. Studies have shown that environments with high-intensity sound over 110 dB, coupled with low-frequency sounds below 100 Hz, place people at high risk for developing Vibroacoustic Disease. For example, Vibroacoustic Disease has been identified in disk jockeys, due to loud music exposure. When exposed to high-intensity/low-frequency sound, which includes loud music, the body is subjected to powerful sound vibrations. This noise stressor leads to: homeostatic imbalance, disease, interference with behavior and performance, visual problems, epilepsy, stroke, neurological deficiencies, psychic disturbances, thromboembolism, central nervous system lesions, vascular lesions in most areas of the body, lung local fibrosis, mitral valve abnormalities, pericardial abnormalities, malignancy, gastrointestinal dysfunction, infections of the oropharynx, increased frequency of sister chromatid exchanges, immunological changes, cardiac infarcts, cancer, rage reactions, suicide, and altered coagulation parameters. The article states, "But the physical vibration so prized by car audio fanatics, and despised by their victims, is largely produced by sounds pitched too low to hear, called subsonic or infrasonic sounds. Medical research over the past four decades shows that exposure to infrasound can have devastating effects on the human body and mind that go far beyond mere hearing loss." The article goes on to discuss the fight-or-flight adrenaline response and how it is also t riggered by LPALF (large pressure amplitude low-frequency noise) or high-intensity/low-frequency sound. In other words, the fight-or-flight adrenaline response can be triggered by sounds you don't even hear! At loud enough volumes, infrasound can "shake an object o bits the same way a soprano's high motes can shatter a wine class." (Source - INFRASOUND: I'M ALL SHOOK UP! - Sun and Weekly Herald, Sun-Herald.com, 8/24/2003) (http://www.lowertheboom.org) Fast music linked to car crashes A 3/13/02 article in the internet magazine New Scientist concludes that loud music with a fast tempo increases the occurrence of risky driving behavior and accidents. An Israeli researcher says drivers who listen to fast music in their cars may have more than twice as many accidents as those listening to slower tracks. With the car now the place where people most often listen to music, the research is worrying. While previous studies have shown a link between loud music and dangerous driving, Warren Brodsky at Ben-Gurion University in Beer-Sheva, wondered if tempo had any effect on driver behaviour.To find out, he put a group of 28 students through their paces on a driving simulator. Each student drove round the virtual streets of Chicago while listening to different pieces of music, or none at all. The students had an average of seven years' driving experience. Brodsky chose music with a variety of styles, ranging from laid-back George Benson ballads to the ultra-fast numbers beloved of clubbers. The tempo ranged from a slow 60 beats per minute up to a fast and furious 120 beats per minute or more. All the music was played relatively loudly to maximise its effect. As the tempo increased, Brodsky found drivers took more risks, such as jumping red lights, and had more accidents. When listening to up-tempo pieces, they were twice as likely to jump a red light as those who were not listening to music. And drivers had more than twice as many accidents when they were listening to fast tempos as when they listened to slow or medium-paced numbers. (http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99992032) Brainwave entrainment Scientists have recently determined that music can be electronically programmed to manipulate a person’s brainwaves. This process is called brainwave entrainment and can induce desired effects into a person’s life, including an increased sex drive. The recording industry has known this for decades as will be examined in the next chapter. BrainWave Generator is an example of such technology. Here’s an excerpt from their website. (http://www.bwgen.com) Want to relax? Meditate? Learn faster? Focus attention? Increase your awareness? Try selfhypnosis? Just put on the earphones and let BrainWave Generator take you to the state of mind you want. The sound and visual stimulation funct ions of BrainWave Generator help you prepare for stressful situations or challenging tasks improve learning results alleviate sleeping problems and headaches BrainWave Generator generates binaural beats that change your brain frequency towards the desired state, be it relaxation or enhanced attention. In addition to using the more than 20 built -in brain wave entrainment programs, you can create your own programs (presets). Meditation and relaxation capabilities of BrainWave Generator may help to get rid of some bad habits: Quit smoking Quit drinking Lose weight This is because habits such as smoking and excessive drinking or eating are often unconscious ways to control one's feelings and moods, for example, to alleviate anxiety. This is especially true in the case of drinking, as alcohol changes one's state of m ind quite noticeably and can create an illusion of relaxation. (Mikko Noromaa. President of Noromaa Solutions Oy, author of Brai nWave Generator. Helsinki, Finland. November 26, 2002.) Jonathan Goldman: Sound healer and researcher The interview below was done by Lori Thompson on 01-06-2004. It’s full content is found at www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=9030. This is an excerpt of that interview revealing the following: It’s possible to project the correct resonant frequency to that part of the body that is out of tune, restoring it to its normal, healthy vibratory essence. Sound is actually a carrier wave of consciousness. And this consciousness is received by the person hearing the sound. When musicians are performing or recording, their state of consciousness will be on the sounds they're creating. Goldman consciously invokes demonic energy into his music. Goldman’s recordings such as Celestial Yoga or Celestial Reiki assist in helping people entrain their brainwaves to the powerful relaxing natural earth frequency of about 8 Hz . The following interview was conducted with Jonathan Goldman as an inquiry into "sound" and its meaning for contemporary music. Mr. Goldman is a writer, musician, teacher, an authority on sound healing and a pioneer in the field of harmonics. He is the director of the Sound Healers Association-- a non-profit organization dedicated to education and awareness of sound and music for healing, and president of Spirit Music, which produces music for meditation, relaxation and self-transformation. An internationally acknowledged Master Teacher, Mr. Goldman facilitates Healing Sounds Seminars at universities, hospitals, holistic health centers and expos throughout the United States and Europe. He has appeared on national television and radio and been featured in USA. He has created a Master's Degree Program in Independent Study at Leslie College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, "Researching the Uses of Sound and Music for Healing." Around the same time, he formed the Sound Healers Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to education and awareness of the uses of sound and music for healing. [Lori Thompson] I am particularly interested in your formula: visualization + vocalization = manifestation? Can you explain the meaning of the formula? What implications d oes this formula have for musicians and singers and for those who listen to music? Jonathan Goldman: This formula is actually a follow up to another formula is my book: frequency + intent = healing. And I have a recent formula as well that's very similar: frequency + feeling = effect. All these formulas mean essentially the same thing, and they are based first and foremost on many years of study about the effects of sound. What I found was that different people w ere having success using the same sound to heal different conditions. And they were using different sounds to heal the same condition. I couldn't understand how this could be possible. Then, I realized that the actual sound was only part of the healing formula-that the intent of the person creating the sound also was equally important. Sound is actually a carrier wave of consciousness. And this consciousness is received by the person hearing the sound. This is extremely important because it means that whe n musicians are performing or recording, their state of consciousness will be on the sounds they're creating. So, for example, if they are experiencing a lot of anger while they're making the music, that anger will be somehow perceived by the audience. I guess this is fine if you are indeed trying to get your listener angry, though sometimes I feel there's enough of that in this wo rld. But regardless-I believe that there's a responsibility to the musician for their condition -their state of consciousness when they're creating music. It's important just to be aware of the power we have in terms of influencing the effects of the musi c. When I'm working on a recording, I really spend time trying to put myself in a positive state of mind. I meditate and invoke specific energies when I'm working on the music -for example The Angel & The Goddess works with the energy of Shamael, Angel of S acred Sound and Saraswati, Hindu Goddess of Music and Medicine. And these beings were consciously invoked during the recording. The same is true with Trance Tara, which works with the energy of Tara, Tibetan Goddess of Compassion or Medicine Buddha, which brings in the energy of the Buddha of Healing. I like to believe that one of the reasons why my recordings are so well received is not only the music, but also the energy I put into the recordings. [Lori Thompson] How do you define "sonic entrainment" and "resonance"? How might these concepts influence "inspirational" factors for musicians? For example, why might some musicians find creative inspiration by sitting near the ocean or viewing a mountain vista? Can sonic entrainment and resonance with a physical form play a role in creative musical inspiration? Jonathan Goldman: Resonance is the natural vibratory frequency of an object. Everything has a resonant frequency. This includes the human body-- Every organ, every bone, every tissue, every system of the body is creating a sound. When we are in a state of health, we're like an extraordinary orchestra that's playing a wonderful symphony of the self. But what happens if the second violin player loses her sheet music? She begins to play out of tune, and pretty soon the entire string section sounds bad. Pretty soon, in fact, the entire orchestra is off. This is a metaphor for dise ase. With regard to sound, I ask, "What if we could somehow give the string player back her sheet music?" What if we could somehow project the correct resonant frequency to that part of the body that is vibrating out of harmony, and cause it to vibrate bac k into its normal, healthy rhythm, restoring it to a condition of health? That's the basic principle of using sound as a healing modality. Sonic entrainment is the ability of sound to affect our nervous system and actually change the frequencies of our brain waves. This is tremendously important! I refer you to my article on "Sonic Entrainment" found on www.healingsounds.com. It's really a very coherent and well-researched piece of information about how sound can effect our brain! Now, our brain wave activ ity is measured in Hertz (or cycles per second), just as we measure sound. There's Beta (14 - 20 Hz.), Alpha (8 - 13 Hz.), Theta (4 - 7 Hz.) and Delta (0.5 - 5 Hz.) The slower the brainwave, the more relaxed we are. Beta's very awake and active. Delta is deep sleep. What's interesting is that nature and the Earth itself seems to resonate at a very low alpha frequency of about 8 Hz. This is brainwave activity found in light meditation and day dreaming. It's a very creative state. Now, when you're near the oc ean or a brook or in the woods or on a mountain, your nervous system -in fact your very being is resonating to this alpha frequency. Which is not only very relaxing-it's also enhances our creativity. No wonder that musicians, artists, writers and other creative people like to be in nature for inspiration!!!! Many of my recordings such as Celestial Yoga or Celestial Reiki assist in helping people entrain to this 8 Hz. frequency. Not everyone can travel to a mountain or the ocean. But it's not too difficult to put on a CD and entrain to some powerful relaxing frequencies! The Pentagon's Secret Scream: Sonic devices that can inflict pain--or even permanent deafness—are being deployed. (Source: Los Angeles Times; published March 7, 2004. Reproduced courtesy of William B. Arkin) SOUTH POMFRET, Vt. - Marines arriving in Iraq this month as part of a massive troop rotation will bring with them a high-tech weapon never before used in combat - or in peacekeeping. The device is a powerful megaphone the size of a satellite dish that can deliver recorded warnings in Arabic and, on command, emit a piercing tone so excruciating to humans, its boosters say, that it causes crowds to disperse, clears buildings and repels intruders. "[For] most people, even if they plug their ears, [the device] will produce the equivalent of an insta nt migraine," says Woody Norris, chairman of American Technology Corp., the San Diego firm that produces the weapon. "It will knock [some people] on their knees." American Technology says its new product "is designed to determine intent, change behavior and support various rules of engagement." The company is careful in its public relations not to refer to the megaphone as a weapon, or to dwell on the debilitating pain American forces will be able to deliver with it. The military has been equally reticent on the subject. The new megaphone being deployed to Iraq can operate at 145 decibels at 300 yards, according to American Technology, well above the normal threshold for pain. The company posits a scenario in which Al Qaeda terrorists would run screaming from caves after being subjected to a blast of high-decibel sound from the devices, their hands covering their ears. But in Baghdad or other Iraqi towns, where there are crowds and buildings, the sick and elderly, as well as children, are likely to be in the weapon's range. Kabalistic Music Kabalistic composers express their distress with life as it is in the material world through their music‘s melody. This is revealed in an article found on the website, #Kabbalistic Music, titled, "Melodies Of the World To Come" at www.kabbalah.info/engkab/mmedia.htm. A kabblist is a person who has achieved a full recognition and sense of the upper world, that is to say, a feeling of the Creator and an apprehension of His actions. In order to aid those who have not yet achieved a recognition of the spiritual realm, th e kabbalist may write his apprehensions in the language of the Bible, the Talmud, the Aggada, or the Kabbalah. The melody is in general like the spoken language, which explains that which the composer wishes to say orally. However unlike languages, in order to understand t hat which the Kabbalistic composer wants to express in the melody, it is not a prerequisite to achieve his spiritual situation, as would be required in other languages. Thus, by listening to the melodies of the kabbalist, we all have the opportunity to be affected to a certain degree by his impressions of the spiritual worlds. The kabbalist, in his perception of existence, apprehends two opposing situations: distress from his separation from the Creator, and pleasure at nearing the Creator. This feeling of distress gives rise to a sad melody which expresses spiritual distress and prayer. Even though the melody may bring one to tears , one loves to hear it because the melody expresses distress that has been mitigated, and has received its fullness. That is, that in particular they are able to bring one nearer to spirituality. Purpose Driven Ministry Rick Warren testifies to the use of music to manipulate people’s emotions in his purpose driven services. The following is a question and answer taken from source: rick muchow Pastors.com which reveals Saddleback Church believes in the emotional power of instrumental music. From Darryn Scheske serving in Indianapolis: QUESTION: Minor Key? Could you elaborate on why you don't use songs in a minor key in your wor ship services, as mentioned by Rick Warren in The Purpose-Driven® Church? RICK MUCHOW: Dear Darryn, When pastor Rick Warren talks about songs in a minor key, he is addressing the issue of how music makes you feel. One of our principles at Saddleback is to keep the music and the message upbeat for the seeker-sensitive audience. Some songs in minor keys are very slow and dark. N ot all songs in minor keys fit into that category. The key of a song is an expression of tonality. Tonality impacts emotion, but so do lyrics and tempo. An example of a song considered a minor key upbeat song is “Awesome God.” The tonality of the song evokes an emotional response of reverence and awe. We use that song at Saddleback. There are also major key songs that may not be upbeat. We would not use those songs. It’s not so much about the key of the song as how the song makes people feel, and many minor key songs make people feel sad and hopeless. It’s about not using sad songs for evangelism in either a major or a minor key. As you know, pastor Rick speaks to a wide audience. Most of his comments are to senior pastors. His comments are not music lessons about what key to use. He aims to make the services a celebration of the resurrection rather than a memorial service. There are a lot of useful minor key songs. The “key” to the appropriate use of key is in the presentation. If you elect to do a minor key song, don’t let the tempo drag. Everything boils down to how the song makes you feel. If the result is that people are drawn cl oser to God and ready to hear the message, then pastor Rick loves it! Exorcising effect of truly heavenly spiritual music Consider the testimony of scripture about the powerful healing effects of the spiritual music of the Lord emanating from David’s harp upon the demonized Saul. But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. And Saul said unto his serv ants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son , which is with the sheep. And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, a nd the evil spirit departed from him. (1 Samuel 16:14-23) All the opinions of men are merely opinions without validation of their views from the scripture. In this passage the moral power of music is displayed as evil demonic power is seen being displaced by good spiritual song skillfully played by David on his harp. This chapter has presented some potentially healthy and destructive effects of music upon the human mind and body. Music effects the body because the nerves of the ear have an extensive network of connections from the brain to the functions of the body. This enables music to directly affect our pulse rate, blood pressure, muscles, nervous system, digestion and glands. Instrumental music completely bypasses our master brain centers involving reason and intelligence and enters our body through the thalamus. The thalamus is a relay station to our emotions, sensations and feelings. As a result, our emotions and actions can be affected unconsciously by the power of instrumental music. Testimonies from the world’s greatest philosophers, knowledgeable music professionals, scientific evidence and scriptural truth provide irrefutable proof that instrumental music has a powerful emotional message of it’s own even when divorced from the enhancing power of lyrics. That emotional message can directly effect the morality of individuals and groups depending upon the nature of the emotional message of the music. The next chapter will consider whether or not demons can be associated with music. It will show that the church must use discernment in selecting the music it offers in Jesus‘ name. Proving what is acceptable to the Lord (Ephesians 5:10) CHAPTER 6 Can demons be associated with music? It’s my perception that professing American Christians more readily accept the reality of demonic warfare in non-integrated third world regions than in corporate America. If demonic warfare is real in America, is it possible that the seducing demonic spirits are doing the secret work of their master within music? The research in thischapter will show that various forms of secular instrumental music offer Satan an ideal place to conduct his covert operations. Awareness of the potential demonic influence upon secular music forms can help the church protect itself from the power of music that has been corrupted by demons. Cyril Scott (1879-1970) was a radically daring English composer and pianist. He has been called the father of British modern music. He was interested in the potential of using music for the occult and studied Theosophy. Freemasonry based Theosophy was founded in Europe by Madame Blavatsky. The Theosophical Society in the U.S. grew under the leadership of Blavatsky’s Masonic successors, Annie Besant and Alice Bailey, laying the foundation for the New Age movement teaching that man is God. Scott is the author of Vision of the Nazarene in which he reveals what he calls the esoteric meaning of Jesus’ dark sayings. Two of his other books, The Influence of Music on History and Morals (Rider & Co., 1933) and Music: Its Secret Influence Throughout the Ages (n.p.: Aquarian Press, 1958), were received through inspiration of the spirit world. In Music: Its Secret Influence Throughout the Ages, Scott says: "the great Initiates [in the spirit world] have vast and imposing plans for the musical future" to use music as an occult medium through which to develop altered states of consciousness, psychic abilities, and contact with the spirit world. … . "Music in the future is to be used to bring people into yet closer touch with the Devas [spirits]; they will be enabled to partake of the benefic [beneficial] influence of these beings while attending concerts at wh ich by the appropriate type of sound they have been invoked .... The scientifically calculated music in question, however, will achieve the twofold object of invoking the Devas and at the same time stimulating in the listeners those [psychic] faculties by means of which they will become aware of them and responsive to their [the spirits'] influence" (pp. 199-201). Scott concludes his book by citing the words of his spirit guide: "Today, as we enter this New Age, we seek, primarily through the medium of inspired music, to defuse the spirit of [occultic] unification and brotherhood, and thus quicken the (spiritual) vibration of this planet" (p. 204). (http://illuminati-news.com/occult-rock.htm) Scott’s spirit guide has proven to be correct. Various genres of secular music today are inspired by demons with the goal of uniting the world in the spirit of antichrist. For good reason, Romans 12:2-3 commands the church not to allow it’s culture to conform her into it’s mold. As many musicians know, music is a powerful mind molder. The rock god guitarist Jimi Hendrix reveals his understanding of the mind altering power of music as follows: "Atmosphere are going to come through music, because the music is a spiritual thing of it’s own. …. You hypnotize people to where they go right back to their natural state, which is pure positive-like childhood when you got natural highs. And when you get people at weakest point, you can preach into the subconscious what we want to say. That's why the name 'electric church' flashes in and out" (Hendrix, interview with Robin Richman "An Infi nity of Jimis," Life magazine, Oct. 3, 1969). After reading this chapter, I pray that you will realize the potential spiritualdanger that exists in conforming music in Jesus’ name to the pattern of various forms of secular instrumental music. This informative chapter begins with the story of one of rock’s most popular and influential electric guitarists, Carlos Santana. Carlos Santana’s spiritual virus and Metatron Born in Mexico in 1947, Carlos Santana claims that the revitalization of his rock ‘n roll career in 1999 with his CD release, Supernatural, is due to a white bearded entity called Metatron. Santana claims that Metatron visits him while he meditates. This spirit prophesied the success of Supernatural prior to the beginning of the project. Santana told Rolling Stone magazine in the summer of 1999: "I know it sounds New Age... but in my meditation, this entity - which is called Metatron - he said, 'we want to hook you back to the radio airwave frequency. We want you to reach junior high schools, high schools and universities. Once you reach them - because we are going to connect you with the best artists of the day - then we want you to present them a new menu. Let them know that they are themselves, multidimensional spirits with enormous possibil ities and opportunities. We want you to present them with a new form of existence that transcends religion, politics or the modu s operandi of education today'" (http://www.goodfight.org/csantanaarticle.htm) Santana has claimed that other artists who participated on his album, Supernatural, were brought to him supernaturally to be a part of Metatron's project. He claimed that they heard his music, or were communicated to in dreams, and were told they were to be part of the project. Santana claims that his first initiation into the spiritual world took place when he first ingested LSD in the 1960's. He claims that while he played Woodstock, his guitar became a serpent before his eyes and inspired the way he played his seething leads that would catapult him to international fame as a guitarist. Santana had opened himself up to the spirit world through his associations with John McLaughlin, Guitar Player's Best Jazz Guitarist and Best Overall Guitarist in 1974. It was McLaughlin who turned Carlos Santana on to a man named Sri Chinmoy. Chinmoy was once Carlos’ guru. In 1977, McLaughlin claimed that Chinmoy, once an interfaith chaplain at the United Nations, was God. (Rolling Stone, April 7, 1977, p. 23) (http://en.wikipedia.org) Chinmoy currently is preaching the New Age gospel that man is God as revealed in the following poem and quotation taken form his website. Continue, continue on the sunlit path! One day your life will be flooded With your own inner divinity-joy. Poem 23429 from Twenty-Seven Thousand Aspiration-Plants Vol.35 by Sri Chinmoy Posted on Friday, January 30th, 2003 - 6.00 am “When the power of love replaces the love of power man will have a new name: God.” An August 1978 article in Guitar Player titled, After Mahavishnu And Shakti, A Return To The Electric Guitar by Don Menn and Chip Stern reveals McLaughlin’s connection with the godfather of British rock, Thelemite Graham Bond, Carlos Santana, and the occult Theosophical Society. In 1963 McLaughlin joined the Graham Bond Organization… . John ha d been brought up with little religious training, but Bond introduced him to a number of books on the occult, and in a search fo r spiritual bearings he joined London's Theosophical Society, which exposed him to the writings of various Eastern philosophical masters. In 1973 McLaughlin and fellow Chinmoy disciple Devadip Carlos Santana collaborated on Love Devotion Surrender. (www.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave/mclaughlin/art/return.html) McLaughlin recounts how this spirit would take control of his body and use it as a vehicle to play his guitar: "One night we were playing, and suddenly the spirit entered into me, and I was playing, but it was no longer me playing." (Circus, April, 1972, p. 38) McLaughlin claims: "When I let the spirit play me, it's an intense delight. My role as a musician is to make everyone aware of his own divinity." (Newsweek, March 27, 1972, p. 77) Aaron McCarroll Gallegos, a Toronto writer, wrote in Sojourners November/December 1999 that Carlos Santana’s 1999 Supernatural release was intended in his own words to spread a “spiritual virus” reminding people that they are a multidimensional spirit with enormous opportunities which are their own unique choice. (www.sojo.net/magazine/index.cfm/action/sojourners/issue/soj9911/article/99113 2c.h…) As mentioned earlier, from the inception of the Supernatural project, Santana has been quite candid about the fact that he has had supernatural direction and assistance from a spirit entity which calls itself Metatron. Like Satan's original deception, Carlos Santana claims that the purpose that the spirit Metatron has in the music that has been given to him is to bring people into the realization that they themselves are God: "Metatron wants something from me, and I know exactly what it is... The people who listen to the music are connected to a higher form of themselves. That's why I get a lot of joy from this CD, because it's a personal invitation from me to people: Remember your divinity." (Rolling Stone, magazine, March 16, 2000, p. 89) Santana opens himself up to these spirit beings through meditation. It is at these times that Santana hears their voices as they communicate to him their will: "...you meditate and you got the candles, you got the incense and you've been chanting, and all of a sudden you hear this voice: 'Write this down'" (Rolli ng Stone, magazine, March 16, 2000, p. 41) Santana claims that these spirits convey information to him as though he were "likea fax machine" (Rolling Stone, magazine, March 16, 2000, p. 41). Santana himself has admitted that many of the spirits he is relying upon for spiritual guidance and the power of music to influence the world are in fact "devils." He admits: "The energy of devils and angels is the same energy; it's how you use it. It's fuel. There is a saying: If you scare all your devils away, the angels will go away with them. You know, the halo and the horns are the same thing. (Rolling Stone, magazine, March 16, 2000, p . 87) Carlos Santana has admitted that when he is influenced by these spirit beings, "I'm not Carlos anymore" (Rolling Stone, magazine, March 16, 2000, p. 41). Carlos claims that he is amazed when he watches the footage of his performance at Woodstock, because it was as if someone else was playing his guitar: "When I see it on TV, it's like another guy playing" he says, "He was trying to get in there, dealing with the electric snake. Instead of a guitar neck, it was playing with an electric snake." (Roll ing Stone, magazine, March 16, 2000, p. 48) Santana says that when he played with Eric Clapton for Supernatural, they were literally "calling out the spirits." (Rolling Stone, magazine, March 16, 2000, p. 42) It is through the power of these devil spirits that Santana and many others are able to channel music, which holds hundreds of millions of people around the world spellbound. Santana admits that he tunes into the same spiritual radio frequency that Jimi Hendrix channeled: "There's an invisible radio that Jimi Hendrix and Coltrane tuned into, and when you go there you start channeling other music." (Rolling Stone, magazine, March 16, 2000, p. 87) Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, who sang for Santana on the mega-hit “Smooth“, said that Santana sat him down and explained: "That the record was put together just so - through sound, it could change people's molecular structure. And he sat me down and explained to me that, as a musician, is what we do. You can play one note and change the way people feel." (Rolling Stone, magazine, March 16, 2000, p. 45) In an article by Blair Jackson in Onstage, 1/1/2002 titled, “Carlos Santana's Magic Touch”, Jackson points out that Santana’s latest CD is titled Shaman. A shaman is a magician or wizard who summons evil spirits. In this article Jackson writes, “he (Carlos Santana) roamed the stage with one of his many gorgeous Paul Reed Smith guitars, coaxing all sorts of interesting sonic sub tleties from his axe: truly music of the spheres. Santana music has always been about contrasts: about air and fire, spirit and body, the ethereal and the earthy. For over 30 years, through countless band lineups, the essential character of the Santana group has remained unchanged because Carlos himself is unchanged. He still burns with the same passion that blew people away in his career-making appearance in the film Woodstock. He still has faith in music's power to inspire, to heal, and to move hearts. He spoke eloquently about the need for compassion and world unity, and about the oneness of all cultures and music — something his band demonstrates every night onstage. Promoting his first album in three -and-half years almost feels like an afterthought; raising consciousness is what Carlos Santana is really about.” “Right now I'm really fascinated with learning the things on Shaman, (Santana’s latest CD ), since some of it was with different people than my band… I'm very, very grateful to be surrounded with these musicians because they understand that it's not about Carlos or Santana. It's about a collective win win situation. We're carriers of a wonderful spiritual virus.” Santana, however, falsely believes a shaman is a positive force for peace and unity in the world as he explains in his 10/28/2002 MTV interview: "The Shaman is a spiritual healer, and we all have that quality within ourselves," he said. "The music [on Shaman] wasn't about Carlos' shaman. Everyone has divine qualities to be able to heal and transform anyone. Once you believe, the rest will follow." (http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458356/20021028/story.jhtml) MTV.com comments on this interview posting that “Santana's quest for universal spiritual cleansing inspired him to call his new album Shaman. His multiplatinum Supernatural (2000) was a call to recognize and seek strength from higher, ethereal forces, and Shaman is a plea to use those powers to benefit mankind.” Santana is quoted as a deceiving “angel of light“ in the interview stating, "There's a lot of sickness in this planet, especially with people shooting one another for no reason," Santana said. "There's anger, fear and molestation. There's so much sickness [that] I want to remind listeners that ... everyone has goodness in them. And to me it's important to heal as much as possible families, cities or nations or the planet from the satanic, demonic forces that are out there that just like to destroy humanity." The interview points out that Santana is paired with the professing christian band P.O.D. on a potential patriotic single, “America”. P.O.D. is analyzed in depth in a later chapter. This detailed analysis uncovers P.O.D., like Santana, to be a New Age forerunner posing as a “Christian“ angel of light in order to be used by Satan to prepare portions of the culture to receive the New Religion of the New World Order of the Antichrist, the Beast 666. Here‘s a personal testimony from Marcos of P.O.D. regarding the influence of Santana upon his life and music: "I would have to say a major influence for me growing up would be Carlos Santana. . . he was a great inspiration to me. . . I grew up on "Black Magic Woman" and all that other stuff… (Interview with Guitar One, www.angelfire.com/rock/PODoutkast) At the 42nd Grammy awards, Santana claimed that the magic of his music was "assigned and designed" to bring unity to the world. Interestingly, the bible teaches that at the time of Christ’s return, demon spirits will be working to unify the world. Demonic spirits will perform miracles in order to unify the world under Antichrist and oppose Christ at His Second Coming at Mount Megiddo in Jerusalem or Armageddon in Hebrew. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kin gs of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Revelation 16:14) Santana expressed his desire to bring peace to Baghdad and the Iraq conflict in the 10/28/2002 MTV interview. "I look forward to going there to play a concert if they invite me, because I feel musicians should not get involved with politics but should get inv olved with bringing healing and harmony," he said. "I know in my heart that politics and religion are corrupt, and that's the pr oblem. Their problems and our problems are the same. Everyone has the same problems, but what we like to do with the music is to solve problems and bring unity and harmony." "We play this music to remind listeners all the over the world that the constellation, the planet, the whole vibe is in you and there's another way to get solutions in this planet other than more violence. We s hould do concerts over there and show them that we can coexist. I want to be like President Carter. He got the Nobel Peace prize ." It is also significant that the spirit that identifies itself as Metatron has been represented in Satanism for several years by the eye inside the triangle (Rolling Stone, magazine, March 16, 2000, p. 41). Occult leader Aleister Crowley’s The Book of the Law uses the eye inside the triangle as the most significant symbol of Satan as the guiding light of the New Age of Antichrist. (http:/www.goodfight.org/csantanaarticle.htm) Crowley’s symbol Crowley Black secret technology: postmodern sonic alchemy, witchcraft & voodoo magic Dr. William Sargent, head of the Psychological Medicine Department at St. Thomas Hospital in London, is quoted as saying: "the Beatles and African witch doctors all practiced a similar type of brainwashing" (http://wayoflife.org/fbns/isthere.htm; source: Wichita Beacon, Feb. 17, 1965, p. 11A). The following research shows that demons associated with African music have infiltrated secular music not only through classic rock groups such as the Beatles, but more recently through postmodern techno, rap, hip-hop, jungle drum ‘n’ bass, reggae and dub music. In Rock and Roll an Unruly History, secular music critic and writer Robert Palmer acknowledged the direct connection between voodoo and rock music: "The idea that certain rhythm patterns or sequences serve as conduits for spiritual energies, linking individual human consciousness with the gods, is basic to traditional African religions and African derived religions throughout the Americas. And whether we’re sp eaking historically or musicologically, the fundamental riffs, licks, bass figures, and drum rhythms that make rock and roll rock can ultimately be traced back to African music of a primary spiritual or ritual nature. In a sense, rock and roll is a kind of ‘voodoo,’ rooted in a vigorous tradition of celebrating nature and spirit that’s far removed from the sober patriarchal values espoused by the self-appointed guardians of western culture" (http://wayoflife.org/fbns/isthere.htm) The gods and spiritual energies that Palmer mentions are among the principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world mentioned by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:12. These are the powers, or energies as Palmer expresses it, that seek to destroy the work of the church. South African Julian Jonker concurs with Robert Palmer and Dr. William Sargent. Jonker lives, writes and listens to music in Cape Town for afribeat.com. He has also published in South African periodicals. He runs the Liberation Chabalala production house and is a DJ with the Fong Kong Bantu Sound System. He knows African music. (http://www.ctheory.net/text_file.asp?pick=358) In his article, "Black Street Technology (The Whitey on the Moon Dub)", Jonker says that black futurist music such as dub, reggae, techno, jungle drum ’n’ bass, and hiphop is the break beat science of trickster musicians who employ “black secret technology.” According to Jonker, black secret technology is the witchcraft of voodoo magic used by trickster musicians to invoke the presence and power of African demons called the orisha into their music. “'Breakbeat science' seems the most appropriate way to denote the time-defying mechanics of jungle's rhythm programming.“ “There is a connection between the futurist trends emp loyed by black musicians and these musicians' self-portrayal as trickster figures; the trickster is an archetype that goes back to the Yoruba deities, or orisha, who accompanied their believers to the Caribbean.” “Trickery is also at play in literary science fiction…but this is insignificant in comparison with the centrality of the trickster archetype in black futurist music. Dub has its Mad Professor, drum 'n bass has its PM Scientists, hip-hop has its Dr Octagon, and before all of them, George Clinton reinvented himself as Dr. Funkenstein. All are inflected with the dark awe of witchcraft, more Faustian than Hawking. It's important to note that in Jamaican patois, "science" refers to obeah, the African grabbag of herbal, ritual and occult lore popular on the island. Black secret technology is postmodern sonic alchemy, voodoo magic. Who are the orisha of African music? Who are the orisha that Mr. Jonker is referring to as playing a role in music like hiphop, techno and jungle drum and bass music? Author Erik Davis tells us that they are “tricksters“ and “living gods” in his article “Trickster at the Crossroads, West Africa's God of Messages, Sex and Deceit“ which originally appeared in Gnosis, Spring, 1991. He says “the orisha are regularly "fed" with animal blood, food, and gifts, and during rituals the gods frequently possess the bodies of the faithful.” In biblical terms the orisha would be categorized as demon spirits. Davis writes: “But one of the world's greatest and most interesting trickster figures is not only a god, but a god of high metaphysical content. He is Eshu-Elegbara, one of the orisha, the West African deities that are worshiped in many related forms across African and the African diaspora in the New World. While he embodies many obvious trickster elements— deceit, humor, lawlessness, sexuality—Eshu-Elegbara is also the god of communication and spiritual language. He is the gatekeeper between t he realms of man and gods, the tangled lines of force that make up the cosmic interface, and his sign is the crossroads. In the figure of Eshu-Elegbara, the West African tradition makes a profound argument about the relationship among spiritual communicati on, divination, and the peculiar chaotic qualities of the trickster. But before we investigate Eshu -Elegbara's character, we must first place him in the general context of orisha worship. The orisha, the gods of the Fon and Yoruba peoples of West Africa, are some of the most vital and intriguing beings ever to pass through the minds of men and women. The orisha are profoundly "living" gods, if by this we means archetypes, or constellations of images and forces, that actively permeate the psychic lives of living humans. On the simplest level they are alive because they are worshiped: orisha are prayed to, invoked, and ritually "fed" by many millions of people in both Africa and the Americas. Not only are the gods alive, but they are long -lived; unlike contemporary NeoPagan deities, which have basically been reconstructed from the inquisitional ashes of history, the orisha have been passed through countless generations of worshipers with little interruption. More profoundly, the very nature of the orisha is to be alive in the most fundamental sense we know — though our own human lives. Though they possess godlike powers, the ori sha are not transcendent beings, but are immanent in this life, bound up with ritual, practice, and human community. They are accessible to people, combining elements of both mythological characters and ancestral ghosts. Like both of these groups of entiti es, the orisha are composed of immaterial but idiosyncratic personalities that eat, drink, lie, and sleep with each other's mate s. Though West African tradition does posit a central creator god, he/she is generally quite distant, and the orisha are, like us, left in a world they did not create, a world of nature and culture, of sex, war, rivers, thunder, magic, and divination. The orisha are regularly "fed" with animal blood, food, and gifts, and during rituals the gods frequently possess the bodies of the faithful. (http://www.techgnosis.com/dub.html) The following excerpt from Jimi Hendrix’s biography reveal the voodoo basis of his music and his knowledge of the gods. It discusses the impact that the British session drummer Rocki’s voodoo roots had on Hendrix. Rocki's father was a voodoo priest and the chief drummer of a village in Ghana, W est Africa. Rocki's real name was Kwasi Dzidzornu. One of the first things Rocki asked Jimi was where he got that voodoo rhythm from. When Jimi demurred, Rocki went on to explain in his halting English that many of the signature rhythms Jimi played on guit ar were very often the same rhythms that his father played in voodoo ceremonies. The way Jimi danced to the rhythms of his playing reminded Rocki of the ceremonial dances to the rhythms his father played to Oxun, the god of thunder and lightning. The cerem ony is called voodooshi. As a child in the village, Rocki would carve wooden representatives of the gods. They also represented his ancestors. These were the gods they worshiped. They would jam a lot in Jimi's house. (Henderson, 'Scuse Me While I Kiss the Sky, pp. 250-251). Keltech and Pyraplastic Records UK- Jungle Voodoo Demon spirits are invoked through voodoo ceremonies in the production of instrumental high energy dance tunes used worldwide. Pyraplastic Recordings was started in 1998 by hip hop and drum & bass writer, producer, recording artist and DJ Keltech. Pyraplastic produces unique cutting edge music for the underground dance music industry and media production companies worldwide. (http://pyraplastic.com) In his own words, Keltech tries “to capture high energy power inside my records so it unleashes holy h..l on the dance floor”. By 2002 his music had been downloaded nearly 200,000 times making him #1 on various MP3 charts worldwide. He has licensed tunes to companies like MTV USA and Sonic Foundry. In 2002, Pyraplastics staffed a Voodoo Priestess named Sharee (aka Scythian/TigerStyle) who headed Jungle Voodoo Recordings. (http://www.junglevoodoo.com) Sharee, a writer, reviewer, producer, web designer and DJ, began delving into the dark depths of jungle sound in 1996 and started the growing collection of DJ’s, Producers and MC’s comprising Jungle Voodoo recordings. She’s had releases on Homewrecker Foundation Recordings in the UK as well as on Jungle Voodoo recordings. PSYCHONAUT 75- Luciferian and demonic deprogramming rituals On the more radical side, yet “mainstream” enough to have participated in the infamous Burning Man festival, Houston, Texas based band Psychonaut 75 blatantly advertises their use of Anton Lavey’s Satanic invocations and high witchcraft, PHI and binaural beats and orgone theories of Wilhelm Reich in order to deprogram the minds of their listeners from the consumer mentality and promote self-evolution, selfawareness and the Left Hand Path of Satanism. Their website states that they are “stealing the fire from heaven“. The following information describing the band and it‘s music was taken from their website. (http://www.psychonaut75.com) "One of the first of the Atmospheric releases comes from Houston, TX based Psychonaut75. The bands self-expressed aim is to create soundtracks for magickal rituals, and their darkwave-inspired music accomplishes their aim. ... " - INDUSTRIAL NATION MAGAZINE. MUSIC NON-STOP-UK called 75 "Sensational, Essential" and described their music as "Heavy dance rhythms and ritualistic atmospheres forge with the layered sound of pumping, ritualistic electro. Burning, black hearted Industrial". Psychonaut 75 is an electronic storm of chaos and darkness. Psychonaut 75 blurs the lines of electronic music with ritual ambience, sonic terror frequencies and demonic beat driven musick. The Musick 0f Psychonaut 75 is a self-created sorcery which invites the listener to encircle the self in a spell of rebellion. Psychonaut was originally designed as a Ritualistic musick project that explored themes from the sorcerous path of Aleister Crowley. Recording and releasing "Liber AL vel Legis", Crowley's "Book of the Law" was a major first step for the band. Psychonaut 75 has officially signed with the UK label, Triple Silence of Salvation Group Limited. The Name of Triple Silence was described by Label manager, Nigel Wingrove: “Triple Silence is a term taken from 12th Century Catholicism and is the phrase for the three stages that mankind has to reach which will signal the arrival of the AntiChrist - Silence of Preaching (silentium Pradicationis), silence of Devotion (Silentium devotionis) and Silence of the Fear of God (Silentium Timorationis)” Note that the scriptures likewise teach in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 that before the day of Christ’s appearing, a falling away or apostasy will first occur which coincides with the revealing or disclosing of the Antichrist (that man of sin, the son of perdition) to the world. This falling away (apostasia) is a condition or state of rebellion or revolt resulting from changing loyalties, desertion and defection in professing Christians from the truth of God‘s word. Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU BY ANY MEANS: FOR THAT DAY SHALL NOT COME, EXCEPT THERE COME A FALLING AWAY FIRST, AND THAT MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. "Stealing the Fire from Heaven" (this title reveals that they know their Satanic mission) was the debut of the band with the title 75, a Luciferian beginning to embody the adversarial daemon which inspires self -deification through the antinomian act of rebellion. Psychonaut 75’s new CD, “FLY THE LIGHT” is a 60 Minute recording which is a violent and evocative blend of darkwave, electro-industrial and ritual musick. The recording itself expresses a synthesis of nomadic and deserted middle eastern imagery mixed with modern machinery and industrial chaos. The Luciferian element is the ritual of summoning the Triad of Lucifer - Lilith - Cain through lyric and tonal structure. …"Fly the Light" will bring the listener to the desolate soundscapes of the mind - to face and embrace the Spirit of the Whore and the Dragon. Music channeled from Lord Maitreya: New Age World Teacher & Cosmic Christ Margaret Birkin is a channel for the energy of the Master Maitreya, the self proclaimed World Teacher and messenger of God who speaks through channels like Margaret. According to another of his channels, Benjamin Crème, Maitreya has been expected for generations by all of the major religions. According to Crème on his website, www.shareintl.org, Christians know him as the Christ, and expect his imminent return. Jews await him as the Messiah; Hindus look for the coming of Krishna; Buddhists expect him as Maitreya Buddha; and Muslims anticipate the Imam Mahdi or Messiah. According to one New Age religious source, he is the Cosmic Christ, the Planetary Buddha. (http://www.templeofthepresence.org/hierarch.htm) Another New Age source confirms that Ascended Master like Maitreya speak through music. (http://www.crystalinks.com/ascendedmasters.html): “the term 'Ascended Masters' refers to those souls who supposedly, after many incarnations and life experiences, have mastered the lessons of the physical realm which is about balance and the games of emotions and then ascend- return to higher consciousness of thought and light. They have chosen to serve planet Earth in its ascension process as mass consciousness is moving back to so urce. Ascended Masters speak/channel to us - through synchronicities, dreams, meditations, art, music, other aspect of the creative mind - intuitive side of the brain - the right brain - also known as the feminine side. Ascension means a return to the high er frequencies which we think of as a return to the feminine aspects of our souls. Connecting with an ascended master is a place we go to access the higher knowledge that we don't understand is inherently ours. They are a source we tap into when we want to trigger that higher knowledge within us. We search by sound, light and color then connect to that 'master' by frequency. “ Here is a personal testimony written by Margaret Birkin regarding her ability to channel music from the Ascended Master, the Lord Maitreya. She entitled her article, “Music composed in the Spiritual Realms-Played by Margaret“. In 1998, I had a strong desire to create sound. However, I had no training in music. I did try to learn music and read it, but my right brain could not grasp the left brain information technicality. In 2001, the desire to create sound became so huge that I could not ignore it any long er. I told Peter of my wish and for a birthday gift he bought me a keyboard. I had no idea what to do with it, but once I sat at the keyboard, suddenly my hands started to move over it, just like when I channel on the computer keyboard, and suddenly I was creating sound. The Master came and indicated that I was to record this sound and put it on the web site for those who wished to meditate with. He said they would have special meditations. Apart from a recorder at school, which I had great difficulty in learning. I have never played an instrument before. I am amazed at what I have channeled. I hope that you will enjoy what I consider to be music from the heavenly spheres. (SOURCE: http://www.maitreya-edu.org/) The Druids and Bardic Technology William Schnoebelen of With One Accord Ministries possesses a college degree in music and was inducted into the high priesthood of the Druids in 1973. He trained under the Grand Master Druid of North America as a Bard learning much about the Magical Technology of sound and music. The Bard level of the Druiduitic rite learn the magic of poetry and music. The Bards avoid the classic major and minor scales and use harmonies and clashing chords to create dissonance. Pianist, composer and author Robert Jourdain writes on page 104 of the 1997 copyrighted book, Music, The Brain, and Ecstasy published by Avon Books that “dissonance is noise, a lack of order, a state of relationshiplessness” caused by aligning frequency components or chords in ways that confuse our brains. Schnoebelen says that although the drumbeat is a part of the occult magic of rock music, sound quality, pitch and timbre are more useful to the occultist desiring to open up a person to spiritual attack. He was trained to use his voice to project low frequency subsonic waves which produce nervousness and fear in people. These are the same sound waves generated by today’s booming bass. Occultists believe that people have a natural protective aura around them to insulate them from demonic attack. Schnoebelen says he learned to read people’s auras when he was involved in high level witchcraft. He learned to use Bardic technology, physics mixed with black magic, to create vocal and instrumental music of the right mixture of melody, harmony and timbre in order to create stress, anxiety and even remove the protective aura surrounding a person which would open them up to spiritual attack. He testifies to observing music melt the aura of unsuspecting listeners. (Straight Talk #12 on Rock Music in the Church, by Willi am J. Schnoebelen, 1995.) Are the Bards still active today? Author Dwina Murphy-Gibb, wife of the actor, composer, Bee-Gee Robin Gibb is Patroness of the Order of Bards and a Druid High Priestess, Ovates & Druids. (www.RobinGibb.com) (www.druidry.org) Preston Nichols-occult sciences and magic used in recording industry Preston Nichols is the man who engineered Phil Spector’s “wall of sound” which was used to record many hit rock acts including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bee Gees and the Beach Boys during the 1960‘s. Spector was in the national news spotlight in 2003 on charges of murder. Nichols confirms Schnoebelen’s testimony that you can affect behavior through manipulating frequencies. Nichols says you can induce riots and raucous behavior or subdue wildness with certain frequencies. The US military has been reported to employ loud rock music as an element of torture in it’s War on Terror prison camps. An electronic genius and student of occult esoteric science, Nichols reports in his book, The Music of Time, the following occult activities contributing to the popularity of certain rock acts. Mick Jagger using sexual magic techniques before recording (pg. 47) Personally using the esoteric science of “electromagnetic telepathy” (psychic overlay) of subtle energies to encode thought forms intended to make groups or songs popular. Nichols points out that telepathic wave forms can be monitored in the electromagnetic spectrum. Thought forms are measurable groups of interrelated frequencies. (pg. 49-51, 92-98) Mind controllers use rock music because it’s raw sexual music which basically duplicates the orgasmic cycle. Groups of music in the cycle bounce back and forth. Heart rate increases and synchronizes with the musical frequencies exciting the spinal channel. When these orgasmic channels are open in a person, they’re minds open on a deep level to receive the thought forms reproduced in the audio tones or music. (pg. 65) The strategic, periodic use of a psychic overlays or imprints (thought forms) in songs like “Touch Me” by The Doors Jim Morrison to create a good feeling of euphoria in listeners. (pg. 72) Sonic subliminals recorded decibels below louder choruses in order to grab listener attention for hypnotic mind control purposes. (entrainment). (pg. 93) Personally designed an electrical “psychic overlay” system into recording hardware. (pg. 94) Use of this equipment to phase in pre-recorded inaudible subliminal messages and thoughts hearable to the mind only. (pg. 97-98) Led Zeppelin & Goetia-the ceremonial art of commanding demonic spirits “Magick is very important if people can go through it. I think Crowley’s completely relevant to today.” (Jimmy Page, “Tangents Within A Framework”) “Let my servants be few & secret: they shall rule the many & the known.” Satan, (Aleister Crowley’s “The Book of the Law”) Aleister Crowley (1878-1947) was raised in a strict Plymouth Brethren home but over the course of his lifetime he became one of the most, if not the most, dangerous Satanist to ever live. He was initiated into the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in 1898. The Golden Dawn was started in England in 1888 to train initiates in ceremonial black magic and Kabbalistic teaching. In 1904, Crowley channeled the Book of the Law (Liber Legis) from Lucifer (alias Holy Guardian Angel “Aiwass“) and became the prophet of the New Aeon of Horus. In 1907 he unveiled the Ordo Astron Argon (Order of A. .A. .) of which the Ordo Antichristianus Illuminati (inoperative under this name in 2004) begun in 1996 is a part. Mr. Crowley called himself and his followers call him “the Beast 666“. Note the picture from the 2002 website of the Camp of the Hidden Light of the Ordo Templi Orientis (Israel) showing Mr. Crowley sitting under a temple with 666 on his right and a lion head on his left. Crowley’s Book of the Law teaches the religion named Thelema. (www.novusordoseclorum-oai.org) A Thelemic band employing Aleister Crowley’s magic in their music is Led Zeppelin. Jimmy Page is their lead guitarist. Led Zeppelin.com, the bands current web site, is appropriately titled “Electronic Magic”. Page worked with Kenneth Anger on the soundtrack for Anger’s film, Lucifer Rising, until being fired from the project. In his book, Fallen Angel, the Untold Story of Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin, Thomas Friend writes of Led Zeppelin’s lead vocalist, Robert Plant, issuing a two-part command to fans to sell their souls to the Devil during Dazed and Confused of their concert film. Friend reports that Crowley’s Abramelin magical Knowledge and Conversation of Satan is seen acted out in the Led Zeppelin film by Jimmy Page during Dazed and Confused. He also teaches that Led Zeppelin’s inner album cover for the fourth album is related to Abramelin magic. Friend asserts that Led Zeppelin employs ritualistic demonic sounds and the Theremin machine Page used to create demonic sounds in conjunction with a manual on using demons to control human wills. The Theremin was first invented by Leon (Lev) Sergeivitch Termen, Russian Cellist and electronic engineer, in 1917. (http://www.obsolete.com/120_years/machines/therein/) It is known in the US as pop music’s first electronic instrument. It ’s first known commercial use was on The Beach Boy’s recording of “Good Vibrations“. Led Zeppelin is clearly one of the most influential rock bands in history. Thomas Friend asserts that Led Zeppelin developed and used a systematic pattern of overt and subliminal suggestion, occult incantations and other forms of Magick for the express purpose of causing fans to worship the band and Satan. Aleister Crowley, one of the most dangerous Satanists ever, was the channel through which Lucifer provided occult teaching to founder, producer and guitarist, Jimmy Page. Aleister Crowley edited a book length work on the magical use of demonic forces by magicians in 1904, entitled, The Goetia. The Goetia lists a hierarchy of the legions of demonic spirits, the first principle spirit being Baal who rules over 66 legions of infernal spirits. Baal’s reality is confirmed in the Bible. He was the chief god of the Canaanites as recorded in the scriptures. He is mentioned over 50 times in the Old Testament as a false god of the enemies of Israel. Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page republished The Goetia in 1976. The Goetia speaks of fallen angels (demons) who followed Lucifer. These demons not only enable the hidden magical message of music to be heard, they also can bind a man to the will of the magician casting spells on him. According to the Goetia, the Ninth Spirit in this Order is Paimon (Paymon), a Great King, and very obedient unto LUCIFER. He appeareth in the form of a Man sitting upon a Dromedary with a Crown most glorious upon his head. There goeth before him also an Host of Spirits, like Men with Trumpets and well sounding Cymbals, and all other sorts of Musical Instruments. He hath a great Voice, and roareth at his first coming, and his speech is such that the Magician cannot well understand unless he can compel him. This Spirit can teach all Arts and Sciences, and other secret things. He bindeth or maketh any man subject unto the Magician if he so desire it. He giveth good Familiars, and such as can teach all Arts. He is to be observed towards the West. He is of the Order of Dominations. He hath under him 200 Legions of Spirits, and part of them are of the Order of Angels, and the other part of Potentates. Now if thou callest this Spirit Paimon alone, thou must make him some offering; and there will attend him two Kings aclled LABAL and ABALIM, and also other Spirits who be of the Order of Potentates in his Host, and 25 Legions. And those Spirits which be subject unto them are not always with them unless the Magician do compell them. (www.meta-religion.com/Esoterism/Magick/Ceremonial magic/goetia) Z’EV: Voodoo drumming, Shaminism, Rythymajik, Metaphonics Another Thelemic musician with worldwide influence is named Z’EV. Jewish born Z’EV was named Stefan Joel Weisser. He spells out the use of rhythm and sound and proportion for Trance, healing and other occult purposes in his system called Rythymajik. Through reformulating the numerology of the Qabalha/kabala he has created 5000 beat patterns intended to focus Earth energies through music. Rhythmajik, basically a resetting of a kabalistic text called the book of formation, allows a drummer to harness the semantics of number to sounded rhythms. Concerning the occult connection between his music and the kabala, Z’EV states: well all the language work comes out of the kabalistic work. "Rhythmajik" was basically the resetting of a classic kabalistic text called the book of formation which is divided into 4 or 5 sections. basically I adapted the content to deal specifically with sound and number [and by ex tension rhythm] --- the origin al text deals with the inner workings and applications of the 22 letters of the Babylonian alef bet [which later became known as biblical Hebrew]. I deal with it more from its Babylonian perspective and really with none of the trappings of Jewish mysticism which have accrued around it since the alef bet was adopted by the Jews. anyway the letters also are numbers so it was from that perspective that I dealt with it --- that way anyone can use the various systems available with out having to learn a new alef bet -- what you basically get is a reliable and workable and non -arbitr ary semantics of numbers -- and of strings of numbers -- which then brings you to rhythms. (http://www.drugie.here.ru/achtung/new/zevint_e.htm) Z’EV’s worldwide influence began when he was initiated in Vou-Don (Voodoo) drumming in 1978. Z’EV has been a pioneer in industrial music, music video, hard core house music. Here’s some resume data off his website. Z’EV was born in 1951 in Los Angeles and began playing with percussion at 3. He built his first 'drum set' at 6, with formal study of percussion beginning at 8. Professional performances began when he was 12. From 1969-70 he attended California Institute of the Arts (Villa Cabrini campus) enrolled in both the Ethnomusicology and Critical Studies Departments Since the 1970’s he worked in a variety of media and was one of the founders of the cultural movement now known as ‘Industrial’. In '76 Z’EV began to perform solo. In '78 Z’EV met Haitian Hougun Ric o Joves and was initiated into Vou-Dun drumming. I was also employed as a researcher by the Society for the Preservation of Occult Consciousness and studied with Rabbi J. Winston, founder of the Jewish Meditation Society. Later that year he started to produce work under the name Z'EV and have continued with that as his primary designation. He moved to Manhattan in the fall of '79. In 1979 I began to collaborate with Roberta Friedman and Graham Weinbren on The Erl King. Completed in 1984 it was the first Interactive Art work ever produced [2 las er-discs and a touch-sensitive monitor]. In the fall of '80 he began touring Europe for the first time. In 1980 Fetish Records o f London released Shake Rattle and Roll – a video documentation of a live performance which turned out to be the first "music video" ever commercially released. In 1992, Z’EV published RHYTHMAJIK: Practical uses of Number, Rhythm and Sound was published (by Temple Press UK). Regarding this book Murry Hope the author of The Psychology of Ritual wrote: "Z’EV presents an original approach to the energies released via the rhythmic process...including the healing potential of correctly structured rhythms and their possible value as access codes to those frequencies unbound by the space-time continuum. Dare one suggest that this could be the precursor of the long forgotten science of sonics which many believe will resurface in the next millennium? In '92 he also began collaborations with D.J. DANO (Daniel Leeflang). In 1990 in conjunction with Konrad Becker we released Trance-Former, which at 150 BMP launched the varieties of House Music known as Hard Core. Many examples of this House Musics were released as singles and appeared on several CD compilations in Europe. In 1992 the English music magazine The Wire included Z’EV’s LP ‘BUST THIS!’ [released in 1988] in its list of the 50 greatest percussion records of all time. In Nov. 1999 John Zorn again commissio ned Z’EV for his Radical Jewish Music series, a series of translations; sonic, esoteric, metaphoric and allegoric, of the Sefer Yetzirah [the most ancient mystical text in the jewish corpus]. Z’EV has performed solo musics in over 80 cities in 19 countries. Between 1977 and the present he’s had 36 releases in all forms of media from books to cassette tapes to flexi-discs to CDs. (http://rhythmajik.com) Metaphonics is Z’EV’s latest invention. It’s music created to move it’s listeners into occult altered states of consciousness. Metaphonics then, is a specific term for what is now generally referred to as Sacred Musics. That is, a music whose intent is to alter consciousness or to transpose between states of consciousness and/or levels of reality/ies. And this would be in contradistinction to secular musics which seek to entertain. (http://rhythmajik.com/news.html) Coil’s music as a form of magic Post Industrial bands like Psychic TV and Coil grew out of the mid 1970’s Industrial band, Throbbing Gristle. Coil began between 1982 and 1984 co-founded by Peter Christopherson and John Balance. (http://brainwashed.com) Along with recording with Coil, Coil band members thrive as remix/producers and music video directors. Coil’s work is a major focal point in the roots of electronic music as Peter Christopherson began his work with Throbbing Gristle in the mid-1970‘s. John Balance, a longtime underworld path worker, has been involved in occult arts since he was 10. Coil’s first major recording was titled, “How to destroy angels”. Coil’s hypnotic dance trance or death disco employs specific magical timing and structures in it’s deep listening technique. Christopherson says, “the music is meant to affect the head, heart and feet simultaneously. It plays to your desire for pleasure. Originally, music and tribal rhythms were used for ritual purposes-for the accumulation of sexual and intellectual energy. We’d like our music to affect the listener in that way-as say a drug would.” One horror music composer, Clive Barker, found Coil’s theme music for his work, Hellraiser, as being too disturbing, even demonic. Interestingly, The Southern Baptist Church magazine, “Homelife”, in it’s July 2004 issue very positively reviews a Teen CD, 2 by apt core on pg. 57. 2 is described as a techno-lover’s dream mixing praise and worship, TRANCE, and spoken word. There’s no place in the church for trance music, particularly when you consider that it might be copied from an evil band like Coil. Balance and Christopherson employ neurotoxins or “smart drugs” like Ecstasy and Ketamine in creating music and use mathematically calculated rhythms to affect specific psychic centers in the brain in order to create desired effects upon their listeners. They take rituals from Crowley’s book of magical correspondences, 777 and mix it with correct frequencies on modular synthesizers to put magic in their music. They see Coil as a vehicle to indulge in all things carnal and sensual. The band follows Crowley’s Thelemic Book of the Law’s teaching, “Be positive, be lustful and enjoy the things of the senses. Fear not any god shall deny thee of this.” As producers and music video directors, Coil members have directed for the likes of Asia, Barry Gibb, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Hanson, Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, Rage Against the Machine, 10CC, Van Halen, Yes, Ministry and many others. (http://www.forteantimes.com/articles/142_coil.shtml) DJ Techno Shaminism The link at www.paradise2012.com/shaminism/SpiritWeb/index.html includes a discussion between Mike Adamzek "Techno-Shaman" ([email protected]) and René K. Müller. Müller is the founder/webmaster of SpiritWeb. There discussion is centered around the DJ’s role as techno shaman. The techno shaman bombards rave dancers with computerized drumming patterns in combination with specified frequencies/tones to free people from self and induce trance that will open people’s minds to demonic control. Below are some excerpts from that discussion. René: Can you give me some insights on Techno-Shamanism? Mike: Shamanistic trance is a good manner to try and learn to contact with other realities and entities. I'm started to practice these shaministic methodes on a way influenced by technology. Using drumcomputers to create drumming patterns for the voyage, the use of brain machines or other modern methods like hemi sync (Monroe hemispheric synchroniz ation machines) sounds who improve your state of mind and connect it with the heart. René: How many people of the DJ's in rave-culture know about the 'role' as technoshamans? I think a lot of DJ’s knows that they're are trance inducers. But not too many see themself (conscious) as techno shamans. There are some musicians/dj's who are working with tones (frequencies) that stimulate the chakra's. There are a lot off ravers/dj's/m usicians in growing their consciousness. They changed by the musical bombardment of tones. And I think a lot of rave music is channeled down by a creative force. René: Mike, direct question, do certain Rave-DJ's invoke beings from other dimensions when having a rave-happening? There is a group SPIRAL TRIBE who say there working with energy from SIRIUS. The music is very loud and hard. For me real techno shamanistic sounds. The purpose of the music is to knock out the ego and open up the people for non earthly energies. At their parties there always a good positive vibe… . It's just the right frequency (Tone). It's been used for ages/eons. Sounds are a direct way of communicating. And with the cheapness and easiness of electronic music more people can evo lute and experiment with creativity. Creativity is for me a spiritual energy. Creativity is the source of cosmic energy. Just plug-in and use it on your manner. Downpouring from the houses of the gods. For the people who like it. I can make an article about tones/chakra's and colors, and how they work on the chakra's. Sounds are magic. Techno Trance Dance: digital occult Gnostic Another techno shaman is a metaphysician named Ray Castle. In an article titled Psychic Sonic Harmonics he discusses his magical work of inducing “Theosophical trance“. Ray uses techno trance dance to unite rave crowds with each other and the world through the occult practices of numerology, sacred geometry and manipulating symbols and beats and frequencies. Ray discusses his work with DJKRUSTY in excerpts of the interview below. DJKRUSTY: I see you as a Psychoactive CYBER SHAMAN from the foothills of Byron Bay (Australia) via Neon Tokyo Studios via GOA Spiritual Global freak party evolution, scribes magical alchemical sounds… . I see you as embodying a visionary, voodoo, quest to awaken consciousness through sound as A TECHNICIAN OF THE SACRED. RAY: Part of the shamanic richness I strive for is the magic of trying to extend the natural universal laws into TRANCE DANCE music and channeling this music in my role as a DJ TECHNO SHAMAN. So that the collective group dynamic can come into alignment, to use the se potent spatial moments to access certain knowledge or DATA IN OUR DNA or THE TRANSPERSONAL SELF… DJKRUSTY: You seem to understand the communally, unifying potency of this art form, where this practice walks hand in hand with the evolution of the multi dimensional human body/brain/spirit somatic. Cyber shamans are pilots navigating the future amidst the turbulence of the all pre valent information wars being waged. The MIDDLE AGES TECHNO AGE. I sense a deep spiritual intent to what you do as if you are guided by HIDDEN HANDS, to assist in the rebirthing of NEW SOUND PARADIGMS, which catalyze TRANSCENDENTAL BLISS STATES, which the mystic strives for and the drug user is seeking. RAY: This pursuit is very TRANSNEPTUNIAN. The dissolving of boundaries. You c an see why rave culture is so addictive. Kids want to escape the mundane, and this euphoria is amplified by the use of psychedelics… .The peak experience.. is a letting go of the defenses which bind us to our ego, our aloneness, and the controlling persona lity of the mind… .When we dance together, we are one… . Like people meditating or praying together… . A mystical experience med iated via the technology. It relates to the maxim of the Aquarian age, where science and a more individuated religious experience can merge. Composers and DJs of Trance Techno, tend to be anonymous communal artists, and don't have the hierarchical , narcissism of the previous rock musician archetype. The author of Cyberia, Douglas Rushkoff, states that, 'the mission of cyberspace counterculture of the 90s is to explore unmapped realms of consciousness and to re -choose reality consciously and purposefully.' And to challenge existing media, manipulated, paradigms of world view held by the dominator culture. DJKRUSTY: The cyber shaman is an info-warrior out of necessity, and what better way of dismantling obsolete thinking and action, than with the cy ber artillery of the techno-fluro-tribal party. RAY: Its to do with very subtle realms of energy related to the STRANGE ATTRACTOR theory in 'the new physics'. The relationship of technology to organic inter -dimensional consciousness. It comes down to FRACTAL HARMONICS, numerology, sacred geometry and manipulating symbols and sound signatures (beats and frequencies) - thus creating A DIGITAL OCCULT-- a holistic-hip-gnostic -- music of the spheres. So that we realign with organic RYTHMYSTEC CYCLES OF BECOMING, at one with the galactic dance. Ultimately this reveals that we are all individually, co -creators of the universe, EACH OF US IS EVERYTHING. POP ALWAYS REGURGITATES ITSELF. Goa is not about one scene calling the shots, its A UNIVERSAL FREQUENCY FREEWAY. The party scene in Goa, India, had always been very international, which flushed out narrow, parochial attitudes and tastes. … .Its all about innovation, what ever form it takes, and obviously now, the present immense palette of technology offers infini te possibility for psychic, sonic, evolution in this medium. Which is an electronic umbilical chord, that links us all together in one pulsating, DOOFADELIC, trance dance, and offers the possibility to break down psychological, cultural and political bound aries. … .The ELECKTRICKERY of the techno shaman's cyber tools allows for a kind of SOUND SOURCERY, all of which enhances the ca pacity to do this sacred work. There is often a thin line dividing and defining the various qualities of doof, techno, acid, trance or whatever you want to call it. Basically it comes down to whatever evokes the spirit to a state of emotive, euphoric, ecstatic, aliveness; but within this there is a potent fertile space for subliminal suggestion. And for me, it is steering it toward s a connection with the UNIVERSAL OMM. The PSYCHIC SONIC HARMONIC that unites us all to the cosmos and creation; a THEOSOPHICAL TRANCE. (http://music.hyperreal.org/artists/metanet/meld1.html) Brian Eno: grandfather of New Age ambient music Brian Eno is known as the Grandfather of New Age ambient music. He was a founding member of Roxy Music in the 1970’s when he dressed in makeup and satins. 1970’s Eno Recent Eno Brian Eno has also been a collaborator with David Byrne of Talking Heads and a ground-breaking producer for Bono and U-2 (The Unforgettable Fire, The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, Zooropa, and All That You Can't Leave Behind), David Bowie (Low, Heroes, Lodger), the Talking Heads (Fear Of Music, Remain In Light) and many others. Brian Eno's influence has been felt throughout some of the most unique and best selling albums of our time. His musical innovations have been so pervasive that no other artist can be cited as an inspiration to performers as diverse as Radiohead and Public Enemy. (artist-shop.com/caroline/) It’s unlikely Eno’s rock albums created between 1973-78 sold over 100,000 copies. In spite of that nominal success as a rock artist, he profoundly impacted three musical decades. He accomplished this through the power of imagery and image manipulation he learned as a British art student in the 1960‘s. (http://www26.brinkster.com/brianeno/index.html?eno_int_rs -may78.html~frameHOME) Eno’s sonic sorcery In Eric Tamm’s book, Robert Fripp-From King Crimson to Crafty Master found at progressiveears.com/frippbook/ch06.htm, Robert Fripp is quoted from a 1973 Rolling Stone interview with Cameron Crowe that his music was about mind control through occult magic. "I'm not really interested in music; music is just a means of creating a magical state ... One employs magic every day. Every thought is a magical act. You don't sit down and work spells and all that hokey stuff. It's simply experimentation with different states of consciousness and mind control." Chapter 6 of Eric Tamm’s book points out that just prior to the time of the Crowe interview, Fripp had been consulting with Brian Eno. Fripp and Eno collaborated throughout the 70‘s. “One evening in September 1972, around the same t ime as KC III was commencing rehearsals, Brian Eno invited Fripp over to his home studio and showed him a system of producing mu sic by using two tape recorders set up so that when a single sound was played, it was heard several seconds later at a lower volume level, then again several seconds later at a still lower level, and so on. The system permitted adjustments of various kinds, having to do with volume levels and length of delay; further, the live signal could be disconnected from the loop, so that the already-recorded sounds would repeat indefinitely while a live "solo" line could be played over the top. With this simple set-up, the two musicians set gleefully to work, and within forty -five minutes had produced a long (20'53") piece they called "The Heavenly Music Corporation," which was to become Side One of their No Pussyfooting album, released the following year. But in mid -1972, music's alter ego, or shadow, or compellingly seductive twin, or bastard offspring, or fallen angel, still commanded the t wenty-sixyear-old Fripp's imagination: he called it "King Crimson." Eno’s also stated that African music underlies practically everything he does. “But what is tremendously exciting to me is the collision of vernacular Western music with African music. So much that I love about music comes from that collision. African music underlies practically everything I do - even ambient, since it arose directly out of wanting to see what happened if you "unlocked" the sounds in a piece of music, gave them their f reedom, and didn't tie them all to the same clock. That kind of free float - these peculiar mixtures of independence and interdependence, and the oscillation between them - is a characteristic of West African drumming patterns“. (http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/3.05/eno_pr.html) Brian Eno is called a sonic sorcerer in a review I’ve summarized below of the CD Hidden Persuader by the Thelemic band Hecate’s Angels. Hidden Persuader is the debut album of a group called Hecate’s Angles led by keyboard sorceress Petra Wexstun. Hecate is the Greek goddess of sorcery and witchcraft. Wexstun jokes that she has been referred to as the "sonic sorceress." "…Wexstun's role…is l argely that of Brian Eno's in Roxy Music - sound shaper and sonic sorcerer..." (source: birdcagerecords.com/HAReviews.html) Eno and David Byrne of Talking Heads David Byrne of the Talking Heads is also fascinated with voodoo-related rhythms and has incorporated them into his music most notably his collaboration with Brian Eno, "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts". This album that includes a song about demonic possession, "The Jezebel Spirit". Byrne's admiration of African-based rhythms and religions prompted his "Alive from Off Center" documentary on the Candomble religion, a demonic hybrid of the Yoruba voodoo cult and Roman Catholicism. In an interview concerning the documentary, Byrne noted, "If you go back into the history of American popular music, you're constantly finding hidden elements of Yoruba influence. The rhythms are there, the sensibility in the lyrics is there, too." ( Rolling Stone, July 13th, 1989, p. 78) (http://www.r2rministries.com/rockmus/X0187_Hells_Bells_ -_part_4.html) Byrne produced a documentary film, The House of Life (1981), on The Drumming and Chanting Rituals of the African-Rooted religion Candomble in Brazil, during which the followers are taken over by their gods. "If you go back in the history of American popular music, you’re constantly finding elements of Yoruba [voodoo] influence. The rhythms are there· Even Little Richard. If you grow up with that, you’ve already got a taste of it. So when you see Candomble, you say to yourself, ‘hey, this is part of where it all comes from’" (Byrne, Rolling Stone, July 13-27, 1989, p. 78) (http://wayoflife.org/fbns/isthere.htm) Eno and U2 Eno has produced for U2. At atu2.com/links/ website “U2 links from U2” has a link to Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategies which is an Online version of the deck of Taoist-cumKabalistic tarot-like flashcards tarot cards that Eno uses when producing albums. “Eno and artist Peter Schmidt created a deck of cards that they called "Oblique Strategies". The cards, each of which contained a specific instruction, wer e like a more sophisticated version of the old "Magic Eight Ball,” which only answered "yes" or "no". The cards were more about exploring possibilities and choosing directions. Eno used them to help guide him in the production of the record.” Eno and David Bowie "I believe rock 'n roll is dangerous, it could very well bring about a very evil feeling in the west ... it's got to go the other way now, and that's where I see it heading, bringing about the dark era ..." "I feel that we are only heralding something even darker than ourselves." "Rock 'n' roll lets in lower elements and shadows that I don't think are ne cessary. Rock has always been the Devil's music, you can't convince me that it isn't." (David Bowie, Rolling Stone Magazine, 1 972) Eno has produced David Bowie. In a interview containing David Bowie’s remarks on Brian Eno in Andy Warhol's Interview Magazine SEPTEMBER 1995 written by Ingrid Sischy, Bowie comments on the unity of mind that he and Eno share. Chapter 8 points out that Bowie is influenced by Gnosticism and Aleister Crowley’s Thelema. Because of that meeting, we realised that we were thin king in very similar ways about experimenting in popular music, and that our interests were converging again, which really gave us the impetus to work together again. Over the next few months we wrote each other mini manifestos about what we would and wouldn't do in the studio, so that at least when we went in we'd have a set of concepts that would enable us to avoid all the things we find boring and bland in popular music. We didn't want parameters.(source:.http://www26.brinkster.com/brianeno/index.html?en o_int_rsmay78.html~frameHOME_) Another source reveals the extent of Eno’s impact upon David Bowie. There are those that argue Brian Eno never bettered these four releases and, in a way, they are right. They still define his career; the roots of Bowie’ s's future direction is here, as is most good 80s alternative pop (and there was some). Deliciously sinister, sensuously warped, and sounding and looking so great, this is pop as it's meant to be corrupted. (SINISTER Record Collector MAY 2004 - by Darly Easlea) source:http://www26.brinkster.com/brianeno/index.html?eno_int_rs may78.html~frameHOME Bowie credits production success to Eno’s cybernetics. “Everything that came together on this album came about through accident and synthesis and through Brian’s take on cybernetics that you take systems and, in destroying them, you recover the pieces that seem to work and make them into something new. Brian is a born cybernetician.” (source:.http://www26.brinkster.com/brianeno/index.html?eno_int_rs -may78.html~frameHOME_) Eno is a serious student of cybernetics. He believes what people find in their music is what they think they ought to find in their lives. He believes people are drawn to music that presents them with a way of dealing with the world that they enjoy. (enoweb.co.uk/) Cybernetics were developed by Norbert Wiener, an atheistic M.I.T. professor early in the 20th century. Cybernetics analyzes concepts of communications and control between humans and machines. Eno has been called the master of Dadaist cybernetics. Dadaism flourished in Europe between 1916-1923. It was influenced by German atheistic philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s Nihilism. It seeks to discover authentic reality through deliberate irrationality, anarchy, and the rejection of traditional culture and art forms. Eno’s strategies have also influenced the occult likes of Throbbing Gristle which spawned the Thelemic band Coil. Eno realizes that music doesn‘t just entertain people, it does things to them. As a result he wrote 1978’s ambient release, Music for Airports. This album was designed to calm air passengers against fears of flying and the threat of crashes. Eno has provided music for television commercials for companies such as BMW; Microsoft® also used the Bowie/Eno/Visconti track "Heroes" for its Office 97™ campaign. Earning money like this helps finance artistic projects and non-commercial work. Eno did the The Microsoft® Sound™, boong-bliiing-tink-tink-tink™ sound-bite heard when Microsoft® Windows 95™ starts up, and often when a Microsoft® CD™ is inserted. At the same time Eno loves distortion in music and describes it as a halo on a sound. It's a little bit like those African instruments, mbiras. Where you have little tongues of metal that you play with your thumbs. And around the base of each tongue is a piece of wire that rattles and buzzes as you play. I like this kind of halo that you can get on a sound. And it's a halo of distortion really. But distortion is a negative word for a very interesting situation. Distortion is r eally the, production of the harmonics, strange harmonics. If you forget the idea that the medium is in some way connected with realism, with reproduction, then these aren't problems. That's still a good argument for having good quality audio equipment. So you can hear the distortion better. Because you can hear the distortion better, yes, exactly. That's the value of good-quality recording equipment. That you can really reproduce distortion well. Eno manifests a knowledge of the Kabala as this interview reveals. (source: music.hyperreal.org/artists/brian_eno/TTMlyrics.html) THE TRUE WHEEL We are the 801, We are the central shaft And we are here to let you take advantage Of our lack of craft: Certain streets have certain corners Sooner or later, we'll turn yours (Brian Eno, quoted by Ian MacDonald, in New Musical Express, November 26th 1977) "This track started from a dream. I was staying in the Drake hotel in New York with a girl called Randi N---. I had a dream about her and a group of other girls (Randi and the Pyramids) and guys singing the song ... They were sort of astronauts, but with all the psychological aspects of sailors. ... The other strange thing about this song is its inadvertent links with the Cabala. I found out, long after I had written the song, that the number 801 means 'A lpha and Omega' or 'the first and the last' in the Cabala and that this entity is a circular concept ... The number 801 (which, with all the rest of the chorus refrain, was plucked unaltered from my dream) has another meaning which I find interesting. In the Cabala, the twenty-two Tarot cards are arranged such that they rest on the paths between the Tree of Life. Each of the paths has a number, and each of the numbers corresponds to one of the cards in the Major Arcana of the Tarot. The paths 801 describe a pyramid whose individual sides are STRENGTH, THE FOOL, and THE MAGICIAN. - Brian Eno (source: More Dark Than Shark) It’s interesting that this New Age visionary musician knows the Kabala and loves a Koan generative music system that he can generate music based upon numeric parameters that he specifies. In an article entitled, Brian Eno's generation game, taken from The Independent, Monday 29 July 1996, Andy Oldfield writes: Concept albums are nothing new. But with the release earlier this year of Gener ative Music 1 - which comes on floppy disk and plays on IBM-compatible PCs equipped with high-end soundcards - Brian Eno has been making and testing claims for a whole new concept in music. With sales described as "exceeding expectations" it seems to be a concept he has successfully sold. In turn, the software he used to create Generative Music 1 - Koan from SSEYO - has also performed well and with the appearance of Koan plug-ins for Netscape Navigator is gaining ground as a method of embedding small, quickly downloadable music files in Web pages on the Internet… Eno's starting point was a search for a new form of music, one that was generated by a set of rules so that every time it is heard it is different to any other time and yet recognisable as the same piece. Music generated by rules rather than performed from a symphonic In some ways Eno's generative music extends that idea to new levels. Computers have more potential than a mere battery of tape machines and with the release of Koan, Eno seized it. The Koan music programme developed by SSEYO generates infinitely changing music based on rule sets inputted by the user. The first r esults of Eno's experiments with this were released on a CD-ROM called Generative Music 1. When the user puts the disc on, the computer improvises within the limits he or she has set. Koan allowed him to specify the parameters for about 150 elements of each composition: sound timbre, envelope, pitch, range, harmony, rhythm et al. The end result is a small program, or compositional "seed" as he describes it, which when processed by the computer and played through a SoundBlaster 32 or AWE32 sound card leads to some nicely atmospheric music. "Music with materials I specified," he says. "But in combinations and interactions that I hadn' t." (Sseyo.com/lconnect.html) There is inconclusive circumstantial evidence to support the contention that Brian Eno uses generative music to produce occult mind control music. Evidence in that direction includes: Eno named one of his earliest rock bands, The Maxwell Demon Eno’s been called a sonic sorceror Eno states that African music underlies his work Eno’s groundbreaking 1981 techno release with David Byrne of Talking Heads, “My Life in the Bush of Ghosts”, includes a live exorcism in the song, The Jezebel Spirit. Eno’s known as a New Age musician. He has produced and influenced Thelemic musicians such as David Bowie and Peter Christopherson of Throbbing Gristle and Coil. Eno and Bowie share the same thoughts on music Eno manifests a knowledge of Kabala. Eno has worked closely with Robert Fripp who has used demonic magick musically He has produced with producer Daniel Lanois. Lanois channels energies in his work. Eno employs and markets Tao-cum Kabalistic tarot like cards in production work. Eno’s work as a producer is marked by his use of distortion Eno has a working knowledge of cybernetics involving control of humans Thelemic musicians use Kabalah based occult numerology to mathematically calculate rhythms designed for mind control purposes. Eno’s Koan software and generative music concept is a fertile ground for him or any other Luciferic or Thelemic musician to develop and distribute occult mind control music efficiently to the masses. The testimonies of DJ techno shamans verify that such work is already in process. David Cherubim: The unconventional occult science of spiritual guitar David Cherubim is the founder of various organizations dedicated to the works of Aleister Crowley, including Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn, the Aleister Crowley Foundation and the Musick Foundation, a Musickal Resource for Thelemic, Magickal and Occult influenced Musickians and Bands. Born in 1964 in LA, he is committed to Thelema, the New Religion of Antichrist. He claims to have taken the initiatory mark of the beast 666 and scribes in the name of the Antichrist of Revelation 13:11-18. Messages he’s scribed that are said to be from Antichrist can be found at antichristian.com; ordoantichristianusilluminati.com and novusordoseclorum-oai.org. He has recently formed a Thelemic band named “illuminaughty”. In an article found at thelemicmusic.net, Cherubim details his beliefs concerning the unconventional occult science of spiritual electric guitar. They are as follows: Guitar is a spiritual Art. It’s a musickal form of both Magick and Alchemy. Guitar is a creative manipulation of the Elements of Nature and an artistic transmutation of Universal Forces through the skillful use of the hands and sound. Guitar effects changes in both the player and the listener. With a proper understanding of both the technical and spiritual aspects of playing the Guitar, one is able to use the Guitar as an efficient instrument of the Will to create internal and external changes. The Guitar has its own Science, both conventional and unconventional. The unconventional is the enlightened spiritual or occult guitar playing. For the serious and dedicated Guitarist, learning to play and master the Guitar represents The Path or Way of Enlightenment of which there is no end. George Harrison once pointed out that it doesn't matter if you are the greatest Guitar player in the world, if you are not enlightened, then you should forget it. The Electric Guitar became the very essence and driving force of 20th Century Musick. It gave to all of us a whole new form and era of Musick. It has become the most played instrument in the world. There is a collective, magickal and spiritual significance attached to the Electric Guitar. For the Spiritual Guitarist, it is the numinous Instrument of Lucifer, the Hammer of Thor, the Thunderbolt of Zeus, the Caduceus of Hermes, the Sword of the Warrior, the Stone of the Philosophers, and the Wand of the Magician. The electric guitar has become the major Weapon of Sound in Musick. It‘s a dynamic symbol for the Spirit of Freedom and Independence, since around the middle of the 20th Century. The image of the Electric Guitarist (Guitar Hero) has influenced and inspired innumerable individuals worldwide. This prevailing image has become linked with Magick and the Occult by various famous Electric Guitarists. Jimmy Page inspired thousands of individuals to play the Electric Guitar and to study the works of the famous Magician and Occultist Aleister Crowley. (The Beatles included Aleister Crowley on the cover of their album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", Ozzy Osbourne sang about Aleister Crowley in a song c alled, "Mr. Crowley", and so on.) Jimmy Page was a serious collector of Crowley artifacts and books. Page purchased and owned for many years the Boleskine house, once the magickal residence of Aleister Crowley, on the south-eastern shore of Loch Ness in Scotland. Jimi Hendrix was once actually defined as an Alchemist by another renowned Electric Guitarist of his time. This same guitarist stated that what Hendrix did with the Electric Guitar was magickal. Jimi Hendrix was, however, more than an Alchemist of the Electric Guitar. He was also an Alchemist of Sound with a spiritual message that that Musick will one day become the Universal Religion, embracing the essence of every religion transcending all time and space boundaries becoming the main source for people's spiritual inspiration, guidance and direction. The electric guitar has 22 frets. In occult numerology 22 corresponds to the Circle of Infinity. the mystical fretboard of the Electric Guitar can be compared to a Circle of Infinity, containing a variety of sounds which may be manipulated in a variety of ways to produce an infinite variety of Musick. The Electric Guitar has six strings in all. Six is the sacred number of the Sun, who, in Greek Mythology, was represented by Apollo, the Greek God of Musick and Poetry. In magickal symbolism the Sun is primarily a masculine or male Force. The Guitar’s body is feminine in shape corresponding to the moon or the female Force. The phallic shape of the Guitar neck upon which the hand moves up and down is a masculine symbol united with the femininely shaped guitar body. The unity of the male and female forces represented within the electric guitar makes Musick. Musick originated as a spiritual, mystical and magickal art form and slowly developed through time into a theoretical and technical Science. Musick has lost a large portion of its spiritual orientation, however, Musick will become more of what it is intended to be, that is a creative means for the Universal Spirit to express itself and a powerful means for humanity to invoke and receive the divine Guidance and Illumination of the Spirit. Musick will naturally become a Way to Enlightenment itself for both the inner and outer circles of men and women. Magick and Musick will once again unite into one and humanity will be raised higher on the Mystic Mountain of Illumination. The main musickal instrument in this spiritual evolutionary process will continue to be the Electric Guitar. Many yet unknown effects and means for playing the Electric Guitar will manifest in the future by Magicians and Alchemists and Wizards and Warriors of the Electric Guitar, adding to its already existing vast treasure house of unique and powerful sound. The electric guitar will come to be recognized as one of the greatest weapons and instruments of power in the shaping of the New Age of Freedom that is now upon us! (source: Spiritual Guitar Guide by David Cherubim copyright 2003 found @ thelemicmusic.net) Cherubim’s explanation of the occult use of the guitar helps clarify the power that men like Santana and Page wield in their music now and what Satan has in store for the world and the church in the future. This chapter has revealed that demons are associated with various forms of instrumental music. Some of the ways in which demons have become involved in recorded music include the following: Direct channeling of music from demon spirits Indirect channeling via the sciences of break beat and dub to the voodoo of West African polyrhythmic drumming in modern jungle voodoo drum & bass, hip-hop, techno, nu-metal rap-rock and rap recordings. Use of Generative music parameters corresponding to those of the voodoo of West African polyrhythmic drumming. Using subliminals and the occult science of “psychic overlays” for mind control and mixing rituals of black magic coupled with the physics of sound for Satanic purposes. Occult numerology based magickal guitar playing . In addition, this chapter has revealed that music is used for mind control purposes through the use of mathematically calculated rhythms to affect specific psychic centers in the brain, through cybernetics and technology associated with generative music, and metaphonics. As Aleister Crowley has said in Magick Without Tears, New Falcon Publication, Tempe Arizona, 1994, pg. 389: “Music. Justifiable? Why not? A help to your Great Work, an aspect of your Will, nicht wahr (why not)? Go to it! Apollo is the God of music…“ According to Mr. Crowley, Great Work is one’s life purpose and service to Satan in spreading the New Religion of the Law of Thelema. Chapters to follow will reveal a common thread of Satanic doctrine secretly woven throughout the music of a network of popular musicians and bands. This doctrine is gradually preparing people for self-deifying initiation into the New Religion of the New World Order of ANTICHRIST and the Beast 666. This New Religion is based upon the Law of Thelema. The Law of Thelema teaches that each person is the center of their own universe and a star on it’s own unique orbit. CHAPTER 7 Demonic Conspiracy To Use Music Against The Church: Freemasonry, Kabalistic Gnostic New Age Luciferianism and Thelema The scriptures confirm the existence of a conspiracy against the church The scriptures are unquestionably clear that there are powerful invisible, inhuman, wicked rulers of the darkness of our culture that seek to destroy the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principal ities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12) In spite of the above scripture and knowledge of the true character of Satan, many professing Christians refuse to accept the truth that Satan runs an occult conspiracy operation directed at destroying the church and God’s sovereign plan for the nations. A conspiracy is defined as a combination of men for an evil purpose. The following scriptures confirm the existence of such conspiracies in the world. Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. (Psalm 2:1-3) Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. (Acts 4:25-26) Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: (Psalm 83:1 -5) Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law? They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood. (Psalm 94:20-21) According to Joshua Jacob Seraphim (Frater N.O.X.) of the Ordo Antichristianus Illuminati in his article, “Antiquity of the Illuminati” (novusordoseclorum-oai.org) , Mystickal Secret Societies dedicated to spiritual enlightenment have existed since ancient times. Albert Pike, the Oklahoma lawyer and Confederate General whose writings helped direct the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Masonry in the Southern Jurisdiction of the U.S. wrote in his 1871 book, Morals and Dogma, pg. 208: Masonry has existed as it now exists, the same at spirit as it is at heart…from the cradle of the human race. According to Seraphim, the Ancient Mystery Religions of Babylon, Egypt, Persia, Greece, India birthed Kabbalism, Gnosticism, the Knights Templar, Rosicrusianism, Illuminati, Freemasonry, Theosophy, various occult groups and the New Age movement. According to Jasper Ridley in The Freemasons on pg. 115, the Illuminati infiltrated Freemasonry. Why did the Illuminati infiltrate Freemasonry? According to Alice Bailey in The Externalization of the Hierarchy, pg. 511 the Masonic movement “is the home of the Mysteries and the seat of initiation“…and ‘it is a far more occult organization than can be realized, and is intended to be the training school for the coming advanced occultists”. J. S. M. Ward in Freemasonry and the Ancient Gods writes on pages 342-344: “in the new age which is passing through it’s long -drawn travail of it’s birth, Freemasonry will be there, as of old, to lay the broad foundations on which the new religion will be built.“ Freemasonry isn’t a religion, but it’s religious. Freemasonry and the New Age movement are based upon tolerance and unity or universality of all faiths. (Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, pg. 439) The ultimate goal of such Freemasonry/Illuminati based groups is to destroy the separation caused in the world by the dogmatic allegiance of religious people to one exclusive view of truth. As long as any one religious group believes that they alone hold the key to salvation, the world can’t be united under the New Age Christ, or Antichrist. The Illuminati seek the destruction of all “fundamentalists” who pledge exclusive allegiance to the God of their religious scriptures. It doesn’t matter whether that God is believed to be Jesus Christ, Allah or the G-d of the Jews. If that God is worshipped exclusively, his followers are considered a divisive blight upon society that must be purged in the New Age. The infiltration strategy of occult orders is to break down traditional established belief systems and counter-condition minds in preparation for initiation into the New Religion of the New Age. Seraphim explains that in 1888 the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was inaugurated in London, England as an occult organization integrating ceremonial magic initiation, Kabbalistic teaching, and a comprehensive method of spiritual training. On 11/18/1898, Edward Alexander “Aleister” Crowley, known as the wickedest man that ever lived, was initiated into the Golden Dawn. After receiving the Book of the Law from his demon Aiwass, Crowley proceeded to form the Ordo Astron Argon (Order of the A. .A. .) in 1907. The Book of the Law contains the Law of Thelema. According to the Ordo Antichristianus Illuminati (O. .A. .I. .), the Law of Thelema or the Law of the Beast 666 is the New Religion of the New World Order. The Law of Thelema is “do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law“. Love is the law, love under will”. The O. .A. .I. . is an occult Thelemic order practicing Scientific Illuminism which evolved from diverse Eastern and Western religious traditions and sources. The O.·.A.·.I.·. is the philosophical antithesis of Christendom as a religious institution, not as a populace or spiritual practice. The Magickal System of the O.∙.A.∙.I.∙. is derived from the Religion and Philosophy of Thelema, the teachings of Aleister Crowley, the Beast 666, Rosicruciana, Kabbalah, Hermetica, Tarot, Gnosticism, Tantra, and other diverse traditions. Illuminates of the O.·.A.·.I.·. are Potentates of the Sun, adherents of the ecclesiastical Sciences and arcane Arts. (http://www.novusordoseclorum-oai.org/illuminati.htm) New Age leader Benjamin Crème, a forerunner for a false Christ called Maitreya, describes a new world religion very much like the O. .A. .I. . describes Crowley‘s Law of Thelema. “A new world religion will be inaugurated which will be a fusion and synthesis of the approach of the East and the approach of the West. The Christ will bring together... Christianity and Buddhism...in a new scientific religion b ased on the Mysteries; on Initiation; on Invocation...The very heart and core of the new world religion will be the esoteric pro cess of Initiation... gradually, Christianity and Buddhism and other religions will wither away...as the new religion gains its adherents and exponents, and is gradually built by humanity." [Benjamin Creme, The Reappearance of the Christ and the Masters of Wisdom, pp. 88-89; The Tara Press; London, 1980]. The O.A.I. is an exterior order of the Astron Argon (A. .A. .) purposing to extend the Law of Thelema worldwide as the New Religion of the New World Order of Antichrist. Exterior orders like the A. .A. . have their foundations in the One interior order, the Most August and Royal Order of Illuminati, the Holy Society of the Silver Star, the Silent Society of Illuminati. The Silent Society of Illuminati, the invisible Masters and Mistresses of Magick and Mysticism, exceed the level of worldly intelligence. This One interior order is the invisible government of the world. It’s potentates shape and engineer our civilizations. They control the direction of cultural arts such as music and false religion. (novusordoseclorum-oai.org) Jasper Ridley’s research concurs with this as he states that Freemasonry was strong among musicians in the 18th century. He mentions the likes of Haydn and Mozart as Masonic composers. (The Freemasons, pg. 113) Alice Bailey was a disciple of Russian Theosophist Madame Helen Blavatsky. She formed Lucifer Trust in 1920 which became Lucis Trust in 1922. The Lucis Trust Publishing Company and their many fronts and organizations worship an "Externalized Hierarchy" of "Ascended Masters". These Masters carry out the work of a Luciferian "master plan" for the establishment of a permanent "Age of Aquarius" ruled by one "Sanat Kumara", the "Lord of the World." Jesus Christ is considered to be merely one of the Ascended Masters of the New Age religion. Lucis Trust is a powerful institution of New Age leadership. It possesses consultative status with the United Nations. It meets weekly with powerful business and national leaders throughout the world. In her book, Initiation, Human and Solar, Alice Bailey attests to the existenceof a hidden group which controls the world system. "This Hierarchy of Brothers of Light still exists, and the work goes stead ily on. They are all in physical existence, either in dense physical bodies, such as many of the Masters employ, or in etheric b odies, such as the more exalted helpers and the Lord of the World occupy... They exist upon this planet with us, controlling its destinies, guiding its affairs, and leading all its evolutions on to an ultimate perfection..." [Alice Bailey, Initiation, Human and Solar, p. 32]. New Age Symbol (http://www.alicebailey.org/) Interestingly, the New Age movement is employing the new symbol pictured above on the Lucis Trust website. It includes both the pentagram and the sun wheel. The sun wheel, appearing as a plus sign, is discussed in the next chapter. The symbol represents the blending work that their “Christ“ or more accurately antichrist is currently doing. Not coincidentally, this book is focused upon uncovering the efforts of Satan’s antichristian spiritual forces working to blend the music of the world into the church’s worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Our symbol touches only a few of these new potencies and includes a blend of both the old age and the new. It is the perfecting of this blend which is a supreme task of the Christ at this time. A blend must be achieved which is suitable to the condition of humanity as it is now .” Satan’s world system is engineered by his potentates to destroy faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember Jesus warned us that Satan comes to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10). James 4:4 teaches us that if we choose to be a friend of the world system engineered by Satan’s invisible rulers, we become the enemy of God. We automatically become God’s enemy when we become comfortable and friendly with a world system engineered by Satan’s demons to deceive and enslave as many people as possible. Part of that world system is the secular music which his demons have inspired in order to destroy faith in and obedience to the word of God. Secular music is one of “the things that are in the world” that God’s children are taught not to love. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:15 -16) In The Unknown God: W. T. Smith and the Thelemites, Martin P. Starr reveals that Wilfred Talbot Smith (1885-1957) incorporated the Church of Thelema called the “Purple Cult” in Los Angeles in 1934 in order to spread Aleister Crowley’s teachings in Hollywood. In 1935, Smith started Crowley's co-masonic Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) Lodge. In addition to the occult infiltration work of the Thelemites in Hollywood, The Invisible Illuminati of England boldly declares on it’s web presence at invisibleilluminati.chaosmagic.com that the Illuminati have infiltrated the Hollywood film industry for the purpose of counter conditioning and freeing minds to receive the Luciferic initiation. It’s very possible that some of their infiltration work is accomplished through audio movie sound tracks. Although Satan’s infiltration into the secular music industry is more subtle, it’s not totally hidden. In order to be victorious over the Satan’s war strategy against the church, the church must accept that she’s in a war and become equipped to recognize the presence and strategy of her enemy. In Ephesians 2;2, Satan is called “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience”. His work is to cause people to live contrary to the commands and principles of God’s word. As the prince of the power of the air, Satan has authoritative control over evil spiritual powers working outside the realm of the visible material world. His work is accomplished in the atmosphere surrounding the visible world where his thought forms invisibly infiltrate human minds. The film and music industries are two very fertile grounds for his spiritual warfare. The purpose of this chapter is to reveal the characteristics and beliefs of modern servants of Satan so that the church can recognize their disguises and avoid being deceived by their trickery particularly in the realm of sound. The characteristics of the modern Satanist The ideal characteristics of the modern Satanist from their perspective can be summarized as follows: Genius/Innovation/Creativity springing from liberated consciousness Self-interest/Individualism/Uniqueness centered in authentic self-expression Rebellion/Independence in resisting oppressive authority and maintaining personal focused purpose. Hedonism/Indulgence in sensual pleasure freely without the restrictive guilt of sin Trickery/Deception/Mischief in using imagery and language to instruct or for personal gain. Destruction/Wrath/Pain in inflicting vengeance upon enemies Richard Cavendish describes a disciple of the devil as follows: “the followers of the devil are intensely excited by and preoccupied with sensual pleasure and worldly achievement. They admire pride, strength and force. They revel in self -assertion and dominance, lust, dirt, violence, cruelty, and all passionate sensations. Christian piety, with it’s virtues of other worldliness, self-denial, humility, cleanliness of heart and mind, they condemn as spineless, colorless, dead.” (http://satanservice.org/theory/stnsmovrvwtn.txt) Intelligent, focused, high achieving, emotionally free, and enterprising are all qualities highly esteemed within American institutions. Coupled with the replacement of the doctrine of separation from worldliness and all appearance of evil with doctrineslike cultural accommodation and the Purpose Driven Music Paradigm, the postmodern church is ripe for Satanic infiltration. The channels of demonic music today are unlike the alcohol and drug wasted hippies of the 1960‘s and 1970’s. Today’s musical message is subtly sprinkled with Gnosticism’s dissatisfaction with modern culture and the soul’s natural desire for love, truth and freedom. In addition, the use of illicit stimulants by the bands channeling Satanic doctrine is less overt or non-existent. Today’s Satanist believes in taking action, in self-control and self-mastery. They may shun alcohol and television in serious pursuit of magical work and systematic occult science studies. The positive characteristics of the devil’s disciples, the subtle antichristian emotional message of today’s music, terror chaos, and a lack of biblical discernment make Satanism a termite like threat to the church. Symbols like the Pentagram are used to represent, attract or hold demonic power Occult symbols are one way to detect the corrupting presence of demonic activity in music. According to occultists, symbols like the Pentagram are used to represent, attract or hold demonic power. Notice how many music “stars” of all genres display the symbol of man, the wicked occult pentagram or 5 pointed star or the pentagram inverted on their bodies, clothing, instruments, CD liners, videos and websites. The pentagram has been known as a Babylonian magical charm. It‘s also called the “goblin’s cross“, “devil’s sign”, “wizard’s star”, or “witches foot”. Albert Pike writes in Morals and Dogma that the pentagram or 5 pointed star is the absolute sign of human intelligence. (Morals and Dogma, pg. 790) The Pentagram is a standard symbol for witches, although unlike Satanists, witches typically don’t profess belief in Satan. To witches the pentagram represents the four basic elements: wind, water, earth and fire plus the fifth component of man-spirit. It also represents the pantheistic spiritual being “Gaia”, also known as “Mother Earth“ or “Mother Nature“. Wearing a pentagram can imply respect for the earth and connection to the 5 elements. Witches use the magical symbol for protection and to banish and or to channel energy. This occult symbol is presented as good by the New Age. In reality, however, it’s a magic device used in association with demons. It’s also called the “sign of the cloven hoof” or the footprints of the devil when positioned with one point up. If contained within a circle it emphasizes the personal secrecy of witchcraft and the interconnection between air, fire, water, wind and earth. To many witches today, the Pentagram inverted and positioned with it’s two points up is called the “Goat of Mendes” because it’s the same shape as the goat head of the blasphemous Baphomet horned god figure. When inverted with one point down like this it signifies the fall from heaven of the morning star, Lucifer. It also represents man subservient to carnal desires. When inside a circle or with a goathead/Baphomet superimposed upon it, the pentagram represents the Left Hand Path of magic and Satanism. It represents the path of Luciferic initiation or enlightenment. It’s a symbol of empowerment and man becoming self aware striving to reach the Man God status. (www.invisableilluminati.chaos magic.com) Notice also the frequency with which music performers will raise their hand during performances flashing the Satanic Salute (the symbol of the Horned God, Mano Cornuto or the Il Cornuto). Michael Jackson, explained that the rhythm of his music has compelled him to make immoral sexual gestures in concert in a 1993 Ophrah Winfrey interview: "It happens subliminally. It’s the music that compels me to do it. You don't think about it, it just happens. I’m slave to the rhythm." (The Evening Star, Feb. 11, 1993, p. A10)(source: av1611.org) Could the nature of the rhythm of Amy Grant’s music explain why a professing christian performer would flash the Satanic Salute as she did in concert? Source: av1611.org/amysalut.html This salute is a sign of recognition and allegiance between Satanists and other occult groups. It was first used in Sicily to cast spells and stop the “evil eye”. It is symbolized by raising a hand with only the index and small “pinky finger” raised. A similar, but harmless symbol is the “I love you” sign which extends the thumb openly along with the index and pinky fingers as Bill Clinton is apparently pictured doing below. Concert fans will flash the Satanic Salute as a sign of approval to bands during concert performances. Among the initiated, the blasphemous display of the salute signifies an allegiance to the music of Satan. The popularity of the Satanic Salute is merely another sign of the growing demonic influence upon performers and fans alike. According to Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan, “Satanic ritual is a blend of Gnostic, Cabbalistic, Hermetic, and Masonic elements…” (The Satanic Rituals-Companion to the Satanic Bible, pg. 21) Satan is currently infiltrating music through his many hidden occult orders spreading the doctrines of Kabalistic Gnostic New Age Luciferianism and Thelema. As Cyril Scott, the father of modern British music said decades ago: "Today, as we enter this New Age, we seek, primarily through the medium of inspired music, to defuse the spirit of [occultic] unification and brotherhood, and thus quicken the (spiritual) vibration of this planet" (p. 204). (http://illuminati-news.com/occult-rock.htm) This musical magical work is now well established. How can this occult influence be recognized in secular music? In order to recognize the common thread of Kabalistic Gnostic New Age Luciferianism and Thelema running through the music of various mainstream secular rock performers, it’s essential to understand the interconnection between Freemasonry, Kabalah, Gnosticism, New Age Luciferianism and Thelema. The Kabalah Albert Pike says on page 626 of Morals and Dogma that “the Kabalah is the key of the occult sciences”. The ancient magi, the eastern wise men who followed the star to Jerusalem in order to worship the newborn Jesus (Matthew 2:1-2), subscribed to Kabalistic doctrine. These pagan wise men learned occult astrology and astronomy partially from the ancient mysteries of the Babylonians. These occult magicians or sorcerers were influenced by the Kabalistic doctrine contained in the Sohar of Zoroaster. These pagan magicians are biblical proof that the lost can be more perceptive concerning the signs surrounding the coming of Christ than those professing to worship the Lord. Kabalism offered an occult view of the Old Testament and Israel’s history in order to deceive the Israelites. According to Pike on pages 841 and 843 of Morals and Dogma, the Priesthood of Israel preserved the primary tradition of the one revelation of the Absolute Being originating in Chaldea in the Kabalah. The word Kabalah comes from the Hebrew word "to receive" consisting of the Hebrew letters k, b and l. Kabalists believe Abraham received mystical knowledge directly from God which was passed along through the generations orally. According to thirtysevenbooks.com/Kabbalah.htm, practical Kabalah is a type of white magic. It invokes demonic powers through the use of names, incantations, talismans, amulets as well as the occult practices of astrology, divination, palm and countenance reading. Theoretical Kabalah studies the mystery religions such as the Zohar and the structure of the angelic domain. Meditative Kabalah integrates formal prayer. Kabalists are magicians. To the Kabalist, everything lies veiled in numbers. They believe that through numbers one can know the harmony between nature and religion. Like the magi, they believe that magic is the exact and absolute science of nature and it’s laws. The Pentagram is sacred to the Kabalist. (Pike, Morals and Dogma, pg. 842) Is the Kabala being blended with secular music today in worship? An article found at mysticscave.com/press.htm regarding an 8/27/2003 Berkeley California Graduate Theological Union program called the Sefira-Ecstatic Prayer Ritual reveals it is. The ritual, which combines Kabalistic meditation and electronic/world beat music in order to free minds is described below as follows: In conjunction with the Sacred Dance Guild of Northern California and The Graduate Theological Union, Yehudit Steinberg, M.Ed., premieres her newest sacred dance ritual, Sefira. Sefira, Hebrew for “circular sapphires,” is a mystical prayer service based on ancient community circles. Using healing chants, electronic/world beat music and Kabalistic meditation; this sacred gather ing incorporates age-old ritual techniques with modern technology. Similar to her spiritually inspired Torah Raves and her late night radio meditation program, Mystics Cave on Silicon Valley’s KKUP, Yehudit connects her 4 world/7 step creative process with the divine feminine spirit. “The focus of this ritual is to aid people in relating to their intuition and getting them out of t heir ‘stuckness’, as well as, leading to the development of an artistic lifestyle,” Steinberg says. Yehudit draws her material from Jewish mystical texts, ancient multi-ethnic tradition, and expressive arts techniques. In a safe and intimate space, this prayer practice encourages freedom of expression and celebration of life. The Gnostics Gnosticism grew out of Kabalism as an attack against the truth of the New Testament. In combination with Kabalism, Gnosticism is Satan’s pseudo Bible offering an occult explanation of the Old and New Testaments. The term Gnostic comes from the greek word gnosis meaning knowledge. Albert Pike teaches in Morals and Dogma that the Gnostics were born of the Kabalists (pg. 626). He also writes that the Kabalah, along with Plato, Philo and Zend-avesta provided the leading doctrines of the Gnostics. (pg. 248) Doctrinal issues caused by Gnosticism were addressed by the Apostles in the following New Testament scriptures: 1 Corinthians 8:1, 13:2; Colossians 2:21-23; 1 Timothy 4:3, 6:20-21; Titus 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:2-6; 2 Peter 2:12,18; 1 John 1:5, 2:19-29, 3:9-10, 4:2-3, 5:17-20; Jude 4,8,11,19; Revelation 2:6-24. The fundamental teachings of Gnosticism are as follows: Special enlightened knowledge of the truth in initiates is superior to faith The Creator (Demiurge) and the Deity (God) are separate Deity or God is the unknowable Abyss or the unknown Father Intelligences (aeons or angels) emanate from the Deity The highest spiritual aeons or angels closely resemble the Divine nature People are reborn when they’re enlightened In Rebirth or enlightenment, one returns to worship the world of Intelligences Matter, including the human body, is evil and the source of evil The universe is a vast prison in which man is enslaved by moral laws Within each inner man is a spark of the divine which can be awakened Sin is inherent in physical matter like the human body Jesus Christ couldn’t have been born in or suffered in human flesh Jesus Christ received and became the Christ at baptism Jesus’ work of salvation was in his life and teaching, not in his agony and death Redemption from the penalty and power of sin isn’t through Christ’s death Sin is a consequence of being unenlightened concerning spiritual realities Redemption is man’s efforts to be free from the evil of his flesh Redemption isn’t deliverance from sin Redemption is renewing the mind to remove guilt God and man are one New Age Luciferianism New Age Luciferianism is built upon Kabalistic Gnosticism. It defines Lucifer as the light bringer or the light source. It teaches that Lucifer is the source of enlightenment saving mankind from the tyranny of belief in the Creator through helping man realize his own divinity. According to Luciferians, Lucifer is the real creator and Lord of this world. God usurped Lucifer and seeks to enslave and destroy mankind. Daemons or spirits help Luciferians with magic and spiritual advancement. They are neither good or evil. Instead they‘re either positive (good for me) or negative (bad for me). New Age leader David Spangler teaches that “the true birth of the human being, of this greater self, occurs occult in what is called the ‘first initiation’, the birth the Christ within. (Pg 25) The New Age is essentially a time in history when the fruits of revelation given and anchored by Jesus come into being. In human terms, this means it is a time when we learn to be at one with God ourselves, to be Christ ourselves. This is the revelation of esoteric disciplines, which have always been esoteric because they dealt with the reality of man’s inner divinity and how to actualize it, rather than with the forms and doctrines relating to forming relationships with an external diety or Christ. It is not doctrinal brotherhood we see, but a brotherhood of illuminated and cooperative action. We must follow Jesus fully, not in worship but in shared realization of the human heritage of divinity. That is basic esoteric doctrine, by the way. One does not walk the path; one is the path.( Pg 29) When man entered upon the pathway of self, he entered into a great creative adventure in which he took on the responsibility of a microcosmic world unto whom he is god. The being that helps man to reach this point is Lucifer. That is his role. He is the angel of man’s evolution. He is the angel of man’s inner light. Lucifer is the spirit of light in the microcosmic world. Lucifer is the embodiment of that energy. He is the embodiment of all those qualities which builds up the self: pride, selfishness, awareness of identity, love of self. Lucifer was just what his name implies - the bringer of light. It is important to see that Lucifer, as I am using this term, describes an angel, a being, a great and mighty planetary consciousness.( pg 37-38) Christ is …that which enables an individual to transcend his present state in the moment. It is that energy which leads out from the inner light that is there and provides creative release and creative transcendency. (pg 39) In this sense the Christ can be a great and mighty inspiration such as what manifested through Jesus… . Christ is the same force as Lucifer but moving in seemingly the opposite direction. Lucifer moves in to create the light within through the pressure of experience. Christ moves out to release the light, that wisdom… . (pg 40). Lucifer, then is neither good nor bad in his true essence. The energies he provides for our use are neutral. Christ comes to us from the outside…simply to make us aware of the Christ force and consciousness that is always within us. Lucifer does the same thing. He comes to make us aware of our power within, to draw to ourselves experience. He comes to make us aware of the creative manifestation which we wield. (pg 41)... Lucifer. He is the light giver. He is aptly named the Morning Star because it is his light that heralds for man the dawn of a greater consciousness. (pg 44) Lucifer comes to give us the final gift of wholeness. If we accept it then he is free and we are free. That is the Luciferic initiation. It is the one that many people now, and in the days ahead, will be facing, for it is an initiation into the New Age. (pg. 45) (Reflections of the Christ; Findhorn; Scotland, 1977) Remember what Spangler is saying here about one becoming free through the Luciferic initiation. The concept of becoming free is a common thread of Crowley’s religion of Thelema that’s subtly woven throughout the lyrics of bands like P.O.D., Linkin Park, Creed and others to be reviewed in later chapters. Lucifer as Lord of the New Age is the fire bringer, the light bringer who enlightens each person initiating them to understand that they themselves are Christ or God. Rev. Deamon Blackrose of the Ordo Templi Luciferi 2003 echoes similar doctrine. “Lucifer is the light bringer, meaning also enlightenment. Thus making Luciferianism, more or less, a Gnostic religion. In other words it’s not by faith or good deeds that we find “salvation, but rather through spiritual knowledge and experience, (gnosis), that we are “saved”…and awakened from the slumber of ignorance to the realization of our own inner divinity. Lucifer, as has been said, is the light bringer. We get our light from the Sun, without which there would be no life. Therefore, Lucifer is also the life force. The 6th core belief is that “Satan/Lucifer is the real creator of this world, and truly the Lord of this World. Lucifer is the Bearer of Light, the Firebringer, the angel of creation. Lucifer has given us our sentence and intelligence. Our spirits and our souls are His gifts to us-for self-awareness and Chaos, so that truly we each within ourselves contain a spark of the Almighty, of the Divine, of the Serpent Leviathan manifest as Lucifer. (from Core Beliefs, www.ordo templi luciferi) (angel fire.com/goth/DeamonMagick/index.html) Thelema Thelema teaches that there is no god or religion but man. The idea that man can be god has been Satan’s lie to humanity since the first days in the Garden of Eden. Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:1-5) Chief duties of disciples of Aleister Crowley’s Law of Thelema The chief rules or duties of those who accept Crowley’s Law of Thelema and embark upon the so-called “Great Work” of spreading this New Religion are as follows: Find yourself as the center of your own universe. Explore the nature and powers of your being-be initiated by discovering true self. Develop balance in your faculties-be strong, lust, enjoy all things of sense. Contemplate your own nature and the true purpose of your total being. Simply express your “true will” and your plans to manipulate energies you control Extend to the utmost the dominion of your consciousness in controlling energies. Don’t let others interfere with your own true will. Don’t restrict yourself in any way while remaining devoted to your “true will“. It’s interesting that the “spiritual virus” (reminding people that they are a multidimensional spirit with enormous opportunities which are their own unique choice) of Carlos Santana’s parallels the antichristian philosophy taught in exterior occult orders such as the Astron Argon, the Gnostic Catholic Church, Thelemic Golden Dawn, Ordo Templi Orientis , Ordo Antichristianus Illuminati, Rosicrucian Order, Theosophical Society, and the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry. These Masonic based orders teach that “every man or woman is a star in their own orbit, the center of their own universe“. They believe in Crowley’s Law of Thelema which teaches, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the law, love under will.“ Crowley intended to emphasize that humanity’s greatest right and most pressing need is total freedom of thought, action and belief. According to Crowley, "Do What Thou Wilt" doesn’t mean "do what you please" though this degree of emancipation is implied...we can no longer say a priori that any course of action is "wrong." Every man and woman has an absolute right to do his or her own true will - Aleister Crowley (Secret Conference) http://www.taroscopes.com/highwindowsarticles/the-aeon.html Thelemites believe that “nothing is true, everything is permitted”. Many Freemasonry based Anti-Christian initiatory magical occult orders and illuminated mysticalreligious secret societies work today toward the goal of ending Christianity and establishing the New Age of Liberty and the ANTICHRIST in the New World Order based upon the Dominion and Law of the Beast 666 and the New Religion, the Law of Thelema. They work to free individuals from what they believe is the neurotic slavery to the god of Christianity. Musically, they accomplish this task primarily through the power of various genres of instrumental music influenced by demons. These groups believe that Satan/ Lucifer is the creator and Lord of this world and that the true God seeks to enslave and destroy people. The New Religion of the New World Order of Antichrist teaches that Lucifer/Satan empower’s one’s free will so a person can be their own god. Here’s a sampling of the web addresses for some of the over 1500 secret occult orders in existence allowing you to verify the reality of such groups in today’s world. (http://www.ordoantichristianusilluminati.org) (http://novusordoseclorum-oai.org) (http://ordoaa.wolfmagick.com) (http://www.thelemicgoldendawn.org) (http:trismegistos.chaos magic.com) (http:www.invisableilluminati.chaos magic.com) (http://otohq.org) (http://ordo_templi_Lucifer.tripod.com) (http://www.xeper.org/ohorus/main.html) CHAPTER 8 Occult Infiltration Of Secular Music: Kabalistic Gnostic New Age Luciferic and Thelemic Infiltratation A brief list of the network of Thelemic bands and musicians Aliester Crowley’s Thelema has impacted rock ‘n roll through the likes of the following musicians and many others not listed (http://www.oto.no) : Graham Bond (godfather of British Rock) Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones David Bowie Sting Jim Morrison of the Doors Black Sabbath & Ozzy Ozbourne Marilyn Manson Ringo Starr of the Beatles John Zorn Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates Tool Coil Elvis Presley was an esoteric theosophist, an initiate of Crowley’s Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. (http://www.akasha.de/~aton/Unidance.html) A longer list of affiliated magical musician links can be found at http://www.thelemicgoldendawn.org/musick/musickians.htm. This chapter will take a look at the work of selected high impact performers. Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne (the “Prince of Darkness”) "Everybody knows that Black Sabbath started everything and almost every single thing that people are playing today has already been done by Black Sabbath. They wrote every single good riff...ever." --Rob Zombie, White Zombie-"I think that Sabbath are directly responsible for all metal, hardcore, thrash, and goth music. They are the premier goth band." --Peter Steele, Type O Negative-- Thelemic pioneers, Black Sabbath was founded in 1969 in Birmingham, England, by “Ozzy” Osbourne. Initially a blues band, called Earth, the quartet changed their name that year and began writing songs that reflected their interest in mysticism, magic and the occult. Black Sabbath released their debut album in 1970. In 1978, Ozzy Osbourne departed to pursue a solo career. Here’s a sample of a 1975 Black Sabbath/Ozzy song laced with Crowley’s New Religion, the Law of Thelema. It reveals the confused, schizophrenic pain of a man who has literally sold his soul for rock and roll. Megalomania Obsessed with fantasy, possessed with my schemes I mixed reality with pseudogod dreams The ghost of violence was something I seen I sold my soul to be the human obscene How could it poison me?? The dream of my soul I'm really digging schizophrenia the best of the earth I've seized my soul in the fires of hell Peace of mind eluded me, but now it's all mine I simply try, but he wants me to fail Feel it slipping away, slipping in tomorrow Now I've found my happiness, providence of sorrow No more lies, I got wise I despise the way I worshipped you yeah Now I'm free, can't you see And now instead I won't be led by you now Free!! Ozzy Osbourne has been quoted as saying, "I never seem to know exactly what I'm gonna do next. I just like to do what the spirits make me do. That way, I always have someone or something to blame" (Faces, Nov. 1983 p. 24). (http://illuminati-news.com/occult-rock.htm) Over 4 million have attended Ozzfest’s in the last 7 years. The next performer was main stage performer in Ozzfest 2003. Marilyn Manson-Reverend of Marilyn Manson’s Church of AntiChrist Superstar Manson’s 2003 release The Golden Age of Grotesque debuted at the #1 Billboard chart position in the USA, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and top 5 chart positions around the world! It sold 118,000 copies in it’s first week in the U.S. alone. In 1998, his “mechanical animals” release sold 223,000 copies it’s first week. Who is this person? A quick internet search will reveal the he has an internet site called Marilyn Manson’s church of Antichrist Superstar (dewn.com) which will flash a request for you to sell your soul to the devil. Here’s an opening quote on the first page of the web-site which boasts of over 90,000 souls damned since 3/20/99. "This is the morning of magic, and undefiled wisdom. The FLESH prevaileth and a great Church shall be builded, consecrated in its name. No longer shall man's salvation be dependent on his self-denial!" Here’s a sample sermon preaching the New Religion from his electronic pulpit. Today's sermon: Tips for Surviving the End Times, from Our Saviour himself, the Reverend Marilyn Manson: The time has come, it is quite clear... AntiChrist Superstar is here! I appreciate your faith in our cause. Right now, as a Family, as an Army, we are limited as a minority. Laws bind us. But it is important to remember: The law is only what is popular, not what's right or wrong. Marilyn Manson's Church of AntiChrist Superstar rejects conventional morality and societal standar ds. As misanthropes and throw-away kids, we will NOT submit to the mainstream: We will BECOME it. When WE become the majority, WE will decide who doesn't belong. Assume your individuality. Read, watch, listen to, and do what you want. BUT BE WARNED! You cannot have this freedom at no cost: You must pay in responsibility. Enlightened brothers and sisters, FREE YOURSELVES! Die for yo ur OWN sins. Sell your soul to YOURSELF: You'll make more money. Invest in YOU, and put the bible- belt- wearing- pro- lifered- neck- record- burning- fundamentalist- fag- bashing hypocrites out of business so they can wallow in their own self-made, feeble-minded Hell. Hallelujah-------------! There's a hurricane a-blowing, and just by knowing what you know, you have an advantage over the blind morons that surround you every day. However, not everyone can be saved. Civilize those you can ------- the rest. There are too many people in this world. It is not our responsibility to be constantly cleaning up after the weak minded. Nature will eventually run its course, and those too senseless to survive will fortunately be crushed beneath the wheels of our progr ess. America should be very, very afraid. They have found it hard to accept the monster that they have created. The stupid ones who doubt me/you will surely be destroyed. I am the all-american AntiChrist. I have predicted the past; I am the accuser. Known to combine sex and violence, Manson’s call to the world echoes the message of the New Religion of the New World Order in spite of his efforts to make a joke of his work at times. “Loose your ancestral stanchions. Children, you shall no longer bow your h eads in shame and selfrepression.... be FREE! You shall no longer falter under the weight of the pious and the guilt they would heap upon you for living your life as you see fit. You shall no longer feel alone and unwanted: you are WANTED here.... you BELONG here.... WE are your Family now.…” David Bowie So what has David Bowie got to do with occultism? He gave the answer himself in his 1971 song 'Quicksand': I'm closer to the Golden Dawn Immersed in Crowley's uniform of imagery In the 1976 song 'Station to Station' he mentioned the occult key doors to other plans of reality when he described how to travel down the Cabalistic Tree of Life from Kether to Malkuth that is from Godhead to Earth. On 25 November, 1995, he finally admitted that in 1976: "My overriding interest was in cabbala and Crowleyism. That whole dark and rather fearsome never-world of the wrong side of the brain. ... More recently, [1995] I've been interested in the Gnostics". Anyone who has the CD version of 'Station to Station' finds Bowie's photo on the back cover where he's sitting on the floor drawing this so-called Tree of Life with the 10 Sefirots. "Don't look at the carpet / I drew something awful on it", he sang in 'Breaking Glass' in 1977. Some years later, in March 2001 he admitted that this lyric "refers to both the cabbalistic drawings of the tree of life and the conjuring of spirits." (http://user.cyberlink.ch/~koenig/bowie.htm) Madonna The symbol Madonna is using in her new tour logo is based on a kabalistic symbol called "The Sefirot." The circles of the Sefirot represent the different levels of the soul, the ones near the top represent a very elevated soul, and the one at the very bottom represents the soul in the physical World that we are living in. It is understood by Kabalist, that the world we live in is mostly an illusion, and there are many things we can't see touch, feel, taste, or smell but that are happening all around us. Tapping into the hidden world is what Kabala is all about. People often ask "Why would Madonna who has intelligence, talent, fame and fortune, need Kabala, to make her happy?" The reality is, all of our souls have come to this world for a reason. Understanding that reason is what makes someone truly happy, not material things. Madonna has said that Kabala has helped her to find a bit of peace and now trusts others more. It is obvious she has begun to tap into the wisdom of Kabala. (kabala.com/kabalists.html#Madonna) Madonna is a professing Kabalist with an apparent new focus on life. Keltech lists Madonna and MTV on Pyraplastic Records list of electronic jungle voodoo music customers. Madonna became involved in the Kabbalah Learning center founded by Philip Berg and led by Rabbi Eitan Yardeni. She credited the Rabbi with telling her how many songs should appear on her 1998 CD, Ray of Light. Her title song, "Ray of Light", has been interpreted by psychics/occultists to be a vision of the coming New World Order. "Quicker than a ray of light she's flying/trying to remember /where it a ll began" (the influence of the micro-chip implants and the elimination of human organicity). "she's got a universe inside her " (the human microchips connected to a universal tracking system) " she's got a little piece of heaven/ waiting for the moment EARTH SHALL BE AS ONE" (one world government brought on by the bait of immediate fulfillment of human desire and need through implanted mico chips). "and I feel like I just got home, and feel like I just got home ... quicker than a ray of light , she's got herself a universe, etc. " (you come home when you accept the chip which can fulfill your every desire) The lyrics of her song “Sky Fits Heaven”, off the same Ray of Light CD, mesh well with the new age “gospel” message of the New Religion of the New World Order, the Law of Thelema as I show below with my interpretive comments to the lyrics within parentheses. “Sky fits heaven so fly it” (break free from dead Christianity into Lucifer initiation) “Love fits virtue so hold on to the light “(love is the Law, love under will; Lucifer is the light) “That's what our future will be” (in the New Religion of the New World Order) “Traveling down this road Watching the signs as I go I think I'll follow the sun” (Lucifer/Satan is the Father-Sun) “I think I'll follow my heart It's a very good place to start Traveling down my own road Watching the signs as I go” (Find yourself as the center of your own universe, your own god, a star doing your own true will) “Hand fits giving so do it That's what the Gospel said to me Life fits living so let your judgments go That's how our future should be” (Get rid of restrictive belief in sin and dead Christianity. Do what you want to do without interference from others shall be the whole of the Law of Thelema. Love is the Law, love under will in the New Religion of the New Age in Lucifer’s New World Order ) Linkin Park (links to P.O.D., Hoobastank, Incubus, Ozzy, Marilyn Manson, Tool) Nu-metal rap-rock band Linkin Park, popular even among “churched” teens, played at Ozzfest in 2001 with the likes of Thelema’s Black Sabbath and Marilyn Manson. They toured in 2004 with professing Christian chart-toppers, P.O.D., as well as with the Satanic likes of Metallica in the UK’s Download Festival. Linkin Park’s debut CD, Hybrid Theory, sold over 14 million copies in two years. Their music expresses an angry, cynical, depressed, somewhat defeated attitude toward the present mixed with a hope that the “sun” will arise in the future. It expresses inner rebellion against established thought, which could include any established religion teaching that anything other than “you” is religion or god. CD liner notes on Meteora like “I’m free, you’ll see” and “everything I thought is nothing like it is” express beliefs common to OAI initiates. OAI initiates believe in the New Order of Religion and ANTICHRIST to provide them truth and freedom. OAI initiates are adherents to the “Gnostic Christ“, or the Sun of Light, Life, Love and Liberty. They are called “children of the Sun“. Satanists refer to Lucifer and Satan as Father-Sun. The Old Testament says that Baal was considered and worshipped falsely as the Sun god. Thus, the name of Aleister Crowley’s group, the Golden Dawn. In the occult, the sun is symbolized by a point within a circle and is the visible image of God’s life giving light. It may be no coincidence that Linkin Park lyrics express a future hope in the appearance of the sun? The OAI seek to free humanity from the restrictions of the false Old Age of Christianity and usher in the New World Order and New Age of liberty. As one Linkin Park song states, “it’s goin’ down.” In spite of the fact that Linkin Park plays loud rap-rock, the band is aware of the destructive power of loud rap, rock and hip-hop music according to the lyrics of the song “One Step Closer” from Hybrid Theory (EP).These lyrics may allude to a knowledge of the power of dub music to open up a person to demonic attack as well as internal physical damage. You’re new to hip hop and welcome if your serious But not on the mic Leave that to the experienced (Using the waves of sound the true master paralyzes his opponents, leaving him vulnerable to attack) [Chorus (2x)] (After years of pain staking research by the world's leading sound scientists, we here at the sound institute have invented a reliable audio weapons system. Actual movement of musical sound in space used to carefully attack and neutralize the cellular structure of the human body, and the question must be asked.) [Chorus (2x)] Here’s a further look at Linkin Park lyrics revealing their belief in the power and message of music and it’s role in calling the world to life of independence free form the disillusionment and difficulties associated with trying to conform to moral expectations. This Gnostic theme meshes well with the goals of modern Satanists seeking to rid the world of Christianity and the restrictive concept of sin and install the Law of Thelema as New Religion of the New Age and the New World Order of ANTICHRIST and the Beast 666. 666 is the mystick number of the Sun and the number of man. “Lying from You” I remember what they taught to me Remember condescending talk of who I ought to be Remember listening to all of that and this again So I pretended up a person who was fittin’ in And now you think this person really is me and I’m (Trying to bend the truth) But the more I push the more I'm pulling away 'cuz I'm (Lying my way from you) No no turning back now (I wanna be pushed aside so let me go) No no turning back now (Let me take back my life I’d rather be all alone) No turning back now (Anywhere on my own cuz I can see) No no turning back now (The very worst part of you) (The very worst part of you is ME) "From The Inside" I don’t know who to trust no surprise (Everyone feels so far away from me) Heavy thoughts sift through dust and the lies (Trying not to break but I’m so tired of this deceit) (Every time I try to make myself get back up on my feet) (All I ever think about is this) (All the tiring time between) (And how trying to put my trust in you just takes so much out of me) Take everything from the inside and throw it all away Cuz I swear for the last time I won’t trust myself with you “It's Going Down” The rhythm projects 'round the next sound Reflects the complex hybrid dialect now Detects the mesh of many elements compressed down The melting pot of a super-futureesque style The combination of vocal caress With lungs the gasp for breath From emotional stress With special effects And a distorted collage Carefully lodged between beats of rhythmic barrage It's going down The logical progression on the timeline The separation narrowed down to a fine line To blur the edges so they blend together properly Take you on an audible odyssey Now it's going down A logical progression on the timeline The separation narrowed down to a fine line To blur the edges so they blend together properly Take you on an audible odyssey Now it's going down Put put...put it up I said it goes like this And you do it like this It's going down Put put...put it up I said it goes goes like this And you do it like this It's going down Once again it is Composed sentences All together venomous The four elements of natural force Projected daily through the sound of the source Everybody on board as we blend The sword with the pen The mightiest the weapons Swinging right from the chin To elevate of mental states Long gone with the wind To defend men from shoddy imitation pretends It's going down Stalence emulation readily Trekking through the weaponry Of the pure pedigree Cleverly seeing through whatever is ahead of me Whatever the weather be We invent the steadily It's going down sub-terrestrial high I rhyme regiment that's calling the shots Execution of collaborative plots Ready to bring the separation of style to a stop Linkin Park is found printing thanks to the Satanic likes of Marilyn Manson, the Osbourne’s, Mudvayne and many others on it‘s Meteora CD sleeve. Shown below is a copy of their web page dated 10/12/2002. It prominently displays the symbol of 2 intersecting oblique bars of equal lengths enclosed in a circle advertising their fan club LP Underground. This magical symbol is used by the Ordo Antichristianus Illuminati (OAI) on their website and is tattoed on the bodies of OAI initiates. It is the Thelemic symbol of the sun and moon conjoined representing their Lord, the Beast, the Antichrist. The OAI call it the Union of the Cross and the Circle and the Mark of the Beast 666. The occult has always used certain symbols to represent, attract or hold demonic power according to the DIS Ordo Oscurum Illuminati (DOI) website found at rismegistos.chaos magic.com. The man/scarlet woman of Earth also is obligated to have the arcane hieroglyph and earthly talisman of the O.·.A.·.I.·., which is the Mark of the Beast 666, tattooed upon his/her body as a token of his/her initiation as antichrist in the Magickal Corpus of the O.·.A.·.I.·. (http://www.ordoantichristianusilluminati.org) The symbol of 2 intersecting oblique bars of equal lengths enclosed in a circle further testifies to Linken Park’s occult links. According to research provided at swisswebworks.com/tribworks/gold/articles/_sunmarks.html the Sunwheel or Crosswheel is a cross with four equal lengths associated with sun worship. This symbol is over 5000 years old and universally known as the sign of the Sun god. Presently, it appears that Linkin Park may be pre-conditioning it’s fans to receive a future Mark of the Beast 666 by encouraging it’s fans to receive a tattoo of one of their various band symbols on their bodies. A sample of Linkin Park fans showing off their Linkin Park symbol tattoo’s can be found @pushmeaway.com/lpfantattoos.html. The one’s pictured were inspired by LP’s likeness of the OAI initiation symbol which was displayed on now broken link on 10/12/2002 @ linkinpark-network.com/ Tattoo was inspired by 1 of LP's symbols. Done at "Wild Things II" in Ft. Lauderdale Her tattoo was done on the 5/29/02 @ shop in Melbourne Australia . Another sign of Linkin Park’s involvement with the occult world of Thelema is the fact that the band has employed backward writing in their name LINKIN and elsewhere in their printed material. Aleister Crowley taught his occult disciples to read, write and speak backwards in order to confuse their brains because he believed a demon is God inverted or reversed. It’s interesting that John Zorn recorded his Crowley inspired meditation on evil titled IAO in 2002. The title, IAO, is equivalent to Satan in kabbalistic numerology and is OAI spelled backwards. In the blasphemous “Book of Baphomet” scribed by Joshua Jacob Seraphim on 12/22/2002, in the section titled, Blasphemy of Baphomet, it’s stated that Baphomet is the Horned Serpent God of OAI-IAO. It’s common occult practice to conceal secret meanings by transposing letters. Zorn even employs a backward singing choir in the recording. (www.pitchfork media.com/recordreviews/z/zorn_john/iao.shtml) Crowley’s image can be found on the Doors album “13” and the Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s album. Ozzy sings of Mr. Crowley. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin purchased Crowley’s old house in Boleskine on the shores of Loch Ness. The Rolling Stones song, “Sympathy for the Devil”, is supposed to refer to Mr. Crowley. Ringo Starr’s CD title, “Vertical Man”, is taken from Crowley’s book Magick: Theory & Practice. John Lennon was quoted in “The Playboy Interviews with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, by David Sheff & G. Barry Golson, pg. 61 saying that the whole Beatle idea was “to do what thou wilst”, to do what you want as long as you don‘t hurt anyone. Derek Taylor, Press Officer for the Beatles was quoted in the Saturday Evening Post, 8/8/1964 saying the Beatles were completely ANTI-CHRIST. A Linkin Park Remix Album cooperates with the likes of Marilyn Manson and Orgy frontman Jay Gordon. The album remixes tracks from Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory CD. “It's basically reinterpreting all of the songs from the Hybrid Theory record,” Linkin Park guitarist Brad Delson told Rolling Stone, "collaborating with a number of different people in the hip-hop, dance and rock worlds, and really creating all new songs for pretty much our hard-core fan base that wants new music." (http://www.angelfire.com/rock2/1stepcloser/news.html) Hoobastank 2003 Linkin Park tour mates and Southern California neighbors Hoobastank echo the inner rebellion against established beliefs and the associated disillusioned attitude characteristic of nu-metal rap-rock bands like Linkin Park in songs like “Crawling in the Dark”, “Out of Control” and “Never There”. Originally named Hoobustank in 1995, the band wanted to change the name to Menace II Society but were stuck with changing it to Hoobastank from Hoobustank in 2000. Band members from Linkin Park, Hoobastank and Incubus have known each other well since high school in Southern California. Hoobastank played in L.A. with Groups such as the Pricks soon to be known as Linkin Park and Incubus. The following lyrics from Hoobastank songs further the goal of Satan’s anti-christian illuminated mystery religion occult secret societies and orders networking to destroy the Christian faith. As previously mentioned, the goal of these occult orders is to establish the New Age of Liberty and the ANTICHRIST in the New World Order based upon the Dominion and Law of the Beast 666 and the New Religion, the Law of Thelema. The New Religion teaches that Lucifer/Satan empowers one’s free will so they can be their own god. Churched people, especially middle through high school age youth, are vulnerable to the message of these bands. The music expresses the anger and disappointment of people who’ve been raised in homes and churches lacking true spirituality . Unsaved churched kids who haven’t found the truth where they expected to find it are vulnerable to being taken captive by Gnostic New Age based teaching like the Law of Thelema. "Crawling In The Dark" I will dedicate And sacrifice my everything for just a second's worth Of how my story's ending And I wish I could know if the directions that I take And all the choices that I make won't end up all for nothing Show me what it's for Make me understand it I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer Is there something more than what i've been handed? I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer Help me carry on Assure me it's ok to use my heart and not my eyes To navigate the darkness Will the ending be ever coming suddenly? Will I ever get to see the ending to my story? Show me what it's for Make me understand it I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer Is there something more than what i've been handed? I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer So when and how will I know? How much further do I have to go? How much longer until I finally know? "Out Of Control" I've done everything as you say I've followed your rules without question I thought it would help me see things clearly But instead of helping me to see I look around and it's like I'm blin ded Where should I go? What should I do? I don't understand what you want from me Cause I don't know If I can trust you I don't understand what you want from me I feel like I'm spinning out of control Try to focus but everything's twisted And all alone I thought you would be there (Thought you would be there) To let me know I'm not alone But in fact that's exactly what I was Where should I go? What should I do? I don't understand what you want from me Cause I don't know If I can trust you All of the things you've said to me I may never know the answer To this endless mystery Where should I go? What should I do? I don't understand what you want from me Is it a mystery? Is it a mystery? I'm spinning out of control Out of control I'm spinning out of control Out of control I'm spinning out of control Out of control I'm spinning out of control... Where should I go? What should I do? I don't understand what you want from me Cause I don't know If I can trust you All the things you've said to me And I may never know the answer To this endless mystery Where should I go? What should I do? I don't understand what you want from me I'm spinning out of control Out of control "Never There" I'm filling up inside Like i need to open wide And pour my heart out to you But i'll just get denied And all i wanted was someone to hear what i'm going through Everytime that i need you around You're never there (never there) You're never there (never there) Because in my life is where i need you now But you're never there (never there) You're never there (never there) You were supposed to see All the signs i left right in front of your face You were supposed to be The closest thing to being me But you're the furthest away That's because..... Everytime that i need you around You're never there (never there) You're never there (never there) Because in my life is where i need you now But you're never there (never there) You're never there (never there) You're never there And i doubt That i will ever find out If there's a way to get out Of a feeling all along Cause lately I've been thinking Maybe That no one's going to save me I'll do it on my own..... On my own INCUBUS INCUBUS: (Latin for "nightmare") takes it’s band name from medieval European folklore. The incubus is a male demon. They’ve toured with Black Sabbath, performed with Ozzfest and are collaborating with Kelly Osbourne remaking Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach”. Incubus more explicitly echoes the antichristian feelings of those committed to the Law of Thelema. Here’s a sample of song lyrics with explanatory comments by band members from incubus online.com. Incubus expresses antichristian Gnostic feelings well in their song, “Favorite Things”. This song seems to be an honest expression of a person who has heard, understood, but chose to reject the call of the Lord Jesus Christ to turn from sin, deny oneself, take up one’s cross and follow Him by faith because they loved themselves and their pleasures more than Christ. Favorite Things - is my personal beliefs about religion and how it oppresses the things I enjoy the most. Unfortunately, the simplest things, such as thinking for myself, creating my own rea lity and being whatever the hell I want to be each day of my life, are a sin. To be a good Christian basically means to give up the reigns of your life and let some unseen force do it for you." “Favorite Things” I'm thinking of my soul's sovereignty And I know everything you hate in me Fill me up with over-pious badgerings To throw them up, oh, one of my favorite things Remember all the lessons fed to me? Me the young sponge, so ready to agree Years have gone, I recognize the walking dead Now aware that I'm alive and way ahead Too bad the things that make you mad Are my favorite things And I'm so happy New Skin - I attribute a scab to the present state of society. The way the scab looks in its worst state is gross and chaotic and horrible, that's now, b ut when it breaks away, there's a brand new piece of skin that's stronger than before. It's like creation out of chaos. Idiot Box - is about TV culture. "Television, isn't good for your brain. In the song, I fantasized about a world without TV." Drive - Scott [Litt] had a big hand in arranging and producing this track with us. The lyric is basically about fear, about being driven all your life by it and making decisions from fear. It's about imagining what life would be like if you didn't live it that way . Redefine - is about the creation of your own reality and your own world. The metaphor I used was humans being like Magic Markers. For so long, they painted black and white pictures in their life because that's all they thought they could do. But they ca n paint with a different color and make a very vibrant and beautiful picture if they take control." Tool and Mudvayne Another high profile Thelemic occult magical band is named Tool. Tool toured with Ozzfest in 1998. Tool’s drummer, Danny Carey, has performed background studio drumming for the likes of Carole King. Their producer, David Bottrill, also produces the band Mudvayne, concert tour mates of Linkin Park planned a 2004 tour with the professing christian band P.O.D. Mudvayne participated in Ozzfest 2001 and say they’ve done a certain amount of study/work in the tradition of Kabbalah. They state that “metaphor and suggestion can be one of the most powerful focuses in the mind of the receiver” when asked by a fan about their knowledge and use of Kabala. (http://www.mudvayne.com/ask the band.html) Tool’s Danny Carey’s short biography detailing his summoning of a demon for magical music purposes is found at the website www.toolband.com. Danny grew up in Paola, KS. Relatively normal, an element of mystery was added to Danny's childhood when one day he spied his father with a large sword conducting a Masonic ritual. Danny would later notice himself performing similar movements when he began playing drums at the age of thirteen. As Danny progressed through high school and then college at the University of Missouri in Kansas City he began supplementing his studies in percussion with speculation into the principles of geometry, science, and metaphysics. A commitment to life as an artist brought Danny to LA where he was able to perform as a studio drummer with projects like Carole King and play around town with Pygmy Love Circus. He would later find an outlet for addressing a fuller scope of his potentials in Tool and another project operating under the ti tle of Zaum. Despite not becoming a Mason or aligning himself with any other school of religion, Danny has maintained his herita ges interest in occult studies. Endeavors into this realm have manifested periodically, such as the time he achieved insight into a hidden aspect of the unicursal hexagram utilizing an astral journey initiated through meditation and DMT. Danny then set up his drums into proportions utilizing the circle and square of the New Jerusalem and uttered a short prayer relating to the princ iples of the ace of swords from the book of Thoth. He then performed a ritual utilizing his new found knowledge of the unicursal hexagram to generate a pattern of movement in space relating to Fuller's vector equilibrium model. The resulting rhythm and gateway summoned a daemon he has contained within "the Lodge" that has been delivering short parables similar to passages within the Book of Lies. Danny recommends as a device of protection and containment a thorough study and utilization of the underlying geometry of the Temple of Solomon for anyone purchasing their next record. Tool Bassist Justin Chancellor accesses alternate reality states through music and then incorporates experiences form these occult experiences into Tool’s music. When Tool needed a bass player in 1995 the journey to America seemed simple compared to the paths he had explored within his own mind. Currently Justin has been practicing entering hypnagogic states facilitated by sonic landscapes and a highly specialized form of tensor yo ga. These function as the arc and threads that buoy and retrieve him from the watery matrices and emotional labyrinths he explores. He then utilizes these experiences as a reference point in his riffs and style to induce a holographic depth to Tool's music. Keep your eyes open for the scheduled re-release for Peach's "Giving Birth to a Stone" happening sometime soon. Guitarist Adam Jones experiences visions during his altered state experiences which he incorporates into Tool’s music. It has only been through the last nine years, however, that Adam has begun to explore the full potentials of projecting his thoughts and emotions t hrough Tool's songs, videos, and album artwork. Sometimes in this environment, Adam is able to achieve a state of synesthesia wh ere playing guitar invokes visions and images to appear before him and making videos, sketching, or sculpting creates auditory hallucinations of riffs and music. Tool’s staff includes “Satan’s little helper“, Blair Blake and Chet Zar, “Lord of Darkness“ as found on the Tool website. Chapter 8 has revealed a growing network of performers and bands either covertly or overtly involved in the network of occult religion seeking to destroy Christianity and install the Law of Thelema as the New Religion of the New World Order of ANTICHRIST and the Beast 666. Like John the Baptist was the forerunner for the Lord Jesus Christ, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God to prepare people to receive the Lord, these bands are performing a counterfeit forerunner type of ministry for the Antichrist as they increasingly condition minds to one day soon receive the future leader of the New World Order, Antichrist The Beast 666. CHAPTER 9 Is God Pleased With Our Worship Because We Say Our Purpose Is Worship? When professing Christians talk about their churches today it’s common to hear them say something like, “we go there for the music, the music is sooo… good.“ The reason this is said is usually because they like the way the music makes them feel. The lyrics to the worship songs can be pathetically boring, but if the instrumental music tickles their ears, they love it. For the time will come when they will not endure sound do ctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ea rs from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3-4) Things weren’t much different back in the days of Exodus 32. The golden calf incident recorded there for us parallels modern purpose driven worship services centered around contemporary secular based Christian music. In this incident, the Israelites were celebrating a feast to the Lord. The celebration angered the Lord because it looked and sounded like a pagan celebration even though it was dedicated to him. If you’ve ever wondered whether or not God is pleased with a worship service simply because it’s stated purpose is worship, notice how the Lord reacts to Aaron’s service. And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. (Exodus 32:1-10) What happened here that outraged the Lord. After all, Aaron had asked the Israelites to give up their golden earrings. The earrings were representative of their idolatrous allegiance to a strange god (Genesis 35:4). The Israelites obeyed Aaron and gave up their earrings. They did so, however, void of true repentance over their idolatry. In order to keep this large congregation happy in the absence of it’s leader, Moses; Aaron pacified the pleasure lovers by making a golden calf out of the earrings. Aaron’s move united the crowd in a fun celebration which included music and dancing. The celebration kept Aaron from losing control of the discontented congregation. How does this incident resemble what’s taking place in modern churches which are centered around secular based contemporary Christian music? The Israelites, like many professing Christians today, were not truly repentant over their idolatry and sin. They lacked true biblical faith. True biblical faith is marked by a hunger for a deeper knowledge of the Lord as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit through the quietness of prayer, the singing of sacred Psalms and Hymns, and the teaching of God’s word. Worship experiences driven by contemporary secular instrumentally based worship songs is about an exciting experience that reassures the crowd that they’re really worshipping. The feelings spawned by the secular music can pacify unrepentant professing Christians as Aaron pacified the faithless, unrepentant Israelites with exciting worship centered around the golden calf. Today’s evangelists and pastors operate in the same manner as Aaron when they use modern secular based worship music to cater to youthful lusts in order to pacify the lukewarm and attract followers. Of course the justification for using the music is always that we must reach the community for Christ and grow the church. In some cases this may be true and it’s not my intention here to judge motives. However, if we are reaching our communities so well using this new musical tool, why do the Barna survey statistics reveal that over 90% of professing Christians and 50% of their pastors don’t think like the Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible. It seems our secular sounding music may be changing us for the worse rather than reaching the lost for Christ. How often it is said that the church can’t reach people, especially young people, without relevant, secular based worship music. How were people converted from idols and sin to faith in Jesus Christ alone before the advent of rock music into mainstream culture in the 1950’s? “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts“Zechariah 4:6 Why transgress the commandment of God by your rock and roll tradition? Jesus preached the words below to the hypocritical religious leaders of his day who gave more authority to traditional man-made methods and teachings than the principles and commands of his holy word. They’re a warning to anyone promoting cultural traditions which are clearly prohibited by the commands and principles of scripture like secular based worship music is. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far f rom me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. (Matthew 15:3, 7-9, 12-14) The golden calf provided the Israelites a god they could see and enjoy. Even though they were laughing, playing and enjoying themselves, they angered the Lord with their pride and the graven image of the calf. They’d clearly rejected the word of the Lord and incorporated the forbidden into their worship. Regarding the incident of the golden calf, Stephen said in Acts 7:41 that Israel was rejoicing in the works of their own hands. They weren’t rejoicing in the Lord and glorifying him. Like those that mock services lacking the exciting syncopated backbeat and tone of modern rock based worship music, they rose up in pride and laughingly mocked the true solemn, reverent worship of the Lord by replacing it with something they’d made. For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire , nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so m uch as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, an d to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to t he blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:18 -29) The Lord had made it clear as recorded in Exodus 20:25 that man’s tools were not to be used on the altar of worship. Rock music is clearly man made. Yet we break this biblical principle for the sake of our rock tradition like the Israelites did in the fun and excitement of the golden calf incident. And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold. An altar of earth thou shalt make un to me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon. (Exodus 20:22 26) Boasting in music rather than the Lord The New Testament scriptures make it clear that man is only to glory or boast and be proud of the Lord, praising his character and accomplishments. We are not to honor him with our lips and then glory in man made worship tunes taken from the secular music world. This is hypocritical idolatry that feels good because the music itself is designed to make us feel good. Even though we find no specific verse stating “thou shalt not view pornography”, “thou shalt not smoke marijuana” or “thou shalt not use secular based music in worship“, both viewing pornography, smoking pot and using secular based music in worship violate scriptural principles. Although all three of these things can make a person feel good, that doesn’t make practicing these things good for us or acceptable to the Lord. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in C hrist Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and hi m crucified. (1 Corinthians 1:27-2:2) Like the vast majority of professing Christians today who glory in modern or contemporary secular based Christian music, Israel was glorifying and rejoicing in something they’d made rather than the Lord and his works. Many professing Christians don’t rejoice solely in the person and word of the Lord Jesus Christ. They complain of how “dead” a worship service is if it doesn’t include contemporary secular based worship songs. I have personally felt and said things like this in the past. I have also been almost destroyed in the past as a professing Christian through the good feelings that rock music can provide. Most professing believer’s today rejoice in music patterned after secular music. They’re unknowingly addicted to the good feelings that the music’s frequencies and beats produce within their bodies. Like Israel in the golden calf incident, we profane the name of the Lord down to the level of a molten golden calf when our joy in worship is dependent upon the good vibrations we receive from man’s secular based worship music. CHAPTER 10 Rockin’ To Lukewarmness In Roughly A Generation The sacred cow of modern rock based worship music To almost all professing American Christians today the integration of rock music into modern worship has become a “sacred cow”. Pastors and congregations alike usually don’t want anyone around their church long who doesn’t support it’s use. A sacred cow represents a person, idea, institution, or object that, if criticized, will cause the roof to literally fall in on top of the critic. Typically a sacred cow is the false invention of a skilled propagandist. Adolf Hitler correctly defined the world’s false understanding of truth in his reinterpretation of the old occult lie that “perception is reality” when he defined truth as follows: "Truth is not what is; truth is what people perceive it to be". What is the truth about rock music? The enticing words of Larry Norman, one of the early fathers of Christian rock music in the late 1960’s, have been removed from their original context and misused by evangelists and pastors of the “Jesus Movement” to help establish a foothold in the church for Christian rock music. In truth, Norman’s words are a blasphemous misinterpretation of Martin Luther’s words. The truth is, why would we who have the mind and spirit of Christ want to steal a creation of Satan’s like rock and roll music? Thank God, as Amos 5:23 tells us, that God’s ways and thoughts are far above ours and that we don’t have to settle for the noise of this world in our music. History can help unlock the truth sometimes. It’s interesting to review a mainstream secular book which was written about rock music over 30 years ago. A review of such a book reveals how far Satan has advanced in his attempts to destroy the way things are and build a new world order using music as one of his major weapons. In “The Rock Story” copyright 1970 by Jerry Hopkins and published by Signet; Hopkins, then editor of the Rolling Stone, reminds us of the following historical facts: In the mid-1950’s rock music was declared a public menace and many songs were banned. Rock music was believed to deal with sex point blank. (pg. 18) In 1955, the “Year Rhythm & Blues took over the Pop Field”, Chicago radio stations had a daily ritual of destroying rock records. The Houston Juvenile Delinquincy and Crime Commision banned over 50 songs in one session. In Washington, a Senate sub-committee began to study the relationship between rock and gangs. (pg. 23) In N.Y, a Columbia University Psychiatry associate professor said “if we can’t stem the tide of rock with it’s waves of rhythmic narcosis and future waves of vicarious craze, we are preparing our own downfall” (pg. 31) Encyclopedia Brittanica’s Yearbook called rock “insistent savagery.” (pg. 31) Rock was banished from San Antonio swimming pool jukeboxes. (pg. 31) Roman Catholic leaders called for banning rock. (pg. 31) Rock stars like Mick Jagger were called idols about which the idolatry of rock music revolved. This idolatry exists to varying degrees in a civilization the “often worships frail, 2-legged gods, many with a song and an electric guitar“. (pg. 161162) Rev. David A. Noebel of the Christian Crusade writes in Communism, Hyptnotism and the Beatles (1965) that “innocuous-sounding rhythms heard daily by American children is part of a systematic plan geared to make a generation of American youth mentally ill and emotionally unstable, hypnotizing them and preparing them for future submission to subversive control.” (pg. 209) Jimmy Hendrix is quoted as saying music is all about messing with people’s heads. (pg. 210) Joan Baez is quoted as saying musicians can make the sounds reminding us we are all sacred. (pg. 210) Arlo Guthrie is quoted as saying-”it’s not a question of how the new world gets started, but how the old one goes out-beautifully, gently or with fear, hatred and bloodshed.” (pg. 210) Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys is quoted saying-”I’m very aware of the value and power of speaking through a song, not messages-just what you can say through the music itself.” (pg. 210) This information clearly verifies that it has taken Satan roughly a generation to completely rearrange the ethical viewpoint of both America and the church concerning the character of rock music. The truth about the nature of rock music, however, hasn’t changed. Even secular musicologists, performers and producers alike testify to the rebellious sexual nature of rock’s rhythms and it’s impact upon the human mind and body. The ethical shift has occurred in the mind of the church which has been deceived by the pleasure produced by the beat and frequencies of the music. One can’t say that a negative attitude toward rock is the result of antiquated, uneducated and unenlightened thinking. Our scientific and technical knowledge has only served to validate the perceptive opinions of the last generation about the dangers of rock. No, the shift in attitude toward the morality of rock has happened gradually over time. As a result, something once considered immoral in nature is now perceived as acceptable and necessary because of the good feelings it produces in the sheep and the visible results it has produced for their shepherds. This isn’t to say that every professing Christian who listens to and advocates the use of rock based worship music is intentionally involved in something they know to be against God’s will. I know from personal experience that you can naively support rock based Christian music and rock music without blatantly immoral lyrics. You can support such music with unselfish motives and eventually have that same music play an active part in your being seduced back into sin by the devil. Many professing Christians believe rock based Christian music is acceptable because they naively accept the logical arguments supporting it and because they like it. They fail in the crucial step of first scrutinizing and testing these arguments to see if they’re true. However, rather than being led by Satan’s trickery and our emotional feelings, the Lord Jesus Christ wants our love to be Spirit led through the truth of his word so that we “abound yet more and more in knowledge (precise and correct knowledge of things ethical and divine) and in all judgment (moral discernment in ethical matters): That ye may approve (recognize as genuine after scrutinizing and testing it) things that are excellent (of more value): that ye may be sincere (tested as genuine) and without offence (not offensive and led into sin) till the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:9-10) The advent of Christian rock in the 1960’s As Plato taught, music is a form of entertainment that it can easily and gradually insinuate a kind of lawlessness against the existing political and socialorders of a nation without people being aware of it. With the advent of Christian rock in the mid1960’s following on the heels of the mid-1960’s Vatican II initiated Catholic rock and folk mass renditions, Satan began a new phase of his attack upon the true unity and strength of the body of Christ in America. Satan began this attack a few years beforehand in Britain with “gospel beat“ albums. In the United States, the first contemporary Christian rock album was released in 1966 by The Crusaders. Entitled Make a Joyful Noise With Drums and Guitars, the LP states that the group "chose the Big Beat as the means of expressing their religious faith. . . . Now, for the first time, God is praised in song through the most contemporary musical expression: The Beat." In 1968, the Zondervan Company released “Till the Whole World Knows” by a Maryland based female rock band called Sons of Thunder. 1969 brought the release of three Christian rock albums including Larry Norman's legendary “Upon This Rock“. By 1970 there were enough overtly religious rock albums for Rolling Stone magazine to ask, "With all the Jesus rock albums around today, what's a mother to do?" (Rolling Stone, 12/09/1971, pg. 21) From it’s inception, Christian rock music brought confusion and division to the church; clearly a mark of Satan’s character. Satan’s 8 point plan of attack on churches How does Satan wage such effective warfare against truth in the church? The following testimony of an ex-Satanist who before becoming a Christian infiltrated churches to destroy their spiritual life gives the following details concerning Satan’s plan of attack upon the church. "During my years in the Brotherhood I was carefully trained, and I in turn trained others in how to infiltrate and destroy Christian churches. Satan's goal is to make every chu rch or ministry like the one described by our Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 3:15 -16.” This ex-Satanist went on to reveal 8 points upon which modern Satanists are taught to attack the church. The four most points most pertinent to this chapter will nowbe considered. Here are those four critical points. 1. False Profession of faith To gain credibility...they can pretend to "get saved" with tears...Satanist can and will speak in tongues. (1 Cor. 14 : 26-28). They can not, with their own mouth, make this declaration .. "Jesus Christ who is God, who came in the flesh, died on the cross and three days later arose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of God the Fath er, this Jesus is my Lord and Savior and Master" This is the one thing they can't do...pass the test given in 1 John 4. 2. Teach and Change Doctrines Satanist particularly covet teaching positions within the church. They can do tremendous damage in these positions. Do you really know where all your teachers stand with the Lord? Words of an ex Satanist: " I taught Sunday school in a Bible believing church, while at the same time serving Satan. My heart breaks now as I think of the many young lives I destroyed by recruiting them into Satanism through those classes." Another one of the most destructive messages of today is the hea lth-andwealth message…teaching that every Christian should be healthy all the time, and wealthy. (Please read 11 Timothy 3:12) Also, The love doctrine---"We can't judge anybody." Satanists protect themselves by this doctrine and we allow it to happen. 3. Stop All Accurate Teaching About Satan Satanists are always commanded to prevent any teaching about Satan within the churche s they attend. God's word clearly teaches much about Satan, and warns us that if we are ignorant about our enemy he will surely gain an advantage over us. "Be sober, be vigilant;." " Lest Satan should take advantage of us:" (Please read 2 Cor. 2: 11, Hosea 4: 6, 1 Peter 5: 8, John 3:19) 4. Direct Attacks By Witchcraft Against Key Members of the Church This is another very good reason why prayer is so important. Any pastor and church leaders and members who are really taking a stand for the Lord and against Satan will come under tremendous attack by witchcraft. The leaders of any church must be continuously upheld in prayer and interceded for by the members of the congregation. Once such a power base is lost, the pastor and the leaders face these attacks alone. Satan’s goal is to move the church into a lukewarm spiritual state According to this ex-Satanists testimony, Satanists work to move the church into a lukewarm spiritual state. Of course, literal Satanists are not the only instruments that Satan uses to numb the church spiritually. He has many types of weapons in his arsenal. This study will focus on his use of Satanists because of their known involvement in music. The lukewarm spiritual state was the state of the church at Laodicea described in Revelation 3 as follows: And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things sa ith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretc hed, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich ; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:14-22) What is meant by a lukewarm spiritual state? The word lukewarm refers to a spiritual state in which a person becomes mentally blind to the lack of the fruit of the Spirit and Christian virtue in their life. Their work isn’t motivated by sincere Christian love for God and man. They are motivated by a selfish love of this world and it’s pleasures. Self-sufficient and satisfied with the riches and pleasures of this world, they lack the genuine fruit of the Holy Spirit that would make them a warm, glowing Christian in passionate pursuit of eternal riches, truth, righteousness and holiness. They hypocritically tolerate and enjoy evil instead of utterly detesting and avoiding it. Self-satisfied with earthly riches and pleasures, they’re blind and insensitive to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of others. Lukewarmness is state of fruitless idolatry that is to be pitied. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, t he lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (I John 2:15 -17) Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world i s enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4) A sure sign of spiritual lukewarmness is a boastful, self-confident trust in one’s own abilities and resources to enable one to acquire the things needed to sustain one’s selfish lifestyle. A lukewarm person likes the styles of the ungodly multitudes alienated from God and hostile to the Lord Jesus Christ. They’re content and well pleased with worldly pleasures and things which seduce people from God serving as obstacles to the cause of Christ and his church. They live to satisfy their lust for pleasure and don’t tolerate anyone interfering with their worldly pursuits. They’re thinking, speech, appearance and interests are conformed to this age instead of the eternal values and desires of the Lord expressed in his word. They need to repent and be transformed in their minds by the word of God before the Lord vomits them out of his mouth for their hypocritical, dead profession of faith. The Lord Jesus Christ stands knocking at the door of the lukewarm heart, speaking messages like this one, asking it to turn away from it’s idols, it’s favorite sins and sinful pleasures in order to love and follow him wholeheartedly I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And b e not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (Romans 12:1-3,9) “Were hymn tunes borrowed from the world?” Promoters of rock based worship music love to argue that the old hymn writers used secular tunes in their songs. Careful research, however, reveals that there is no truth to this argument. Neither Martin Luther or the Wesley’s would consider it acceptable to borrow tunes form the world for the purpose of worship. Dr. Peter Masters of Freedom Ministries in the UK writes the following in his article titled, “Were hymn tunes borrowed from the world?” (http://www.freedomministries.org.uk/masters/luther.shtml) The jibe is heard that Luther, for example, used tavern songs an d dance tunes for his hymns. Church music, it is said, has always been influenced by the entertainment of the secular world, and what is happening today in new-style worship is no different. If this jibe is true, then the separation texts of the Bible are undermined. Those passages which say that we must have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness are all overthrown. H ow can we have nothing to do with worldly music in worship if our ‘sacred’ music tradition depends on it? Did Luther, as it is c laimed, borrow from the secular world around him? The charge is not true. It is baseless. Throughout church history great care has been taken with the use of music. Luther loved music and wanted the people to sing. He re introduced congregational hymn sing ing in his day. He wanted hymns to have fine tunes. Before the Reformation, the Church of Rome had no congregational singing at all. The people just listened. They listened, for example, to such things as Gregorian chants, along with other items performed by those who carried out the components of the liturgy. Luther was a great composer himself, and also an adapter of other works. We read in Robert Harrell’s work, Martin Luther: His Music, Hi s Message that Luther wrote thirty-seven chorales, fifteen of which he composed himself. Thirteen were derived from Latin hymns or church music. Four were taken from German religious folk songs. Only one out of the thirty-seven came from a secular folk song. This hardly justifies the idea that Luther helped himself wholesale to secular sources. And in the case of the one drawn from a secular folk song, it is probable that the world had stolen that melody from the church, and Luther merely reclaimed it (totally adopting and sanitising it). When Luther said, ‘Why should the devil have all the good tunes?’ he spoke in the context of Catholic chanting. He was not interested in stealing from the world around him, but providing singable melodies so that congr egations could begin to sing. If a secular melody was used, it was very greatly changed. And what else would we expect from the Reformer who wrote these words: ‘Take special care to shun perverted minds who prostitute this lovely gift of nature and of art with their erotic rantings. And be quite assured that none but the devil goads them on to defy their very nature … They purloin the gift of God and use it to worship the foe of God.’ Luther clearly believed that music was to be identified with its source a nd users. It was the world of those days that stole freely from the church to obtain a melody for a bawdy bar song. But hymn tun es have never (before now) been drawn from, or fashioned by, the musical idiom promoting and characterising a godless society. Luther boldly asserted that he had never used a bar song or a dance tune. People charge him with a ‘crime’ of which he would have been appalled. We repeat, it is a charge not substantiated by history. In the course of the Reformation we gained the Genevan Psalter. We still use many of its tunes today. Carl Johansson makes this observation on page 50 of “Music and Ministry: A Biblical Counterpoint“: "But the thrust of the popular music of Luther's time and the thrust of our pop music is as different as night is from day. There was a systematic unity in the sixteenth century musical world which no longer exists in today's music. … The popular music of the time had a folk-like character far removed from modern-day pop." Another authority concerning sixteenth century times writes that “a difference between sacred and secular music hardly existed." (Eric Bloom, ed., Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 5th edition, I, p. 848). The Wesley’s It’s also unthinkable that the Wesley brothers would borrow tunes from the ungodly and use them for sacred hymns. Hymn-writing brothers John and Charles Wesley have been dead for centuries now, but their music lives on as inspiring songs of the church. Something else that seems destined to live on is the myth that the brothers used English drinking and tavern songs as the melodies for their timeless hymns. Nothing could be further from the truth, the Rev. Dean McIntyre, director of music resources for the United Methodist Church, told the United Methodist News Service (UMNS): “Given their aesthetic and theological sense, it would [have been] unthinkable for them to do so,” he said. McIntyre said the erroneous assumption often arises because the Wesley’s preached the gospel in public places where people who needed Jesus were prone to gather. But the myth really started over a misunderstanding of the musical term “bar tune” or “bar form,” which, explained McIntyre, is a medieval poetry pattern made up of three or more stanzas. The pattern became established as a common form for songwriting, especially hymns. McIntyre said that someone with no background in medieval poetry heard the term “bar form” in connection with John Wesley, and concluded that the hymnist’s works were based on tavern songs. McIntyre said that the Wesley’s used the bar form in composing many of the Church’s enduring hymns, including “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness,” “Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me,” “And Can It Be That I Should Gain,” and “We Lift Our Hearts to Thee.” (source: goodnewsetc.com/092SND2.htm) John Wesley published his first collection of Psalms and Hymns, including his own translations from the German. It was printed at Charleston, S.C. in 1737. (http://wesley.nnu.edu/JohnWesley/methodist/ch6.htm) Here are some of Wesley’s remarks concerning that book expressing his desire, in obedience to the word of God, to impart biblical truth for perfecting holiness in the life of the believer through singing hymns. “For many years I have been importuned to publish such a hymn-book as might be generally used in all our congregations throughout Great Britain and Ireland. I have hitherto withstood the importunity, as I believed such a publication was needless, considering the various hymn-books which my brother and I have published within these forty years last past; so that it may be doubted whether any religious community in the world has a greater variety of them…Such a Hymn -Book you have now before you. It is not so large as to be either cumbersome or expensive; and it is large enough to contain such a variety of hymns as will not soon be worn threadbare. It is large enough to contain all the important truths of our most holy religion, whether speculative or practical; yea, to illustrate them all and to prove them both by Scripture and reason; and this is done in a regular order. The hymns are not carelessly jumbled together, but carefully ranged under proper heads, according to the experience of real Christians. So that this book is, in effect, a little body of experimental and practical divinity. 5. As but a small part of these hymns is of my own composing, I do not think it inconsistent with modesty to declare, that I am persuaded no such hymn -book as this has yet been published in the English language. In what other publication of the kind have you so distinct and full an account of scriptural Christianity? Such a declaration of the heights and depths of religion, speculative and practical? so strong cautions against the most plausible errors; particularly those that are now most prevalent? and so clear directions for making your ca lling and election sure; for perfecting holiness in the fear of God? (http://gbgm- umc.org/umhistory/wesley/hymns/jwchpm10.txt) Excerpts from a Wesley sermon titled, “On Friendship with the World”, shown below reveal the strict attention that Wesley gave to teaching his people to avoid becoming like the unsaved people in the world. Wesley realized the importance of the believer remaining holy, that is separated from the world’s idols and pleasures and dedicated to the will of God. Clearly this godly man or his brother, Charles, would not have invalidated their clear biblical teaching by borrowing hymn tunes from an ungodly world. "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of this world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore desireth to be a friend of the world is an enemy of God." (James 4:4) There is a passage in St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, which has been often supposed to be of the same import with this: "Be not conformed to this world:" (Rom. 12:2) But it has little or n o relation to it; it speaks of quite another thing. Indeed the supposed resemblance arises merely from the use of the word world in both places. This naturally leads us to think that St. Paul means by conformity to the world, the same which St. James means by friendship with the world: whereas they are entirely different things, as the words are quite different in the original: for St. Paul's word is aion St. James's is kosmos. However, the words of St. Paul contain an important direction to the children of God. As if he had said, "Be not conformed to either the wisdom, or the spirit, or the fashions of the age; of either the unconverted Jews, or the Heathens, among whom ye live. You are called to show, by the whole tenor of your life and conversation, that you are 'renewed in the spirit of your mind', after the image of him that created you;' and that your rule is not the example or will of man, but 'the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.' " Yet are there very few subjects of so deep importance; few that so nearly concern the very essence of religion, the life of God in the soul; the continuance and increase, or the decay, yea, extinction of it. From the want of instruction in this respect the most melancholy consequences have followed. These inde ed have not affected those who were still dead in trespasses and sins; but they have fallen heavy upon many of those who were tr uly alive to God. They have affected many of those called Methodists in particular; perhaps more than any other people. For want of understanding this advice of the Apostle, (I hope rather than from any contempt of it) many among them are sick, spiritually sick, and many sleep, who were once thoroughly awakened. And it is well if they awake any more till their souls are required of them. It has appeared difficult to me to account for what I have frequently observed: many who were once greatly alive to God, whose conversation was in heaven, who had their affections on things above, not on things of the earth; though they walked in all the ordinances of God, though they still abounded in good works, and abstained from all known sin, yea, and from the appearance of evil; yet they gradually and insensibly decayed; (like Jonah's gourd, when the worm ate the root of it) insomuch that they are less alive to God now, than they were ten, twenty, or thirty years ago. But it is easily accounted for, if we observe, that as they increased in goods, they increased in friendship with the world; Which, indeed, must always be the case, unless the mighty power of God interpose. But in the same proportion as they increased in this, the life of God in their soul decreased. Is it strange that it should decrease, if those words are really found in the oracles of God: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?" What is the meaning of these words? Let us seriously consider. And m ay God open the eyes of our understanding; that, in spite of all the mist wherewith the wisdom of the world would cover us, we m ay discern what is the good and acceptable will of God! Let us, First, consider, what it is which the Apostle here means by the world. He does not here refer to this outward frame of things, termed in Scripture, heaven and earth; but to the inhabitants of the earth, the children of men, or at least, the greater part of them. But what part? This is fully determined both by our Lord himself, and by his beloved disciple. First, by our Lord himself. His words are, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated m e before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: But because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. And all these things will they do unto you, because they know not him that sent me." (John 15:18, &c.) You see here "the world" is placed on one side, and those who "are not of the world" on the other. They whom God has "chosen out of the world," namely, by "sanctifi cation of the Spirit, and belief of the truth," are set in direct opposition to those whom he hath not so chosen. Yet again: Those "who know not him that sent me," saith our Lord, who know not God, they are "the world." "But what kind of friendship is it which we may not have with the world? May we not converse with ungodly men at all? Ought we wholly to avoid their company?" By no means. The contrary of this has been allowed already. If we were not to converse wi th them at all, "we must needs go out of the world." Then we could not show them those offices of kindness which have been alrea dy mentioned. We may, doubtless, converse with them, First, on business; in the various purposes of this life, according to that station therein, wherein the providence of God has placed us; Secondly, when courtesy requires it; only we must take great care not to carry it too far: Thirdly, when we have a reasonable hope of doing them good. But here too we have an especial need of c aution, and of much prayer; otherwise, we may easily burn ourselves, in striving to pluck other brands out of the burning. We may easily hurt our own souls, by sliding into a close attachment to any of them that know not God. This is the friendship which i s "enmity with God:" We cannot be too jealous over ourselves, lest we fall into this deadly snare; lest we contract, or ever we are aware, a love of complacence or delight in them. Then only do we tread upon sure ground, when we can say with the Psalmist, "All my delight is in the saints that are upon earth, and in such as excel in virtue." We should have no needless conversations with them. It is our duty and our wisdom to be no oftener and no longer with them than is strictly necessary. And during the who le time we have need to remember and follow the example of him that said, "I kept my mouth as it were with a bridle while the ungodly was in my sight." (http://gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/Wesley/sermons/serm-080.stm) Apostasy in music What godly men like Luther and Wesley never did modern believers have done without blushing in patterning their music after the world. Many of today’s modern instrumental “christian” music styles are carbon copies of mainstream secular music. Many professing Christian performers and bands dress, walk, talk and enjoy the same music as their worldly counterparts. Some professing Christian performers and bands perform and record both secular and “christian” music. Most use instrumental accompaniment that would have been considered unacceptable by the church prior to the 1960’s Beatles invasion and the associated impact of rock n’ roll rhythms upon American minds. The integration of varying modes of secular rhythms rooted in rock ’n roll has helped the church to become increasingly lukewarm partially because of the effect of it’s instrumental music upon the subconscious mind. The effect of instrumental music upon the mind was discussed briefly in an earlier chapter. Here’s a summary of the research information presented in that chapter: The nerves of the ear have an extensive network of connections from the brain to the functions of the body enabling it to affect our pulse rate, blood pressure, muscles, nervous system, digestion and glands. Instrumental music completely bypasses our master brain centers involving reason and intelligence and enters our body through the thalamus. The thalamus is a relay station to our emotions, sensations and feelings. As a result, our emotions and actions can be affected unconsciously by the power of instrumental music. Testimonies from the world’s greatest philosophers, knowledgeable music professionals, scientific evidence and scriptural truth provide irrefutable proof that instrumental music has a powerful emotional message of it’s own even when divorced from the enhancing power of lyrics. Origin of the term rock and roll Why would rock music have a negative effect upon a person spiritually? According to American music author and teacher, Robert Palmer in his book, Deep Blues, the origin of the term “rock n’ roll” goes back at least to the Delta bluesman of the 1930’s where listeners referred to having sex as “rocking and rolling”. The term went mainstream in the 1951 when wild WJW Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed popularized it with the help of hit songs like “60 Minute Man”. Songs like that were full of sexual overtones and innuendos. In it‘s many varied forms from soft to Heavy Metal, including but not limited to funk disco, pop, new wave techno, rap, rap-rock, nu-metal, punk, ska, blues, jazz-rock, hip-hop, rockabilly, country, alternative, garage, grunge, reggae, drum & bass, goth, hard-core, and industrial, rock music has always been about sex and the celebration of self. Many of it’s performers have been quoted over the years saying exactly that. Frank Zappa, John Oates, Ted Nugent, K.I.S.S., Tina Turner, Bono…these and many others have testified to the link between the nature of rock’s rhythms and our sexual nature. Clearly, rock music is about selfpossession or being “cool” rather than being Holy Spirit possessed and holy. It’s pleasure oriented rhythm has led the church to become increasingly self centered and feelings based rather than Christ centered and truth based. It has led the church to falsely believe that the positive feelings the music can stimulate within the body undoubtedly equate to the presence of God in worship. An almost effeminate, romantic caricature of Jesus Christ has grown out of the tone, rhythm and poetry of popular soft-rock, pop-rock style worship songs which first hit some areas of the U.S. church as early as the late 1960‘s. This had led to an overemphasis of teaching focused on his humanity, grace and mercy and what he can do for us and a neglect of his divine righteousness, holiness, justice and sovereign authority and how we should live for him. Unbiblical music has helped to put the minds of both the pastorteacher and the congregation alike into the mode of teaching and receiving messages that make everyone feel good about God and their relationship with him irregardless of people’s moral and ethical character. As a result of shallow, elemental teaching increasingly void of practical, everyday moral and ethical implications, the character of the Lord Jesus Christ has been misrepresented. At the start of this chapter it was pointed out that Plato taught music is a form of entertainment that it can easily and gradually insinuate a kind of lawlessness against the existing political and social orders of a nation without people being aware of ti . Music has shown that to be true in the last few decades in the church. Another gospel and another Christ have been unknowingly incorporated into many churches as a result of changes in music. The lack of sound doctrine and balanced teaching of the whole counsel of the Word of God accompanying the spread of soft-pop rock worship music within the church has led the church to grow comfortable with and increasingly conformed to the values, attitudes, appearance and interests of this age. Harder edge rock music that started to gain some acceptance in the church by the 1980’s has become much harder edge and more widely accepted as Satan uses it to gradually position the church to fully depart from the true biblical revelation of God’s character prior to the revealing of the Antichrist. CHAPTER 11 Mass Musical Deception Led By Professing Christians Jesus said professing Christians will deceive many near the end of the world Not only do Satanists infiltrate the church in order to deceive it and destroy it’s spiritual life; Jesus taught that false teachers professing to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will teach and model lifestyles contradictory to sound doctrine which will deceive the church. The scriptures prophecy that this deception will come near the end of the age just before Jesus Christ returns to earth. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell u s, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and sai d unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:2-5; parallel passages in Luke 21 and Mark 13) According to Jesus, deception will come through those who “come in my name, saying, I am Christ.” Please note that it’s Jesus who’s speaking in this verse and that the context of his teaching is the future end of the world or the end of the age. The question raised by his disciples which prompted his prophecy was: “when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus began answering this prophetic question by telling his disciples that deceivers will come “in his name”. In other words, Jesus is telling his followers that deceivers will come who profess to be serving him and his interests. He also says that they come saying “he is Christ”. Jesus isn’t saying that these deceivers are coming in someone else’s name, such as Maitreya. Although it’s possible that Jesus is saying that the deceivers will be saying that they themselves are Christ, which is typical of Gnostic Luciferic religious initiates, I believe that Jesus is simply telling us that the disciples will come in Jesus’ name. Friends, this means that the deceivers Jesus is warning us about will be professing Christians. In spite of the fact that the deceivers will profess to be serving Jesus Christ, Jesus warns us that they’ll deceive many. This is difficult for us to swallow because many modern Christians have been falsely led to believe that the only thing that really matters theologically is that a person believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Although belief in the deity, atoning crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ as Lord is the foundational truth essential to saving faith, it is only the first link in the chain of sound doctrine essential to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The book of Hebrews tells us that the doctrine of Christ is only one elementary principle of the true Christian faith and that there are many doctrines beyond the elementary doctrine of Christ that are essential to true faith and necessary for the maturity of the Christian. Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on u nto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1-2) Does professing a saving relationship with Jesus Christ mean you‘re saved? To believe that all that really matters in the life of a professing Christian is what they believe and say about their relationship to Jesus Christ is like saying that all that matters in the life of a newborn child is that it has been properly delivered out of the womb. If a baby isn’t fed the right nutrients, protected, nurtured, disciplined and properly educated in truth it will die prematurely. The same principle could be illustrated using examples from the Lord’s creation. Just because a seed germinates and a plant sprouts out of the ground doesn’t mean that the plant will someday produce fruitful vegetation, etc. To go one step further, to believe that someone is genuinely a Christian because they profess to believe in and serve Jesus Christ, belong to an orthodox Christian denomination, agree with evangelical Christianity’s statement of faith, possess a Christian worldview, and are active in helping a Christian church grow numerically is also a great deception. Not only is it critical that a person say they believe the right things, that professed belief needs to be validated by the fruit of repentance towards God and the presence of the good spiritual fruit of the Holy Spirit in the life of the professing believer. This is the sobering truth and each of us needs to examine ourselves against the word of God to see if our personal character and values are in synch with our profession of faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. True assurance of salvation isn’t based on being able to recall a time out of our memory bank that we “asked Jesus into our heart”. True assurance is based upon the Spirit of God bearing witness with our spirit (Galatians 4:6) that we are the children of God because we love the brethren by loving God and keeping his commandments. (1 John 4:12-5:21) Based upon 1 John 5:21, one of those commandments would be to keep ourselves from idols like secular music, even if the secular music is labeled worship music and mixed with lyrics labeled Christian. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2 Corinthians 13:5) Yes, it’s only by grace that we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Personal salvation is certainly not from any inborn trace of God within ourselves, however; to claim personal salvation without a repentant heart toward God over our sin and idolatry is not according to the sound doctrine of scripture and is heresy. (Matthew 7:21-23; Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 2:11-15; Ephesians 5:5-7) Satan’s ministry team creating another Jesus and gospel through music Paul warns the church in 2 Corinthians 11 that it is possible for Satan to deceive the church into receiving a counterfeit Jesus and gospel which at first view seems to be the real deal. The forbidden tree in the midst of the garden was apparently good from Eve’s limited human perspective and wisdom. Satan used something which Eve considered good to destroy her relationship with God. He beguiled, or wholly seduced her through his cunning, false wisdom. Likewise today, Satan has a growing last days music ministry team deceitfully being disguised as ambassadors of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nobody knows how many professing Christian musicians are knowingly misrepresenting Christ through music. I believe some know what they are doing is wrong. At the same time I believe that some of the self-deceived sincerely believe they serve Jesus Christ. To the undiscerning Christian, the message of rock based Christian music appears to be the truth and is pleasing to the ears and flesh. The message and philosophy of ministry of the musical seducers is apparently right because it works. It’s not boring; it’s cool, popular, and exciting. It helps ministries and churches prosper. It apparently is bringing many people into the kingdom of God as a result of the fresh music and approach to ministry. The following and cash flow of the deceivers is multiplied as electronic media circulates their radical new Christian teaching, fashion and lifestyle worldwide. Their ministry is slowly and to varying degrees transforming the church to be conformed to the god of this world who has blinded it‘s spiritual eyes. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (2 Cor inthians 11:3-4) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13 -15) Satan’s fierce rage against true Christianity is unchanging Satan’s character has not changed in the thousands of years since the seduction of Eve in the garden of Eden. His character will never change, although it’s corrupting influence will one day be forever eliminated. Satan is still fiercely intolerant towards anyone whose allegiance is to the Lord’s will instead of his own will. This fierce intolerance will culminate during a dangerous period of falling away or “apostasy” near the end of the age just before Jesus Christ returns. This period will be a time during which the spiritual state of professing Christians will be characterized by revolt or rebellion against the will of God as revealed in the truth of his word. Selfish, greedy, lustful, pleasure loving imposters in the professing church will be used by Satan to persecute the true church of Jesus Christ and lead many professing Christians astray from the truth into apostasy. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8 -9) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, nei ther by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving (leading others astray from the truth), and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3: 1 -5, 12-13) Satan’s goal at the end of the age is to destroy Christianity in order to wrestle the worship received by Jesus Christ away from him so that he is exclusively worshipped by the world. Demonically inspired secular music in the name of Christ is one of the tools to be used by Satan to bind the Spirit void masses to his will in the last days. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. H e that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:4 -10) Some of Satan’s seductive work within the church will be increasingly aided by professing Christian musicians. This work is already well underway. Even now, when an American Christian refuses to embrace modern rock based contemporary Christian music they seriously risk becoming isolated and labeled by the professing church as an old, boring, dead “fundamentalist“ or a narrow minded, irrelevant religious “Pharisee“. Young churched kids often have a particular dislike and possibly even a hatred toward a professing Christian who doesn’t believe in rock based music. Eventually those opposed to rock based worship music risk being emotionally rejected if they don‘t succumb to cult-like pressure from pastors and members to believe in rock and yield their spirit to the beat. Even if there was a biblical basis for using rock based worship music in the church, we aren’t at liberty to offend the faith of other believers by trying to force them to participate in something they believe displeases God by asking them to either rock with the flock or leave. This selfish, unloving attitude towards another believer is uncharacteristic of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Russian church labels American Christian Rock music “music from hell” In the 1960’s Americans still prayed in public schools and some Americans believed that rock music was a Russian weapon being used to corrupt, seduce and ultimately control the minds of Americans. In 1992, however, America is found exporting Christian rock music to Russia and Russian Christians communicate that this music is corrupting their youth. As you read the pastoral letter below please consider that the true character of the Lord is unchanging. The Lord Jesus Christ is the same Lord he was in the 1960’s. The Lord Jesus Christ’s character was the same in Russia as it was in America in 1992. However, at that time American ambassadors for Jesus Christ were boldly defending their use of Christian rock music in Russian mission work while Russian Christians called the same music “music from hell”. Both of these nations should have been able to worship and serve the Lord together in 1992 if they were both living in the truth. One of these nations, however, was not living in the truth and was absolutely wrong concerning their image of God and the acceptability of rock based Christian music. The churches of both nations couldn’t have been correct in their opposing views or Christ can be divided. Rock based Christian music is just as divisive in the America church today as it was in Russia in 1992. The only difference is that in Russia in 1992, the majority was against the music. In America today, however, the majority is for the music. Consider this copy of a 1992 letter from the Head of Unregistered Union of Churches in Russia which was printed in “Life” on 5/21/1992: For thirty years we have suffered intense persecution. Now freedom is bringing another great harm to our churches. This damage is coming from Christians in America who are sending rock music and evangelists accompanied by rock bands. Our young people do not attend those meetings because we have all committed not to participate in secular entertainment. This is a great burden to our hearts. Many come with Bible in hand and rock music. We are embarrassed by this image of Christianity. We do not know what words to use in urging that this be stopped. We abhor all Christian rock music coming to our country. Rock music has nothing in common with ministry or the service to God. We are very much against Christian Americans bringing to our country this false image of "ministry" to God. We need spiritual bread... not false cakes. It is true that rock music attracts people to the church, but not to Godly living. We were in pr ison for fifteen years for Christ's sake. We were not allowed to have Christian music, but ROCK MUSIC was used as a weapon against us day and night to destroy our souls. We could only resist with much prayer. Now, we have a time of more openness. We are no longer taken to prison. However, now it is Christians from America who damage our souls. We do not allow this music in our chur ch, but these "evangelist" rent big stadiums and infect teenagers and adults with their rock music. We, the leadership and congr egations of the Unregistered churches urge you to join with us, and we advise you to remove rock music from America. Do not desecrate our teenagers with it. Even the unbelievers recognize it is unholy music. We call this music, "music from hell." We urge all Americans to stop giving money for the organizations of such concerts in Russia. We only want traditional Christian music in our churches. This is the unanimous decision of all our leaders. Peter Peters and Vasilij Ryzhuk, Unregistered Union of Churches , Moscow, Russia, April 15, 1992 What is the root of such unholy confusion? Satan authors deception in Christian music through the disorder between the emotional message of a song’s instrumental rock based music and it’s lyrics For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33) Let all things be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40) In their context, the above scriptures teach that God’s character is to be reflected in his church through peaceful and tranquil speech and music and not through disorder and rage. Since instrumental music has it’s own emotional message apart from the poetry or lyrics of a song, both the music and the lyrics of a song must be ordered or arranged to suitably represent the true character of God as revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ. If the instrumental music and the lyrics aren’t synchronized, a deceptive message about the true character of the Lord Jesus Christ is communicated. God’s majestic holy divine nature cannot be accurately reflected in cold, aggressive, wild, exciting, rebellious, angry, sensual, dark depressing musical tones. In spite of this fact, the majority of mainstream contemporary Christian rock based music and secular music performed by professing Christian performers today express the fruit of their labor for Christ through instrumental music which misrepresents God’s holy character. Instrumental music creates an image of God. If that music misrepresents the Lord; a graven image, false god, idol or false Christ is created. Creating such an idol directly violates the commandments of God in Exodus 20:1-6 which tell us not to follow another god together with, in addition to, or in place of the true Lord God. The church today tends to accept just about anyone into it’s community that professes to believe in Jesus Christ. In a culture heavily influenced by musical idols, it is dangerous to the spiritual welfare of the church to embrace every musician who says they believe in Jesus as a true Christian. The following scriptures are a warning to those of us who might be tempted to believe that a profession of faith in Christ is all that is necessary for a person to be saved. (Matthew 7:13-23; 2 Peter 1:3-11; Galatians 5:19-24; James 2:18-26; 1 John 3:7-10) CHAPTER 12 Professing Christians Deceiving Through Mainstream Rock Music Harder Edge music from professing Christian performers In order to help illustrate how modern music is impacting the church spiritually a sampling of some of the most popular bands consisting of professing Christians will now be reviewed to see what kind of spiritual fruit these performers are yielding. An important spiritual principle to keep in mind throughout the study of this chapter is the scriptural truth taken from Paul’s letters to the Galatians and the Corinthians that states: “ a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump“ In other words, the church isn’t to tolerate sin and doctrinal error in it’s professing membership. If sin or doctrinal error is tolerated, it’s destructive influence will spread throughout the overall body of Christ like a little bit of yeast spreads throughout an entire batch of bread dough. The following article provides a good overview of how the secular press perceives the harder edge punk, hard-core, grunge, new metal and independent rock Christian bands. The name of the article dated 6/12/2003 is Rock of ages: Christian bands crossover written by Neil Strauss (New York Times) and taken from the International Herald Tribune On-Line. (http://www.iht.com/articles/99248.html) The scriptures in parentheses following selecting quotes from the article provide the Lord’s point of view in contrast to the viewpoint of the professing Christians. Yet it wasn't clear whether the band, with its punk-edged power pop, belonged at the Revelation Room, one of many independent clubs across the country booking only bands with Christian members or messages, or should have been at a mainstream rock club. (I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15 -16)) The Revelation Room, across from the Sonic drive-in restaurant on Highway 19, is the only place to see live music in a dry county. It is open only on Saturdays. Admission is $7; sodas are 50 cents. On a recent Saturday the headliner was Anberlin. Its five members, ages 16 to 26, were s cruffy, hip, unwashed, malnourished road warriors constantly cracking inside jokes. Like any other rock band. But Anberlin isn't just any rock band. Like every group that plays the Revelation Room, all its members describe themselves as Christian, and its lyrics are uniformly positive and responsible. Yet it wasn't clear whether the band, with its punk -edged power pop, belonged at the Revelation Room, one of many independent clubs across the country booking only bands with Christian members or messages, or should have been at a mainstream rock club. "I just want to say one thing," said Joey Milligan, the band's lead guitarist. "We are not a Christian band…but we are all Christians." (Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:16-17)) Since the hair-metal Christian band Stryper broke into the mainstream in the 1980s, dressed in bumblebee colors and pelting fans with Bibles fired from canons, many people have scoffed at Christian rock as no more than well-scrubbed sermonizing using electric guitars. But that stereotype has been changing. A new crop of bands has appeared on Christian-owned labels, many playing Christian-owned clubs. Unlike their forebears, who made weak imitations of already-popular music as a way to spread the Gospel, these new bands are making original, high -quality music and attracting fans for their sound, not their message. The Christian-rock underground is now as much a steppingstone to mainstre am success as any other music scene. Despite the image of Christian pop as soft and conformist, most of these bands work on the harder edges of rock: punk, hard-core, grunge, new metal and indie rock. "What's interesting to me is that this is another ferti le ground for development," said Tim Devine, the general manager of Columbia Records, who recently signed a Christian grunge ban d called Switchfoot to the label. "And other than the lyrics having a positive slant, it is not much different than other scenes that have burgeoned over the years. For John Rubeli, a talent scout for Atlantic Records who signed POD, a punk group from the Christian scene that has cracked the Billboard Top 10, the strength of the movement is its national network of clubs. "The whole thing about the Christian market is that all these bands are able to tour because youth groups and churches have the ability to put on shows," he said. "Because much of it is in the suburbs, a lot of these kids going to the shows aren't even Christian kids, but their parents won't allow them to go to rock shows. (“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)) So then they tell their moms that their friend Mike's youth group from church is putting on the sho w, and their parents can call Mike's mom to check. This is where I found POD. POD (which stands for Payable on Death), whose manager used to run a Christian rock club, is no anomaly. In the past year other acts from the Christian touring circuit have found mainstream success, among them Chevelle (which is on this year's Ozzfest, the summer hard-rock tour led by Ozzy Osbourne), Evanescence (whose album "Fallen" is No. 3 on the Billboard pop charts) and, the most popular of them all, Creed. Beyond them many other bands on Christian-owned labels are bubbling just under the Billboard charts. Many are on the Seattle-based Tooth Nail label, home to Anberlin, as well as the Christian bands Further Seems Forever, Mae, Zao and Starflyer 59. All are being pursued by m ajor labels. Other Tooth Nail bands, like the Juliana Theory, MxPx and POD, have already been signed by majors. "When I talk to major labels and say that some of our bands are playing these Christian venues, they say that they've never heard of them," said Brandon Ebel, who owns and runs Tooth Nail. "Then, when I tell them that 1,000 people are coming to the shows, they flip out." Ebel founded Tooth Nail 10 years ago when he noticed that there were several high -quality Christian hard-core, punk and indie-music bands on the West Coast. Christian labels wouldn't sign them because their music was too heavy, and independent labels wouldn't because of the Christian association. Now, Ebel said, "as soon as we sign a new band, we get e-mails from major labels." The genre is divided between a more traditional, contemporary-pop sound intended only for a Christian audience and a more underground, independent, nonpreachy music, which has a better shot at breaking into the rock mainstream. “Much of traditional Christian pop is intended to give teenagers positive lyrics and role models packaged to look like current musical stars“. (“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen“. (1 John 5:21)) The running joke in the business is that the mainstream Christian music industry judges records by counting GPMs, or Gods per minute. In contrast, on smaller, independen t labels like Tooth Nail and Squint, the bands are simply making the music they like; there is no attempt to convert nonbeliever s or to be parent-friendly. The influence of the music is reverberating beyond the Christian alternative music circuit. For example the members of Zao, a band on Tooth Nail, are considered innovators by hard-core bands of any faith. And Me Without You, a newer band, has replaced the now-defunct At the Drive-In as the one of the best post-hard-core bands of the moment. "In the past Christian music has been very trite," said Stephen Christian, the singer in Anberlin. "One of the reasons we're breaking out of this mold is that there are labels like Tooth Nail and Squint who are putting out music with creative artists, not a copying sensibility. The idea is that no longer are we going to mimic; we are going to lead." One reason these bands are gaining popularity is that, in addition to playing the standard rock hole-in-the-wall, they are working on a touring circuit that exists just for them. "If you're only playing punk rock clubs, you're limiting yourself," Christian said. "But we can walk into any city and have at least 15 places to choose from" - a youth group, a church, a local rock club, a coffeehouse. Several fans did help Anberlin load its equipment into a van after the Revelation Room performance. The band then drove two hours to the Dreamworld Music Comp lex in Arlington, just outside Dallas. Though Dreamworld is also Christian -owned, it books all types of bands. One night a hard-core rock band like Cannibal Corpse singing profane, explicit lyrics may be playing; another night a clean-cut Christian pop star like Phil Joel of the Newsboys will be onstage. "I'm a Christian business owner, but this is a business, not a ministry," (“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)) said John Tunnell, a co-owner. "I think bands that have a primarily Christian draw can have a hard time being booked at other clubs, not because they're Christian but because their audience isn 't going to drink - at least, not that much." Club bookings, however, are the least concern of most Christian bands. Their bigger worry is alienating both the Christian music industry and mainstream music fans as they try to cross over. The contemporary Christian music world generally rejects a band with lyrics that are interpreted as negative or offensive. Now that Further Seems F orever, for example, has become one of the latest bands to break out of the Christian scene, the group has stopped performing at Christian-only clubs (though it sometimes still plays at the festivals). "We were playing a lot of these places because they want to see music, and they agree with a lot of the things that we agree with," said Chad Neptune, who plays bass in Further Seems Forever. "The problem came into play when people at some of these places are very judgmental, and they have certain expectations of every member of the band and certain premeditated ideas of what you should be about." At the same time, as bands from the Christian club touring circuit strive for general market success, many are worried that other music fans will be wary of them, seeing them as stereotypical proselytizers. Jon Foreman, the singer in Switchfoot, said that though the band had been open about it beliefs, he worried that "someone will judge our music based on a preconceived notion." But Devine, at Columbia Records, said Switchfoot's Christian background was not a large concern when signing the group. "With some of these bands, it's actually hard to tell the difference," he said. "Did people buy POD and Evanescence because they come from the Christian scene, or because they were exposed to great songs on the radio? I suspect with the numbers those bands are selling, it's more the latter." Which is not to say that in crossing over these bands are likely to leave Jesus behind. "I walked around the GMAs," said Christian, of Anberlin, referring to the Gospel Music Association's annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee, "and I thought, 'I would wonder if Jesus would be in any of these bands.' Why would he be here? God said, 'Why send a doctor to those who are well; I'm going to send a doctor to the sick.' I guarantee you he would have been opening up for the Sex Pistols back in the day." (And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil“. (Ephesians 5:3-16)) Whether or not the writer of this article is a professing Christian is unclear. He loves this music although he perceives that it’s secular music coming from professing Christians. The fact professing Christians are comfortable playing secular styled music seems to confuse him a bit. His false image of the Lord Jesus Christ as a potential punk rock star helps him justify the musical attitude of the bands. In addition, this article reveals the major role that America’s suburban church leadership has played in helping incorporate secular music into the church and into the lives of both non-Christians and professing Christians. It reveals the lack of a wholehearted commitment to truth of the Lord Jesus Christ in the lives of band members and professing Christian club owners. Those interviewed clearly revealed that they weren’t solely in business to serve the Lord. The overriding motive was to be as successful as possible according to the standards of secular culture. At best these professing Christians reveal themselves as lukewarm hearts impossibly trying to be friends of God and the world simultaneously. Now it’s time to take a look at the highly successful professing Christian band. P.O.D. The music of this band is described as “positive” rap-rock or nu-metal music. P.O.D. (Payable on Death) and the New Age Triqueta 666 symbol P.O.D. has played Ozzfest with the likes of Marilyn Manson and Ozzy in 2000 and 2002. The members profess Christianity, and it’s called a Christian band, although they unashamedly state that they don‘t write for Christians. Influenced by the New Age likes of Carlos Santana and Rastaferian Bob Marley, they toured in 2004 with Linkin Park. References in their music to Jah is the Rastaferian name for God. Their religion has been called a cross-fade of Christianity, Rastaferianism and Judiasm by reviewers. "Wuv and the band have structured their lives around a spiritual belief system that cr oss-fades Christianity, Rastaferianism and Judaism." (Joyful Noisemakers, Spin, October 2001, p. 88) They incorporate the Satanic symbol the dot within a circle as one of their occult symbols. Previously it was pointed out that P.O.D. has recorded with New Age shaman Carlos Santana. P. O. D. ‘s latest release has been barred from most Christian bookstores, not because of it’s music, but because of it’s cover art “which depicts a naked woman with butterfly wings, her arms crossed over her breasts and a banner with the word "Sanctus" (a Latin word for the sung part of the preface in Mass) across her nether region. The bookstores' main complaint is that you can see the woman's pubic bone, a spokesperson for the band said, but they're also unhappy that the artwork uses a sacred word in a sexual manner.” (12/28/03 mtv.com interview) P.O.D. boldly uses the tributary or the triskele symbol, a symbol used by practicing New Agers and witchcraft. The Triqueta is used as the centerpiece for the logo for The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (ITP). The ITP is a new age school following the Jungian Psychology [occultist Carl Jung]. One of their stated goals is ". . . to reach the recognition of divinity within." (www.itp.edu/about/tp.html) The occult television show "Charmed" details the spells and occult practices of three witches. P.O.D.’ s symbol is the show's primary symbol of witchcraft and is splattered throughout the series. The symbol is displayed on "The Book of Shadows". The Book of Shadows, or grimier, is commonly used in witchcraft and Satanism to record the activities of with covens. The same symbol (with a circle) is displayed by the rock group Led Zeppelin. Most believe the symbol is from the teachings of Aleister Crowley and represents 666. "A disguised interlocked trio of sixes, symbolic of the anti -christ. Also symbolizes the triple goddess of Wicca (three interlocked vesica pisces together). Commonly used in Catholic liturgical iconography, and has recently found its way into the logo of the New King James Bible." (Bill and Sharon Schnoebelen, Blood on th e Doorposts, p. 150) Dr. Cathy Burns writes in her book, Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated: "Marilyn Ferguson, a New Ager, used the symbol of the triquetra (another name for the triskele) on her book The Aquarian Conspiracy. This is a variation for the number 666. Other books and material have a similar design printed on them, such as books from David Spangler, the person who lauds Lucifer, and The Witch's Grimoire. As most people know, the number 666 is the number of the beast (see Revelation 13:18 ) and is evil, yet the occultists and New Agers love this number and consider it to be sacred.” P.O.D. has risen unexpectedly from playing in a garage in small Chula Vista California to becoming the biggest selling artists on Atlantic Records in 10 years. Singer Sonny Sandova is quoted in USA Today‘s 11/12/2003 issue saying: “I believe in Christ with all my heart, mind and soul. But when people label you, it’s segregation, and it tells somebody who doesn’t believe that they can’t listen to this music bec ause we write for Christians. We never have.” Played the Voodoo Festival on Halloween 2003 in New Orleans Renowned for their fiery live shows, P.O.D. heralded the release of their 2003 “PAYABLE ON DEATH” CD on Halloween with a live performance at the Voodoo Music Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana. 2001’s 4 million plus seller “SATELLITE CD,” P.O.D. has established themselves as one of the most important career artists of the modern era. Combining positive messages with furious, genre-blurring rock ‘n’ roll, P.O.D. has reaped critical praise and an ever-increasing audience since the release of 1999’s RIAA platinum-certified Atlantic debut, “THE FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS OF SOUTHTOWN.” The band has also unleashed a remarkable streak of radio and video hits, including “Southtown,” “Rock The Party (Off The Hook),” “School Of Hard Knocks,” “Boom,” and the Grammy Award-nominated smashes, “Alive” and “Youth Of The Nation.” In 2003, P.O.D. scored yet again with “Sleeping Awake,” the lead single from the soundtrack to The Matrix: Reloaded. (Note: The Matrix is listed at www.invisableilluminati.chaosmagic.com under Invisible Hollywood as one of the many movies that has been covertly infiltrated by the Invisible Illuminati group. This is a Gnostic Luciferian secret order dedicated to spreading the New Religion Thelema by using the film industry to counter condition viewer‘s minds for initiation into the New World Order of Antichrist.) Will You, the first single from P.O.D.'s new album hit #1 on MTV's TRL IN 2003. Here’s a sample of their Gnostic/Thelema laced lyrics: Change the World Break the cycle, find your rhythm Share the gift that you've been given You can change the world (another way of saying abandon the old religion, accept the Law of Thelema and do your true will) Execute the Sound 1904, home to the real hardcore (in 1904, Aleister Crowley channeled the book of the Law from Satan revealing the Law of Thelema…this is the real hardcore that P.O.D. is referring to I believe. Crowley also edited the Goetia in 1904 which teaches magicians how to use demonic forces…to “execute the sound“?) Revolution Rebellion starts within, the time is now Did somebody say a Revolution? Or is it all in my head? Is that what it takes to make a solution, solution Did somebody say a Revolution? Or is it all in my head? Is that what it takes to make a solution Your Revolution Purple skies, Devil eyes, Hypnotize Little lies, Compromise, Fireflies Serum arise, Parasite, Fly by night, After light, Materialize, Look alike, Stereotype, do or die, lullaby, black and white Did somebody say a Revolution? Or is it all in my head? Is that what it takes to make a solution, solution Did somebody say a Revolution? Or at least it's been said Is that what it takes to make a solution? Your Revolution No resolution - Your Revolution And what's your solution? - Your Revolution And no substitution - Your Revolution And no resolution - Your Revolution And what's your solution? (The Lucifer initiation is considered by Satanists as the ultimate act of rebellion. The New Religion is an inner rebellion against the world’s established religions. Could be a call to mass initiation into the New Religion of the New World Order of the ANTICHRIST and the ultimate act of rebellion, taking t he initiatory Mark of the Beast 666.) I and identify This is what love is! Reach for the sky, Don't let it get away I and identify - This is what love is. (I and identidy is a rastaferian term for oneness. In the New Religion of the New World Order there is no god but “I”) Asthma Breathe! Suffocation within because of what your sayin' To understand! Is to begin again Yet to Begin! Is to live again I tried living my life through your eyes Smother me with your ways, to death, no breath. Your choking what little faith I have left. In time I find the truth lies, Inside the truth lies, Inside (The old religion of Christianity with it’s guilt provoking restrictive concept of sin is false. The liberating truth is that the only god is inside…each man and woman is a star, the god of their own universe…“the truth lies inside”.) Wildfire I want to feel that wildfire Irregular burning of the sun Shining through make you spit fire Savage combustion, let it go Impetuous fervor testifier Outlandish passions I know Crucial rhythms no denial Musical nation, empire (The New Religion, the irregular burning of the sun, and the ushering in of the New World Order of the ANTICHRIST (musical nation) is being supported by the rhythms of music stirring outlandish passions within the souls it affects) Rock the Party We came here to rock this jam spread his love is the master plan let this light ignite like a star everybody in the party knows who we are you gotta get down, dance around, floss your style POD, guarantee, make it worth your while bad vibes, leave'em at the door soulcheck'n, housewreck'n, keep'em begg'n for more We came to rock the party all night long So party people won't ya sing that song We came to rock the party all night long And keep it live till the break of dawn (Love is the law, love under will. Do what thou wilt is the whole of the Law. Lucifer is the light, the fire bringer, his fire will free you to flame forth as a star, a self-sufficient god of your own universe.) In the 2000 Rolling Stone interview below P.O.D. expressed the heresy of their professed Christianity by saying there are many ways to God. "You were recently criticized by Christian radio talk-show host Dr. Dobson for forsaking your religious beliefs by touring with Ozzfest and Korn". WUV: We respect the man, but he never had a conversation with us. Just because P.O.D. are a spiritual band doesn’t mean we adhere to any one religion , and all kinds of people want to use us as a symbol for their thing. There’s a thousand different definitions of what a Christi an is, but we don’t feel like there are any lines." (Rolling Stone, Dec. 14 -21, 2000, p. 102) Remember that one Satan’s 8 points of attack upon the church is to change doctrine. P.O.D. is being positioned to have a horrendous impact upon the doctrine of the church as their teaching infiltrates the church through undiscerning youth ministries. Clearly this is one band on fire for the devil. As forerunner’s of the Antichrist, in combination with Linkin Park in a 2004 world-wide tour, millions are being deceived and conditioned to abandon Christianity and accept the alleged freedom of Thelema, the New Religion of the New World Order of the ANTICHRIST, the Beast 666. -3-3-200 Other big-selling groups in the “we’re Christians, but we aren’t making Christian music” camp are the following: Evanescence: Dark goth-rock Evanescence: Little Rock goth-rock band’s debut album, Fallen, recently was certified triple platinum. Evanescence has received 5 Grammy nominations for Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Rock Album, Best Hard Rock Performance and Best Rock Song ("Bring Me to Life"). The band name means a dissipation or disappearance like vapor. Fallen is an emotional, ethereal work of undeniable potency guided by the so called heavenly vocals of Amy Lee. "We're definitely a rock band," says the 20-year-old Lee. "But the twist is that the band's music is epic, dramatic, dark rock." Lyrically, Evanescence explores dark, introspective themes of love, desperation, and despair. But the group insists its fundamental message is a positive one. "The point of this whole record and band is to let people know that they're not alone in dealing with bad feelings or pain or anything that they go through," says Lee, who pens most of the words. "That's life and that's human. They're not alone, and we're going through it, too." The song “Going Under” expresses more of the Thelemic theme of the desire to get rid of the old dead, guilt provoking straightjacket of Christianity and trust in self instead. It expresses a desire to break through, to escape from feeling smothered, confused and defeated due to trusting in someone other than themselves to save them. "Going Under" Now I will tell you what I've done for you 50 thousand tears I've cried Screaming Deceiving and Bleeding for you And you still won't hear me Don't want your hand this time I'll save myself Maybe I'll wake up for once Not tormented daily defeated by you Just when I thought I'd reached the bottom I'm dying again I'm going under Drowning in you I'm falling forever I've got to break through I'm going under Blurring and Stirring the truth and the lies So I don't know what's real and what's not Always confusing the thoughts in my head So I can't trust myself anymore I'm dying again So go on and scream Scream at me I'm so far away I won't be broken again I've got to breathe I can't keep going under Whisper seems to be someone encountering demonic whispers tempting them to turn away from the beliefs they now believe to be lies and to take their own life. Whisper Fallen angels at my feet Whispered voices at my ear Death before my eyes Lying next to me I fear She beckons me Shall I give in Upon my end shall I begin Forsaking all I've fallen for I rise to meet my end Everybody’s Fool sounds like it could be a funeral song for a forsaken God and Savior. This again fits well with the New Religion of the New World Order Thelema’a theme of discarding the old dead religion of Christianity. "Everybody's Fool" perfect by nature icons of self indulgence just what we all need more lies about a world that never was and never will be have you no shame don't you see me you know you've got everybody fooled look here she comes now bow down and stare in wonder oh how we love you no flaws when you're pretending but now i know she never was and never will be you don't know how you've betrayed me and somehow you've got everybody fooled without the mask where will you hide can't find yourself lost in your lie i know the truth now i know who you are and i don't love you anymore it never was and never will be you're not real and you can't save me somehow now you're everybody's fool In response to those that insist the Evanescence’s music is Christian, vocalist Amy Lee said in a LAUNCH, 04/16/2003 interview, "There are people that are hell-bent on the idea that we're a Christian band in disguise, and that we have some secret message. We have no spiritual affiliation with this music. It's s imply about life experience." Lee adds, "I guarantee that if the Christian bookstore owners listened to some of those songs, they wouldn't sell the CD." Lee's band mate Ben Moody said in the interview, "I'm not ashamed of my spiritual beliefs, but I in no way incorporate them into this band. We're actually high on the Christian charts, and I'm like, What the f--k are we even doing there?" - Vocalist Amy Lee of the group Evanescence, 4/16/2003 . In a letter dated April 10, posted on the Christian Music Central (cmcentral.com) Website, Wind-Up records chairman Alan Meltzer explained to retailers that "despite having roots within the Christian community prior to the release of Fallen, recent statements by band members have made it abundantly clear that Evanescence is a secular band and view their music as entertainment. No more, no less. As such, we strongly feel that they no longer belong in Christian retail outlets." (http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=213059) Amy Lee is correct. As attractive as the music of Evanescence might be to a professing Christian, it has no place in their life because of it’s focus is on darkness, not light. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in d arkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:5 -7) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever t hings are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8) Chevelle’s dark and twisted world of bad company Chevelle is a popular heavy metal band of professing Christians which focuses on dark themes of alienation and self-hatred. They toured with the blasphemous crowd of Ozzfest bands in 2003. The second album from the Chicago-area rockers, Wonder What’s Next, went platinum. Their follow-up CD was due in the summer 2004. A quick peak at their website chevelleinc.com finds the band’s drummer, Sam Loeffler, celebrating their new fame in lust and drunkeness as quoted below: “In the meantime, I am watching Cops and Paris Hilton on Fox Television and drinking a bottle of tequila that Rikki surprised me with. I deserve this. I worked a long time for some lazy nights in Jenee's bed. "Drink up...happy hour is now enforced by law." I will write again. Good night Steve Dave. Samuel In examining this band’s Christian profession, consider the fact that Jesus never interacted as a friend with Satan. Their relationship was a battleclimaxing with the word of God triumphing over the manipulative, deceitful lies of the devil. Dedicated Satanists severely hate the Lord Jesus Christ and sincere Christians. They are dedicated to their father the devil’s mission of destroying the Christian faith and the church. They will not want to be in the company of a professing Christian unless that professing Christian is being influenced by them to compromise their faith; or they are disillusioned with their faith and the Holy Spirit is in the process of saving them through the witness of the believer. All press reports from the Ozzfest tour indicate that Chevelle interacts with Marilyn Manson in a friendly fashion. The following website (http://www.evangelsociety.org/francisco/chevelle.html) has the following to report concerning Chevelle: On tour, Chevelle also associated themselves with Cradle Of Filth. Cradle of Filth’s biography on the Ozzfest website describes their newest album “Damnation and a Day” as "spawned from the loins of five of the most controversial Lords of darkness ever to walk the earth." “Damnation and a Day” was scripted by the prince of darkness Dani Filth, whose quest to decipher the truth behind the Bible brought him to summon forth Lucifer during a ritualistic killing…Your death is nigh, so listen carefully and then offer your sou l to the Filth and you might be saved, deny them and your destruction will come in many forms. Chevelle seems to have retreated from their first album and its positive Christian message. Point #1 carried several Christian themes and often made explicit r eference to God and Christianity. Since moving to a secular label, Chevelle has watered down their lyrics and made them extremel y vague. Fans now know them as a band that sings primarily about anger and pain; not about anything particularly Christian. Chevelle's current album carries the themes of pain, breakup and suffering. In fact, Chevelle was asked in a recent interview, "Considering it is such a dark record, do you think there are any positive moments that managed to slip in there?" Chevelle's answer to the question? "The song 'Send The Pain Below' is about taking all the crap in your life and using it to make art, which is something you can feel good about." The album primarily focuses on describing pain and anger, only infrequently mentioning an act ion or recourse that should be taken to ease it. Cradle of Filth is the first black metal band to sign with a big label like Sony records worldwide. Already the “biggest black metal band in the world,” Cradle cracked the Billboard Top 200 with Damnation debuting at #140 in late March 2003. Their website is called thereof the dragon.com. Satan is known biblically as the dragon. Here’s an excerpt from Cradle of Filth’s biography on that site: “The cradle is rocking, the dead are rising, the seas will boil and the skies will fall. As the world stands poised on the edge of mass destruction, the freaks, fools and monsters who rule us are about to be taught a real lesson in the use of power, for Cradle of Filth have created the greatest album of their career to date. 'Damnation and a Day', has been carved out of the darkness that is about to engulf what we know as civilisation. Damnation and a Day' was scripted by the princ e of darkness Dani Filth, whose quest to decipher the truth behind the Bible, brought him to summon forth Lucifer during a ritualistic killing…” MeanStreet Magazine (mag.mean street.com) calls the world of Chevelle a world dark and twisted in a recent article interviewing drummer Sam Loeffler written by Neven Martelle. Here’s a quote from that interview: Seems like this is a pretty morose set of tunes dealing with all the classic themes — alienation, selfhatred, etc. Do you guys think you’ll ever write your “Shiny Happy People,” your “Here Comes The Sun?” (laughing) When that happens, we’ll quit. I heard an R.E.M. song today and I almost just shot my guts out. Like P.O.D., Chevelle is a dangerous band needing to be exposed and purged from the church. CHAPTER 13 U2’ s Bono and Creed‘s Stapp: A House Divided Against Itself On the other hand, some secular performers don’t profess to be Christians but they have a tremendous negative impact upon the church because professing Christians falsely accuse them of being professing Christians. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot or a house that’s divided against itself that won’t stand. These guys don’t sport a clear Christian testimony, but the adulterous church loves their worldly music so much it’s dragging them into bed with her. Two of the most striking examples of such performers include Bono of U2 fame and Scott Stapp of Creed. Bono comes a lot closer to being a professing Christian than Stapp; although Bono’s testimony is vague and confusing at best. U2 and Bono-glorifying the creation, not the Creator The world probably considers Bono of the “stadium” rock band U2 the model citizens for combining faith and rock ’n’ roll. Their faith has been described by singer Sam Cooke as a contradiction of terms: Christian agnosticism. Evangelist Billy Graham’s Decision Magazine 05/2002 pictured below shows Bono reading poetry to the now deceased Ruth Graham in the Graham’s NC home. Graham’s Decision magazine’s caption labels Bono as a professing Christian. Christianity Today has also recently given Bono positive some positive press. Unfortunately, since the not self-proclaimed “pope” of the evangelical church, Billy Graham, and one of it’s non-authoritative addendums to the scriptures, Christianity Today magazine has accepted Bono as a Christian, the majority of church pastor’s and members will blindly follow suit. This blind acceptance will only further degrade the moral and doctrinal purity of the church. Evidence of this can be found in the July issue of the Southern Baptist Church magazine, “Homelife”, which gives glory to U2 and Bono in reviewing the CD, “In the Name of Love”. This CD is a remix of U2’s best loved songs by Nichole Nordemann, TobyMac, Jars of Clay, and Sixpence None the Richer. On pg. 57 the reviewer writes: “U2 has left a magnificent thumbprint on music culture, and perhaps no one has been influenced more by Bono and company’s legacy than the christian music industry.” In 1980, Billboard magazine described the band U2 in a purely secular manner as follows: “Yet another British band working on the ou ter fringes of rock. With a deep, rich production U2 makes music which is hypnotic in its swirling images and textures. Though t he quartet is often experiment in approach, each of the 11 tracks maintains a certain accessibility much as Pink Floyd does. The use of what sounds like a xylophone or vibes throughout is a different touch for a rock act. As usual, Lillywhite gets a fiery, percussive sound which gives the LP a kick from beginning to end.” Who’s this Bono anyway? U2’S Lead singer and philosophic lyricist was born in Dublin, the product of a mixed Catholic-Protestant background. While his lyrics and U2's music have always revealed a spiritual consciousness, Bono and the other band members have remained politically and religiously neutral in Ireland's conflicts. Bono has never spoken freely and easily about his religious beliefs. He is perceived to have an on- again, of-again relationship with God as expressed in songs like the U2 oldie "Bullet the Blue Sky," with its line about "Jacob wrestled the angel, and the angel was overcome." Pastor Joe Schimmel of www.goodfight.org writes that U2 showed their true colors in the mid-1980’s by doing a cover of the Rolling Stones, Sympathy for the Devil. After this, U2 frontman, Bono, stated in an interview that he was for abortion, homosexuality and didn’t believe that Christ was the only way to the Father, contradicting Jesus Christ Himself! The church tends to exaggerate the importance of the Christian faith to the music and life of famous performers who profess or even hint at being Christians. Bono and U2 is a classic example of this. U2 has never categorized itself as a Christian band, however, Christians who like their rock music like to read more Christianity into their music than is truly there. Most Christians are unaware of the devil’s methods and fail to realize that the devil’stares and disciples will use words like Holy Spirit, holy, free, Jesus, grace, love, Lord, crucified, faith, salvation, devil, sin, angels and others in their lyrics. Satan and his demons simply redefine biblical words so that in their occult context their new meaning is quite different from the true biblical meaning. Sometimes the occult meanings of words like those just mentioned are the opposite of the true biblical meaning. The following quotes from Bono reveal that he doesn’t believe that faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and God is the only way to be truly righteous and receive God’s salvation. Like a Freemason who knows his craft, Bono believes in an equality of religions. “Now, for all its failings and its perversions over the last 2,000 years--and as much as every exponent of this faith has attempted to dodge this idea--it is unarguably the central tenet of Christianity: that everybody is equal in God's eyes.” I really have had to swallow my own prejudice at times. Because I was suspicious of the traditional Christian church, I tended to tar them all with the same brush. That was a mistake, because there are righteous people working in a whole rainbow of belief systems --from Hasidic Jews to right-wing Bible Belters to charismatic Catholics. God's Spirit moves through us and the world at a pace that can never be constricted by any one religious paradigm. I love that. You know, it says somewhere in the scriptures that the Spirit moves like a wind --no one knows where it's come from or where it's going. The Spirit is described in the Holy Scriptures as much more anarchic than any establ ished religion credits.” Bono says the Holy Spirit is anarchic First, Bono describes the Holy Spirit as being anarchic. This is totally false “for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33) The scriptures also reveal that “the powers that be are ordained of God.“ (Romans 13:1) The word anarchic means one who excites revolt or promotes disorder and political confusion in a state. An anarch is the author of confusion. An anarchist believes that government should be replaced with voluntary cooperation and mutual aid because all governments are incompatible with individual and social liberty. Bono believes in using music to glorify creation rather than God Bono has said in foul language himself that he doesn’t believe in using music to glorify God, but to glorify God’s creation. As we looked at in the second chapter, music intended purpose is to praise the Lord and teach one another his truth. According to Romans 1:18-25, this desire to glorify the creation rather than the Creator is an indication of a dark and foolish heart. Carefully read, the following words of Bono reveal that he and U2 believe that man was created to be praised and not evangelized. This quote also speaks concerning the fact that U2 has never been considered a Christian band. “We really f--ked that up, though. We really f--ked up our corner of the Christian market. I think carrying moral baggage is very dangerous for an artist. If you have a duty, it's to be true and not cover up the cracks. I love hymns and gospel music, but the idea of turning your music into a tool for evangelism is missing the point. Music is the langua ge of the spirit anyway. Its first function is praise to creation.” (interview by Anthony Curtis first in Beliefnet 02/2001. Ant hony DeCurtis is a contributing editor to Rolling Stone and a Grammy Award -winning music writer. He has covered U2 since 1984.) Bono has avoided, but criticized the church since breaking with Shalom, a Watchman Nee-inspired group in Ireland, in the early 1980s. Reuters reported that U2 topped Rolling Stone magazine's list of 2001's richest rock stars. The magazine says U2's "All That You Can't Leave Behind" and subsequent "Elevation 2001" tour brought in the Canadian equivalent of $95 million through touring, recording, and publishing. Bono has recently reached out to American churches in battling AIDS crisis and the Jubilee 2000 Coalition seeking to achieve its ultimate goal of complete debt forgiveness. He’s also said the Rev. Martin Luther King. Jr.'s concept of nonviolent activism needs to be applied to the issue of AIDS in Africa, to pressure governments and corporations in the developed world to help "the poorest of the poor." Bono has co-founded a nonprofit organization called DATA --- Debt, AIDS, Trade in Africa --- with actor Chris Tucker and musician Bob Geldof. (http://www.ajc.com/sunday/content/epaper/editions/sunday/metro_04a083e6d5bd60120021.ht ml) Bono’s sensuality Bono’s music also moves into the sensual realm as the lyrics to “Big Girls Are Best” off the 2000 release, All That You Can’t Leave Behind reveal: Big Girls Are Best As long as the night is coloured Blue and black Oh yeah yeah yeah As long as you’re on your knees And she’s not on her back Oh yeah yeah yeah Avenue Atlantico Seventeen-o-two She’s cocoa butter Baby, she’s the glue She’s got the baby at her breast She knows big girls are best Oh mama ma Sexy mama ma Oh mama ma Sexy mama ma I’m gonna change like the weather Hot to cold Oh yeah yeah yeah She keeps it all together She’s got the motherload Oh yeah yeah yeah She feels it Every sensation She’s got a smile Like salvation She’s got a baby at her breast She knows big girls are best Oh mama ma Sexy mama ma Oh mama ma Sexy mama ma She’s elliptical Also political All so spiritual Not superficial Yeah, she’s tropical Yes, she’s illogical Those little girls are a pest Big girls are the best Produced by Brian Eno Bono has worked with New Age musician and performer Brian Eno. At atu2.com/links/ website U2 links from U2 has a link to Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategies an Online version of the deck of Taoist-cum-Kabalistic tarot-like flashcards tarot cards that Eno uses when producing albums. Here’s a testimony of how Eno has inspired and distorted the music of U2 in production: Is that your input to those albums, creating the overall atmosphere of the pieces or... Partly, yes. I suppose my inputs are on two fairly different levels. One is an overview of asking, "What are we doing? What is this piece about? Where does it fit into the picture of this record? Where does it fit into the pictures of your records in general? Where do your records fit into the picture of modern records? Where does modern recording fit into the picture of modern music? Where does music fit into the picture of culture? Why are we involved in c ulture?" …But I have another job, which is sometimes quite specifically creating a feeling in something. Now this can be done by taking a raw track, which just has bass, drums, and guitar, and seeing what I can do to expand that quite limited vocabulary into some thing that makes such a strong and positive identity. So that when Bono comes in to sing, he'll forget that he hasn't go t any words and get so excited that he will just start singing words. And this trick some times works [laughter]. Anything to sh ort-circuit the word-writing process is very essential. Well, how would you do that? The song called "The Fly" [from Achtung Baby], which actually I can't take so much credit for, because Flood had a lot to do with that. Flood is a brilliant, brilliant engineer, producer too. But that track really got its identity when it was fed through a cheap guitar-effects box. One innovation I've made in the recording studio is having sends going to very strange places, like my ribboned speaker I told you about. I'll have just a fuzz box set up somewhere, and I can send out to that. But I'll send lots and lots of the audio tracks out to it, and so coming back up to channels will be this huge, grumbling sound. That sound can create such an aura around a track that it suddenly gives it a fiery, bristling edge. And as soon as musicians hear that, they think, "Oh God, where am I? This is amazing." And that's the way you get results somehow. Even if it doesn't last. Even if that doesn't stay in the mix at the end. That's the process of discovery. That's what you want to make happen all the time. So "The Fly” had everything going to this bizarre treatment, which was a combination of compression, distortion, and delay. That was coming back up the main track and it was all going to other things. So when these two tracks come bac k from the distortion unit, they can then be fed back into other treatments and echoes. You can create highly reactive landscape s where one drum hit will suddenly create a whole color change. Musicians immediately start to listen to that and respond. And it shapes the way they play. They find they are playing differently. They are playing in a way they wouldn't have done otherwise. (From Audio, March 1993, by John Diliberto. Kindly supplied by Joseph Buck.) Jude’s warning concerning false teachers like Bono The book of Jude warns of men like Bono: rich, admired, daring, complaining, selfpleasing, greedy, apostate false teachers associated with charity works who reject authority and are not afraid to contend in their own strength with the devil and divinely ordained governmental powers. Bono is known to arrogantly misquote the scripture, “resist the devil and he will flee from you” as “mock the devil and he will flee from you”. Bono’s faith appears to express a belief in the universal goodness of man and a possible desire to become a true Christian if he could resolve some of the issues he has with how God relates with a fallen, sinful world. “The most powerful idea that's entered the world in the last few thousand years --the idea of grace--is the reason I would like to be a Christian. I was never tormented in the way those early rock and rollers were between gospel and the blues. I always saw them as parts of each other. I like the anger of the blues--I think being angry with God is at least a dialogue. You know, [Robert Johnson's] "Hell Hound on My Trail"--the blues is full of that. And [it runs] right through to Marilyn Manson. These are big questions. If there is a God, it's serious. And if there isn't a God, it's even more se rious. Or is it the other way around? I don't know, but these are the things that, as an artist, are going to cross your mind--as well as "Ode to My New Jaguar." [laughter] The right to be an ass I will hold on to very tightly. I just have to be allowed that. “ Here's a quote from Bono during his appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, September 20, 2002: “I'm a believer, but religion is the thing when God, like Elvis, has left the building. But when God is in the house, you get something else. I'm happy i n a Catholic cathedral or a tent show down in the South with gospel music. “ Bono has also said many interesting things such as: “As a rock star, I have two instincts, I want to have fun, and I want to c hange the world. I have a chance to do both.” ” Music can change the world because it can change people“ "Mock the devil and he will flee from you." “Pop music often tells you everything is OK, while rock music tells you that it's not OK, but you can change it. There's a defiance in rock music that gives you a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Most pop music doesn't make you want to get out of bed, I'm sorry to say. It puts you to sleep.'“ Bono wants the U2 2004 CD release to be a “dragon” Currently U2 are putting the final touches on their brand new album, clearly a secular effort. In Bono‘s terms it needs to be a “dragon“. (http://www.canoe.ca/MusicArtistsU2/oct10_u2-can.html) Bono told U.K. tabloid The Sun that the Irish supergroup are "nearly finished -- we're in the home straight." "There's only one reason for U2 to put an album out right now -- it has to be a monster, a dragon, and this is." The Irish rockers have been in the studio with veteran producer Chris Thomas (Sex Pistols, Roxy Music, INXS), and the new effort is expected to be more guitar oriented. "It's filled with big tunes and it's driven by a guitar player who is sick of the sigh t of me shaking hands with dodgy politicians. The anger is unbelievable," Bono said. U2 will likely release the album by late 2003 or early 2004, with a world tour to follow. Lyrics from the U2 2000 CD release “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” reveal a consciousness of God but a lack of trust in the Lordship of Jesus Christ and his Word as he is revealed in the Old and New Testament scriptures. When I look at the world When you look at the world What is it that you see? People find all kinds of things That bring them to their knees I see an expression So clear and so true That it changes the atmosphere When you walk into the room When the night is someone elses And you're trying to get some sleep When your thoughts are too expensive To ever want to keep When there's all kinds of chaos And everyone is walking lame You don't even blink now, do you Or even look away So I try to be like you Try to feel it like you do But without you it's no use I can't see what you see When I look at the world I can't wait any longer I can't wait till I'm stronger Can't wait any longer To see what you see When I look at the world I'm in the waiting room Can't see for the smoke I think of you and your holy book While the rest of us choke Tell me, tell me, what do you see? Tell me, tell me, what’s wrong with me Peace on Earth Heaven on Earth We need it now I'm sick of all of this Hanging around Sick of sorrow Sick of pain Sick of hearing again and again That there's gonna be Peace on Earth Where I grew up There weren't many trees Where there was we'd tear them down And use them on our enemies They say that what you mock Will surely overtake you And you become a monster So the monster will not break you It's already gone too far Who said that if you go in hard You won't get hurt Jesus could you take the time To throw a drowning man a line Peace on Earth Tell the ones who hear no sound Whose sons are living in the ground Peace on Earth No whos or whys No-one cries like a mother cries For peace on Earth She never got to say goodbye To see the colour in his eyes Now he's in the dirt Peace on Earth Bono is clearly a big name false teacher, another forerunner, being used by the devil to lead the church deeper into apostasy and prepare the world for the coming of Antichrist : “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) Creed: A musical inquisition A 1999 article entitled “Creed Holds A Musical Inquisition” makes it clear that the Florida based band is antichristian, not christian in nature. Their angry music is about finding new spirituality outside the old religion of Christianity. The band’s music is heavily influenced by Led Zeppelin and they have employed a remix engineer who has worked with another Thelemic band, Tool, which was discussed in depth in chapter 7. Because of the vast scriptural knowledge of their lead vocalist, Scott Stapp, Creed’s lyrics can be sometimes misinterpreted by naïve professing Christians who would like to add one more rock band to their list of acceptable Christian bands. Scott Stapp told Rolling Stone that Creed are “tobacco dipping Budweiser drinkers" (Rolling Stone, 9/99). The following CNN article clarifies the misconception that Creed is a Christian band. Web posted on: Tuesday, February 23, 1999 4:24:35 PM EST By Donna Freydkin Special to CNN Interactive http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Music/9902/23/creed/ (CNN) -- If you didn't know any better, you might casually categorize Creed as a solid Christian rock band. And with lyrics such as "I cry out to God, seeking only his decision, Gabriel stands and confirms I've created my own prison" and "Step inside the light and see the fear, Oh God burn inside of me," they are a gospel band, in a roundabout kind of way -- if gospel means bashing organized religion and scrutinizing spirituality. "When we first came out in America, some people asked us if were a Christian band," says guitarist Mark Tremonti, at home with his two dogs in Florida shortly before Creed leaves for its European tour. "Then they heard our music and realized that we weren't. But it's worked to our advantage because a lot of kids who aren't allowed to listen to Marilyn Manson can listen to us, because there's nothing wrong with what we're saying." " The Christian rock thing is a big misconception. It's not entirely wrong -- we all have morals, but that's it," he adds. The band's gritty, ultra-heavy music sounds like a cross between the vintage brooding of Metallica and throbbing of Rush, with Pearl Jam's pensive lyrics thrown into the mix. The Tallahassee quartet combines big guitars, tense vocals and meditative verse into a churning, heavy, enigmatic sound that takes up where grunge veterans Alice in Chains and Soundgarden left off. "A lot of our music is focused on searching for spirituality and on the man holding us down," says Tremonti. "'My Own Prison' is a good name for the album because it was about us trying to break out of it." The ripeness and depth of the music belies the band's rel ative youth -- they're all in their 20s -something that surprises audiences because "the music sounds a lot angrier than we lo ok," according to Tremonti. Creed's music is heavily soaked with religious imagery, due largely to frontman Scott Stapp's upbringing in a devoutly religious, Pentecostal household that hammered faith into his everyday life. Rock music was forbidden in his home and as punishment he often had to copy entire books from the Bible verbatim and write essays about their meanings. "Scott w as raised very religious. That's where all the religious themes come from," says Tremonti. "A lot of our symbolism is from the Bible, and it's not something most people would know. But the diehard Christian rock fans know we're not a Christian band." At the age of 17, Stapp started listening to rock music. After high school, he hooked up with former classmate Tremonti; they started Creed with bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips in 1995. Two years later, in April 1997, they released "My Own Prison," recorded for $6,000 with local producer John Kurzweg. The album grabbed the attention of local radio, including modern r ock station WXSR in the band's home market of Tallahassee, and on the strength of airplay sold some 3,000 copies in the region. Soon, the big labels started knocking, and Creed signed with Wind -up. The album was remixed by Ron Saint-Germain (Tool, Soundgarden, 311) and re-released in August of 1997. The debut single, "My Own Prison," quickly became the first of three consecutive n umberone rock radio singles, followed by "Torn" and "What's This Life For." On the strength of that album, Creed became the first band to ever have three songs in the top 20 of Billboard Monitor's Rock chart at the same time. Stapp’s music is heavily influenced by the Thelemic band Led Zeppelin Since 1997, Florida rockers Creed have sold over 23 million albums in the US alone. In a VH-1.com spotlight one to one interview lead singer Scott Stapp says that U2 and Led Zeppelin are two of the four bands that have influenced him most musically and that he admires Jesus Christ. Like Bono, Stapp is also involved in charity projects. Other quotes from the same interview shown below reveal that Creed doesn’t profess to be a Christian band, but is labeled that by Christians who naively misinterpret the biblical images from Creed’s lyrics from their own biblical grid. Q: How do you respond to being labeled a "Christian" band and will you ever consider playing at Christian festivals such as Creation or Inside Out Soul Festivals? - Denise from Waterbury, Conn. Stapp: We have been labeled that by Christians or individuals who understand Christianity because they hear the lyrics with their view-points in their mind, so they apply any key words or word and assume it is of Christian nature solely based on their background. I don't believe we will [play at Christian festivals]. Q: If you had a chance to meet with anyone living or not who would you choose and why? - Sue from Sheboygan, Wis. Stapp: Jesus Christ because His message is one of love, peace, unity and grace. Those are all messages our world could use to help solve our problems. Also, He died for his beliefs. I admire that. Q: If each of you could do anything or go anywhere for just one day wit h no restrictions, what would you do, or where would you go? - Angela from Philadelphia. Stapp: I would like to travel through space and if there were other life forms in the depths of space, I would like to meet them. Q: Hi,guys! I love you, but one thing is bothering me. On your last albums, you seemed very spiritual and made it clear that you were singing to if not God than at least to a higher power. On this new album your lyrics can be taken as either being sung to God or maybe a girlfriend or wife. They're just not as spiritual as your former lyrics. Why? - Bev from Greenville, Ill. Stapp: First of all, we never made it clear what any of the songs were about or directed to. Secondly, I have no mold for which I write. I write about what is on my hear t or what I'm thinking of at the time. As I have always said, I have no agenda; that was given to me by certain fans' interpreta tions of the songs. Just keep interpreting how you always have and the spiritual side will come back to you. In another interview found on Creed.net Stapp provides this answer to whether or not the band is Christian: “This is a very personal question because the whole foundation of being a Christian is a personal relationship. I could say that all the members believe in God, bu t we each differ in our methods to reach him. We are still learning and growing, and God can only answer this question, because who are we to say that being a Christian is the only way to heaven?” Stapp’s reply is a clear contradiction of Jesus’ claim to be God and that faith in him alone is the only way to be saved from the penalty of our sin and receive eternal life. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or el se believe me for the very works’ sake. (John 14:1-11) Creed lyrics reveal a thread of Crowley’s Thelema woven throughout them Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti is quoted as saying that there are parallels between Marilyn Manson and Creed that parents aren‘t aware of: “There are certain parallels between Marilyn Manson and us, even thoug h Manson has trouble with parents censoring his stuff from their children.” (SMS, #12, Mark Tremonti and Scott Stapp Sound Off! p. 30) Like Marilyn Manson, we’re against following rules just for the sake of following rules. A lot of times the rules are out dated and don’t make sense anymore.” (SMS, #12, Mark Tremonti and Scott Stapp Sound Off!, p. 30) As discussed in Chapter 5, Manson’s heads a music ministry for Antichrist preaching the New Religion of Thelema and calling people to sell their soul to themselves in order to free themselves from the guilt of the old religion of Christianity. Manson, quotes Crowley’s “scripture“ “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law” in his biography in chapter nine, which is entitled “The Rules”. Further evidence that Creed’s message is built around the Thelemic theme of getting rid of the guilt ridden bondage of Christianity is that Stapp himself seeks to be free from his christian upbringing. Although his adult worldview isn’t christian, the quotes below reveal that Stapp may use biblical imagery to free himself from his the biblical roots of his childhood. "It's very dark. But that's where people get the misconception that we're a Christian band. But basically, I am haunted by my past. I'm haunted by God. It's something that I can't escape. I've been indoctrinated in that religion since I was an infant - it's second nature to me. I believe in God because it's what I've been told my entire life. So there's a conflict in me; and probably for three songs each record, I'll deal with that. It's just a cleansing thing," (Creed Revelations) "I'm not preaching; I'm not trying to get people to believe in Christianity. And a lot of the songs are me trying to figure out if I believe in it at all, me trying to deal wit h the condemnation and guilt that Christianity can lay on a young person's mind.” (Creed Revelations) "I'm definitely in a better place than I've ever been, but I still have my old demons because my philosophies on life are much different from how I was r aised, there's always those doubts in the back of my mind: Are they right? Am I wrong?" (http://www.goodfight.org/e_creed.html) Stapp confesses in a reply concerning a question about Armageddon that he doesn’t love the character of the Lord as presented in the scriptures: "It's predicted in the Bible, but I don't know sometimes. If you read the Bible literally, God doesn't seem too nice. He seems a little mean- "Worship me or Die! Do what I say or get killed in Armageddon!" I mean, that's not how I choose to believe in God." (Revelations) Songs like “One“, lyrics below, reveal Creed telling it’s masses that one world united is the only way to solve the present world crisis. It foretells of a coming mutiny that the world faces. This mutiny likely refers to the death of old age Christianity; that socalled “Great Work” of the followers of Crowley’s Thelema, and the worldwide initiation into the New Religion of the New World Order of Antichrist, the Beast 666. “Inside Us All” teaches in Luciferic New Age fashion that the answer to relational conflict lies within everyone. Another song, “What’s This Life For“, reveals that Creed believes the world is under one king and that the answer lies in us. Again, this parallels the New Age teachings that there is no god but man. “In America“, a somewhat insightful song, reveals that the hypocrisy of the church has left Stapp confused and unbelieving in God. “Freedom Fighter” sounds like a theme song for the army of Antichrist’s followers who are increasingly waging war against Christians whom they perceive as unhappily enslaved to the guilt provoking concept of sin and their restrictive bible based beliefs. One Affirmative may be justified Take from one give to another The goal is to be unified Take my hand be my brother The payment silenced the masses Sanctified by oppression Unity took a back seat Sliding further in regression One The only way is one I feel angry I feel helpless Want to change the world I feel violent I feel alone Don't try and change my mind Society blind by color Why hold down one to raise another Discrimination now on both sides Seeds of hate blossom further The world is heading for mutiny When all we want is unity We may rise and fall, but in the end We meet our fate together One The only way is one I feel angry I feel helpless Want to change the world I feel violent I feel alone Don't try and change my mind Inside Us All When I'm all alone And no one else is there Waiting by the phone To remind me I'm still here When shadows paint the scenes Where spotlights used to fall And I'm left wondering Is it really worth it all? There's a peace inside us all Let it be your friend It will help you carry on In the end There's a peace inside us all Life can hold you down When you're not looking up Can't you hear the sound? Hearts beating out loud Although the names change Inside we're all the same Why can't we tear down these walls? To show the scars we're covering There's a peace What's This Life For Hurray for a child That makes it through If there's any way Because the answer lies in you They're laid to rest Before they know just what to do Their souls are lost Because they could never find What's this life for I see your soul, it's kind of gray I see your heart, you look away You see my wrist, I know your pain I know your purpose on your plane Don't say a last prayer Because you could never find What's this life for But they ain't here anymore Don't have to settle the score Cause we all live Under the reign of one king In America Only in America We're slaves to be free Only in America we kill the unborn To make ends meet Only in America Sexuality is democracy Only in America we stamp our god "In God We Trust" What is right or wrong I don't know who to believe in My soul sings a different song In America Church bell's ringing Pass the plate around The choir is singing As their leader falls to the ground Please mister prophet man Tell me which way to go I gave my last dollar Can I still come to your show What is right or wrong I don't know who to believe in My soul sings a different song In America I am right and you are wrong I am right and you are wrong I am right and you are wrong No one's right and no one's wrong In America Freedom Fighter The mouths of envious Always find another door While at the gates of paradise they beat us down some more But our mission’s set in stone ‘Cause the writing’s on the wall I’ll scream it from the mountain tops pride comes before a fall So many thoughts to share All this energy to give Unlike those who hide the truth I tell it like it is If the truth will set you free I feel sorry for your soul Can’t you hear the ringing ‘cause for you the bell tolls I’m just a freedom fighter No remorse Raging on in holy war Soon there’ll come a day When you’re face to face with me Face to face with me Can’t you hear us coming? People marching all around Can’t you see we’re coming? Close your eyes it’s over now Can’t you hear us coming? The fight has only just begun Can’t you see we’re coming? I’m just a freedom fighter No remorse Raging on in holy war Soon there’ll come a day When you’re face to face with me Face to face with me With 23 million in US sales alone in just 6-7 years, Creed is doing a tremendous amount of ministry as a prophetic forerunner’s voice preparing minds for the coming New World Order of the Antichrist. We have examined how Satan is using professing Christians performing mainstream modern rock music and other mainstream rock music performers misconceived as Christians to deceive many concerning his true character and gospel. His rage against true Christianity in unchanging and getting fiercer as we get nearer to the revealing of Antichrist the Beast 666, the end of the age and the triumphant return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Before the Lord Jesus returns to miraculously destroy the armies of the Beast 666 with the spirit of his mouth and the brightness of his coming, Satan will continue his seduction of the church through music and other means. “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even h im, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrigh teousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness“. (2 Thessalonians 2:8 -12) I urge you to consider the warnings concerning the defiling nature of modern rock based christian music presented in this book. The next chapter will examine the latest trends in the gospel and modern christian music and their impact upon the church. “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God“. (Philippians 1:9-11) CHAPTER 14 The New Gospel Of The Purpose Driven Music Paradigm The New Gospel The new gospel typically goes something like this: Eternal life is a free gift that can’t be earned or deserved. Man is sinful. God is Holy. God is love but must punish sin. God sent Jesus Christ to pay for our sins. Eternal life must be received t hrough personal faith in Christ. Personal faith in Christ involves placing your total trust in Jesus Christ’s death on the cross to pay for your sins and placing your total trust in Jesus Christ to be your personal Savior and Lord. Placing your trust in Christ in this way involves 3 things: Admitting your sin before a Holy God, trusting Christ’s death on the cross to pay for your sin. Receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord. The new purpose driven church prayer of salvation goes something like this: 'Dear God, I want to know Your purpose for my life. I don't want to waste the rest of my life on the wrong things. Today I want to take the first step in preparing for eternity by getting to know You. Jesus Christ, I don't understand it all, but as much as I know how, I want to open my life to You. I ask you to come into my life and make yourself real to me. Thank you. Amen.' In these new gospel messages there’s no mention of repentance. The new gospel focuses on intellectually accepting Jesus Christ for who he claimed to be and receiving his payment for our sins. The manner of acceptance is communicated to be that we receive Christ in the manner one receives an aspirin. It focuses on what God can do for us without explaining to us what receiving him will mean to us both positively and negatively from a human perspective as revealed in the scriptures. We’re encouraged to receive his benefits without being told the true daily cost of receiving those benefits. The new gospel is an example of deceitful salesmanship presenting partial truth to it’s customer. The wise consumer critically examines a costly purchase to the best of his ability from many angles before he actually commits himself to purchase an item. Jesus told people exactly what the cost of receiving him was…everything we have…and made it plain to his prospective followers by his lifestyle what their earthly payback would be if they followed decided to receive him…persecuted by men but accepted by God. Don’t we owe the same Lord and his prospective followers the same honesty today? Or are we ourselves deliberately blind to the actual cost of receiving the Lord today? And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is n ot able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disc iple. (Luke 14:25-33) If a person gets saved through receiving the new gospel, it’s in spite of the message rather than because of it. One can believe the new gospel without understanding who the Lord Jesus Christ really is and being willing to turn away from all sin and idolatry and come under his Lordship as revealed in the scriptures. Yet this new gospel is preached in most churches today. Jesus said to his first disciples: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (M atthew 28:19-20) The new gospel is making churches grow, but it is not currently teaching people to observe all things that Jesus taught. The gospel of the kingdom transforms a person inwardly revealing a totally new person outwardly. The Christian isn’t to be shaped into his culture’s mold by embracing the philosophies and beliefs promoted through it’s schools, businesses, news media, web sites, music, art, literature, fraternal organizations and entertainment. Instead, through faith in the power of God’s word and the work of the Holy Spirit within them, the Christian is to reveal to the world a new person that is sanctified, holy or set apart from the world and dedicated to the will and purposes of God. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now he nceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:14 -17) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your b odies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2) How does the new gospel relate with the new music of the church? First, a gospel without repentance is more compatible with the theology of the New Religion of the New Age. In the new gospel of the purpose driven music paradigm, Jesus Christ is presented as the answer to the human search for meaning and purpose in life rather than solely as one’s salvation from the penalty and power of sin as the purpose driven prayer of salvation below reveals. 'Dear God, I want to know Your purpose for my life. I don't want to waste the rest of my life on the wrong things. Today I want to take the first step in preparing for eternity by getting to know You. Jesus Christ, I don't understand it all, but as much as I know how, I want to open my life to You. I ask you to come into my life and make yourself real to me. Thank you. Amen.' Just as the purpose driven music paradigm serves to bridge the gap between secular music and sacred music, the new gospel serves to help bridge the gap between two incompatible belief systems. The new gospel’s appeal to the human quest for purpose parallels some of the fundamental beliefs of Kabalistic Gnostic New Age Luciferianism and Thelema. Like the new gospel of the purpose driven music paradigm, Kabalistic Gnostic New Age Luciferianism and Thelema promise their disciples freedom from guilt and frustrating, purposeless enslavement to moral laws. Adherents of the New Religion are reborn to a new life of infinite potentials through spiritual knowledge and experience. Secondly, the music and mannerisms of modern rock based worship bands are increasingly being conformed to this world. The walls between secular and sacred music are being torn down as evidenced by the fact that non-Christians enjoy the music of popular rock based “worship” bands. About 3 years ago I worked with an athiest/agnostic who was deeply involved in Satanic music and occult teaching. He used to tell me that he also enjoyed listening to alot of Christian music. At the time, I didn’t understand how someone who was angered whenever I mentioned the name of Jesus Christ could enjoy Christian music. After becoming familiar with what is now considered to be Christian music, I now understand how this man could enjoy it. Professing Christian bands like Delirious? stir tens of thousands of pagan concert goers to enjoy singing their “worship” songs because the underlying emotional message resulting from the tone, frequency and beat of the instrumental music in the “worship” songs is generally the same as the pagan’s secular music. As you can see from the preceding scriptures and scriptural principles, this isn’t a move of the Holy Spirit. It’s a counterfeiting operation established by Satan that’s being fueled by the inclusive gospel that has removed repentance from it‘s message and filled the church with non-repentant tares that love the secular music idol and want to use it in the church in the name of Jesus. Third, modern rock based worship music doesn’t conform to the teaching of Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 concerning the content, purpose and focus of music within the body of Christ. It is also directly opposed to the commands and principles of scripture in Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 and 1 John 2:15-17 concerning God’s desire for the church to avoid being conformed to the godless values, attitudes and lifestyles of the secular culture or age in which they live. Modern rock based worship music is the cunning trickery of Satan using secular instrumental music coupled with lyrics that are generally doctrinally shallow, vainly repetitious and religiously generic to cunningly abolish the separation God desires to exist between the church and the world in order to help lead the professing church into it’s prophesied state of apostasy prior to the revealing of Antichrist and the subsequent second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:2-4) This trickery is advanced by the formation of a national network of well respected and highly educated American Bible teachers who have been deceived concerning the nature and place of evangelism in the church and the meaning and practical application of Paul’s words “I am made all things to all men” in 1 Corinthians 9:22 and “I please all men in all things” in 1 Corinthians 10:33. Can Christians be seduced away from obedience to the truth? Can professing Christians be seduced away from obedience to the truth as it is revealed to the body of Christ in the commands and principles of scripture. Absolutely! For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3-4) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my (Jesus’) name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:4-5,24) The scriptures provide an excellent illustration of how Christians were seduced away from obedience to the truth as revealed to the body of Christ in the commands and principles of scripture. It’s written in Revelation 2:12-29 that two churches were addressed negatively by the Lord Jesus Christ because they were teaching Christians to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Eating things sacrificed to idols is clearly prohibited in the scriptures in Acts 15 and 21 and 1 Corinthians 8 and 10 if the person offering you the food informs you that it has been sacrificed to idols. Revelation 2:20-21 states: Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. This verse reveals that a well known professing Christian teacher at that time (about 95 A.D.) who claimed to speak for the Lord was falsely teaching those serving the Lord Jesus Christ that the Lord approved of them eating the flesh left over from nonChristian sacrifices to idols. This teaching was seducing or leading the Lord’s faithful servants away from the true commands of God against eating things sacrificed to idols. It was drawing faithful Christians away from obedience to God’s word into fornication or idolatry by worshipping idols. How did this teacher lead faithful Christians to follow false teaching. The scripture teaches that God’s servants were seduced. Seducers use a combination of flattery, promises and falsehood to get others to buy into their message. Satan wrongly divides scripture and teaches the end justifies the means One of Satan’s seductive lying methods is wrongly dividing scripture and incorporating within his intentionally deceitful hermeneutics the seductive occult teaching that “the end justifies the means”. Maybe faithful believers were being told that in order to reach their pagan neighbors for Christ they should never offend them by refusing to eat meat offered to them by their neighbors which was sacrificed to idols. After all, churches adopting this new wide open approach to evangelism were growing faster than traditional churches which were clinging to the traditional, fundamental teaching about eating meat offered to idols. Maybe the people were being told that methods change and by being flexible to the Holy Spirit and open to change they would be more effective in reaching their beloved neighbors for Christ. Satan’s use of the partial or half truth in bible teaching Another seductive lying technique of Satan is the use of partial or half-truth. Maybe the believers were told that it didn’t matter to the Lord if they ate the meat that was advertised to be sacrificed to idols. They may have been told that as believers in the true God they had the freedom to eat meat as long as in their own hearts they knew that the pagan gods were false. The apostle Paul confronted this error in the Corinthian church when he told them to refuse to eat meat from any pagan who advertised that the meat they’re intending to serve you is offered to idols. Paul taught that if a Christian publicly ate meat advertised by pagans to be offered to idols, the Christian would be openly supporting pagan worship of false idols and associating with pagans in the worship of demonic beings. Paul reminded believers that such behavior could lead others into sin and idolatry. He taught that cooperation with pagans in the worship of false gods will incite the Lord to anger against such idolatry. (1 Corinthians 8:10-13; 1 Corinthians 10:18-33) “Please all men in all things“ Another exaggerated half truth argument might have been that compassionate Christians don’t separate themselves things” andand act judgmentally toward nonChristians. They blend with them, “please all men in all become “all things to all people” in order to reach them with the love of Christ. This lie is addressed in 1 Corinthians 10:18-33 in which Christians are told that they can join a pagan for a meal. However, they’re to refuse to eat meat that a pagan tells them has been offered to idols. At the same time, however, they’re to “please all men in all things“. Certainly it wouldn’t necessarily please a pagan host if his Christian guest refused to eat the pagan’s favorite meat which he’d also offered to his favorite idol. This wouldn’t please the pagan any more than a Christian today who tells a pagan that he doesn’t want to share his favorite ungodly pleasure with him. The key to understanding the teaching of the Lord here is that “give none offense“ instructs Christians to avoid doing anything that would lead anyone else (Jew, Gentile, the church) to stumble into sin or fall away from Christ. This is the point at which many respected and well educated American Bible teachers are currently missing the point and opening the church up to Satan’s seduction. Pleasing all men in all things doesn’t mean to live in a wide open manner so that you never offend anyone by refusing to do something with them that they enjoy doing. THE TRUE INTERPRETATION IS QUITE THE OPPOSITE Pleasing all men in all things means to live in such a way that you don’t lead anyone to stumble into in or fall away from faith in Jesus Christ by your mode of living. The word translated please in verse 33 is the greek word aresko. It’s implied meaning in this context is “seek to be so“. Paul was saying that he too, like those he was writing to, should and would avoid doing anything that would lead anyone else (Jew, Gentile, the church) to stumble into sin or fall away from Christ. This teaching is in agreement with scriptural teaching found in Titus 2:11-15; Hebrews 12:1-3; 1 Peter 4:1-6 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1. The same couldn’t be said for the misinterpretation of the verse. “I have been made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some“ In 1 Corinthians 9:22 Paul says: “I have been made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some“ Once again Paul isn’t teaching Christians to live in a wide open manner so that they never offend anyone by refusing to do something with them that they enjoy doing. He isn’t teaching “cultural accommodation” which is a church politically correct way of saying worldly compromise. He isn’t advocating that Christians blend in as much as possible with their neighbors so that they represent Jesus as being cool and don’t drive anyone away from receiving Christ. He isn’t teaching the church to act and look like heavy metal worshippers in order to reach heavy metal worshippers; or to act and look “nerdish” to reach “nerds“. He isn’t advocating the use of selfish, manipulative, deceitful, greedy business success principles in order to achieve excellence as a witness to “up and outers“. He isn’t telling us that we are free to do whatever it takes in every arena of life to win a soul to Christ. No, the key to understanding Paul’s message lies in the context of the passage. In the proper interpretation of the bible or hermeneutics, the context in which a verse lies is “king“. In other words, the context in which a verse lies controls the intended meaning of any individual verse within that particular passage. In 1 Corinthians 9 the context is that Paul is explaining to the church his rationale for not being paid by the Corinthians for his preaching. He explains that for the sake of reaching as many people as possible that he has renounced his right to be a paid minister. Instead, he has chosen to “suffer all things, lest he should hinder the gospel of Christ“. (1 Corinthians 9:12) Paul is explaining to the Corinthians that by preaching the gospel for free, he is free to be a servant to all the different groups of people around Corinth. Paul isn’t obligated to anyone or anything in Corinth except to be faithful to the preaching of the gospel of the Lord in his ministry. (1 Corinthians 9:16-18) Maybe Paul knew that if he wasn’t on the payroll of any one particular local group, he would avoid the temptation of being manipulated by or limited by that group in the scope of his ministry. Maybe his decision was influenced by the thought that if he preached for free he couldn‘t be accused of preaching for money and wouldn‘t be tempted to settle down comfortably in Corinth. (1 Corinthians 9:18) By renouncing his right to earn his living from preaching the gospel to the Corinthians and instead willingly choosing to preach for free, Paul is free to make himself a servant to all in Corinth (Jews, those under law, the lawless, the weak) that he might certainly or no doubt save some. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23) by all means The word translated in verse 22 as “by all means” shouldn’t be interpreted to mean that we are to do whatever it takes and use whatever methods or tools available to us in order to save the lost. “By all means” is the Greek adverb παντως (pantos) meaning no doubt, certainly, surely or at any rate in this context. Alfred Marshall’s The Interlinear NASB-NIV Parallel New Testament in Greek and English translates παντως “in any case”, not “by all possible means”. Sakae Kubo’s A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament translates παντως as certainly or by all means, not “by all possible means“ as the NIV does. Moulton’s The Analytical Greek Lexicon Revised 1978 Edition translates παντως “at any rate” or by all means. Again there’s no sign of the word “possible” in the translation of the Greek adverb παντως accurately translated in the KJV as “by all means” and meaning in context, no doubt, certainly, surely, in any case or at any rate. Satan has cunningly used the inaccurate NIV translation of παντως as “by all possible means” in 1 Corinthians 9:22 against the religious CEO mindset of American pastors to build the Purpose Driven Music Paradigm. In context this is what Paul means by saying that “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23: By renouncing his right to earn his living from preaching the gospel to the Corinthians and instead willingly choosing to preach for free, Paul is free to make himself a servant to all in Corinth (Jews, those under law, the lawless, the weak) that he might by all means, certainly, no doubt, at any rate, or in any case, save some. Christians were clearly taught by Jesus and Paul that they could eat with pagans as long as in doing so they didn’t confirm the acceptability of worshipping a pagan’s idol. Christians were taught that if they were seen by another Christian with less moral consciousness eating meat publicly advertised as being offered to a pagan idol that this could falsely confirm the acceptability of worshipping the false idol and lead the other person into sin or apostasy. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof Whatever seductive lies Satan spoke through Thyatira’s teacher Jezebel, the lies were convincing enough to lead faithful Christians into idolatry. Satan is having the same degree of success seducing the church today as he couples the new gospel with the new music. The old cross and the new Jesus said, “if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me”. (Luke 9:23, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34) To deny yourself means to affirm that one has no acquaintance or connection with someone and to forget one’s self, lose sight of one’s self and interests. This definition is illustrated by Jesus saying that one must take up his cross daily and follow him. The cross was the instrument of capital punishment in the Roman culture of Jesus‘ day. It meant a cruel death to a person. To anyone desiring to be a Christian or follower of Christ, the cross means self denial and death to the sinful nature and it’s desires. Rock music is a product of the sinful nature of man, not the Holy Spirit of God. The true Christianity of the Apostle Paul agrees with Jesus’ words: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) The following message is an excerpt from an insightful classic Christian book entitled, “Man the Dwelling Place of God”. This scriptural teaching, written by a deceased Pennsylvania Christian Missionary Alliance pastor named A.W. Tozer, illustrates how the new evangelical Christian church in America has increasingly ignored the gospel of the kingdom. It serves to close a chapter which analyzed how the church has been seduced by the influence of false doctrine and the purpose driven music paradigm. All unannounced and mostly undetected there has come in modern times a new cross into popular evangelical circles. It is like the old cross, but different: the likenesses are s uperficial; the differences, fundamental. From this new cross has sprung a new philosophy of the Christian life, and from that new philosophy has come a new evangelical technique - a new type of meeting and a new kind of preaching. This new evangelicalism employs the same language as the old, but its content is not the same and its emphasis not as before. The old cross would have n o truck with the world. For Adam's proud flesh it meant the end of the journey. It carried into effect the sentence imposed by the law of Sinai. The new cross is not opposed to the human race; rather, it is a friendly pal and, if understood aright, it is the source of oceans of good clean fun and innocent enjoyment. It lets Adam live without interference. His life motivation is un changed; he still lives for his own pleasure, only now he takes delight in singing choruses and watching religious movies instea d of singing bawdy songs and drinking hard liquor. The accent is still on enjoyment, though the fun is now on a higher plane morally if not intellectually. The new cross encourages a new and entirely different evangelistic approach. The evangelist does not demand abnegation of the old life before a new life can be received. He preaches not contrasts but similarities. He seeks to ke y into public interest by showing that Christianity makes no unpleasant demands; rather, it offers the same thing the world does , only on a higher level. Whatever the sin -mad world happens to be clamoring after at the moment is cleverly shown to be the very thing the gospel offers, only the religious product is better. The new cross does not slay the sinner, it redirects him. It ge ars him into a cleaner and jollier way of living and saves his self- respect. To the self-assertive it says, "Come and assert yourself for Christ." To the egotist it says, "Come and do your boasting in the Lord." To the thrill seeker it says, "Come and enj oy the thrill of Christian fellowship." The Christian message is slanted in the direction of the current vogue in order to make it acceptable to the public. The philosophy back of this kind of thing may be sincere, but its sincerity does not save it from b eing false. It is false because it is blind. It misses completely the whole meaning of the cross. The old cross is a symbol of d eath. It stands for the abrupt, violent end of a human being. The man in Roman times who took up his cross and started down the road had already said good-by to his friends. He was not coming back. He was not going out to have his life redirected; he was g oing out to have it ended. The cross made no compromise, modified nothing, spared nothing; it slew all of the man, completely an d for good. It did not try to keep on good terms with its victim. It struck cruel and hard, and when it had finished its work, t he man was no more. The race of Adam is under the death sentence. There is no commutation and no escape. God cannot approve any of the fruits of sin. However innocent they may appear or beautiful to the eyes of men. God salvages the individual by liquidati ng him and then raising him again to newness of life. That evangelism which draws friendly parallels between the ways of God and the ways of men is false to the Bible and cruel to the souls of its hearers. The faith of Christ does not parallel the world, it intersects it. In coming to Christ we do not bring our old life up onto a higher plane; we leave it at the cross. The corn of wheat must fall into the ground and die. We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, or the world of sports, or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. God offers life, but not an improved old life. The life he offers is life out of death. It stands alwa ys on the far side of the cross. Whoever would possess it must repudiate himself and concur in God's just sentence against him. What does this mean to the individual, the condemned man who would find life in Christ Jesus? How can this theology be translated into life? Simply, he must repent and believe. He must forsake his sins and then go on to forsake himself. Let him cover nothi ng, defend nothing, excuse nothing. Let him not seek to make terms with God, but let him bow his head before the stroke of God's stem displeasure and acknowledge himself worthy to die. Having done this let him gaze with simple trust upon the risen Saviour, and from him will come life and rebirth and cle ansing and power. The cross that ended the earthly life of Jesus now puts an end to the sinner; and the power that raised Christ from the dead now raises him to a new life along with Christ. To any who may object to this or count it merely a narrow and private view of truth, let me say God has set His hallmark of approval upon this message from Paul's day to the present. Whether stated in these exact words or not, this has been the content of all preaching that has brought life and power to the world trough the centuries. The mystics, the reformers, the revivalists have put their emphasis here, and signs and wonders and mighty operations of the Holy Ghost gave witness to God's approval. Dare we, the heirs of such legacy of power, tamper with the truth? Dare we with our stubby pencils erase the lines of the blueprint or alter the pattern shown us in the Mount? May God forbid. Let us p reach the old cross and we will know the old power. -A. W. Tozer (1946 from the book “Man The Dwelling Place of God”) Chapter 15 The Everlasting Gospel Of The Kingdom As discussed in Chapter 14, the message of repentance has been removed from the everlasting gospel of the kingdom preached by Jesus Christ and his apostles. Without the message of repentance, this new inclusive gospel and the counterfeit Christ it preaches fit well within the attitude of tolerance permeating our culture. This new gospel asks little more from it’s adherents than to profess faith in Jesus Christ and support your local church with a positive attitude. This new gospel serves Satan’s purpose to destroy biblical Christianity and establish Crowley’s Law of Thelema which teaches “do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the law, love under will.” Because repentance has been removed from the gospel of the kingdom, the church is receiving people with lives full of idols like secular music into it’s membership. According to the prophecy of Revelation 14:6-11, three major events will occur in world’s future. First, the everlasting gospel will be preached to the whole world. Second, the world’s preeminent superpower, Babylon the Great, will suddenly be destroyed and the nations of the world will willingly submit to the leadership of the Beast 666. Third, those that worship the beast and his image, and receive the mark of his name in their forehead or hand will receive the full wrath of God and burn forever. The everlasting gospel is the only way out of the chaos of the coming days. In order to avoid the wrath of God to come, the scriptures urge us to come out Babylon the Great. In one sense, I believe “to come out of her” means to quit worshipping her idols which would include her secular music system which is conditioning minds to receive the Beast 666. The demonic secular music system of Babylon the Great fills the airwaves of commercial Babylon and the world. This wine of this great whore’s fornication intoxicates and addicts her consumers. The great whore, the idol worshipping Babylon the Great, has no discretion. The devils and foul spirits inhabiting her music wage their warfare upon impressionable minds of all ages in her commercial establishments, homes, cars, schools, events and now even within her churches. Yes, her sins have truly reached unto heaven! And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication... And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH… And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird… And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities… And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall be wail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, sayin g, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come… And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, a nd shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the brideg room and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. (Revelation 17:1-2, 5, 18; 18:1-2, 4-5, 7-11, 21-23) Yes, fear God, be alarmed and frightened by the awesome power of the Lord God, for suddenly in one hour the demonized music of the world’s preeminent superpower will be silenced forever within her borders by the judgment of Almighty God! Talk about front page news everywhere but in the homes of the ex-superpower! What a terrifying day in history it will be when the power of pride of Babylon the Great is burnt to the ground. In one hour the Lord God will use her enemies to judge her and the Beast 666 will be given authority to rule the nations. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. (Revelation 17:16-17) How much she hath glorified herself, and live d deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. (Revelation 18:7 -8) Notice that the citizens of Babylon the Great don’t think this tragedy could happen to them. They feel secure because they sit as a queen in a preeminent position of authority amongst the nations. They live luxuriously in comparison to most of the world. They rock with and rule over others even though they are a nation deeply indebted to others. However, let’s get real for a moment. What if Babylon the Great was really the United States of America? John, the writer of Revelation for God, was amazed when he saw the mystery surrounding Babylon the Great in his vision. The angel explained to him how and why she would be judged after seeing his amazement at her. (Revelation 17:5-7) Anyway, if all of America was nuked tomorrow, do you know what would become of you after you’re body was killed by enemy fire? The next few pages of this chapter will explain the gospel of the kingdom in detail and how you can know the true Lord Jesus Christ and receive his salvation from the coming wrath of God. The gospel of the kingdom: Jesus Christ is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) As Lord, Jesus Christ is the eternal supreme authority and master controller of everything in heaven and earth. Though living his earthly life in humble poverty, throughout history, no one will have ever had more power, wisdom, knowledge or wealth than the Lord Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:15-2:10; John 1:1-18) As Christ, Jesus is the anointed Messiah (Christos in Greek; Mashiyach in Hebrew), the great anointed deliverer of Israel. (Daniel 9:25-26; John 1:41) His name, Jesus, is the English equivalent of the Hebrew Yeshua and it means salvation. In Matthew 1:21 the English scripture says that he will be called JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Jesus or Yeshua is the image or likeness of the invisible God. (Hebrews 1:1-3) In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9) In other words, the heavenly Father, the supreme Deity, the creator or divinity first appeared in Israelas Yeshua or Jesus Christ a`little over 2000 years ago. (Colossians 1:13-18) As Israel’s prophets had written centuries earlier, Jesus was fathered by the Holy Spirit in the small Jewish town of Bethlehem, also known as the city of David, in the province of Judea within Israel. (Micah 5:2; John 7:42) His mother was the virgin Mary. His father was the Holy Spirit, not Joseph of Arimethea. (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7; Matthew 2:1-6). As prophesied, Jesus was a direct descendant of Abraham and Kings David and Solomon. (Genesis 12:3; 1 Chronicles 22:6-10; Matthew 1:1-17) Israel’s prophets wrote that he would minister in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1-7; Matthew 4:1225) and willingly suffer a crucifixion to pay for our sins in order to make reconciliation, the forgiveness of sins, possible between the Holy One of God and sinful people. (Isaiah 52:13-53; Psalm 22; Hebrews 2:9-17: Romans 3:25, 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14) They wrote he should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light to the Jews and to the Gentiles. (Acts 2:14-40, 26:13-23) What message did Jesus teach? Jesus preached the same message that John the Baptist preached, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.“ “Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Matthew 3:2, 4:12-17; Luke 16:16; Mark 1:14-15) Gospel means a good message. The message is that the kingdom of God or heaven has drawn near or is in the midst of us spiritually in the presence of it’s King, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Luke 11:20) The future visible kingdom of God is prepared only for people who personally experience a spiritual birth separate from their original physical birth. (John 3:1-8) A person is born spiritually or born again by repenting of their sin against God and believing that Jesus Christ has the authority as Lord of the kingdom of God to forgive and accept them as his child and to control their life by his Spirit. Having received new spiritual life by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-10), they are accepted as children of God now (Galatians 3:26), and inherit the everlasting heavenly kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ at his second coming. (2 Peter 1:11) Following Christ, they express faith in the word of his kingdom by living in obedience to his unchangingly pure truth. (Luke 4:4; John 8:31-36, 14:15-24,15:7-10, 17:1320; 1 John 2:1-6) This truth is preserved in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. This is the only divinely breathed holy document or scripture of truth. (Daniel 10:21; Psalm 12:6-7; 2 Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Peter 3:15-17) There is also only one everlasting gospel, one faith, one Lord, one God and Father of all. (Revelation 14:6-7; Galatians 1:6-9; John 14:6; Ephesians 4:4-6; Matthew 4:23, 24:14) The unchanging message of John, Jesus, the original apostles and all future messengers from God to sinners is repent and believe the good message of the kingdom of God. (Acts 26:20; Matthew 3:8, 10:1-7; Mark 2:17; Luke 24:47) What is Repentance? Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English language says it’s sorrow for sin as an offence and dishonor to God which is accompanied by an amendment of life. John the Baptist warned those who hadn’t forsaken their sinful ways, yet desired to be baptized, “O generation of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:7-8) To repent involves more than changing your mind about who Jesus is. It involves turning away from sinful actions towards the righteousness of Jesus. (Revelation 9:20-21, 16:9-11) Jesus said “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17) and “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. “(Luke 13:5) God commands all men everywhere to repent. (Acts 17:30) In Ezekiel 14:6 and 18:30 it’s recorded that the Lord God, whose character never changes, said to the house of Israel: “Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols ; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.” “Therefore I will judge you , O house of Israel, every one according to his ways. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so that iniquity shall not be your ruin.“ The Apostle Paul preached that both Jews and Gentiles should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. (Acts 20:21, 26:20) It is God’s goodness that leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4; Acts 5:31) The Spirit of God uses the word of God to convict a person of his guilt before God. This brings a godly sorrow for sin to the person. This results in confession of sin to God. This confession includes a hatred for and desire to forsake sin. As God hears and answers a prayer for forgiveness, his blood spiritually cleanses the guilty conscience from dead works of sin, so that it’s a clear and able to serve him. (2 Corinthians 7:8-11; John 8:1-12; Proverbs 8:13; 1 John 1:9; Hebrews 6:1, 9:11-15) What does Jesus call people to repent of? Jesus taught that if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34) He told a rich young ruler who thought he had religiously kept God’s commandments not to commit adultery, to murder, to steal, to lie, to honor parents, and to love your neighbor as yourself that no one is good except God alone. (Matthew 19:17, Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19) In light of the fact that no one is good except God alone, the first thing we are to repent of is our pride that tells us that we are inherently righteous and good. There is none righteous, no, not one. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We all fall short of the holy perfection of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:10, 23) The voice of antichrist teaches people to do their own will and fulfill themselves in all things because antichrist says that there is no sin upon the earth. This lying spirit teaches that there is no evil but restriction and that people must annihilate restrictions keeping us from expressing ourselves. This is the opposite of what Jesus taught. Jesus tells us that whosever will save his life shall lose it: but whosever shall lose his life (deny himself) for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. (Mark 8:34-35) Secondly, we are to repent of the sinful thought and behavioral patterns which flow from the vanity of our human nature, flesh or carnal mind. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:7-8) Galatians 5:1921 teach that the works of the flesh are: adultery (fantasizing about or actually having any form of extra-marital sex ; divorcing a faithful spouse in order to marry someone else or marrying someone who has wrongfully divorced their spouse in order to marry you) fornication (illicit sexual intercourse such as adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals, close relatives, a single or divorced man or woman. Metaphorically, the worship of idols and the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols) uncleaness (unrestrained, excessive immoral thoughts, words and actions) lasciviousness (any form of male gay or female lesbian homosexuality; any form of pre-marital sex or fornication; incest; bestiality; loosely running around indulging animalistic sexual desires) idolatry (attachment and devotion to any group, person, place, symbol or thing in the world above the Lord Jesus Christ with such excessive allegiance or covetous desire for it causing disobedience to the principles or commands of His Word) witchcraft (sorcery; the art and science of using demonic forces to cause change to occur according to your will through white magic witchcraft to manipulate people and or circumstances for personal gain and in black magic witchcraft for destructive purposes) hatred (deep rooted, unforgiving opposition to someone; the opposite of friendship toward a person) variance (quarrels based upon differences of opinion,interpretation, or altered legal conditions) emulations (malicious, unrighteous heated jealousy or indignation), wrath (fierce, violent, extreme anger) strife (any form of competitive rivalry or contention for superiority for the purpose of promoting yourself above someone or placing them below you) seditions (opposition to moral, lawful civil authority) heresies (cultic or sectarian beliefs unique to an individual or a group which are contrary to the sound teaching of the Holy Scriptures) envying (feeling ill will or spiteful jealousy at the superior condition and happiness of another) murders (premeditated killing from extreme hatred or ill will) drunkenness (overwhelmed or overpowered by intoxicating alcoholic drink to the point where one becomes physically and mentally impaired) revellings (letting loose, carousing, partying or feasting with noisy music and hilarious laughter arising from self-indulgent entertainment). Galatians 5:21 says that they which do (continually practice without repenting of) such things (a lifestyle consisting of the works of the flesh) shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9,10; Ephesians 5:5; Matthew 7:13-29, 24:4-5) How does a person inherit the kingdom of God? #1: Confess that you have sinned against God. As an example of repentance and forgiveness of sin consider King David of Israel. The lust of David’s sinful flesh for an affair with a very beautiful women quickly turned him from a godly man of faith into an immoral murderer. David committed adultery with Uriah’s wife Bathsheba. He then got Uriah drunk and ordered Uriah be killed. After Uriah was killed, David married Bathsheba. (2 Samuel 11) When the Lord spoke through the prophet Nathan to David about these events, David’s immediate reaction of heart was “I have sinned against the Lord.“ (2 Samuel 12: 1-14) The Lord immediately forgave David because he humbly confessed rather than proudly denied his sin. David’s Psalm 51 again teaches us that to be forgiven we must confess to God in broken humility that we are born sinful. (“behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou will not despise“) We admit we’ve broken the law of God and are justifiably deserving of God’s judgment and rejection. (“against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest“) This is confession. 1 John 1:8-9 teaches that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The first step to forgiveness is admitting in confession to the Lord , the only mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5), that we are sinful and have sinned against him in our hearts. #2. Believe in and receive the Lord Jesus Christ Be willing to give up all the behaviors, thoughts and attitudes which naturally flow from the vanity of your human nature. Human nature naturally wars with God. Our heart deceitfully seeks to make us, rather than Jesus Christ, the center of our universe. In repentance, we acknowledge to God that our heart; the hidden inner person and center of our mind, will and emotions is sinful. We give it’s control over to the Lord Jesus Christ. When we truly receive the Lord Jesus Christ as God, we take his word into our heart as personal truth. Faith in Christ is expressed by denying ourselves leadership of our own lives and allowing the spiritual truth of the word of Christ to lead our lives. Jesus said in John 6:63, “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life. Romans 8:1,14 teach that there is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit and for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. “Receiving” Christ means expressing faith in his teachings by living daily under the control of his spirit through obedience to his truth preserved in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. (Luke 4:4; John 8:31-36, 10:27-28; 14:15-24,15:7-10, 17:13-20; 1 John 2:1-6; Daniel 10:21; Psalm 12:6-7; 2 Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Peter 3:15-17; James 1:21-27, 2:14-26) Receiving Christ, we immediately inherit eternal life; the knowledge of God. (John 17:3) This doesn’t mean that the true Christian immediately becomes perfect. (Philippians 3:9-14) True Christians can still sin, but when they repent and confess their sins, those sins are forgiven by the Lord. (James 3:2, 5:16; 1 John 1:8-2:1) In the future, true believers inherit the kingdom of heaven, escaping the eternal torment of those refusing to repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ. (Revelation 14:6-12; 20:4-22:17) Have you received the Lord Jesus Christ of the scriptures or have you been duped into receiving the counterfeit Christ of Babylon the Great? CHAPTER 16 Capitalizing Off The Purpose Driven Music Paradigm THEPOWEROFONE AND TEENMANIA MINISTRIES CORPORATION Josh McDowell and Acquire the Fire promoted a 2003-2004 youth evangelism event called The Power Of One. The event was marketed to include premiere bands, amazing effects, powerful worship and incredible challenge. Marketing the event was Acquire The Fire, an arm of Ron Luce’s corporation, Teenmania Ministries. (teen mania.com) Teenmania’s Board of Directors included the ecumenical ministry Promise Keepers President Randy Phillips, and the Vice President of Proctor and Gamble, Tom Muccio. Former success gospel preacher Peter Lowe’s deceitful philosophy of ministry Also listed on the Board of Directors for Teenmania was Pakastani missionary kid turned evangelist/Florida entrepreneur Peter Lowe, the former CEO of now defunct Success Events International. Success Events used to run seminars which included speakers such as Presidents Clinton, Bush, Gorbachev and a host of other famous sports and entertainment celebrities. The organization made over $2 million profit in the 1st quarter of 2001 in concert with Success Magazine as a part of The Success Companies Corporation before suddenly financially collapsing under the Success Companies Corporation umbrella. Peter Lowe’s Success Seminars taught deceitful, psychologically manipulative sales techniques such as the following: In sales, get people to say "yes" to obvious questions. It gets them in the mood to say "yes" to your product or service. Avoid intimidation. Never say, "sign the contract"; say, " Let's review the paperwork and get your OK." Don't ask questions that might elicit a negative response. Instead of, "Can we meet this week?" say, "I have time this week, or would next week be better?" According to an article posted on free republic.com printed in USA Today 4/15/02, the 2000 merger between Lowe’s previously non-profit organization and Success Magazine, which Lowe first called a “match made in heaven”, soon collapsed. The collapse was huge “leaving scores of creditors with unpaid bills topping $5 million and radically altering the fortunes of the three organizations“ due to greed, poor management, deceitful advertising and apparently fraudulent practices. Freerepublic.com reports that Lowe’s organization would cancel contracts with top speakers and leave their names on the tickets. Bill Clinton’s controversial name was left off the “Success 2001” website as if he wasn’t speaking when in fact he was. The reason given was that Clinton didn’t want the advance publicity. Those led astray felt that it was a deceitful “bait and switch” sales manipulation. “In an April 2001 Success story, Lowe wrote that "in my business, o rganization is everything." But his new company seemed disorganized at best. Vendors weren't paid. Contracts with top speakers were canceled — though their names still were used to sell seats. Last September, "Peter Lowe's Success 2001" sold thousands of tickets for speeches by Clinton, TV show host Montel Williams, Mrs. Fields Cookies founder Debbi Fields and others in Chicago's United Center. But the star attractions were no-shows. And the event was shifted to the smaller Odeum Sports & Expo Center with little advance warning. The result? Angry ticket buyers and a major traffic jam. "They had canceled all the speakers, but they didn't tell anybody," says Jim Keppler, whose Virginia-based speaking agency is seeking arbitration over more than $1 million in alleged contract breaches by Success Events. "That's when it became clear to me that there was unprofessional, if not fraudulent , conduct." Jack Bohlken is typical of the disillusioned. He says he paid $165 for tickets to a Lowe organized event in Atlanta that was canceled last year. He says he's also owed $35 for motivational tapes he never received. When he sought a refund, he sa ys, he was told he could only get credit for yet-to-be-scheduled seminars. "The way this is being handled, with no communication with people like myself, is just the opposite of the values they espoused," says Bohlken. The Better Business Bureau of West Florida has logged dozens of complaints against Lowe's old and new companies from customers seeking refunds for arena events and motivational tapes they say weren't worth the cost.” “Who bears legal responsibility for the mounting debts left by the collapse of the magazine, speaking business and tennis sponsorship? According to Lowe, he became merely an employee when he sold his firm to The Success Companies. Van Etten and the parent firm made all the decisions, he says. "I wish I had enough money to pay all the people The Success Companies should have paid. But I can't do that," says Lowe, who has launched a new motivational speaking firm called Life Win. "That's something The Success Companies is going to have to answer to." Van Etten calls that response "absolutely not accurate." He says Lowe served as CEO of the speaking events subsidiary and held day-to-day control, an assertion echoed by many former company employees and vendors. "I wasn't responsible for the crash," says Van Etten. "That's like saying Boeing is responsible for the jet that flew into the World Trade Center," he says. Wood, who owns some of what's left of The Success Companies, declines to comment on the record. Several of those involved predict the tangled dispute and mounting debts will return to the place the story be gan: bankruptcy court. "We want to know where is the money, who's got assets, what happened to the company," says Mark Kelly, lawyer for a Tampa printer trying to collect $141,134 in unpaid bills. "Everyone's running for cover like cockroaches when the light goes on."“ What has been Peter Lowe’s philosophy of ministry and evangelism? The following article posted on across.co.nz/PeterLowe.htm clarifies Lowe’s vision very well. "I really think, when it comes down to it, when it comes to sharing the Gospel; I am very direct, particularly for this setting," he said. "Today I talked about repentance, hell, judgment, and sin and, of course, God's forgiveness and eternal life, so I really go through the whole nine ya rds of the Gospel, which people say you can't do in a setting like this. Which, of course, is proven wrong. You know, the Gospel is Good News, and people want to hear good news. "Back in 1981, I knew what was called the ministry of mass evangelism. To com e back to Billy Graham, I felt he was my model. He was the only one who knew how to fill up stadiums and has done it faithfully decade after decade. Hasn't given up or fallen. I've seen a lot of people who have tried to copy Billy Graham and no one has been able to do it. I tell those people, 'When Billy Graham started he was very creative. He did things differently, so if you are going to copy him, you do it by doing things differently from him.' "So I asked myself how I would re -invent the Billy Graham crusade for the 21st century? And this was my answer to the question. I'm not saying it's the right one, but I wanted a ministry that was mainstream. Most evangelists struggle in preaching to the choir. I come from a Christian background where we were fig hting the tide of evil and I've never liked that. I want to be with the tide. So I thought, 'How do you make evangelism the tide?' You get on board with the Gorbachevs and the Thatchers and the Reagans. You get them on board for the evangelistic event. I k ind of envisaged filling up stadiums like we have been doing and have them talk about various elements of success and then I com e on and say, 'If you're interested in success, you've got to be interested in the Gospel.' I still haven't filled up those stadiums, so my dream still hasn't come through, but you can see a glimpse of it." One can see that Lowe’s philosophy is permeating the POWEROFONE as this mainstream youth event deceitfully employs the pyrotechnics, rock music and marketing hype techniques of the world in order to deceitfully persuade worldly youth to receive a counterfeit cool Christ. The Jesus of the scriptures called those that would his saved disciples to deny themselves, leave the love of the world behind, put the lust of their flesh behind them and follow him. Granted, by the grace of God a person can repent at any time in their life, however, according to these articles Peter Lowe admits he’s never liked the true message of the gospel of the kingdom. These feelings continue to be reflected in his deceitful ministry of marketing Jesus in our image to today‘s youth as a part of Teenmania‘s corporate leadership. For years Josh McDowell has been a well known and widely respected evangelical apologist, writer and speaker. In many minds, his name automatically gives credibility to any event he sponsors. Before rejecting this warning, however, remember the warning of Jesus from Matthew 24 concerning the many professing Christians who will deceive other professing Christians near the end of the world before Jesus returns to Jerusalem. Amazingly enough, Josh McDowell’s sponsorship of this event may categorize him as one of the many to be aware of that Jesus warned us about in the Matthew 24 prophecy. This is not a commentary on his moral character, or his motives. It is an evaluation of the false doctrinal beliefs he is communicating through the bands representing the Lord Jesus Christ at the event he’s sponsoring. Next we’ll examine a few of the premiere bands advertised to be included in this THEPOWEROFONE event. The first band to be examined is the most widely known and successful band in the POWEROFONE lineup, the United Kingdom’s own Delirious? Delirious? Delirious? is an eclectic mix of drum dominated pop, stadium rock, punk, and heavy metal music after the likes of Radiohead, U2, Sting and Smashing Pumpkins. The word delirious means to be disordered in intellect and have ideas that are wild, irregular and unconnected to truth. In comparison to the sound doctrine of scripture, the innovative British pop/rock band Delirious? is delirious. They are recognized in reviews as erasing the line that exists between rock and praise music, between secular and Christian music. They believe God shows up at rock concerts and that they can make worship music for mainstream radio. They aren’t grieved over the lost condition of thousands of their fans needing to repent of their sin and receive Christ as Lord. they are happy if those fans are their friends and enjoy the music. Delirious? consists of professing Christians blending so well with the world that they have mainstream hit albums and singles, gold records, concert tours worldwide, record distribution in 100 countries and music videos featured in the UK in regular rotation on MTV, MTV 2, VH-1, and The Box. In 1999, VH-1 used the single "Deeper '99" as the soundtrack for the VH-1 Fashion Awards, and Fox TV used another single, "It's OK," on the show Get Real. They have represented the Lord Jesus Christ using the Satanic symbol of the Pentagram as pictured above left, and a 2001 tour named “One Wild Night” with rock idols like Jon Bon Jovi and Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 pictured above right. Wild is incompatible with the holiness of God for it means means loose, licentious or disorderly. Many of the dates were sold out, including the show at RDS Stadium in Ireland, drawing a crowd of 40,000 and registering in music industry magazine Pollstar as having the third highest attendance internationally during that reporting period. Jon Bon Jovi has opened for the Satanic likes of Judas Priest, KISS, Rolling Stones, Scorpions, White Snake, RATT, and ZZ Top. He has generated over $93,000,000 in sales and earned 7 consecutive #1 music videos. Yet, this man of the world toured with Delirious? in 2001. Here‘s a quote from Jon Bon Jovi revealing the immoral mindset of the man Delirious chose to tour with in their 2001 One Wild Night tour. "This is the way I look at sex scenes: I have basically been doing them for a living for years. Trying to seduce an audience is the basis of rock 'n' roll. And if I may say s o, I'm pretty good at it...Plus, being married and monogamous, it's the closest thing I can do to having sex without getting in trouble for it...The only thing I like more than my wife is my money. And I'm not about to lose that to her and her lawyers..."--Movieline, February 1998 Critics and fans began regularly compare the band to U2, Radiohead, Manic Street Preachers and Oasis. Guitarist Stu Garrard confesses, "As we've developed, we wanted to write about our faith in a way that worked on a musical le vel for non-Christians, and for the Christian listener will work on both a musical and spiritual level. We've had people tell us there's an inspiration in our music, similar to what they've heard in U2's music, and they want to know what it is. That's the impact we've longed to have." (Courtesy of Furious Recordshttp://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/delirious.html) Keyboardist Tim Jupp says, "We just see ourselves as a band out there trying to write great music and we just happen to be Christians. I think often you get tagged with this label of 'Christian band,' which is a little strange for us because if you're a Christian and a fireman you don't get labeled a Christian fireman. A lot of our songs have that kind of focus because that's who we are. We're a rock band, and we're Christians. We see no conflict or compromise in that." Bassist Jon Thatcher continues, "In England, there's not really a Christian music scene. The Christian industry is really non -existent. It's good to be in there - good that all the music is put together. When people hear the Christian tag, they automatically think it's second-rate. They think you're going to preach to them. We try to fix it by being ourselves in our environment. They can see we're not out to tell the m they're sinners or to repent; we're all just people trying to do our best." Adds Stew Smith, "We've found that once we meet people and they realize we're just a bunch of normal guys, everything is cool." The band have long had a saying which encompasses their view of Christians and non-Christians alike enjoying Delirious?'s music, "You don't have to believe to belong." "I think one of the things we're discovering in America is that thin gs are put in a box," says lead singer Martin Smith. "If you're in country music, you go in that box. If you do worship music, y ou're put in that box. It's not exactly like that in England. … "What we are trying to do is stay out of the box. We don't want to be predictable. We don't want to be labeled. We want to be free to be who we are." The latest Delirious album, World Service, is basically a lyrically positive, generic pop/rock album of “God songs” which mentions Jesus’ name just 1 time in 12 songs while failing to preach the gospel. In conclusion, based upon this analysis, at best it seems Delirious? is a doubleminded, idolatrous band of professing Christians apparently attempting the impossible dream of simultaneously serving God and money while being both a friend of the world and a friend of God. Their music is written and performed to capitalize on both the secular and contemporary Christian music marketplaces. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:4-10) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of th e Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abi deth for ever. (1 John 2:15-17) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness wit h unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come ou t from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:1 4-7:1) I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the worl d, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. (John 17:14 -19) Additional references used in reviewing Delirious? include the following listed below: Touching Lives with Music that Matters, by Andy Argyrakis, Michael Herman, and Russ Breimeier posted 01/27/03 Christianity today.com/music/interviews/2003/delirious -0103.html. http://www.renownmagazine.com/INTDel1.html-2001.Review: Pride (In The Name Of Love) Source: Delirious.org.uk Author: Dave Wood Date: 27 Jan 2004. Review: World Service Source: stocki.ni.org (Rhythms of Redemption) Author: Steve Stockman Date: 24 Nov 2003. Review: World Service Source: ccmplanet.com Author: Brandon Klassen Date: 11 Nov 2003. Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine. January/February 1999, Vol. 57, No. 6, Pg.22. The bands evaluated in the paragraphs to follow are scheduled to perform at POWEROFONE. Their Christian music ministry is evaluated according to the commands and principles of scripture in obedience to the command in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22: Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22) KUTLESS Kutless was the best selling new Christian hard rock artist of 2002; a feat accomplished in just six months due to a mid-year record release. Three number one R&R Rock singles. One top 5 CHR single that unexpectedly became the longest charting song in the history of the R&R CHR chart. Kutless played 220 shows their first year to almost 200,000 people. What is Kutless selling in the name of Christian music? The 2002 release Kutless consists of 13 hard rock songs with just 1 song mentioning Jesus by name. This hard rock band maintains a public display of evangelical Christianity having bible study/prayer and maintaining a friendship with Dr. James Dobson’s son, Ryan. On the other hand, Kutless members employ spray on pentagram tatoos in their stage dress. Lead vocalist Jon Micah Sumrall replicates the gripping hard rock vocal style of Creed’s Steve Stapp. On stage they have been described as acting like crazy rock ‘n’ rollers employing grandiose behavior such as cross-stage guitar tossing. (Sources: danklassen.com/album.php?id=47; christianmusicplanet.com/magazine/viewarticle.asp?id=171) 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 teaches us to perform a quality control operation on the things that we accept into our lives in order that our entire being be sanctified or separated from profane things and be consecrated to God: prove all things: scrutinize or examine something before accepting it as genuinely excellent and beneficial hold fast that which is good: after examining something, retain it only if it’s excellent in character and well suited for it’s intended purpose abstain from all appearance of evil: refrain from using or retaining anything which actually is or even appears to be evil in any way, shape or form. In applying this truth and examining the professed Christian music of the band Kutless, the evidence presented reveals that the church needs to refrain from listening to this hard rocking band of professing Christians claiming to play Christian music. Kutless maintains an appearance of evil employing occult pentagram tatoos and fashioning it’s sound and stage shows after the world’s hard rock bands. In spite of their off-stage acts of Christian devotion, this band acts like the world on stage. Although this band may be sincere, the teaching of 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 exhorts the church to abstain from all appearance of evil and not to conform ourselves to this world. In addition, although Kutless’s music is said to be comparatively more “Christian” than many professing contemporary rock christian bands, the lyrics and instrumental music of Kutless don’t pass the Colossians 3:16/Ephesians 5:19 biblical test for acceptable Christian music discussed in Chapter 2. John Reuben 25 year old Columbus Ohio native John Reuben Zappin’s hard core hip-hop music is described as being guitar laced music with rap/hip-hop origins and intense, thought provoking lyrics. His lyrics are considered to be from the heart by his fans. John prides himself on being honest with himself and others. Rap reviewers have said he’s bringing hip-hop gangastaland to the white suburbs. A 2003 interview captured on renownmagazine.com/INTJohnReuben.htmln reveals John portraying the image of a a young man obsessed with hanging out with cool people and having fun. He appears to find it difficult to be serious, says he likes and is inspired by everything, including all music. He considers giving thanks and credit to God “cheesy”, has too many questions and not enough answers. An example of that is the song, “Peep“, with the following lyrics: "I scream to God out of frustration After another day of waking And hating the fact th at I'm still where I'm at What's the point of all this? 'cuz I'm not seeming to find it Is it meaningless? I search the reason behind it 'cuz these moments seem to drag on forever And these years I have went through I've never been This desperation has formed repetition within Too insecure to attend and I'm too weak to defend Here it comes again all in my world again And now I'm le ft with no direction, no beginning, no end" John’s explanation concerning the origin of one of his popular music videos, full court duck duck goose, provides a picture of the foolish mind of this professing christian. “No, a kid was telling me that he would always ask the gym teacher what they were doing for gym class that day. And he [the teacher] would always say “Playing full court Duck Duck Goose” you know, kind of giving him this attitude because he was tired of him asking. So he would say that every time he would ask. And I just thought it was funny, the idea of a bunch of little kids going to gym. And then it got even funnier as I started thinking of these grown men going to the gym, and the idea just started developing more and more. So I started thinking about the song and the budget I had, I didn’t have a huge budget to do it. So I just thought how funny it would be to throw it into this warehouse, this underground world of Duck Duck Goose players. A lot of people have said “It kind of reminded me of Fight Club.” So you know, just the thought of these men taking their aggression out on a game of Duck Duck Goose really, really stuck with me. Which doesn’t leave a lot of room for any deep Spiritual meaning I guess, so you’re going to have to jus t enjoy the video.” John flashes the satanic salute, the Mano or Il Cornuto and employs the occult pentagram in his CD artwork. Most John Reuben songs, like “Up and At ‘Em“ and “Gather In“, whose partial lyrics are shown below, leave you wondering why anyone would think the song had anything to do with the Lord Jesus Christ or usually even christianity. His “Hindsight” and “Are We There Yet?” CD’s never mentioned the name of Jesus Christ. From “Up and At ‘Em“: “Not this monotonous melancholy mundane monotone 45 minutes of folly over the metronome metro dome astronomical inside your home now if it ain't phenomenal we let it alone let it be known we won't allow nor will we condone anything less than the above has stated and shown and i'm not trying to be a jerk up on this microphone i just want to make you happy and the party full blown so if you're up in the location with no time w astin looking for a vibe and some recreation look no further friends you've reached your destination no question period we're at the point of exclamation all i need is a little participation and i'll coordinate and formulate the orchestration to spark the party into activation but it takes all of us to keep it escalating options haven't been granted we're about to do it again you h ave no choice in the matter get your hands up we're about to run it from beginning to end up in the place with style and grace you have no choice in the matter get your hands up ready to rock and get down tonight you have no choice in the matter get your hands up.” From “Gather In“: “so much energy so much force/ move into the rhythm rock until my voice gets hoarse/ now where did that come from what's the source/ ya'll feeli n me yet bet let's set the course/ and get the blood circulation/ when the beat starts breakin' the people start shakin' and I s tart communication are you feelin' me yet/ God-given inspiration got me in imagination/ and it's real to me bet bet bet better than best fresher than fresh man hot to def from right to left/ keep your hands up in the air a say what/ keep your hands up a say what say what I John Reuben on behalf of the forgotten/ have stopped in the buildin'/ give me a room full of hyperactive child ren/ forget the ritalin man I want it rowdy come on n' crowd me I choose to use my voice loudly/ shall we get down immediately/ how we get down pure personality/ most definetely fresh as can be the best in me the proper recipe for pure energy now what the see we rockin' steadily incredible melody motivated from the animated side tellin' me compellin' me to rock/ and yo the track is hot and I'm ready to get live even if you're not just pick out the spot and bring them on in/ party people get down why the turntables spin/ after it's done my man will do it up again cuz I'm sure by then we'll have a second wind.” But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talk ing, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean pers on, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefor e he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspe ctly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding wh at the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5: 3-20) Grits Contemporary Christian Music Magazine readers voted the See Spot Rock Tour of 2003 their favorite live show in 2003. In 2004, the show was to include hip-hop innovators, Grits, signed by Gotee Records before John Reuben was. Debuting in 1995, Grits consists of 2 men, Coffee (Stacey Jones) and Bonafide (Teron Carter). Grit’s “real life” songs are featured on MTV’s THE Real World and their videos are top requests on MTV raps, MTV2, BET and The Box. Grits sport earrings and sensual scenes in video. In 1999 they earned the Billboard Video Award trophy for “They All Fall Down”. Their 2002 CD, The Art of Translation, went mainstream and opens with an African-Cuban party song, “Here We Go”. [intro] we are gunna play the cut right now and it's gunna be a very very big hit... [chorus] he feel it she feel it we feel it so round and round we go he feel it she feel it we feel it aaaah here we go he gon' get up she gon' get up we gon' get up lockin' down the joint til the playa haters shut up take it to outer limits flawless with no gimmicks imitate but cant get it aaaah here we go [verse 1] my brain pattern skip a jiggawatt no more room in the pan i cook up rhymes in a bigger pot on a roll, what you think I got tricks up my sleeve you wont believe my story to a thicker plot words leep off pages hop on stages, we crazy need to be locked in cages raah you feel it yeah im light skinned vanilla, comin atcha like a pack of gorillas whole planet gone ape understand from afar nashville to the lone star state relate indicator instilled in me by men greater this is where you belong strong you gon' be great flaunt clout with a scream and a shout cast out doubt fast like a gun blast drawn out the sounds in leaps and bounds flush out clowns creeps and hounds foxes and wolves in sheeps gowns[chorus][verse 2] i was born in the cold moved to the heat got used to the flame now i spit it on beat i was chose in the womb groomed by christ with a gift to raise souls from the tomb please don’t assume we aint tryna take the slot blow the spot worldwide still parta the plot everybody talkin bout changingthe game but everything i hear yall soundin the same from the beats to the vid eos clothes and look same concept for your flows and hook see these round here they can raise the dead so come on everybody now bob your head yall need to heed these words from the wise rhymes so meaty like jambalaya got truth for hire can you stand the fire to see you come alive that’s my desire now [chorus] [verse 3] boy looka here have you ever heard a dead man talk before you ever seen a dead man walk before you ever heard dead man lock the flow like these before we raised the qou now my time flip make time change you knew another record would hit explode and make your brains hang peep my language of my dialect circulate like a boomerang man what did you expect [Chorus] (3x) Toby Mac of DC Talk Virginia born in 1964, Tobias McKeehan’s career originated with the group DC Talk, formed at Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University in the late 1980’s. DC Talk’s attitude toward music is evident in “Time Ta Jam” from their 1989 debut release. It records a mocking slam of those members of the body of Christ, the “hyper fundi’s” (slang for biblical fundamentalists) as they call them, who choose their music according biblical standards and not according to their feelings. "So hyper fundi, don’t be dismayed! Check out the lyrics when the record is played." In 1999, DC Talk ‘s "Just Between You And Me" played on “Charmed“, a television series featuring occult witchcraft. The same year DC Talk played at a Catholic youth rally for the man known as the “Holy Father“ (and call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven-Matthew 23:9), the Pope of Rome, said to be the “Head” of what his false religion teaches is the one true church, the Roman Catholic Church. Mac certainly doesn’t adhere to the Lord’s commands to avoid all appearance of evil, be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, and beware of false prophets. In 2007 we find Mac performing for the evangelistic crusades of Calvary Chapel’s Greg Laurie. “Mac” is currently the President and one of three owners of Gotee Records, home to both himself and fellow rapper John Reuben. He also has founded a Praise & Worship label with Bill Gaither called 40 Records. Mac raps with John Reuben about the brotherhood and equality of all men on “God is Love”. His style is rap core and hip-hop, like Reuben’s and Grits. Mac’s solo release, Momentum, employs the upside down, backward occult style writing of the word Momentum on it’s front cover. Like Reuben, Mac certainly doesn’t adhere to the Lord’s commands to avoid all appearance of evil, be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, and beware of false prophets. Get This Party Started Everybody everybody in the place to be Open up your mind and let your soul be free I can feel the Most High shining on me, so… Let's get this party started Everybody everybody in the place to be Open up your mind and let your soul be free I can feel the Most High smiling on me, so… Let's get this party started Blind-sided by the blitz Come on baby it's on I couldn't wait to get on this You ain't no quiet storm I'm gonna tell it li ke it is There ain't no stopping us now Somebody shut me up so I can live out loud Them people thought I was gone It's been a lo ng time comin' But straight out the box We got the dark side runnin' So Father, Most High won't You show Yourself And shine on this record like nobody else. Even the USA Today (7/6/2001 p. 4E) has nationally called rap “very rebellious music”, yet youth ministries nationwide continue to promote this appearance of evil within the body of Christ rather than abstain from it. (1 Thessalonians 5:22) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them t hat are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 1:19) Jonah 33 Jonah 33 toured with Grits in 2002. This band claims it’s name derives from Jonah 3:3. In examining this band, it’s possibly worth noting that in the world of the occult numerology, 33 is a significant number. Why was 33 chosen over 3:3? Cutting Edge Ministries provides this insight into the importance of 33 to disciples of the occult. (cuttingedge.org/news/n1478.cfm) Three (3) is the first sacred number, the first perfect number. Three represents the Pagan Trinity. (W. Westcott, The Occult Power Of Numbers p. 37, 41). It is represented geometrically in the triangle, and spiritually as the Third Eye Of Hinduism. Occultists will multiply and add t hree to other sacred numbers to create new numbers. However, they also group threes in two's and threes, because they believe in the principle of "intensification", i.e., that greater power is achieved when a sacred number is grouped. In the case of three, greater intensification is achieved when it is shown as 33, or 333. Occultists have used 333 as the hidden symbol by which they present the more offensive number 666. When the details of an event are so arranged as to contain certain sacred occult numbers or numeric combinations, this is literally an occult signature on the event. Only occultists will recognize this signature. Described by fans as a straight up rock band inspired by Nirvana and Pearl Jam and sounding like Linkin Park and Godsmack. Jonah 33 is fronted by Vince Lichlyter, includes guitarist Jeff Cazzell, drummer Joshua Dougan and bassist Pete Eekhoff and producer Skidd Mills. Jonah 33 professes to have a strong desire and urgency to share Christ with the unsaved. Lichlyter professes to be saved out of a dark past of sex, drugs and violence in Seattle in his mid-twenties. His current goal is to advance the kingdom and see as many people as possible come to know Christ. John L. Cooper of Skillet, another nu-metal band likened in sound to Marilyn Manson and Orgy, writes some of their songs. Skillet has been helped and produced by a secular producer, Paul Ebersold at Argent Studios. Cooper comments on Skillet’s stage show like this: “I’m going to do the best show I can do, the wildest show. I’m gonna rock it.” He refers to his drummer, Lori Peters as “an animal on drums”. A lover of rock, Cooper insists Skillet is a rock band through and through that just wants to rock your face. This is the mindset of one of Jonah 33’s songwriting partners. In spite of Lichlyter’s Christian profession and evangelistic desires, Jonah 33 maintains an unbiblical appearance of evil to be avoided. The chapter wasn’t intended to judge motives, but the fruit of ministry in Jesus‘ name. Judging motives is the Lord’s job. The purpose of this chapter was to reveal the importance of scrutinizing all ministries before accepting them as genuine and to expose the dangers of specific ministries to the true body of Christ. This is critical in order to preserve the sound doctrine and spiritual health of the church. Left unchecked, false teaching and bad company will spread alot of sin throughout the body of Christ like a little yeast causes alot of bread to rise. The next chapter will examine the Purpose Driven Music Paradigm from a biblical perspective in obedience to 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 commanding us to prove something is good before we embrace it. And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:12-13) CHAPTER 17 Is The Purpose Driven Music Paradigm Biblical? The Purpose Driven Worship Service: driven by the false god of secular music At a surface glance, Purpose Driven Churches appear to be biblical churches. They have their own purpose statement describing their commitment to building the church around five New Testament purposes: worship, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, and ministry. In addition, they have a Purpose Driven strategy to fulfill their purpose statement. What sounds like a biblical philosophy at first glance, however, is actually built around the cultural idol of secular sounding worship music coupled with the Satanic deception that good results justify the means required to achieve them. Instead of readily accepting the purpose driven music paradigm as an acceptable philosophy of ministry because it increases church membership, the church should first prove whether or not the paradigm is truly excellent and well suited for it’s intended purpose of evangelism. This is done by thoroughly examining the paradigm against biblical commands and principles according to 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. This chapter intends to prove whether or not the purpose driven music paradigm is truly excellent and well suited for it’s intended purpose of evangelism. Purpose driven churches built upon the idol of secular based worship music The first question to be examined is whether or not true purpose driven churches are built around the idol of secular sounding worship music. As a case in point, let’s consider the well known model of a purpose driven church, Saddleback Church, the 15,000 plus member Southern Baptist Church located on over 50 acres in California. Warren is now also a member of the CFR. The founding Pastor of Saddleback, Rick Warren and his Pastor of Magnification, Rich Muchow, believe God loves all kinds of music. The following quotes attest to their specific love for and use of rock music in order to determine who attends Saddleback Church. "Saddleback is unapologetically a contemporary music church. We’ve often been referred to in the press as 'The flock that likes to rock.' We use the style of music the majority of people in our church listen to on the radio." "The music you use 'positions' your church in your community. It defines who you are.... It will determine the kind of people you attract, the kind of people you keep, and the kind of people you lose." (Selecting Worship Music by Rick Warren. Passport.com/ministry today.asp?mode=view archive&index=18.) These quotes provide a clear understanding of what I’m calling the Purpose Driven Music Paradigm in this book. In this paradigm, all types of music are considered to be appropriate for use as evangelistic tools. It’s clear from these quotes that the foundational focus of Saddleback Church is rock music. It defines the type of people attending the church who are called by observers “the flock that likes to rock.“ Now that we know how the leadership of Saddleback Church feels about the use of secular music in ministry, let’s continue to examine the Purpose Driven Music Paradigm to see if it’s acceptable to the Lord and well suited to it‘s intended purpose of evangelism. Let’s proceed to consider the bold statement made by the leadership of Saddleback Church that God loves all kinds of music. Does God love all kinds of music? Chapter 5 revealed that music isn’t a morally neutral tool. In isolation, musical notes, chords and instruments are morally neutral. However, when corrupt humanity with a mind naturally at war with God and under the influence of Satan (Ephesians 2:2-3; Romans 8:7) creates a song using these neutral building blocks, the resulting songs are corrupt to varying degrees. Our sinful nature may like the way the song sounds, or the feelings it brings, but that doesn’t erase the fact that the song is a product of corrupt human nature. In addition, music which is produced by corrupt human nature will typically be patterned after this world. Christians aren’t to pattern themselves after this world. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewin g of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2) The Bible teaches us that anyone who hasn’t truly yet become a Christian naturally remains a tool of Satan’s demons. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, ac cording to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:1-5) It’s logical that the music proceeding from the mind of someone who isn’t in Christ and controlled by the Spirit of God will be to varying degrees influenced by the prince of the power of the air, Satan, through his demons. It’s because of this reality that secular music isn’t an acceptable vehicle for communicating the truths of God’s word. How many sincere Christians would want a lost pagan posing as a pastor teaching us God’s truth? It’s absurd to even think of that as a possibility, even as common as it may be in today’s increasingly apostate church. Why then would we want to use the music of the lost posing as Christian music to communicate God’s truth? In chapter 3 we saw that scripture clearly teaches that idolatry and idols exist today both inside and outside the United States. An idol is primarily a visible phantom or likeness of an idea or fancy. The idea is a reflection or an image of a false god that is adored and worshipped. To worship means to pay homage or to pay respect by external action. An idolator is enslaved to the ideas that his idol represents. Rock music in it’s many forms is an idol according to the biblical definition of the term. As pointed out in chapter 1, U2’s Bono testified to the powerful influence of rock music in a Fall 2001 Special Issue of Time Magazine entitled “Music Goes Global”. Bono is quoted on page 53 as saying, “Rock music can change lives. Rock is a reality about the transcendent feeling. There’s life in the form. I think rock music is the only place that can still get you to that eternal place where you want to start a revolution, call your mother, change your job or c hange your mind.“ Bono is stating the well attested to fact that rock music has a mind altering power inherent within it. He states that there is life in rock music or the form as he calls it. Bono’s honest evaluation elevates rock music to a status only the true God should occupy in a person’s life. Bono is testifying to the reality that rock music is an idol or a false god. Earlier in this book it was stated that rock music is raw sexual music which basically duplicates the human orgasmic cycle. It was also stated that the origin of the term “rock n’ roll” goes back at least to the Delta bluesman of the 1930’s where listeners referred to having sex as “rocking and rolling”. In it‘s many varied forms from soft to Heavy Metal, including but not limited to funk, disco, pop, new wave techno, rap, raprock, nu-metal, punk, ska, blues, jazz-rock, hip-hop, rockabilly, country, alternative, garage, grunge, reggae, drum & bass, goth, hard-core, and industrial, rock music has always been about sex and the celebration of self. Many of it’s performers have been quoted over the years saying exactly that. Frank Zappa, John Oates, Ted Nugent, K.I.S.S., Tina Turner, Bono…these and many others have testified to the link between the nature of rock’s rhythms and our sexual nature. Clearly, rock music is about selfpossession or being “cool” rather than being Holy Spirit possessed and holy. Rock music is considered by it‘s fans as “coolness” personified. Those that don’t “rock” are often held in contempt by rock fans... even within the church! There’s an inordinate pride in rock fans which even manifests itself in contemptible mocking of rock haters. That attitude exists because of the emotional message of rock music. In spite of it’s worldwide fan base, rock music in the eyes of the Lord will always be abominable idolatry. Every one that is proud (having excessive self esteem or having a high opinion of oneself with some contempt for others) in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. (Proverbs 16:5) Chapter 3 showed that scripture teaches that devils (demonic beings) and their associated powers lie behind idols. In other words, demons lie behind the power of rock and other forms of secular music as this book has revealed. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? (1 Corinthians 10:14-22) No, God doesn’t love all kinds of music and his church shouldn’t integrate something profane and tainted by corrupt human nature and demonic influence like rock music into sacred worship of the Holy One. Is our worship acceptable to the Lord as long as our stated purpose is worship? Rick Muchow’s defense of seeker-sensitive worship services is his belief that music is only a method and that music and worship are different things. Muchow teaches that as long as the purpose of the service is worship, that service can be a deep, life changing experience which honors God. Whether realizing it or not, Pastor Muchow has just taught that as long as a church states that the purpose of a service is worship, that service will automatically fulfill God’s will. He is operating either under the presupposition that the end justifies the means, or that his own word is infallible. In this case, Muchow’s underlying message is that a correct biblical purpose for a service, worship, justifies the means to achieve that purpose; even if the service methods compromise biblical principles and commands. In reality, the true purpose of Purpose Driven seeker services is evangelism, not worship. Muchow says this is acceptable because the purpose of worship can still be fulfilled even if it‘s real purpose is evangelism. As a result, Muchow uses rock music based music as a part of his 21st century evangelical worship “tradition of men”. The Pharisees considered their traditions pleasing to the Lord and essential to their faith, but their hypocritical rejection of God’s commandments required to keep the traditions of their faith overshadowed the God honoring words of their lips. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honouret h me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandment s of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. (Mark 7:5-9) Advocates of contemporary Christian secular based worship music (CCM) like to label those who don’t support their music as “Pharisees“. I have personally had a Calvary Chapel pastor insinuate that my wife and I were legalistic Pharisees because we didn’t believe that God loved all kinds of music. From Mark 7:5-9, however, we see that rabid CCM fans are actually acting Pharisaically in rejecting God’s commandments concerning the content, purpose and focus of music in the church (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16); conformity to the world (Romans 12:2); avoiding idols and all appearance of evil (1 John 5:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:22) and not offending your brother with your personal preferences (1 Corinthians 8:13; Romans 14:21) in order to keep their own worship tradition. Secular music used as a manipulative sales tool in seeker worship services In planning seeker services, Muchow teaches church leaders to avoid songs with words only Christians understand; minimize slow, intimate songs, and use musical styles that the seeker relates to. Chapter 4 of this book teaches that the content of music in the church is to be the word of Christ; the purpose of the word of Christ in the music is instruction for the Christian, and the focus of church music is to be the Lord. Muchow’s seeker centered music has absolutely no biblical basis. It’s in direct conflict with the sound doctrine of scripture concerning the ministry of music in the church. In addition, Rick’s Warren and Muchow plan purpose driven worship services in a salesmanship manner to serve the purpose of evangelism. The recommended steps in planning a purpose driven worship service are defined by Muchow as follows: Define your purpose as worship. Don’t let the target define your purpose. Identify the target as the adult seeker. Look at the event from the target’s point of view. Base the musical style, lyric content and stage appearance on your target. Select and sequence service flow to attract your target to the service. Select 4 non-repetitive, upbeat songs. Include 2 solos, one for before and one for after the message. Don’t give away the message theme in song before the message. Relate the last solo to the message’s theme. Play the music moderately loud (98-108 decibels) so seekers can feel the music and not just hear it. Smile genuinely to keep the target focused on the stage. Keep the target listening and moving towards becoming a Christian. End the service with a brief chorus inspiring community and fellowship. Again, the desired goals of the purpose driven music paradigm-worship the Lord, save the lost, and build Christian community, are good. The worldly means, however, to reach these goals is deceitfully manipulative. Chapter 2 teaches that people aren’t targets to be persuaded to receive the Lord Jesus Christ through the use of human tools such as contrived secular music based services designed in human wisdom according to the principles and practices of secular business and psychology. The methods of Jesus and Paul that the church is called to emulate exclude craftiness, deceit and ingenious false worldly wisdom. Simply ask yourself the following question: if you were a lost pagan, would you want to attend a service where you were considered a target and the entire service was secretly planned without your knowledge as an attempt to manipulate you into making a commitment? I don’t know about you, but even if the church treating me as a target was sincere, I would doubt their sincerity because of their non-Christ-like methods. And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in we akness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in d emonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:2-5) For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. (2 Corinthians 1:12) Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending o urselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the g od of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. (2 Corinthians 4:1-5) In conclusion, it’s amazing how far will purpose driven churches will go in the use of worldly methods to increase church growth. For example, Saddleback Church has employed CMS, a custom marketing and communications agency, to help fuel it’s growth. Most Purpose Driven Churches borrow lingo and methods from the corporate world and integrate them into the purpose driven philosophy of ministry. Many Purpose Driven Churches, like TQM manufacturers, are team-based and bottom-line measurable results and statistical assessment oriented 501(c)(3) religious organizations, not biblical churches. Their product is the targeted seeker instead of a manufactured product. The goal is to manipulate the felt needs of the seeker in order to lure them to make incremental commitments to Christ and the purpose driven church. Consumer markets (suburban communities) and methods (music, drama, messages, facilities, teams) are analyzed, results (membership/tithing ) and expenses (salaries, overhead) tracked, and waste (people, methods, programs) eliminated. Like the economy of the US, the “economy” of most Purpose Driven churches is “foreign import” based. Most purpose driven churches increase membership by baiting seekers in crowds, manipulating the felt needs of the seeking crowd, and luring the seeking crowd to make incremental commitments designed to lead individuals out of the uncommitted crowd into committed core membership. Yes, we can rejoice as Paul did even if the everlasting gospel is being preached from wrong motives. However, can anyone honestly believe that the Lord Jesus Christ or Paul ever ministered in such fashion? God forbid! What was the reaction of Jesus Christ toward those that turned much of the outer court of the temple into a place where business was overshadowing prayer and worship? Mark 11:15-19; Matthew 21:12-14; Luke 19:45-46 and John 2:13-17 show us that in the middle of a probably hundred of thousands of Passover visitors to the temple, Jesus angrily put a stop to secular business as usual in his house by knocking over the furniture and bouncing buyers, sellers and animals out of the temple of God. If the only issue Jesus had with this scenario is that the moneychangers and merchants were greedily taking advantage of temple visitors, why did Jesus drive out the buyers and animals along with the sellers? Clearly we’re told that the buyers were also bounced because Jesus’ main concern was the misuse of his house of worship as a marketplace hideout for the crooked moneychangers and dove merchants. Talk about the elimination of truly wasted space when Jesus cleared temple space dedicated to economic production within the God’s house of prayer. God’s economy is based upon principles of space utilization far different from those principles existing in the world‘s economy. It‘s interesting that Matthew 21:1416 tell us that the next thing Jesus did after he cleared the temple was to heal the blind and lame and receive the worship of children in the temple affirming the proper use of temple space. The day is fast approaching when God‘s judgment will begin at God‘s house. The economic tables may soon be overturned in lukewarm American churches because of the covetousness and idolatry of God’s people. (1 Peter 4:17; Colossians 3:5-6; James 4:13-5:8; Revelation 3:14-22) (Bibliography source: Music-driven evangelism-by Berit Kjos cuttingedge.org/articles/db035.htm) CHAPTER 18 The Love Of Money Is Still The Root Of All Evil But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and in to many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 6:9-14) In drawing this book to it’s conclusion, it’s time to lay the axe at the root motivation for the promotion of secular based music in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in the church. In my opinion, this chapter contains a message even more difficult to accept than some of the more difficult messages of preceding chapters. The main message of this concluding section is that the love of money is the root of the evil idolatry of secular based music in the church. It is a call to church leaders to courageously repent and withdraw their support of the Purpose Driven Music Paradigm and secular based music in the name of the Lord. The love of money is the root of the evil of secular based music in the church 1 Timothy 6:9-14 teaches that if anyone deliberately purposes to become materially wealthy that they’ll encounter enticements to sin and allurement to forbidden evils that will unexpectedly trap them, lead them away from the truth into error and bring torture to their soul. This lust for wealth will eventually destroy their lives and ultimately sink them in hell. That meaning may come as a surprise, but it’s the truth. 1 Timothy 6:5 in the KJV teaches that if anyone teaches that living a godly Christian life is a means to acquiring material wealth that we should stay away from that teacher. The command to stay away from them, αφιστασο868 απο575 των3588 τοιουτων5108 in the Majority Text or Textus Receptus, translated “from such withdraw thyself” in the KJV, is missing from the NIV and NASB translations derived from the 1870 Westcott-Hort edition of the Greek New Testament. The fact that this command is missing from two of the most popular modern translations has caused the church to embrace false teachers of false doctrine that shouldn’t be tolerated. What does this have to do with a book on the purpose driven music paradigm? It has much to do with it because the scriptures teach that the love of money is the root of all evil. Thus, we can conclude that the root of the compromise of the church in the area of music is the love of money. This fact doesn’t minimize the fact that Satan’s trickery is at work within secular based music in Jesus’ name making it attractive to the self interest of everyone involved in it. Yes, there are certainly church leaders and music performers who simply love the music for pleasure sake. There may also be a minority of local church musicians not desiring to be under major label contract who simply perform the music at church without intending to market their gift. These musicians may have pure motives, however, they lack the discernment and doctrinal understanding needed to recognize their error. However, many of those performing, producing and purveying secular based music in Christ’s name love it primarily for money sake and secondarily for pleasure sake. How can this accusation be proven to be true? As this book has proven from scripture, secular based music in Christ’s name is a cultural idol. Idols are evil. The root of all evil is the love of money. So we can logically deduct from scriptural truth that the love of money is the root cause of the evil idolatry of secular based music in Christ’s name. How can we recognize that there is an element of greed surrounding secular based music in Jesus’ name? Professing Christian Musicians unequally yoked with Antichristian Corporations As evidence that the love of money is the real motivation behind the evil idolatry of secular based music in Christ‘s name, consider that contemporary Christian musicians and groups are under contract with large media conglomerates such as Warner Music Group and British EMI Music Publishing. Warner Music Group is the world's largest privately held independent music company and is the home of famous record labels including Atlantic, Elektra, Lava, Maverick, Nonesuch, Reprise, Rhino, Sire, Warner Bros. and Word. The music divisions of EMI and Time Warner merged in 2000 becoming at that time the world’s largest music company worth over $20 billion. The merger consolidated the world‘s music industry into 4 major corporations: Universal (UMG/MCA/A&M); EMI/Time Warner, Sony, and Bertelsmann Media Worldwide (BMG/RCA/ARISTA). (Source: pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/jan-june00/time_emi_1-24.html) Founded in 1951 as Word Records, Word Entertainment is a pioneer of contemporary Christian music, a genre that is considered among the fastest-growing in the music industry. Today, Word Entertainment is a multi-faceted company known for innovative product development and marketing, as well as strategic distribution of music and videos. Encompassing Word Label Group, Word Publishing, Word Music, and Word Distribution, Word Entertainment is one of the great success stories of the contemporary Christian music industry. Word Label Group is home to the Word Records and Squint Entertainment labels. The division's roster of leading performers and songwriters includes Amy Grant, Point Of Grace, Sixpence None The Richer, Jaci Velasquez, Nicole C. Mullen, Rachael Lampa, Mark Schultz, Randy Travis and Shirley Caesar. Word Publishing has approximately 45 Christian songwriters under contract and administers a catalog of more than 40,000 copyrighted songs. Word Music is the industry's premier source for church hymnals, choral music, and associated instrumental music, vocal folios, and accompaniment tracks. (source: wmg.com) Word Entertainment is under the Warner Music Group which falls under the vast AOL Time Warner and the Time Warner Group umbrella which includes AOL, Turner Broadcasting, Time Inc., HBO, New Line Cinema, Time Warner Book Group and Warner Bros. Entertainment. AOL Time Warner is a huge conglomerate with an excessive lust for wealth and a commitment to promoting the gay and lesbian homosexual lifestyles through philanthropy and outreach programs of their commitment to diversity. “Time Warner is committed to strengthening the communities in which we do business, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships and building strategic alliances with organizations focused on arts and culture, education and public policy. Our philanthropic and community outreach activities focus on building relationships with a v ariety of community groups, including those supporting African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans, women, gays and lesbians and the disabled.”(aoltimewarner.com/corporate_information/diversity.adp) Electric and Musical Industries or EMI is the world's largest music publisher in terms of copyrights owned, controlled or administered, with rights to more than one million musical compositions and offices in 30 countries. EMI is the third largest recorded music company in the world. EMI seeks to ensure that songwriters' compositions are recorded and assists them in the further exploitation of their work. EMI's success with this enables the company to sign artists to its publishing arm who are contracted to other record labels. A&R, the art of identifying the next great writer and or the next great song, is the single most important function EMI performs. Having brought the Beatles to the U.S. in the 1960’s, EMI owns the Capitol, Angel, Blue Note, Priority, Virgin and Sparrow labels featuring approximately 1,500 artists spanning all popular music genres. EMI contracts popular contemporary secular music based professing christian artists such as Avalon, Steven Curtis Chapman, Delirious, Passion, Jump5, Nichole Nordeman, Zoegirl, Switchfoot, Sanctus Real, The Charlie Daniels Band, Carman, Newsboys and many others. (source: emigroup.com) Chordant Distribution is a division of EMI CMG, which is a unit of EMI Music, the third largest recorded music company in the world and Billboard Magazine's annual Top Christian Music Distributor since 1995. Chordant Distribution Group serves as the main distribution outlet for EMI CMG's wholly-owned and distributed labels to the US Christian and general retail marketplace, and the international Christian marketplace. In addition to distributing EMI CMG labels (Sparrow, ForeFront, EMI Gospel and Worship Together) Chordant has exclusive distribution agreements with Big Idea Productions, Spring House, Gotee, Vineyard, BEC Recordings, Tooth and Nail, Ardent, Doxology and Troubadour. (source: chordant.com) Chordant Distribution works with the likes of DC Talk, Kutless, Jon Reuben and Grits. Like AOL Time Warner, EMI also promotes homosexuality and lesbianism according to it’s Social Responsibility Policy found at emigroup.com/enviro/srpolicy.pdf . Ted Turner, Director of AOL Time Warner, is said by ex-British intelligence and political science officer Dr. John Coleman, author of “Conspirator’s Hierarchy, The Story of the Committee of 300”, to be a member of the Committee of 300. The Committee of 300, according to Dr. Coleman who claims to have viewed extremely explicit top secret classified documents, is the secret upper level parallel shadow government exercising executive control of the Satan’s world system, including both the U.S. and British governments, through it’s various arms. AOL Time Warner was on the 2003 corporate membership role as a corporate benefactor of the Council on Foreign Relations. (source: cfr.org/about/pdf/ar_2003/corpprogram.pdf) Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) members meet to create policy recommendations and provide their understanding of the world for the governments, corporations, media and students in the U.S. and worldwide. Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) members also meet at it’s NYC headquarters, DC office and in other U.S. cities with world leaders to provide direction for the world’s major foreign policy. (source:cfr.org/about/mission.php) As pointed out in the 4th chapter, Aleister Crowley’s The Book of the Law uses the eye inside the triangle, symbolizing illumination, as the most significant symbol of Satan as the guiding light of the New Age of Antichrist. Is it merely a coincidence that Time Warner’s logo is the “All Seeing Eye”, the “Eye of Horus” and the American Online logo is the eye inside the triangle. Crowley’s symbol The political connection of AOL Time Warner to the CFR is significant because some portion of the profits made by Christian artists working under contract for Word eventually end up in the hands of men like Ted Turner and AOL Time Warner executives. These executives in turn use that money to further the extent of their corruption and control of the world’s minds through electronic media programming and entertainment. In addition, the antichristian philosophies, greedy sales and marketing goals, and fornication filtering down through AOL Time Warner’s chain of command will gradually corrupt the values and behavior of any Christian under contract with the organization. Even if Dr. Coleman’s allegations were false concerning the extent of influence Ted Turner has in the world, AOL Time Warner alone is certainly one of the world’s major corrupting influence and should be shunned, not supported by, the church. Professing Christian musicians, open your eyes to your cooperation with the devil in contracting with these antichristian corporations and repent of your greed! Some small but significant fraction of the profit from your work helps support moral corruption if you’re under a recording contract with a label owned by one of the 4 major secular music corporations. The word of God calls you to repent of your partnership with unbelievers in producing and marketing what is supposed to be the sacred spiritual music of the church. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath right eousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Where fore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor fooli sh talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor uncle an person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit o f the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship w ith the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret (Ephesians 5:3-12) Evidence of the merchandising of the music and musicians of the church From April 5-10, 2003 both EMI and Time-Warner executives participated in an Industry and Associates Continuing Education conference for professionals in the Christian Music Industry and for those associates wanting an insider’s look at the industry. Topics at the 6 day conference included: THE GAITHER HOMECOMING PHENOMENON: Industry veteran, Bill Gaither share his passion of joining the southern gospel legends of the past with the present and the future talents of tomorrow. Gaither discusses how this dre am has created the biggest concert event series in all of Gospel/Christian music. FACTS, FIGURES AND THE FUTURE OF CHRISTIAN MUSIC (an expert panel of record industry executives share their views on the state of Christian music and its' future direction) DAVE RAMSEY on FINANCIAL FREEDOM THAT IMPACTS YOUR LIFE AND BUSINESS New York Times best-selling author and host of a nationall y syndicated radio show, Dave Ramsey will share proven strategies to become debt-free, build wealth, and obtain financial peace and stability for life. UNDERSTANDING THE CHRISTIAN MUSIC CONSUMER : Reach the Christian music consumer by understanding their needs. Scott Wilson will share current research data that will help yo ur business improve sales. Scott Wilson, Vice President of Marketing, Handleman Entertainment Resources A&R ROUNDTABLE - THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET NOTICED Key A&R executives from top record labels will share what they are currently looking for in a s igned artist today. Moderator: Blaine Barcus, Sr, Director of A&R, Warner Brothers Records, Christian Division / Panelists: David Bach, VP of A&R, Reunion Records; Don Donahue, President, Rocketown Records; Mark Nicholas, General Manager, Simple Records; Brad O'Donnell, Sr. Director of A&R, Sparrow Label Group; Desmond Pringle, Director of Gospel A&R, Warner Brothers Records, C hristian Division PRODUCER'S PARADISE: TODAY'S HOTTEST URBAN/GOSPEL PRODUCERS AND TIPS ON CREATING HIT SONGS: "Open My Heart," "Why We Sing" and "Never Seen The Righteous" - It all starts with a song … produced just right. Come hear the story behind the songs of today's brightest urban and gospel stars from the producer's perspective. SECURING SPONSORS - DARE TO DREAM (MAPS select session) Learn new strategies in securing concert sponsorships from local mainstream companies such as Hertz. Also - hear the highlights on how the National Chevy Sponsorship was created for the hugely successful Come Together and Worship Tour. (source:gospelmusic.org/gmweek2003/tracks/2003_Industry_&_Associates_Schedule.pdf) The Lord does hold the spiritual leadership of his church responsible to provide proper teaching and spiritual direction to the body. The agenda of this conference evidences the fact that many of the Bible Colleges, Seminaries, Pastors and Youth Ministry Leaders leading today’s church have allowed the musicians and the music of the body of Christ to become merchandise in the hands of greedy, covetous music industry executives. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers amon g you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (2 Peter 2:1-3) Pastors: marketing wizards or magicians are influencing church musicians to manipulate music consumers in order to maximize financial success. A quick glance at a couple of the music industry conference educational topics reveal manipulation through production techniques and self-marketing for financial gain present within the industry. PRODUCER'S PARADISE: TODAY'S HOTTEST URBAN/GOSPEL PRODUCERS AND TIPS ON CREATING HIT SONGS: "Open My Heart," "Why We Sing" and "Never Seen The Righteous" - It all starts with a song … produced just right. A&R ROUNDTABLE - THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET NOTICED: Key A&R executives from top record labels will share what they are currently looking for in a signed artist today. White magic uses occult knowledge to manipulate people and circumstances for personal gain. As we saw earlier in this book, The Purpose Driven Music Paradigm employs manipulative white magic-like tactics in it’s secretive strategic targeting of seekers with secular based music in Jesus’ name. If you don‘t believe that it’s a possibility that the magic of wizards could be used in today’s music industry, check out the “Wizard of Ads”, Roy H. Williams at www.wizardofads.com. He has taught major CEO’S and account executives worldwide how to craft persuasive messages in his three day Wizard Academy. Within his “Magical Worlds” workshop Williams teaches applied Chaos Theory, which according to Williams, is the secret of every hit song and blockbuster movie on earth. Chaos Theory and Chaos Magic operate within occult Satanic circles. (see www.invisableilluminati.chaosmagic.com) Here’s how Williams advertises the Chaos Theory portion of this program. The Wizard employs the symbol of Chaos Magic on his website logo, the 8 pointed star of chaos called a chaosphere pictured below. Practical Applications of Chaos Theory. How to gain and hold human attention; the secret of every hit song, bestselling book, blockbuster movie and gourmet meal on earth. Infinitely useful. I know it sounds intimidating, but don't worry, you'll understand all of it perfectly; none of it will be over your head. (Just watch and listen and you'll do great.) Upon graduation you’ll make better sales presentations, write more convincing proposals, and create music, art and ads that are truly magnetic. The Magical Worlds Communications Workshop is based on the findings of doctors Roge r Sperry, Alan Baddeley, Susan Gathercole, Steven Pinker, Ricardo Gattass, Jorge Martins de Oliveira, and many other cognitive neuroscientists. (Source: wizardacademy.com/academydescription.asp?id=1) The Academy teaches seminars such as “Wizard’s of Web” and “Magical World’s”. His books include the Wall Street Journal and NY Times bestseller, “Secret Formulas of the Wizard of Ads“ and “Magical Worlds of The Wizard of Ads”. He believes words are the most powerful force in history and that audio sound has more persuasive power than video images do. Does Roy Williams impact the world of secular based music in Christ’s name? I haven’t found concrete evidence, however, I found out about Williams’ work in following links associated with Chris Falson, a former Maranatha!Music head, producer and performer. Falson is another musician helping Satan bridge the gap between secular and sacred music. (www.chrisfalson.com) Chris Falson is an Australian born singer-guitarist born into a show biz family. Dad played trumpet with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis and wrote and arranged music for television. Chris also wrote TV music and radio jingles and played various genres of secular music from 1979-1987 in Sydney, Australian clubs. In 1986, Falson attended the School of Creative Arts and became involved in Australian “worship” music. From 1987-1993 he was Music Director at Christian City Church Oxford Falls in Sydney where he trained and led teams of musicians and sound techs. He was also a member of “Totally Radical Band” and led worship for Youth Alive events along with Darlene Zschech of Hillsong fame. From 1993-1994 after moving to LA, Falson was the head of Maranatha!Music’s A & R, writing and co-producing several projects. From 1994-1998 he led Promise Keeper worship playing guitar for the Maranatha! Promise Keepers Band. In 1997 he formed The Orchard as a label to produce and distribute “Worship Evangelism” music. Falson has a link to his great friends, Bill and Imbi Kinnon, who operate a successful video production company in Toronto and help Falson with Worship Evangelism tours. The Kinnon’s produced Falson’s Amazing Stories Video and the Quick Time video on The Orchard’s 2000 album, “the Quiet”. The Kinnon’s website, www.Sbys.com links to Roy Williams, “The Wizard of Ads”, within it’s audio section. Many of today’s church leaders probably aren’t false prophets, but are afraid to speak the truth in love to their flock for fear of the consequences to their ministry. It’s time that true Pastors repent of their hypocrisy and begin walking by faith; putting their own livelihood on the line for the sake of speaking the truth in love concerning the idol of secular based music in the name of the Holy One. Teachers of Pastors, Pastors and Youth Ministers, unless you repent, you will be held accountable by the Lord when he returns for your failure to teach these musicians how to properly use their gift and instead using these musicians as tools to feed yourselves! Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he sh all feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it. And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD. And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 34:7-10, 28-31) Where is the Christ-like zeal for the house of God today? Where is the righteous zeal today in the church over the demonic deception, magic and covetousness associated with the production and marketing of contemporary secular based Christian music? Where are those with the zeal of the Lord; those arduous and hot for the Lord and consumed with a strong, emotional passion like Jesus Christ to defend the true purposes of the church? If there’s no Christ-like zeal in your heart over this issue, it’s because the root of all evil, the love of money, has blinded the eyes of your heart so that you can no longer distinguish between moral light and darkness. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to t he one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:22-24) Pastor’s and Youth Minister’s: remember as the disciples did the zeal that the Lord has for the holiness of his house as he passionately drove the merchandisers out of his house of prayer. And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out o f the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. (John 2:13 -17) Please heed the actions and warnings of the Mighty Lord Jesus to the merchandiser’s in his house of prayer and separate yourself and the sheep you are accountable to shepherd from the sins of Babylon the Great before it‘s too late and you share in her sudden judgment. Professing Christian musicians, if you’re pastor or youth leader is a false prophet and won’t encourage you to repent and follow the biblical pattern of music, come out of the great music system of Babylon the Great yourself. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:7-10) Professing Christians lacking zeal for the true purposes and holiness of the church are lukewarm. They are double minded, trying to serve both God and money. The scriptures are clear that lukewarm, self-satisfied, deceived false professors of Christianity will be spewed out of the mouth of the Lord in judgment unless they repent of their self-centered, greedy worldliness. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. S o then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voi ce, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revealtion 3:14-22) The tables of those who are transforming the church from a house of prayer into a magickal music marketplace will be overturned as Babylon the Great, the World’s Preeminent superpower, will be suddenly destroyed and it‘s magickal music will never again be used to deceive the nations of the earth as it‘s written inRevelation 18:1-5, 8, 11, 15, 22-23. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, unto this great city! And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and th e sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. If you are currently involved in secular based music in the name of Christ in any form I urge you to turn away from it immediately as costly and as difficult as that decision may seem to you now. I pray this book has informed you and encouraged you to make an intelligent, biblically based decision to pursue sacred biblical music in the future. I urge you to prayerfully study the foundational doctrine chapters 1-3 of this book again and purchase a copy of “Why I left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement” by Dan Lucarini published by Evangelical Press and available at www.withintegrity.org. It serves as an excellent practical compliment to this book and is filled with advice on converting from secular based church music to sacred biblical music. In closing I would like to emphasize again that it isn’t my intention to judge the motives or character of anyone. It isn’t wrong to name names for the right reason for a survey of the New Testament shows Paul did it in his letters to the churches. The intention of this book is to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. It is written in the spirit of godly jealousy that Paul wrote to the Corinthian church with in order to protect the church from the cunning trickery of Satan and preserve holiness in the body of Christ. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2-3) The analyses included within this book exist as proof of the danger that certain doctrines, practices and idolatry potentially present to the spiritual well being of the church. Proverbs 29:18 teaches that without prophetic truth from God’s Word, people become morally loose. “Where there is no vision, the people perish:...” It is my prayer that this book will provide vision and be used to help purge the idol of secular based music from the church for the glory, honor and praise of Jesus Christ.