Sword & Trowel 2015: Issue 1


and so is particularly unsuitable for corporate worship. The lighting dis- play is heavily synchronised with the music, adding structural punctuations to the form. Strong lasers, strobes and a plethora of other lights wash over the entire performance. This all adds to the overwhelming sensual ef- fect of the music. Yet Lecrae assures us, ‘I don’t need my name in lights.’ Some new Calvinists are sincerely


giving excellent-sounding principles for assessing what music is appropri- ate in worship, but they still actually leave the issue of genre and styles untouched. In using these principles, it is possible that some will choose to avoid worldly music forms; however, many will not and will instead feel that they have justifi ed their contin- ued use of such music. Few seem to have the boldness to take a clear stand against pop music and apply the clear teaching of Scripture:


‘Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.’ (2 Cor- inthians 6.17)


‘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)


‘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 12.2)


The plain meaning of these well-


known verses of Scripture teach the principle of separation from the world and a shunning of its culture. To try to teach the opposite of the Bible’s emphatic instruction in this matter is spiritually disastrous.


A week of fellowship and ministry for a number of Tabernacle young adults in Dinas Powys, South Wales in August 2015.


Tabernacle families were at the same location a week later.


 A Musician’s Perspective on Contemporary Christian Music page 21


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