Posted by John on August 14, 2001 at 18:22:48:
In Reply to: Re: something to talk about posted by jason on August 14, 2001 at 14:11:53:
: : i don't know how this guy got my e-mail address but he sent me his website and I bit!
: : I figured I 'd share it since no one was postin' anythin'
: : beware my Catholic friends offensive material!
: : Enjoy!
: : http://www.babylonthegreatisfalling.net
: Taken from this link...
: [Satan is seducing and mesmerizing multitudes through impure music and lyrics. One only has to watch a "rock concert" to see who is the power behind the scenes. Any music that exalts fear, lust, pride, and worship of the performer is not of God. Many Christian musical groups are conforming to the style and standards of today's rock groups. They say their motive is to attract the unsaved, to give them the impression that Christians aren't square or different, and then tell them about Jesus. Think very carefully on this question. Would you become a prostitute to try to win a prostitute to Jesus? Many would say, "that's not the same thing." Rest assured, for it is the same conforming, compromising spirit behind both examples, only one is a little more obvious than the other.]
: I have thought about an idea presented here (specifically the motives for "Christian" rock groups - stated here as, "...to attract the unsaved, to give them the impression that Christians aren't square or different, and then tell them about Jesus). My motive for playing music is that I believe it is a big part of why I exist. I have gone away from the idea of evangelism, and I have taken a more "music for music's sake" attitude. I believe that a career in music can be somewhat likened to any other career, although there are many popular musicians that have the ability to "reach" hundreds of thousands of people (big difference from your average Network Administrator).
: Anyway, although Mr. Hook (the author of the babylon site) seems a bit over the edge, I must accept that there is some validity to his argument. What I have pieced together in my own experience is that the Christian "agenda" is unpopular, and if you are trying to achieve popularity (a key to success as a musician), you have to shroud this agenda. This is not how it works for me, and I wonder what you think. I don't shroud my agenda, because I don't have an agenda (in regards to evangelism). I am typically more reactive to situations... not proactive. I put time into my relationship with God, but I don't see that as "proactive" -- it is time spent because I enjoy Him.
: I have to run now (without completely finishing my thought), but I'll be back later...
: Jason
I'm feeling rather silly lately so this probably won't be the same deep tone I usually have with these matters.
I just think this guy is goofy. I've met many people like this, and went to church with many at past churches...maybe there are some people who feel like this at our present church too. I don't even want to spend the time reasoning out theri motives, because the root of the whole issue is that they are operating in a false paradigm. They see this vast struggle between good and evil... almost like a war is raging (frank perretti) between good and evil (frank perretti). Even though they recognize who always wins in the end (carmen lyrics) it's like a GI Joe cartoon.
The truth is God is entirely and completely in control of all that happens in history. We exist in him and through him. Granted he gives us the will to make choices and that sparks a whole debate, but who cares if America is babylon, or Satan is decieving masses... what else is new? Is debatinbg it, or creating a stand against it, or a website to rail against it going to actually change one incling of God's plan or even attract anyone to the true loving god who can restore their soul? I think not. This man worships a different God than me and lives in a different world than me. If he likes it he can stay there. I spent too many years getting out of false worlds to enter his now. His view brings opression and anxiety. It can even breed hate. I don't want that.
i will close with this example of a real incident about a year ago. I had just started work at my present job and I met this man in the office who is this same type of Christian... you know the death cult, end of the world is near because some guy wrote a book revealing the correlations of biblical prophecy and modern Israeli affairs drone kind of guy. I will call him a tabloid Christian. Anyway Mr Tabloid was always debating god with others in the office at the most inappropriate times using stock answers and inevitably resorting to, "it's in th' Bible. y'just ain't gettin' it" when people posed real intelligent questions to him. I honestly felt bad because I wanted to support my brother, but couldn't with those sorry arguments he made. This made me end up staying out of it, which is another story, good or bad. Anyway at one point Tabloid and a very intelligent Dutch West Indian man were going at it and the Dutchman said loudly, "If Jesus really did all of that for his followers, and God is love it would eminate out of every pore of those who believe in Him." (quote probably scrambled) At this brilliant flash of truth I literally had to contain myself from jumping up and yelling "YES, that's it, you have it precisely," which I probably should have done in hindsight. But Tabloid began to debate why this was incorrect. But Dutchman outwitted him and knew, even subconsciously that Tabloid had failed to recognize truth and was as blind as the rest of them. He shrugged Tabloid off roughly and told him to go away, no doubt associating God with this idiot and feeling like that is why he isn't a Christian, even though deep down he longs for his statement to be true.
I think this Hook guy is a Tabloid.