It has been a long time since I last e-mailed you. I would like to know from whomever answers this question how long they’ve been serving God.
My question is: My christian friend and her father (in particular) say that I shouldn’t listen to Turkish/Arabic or any music from around the world. Now, in my defense, I do hope that it isn’t the words of the devil but of the counsel of God. My defense is that God made music, and like art, it makes you feel good. I understand I should want to hear only music to exalt God, but I have gotten translations to these tracks, and they just talk about life and how they went through life trials. Why can’t I enjoy some classical or salsa music just because nobody is singing “hallelujah God”? Their defense was that everything you do should work up to God; if you’re a christian and you are pleasing yourself before God, it is wrong. Long story short, why can’t I appreciate the gift God gave to a man to play the violin or a computer to make tracks or art that doesn’t particularly talk about God, like Monet or Rembrandt paintings? I also understand to back away from things (in particular things God has told you not to do) that will hinder your path to God. So I don’t listen to specific music, art, movies, books that may arouse me negatively or state inappropriate lyrics. But classical? Jazz? I still listen to christian rock and gospel 70% of the time, though.
Sincerely,
Art Lover
Dear Art Lover,
For more information about the AYP writers, visit the “Who Is This Guy?” page. There is nothing wrong with listening to music of any type as long as it:
- not teaching or professing evil ideas (such as drunkenness, promiscuity, immorality, violence, etc.)
- not full of foul or crass language (Eph 4:29).
Bad company corrupts good morals (1 Cor 15:33), and bad music is a form of bad company.
Having said that – any other type of music is perfectly permissible. Jesus even uses music as an example of general happiness in the parable of the prodigal son (Lk15:25). In fact, you might find it interesting to read some of our articles on religious music; it might give you a point of view you’ve never heard before. Here are links to a couple of those posts:
