"If you feel the Lord leading you to give up rock music, come forward now as the music plays," the camp preacher said as the soft piano music began playing. All around me, fellow campers were having a moment of conviction. A few were crying. One stood up and walked forward, leaving rock and roll behind forever, embracing a new life. Was my heart made of stone? I didn't feel any of this conviction in myself. I just sat there, surrounded with but not submerged in repentance for ever having listened to that evil rock music. Later that week, we had a camp fire, and students threw in their rock cassettes, while everyone cheered.
Lest you think this experience was totally crazy, I must say that this Christian camp I went to had some really good aspects to it. They preached biblical salvation, and gave campers and opportunity to come to faith. I knew people who genuinely received Christ there. They instilled spiritual disciplines, such scripture memorization and doing daily devotions. They prayed, and taught us God's word. They also had other fun camp things I enjoyed, like nature hikes, horseback riding, swimming, archery, and other fun things. I made friends. I really saw God work in my life, and even use me there back in the early 90's.
In spite of this, some of their teaching was what some might consider more extreme--I even considered it more extreme at the time. I grew up in a Christian home, but my parents didn't have a lot of strict rules about music. Their only problem would have been if a song had vulgar lyrics, or a wrong message. We liked all kinds of music in our family, from country, to bluegrass, to pop, to rock. We loved showtunes the most, and would often sing along (and not all of us are very musical)! This camp held a different view than my family did, and I was confused they made this teaching about rock a point of actually giving an altar call.
My first time that camp, I was eleven. I went a few more years, as did my siblings. I got a lot out of it, but after that first year, I remember talking to my dad about it. I shared about how I had felt uncomfortable that they had said all rock and roll was evil, and asked everyone to come forward and give it up, and how I hadn't done it, because I hadn't felt led. My dad told me that was okay. He told me it was okay to like people and agree with some of what they said, but disagree with other parts. The parts I disagreed with didn't cancel out the true parts that I did agree with. He told me this was true about pastors as well. I could like and agree with most of what a pastor said, but still think he was wrong about something else, or at lest take a scripture differently. I didn't realize it at the time, but my dad was teaching me to think for myself, and not to follow leaders at all cost. On the flip side, he was teaching me not to throw the baby out with the bath water. With these thoughts in place, I continued to go to camp, enjoying my time, growing in the Lord, but also knowing there were some things I didn't agree with...and that was okay! Trust but verify. Trust what they say, but go to the source the verify!
What does the Bible say about this? First, we must go by what the Bible says about any given issue. We should align our beliefs with God's Word, even if it means we need to change something in our own lives. But some things aren't clear or even mentioned in the Bible. On those things, look at the principle. Ask yourself, is this issue biblical, and what does the Bible say? Is it helpful? Is it selfish. Does it glorify God? Does it cause others to sin?
On things that aren't completely spelled out in the Bible, Romans 14 is an excellent passage about Christians having different convictions. I believe rock and roll would fit under this banner, as the Bible does not specifically teach against music styles. If this is a stumbling block to someone else, than we should avoid it when we're with them, but it doesn't mean we have to think it's evil for ourselves in our own lives. Romans 12:10 says, Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. If we are called to be in a situation where different convictions are held, we should keep our liberty to ourselves. We shouldn't go in flaunting our freedom in order to shock propriety. I'll give an example of this. The ministry I serve with is strongly evangelistic. One phrase they ask us not to use in our evangelism is "invite Jesus into your heart." As their employee, the right thing for me to do is respect that, and use the phraseology they ask me to use, which I do. However, I personally disagree with them. I think "invite Jesus into your heart" is biblical, per Ephesians 3:17 (...so Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith...). I think the push-back against that phrase has been out of proportion. I use it in my personal evangelism (off the clock, so to speak). I use it when explaining the Gospel to my son. I have freedom to do this, but it would be wrong for me to go into our training classes that our organization does and use this phrase, just because I can. That would show a lack of humility and integrity. When I am on the clock, representing our ministry, I need to follow their guideline. If I really felt they were very, very wrong and couldn't rightfully obey what they asked, the only right solution would be to resign (I'm not even close to that with this issue!). There can be times we are called to leave a group or situation because of our differing convictions. Romans 14:23 concludes, For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
It can be especially confusing if you feel you disagree with a leader you respect, such as a pastor or teacher. Acts 17:11 describes some people we can learn from, the Bereans. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. These people were commended for trying to make sure what Paul told them was really biblical. Paul didn't get mad or threatened by this. A good leader shouldn't. Search the scriptures, and if you see an area where you disagree with your leader based on the Word of God, that is okay! A godly leader should be happy you are thinking about this and checking in the Bible! If respectfully disagreeing with a leader is forbidden, find a new church/group!
I never did go forward to give up rock music at camp all those summers ago, but I did make other resolves in my Christian life. I didn't throw the baby out with the bathwater. I learned so much about the Lord, and I'm so thankful for everything God used in my life, even things I didn't 100% agree with 100% of the time!
