|
Music Group Review |
As it is not my desire to offer reviews for all the "artists" and "groups" that are entering the doors of the KJV churches, I do believe that some folks need some extra spiritual light shined upon them so more people can see the dangers in this 'new' music. I used to believe that if a person knew their Bible at all, as we are commanded, then one could easily tell when doctrine is being challenged in music and the differences in music would be equally obvious when compared to church hymns. There was a day when it was easy to spot the entrance and use of worldly music within the church.
But today, music has become an obviously seducing spirit - a doctrine of devils. People all over 'KJV Land' have departed from the faith in this realm as they are ignoring the warning of the scriptures regarding music. Over time, with the demanding and world-wide emphasis on music in everyone's lives, people have had their consciences seared little by little. As a result, like the Laodicean church, many people within solid KJV churches don't know when they are fading from the truth. They know what music they like and it doesn't matter what the scriptures say.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.
Revelation 3:17
As I understand it, Sound Doctrine is a "smash" group within the KJV churches around the country, not only because their texts are taken from KJV, but because their 'spiritual hero' has allowed them to sing in his church, thus the standard has been set. I have heard that the texts are not only clean words, but that they claim to be doctrinally sound. The subjects they have chosen to sing about are not the typical ones you would find in today's contemporary music scene. According to the one tape cover I saw, the men are clean cut and don't even have the look of the contemporary scene - at least the tape I viewed a few years ago.I proceeded to borrow a tape only to quickly find out that their music is no different than Country music. Same twang, same wailing, same musical elements, etc. But yes, the texts did have some good KJV subjects; not the normal subjects sung about in today's Christian 'market'.
As I consider the standard mix of bad music & good words, I always consider this illustration. If someone dropped some good seedless grapes into a box of garbage, would they not mind taking out the grapes and eating them anyway? After all, the grapes do taste good; they would only have to just ignore the garbage around the grape!
Putting good KJV words in a musical package of garbage is no different. A few years ago, we would have never had this Country music style in our churches. But because it was never driven from the home, it eventually has brought itself into the KJV church.
Unless you are musician, this is the most difficult part of explaining the problems within today's music. Sound Doctrine has many problems in the musical realm. They are talented in their ability to play their guitars, there is no question there. In fact, they are so good, they could be 'cunning' in their music. Allow me a few comments...
MusicallyIn this particular tape, dated 1993 and labeled Sound Doctrine, here are some comments relating to the music.
The country sound is complete. Bending of notes, wailing's of voices as well as instruments in a high and loud manner. Parallel chords in thirds and fourths, 1/2 step movements, rhythm & syncopation emphasis, bass emphasis, rhythm & bass action, constant musical tension and resolve/release through chord alterations, country 'tension twanging' from wrong note to right note & use of long volume increases to resolution. The music consists of many jazz and rock riffs and solo interludes of improvisation, up-beat and off-beat emphasis and note sliding.Much of their sound reminded me of Charlie Rich and the Beverly Hillbillies. Most of the time, the music is so loud, one can not understand the words - even though they are KJV, if you can't hear them, where is the emphasis - on the music!
There are unbalanced chord patterns and and irregular cadences. It appears that there is no drum included in this tape - and that may be a popular appeal to many conversative christian families. However, if you notice in the picture that there are at least 5 guitars. Those guitars were played in such a manner of arrangement that they made the rhythms of the drums. So the beat is still there. The guitars made up for the absence of the wicked and evil reputation of the drum. But there is nothing innocent there, at all. The rhythm still does it's job within this music.
Again - that previous paragraph makes very little sense to a non-musician. Suffice it to say that those are the elements that make music appeal to the flesh. We should all know what the Lord thinks of our feeding our flesh.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.
Romans 8:5
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:8
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Romans 13:14
Just a few comments regarding the texts of this particular tape, if you don't mind. Sound Doctrine makes their claim to be of sound doctrine, as their title denotes. They use Titus 2:1 as their scriptural basis for their title. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: As one listens closely to the texts, however, one would still see some doctrinal problems. At one time, anyone could judge a piece doctrinally by just comparing the words from the music's use of the NIV to a KJV and make the easy decision to throw out the music. But now, we must know our KJV to compare KJV with KJV.It appears that music wins the battle over doctrine more and more these days.
This is not a doctrinally sound tape. Sound Doctrine does not sing sound doctrine.
In the song title, "The Blood is Still There", they have people asking "is the blood still there?" Unfortunately, more and more Bible Believers, because they are not readers, get their doubts as to their eternal security. If we stick to the scriptures, we should have no problem with Eternal Security of our soul and God's blood. Country singers always sing about the whines and worries of the listeners - why sing about "is the blood still there" - is there any doubt?In the song title, "He Took It Like A Man" says that Jesus took the crucifixion like a man. Well, He certainly took it AS a man, but I don't know a man who would have done what He did and go through what He went through when He Himself was sinless and for sinful people like us. As a man, Jesus was more of a man than any of us all put together. Jesus took it AS a man, but not LIKE a man!
In the song title, "My Son Has Come Home" God is made out to be singing like a country singer - blasphemy! Also, the song text about the angels "singing" that Jesus was back on the throne... Angels do not "sing" in the Bible - they "say". We all should know that Jesus WILL BE on throne, but as of now, He is not on the millennial throne! Not yet, anyway - unless you have a modern perverted bible!
In the song title, "Paul, the Apostle", God is telling Paul He would make him the greatest preacher man has ever known. Chapter and verse, please!
Conclusion