Music has always been a teaching tool. The Old Testament gives many examples of teaching and praising God via music. You may remember the songs of Moses, and Miriam, after Israel’s deliverance from the clutches of the Egyptians (Ex. 15). The Psalms are filled with teaching that was set to music. Christians also are commanded to teach and admonish one another through songs (Col. 3:16).

Parents and teachers sing the ABC Song, the Twelve Disciples Song, Jesus Loves Me, the Books of the Bible Song and many others for the express purpose of teaching. Parents often sing commands to little children. So we see that the case for the teaching properties of singing is clear.

As we realize the truth of this principle, we ought to likewise be keenly aware that music can teach and influence us in undesirable ways. This is especially true of children, young people, and those easily influenced by the latest fashion and fad. References will be made in the following paragraphs to lyrics that are too graphic to be included. But for parents who want to know what their children are listening to, but who cannot understand the lyrics, a computer with inter-net access is a wonderful tool. The name of the artist and song title with the word “lyrics” may be typed into your search engine, and the words should be easily found.

The Dangers of Contemporary Music

There are dangers in contemporary music. Hardly any, if any, genre is excepted. This does not mean that we would necessarily condemn every piece of music by a certain singer. However, if most of the pieces by a particular performer are morally offensive, that one should be crossed off the list of permissible artists.

On his MySpace site, a Christian young man had playing Come A Little Closer by country music artist, Dierks Bentley. The lyrics are more than seductive. The popular rock group, Dave Matthews Band, also sells music to the tune of seduction in the “song” Crush Into Me. Why would we advertise such artists—even if some of their music might be wholesome.

For so many young people today, modern music is a “religious” experience as their devotion to the rappers and “artists” is almost idolatry. In some cases the idol adoration is without question. Others simply do not understand the background of their favorite genre.

Bob Marley—A Redeemer?

The popularity of the deceased Bob Marley is an example of the kind of devotion of which we speak. The biographical sketch of Bob Marley describes him as “? a redeemer figure returning to lead this planet out of confusion.” The catchy beat of the Jamaican musician is filled with the promotion of his religion, Rastafarianism. (cf.http://www.christiancourier.com/questions/rastafarianism.htm).

Much of his lyrics come out of his own sad circumstances and that of others. While we may grieve over the injustices of slavery and racism, if we look to some human figure as a redeemer, we are looking in the wrong place. It has been said that you cannot understand Bob Marley’s music without understanding his beliefs. Will our young people find some kind of direction from the rhythm and lyric of the famous Rastafarian? And where will the direction lead?

Hip hop artists such as Cornell Hayes, whose stage name is Nelly, have marketed themselves to the very young. He endears himself to others by giving proceeds from some of his products to college scholarships and other good works. However, others do not see him in a good light. Asha Jennings, a young college law student, protested a concert by Nelly because of the degradation of women, particularly black women. She sees the effect of his type of “music” upon society. (cf. http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/03/hip.hop/)

Hip Hop Marketing

Hip hop rappers make no apology for marketing the use of alcohol, drugs, sexual promiscuity and perversion, and ungodly attitudes in their productions. Their line is that they are simply singing about the real lives of people. Now isn’t that an elevating philosophy! Evangelize the world with the lowest life form!

A parent said of the performer, Common, “I thought he was a good guy.” Parents need to know! Check out an “artist” before allowing your youngster to listen to, own music, or attend a concert by such a profane performer. It doesn’t take much time if you access a computer. Libraries often have computers that you can use.

There is no doubt that the women who sing and perform with these “musicians” (or who are stars on their own such as Madonna or Britney Spears) are portraying themselves as sex objects to be used and thrown away. Lyrics are the vilest possible. The lack of respect for men and women (even by women), and the degrading of the God-given gift of sexuality that is typical of most modern music is too gross to even describe.

If you do not realize that music teaches, you must begin your own research. Just go on a Myspace.com site – with little effort you can bring up random sites of young people. The music listed as favorites include many of these “artists.” As the old saying goes, “The proof is in the pudding.” And we must say that the erosion of respect for authority and women, the flagrant immorality, and the adoration of the “gansta” motif so prevalent among young people show that the pudding is rotten. Our culture is so desensitized to what is mannerly, sensitive, pure, and wholesome.

The apostle Paul warned:

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Eph. 4:17-19)

The Christian Disconnect

It ought to alarm any sane parent that the popular rap star “Snoop Dogg” has had a “very successful” money making venture with the Hustler corporation. If you don’t know who Larry Flynt is from watching the news, he is the owner of the pornographic magazine, Hustler. Now the Hustler pornographic corporation is developing close ties with many “renowned artists in the hip-hop community? ?” They report, “We’re releasing an R-rated version of that (Snoop Dogg project), that will be in Blockbuster, Tower of Records, and all that” (cf. http://www.adultvideonews.com/bone/by0701_17.html). The evidence is clear: the motive of the pornographic industry is to become “mainstream,” to become culturally acceptable for the purpose of hooking children early so that they can increase their sales. Sadly, enormous numbers of parents are helping them do just that. (cf. Sharon Secor: Especially for Parents, The Tie Between the Porn Industry and Hip Hop Videos (cf. http://www.moralityinmedia.org/index.htm?mediaIssues/espforparents2003-02.htm)

What can parents do?

Our example speaks volumes to our children. If you mimic the hip hop crew in your language and love their “music,” you need to give some serious thought to that behavior. If your favorite music is suggestive, surely you have no foundation for teaching them. Regardless of our tastes in music, we need to be selective.

Sadly, many parents have thrown in the towel. Teen-aged and college aged young people have money from allowances and jobs, so parents feel they are no longer responsible to direct the purchases of their kids. What is the truth on that matter? As long as you live, your relationship as a parent sustains a responsibility to the spiritual welfare of your children. If your child is 40 years old and heading down a road of eternal destruction, won’t you try to talk to him? Doesn’t he deserve at least that much loving reproof from those who brought him into this world? So much more so do we bear responsibility to those who are still supported by us or living in our home. We cannot refuse to restrain our children, as much as possible. We must have the courage to enforce house rules and use some true tough love approaches if necessary.

David Kupelian, vice president and managing editor of WorldNetDaily.com and Whistleblower Magazine, authored the book, The Marketing of Evil: How radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised As Freedom. Mr. Kupelian’s research causes him great alarm. He references how the sales technique of the MTV corporation snares young people. He has two articles online that are very candid. Some of the language is more than frank, so be prepared if you decide to read these enlightening articles. http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=36598

Mr. Kupelian’s concern goes much beyond the area of music. His stance is that youth culture has been severely warped. He states, “We, the parents of this generation, along with the degrading entertainment media, the biased news media, the lying politicians, the brainwashing government school systems, and the rest of society’s once great institutions whose degradation we have tolerated, are responsible. ? No wonder our children are rebelling. And today’s insane Sodom-and-Gomorrah culture, which we have allowed and in many ways created, stands waiting in the wings to welcome them with open arms.”

He has some suggestions for rescuing youth from entanglement by the mass media. “Today’s culture is so poisonous that your only hope is to literally create (or plug into) another culture entirely – a subculture.” He continues: “The best solution I know of for accomplishing this is to homeschool your children, and network with other like-minded parents in your area. Trust me, it’s already been done, you’re not reinventing the wheel.” Some good people may disagree with his solution. Personally, I believe homeschooling is the best for our children in today’s society. Perhaps there are some isolated areas where public and private schools are acceptable. But one must keep in mind that the faculty is not the only consideration. The peers of your children are significant influences, as we all know. Children are not prepared to be missionaries in the public school arena.

Though not an easy task, he has some solid recommendations “for those already caught up in the youth subculture.” However, it takes courage and determination to rescue someone who doesn’t want to be saved. The first step is to confess your failings to your child. That seems so trite. But genuine repentance involves a change. If you have lived a lifetime “limping between” the world and the kingdom of Christ (practically speaking living in hypocrisy), you ought to turn your life around to pure service to Lord. If your child sees change in you, he may be motivated to return to a sane, godly manner of life.

The motives of some are to redeem America to what it was once, a God-fearing nation. However, our goal is to save our children from Satan who is a roaring lion seeking to devour them. It is sad when parents allow their children to play with the lion.

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