Music is not neutral & what`s godly is much more than a matter of taste and style. There is clear evidence that immoral conduct and false teaching frequently ride on the back of bad music. Furthermore when `Rock' comes to Church it's not long before the `pray-ers and payers' leave. That's the pattern.

Unfortunately not everyone sees it that way. For example James Ryle, pastor of a Vineyard Church, says God's going to anoint Christian Musicians with the same anointing He gave to the Beatles. That linked to the fact that John Wimber, head of Vineyard was a successful rock musician, composer & record producer before his faith profession, should cause real concern.

Wimber's `third wave' has generic links with the Toronto Movement the bizarre manifestations of which are frequently orchestrated by beat music. All of this paints a picture that calls for Biblical evaluation. This is the major purpose of our 3rd CETF, with which we now offer a series of 6 videoed seminar sessions entitled the Language of Music (LOM), which we consider essential viewing for all Church leaders, musicians and parents. God Bless you.

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Christian Rock artists claim they are reaching youth with the Gospel of Christ. One national event in the USA, with bands from all over the country, saw 1,000 decisions in just one night. The performers did their own follow up some months later. To their amazement they discovered not one genuine conversion. WHY?

Dr Frank Garlock, music Professor at Pensacola Christian College and the speaker on the LOM videos we're offering in this issue, says it's due to the beat. Decisions are made against the will or without the will being involved.

Salvation is a matter of our will. If that part of us is not influenced and captured, there is no salvation.

The LOM series of videos places music higher than TV or any other single influence for good or evil. Dr Garlock quotes numerous secular authorities to prove Rock is bad for us - emotionally, spiritually, morally and even physically - it reduces muscle strength. AND it's not the lyrics, but the BEAT.

According to Garlock the damage is caused by the disregard Rock has for the balance that God has written into good music. As God is a trinity and man is tripartite, (spirit, mind and body) so music has three elements - melody, harmony and rhythm. If you get them out of order in priority or emphasis you have problems.

Good music is predominantly melody with balanced harmony and minimal (3% to 4%) rhythm. Rock starts with 75% beat. It panders to our bodily parts - the ego and sensual. It can't be Christian nor a legitimate channel for preaching the Gospel.

New age music and some jazz are also incompatible with the Gospel according to Frank Garlock. His six one hour seminars on video are available from CWM. It is a highly recommended series.