What music is pleasing to God?
My friend says rock music is not Christian-like and none is suitable for listening to because of its sexual connotations. While I can see a lot of music could have been conceived with sex being a catalyst, I can't believe only Christian music (and no Christian rock is allowed either according to her) is acceptable. I believe that music genres can appeal to many types of people and we shouldn't judge a genre because we don't like it. I believe Christian rock can be acceptable just as some rock and roll, blues, and swing, and any other music can be acceptable. Does all music have to be praise to God to be acceptable? Is all rock and roll truly evil? What does WELS believe about music?
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). That instruction becomes a guiding principle in life, especially when it comes to adiaphora—those things which God has neither commanded nor forbidden.
Since God has not provided in the Bible a list of acceptable and unacceptable music genres, we are left to apply biblical principles. One of those principles is 1 Corinthians 10:31. Another principle is Philippians 4:8. Music in general can be performed to the glory of God when musicians use their God-given talents with right motives to offer entertainment that is pure. Ephesians 4:29 and 5:4 also provide guidance on what words—spoken or sung—are to come out of our mouths. Sexually explicit or suggestive language in rock, country or any other music genre misses the mark of being pleasing to God. Rather than condemning an entire genre of music, musicians and their music need to be evaluated individually.
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16). Certainly, music that edifies our faith is most important, but there is room in our lives for other genres of music that provide worthwhile entertainment. We find that room in the verse that follows: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).