SHOULD WE USE THE
MUSIC OF UNGODLY COMPOSERS?
Throughout
my ministry, I have had some form of the following question: is it okay to use
the music of ungodly composers and song-writers in your ministry? This question
could certainly be asked of other Christian artists and creators such as
authors and preachers. The question is likely not derived from thoughts of
their work but rather their lives. In my experience, it has been asked out of a
genuine concern for God’s people and how using such people’s work will impact
the local church. Years ago, a prominent Christian musician to which I grew up
listening professed his own homosexuality while I was serving in a local church
fellowship; I am still asked questions about whether it is wrong or right to
use his music. While I openly admit that his decision has had drastic negative
effects on professing Christians, we should assess whether using his music is
still acceptable.
Although we should test and measure
everything we allow into our lives, I would like to examine how to respond to
the music of ungodly composers, song-writers, and hymn-writers. I firmly
believe that it is acceptable and even good to use the music of anyone,
irrespective of the composer’s lifestyle, if the music is created within the
bounds of certain parameters, namely correct theology. Regarding this topic
then, I have four thoughts concerning the church’s use of ungodly composers’
music.
God Can Use Anyone and Anything He Desires
In Numbers
22, God uses Balaam’s donkey to speak. God has used unworthy people throughout
the history of the church. In a world that seeks to be ahead of everyone else,
it can be easy to forget that everything good comes from God, i.e. our gifts
and talents matter not. With God himself as the foundation of the church, it is
not uncommon for the Lord to use people who are unworthy and even seemingly
despicable. Therefore, God can and does assuredly use sinners for his glory, no
matter the degree of their sin. If God inspires song-writers to produce music
that glorifies him greatly but their lives contradict the authority of
Scripture, is the truth in their message of music revoked? The message in song
is still objective truth. To be objective means that nothing can affect its component
of truth, including the messenger. As God’s people, if we believe that one’s
lifestyle affects the truth of their message, we practically make that person
an idol by elevating the person above the God who gives them the message. God
can use the music of anyone he pleases. Since we are imperfect people,
song-writers are bound to make mistakes, some greater than others, though the
Lord surely still uses the message.
The Power of the Gospel Is in Its Message, Not Its Messenger
Rather than
the artist, we should focus on the message of the music we sing and to which we
listen. The message in gospel music is the same message that was preached by
Paul and the Apostles. Just as God uses the foolishness of preaching (1 Cor
1:21), so he also uses the foolishness of song-writing. Our talents and
abilities save no one; only the righteous power of God through the Holy Spirit
saves. This is evident when God uses a preacher’s horrid sermon to bring lost
souls to know him. In such a case, it was not the messenger who saved people;
it was God himself. The message then is far more vital than the messenger.
No One Is Perfect; This Is Nothing New
We must be
conduits of God’s grace with the perpetual realization that no one is perfect
and no one has ever been perfect. In a digital and technological age, we seem
to know too much about people. Theologians and hymn-writers of the past often lived
lives that would make people blush today. We should be people of grace and
understand that everyone needs God’s grace. If the tool used to present the
gospel message, namely music, is true, does the composer’s lifestyle change the
message? It does not; yet, the church often wants to immediately purge herself
of anything good which God has given through the artist. I fear that the truth
is we try to protect our reputation by distancing ourselves from those who have
fallen. If that is the case, we sin by judging rather than mercifully restoring
the one who has fallen. Do not hear what I am not saying; I am not saying to
hire every musician who lives an ungodly lifestyle. In fact, discipline is
necessary in such a person’s life. Nonetheless, we should understand our own
need for mercy just as much as anyone else. There is still truth and value in
their music.
If the Lord Used a Sinful Messenger to
Bring You to Salvation, Does that Negate His Saving Work in Your Life?
Finally, I
would like to ask a rhetorical question. If the Lord used a sinful messenger to
bring you to salvation, does that negate his saving work in your life? The
obvious answer is no; yet, we do not live as if that is true. Perhaps you can
recall a minister in your life who eventually fell into the traps of sin. If
you came to know Christ under such a person’s ministry, do their mistakes
revoke or cancel your salvation experience? If God has truly saved you, you are
his no matter how you came to know him. The sinfulness of the messenger then
does not affect the power of the message.
Exercise Wisdom
In all of
this, a worship leader should exercise wisdom in using the music of ungodly
people. I do not advocate using it or not using it. Nonetheless, the message of
music is still used by God. It could be that no one in a local church knows nothing
of an artist’s sinful lifestyle. Making these decisions is contextual. It might
work in one context but not in another. We should be wise in selecting the
music we employ in our churches, though do not decide solely based on one’s
lifestyle. God is sovereign. Ultimately, our best is nothing but filthy rags.
Even in musical leadership, God uses humankind’s foolishness. If the message is
true, why not use the composition? The composer’s lifestyle does not impact the
truth of the message; nor is using such a person’s music promoting their
lifestyle. We must preach gospel truth always, whether directly or indirectly
in the music we choose. Exercise wisdom, but let me encourage you also not to
throw out the wonderful artistic expressions of composers who perhaps live
ungodly lives. Pray for them and help them if you have the opportunity, but
also realize that their work is from God, not themselves.
