Faith Baptist

Church

Music

Guidelines

Pastor Leo R. Minnaar 26.08.2008

1
 What is acceptable music for the Church?

Music is a very controversial issue, what is one person’s taste in the music style, is
not another’s. It has been assumed that Scripture is not clear as to what to sing
about. I disagree as, I have come across several verses that tell you what to sing,
however it does not spell out what musical instruments, nor does it specifically tell
you the style, tempo nor rhythm. Each person is different, but without question,
God wants us to “make a joyful noise” unto Him. We note that throughout Scrip-
ture that many songs or hymns or even psalms sung to God’s glory and honour by
David and others like him. So we do have some indication of what is acceptable to
God. With this said and done, we are going to look at what is acceptable music for
the Church? Did people sing Psalms, Hymns and Songs to God in the days of old,
YES! “(God commanding Moses) Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it
the children of Israel: put it in their mouths..” Deut 31:19

• Jacob sang Ge 31:27

• Israel sang Num 2:17
• Moses sang Ex 15:1
• Levites sang 1 Chron 15:22
• David sang 2 Sam 22:1
• Solomon sang 1 Kgs 4:30–32
• Debra and Barak sang Jdg 5:1
• Choir of 4000 sang lev 23:5
• Angels sang Rev 5:9

I. Definitions

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Eph 5:19 -20

a. Psalms

i.“To touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument, that is, play upon it; to
make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and
music: - give praise, sing forth praises, psalms.” - Strong’s Heb & Grk Dict

ii. “The Hebrew designation “praises “The New compact Bible Dictionary

iii. “Primarily songs to be sung…Hymnbook of the second temple and prayer

book in Synagogue and temple festivals “New concise Bible Dictionary

iv. Primarily denoted a striking or twitching with the fingers (on musical strings)”
Vines expository Dictionary

2
III. Godly music must be edifying.
Does the music refresh and invigorate?
Does the music inspire the mind and invoke healthy, positive emotions?
Does the music uplift the spirit and draw the listener to God’s point of view?
Does the music end on a note of praise or focus on God?
Extracted Harmony at Home Pg 161
The issue is not so much in Songs, Contemporary Christian Music or choruses in
themselves but rather … People are sensual (fleshly) by nature and care needs to
be taken that they don’t get lifted up in an emotional and sensual high, but rather
an experience of joyfulness as they” Let the word of Christ” richly dwell in all
wisdom and as they “walk in the Spirit”. There is nothing inherently wrong with
music in themselves but, in the lyrics, tune and the tempo that is played and the
effects it has on you, here is sound council in this regard. “If your foot moves
before your heart, it is probably wrong” Unknown
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and
touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” 2Co 6:17
IV. Faith Baptist Church music guidleines
A. We will understake to :
1. Sing Hymns, Psalms and spirtiual songs
2. Sing these in the main worship services and sunday school
3. Sing them on condition we follow the guidelines set out by
Striving For Excellence, Ron and Inge Cannon
B. We will have all music that is sung and played, perused and
passes by the Pastor or designated music director.
Inconclusion:
Music is a form of worship, God glorification and method of teaching
Biblical truth. Use this form wisely!
14
b. Hymns
i. “Song or ode in honor of God, and among pagans, in honor of some deity. A
hymn among Christians is a short poem, composed for religious service, or a
song of joy and praise to God. The word primarily expresses the tune,
but it is used for the ode or poem.
ii. To praise in song; to worship by singing hymns.
iii. To sing; to celebrate in song, in praise or adoration
iv. Anthem - A hymn sung in alternate parts; but in modern usage, a sacred
tune or piece of music set to words, taken from the psalms or other parts of
the scriptures, first introduced into church service in Elizabeth’s reign.
v. Hymns and psalms—are framed by meditation beforehand, or by prophetical
illumination are inspired.” – Webster Dictionary 1828
c. Songs
i. “In general, that which is sung or uttered with musical modulations of
the voice, whether of the human voice or that of a bird
ii. A little poem to be sung, or uttered with musical modulations; a ballad. The
songs of a country are characteristic of its manners. Every country has its
love songs, its war songs, and its patriotic songs.
iii. A hymn; a sacred poem or hymn to be sung either in joy or thanksgiving, as
that sung by Moses and the Israelites after escaping the dangers of the
Arabian gulf and of Pharaoh; or of lamentation, as that of David over the
death of Saul and Jonathan. Songs of joy are represented as constituting a
part of heavenly felicity.” - Webster Dictionary 1828
d. Melody
i. “An agreeable succession of sounds; a succession of sounds so regu
lated and modulated as to please the ear. To constitute melody, the
sounds must be arranged according to the laws of rhythms, measure, or the
due proportion of the movements to each other. Melody differs from harmony,
as it consists in the agreeable succession and modulation of sounds
by a single voice; whereas harmony consists in the accordance of different
voices or sounds. Melody is vocal or instrumental.
ii. Music - Melody or harmony; any succession of sounds so modulated as to
please the ear, or any combination of simultaneous sounds in accordance or
harmony. Music is vocal or instrumental. Vocal music is the melody of a
single voice, or the harmony of two or more voices in concert. Instrumental
music is that produced by one or more instruments.
iii. Any entertainment consisting in melody or harmony.” Webster Dictionary
3
e. Chorus I have decided to follow
I have decided to follow Jesus (X 3)
i. A number of singers; a company of persons singing in concert. No turning back, no turning back.
ii. Verses of a song in which the company join the singer; or the union of a Tho no one join me still I will follow (X 3)
company with a singer, in repeating certain couplets or verses, at certain No turning back, no turning back.
periods in a song. The world behind me, the cross before me (X 3)
iii. A musical composition of two or more parts. I won’t turn back, I won’t turn back
i v. The verse repeated in a song, or the return of the theme at the end of
each verse; the chorus; so called from the application of this word to VIII. Sound council
the drone or base, and the pipe or string which plays it, in an instru
ment. A chord which is to be divided, to perform the intervals of music, when In their helpful study, Striving For Excellence, Ron and Inge Cannon give specific
open and undivided, is also called the burden.” Webster Dictionary guidelines for evaluating music. The following checklist will help to sharpen
discernment skills in evaluating music. Notice the correlation of these points to
II. Biblical Instruments used Philippians 4:8:

a. Cymbals, - Of two kinds: “loud cymbals,” castanet’s; four small plates of I. Godly music must be pure.
brass; two plates were attached to each hand, and smitten together, marking
for the choir their time for joining in the sacred song And “high sounding To whom does this music give glory?
cymbals,” two larger plates, one held in each hand, and struck together as an How does this music reflect biblical doctrines and Godly living?
accompaniment to other music, like the Italian piatti, marking the rhythm” Is this music reactionary in any way (i.e., designed to challenge accepted
Fausset’s Bible Dictionary 1Ch 25:6 norms)?
Does this music violate your conscience in any way?
b. Psalteries - an instrument of ten strings.” Josephus (Ant. 7:12, sec. 3)
mentions that ordinarily it had 12 strings; ” Fausset’s Bible Dictionary II. Godly music must be orderly.

c. Harps - With ten strings, played on with a plectrum (quill), according to
Josephus; but also with the hand by David” Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
d. Bell - No large ones like ours, for assembling congregations to worship,
were anciently known. ” Fausset’s Bible Dictionary Ex 28:33
e. Timbrels - “a tambourine: - tabret, timbrel.” Strong’s Dictionary 2Sa 6:5
f. Cornets - A horn trumpet used for war, for signals, for proclaiming the Jubilee
and new year. ” Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
g. Trumpets – “a wind instrument with a curved horn, the sound being a dull
monotone” The New compact Bible Dictionary. 1Ch 16:42
h. Instrument of ten strings – “inferred to as lyre” The New compact Bible
Dictionary sa 92:3
i. Organs. - A wind instrument, a perforated pipe. Pandean pipe or syrinx (still a
pastoral instrument in Syria) as distinguished from the HARP, stringed instru
Are the musical elements combined with balance?
Does the melody line have a balanced (rising and falling) contour that matches
the inflection of the words?
What message is conveyed by the harmony (mood, atmosphere, emotion,
etc.)?
Does the rhythm of the music dominate the message, or is it subtle in func
tion?
Does the organization of the music reflect careful design and communicate a
definite beginning and ending?
Is the music balanced in tension and relaxation?
Does the musical background overpower the text (i.e., is the background
distracting to the message in any way)?
Is the text accurate in statement and implication as evaluated by God’s Word?
Is the text in any’way ambiguous?
If it is sung as a solo, does the performer imply intimacy with the listener by
breathing into the microphone or by using sagging and sliding pitches?
Is the music a “new sound” as in rock or entertainment styles, or is it a “new
song” demonstrating a changed life?

4 13
 VI. Samples of an acceptable hymn ments” Fausset’s Bible Dictionary Psa 150:4

WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD III. God’s commands in regards to song

1. Christ our Redeemer died on the cross, Died for the sinner, paid all his due; a. Old Testament
All who receive Him need never fear, Yes, He will pass, will pass over you.
When I see the blood, When I see the blood, “Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it
When I see the blood, I will pass, I will pass over you.
in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of
2. Chiefest of sinners, Jesus can save, As He has promised, so will He do; O
sinner, hear Him, trust in His Word, Then He will pass, will pass over you. Israel.” Deu 31:19
3. Judgment is coming, all will be there, Who have rejected, who have ref
used. O sinner, hasten, let Jesus in, Then God will pass, will pass over you. i. Write a song
4. O what compassion, O boundless love! Jesus hath power, Jesus is true; All who ii. Teach the song
believe are safe from the storm, O He will pass, will pass over you. iii. So that God will be glorified
iv. The Words of the song were specific, not ambiguous
WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN
“Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among
1. Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, Sing His mercy, and His grace; In the mansions the people. 9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous
bright and blessed, He’ll prepare for us a place. works. 10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the
When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! LORD. 11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 12 Remem-
When we all see Jesus, We’ll sing and shout the victory. ber his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his
2. While we walk the pilgrim path-way, Clouds will over-spread the sky; But when mouth.” 1 Ch 16:8 -12
trav’ling days are over, Not a shadow, not a sigh.
3. Let us then be true and faithful, Trusting, serving ev’ry day; Just one glimpse of
Him in Glory, Will the toils of life repay. b. New testament
4. Onward to the prize before us! Soon His beauty we’ll behold; Soon the pearly
gates will open, We shall tread the streets of gold. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
VII. Sample of an acceptable Chorus hearts to the Lord.” Col 3:16

Isn’t He wonderful i. Teach one another

Isn’t He wonderful, wonderful, wonderful? ii. Admonishing – exhort, give advice, warn, remind (to encourage)
Isn’t Jesus my Lord wonderful? iii. We can do both of these in song, we are to encourage and teach one
Eyes have seen, ears have heard, another. The medium is not only in the academic environment but another
Tis recorded in God’s word, method is in song”
Isn’t Jesus my Lord wonderful? iv. In verse 17 we see specifics, no ambiguity

He’s my Lord, he’s my King “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
And His praises I will sing making melody in your heart to the Lord;” Eph 5:19
Isn’t Jesus my Lord wonderful?
Saving me, keeping me, “It is no exaggeration to say that songs have taught more theology to new converts
Now and through eternity than textbooks.” Wycliffe commentary
Isn’t Jesus my Lord wonderful?

12 5
c. God’s counsel were setting up the laser light show which was to accompany the bands. A
painted babe in tight pants approached us. ... She said, ‘Oh you can’t go in
“With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding. With him is there yet; the artists are still setting up for the show.’ I said, ‘Is there no church
wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.” Job 12:12-13 service tonight?’ With disdain she sneered, ‘Of course, this is a church ser-
vice.’ ‘But what about the preaching of the word,’ I asked. ‘Oh we have (and
i. Counsel comes from God she named some rock bands I was supposed to have heard of) performing
and Jonathan Falwell is going to give a word in between.’ ... Now I know what
1. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom Pro 9:10 some of you are thinking, because you hear it so much you almost believe it.
2. God is the true source of all wisdom. Knowledge and understanding We have to stay relevant and up to date to reach the young people. [In reply, I
3. God wants us to be wise (wisdom is to apply knowledge correctly) would say,] one, when the world converts the church you haven’t reached
4. God wants us to listen to counsel (take advice) Pro 2:6 anyone, and two, huge buildings that once served as dormitories for the
5. The well informed is wise Pro 13:10 school are vacant and for sale, so it didn’t work. When you bring in music,
6. It is the prudent (worldly –wise) to understand his way Pro 14:8 holidays, dating programs, fuzzy time, etc., so kids who don’t want the word of
God, street preaching, Biblical Christianity, and self-denial will want to come to
ii. God’s general counsel your school you are on the road that leads to what we saw in Chattanooga
Wednesday night.”
1. Safety in multitude of counsel Pro 11:14 viii. I believe Gordon Sears was right when he said: “When the standard of
2. A wise man will listen to counsel Pro 12:15 music is lowered, then the standard of dress is also lowered. When the
3. Counsel brings wisdom Pro 19:20 standard of dress is lowered, then the standard of conduct is also lowered.
4. Counsel needs to be seeked fervently Pro 20:5 When the standard of conduct is lowered, then the sense of value in God’s
truth is lowered.” David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service
“To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3 To
receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 To give A word to the wise is sufficient. “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump”
subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 A wise man 1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:6.
will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain V. Our reason for being
unto wise counsels:” Pro 1:2-5
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of
IV. Man’s counsel God.” 1Co 10:31

“And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his a. We are to do all for Gods glory 1Co 10:31
father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this b. We are to fear God and worship (do reverence to, adore )Him Rev 14:7
people? 7 And they spoke unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this c. Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father Php 2:11
people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to d. We are to glorify God in all things said and done 1Co 6:20
them, then they will be thy servants forever. 8 But he forsook the counsel of the
old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were
grown up with him, and which stood before him:” 1Ki 12:6 -8 “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation
aright will I show the salvation of God. “ Psa 50:23
• Let us be “well advised ‘’lets look at what others have to say Pro 13:10
• A Prudent man is one who thinks about and ponders about the things he We are to glorify God, and one of the ways is in song
does and where he is going, so lets do just that: Pro 14:8

6 11
v. The Bethlehem Baptist Church paper in 2002 featured a photo of the
church’s new Youth Pastor, Rob Hoerr. Bedecked with a goatee, an earring,
and a P.O.D. T-shirt, this independent Baptist youth director is proudly
promoting the Christian rock lifestyle. P.O.D. is a rock band. The initials
are supposed to stand for Payable On Death. The tattoo-covered band
members curse in interviews, smoke, watch R-rated movies, and criti-
cize kids “who want to segregate themselves from the world.” The
group’s leader said, “Jesus was the first rebel. He was the first punk
rocker going against all the rest of it” (Sonny of P.O.D ). In another inter-
view, P.O.D. said, “We’re not passing out pamphlets saying ‘Get your life
straight or you’re gonna burn in hell” (Sonny, Guitar World, Oct 2000, p.
78). Sonny says, “I like Slayer. I like Manson. I like music and this dark imag-
ery” (2001 interview with Theresa McKeon of Shoutweb titled “P.O.D. The
Fundamental Elements of God Rock”). He is talking about the antichrist rocker
Marilyn Manson. P.O.D. guitarist Marcos says, “You know, everyone is free to
rock —. When we go on stage we go crazy. We are like four guys you should
put in a mental hospital” .Thus we can see that Bethlehem Baptist Church
has gone a long way down the road from its roots as a conservative,
fundamentalist Baptist church, and music is at the very heart of the
changes.
vi. Temple Baptist Church of Detroit, Michigan. The founders of the BBFI in
1950 and of the presidency of Baptist Bible College. It was a conservative
fundamental Baptist church that eschewed ecumenism, preached strong Bible
doctrine, and promoted holy living and separation from the world. The church’s
music today is described at its website: “The PRAISE BANDS provide music
for all services. The Praise Bands consist of the piano, synthesizer, acoustic
and electric guitar, bass guitar, and drums.” The church began having CCM
concerts in the early 1990s, starting out with the softer rock groups. In
2000 Temple Baptist Church changed its name to Northridge Church of
Plymouth, Michigan, after taking a survey of the community and finding out
that most people don’t like the name Baptist.
vii. A report by James Knox, a Baptist preacher from Deland, Florida.
Highland Park Baptist Church is the home of Tennessee Temple University.
“We decided to drive in for the evening service at Tennessee Temple Univer-
sity, telling the boys on the way about the history of the school. When we
arrived we thought we had found a skateboard park or waterless beach. There
were groups of long haired boys and short haired girls milling about, all of
them wearing shorts and t-shirts and not one of them had a Bible. We entered
the lobby of the auditorium and found it filled with posters advertising ‘Chris-
tian’ rock bands. There were posters, refrigerator magnets, and autographed
pictures of different groups, all designed to look just like the same parapherna-
lia sold at a secular concert. Thinking there must be some mistake, in a daze
we tried to make our way into the auditorium. On the platform were enough
instruments and drum sets to make the Rolling Stones envious. Technicians
10
a. From members of the music industry
i. Bob Larson – The Day Music died
1. “Few observers of that curiosity called “rock” are as qualified as Bob
Larson to evaluate ts effects on Americas youth. Converted as a young
man while deeply involved in the rock scene as a guitarist and composer.
At 13 yrs of age his 1st popular hit was published, had his own rock band at
15, four yrs later performed on radio and TV stations and worked as a
Radio announcer and DJ. Performed live at Atlantic City…He enjoys the
distinction of being one of the finest recording guitarist today.” Publishers
2. “The sound attacks and weighs on your senses with a driving insistence” Pg 14
3. “I am not suggesting that pulsation and syncopation are evil and immoral
…In their extreme, electronically accentuated forms, they may automati
cally illicit a physiologically response from the body. This might remotely
define them as having an inherent moral effect …I contrast some of the
more erotic rock bands deliberately try to “turn on” the audience. Today’s
lyrics in rock serve both as a pacesetter and a reflection of the permissive
society in which we live. Pg 15
4. Frank Zappa of the Mothers of invention “I realized that this music got
through to the youngsters because the beat matched the rythms of the
human body.” Pg 101
5. Rolling Stones manager, Richard Oldham declared “Rock music is sex and
you have to hit them (teenagers) in the face with it” Pg 75
6. What a paradox it is that music can both savage and sedative effect.
People react to music through their emotions. Music can even cause a
person to do something irrational, something toward which he might
otherwise have a natural antipathy. One song may bring tears while
another can fill the throat with shouts and cheers.” Pg 107
7. “The greatest opposition I receive in denouncing rock music comes from
Christian teenagers and their self righteous parents. How sad it is that
money spent by Christians to purchase rock albums when finances are
desperately needed to spread the Gospel.” Pg 188
ii. John Ankerberg & John Weldon The facts on Rock music: is it Satanic?
1. For changing peoples manners and altering their customs, there is nothing
better that music” Shu Ching, Sixth Century BC Pg 4
2. “Few who have studied music will deny that it has power to influence and
dramatically affect our lives, it is the most dramatic mood setter there is”
Pg 4 The great and famous down through history have all agreed music
does have power and that power can be used either for good or evil” Pg 5
7
 3. Al Menconi, a youth counselor who has specialized in rock music’s influ
ence on teenagers, has stated” the sad thing is that the majority of “Chris
tian” kids I come into contact with have a stronger commitment to their
music than to Jesus. Music is the language of today’s generation..” Pg 10
4. Our primary reaction to all music is emotional. Therefore, any proper
evaluation must take place on two levels: First, “How does the music make
me feel?” and, secondly, “What are the particulars of the lyrics, style, and
mechanics of the composition in question?” Pg 44
5. What must a discerning listener do?
1. Evaluate the lyrics for content – It has been said “if you want to know
where a culture is going, listen to its music”.
2. Evaluate your emotional response – What is the tunes overall effect
on my way of thinking and responding to the world around me? Pg 46
iii. Harmony at Home Tim Fisher
1. “Scripture demonstrates a legitimate relationship between music and
worship. The order of cause and effect is, however, reversed. In scripture,
music comes from the heart that God has blessed. David’s new song in
Psalm 40:3 was a direct result of his salvation. Paul tells us in Ephesians
5:18-19 that the musical worship is a response to the presence on the Holy
Spirit in our lives. He tells us in Colossians 3:16 that the music results from
the indwelling Word of God. James 5:13 tells us that singing is an appropri
ate expression of Joy of the Lord. Nowhere in the Bible is worship induced;
it is rather, a response” Pg 184
2. “Praise and worship music itself originated with the Charismatic Renewal
movement; … they are carefully devised according to charismatic theology
and scriptural interpretation, and are expected to lead to charismatic
Pentecostal experiences. Charismatic believers have a right to develop
their own worship.. and they have done this well. Non-charismatic
should not thoughtlessly copy or imitate their worship formula,
unless they expect to enter into the same “holy of holies” in the
same way.” Dr Donald Hustad, snr professor of Church music Southern
Baptist Theological Seminary Pg185
3. “Rhythm moves in time and becomes largely a physical stimulus, while
melody moves in space and appeals more to the emotions.. back at least
as far as the stone age, man discovered that his emotions and his body
could be stimulated by the beat of a drum. He could be excited to war,
aroused sexually, and put into hypnotic trances by insistent, incessant
rhythm. Obviously, little has changed through the centuries. Today, similar
effects are achieved through the monotony pop music beats.” Scarantino
Pg 19
4. “The audience – because of the beat – they’re mesmerized by the music. I
mean they have the audience hypnotized. That’s the kind of control they
8 9
have.” Steve Glantz, Concert promoter, Circus
5. “The domain of rhythm extends from the spiritual to the carnal.” Conductor
Bruno Walter 1876-1962, Watson Pg 30
b. From members of God’s ministry
i. The late Gordon Sears, who had an evangelistic music ministry for many
years and ministered with Rudy Atwood, was saddened before his death by
the dramatic change that was occurring in many fundamental Baptist
churches. He warned: “When the standard of music is lowered, then the
standard of dress is also lowered. When the standard of dress is
lowered, then the standard of conduct is also lowered. When the
standard of conduct is lowered, then the sense of value in God’s truth
is lowered.”
ii. The late Ernest Pickering gave a similar warning: “Perhaps nothing precipi
tates a slide toward New Evangelicalism more than the introduction of
Contemporary Christian Music. This inevitably leads toward a gradual
slide in other areas as well until the entire church is infiltrated by ideas
and programs alien to the original position of the church.”
iii. Jerry Falwell Liberty University - had adopted the “music is neutral” posi
tion. Speaking at Word of Life in New York, he said, “Other than Heavy Metal
and vulgar lyrics, it’s all a matter of taste and has nothing to do with Chris
tianity”. In 2001 Falwell identified himself as a “contemporary fundamen
talist,” defined as “conservative in doctrine, moderate in attitude,
progressive in methodology, and liberal in spirit.” That sounds impres
sive and doubtless plays well to the “progressive” crowd, but in reality, he is
careless about doctrine (i.e., he allowed evolution to be taught at Liberty
in order to obtain accreditation), moderate rather than strict in attitude
toward apostasy, progressive rather than scriptural in methodology, and
liberal in spirit toward many of God’s enemies. In April 1996 hard rocking dc
Talk drew the largest concert crowd in the history of Farwell’s university. The
name of his school was changed from Liberty Baptist College to
Liberty University.
iv. Landmark Baptist Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, an old-fashioned Baptist
church with old-fashioned standards of music, dress and a commitment to
KJV. In the 1990s the church took a turn away from its roots and at the
heart of this change was music. In 1996 the church brought in a Campus
Crusade band playing “high energy ’50s and ’60s rock and roll.” In 2001, Mat
Holman became the pastor. The church web site says, “Being a firm believer
that church should be fun and on the edge, Matt puts all his energy into
making Landmark a place where everyone belongs. The pop group Jump5
performed at Landmark Baptist Church on Dec. 6, 2003. “The music of the
Nashville-based group is thoroughly modern pop, high-spirited and 100% fun.”