Bill Gaither and the Southern Gospel Crowd

[John81]

I've heard portions of songs from several newer Southern Gospel groups that sounded too pop to me. When I heard them, my first thought was wondering why that stuff was even called Southern Gospel to begin with!

It's a real shame, but a lot of stuff gets lumped together under one heading these days and some of it is so diverse from one another there is no way it's all actually the same style of music.

[kevinmiller]

I also agree. I never said that all southern gospel is wrong. I said any genre that is characterized by a driving rock beat is wrong. And unfortunately, many "modern" southern gospel groups seemed to have gone that way. I don't know many traditional groups but maybe that's just because I don't live down south. :frog

[Will]

A possible explanation for SGM, CCM, rock, country, etc., bothering some and not bothering others.

1Ti 4:1 ¶ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

So I'm unsaved or apostate? :?

[Will]

I am not trying to trap you. I am trying to understand were you are coming from. The Ball Brothers are a group of brothers from nothern GA. If you want to look at their website pm me and i will give it to you.

Ball Brothers are decent, but I like Squire Parsons, he's really good too.

[Will]

Wow, super danger there. Absolutely nothing can make us closer to God than God Himself. I've noticed this kind of thing in CCMers after I decided to quit CCM. They feel that the music makes them closer to God, which has absolutely no Biblical basis, IMHO.

I didn't say that it was the music that caused them to be stronger Christians. I wasn't making that claim. I was merely pointing out that even those who do so can become strong Christians.

[Will]

Suzy,
also ServingHim,

I didn't specify, but I was speaking of music in a restricted sense, not music overall a broad spectrum.

For example, I've had Christians tell me there is nothing wrong with them listening to Heavy Metal because it doesn't affect them.

To begin with, as emotional as they got over the topic and with the way they continually called it "my music" (very personal, I would say), it would seem obvious that music DID have an affect on them.

Secondly, the lyrics in Heavy Metal are typically not Christ-honouring.

Thirdly, the beat and drive of most Heavy Metal envokes aggressive, sometimes violent emotions and actions.

All of this would seem to indicate that Heavy Metal would be wrong for all Christians and that any Christian claiming otherwise was doing so of their own fleshly accord and not from guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Now, back on track here, what I was referring to are those individual songs, or perhaps groups within a branch of music, which put forth Christ-honouring lyrics to either Southern Gospel, country, bluegrass, harp music, celtic, classical, etc., that is NOT of the modern, pop-oriented, pumped up sound.

Some Christians would automatically call some or all of that wrong. Some would consider some okay and others fine.

For example, say one of these groups took an accepted as godly hymn and put it to music. It could be bluegrass, Southern Gospel, classical. There are some who would say with that music, they don't believe Christians should listen to it. Other Christians would love it.

In THOSE instances, is it possible that for one Christian the song might be edifying while for another Christian it might somehow not be?

I agree. I put individual songs on their own merit, not on the merit of a genre or label that is slapped on them by a record producer.

[ServingHim]

Lots of people judge individual songs like this. I used to kind of agree with that, but then I wondered how to justify putting my money into supporting the other bad music any particular musicians produce. See what I mean? There were some artists that produced some absolutely beautiful, soul-stirring music and I purchased their cd's. On the cd's I found out that the majority of the music was sensual, or had a rock beat to it. The Holy Spirit within me was grieved over that.
So then, there I was, trying to weed through what my conscience could endure. Then I started accepting some of the questionable music into my life. It was a gradual thing. After much conviction, I finally ended up just trashing it all.
All of this happened over the span of just a few months, but I wonder how it would be with me if I had continued over a period of years. Would I have more liberal views right now, based on what I allowed in my life? I think I would. And I wonder if I would progress (or regress?) to other similar types?

And, for the record, I am not throwing every southern gospel group in the same barrel. Each one must be evaluated on their own music, lifestyle, and testimonies.

[auburn_tiger]

I like Squire Parson too expecially his song Sweet Bulah Land.

[anime4christ]

If the beat is what makes music rock then explain to me what is a rock beat and what is not?

Please don't say that it is because of the instruments that are used.

Typical rock beat (taken from a track I wrote a while ago, bd = bass drum; hh = hi-hat; sd = snare drum):

bd:	|x-x-|-x-x|x-x-|-xx-

hh:	|-x-x|--x-|xx-x|x--x

sd:	|----|x---|----|x---

Simplified a bit:

bd:	|x---|----|x---|----

sd:	|----|x---|----|x---

Notice that the bass drum usually has the first and third beat while the snare (played louder) has the second and fourth. Sometimes the bass drum will be sounded on every beat, including those which the snare is sounded on.

Any questions?

[PreacherBen]

I finally went to the Ball Brothers web site. That was a "classic" rock beat. But I guess it can't be because that is Southern Gospel right? :?

If you want to know what comes from the depth of the heart just watch someone for a while. I went to the PHOTO GALLERY and clicked on FUNNY PICTURES.
http://www.theballbrothers.com/newsite/photos/05-24-06-funny/index.htm

In "FUNNY PICTURE" #3AND 4, this "godly" Ball Brother is imitating Elvis. Elvis Presley was a wicked man.

Pro 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous [there is] favour.

According to THE BIBLE, GOD'S HOLY WORD (KJV) this "godly" BALL BROTHER is a fool.

In FUNNY PICTURE #10, this "goldy" BALL BROTHER is dresed like a woman.

Deu 22:5 ¶ The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so [are] abomination unto the LORD thy God.

According to THE BIBLE, GOD'S HOLY WORD (KJV) this "godly" BALL BROTHER is an abomination unto the LORD thy God!

In fact, all the "FUNNY PICTURES" are foolishness.

Pro 24:9 The thought of foolishness [is] sin: and the scorner [is] an abomination to men.

According to THE BIBLE, GOD'S HOLY WORD (KJV) this "goldy" BALL BROTHER is in sin!

In the FUNNY VIDEO area (more foolishness) this "godly" BALL BROTHER, mocks a replica of the mercy seat.
http://www.theballbrothers.com/newsite/video/greatfind.html

I know it is only a replica, but only a fool or a scorner would mock something that represents a holy thing like the mercy seat.

BUT...they sure are good ol' boys, right?

When you STOP letting your flesh (which is just like my flesh, undependable) make your judgements about whether something is wicked or not and go STRICTLY on the principles of God's word, you will see that God always reveals the truth about something.

If you look at those "FUNNY PICTURES" and the associated scriptures and dismiss them (the scriptures,) then YOU are in sin, or are not saved and do not know how to discern scripture.

[ServingHim]

Some people just take the things of God too lightly. Nowadays everything is up for a joke. I know of a pastor who went swimming in the baptistry with his sons. They thought it was funny.

Again, the groups can be evaluated based on music, lifestyles, and their testimonies. If there is anything questionable, we shouldn't support them.

[kevinmiller]

Wow, swimming in the baptistry? That's terrible. :o

[Bakershalfdozen]

I wonder if anybody ever went swimming in the Jordan River? :hmm :


BTW, I went to the Ball Brothers site after reading PreacherBen's post and the music that came on made me. :freak: :freak: :freak: I don't mind drums in an orchestra but to me, a rock beat is devilish. When the syncopation of a song is emphasized, it is typically a fleshly song.

[kevinmiller]

Yes, we have a snare drum in our orchestra. We have a few percussion instruments but I don't know their names. hehe

[auburn_tiger]

PreacherBen,

As far as the funny pics go. There are some solid IFB churches that will put on a skit using Elvis and for Ladies Retreat/conferences will have men dressed up in dresses as part of a skit.

As far as the Ball Brothers go I do belive that they are Godly men. And as far as the pics go I don't believe that thier intent was to mock sin and you cannot say that that is what they were doing, unless you can see and read their heart which you cannot.

As far as the video goes I don't believe that he is a Ball Brother.

I do not appreciate you insinuating that I am not saved, or that I do not know how to discern scriptures or I am in sin. You know nothing of me.