I listen to secular music, watch secular TV programs etc. I am a believer and I love the music Wayfm offers I listen to it most of the time. I think that as Christians we do ourselves a huge disservice by only doing things of a "Christian or spritual nature". How can we know what the world is doing if we arent particpating in it with them. There is nothing wrong with Christians going to restaurants were thay play secular rock music or serve alcohol. How can we minister to the world if we isolate ourselves from it by hiding in church of under the umbrella of Christian activites? I would dare say that if Jesus were her on earth today those are the places he would hang out, so why shouldnt we? It doesnt even have to be about trying to evangelize people, its about being among them and spreading our love to them.

I normally am annoyed when listening to your show. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the music... it's your rambling about everything and nothing at all that causes me to switch to the mp3 player...but I digress.
I have to say you are right on point with the standard questions and comments to why listen to just christian and not secular. I love what you say about the adjective "christian". So many times I have had this debate with fellow believers and this always shuts them up for a bit. But they always come back with "if it doesn't bring glory to God, it's not Christian"... That is a whole other debate...
This is to include your statements about teaching our children discernment. I have two very well rounded, musically eclectic children and a husband who knows just about every song, artist, and al*** from the last 30 years. He's ridiculous really... never play 80s trivial pursuit, it gets ugly!
Anywho, we have never censored (within reason and their ages) what they listen to or watch. I have other friends that have done so and that's cool. THat is their life. But do not tell me my kids are going to **** for watching Spongebob or listening to Five Finger Death punch... and yes it is as loud and obnoxious as the name, but the guitar player in my child loves it. They understand who CHrist is. They know what is right and wrong. And... here's the kicker, the understand about sharing beliefs, not commanding! wow... who would have thoughT!
So... i just wanted to post to your blog... you didn't annoy me with this today! Thanks for sharing!

I totally agree with what you said! It also comes down to why you are listening to whatever you are listening to. I listend to both but I have to be careful that I'm not listening to "secular" music because I'm wanting to daydream of my old life. Ultimately it is between that person and God how they walk out their faith. You will stand alone before your Creator to answer for your life, other people's opinions won't matter. Love the show and the "down-to-earth" faith you share.

Good Morning!

So here goes--how do you NOT get angry with people who ask questions that truly depict Christians as narrow-minded and completely closed off from the real world? See, I am getting riled up as I type. Also, do people think Christians should not have fun and a sense of humor? I don't think I could do your job because I would probably fly off the handle and say something I shouldn't. I listen every day, and some of the questions people ask you are amazing--like "who gave you the right to answer these questions?" when obviously you are RUNNING A RADIO STATION (WHICH INCLUDES CONVERSATION LIKE ALL OTHER RADIO STATIONS) AND PEOPLE LISTEN BECAUSE WHAT YOU DISCUSS IS INTERESTING. If a persons' faith and salvation is determined by the type of music he or she listens to, what kind of Savior are we serving? This type of talk is precisely why folks look at Christians as judgemental, and quite frankly, as something they do not want to become. I love the show, and I hope you continue on the path you have all taken. You are setting a tone for how followers of Christ should present themselves--real, down-to earth, FUNNY, full of truth, and attractive (not in the physical way, but that you have something that others should want). Thanks

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I think that what this issue really boils down to is intent. If all you're looking for is to be entertained, then chances are, you're not even going to care about what you watch/listen to/read/etc so long as it tickles your fancy so to speak. As people who acknowledge and follow Christ, we can't afford to be so complacent in such matters. Am I saying that listening to secular music is wrong? Nope. Am I saying that only listening to sacred music is right? No. What I am saying is that people who have made it their goal to please God in what they do will be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance in what they should or shouldn't listen to.

I radio surf...a lot (except in the mornings though, for obvious reasons). So that means I listen to a lot of different types of music and different radio stations. What usually ends up happening for me, is that with a majority of modern secular music, I end up scrutinizing it and sort of picking it apart because of what it so often lacks in comparison to older music and the majority of christian music. That being musicianship and depth in their lyrics.

I have to wonder. What music did Jesus listen to during His time here on earth? I'm sure He pretty much just listened to whatever was being played in the streets at the time, regardless of the writer/performer's intent in the music.

So yes, we should all be mindful of what we listen to, but we should also be mindful of what we read and watch. These things do have a noticeable effect on us, but I also think that we shouldn't try to put God in a box and say that He can only be glorified through christian music or that He can only speak to people through christian music.

I work in "secular radio"...matter of fact had been doing a show on a very heavy rock/active rock station. I remember that one of the toughest songs for me to play used to be AC/Dc's "Highway to ****". I would struggle every time it came up. Here's the thing...I have to say that while I can't agre with the (fist pumping celebration of going to ****). But, The Lord has given me eyes to look at musical lyrics and really look for the truth that is in them. That there is in fact a highway to ****.
I have been blessed to find Christain lyrics in bands like Kansas, King's X, The Alarm, The Call, Vertical Horizon, (Not surprisingly) Head East, & even Led Zeppelin! Amazing the Eyes He has given me...& Ears! God Bless.

I strongly feel it is important to allow your childs musical interest to develop. It is our place as parents to screen the music. After all we have probebly heard it before. Being a musician, I feel that allowing your childs interest in music and how it is put together, as well as lyric development is important. It teaches him (my son) the whole process. I find that his understanding of music and it's appreciation has vastly improved.

First I would reccommend reading this: http://www.summit.org/resources/essays/the-creative-arts/ . Which will explain this much more eloquently then I am about to.

I agree with Brant. It does go with where and who you are. but there are limits on this.

I listen almost exclusively to Christian music, and am in a Christian band. Why? Because I want to listen to music that uplifts me, and edifies me. However I don't condemn people for listening to secular music. Why? Because no one really has a set definition for what "Christian" music is. However, I go by the standard filter God gaves us to have a pretty good idea about what I should listen to, and what the music Christians should put in their brains and write. That is whatever is good, noble, true and ect...

Every song has a worldview behind it. When you listen to music, you need to see what worldview that is and run it through the filter mentioned above. If it doesn't pass, it's probably something that will not benefit you, and may do more harm then good. Listening to some trash talking T-Pain? Probably doesn't really fit the description above. And once filtered I won't find very much good in it. So that said, I'm putting it into my head, and what goes into my head may shape my ideas, then consequently my actions. So in turn it would be a bad thing listening to this music.

However like said above, it depends on who you are and your intent, which will decide whether this will be sin for you. or not. For me, I have read the Bible and it keeps telling me to become the sort of creature God wants us to be. Thus listening to such music does me no good. And if something is not good and edifies, I should be listening to something else. Thus for listening to such secular or empty music is for me sin.

BUT there is also another point to this, which I don't know if Brant mentioned above. And that deals with the stumbling of a brother and your testimony. If me listening to this music will make people say, "He listens to that garbage! That's not what Christians should do!" They may be wrong, but would it damage my testimony and of that Christianity? Yes. The grey area then becomes black. Likewise, if my brother is confused about the music he should listen to if he is a Christian and me listening to this music would cause him to stumble and fall into sin against himself, me listening to that becomes sin. Paul talks about not even eating certain sorts of food if it will make another stumble.

This being said the limits are there is always going to be music that will be openly defiant to God and evil to even the most secular. Thus for most of us it will be sin to listen to the music. Now days, in order to maintain our testimony we may need to limit our playlists to Christian music that's acceptable by God's standards.

But music itself is not evil. God created it. It magnifies the order and beauty He created things in. If a song is good, noble, true and such, there isn't a reason not to listen to it, but it doesn't have the lable "Christian" doesn't mean it's bad.

So in some sense it may be objectional, but also look at it that you can't go wrong if you listen to Christian music that is acceptable by God's standards. Like Paul said about abstinence vs. marriage, good if you get married, but even more good if you have abstinence and give your life wholy devoted to the service of God. Can't the same be applied here?

Christians can listen to secular music. One time jesus said that things that go into a man cant harm him but things coming out of a man harms and defiles him. If you love Christ and have true faith, then yes, you can listen to it. I listen to pink floyd, led zeppelin, the rolling stones, Jimi hendrix, Iron maiden, van halen, the who, the beatles, and more. it's not a sin

This is all really easy.

Just count how many points there are on the electric guitar.

If there are too many, you shouldn't listen to it.

Simple, eh?

Amen. My favorite thing to do with so-called "secular" music is to try and find Christ in the songs I listen to. Usually pretty easy, especially love songs :)