An Overview of the Music Debate

• Defining the Terms
• Rock Music
• Contemporary Christian Music
• Acknowledgments
• Method and Style
• An Overview of the Issues
• The Morality of Music
• Rock Music Is Not Immoral
• Rock Music and Evangelism
• Rock Music and Black Heritage
• Rock Music and the Bible
• The Role of Luther
• Church Music and Adventist Theology
• Rock Music and the Endtime Deception

The Worldview of Rock Music

• The Evolution of the Concept of God
• The “God Beyond Us” Orientation
• The “God For Us” Orientation
• The “God Beside Us/Within Us” Orientation
• African Roots of Rock Music
• Revival Music and Afro-American Conversions
• The Influence of Humanism

Rock Music from a Historical Perspective

• The Beginnings of Rock Music
• Rock Music in the 1960s
• Rock Music in the 1970s
• Rock Music Since the 1980s

The Rock and Roll Religion

• The Rock and Roll Religion
• An Experience of the Supernatural
• Feelings Rather than Reason
• Worshipping Rock Stars
• A Pantheistic Religion
• The Ritual of Sex, Drugs, and Dance
• Sex as Union with the Infinite
• Drugs to Experience the Infinite
• The Rock Dance

The Rock Rhythm and a Christian Response

• The Structure of Rock Music
• Rhythm in Rock Music
• The Effect of the Rock Beat on Muscles
• Rock Rhythm and Sexual Response
• The Effects of Rock on the Mind
• A Christian Response to Rock Music
• An Unholy Alliance
• The Pulse of the Heart and the Rhythm of Music
• Making Hymns Meaningful
• A Ground-swelling of Contemporary Hymns

An Adventist Theology of Church Music

• Church Music in the Context of the Sabbath
• The Sabbath Offers Reason for Worship
• Holiness in Time as Holiness in Church Music
• The Mixing of the Sacred with the Secular
• Church Music in the Context of the Heavenly Sanctuary
• The Worship of the Heavenly Sanctuary
• No Secular Music Allowed in the Temple
• Lessons from the Temple’s Music
• Church Music in the Context of the Second Advent
• Worship in Anticipation
• Advent Music
• Advent Inspiration

Biblical Principles of Music

• The Importance of Singing in the Bible
• The Reason for Singing
• The Manner of Singing
• The Place and Time of Singing
• The “New Song” of the Bible
• The Ministry of Music in the Bible
• The Ministry of Music in the Temple
• The Ministry of Music in the Synagogue
• The Ministry of Music in the New Testament
• Dance in the Bible
• No Dance in the Worship Service
• The References to Dance
• “Praise Him with Dance”
• Dance in the New Testament
• David Dancing before the Lord
• Women and Music in the Bible

The Effects of Rock Music

• The Influence of Music
• Sound Waves and the Brain
• Music and Hormone Production
• Music Rhythm and Body Rhythm
• The Effects of Rock Music
• Addictive Power of Rock
• Body’s Rhythm under Stress
• The Pulse Rate
• Increased Production of Adrenaline
• Pulsating Light Effects
• A Deafening Noise

How Pop Music Entered the Church

• Early Rock Criticism
• Inconsistent Criticism
• Waning Resolve
• Evangelical Tendency toward Music Accommodation
• The Power of Culture
• Table of
• Societal Worldview Characteristics
• Naturalism
• Amoralism
• Relativism
• Rock and Religious Pop

Pop Music and the Gospel

• Entertainment Versus Edification
• Novelty Versus Creativity
• Immediate Gratification Versus Delayed Gratification
• Low Standards Versus High Standards
• Commercialism Versus Non-Commercialism
• Indulgent Versus Disciplined
• Prettiness/Grotesque Versus Beauty/Truth
• Aesthetic Imbalance Versus Gospel Balance

Rock Music and Evangelism

• Defining the Issues
• Sacred Music
• Rock Music
• Contemporary Christian Music
• Liberals Versus Conservatives
• Rock Music and Evangelism
• Ecumenical Music
• Evangelistic Music Versus Church Music
• Rock Music Draws the Crowds
• Only Rock Music Reaches Teenagers
• Rock Music Produces Excellent Results
• Practical Suggestions for Youth Rallies

Rock Music and Culture

• Rock Music and Its Cultural Roots
• Negro Spirituals
• Black Classical Music Heritage
• Rock Music and African Music Heritage
• The Real Origin of Rock Music
• Two Ancient Worship Styles
• Table of
• Two Worship Styles Today
• The Danger of Ethnic Pride
• Principles of Sacred Music
• Unity
• Word-Centered
• Praise and Thankfulness
• Ministry unto the Lord
• Godly Living
• Music Suitable for Heaven

Music and Morality

• An Historical Perspective
• Defenders of Music Neutrality
• Morality of Music in Ancient Cultures
• Music and the Fall
• The Message in the Medium
• Music Dictates Feeling
• Music Communicates Apart from Words
• Music and Human Feelings
• The Matter of Style
• Music Styles Reflect Theological Views
• Early Christian Music and the Concept of God
• Music Styles and the Concept of God

From Rock Music to the Rock of Ages

• How Rock Music Entered My life
• How Rock Music Rocked My Life
• Climbing the Rock Ladder
• Germany: From Top to Bottom
• The Return to South Africa: A New Beginning
• From Hard Rock to Christian Rock
• From “Christian” Rock Back to Secular Rock
• The Second Turning Point of My Life
• The Final Turning Point
• Making Good Musical Choices