Music And Morals: Dispelling the Myth That Music Is Amoral

Music and Morals examines the effects music has on the listener, putting to rest the myth that music is amoral.

Chapter Summaries:

Chapter One: Music and Morals--By showing how music is used successfully by the film industry to create moods and convey morality, the fact is established that music is a powerful entity and should not be considered amoral by the Church.

Chapter Two: Nature: A Musical Creation?--Explores the possibility theorized by early mathematicians and astronomers, as well as some 20th century scientists, that all of creation is designed to fit into the musical law of harmonics.

Chapter Three: How Music Affects the Mind--Drawing from recent scientific research, facts are given how music affects the mind in both positive and negative ways.

Chapter Four: How Music Affects Behavior and Emotions--More scientific research shows how our emotions and behavior are controlled by music.

Chapter Five: Christian Lyrics Cannot Change Immoral Music--Secular songwriters admit that lyrics don't always matter, that the music can convey a message apart from the lyrics. Also discussed: "text painting," which means that the music should match what the words are trying to say; that is, moral or Christian lyrics should be paired with moral music.

Chapter Six: The Power of Rhythm--Secular sources affirm that certain rhythms can cause entrainment, trance, altered mind states, and demonic possession.

Chapter Seven: Musical Intent and Manipulation--Shows how specific rock music techniques are purposely used to manipulate, and if we as Christians are imitating those same techniques, the intent of manipulation remains, no matter the lyrics.

Chapter Eight: Consequences of Using Immoral Music--Testimonies and discussion about how CCM has caused moral failings in many people.

Chapter Nine: The Decline of Music Through the Ages--An outline and discussion which traces music's history from heaven through Satanic music, by music evangelist Alan Ives. Shows shifts in philosophies about music throughout history: from music written for the glory of God and the spirit of man through music written to exploit the undisciplined and unrestrained sexual passions of man, evolution, and worship of self and the devil.

Chapter Ten: How to Discern Moral and Immoral Music--Lists and discusses musical techniques and their moral and immoral connotations. For example, the musical term "swing it" has the immoral implication of a swinger, an immoral person committing adultery. Music that is played "straight" has the moral connotation of the straight path taught in the Bible.
Chapter Eleven: Religion Externalized--The music we choose is an externalization of our religion: Are we musically influencing our culture for the glory of God, or are we being influenced, musically, by the world's idea of culture?
 
Music and Morals also includes a mini-reference guide to different musical styles and their origins, as well as a listening CD with brief examples of moral and immoral musical techniques.

Much of today's contemporary Christian music is musically immoral, regardless of the lyrics. Documented facts, examples, and much more, are included in this easy-to-read book for teens through adults.