In the beginning when rock was still a relatively new and generally shocking phenomenon, there was a great outcry from the side of the established churches and conservative politicians concerning the evils of rock and roll. It was all seen as a communist plot to corrupt Western youth. But there was very little serious and in-depth study of what rock really is and does.

Since then, especially during the last decade, there has been a much more systematic interest in the history, development and function of rock music. Jonathan Eisen wrote his massive, two-volume anthology, The Age of Rock. Rolling Stone editor, Jerry Hopkins, published a more compact, but equally revealing version, The Rock Story. And now also Christian authors, usually ex-rockers, are getting into the act. A former entertainer-turned-preacher, Bob Larson, has become known for his anti-rock crusade in such books as Rock and Roll: The Devil's Diversion and The Day Music Died. The message here is that rock is an unmistakable instrument of the devil and is used solely to destroy Christians. A similar, perhaps even more dramatic, approach is taken by Michael K. Heynes in his The God of Rock, and his urgent plea is, "Do not listen anymore! Cut it off!" The method employed by such authors is mainly one of "shock treatment," candidly exposing the evils of rock in the hope that young people and their parents will take notice.

Opposite Effect?⤒🔗

One wonders if the method of Larson and Heynes is effective, or whether it actually is counter-productive. In the August 1985 issue of Reformed Perspective, one young person was quoted as saying, "...that book [of Heynes] is a lot of baloney. There is a lot of good in rock." Apparently this young person felt somewhat cheated by what he considered to be a one-sided, unfair approach. His reaction is understandable, and probably it is shared by many other young people. Doing a shocking expose can border on "overkill," and, indeed, people then often tend to react with a nonchalant shrug of the shoulders; "It is not so bad..."

Still, the above reaction to Heynes' book is rather naive, to say the least. One simply cannot in all honesty disregard the hard evidence presented by Heynes in his accurate documentation. These are the facts. To discount these facts as "baloney" is certainly below par.

There may be another problem here. While Heynes focuses on what might be termed hard rock, this young person may have had other forms of contemporary pop music in mind to which he felt Heynes' remarks did not really apply. Yet the message did somehow get through, for even this youth admitted that he would not allow certain albums of certain bands. There apparently is a limit.

We can sometimes become vaguely upset or defensive when the hard truth is put before us in cold, undeniable facts. Heynes' method of rapid-fire documentation might produce a mild irritation with the reader, because he would rather not "hear" of such things. Heynes drives us to a choice which we probably would rather avoid. And so, the easiest way out is to downplay the evidence. In that sense, Heynes method may indeed be counterproductive.

Various Excuses←⤒🔗

Young people (and older people as well) will almost invariably use the same excuses when approached about their listening to rock music.

Everybody listens to rock; why shouldn't I? Most rock is not really that bad. I only listen to the music; the words don't affect me. It's only a matter of habit. It's only background. I just listen, I don't really think about it.

Listening to rock has simply become the thing to do. An entire generation has become conditioned to the fast beat and the heavy metal sound. Everybody does it, the youth will reply. True, the one may be more "into it" than the other, but listening to rock music has become a common practice, actually, for many, a basic need. It is an integral part of a culture, an essential aspect of a life-style. Christians, too, are affected by this. Therefore our youth will share some of the irritation when someone like Heynes comes along and through clear documentation demands that rock be rejected. At most, some may concede that Heynes has a point, but it does not really apply to them, they feel, for they do not listen to the real heavy stuff anyway. And in the end, the listening habits remain un-changed. The excuses outweigh the objections; it is much easier to continue as you are doing.

A More Balanced Approach?←⤒🔗

A somewhat different approach to the problem is taken by a Dutch Reformed teacher, P.A. te Velde, in his book, Popmuziek (translated: Pop Music), subtitled, "A Christian Vision on Popular Music." One might say, instead of the highly-charged, dramatic or emotional approach of Heynes, te Velde offers a more analytical, more subdued and balanced presentation. One important point is that te Velde does not only deal with hard rock, but also takes into account other forms of pop music. Another important point is that te Velde does not demand an immediate and radical conversion (as Larson, for example, does: "...if you love your parents, if you love God, throw away your record's..."), but wants to give food for thought to make the youth more aware and more critical of what is going on. Understandably, the background here is that many Dutch youth and parents cannot follow the English lyrics as well as their English-speaking counterparts. But te Velde, using this approach, also consciously wishes to avoid extremes. Listening to the radio at home is not the same as attending a rock concert in a stadium. "It is good to warn each other about dangers," he writes, "but we should not overdo things." Accusations back and forth between parents and children, for example, do not really benefit anyone. It is obvious that te Velde advocates open conversation instead of dramatic confrontation. In this respect, Larson and Heynes speak in the same vein, but still te Velde's approach is less dramatic.

Te Velde hesitates to say that all pop music — even all rock — is out-rightly diabolical. At the same time he fully agrees that much rock music is to be fully rejected. Yet he feels that other, milder forms of pop music may be enjoyed ... within reason and with discretion. Of utmost importance is that someone learns to discern exactly what he is listening to and why. Te Velde feels that the solution to the problem lies somewhere in this discerning process by which the musical taste is refined and the listening habits are corrected. He emphasizes that the only norm for this process is the Law of God. The youth are to realize that they are covenant children of God and that along with the rich promises of that covenant come also God's serious demands. We are never responsible only for ourselves, but first always to God and then to our neighbor. Te Velde then specifically applies the Ten Commandments to listening habits and pop music. The bottom line is that the youth (and their parents), also in their musical tastes, are not to be committed to this world, but to the glory of God. In this way alone, as one matures in faith and knowledge, will a positive Christian attitude be developed towards all forms of modern music.

Basic Issues←⤒🔗

It may seem to the casual reader that te Velde's approach is more sympathetic than the one of Heynes. But in the basic issues both agree. Heavy metal rock should have no place in the life of a Christian. We have enough trouble coping with "milder" forms of pop music, let alone handling metal rock. Heynes is quite explicit about the five major themes of rock music (sex, drugs, rebellion, false religion and Satan) and te Velde is no less clear on these points. Rock is not only spiritually devastating but also physically damaging, especially when someone gets into the whole scene. There really is no excuse for constant listening to such music.

I can agree with Larson and Heynes that Christian young people should make some serious resolutions: not to spend money or time on heavy, metal rock tapes or records; not to watch suggestive and violent rock videos; not to purchase all kinds of rock paraphernalia such as shirts and posters. The young person who has his or her bedroom stocked with such material is in obvious spiritual danger. Resolve not to sport the uniform of a rock groupie. We belong to Christ, not to Springsteen. Never attend any rock concert anywhere, even if all your friends do go. This is not asking too much; it is a minimum.

Musical tastes do not develop overnight; they are to be learned and acquired by teaching and discipline. Here, perhaps, more communication and open discussion along the lines of te Velde's book are needed. But young people should not shrug off the solid evidence presented by writers such as Larson and Heynes. The matter is too serious for a nonchalant attitude. Whatever the approach to rock, these basic issues should not be neglected. Emphasis should be placed on fostering a critical and Scriptural view on rock and all other art forms in our modern culture. The books of Larson, Heynes, and Te Velde are extremely helpful.