If we are truly believers, we need not worry about whether country music will warp our kids; by nature we were “warped” already from the point of our conception, and hell-bent long before we ever heard a single note of country music. If anything, we ought to concern ourselves with whether our teaching and modeling of the Gospel to our kids is clear enough to be used by God to “straighten” our already-warped offspring. That takes more effort and diligence than barricading and moralizing, but in the end it gives them a Gospel they can grow with for a lifetime.

Country music offers many great case studies with which to sharpen our discernment while we enjoy this simple gift of God to us (if it is valid to extend 1 Timothy 4:4-5 beyond merely food and marriage). Frankly, a serious person like me needs music to lighten himself up a little. I can’t say that I never use music inappropriately, but for example, if there is anger or frustration within me, the problem lies within me first and foremost.

None of this is to say that I don’t occasionally picture myself in the singer’s role.

In most songs at most times, I’m just an observer or a listener to a story. I occasionally imagine myself as the guy who’s escaping the big city for some hassle-free wide-open space; if we hear a song describing a situation where the singer’s marital fidelity is on the line, we can use it to prepare ourselves or even to identify our own past failures, knowing that in Christ we are forgiven. Regarding Twitty’s risqué material, I could never get past his perm! But as a child, I can’t say I was warped to the extent of developing a lifelong smoking habit, although I did watch “Captain Kangaroo”.

Humor aside, I’ve never found myself in a honky-tonk trying to drown my sorrows, but I’ve imagined myself there, and it doesn’t take country music for me to dream up improper ways to handle an argument with my wife. As a sinner, I know quite well enough how to do that on my own, so why pretend otherwise? And why scapegoat the music for my own sin? Honestly, any wise person knows that songs such as “Take This Job and Shove It” are childish, though the frustrations of the working life are real, and valid.

Inevitably, teaching our kids is a tough job. We need to know Scripture because we need the Gospel, and our kids need it too. First and foremost we need to be good at that so that they can grow up confidently with a Christian faith that’s intelligent enough to stick with when challenged, and satisfying enough to the mind and heart that nothing else the world may offer can cause them to take their eyes off of the prize. Country music in its various forms is a gift, containing many real-life lessons and providing rich variety and color to life. While we need to be on our guard for attacks against our weaknesses, I believe we can, in moderation, kick back and (even with a beer if our conscience allows) listen to some skillfully played music, and hear people express stories and ideas with which we can identify. While the music won’t be mistaken for classical in its complexity, it is stiil a beautiful thing, and one way that a dad can build his relationship with his boys and teach them discernment, in an enjoyable way.

Thanks again Dr. Moore for your post! I have enjoyed this subject thoroughly.

p.s. Ricky Skaggs - thumbs up. He left major-label mass-market country and has largely gone with traditional bluegrass music with a healthy dose of Gospel. He hasn’t left country, he’s just gone home to where his heart is. A recent album is “Songs My Dad Loved”: “When Hobert Skaggs’ brother and musical partner died in World War II, he vowed that if one of his children ever showed interest in music, he would teach them to how to play the mandolin. Now, fifty years after picking up that mandolin, Ricky Skaggs celebrates the man who caused him to fall in love with music. ” Truly warped!

http://www.skaggsfamilyrecords.com/index.htm?inc=80&prod_id=3933&sid=11702

I talk to my daughter like you do about the music we listen to. When it glorifies sin, we talk about the reality that the song leaves out.

I think music is a great story teller, and a great door to discuss life with your kids.

music is about much more than the lyrics. I can think of many songs that i wouldn’t want my kids to hear, not because of the lyrics, but because it leads to feelings of darkness or aggression or just feeling down…

Now if you don’t have a problem with country music then just say your standard draws this line, but don’t do it in the name of a teaching lesson..

I suspect you have something you enjoy that is temporal and a certain group of people would dislike or disapprove. Do you wear jewelry? If you do there are professing Christians who would tell you why it is wrong - which some jewelry does raise an eyebrow with me, but not all. The point is there are temporal things that we should avoid. I know I should avoid certain songs or artists but that does not mean the entire genre is harmful.

Good art tells the truth well, bad art doesn’t.

I must also disagree with Brian’s wife about the examples in Proverbs. Yes, Solomon warns his son over and over about sin–and even specific sin. You used the example of the adulterous woman who is mentioned many times in Proverbs. I would like to point out that Solomon did not take his son to an adulterous woman to say, “Now look her over carefully. See firsthand how lewd and sensual she is. Spend time with her so you will know that she is wrong.” On the contrary, he said things like, “Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house.” (Proverbs 5:8) In fact, when Solomon saw the woman in Proverbs 7, there is no mention of his calling for his son to come to the window to see her for himself.
He also told his son where he could get the direction he needed for his life. “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom. Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:3-6)
Solomon continually pointed his son to the truth of God’s Word, knowing that the Holy Spirit would guide him into the truth he needed concerning sin and the world. Over and over he tells his son to flee from sin–and anything even remotely related to wickedness.

Here it is, in the simplest way to say it: we like what we like, and many people are willing to change their principles to justify why their “likes” really are okay. If you like country music, come right out and say it. Just don’t try to make it spiritual.

In our home we are careful what we listen to; we understand it is powerful. As it is I agree with Dr. Moore that much current Christian music is more of a problem than country or other types of music. It’s lyrically and musically poor, and yet our church leaders persist in using it during worship.

You have been deceived by the amazing power of music. There is not enough space here to put into words how unfortunately wrong you are about this topic.

One more thing: I doubt that our Holy God would ever want His Book (Ecclesiastes, or any other for that matter) compared to country music–a genre that not only endorses drunkenness, adultery, and all other forms of sin, but glorifies it as well.

With the exception of some artists like Third Day, most are sacrificing music for the sake of catchy Christians lyrics that present a “I’m happy, you should be happy” mindset when sometimes you want to cry out as David often did.

But Dolly, she was always welcome…

My wife and I have come to a similar conclusion and seek to appropriately engage them in thought about the issues of this world east of Eden continuously pointing them to Jesus and the Bible.

Thanks again.

My question is how do we balance these issues as we seek to engage culture? Thanks Dr. Moore for your challenging remarks & integration of theology with life in a fallen world.