If you haven’t read, What's wrong with using rock as a tool to reach young people? please read it first.

While we certainly will not say, no one can be saved at a CCM concert – we do not believe "thousands" are being saved at CCM concerts. If people are getting saved — Praise the Lord! If people are getting saved, it is for factors outside the CCM concerts, such as someone "witnessing" and "praying" for that person. It’s because that person has at some time heard the "preaching" of the word of God.

"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of PREACHING to save them that believe." 1 Corinthians 1:21

This is God’s method. He hasn’t changed. God does NOT LIE. (Titus 1:2) Every revival in history, bar none, came through the PREACHING of God’s word – Torrey, Sunday, Moody, Spurgeon, Wesley, et. al.

Most CCM concerts have NO PREACHING and NO PREACHER present!

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a PREACHER?" (Romans 10:14)

Notice "without a PREACHER", not a SINGER, not an ENTERTAINER – A PREACHER!

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

The word of God is the instrument of saving faith – NOT A SONG!

Not only do CCM’ers not have a PREACHER – they go out of their way to "abstain from all appearance of PREACHING"!

"Our concerts attract people because they know they won't be preachy or insult their intelligence." (What About Christian Rock, Peters Brother, p. 138)

(According to Steve Taylor, if you tell someone they’re going to hell without Jesus Christ – to Mr. Taylor that’s "insulting their intelligence" – no wonder Mr. Taylor has such a low opinion of Jesus Christ, as he would write a song title "Jesus is For Losers"

"I'm really sick of all this heavy-handed Christianity. Musicians take themselves too seriously. They should have more fun, and they should stop preaching unless that's what God has called them to. If I want to hear a sermon, I'll go to church, thank you." (CCM magazine, April, 1987, p. 12)

"My songs are not preachy -- at all . . ." (Michael McCall, Contemporary Christian, June 1986, p. 19).

Here's what a secular reporter in the Birmingham News wrote after watching a Michael W. Smith concert:

"If you weren’t familiar with Michael W. Smith’s standing in the world of contemporary Christian music, you might attend one of his concerts and come out none the wiser." (The Birmingham News, Feb. 12, 1993 p. 5c)

"We're not religious fanatics who are trying to convert everybody we meet. . .We honestly believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior, but we're about the most unreligious Christian band you could imagine. . . " Robert Sweet, of Stryper (Hit Parader Nov, 1986, p. 21)

"We're just trying to show that it doesn't need to be pretentious or preachy to be Christian." (CCM July 92 p 54-56)

HM magazine says, "a lot of Christian bands do not feel it necessary to speak about God or Christ":

"There are a lot of bands out now who do not feel it necessary to speak about God or Christ". (HM mag, Issue #67, p.26)

"Sometime people give us a hard time because we don't mention God onstage. . . we just feel that our calling is to get people interested in our music, interested in us. . ." (HM mag, Issue #67, pp.34-35)

"We don't normally say stuff about God from the stage". Jason Keely, Spudgun (HM mag, Issue #67, p. 40)

"There's one way I won't write. I won't write a song that says, 'You better get right with God.' From my own experience I find that way sometimes makes people defensive. . . " (Christian Activities Calendar, Spring/Summer, 1989, p. 111)

1. God’s method of presenting salvation is PREACHING the Word of God by a PREACHER.

2. CCM performers refuse to PREACH, and usually have no PREACHER there.

1. God is LYING! He did NOT mean what He said.

2. "Thousands" of people are NOT getting saved at CCM concerts.

I can hear someone say, "Yea, but you’re limiting God."

No we’re believing what God said.

But we do believe God is limited to TRUTH. God cannot LIE.

"In hope of eternal life, which God, THAT CANNOT LIE, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through PREACHING, . . ." (Titus 1:2-3a)

"God said it and that settles it!"

Jesus Christ, in John 16:8, gives the "working" of the Holy Spirit:

"And when he is come, he will REPROVE the world of SIN, and of RIGHTEOUSNESS, and of JUDGMENT:" (John 16:8)

There is no "PREACHING" or "REPROVING" of SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS, or JUDGEMENT at CCM Concerts.

The message at CCM concerts is a "hip-hopping", "partying", "non-judgmental", "self-esteem", "positive", "feels-good", "humanistic", "fleshly", "carnal" message. There is usually no mention of HELL. There is usually no mention of JUDGEMENT. There is usually no mention of personal SIN. There is no REPROVE. The requirements for the working of the Holy Spirit are NOT present.

CCM concerts are a "dancing", "be-bopping", "fleshly", "carnal" atmosphere – which is completely contrary to the Holy Spirit!

"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are CONTRARY the one to the other: . . ."Galatians 5:16

Some examples of CCM concerts "flesh" atmosphere:

"They're loose again! And this time it's LIVE, unbridled mayhem. In their most daring release yet, One Bad Pig begs the question, why just shake the house, when you can blow the house down?! On stage screaming, stomping, slam dancing, stage diving, pleading and praying. It's the absolute wildest Christian concert ever recorded, and we've captured every wallowing, squealing moment on video! " (Release, Summer 92 pp. 16-17)

"His concerts draw hundreds of thousands of fans each year, mostly teenage girls who scream out their AFFECTION FOR HIM non-stop throughout. And that's where the problems start. To his fans, Smith is the absolute greatest there is, bar none. To his detractors, he is a manipulator who utilizes his good looks and stage show presence to gain unwholesome adoration from his Christian audience as part of a master plan to pursue pop stardom regardless of the cost." (IM Jan/Feb 91 p 22)

"Smith, with synthesizers blaring, drums blazing, and guitars screeching, sent a young crowd into a frenzy from beginning to end." (Tulsa Tribune)

"With sweeping strobes lighting the stage and crowd areas, Smith took the stage with some twirling dance steps that sent the crowd into rocking frenzy. The moment Smith's hands hit the air, the audience responded with over-the-head hand claps and stomping feet."

"Crossover, a hot new six-piece band from Rhode Island, got the place rocking with a blend of pop metal melodies and straight-ahead power. . . The crowd was in a frenzy by the time Whitecross appeared, and the front of the auditorium was packed with screaming metalheads."

"One of the first song routines Carman swings into is a jazzed-up 50's imitation of Elvis Presley called "Celebrating Jesus." Carman shakes, stutters and shimmies just like the "King" himself, as the crowd cheers and be-bops in the aisles".

Now, honestly, who in their right "spiritual" mind, could possibly believe that is the "working of the Holy Spirit".

"5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. . . .
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:5,8

And according to the Lord Jesus Christ that is Satan’s goal:

"But he [Jesus] turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." Matthew 16:23

According to the Lord Jesus Christ (read it! Turn the music off and READ IT!) Satan’s goal is to uplift man. A satanist is someone that glorifies and uplifts man!

According to the Lord Jesus Christ the following comments and quotes are satanic:

Here's how Dallas Morning News, (April 27, 1996) describes a DC Talk "Freak Show" concert:

"As teenagers’ shrieks filled the Dallas Convention Center moments before dc Talk took the stage Friday night, one of the relatively few grown-ups in the sold-out crowd observed, ‘This is just like the BEATLES.’"

Smith’s concerts are filled with teenage girls who "scream out their affection for HIM" (not the Lord Jesus Christ). Here’s how Inside Music, Jan/Feb 91, describes a Smith concert:

"His concerts draw hundreds of thousands of fans each year, mostly teenage girls who scream out their AFFECTION FOR HIM non-stop throughout. . . . To his fans, Smith is the absolute greatest there is, BAR NONE . . ." (IM Jan/Feb 91 p 22)

Now how can a Christian, who believes the Bible — possibly believe God is a part of that man-worshipping atmosphere?

How can the Holy Spirit, who inspired Matthew 16:23, possibly be a part of CCM's man-worshipping concerts?

It is simply NOT possible for most CCM concerts and Matthew 16:23 to harmonize!

The most pitiful remark comes from author Josh McDowell about CCM’er Steve Camp:

"Thank God for Steve Camp. The body of Christ is enriched because we have his heart and his music. My oldest daughter thinks he hung the moon." Josh McDowell (CCM, Aug, 91, p. 15)

Did you read that? — "My oldest daughter thinks he hung the moon"! Do you know who hung the moon? The Lord Jesus Christ hung the moon! (John 1:3)

It’s one thing for young teen age girls to "idolize" these CCM’ers, but Josh McDowell, who is supposedly a minister to makes such "satanic" statements – there’s no excuse!

Shame on you Josh McDowell!

Not surprisingly, the message Satan delivered Eve in the garden of Eden is ". . . ye shall be as gods. . ." (Genesis 3:5) — exactly what is happening at CCM concerts.

The atmosphere, the music, and man-worship are completely opposite to the word of God! And don’t tell me you "love the Lord Jesus Christ" and defend CCM!

Because Jesus Christ said in John 14:23 " . . .If a man love me, he will keep my words. . ."

What kind of Christians is CCM producing? What kind of Christian "foundation" is CCM building? If it takes music and lifestyles that blatantly imitate the "world", that teaches "no worldly separation", a "nihilist-anything-goes-Christianity" – what will it take to reach the next generation? How far will CCM "depart from the word of God" to "reach the lost"?

What "seeds" are CCM planting? What kind of crops are CCM growing? If the Lord Jesus tarries – what "kind of fruit" will CCM "reap" in our young people?

You’d better pray about that youth pastor, pastor, parent that is "feeding" your young people with the spiritual "counterfeit" of CCM. If the Lord tarries, these young people will grow up and the "seeds" of CCM will NOT produce the "fruits" of the Holy Spirit?

The Christian Rock group Audio Adrenaline spent seven days with seven Christian young people and during that time conversed with them. These are Christian young people "hopped-up" on Chrisitian rock. Even, the group Audio Adrenaline was surprized at their "tolerance" and compromise. Here's what Audio Adrenaline reported:

"One guy was totally questioning his faith, teetering on atheism. One of the girls couldn't hold a conversation without dropping the f-word. . . On the issue of absolutes, I heard some comments that surprised me. I think there are a lot of Christian young people who are lured into the philosophy of tolerance. . . I thought some of the kids were a little out there, almost New Age, real accepting and tolerant. .." (CCM, Feb. 1998)

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man SOWETH, that shall he also REAP." (Galatians 6:7)

What is CCM, with it’s "partying" and "rock’n’rollin" atmosphere, doing to the future of "bearing his reproach" (Heb. 13:13)? What is CCM doing to the Christian crops and vineyards of tomorrow? Will these young people "nurtured" on the "beat" and "high" of Christian rock be able to "stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11)?

In the book, Builder of Bridges, Dr. Bob Jones, Sr., gives a frightening analysis of the type of "Madison-Avenue" salvation show, used in CCM.

"Suppose I have a beautiful garden, and you are a fruit gatherer, and you tell me that you will gather my fruit. I go away on a trip. You gather the fruit and pile it in the corner. It looks good. But when I go out into my orchard, I find that my trees are ruined. The limbs are broken, there is damaged bark on the trunks, and the roots are damaged and exposed. My trees begin to die, and there is no more fruit." (Johnson, R.K., Builder of Bridges, p. 291)

As old-time preacher, Carl Lackey once stated:

"The devil’s a good checker player. He doesn’t mind giving up a few souls, to damn and destroy a generation." (from the message, The Kind of Man God is Looking For, by Carl Lackey)

Pat Boone, among the first who "rock ‘n’ rolled" with Jesus, truthfully confessed his use of rock songs (such as "Tutti Frutti", "Ain’t That a Shame") were "means to an end".

"I recognized a long time ago, that God built a platform for me with those early rock ‘n’ roll songs I did. They weren’t gospel songs, but they were means to an end." (CCM Magazine, May 1997, p.9)

Doug Van Pelt confesses on the use of Thrash metal (thrash metal is a "hellish" and "satanic" growling music popularized by groups like Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Danzig, Exodus, Suicidal Tendencies) in CCM magazine:

"Thrash metal, like other contemporary forms of Christian music, may be one of those rare occasions where the ‘means’ are justified by the ‘ends’". (CCM Magazine, Feb.1989, p.20)

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 3:5-8, to those, such as Pat Boone, who justifies the means by the ends:

5 But if OUR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through MY LIE unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. (Romans 3:5-8)

"And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive LAWFULLY." (2 Timothy 2:5)

Here’s a good example illustrating the problem with the "end justifies the means".

The Bible teaches every baby that dies goes to heaven. The Bible teaches an "age of knowledge and accountability".

"Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it." Deuteronomy 1:39

So every baby goes to heaven – if the "end" justifies the "means" – then abortion is great!

Millions of people are getting saved! Over 1.5 million babies, every year, are going to heaven — thanks to abortion! Since 1973, over 30 million babies are in heaven — thanks to abortion! Who cares they're being murdered? Who cares they're little brains are literally being sucked out? So what, they're being sucked out and chopped up like ground meat? The "end justifies the means" — little people are getting saved! Let’s start preaching the "salvation through abortion" in our churches. Hey, let’s have "abortion-calls" in our churches! Think of the millions that could be "saved"?

Do you get the picture? Do you see how ridiculous the "end" justifies the "means" is?

As Franky Schaeffer writes in Addicted to Mediocrity:

"The excuse that ‘sometimes people are saved’ is no excuse at all. People have been saved in concentration camps because God can bring good from evil, but this does not justify the evil." (Schaeffer, Franky, Addicted to Mediocrity, p. 45)

It is NEVER right to do WRONG — Even if people get saved!

(Romans 6:1-2)