John Vaughn (FBFI President/CEO): "one thing is clear: this video ends the fiction that 'Northland has not changed.'”

I assure you, Joel, I am not any Martin you may know. Not that that matters, just saying.

Just so happens I’ve got my big boy britches on so no need to “Brother” this “Brother” that. I don’t mind a healthy argument.

You may have been charitable in your comments toward me, but that doesn’t change what I’ve personally experienced or read, as I said, in both my present and past about the frequent attitude of non-traditionalists and/or pro-CCM folks towards traditionalists & fundamentalists. This includes comments here in this very SI discussion and elsewhere by several visible and semi-prominent speakers/leaders.

My thoughts and comments are not as complex as as what you expounded and extrapolated upon with your post.

So Brother Martin,

I actually know of two other “Martin” families in ministry and I’ve now been able to discern one way or the other - you are neither. So that’s wonderful - the comments I think are still applicable to my first greeting to you. I call you brother Martin because I thought your last name was Martin and I did not know your first name. So in a case like that I try to seldom be transparent “Dude- what’s your first name?” No - I do what the best of leaders do - we fake it! “Brother!” “Wow!” I was thinking of you the other day.” So I promise once I know your first name - I’ll drop the “brother” thing.

Yo Karl - to be honest I wasn’t implying anything in regards to what you said. I don’t even know what you said. I was simply stating that those that have an man-made extra Biblical standard and then demand that everyone be committed to said standard just as they should be to the Scriptures are a kind of new-pharisaism. I’m not trying to say that’s you. Just was part of the larger discussion at the time. My apologies if you felt targeted. Be warmed and filled!

Have a lovely evening everyone - Have a great Lord’s day tomorow - Straight Ahead!

jt

I’ve noticed that many of those who speak so authoritatively in their opposition to contemporary music styles usually prefer to quote rock musicians, self proclaimed experts and the pope instead of sharing thorough exegesis of applicable Scripture. Could it be that the New Testament is deafeningly silent on specific styles preferred by God and that He is pleased by styles from a large variety of cultures and sounds?

Bill,

I agree that scripture needs to be brought to bear, and I think it can. However, isn’t also negligent to ignore the statements of the creators and primary practitioners of this type of music when discussing it?

I do not think that the statements of a few practitioners equals thorough research, and I seriously doubt if those statements represent the thinking of everyone else in the industry. I doubt if you would take the word of these practitioners when speaking about other subjects, but you find it helpful to quote them when they support your thesis. The reality is that music with a back-beat is not associated with drugs or sex by the vast majority of everyday people who hear those musical styles every day. If you listen to talk radio, watch the news, go to a sports activity, eat out at a restaurant, go shopping, watch the news, or go virtually anywhere in this country you will be hearing music with a back-beat. To the generation growing up in the 60’s or 70’s, it probably seemed like the music of sex and drugs because of association. However, those growing up in more recent times make no similar connections and see no similar associations. It is just music that sounds nice and not music that is sensual. Today it is the music of Sesame Street, Veggie Tales and the local Putt-Putt place … not the music of drugs and sex.

This is a cultural issue and not addressed directly by specific texts of Scripture, and I see no scriptural reasons why older believers should impose the restrictions of their youth on the youth of today under the assumptions that everything has stayed static.

Who will separate from John Vaughn if I can prove he has changed as well? Here’s the proof. He is posting videos and using the internet to get out his message. He wasn’t doing that twenty years ago, so he has changed. Let’s separate from him.

Future FBFI Annual Gathering? I can envision…

…with Matt Olson’s re-instatement as the President of NIU, Dr. Vaughn leading the FBFI board in writing a new, meaningless, “FBFI - Resolution” regarding the sad, downward, trajectory of Northland. After the resolution is read to all the members, they will then have the honor of introducing Scott Aniol, Elder and member of an SBC church, to speak on the subject of “God-honoring” worship and music in the local church.

Mark it down, folks.