The Music, The Change, and The Stand

SPECIAL EDITION ARTICLE
by Bishop Felizardo D. Abanto

In the midst of today's controversy about music, the pastor of Capitol Bible Baptist Church-Tanza, plainly and unashamedly still stand on the kind of music he learned when he was still a student in Bible Baptist Seminary of the Philippines, Mandaluyong City, year 1977 to 1980. Back then the use of drums in BBCs was prohibited. There was no "praise and worship" music--none, no, not one. They were only done in Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. BBCs and pastors back then were still strong on music and standards of dress and hair--especially on doctrines and Baptist Distinctives. We even disfellowship a young pastor, Rey Clemente, because he believed in the universal church and did not believe in tithing. So he went out really and really did what he wanted to do. I think his church (one of the oldest BBC in the Philippines) was the first BBC to embrace "praise and worship" and drums in their music, as he opened the church to charismatic practices. That's history. We cannot deny it.

But things change. People change. Now, pastors of BBCs are in a controversy over music. And I left behind and become "irrelevant." Well, come to think of it--Rey Clemente was right after all! And we must ride the bandwagon.

But, NO THANKS. With all due respect I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD CHANGE. I think this is the change we don't need. Are our churches to conform to the world's concept of relevancy and to the market-driven philosophy to reach the world? NO! NEVER! The answer, of course, is that OUR CHURCHES MUST CONFORM TO GOD'S CONCEPT OF RELEVANCY. That's the real story behind this change. To continue to be relevant to this world you must change, and you must conform to the world. That is the world's concept of relevancy. But God's concept is not to conform but to be transformed:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

God's concept of relevancy is to be different from this world: To be sanctified and clean from worldliness; to be a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle; to be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27). A transformed life and lips are still God's instruments in reaching the world.

That's why we need our pastors to speak out and sound the alarm. This is not the time to be silent. This is the time to make a real, definite, and a courageous stand. The future of our churches is at stake. I don't want my sons to accuse me later that I am only long on rhetoric, but short on memory, and negligent in weighing the consequences of my actions. I want them to remember me as a leader who knew how to make a stand for my convictions without fear or favor.

am surprised why the conflict ever exists. Why? For the past 30 years BBC pastors knew and were very sure of their stand on this. Now we "don't know anymore." What we know is that everything is changing. And it is "impossible" not to go with the change. Unless we do, we'll be left behind and become "irrelevant." Well, come to think of it--Rey Clemente was right after all! And we must ride the bandwagon.

But, NO THANKS. With all due respect I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD CHANGE. I think this is the change we don't need. Are our churches to conform to the world's concept of relevancy and to the market-driven philosophy to reach the world? NO! NEVER! The answer, of course, is that OUR CHURCHES MUST CONFORM TO GOD'S CONCEPT OF RELEVANCY. That's the real story behind this change. To continue to be relevant to this world you must change, and you must conform to the world. That is the world's concept of relevancy. But God's concept is not to conform but to be transformed:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

God's concept of relevancy is to be different from this world: To be sanctified and clean from worldliness; to be a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle; to be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27). A transformed life and lips are still God's instruments in reaching the world.

That's why we need our pastors to speak out and sound the alarm. This is not the time to be silent. This is the time to make a real, definite, and a courageous stand. The future of our churches is at stake. I don't want my sons to accuse me later that I am only long on rhetoric, but short on memory, and negligent in weighing the consequences of my actions. I want them to remember me as a leader who knew how to make a stand for my convictions without fear or favor.

Sincerely Yours, Job (Series Part I)

by Bro. Elijah E. Abanto

Based on Charles R. Swindoll's sermon, What Job Teaches Us About Ourselves

You're so excited. You're nervously sweating. What would he say to me? you think. In your hands is a personal letter from a Bible character--a personal letter, come to think of it! You can't wait to read that letter.

Imagine that the one who sent you a letter was Job--one of the most exalted characters of the Bible--he writes to you. And in his book he has some lessons to teach us. If we will read the Book of Job, we can see the story of a believer who was struck with great tribulations and what was his reaction to them and also the reactions of the people around him. And from that story are principles that we will learn and apply to our lives--especially by those Christians who are now experiencing suffering and tribulations--in other words, trials.

Let's read the Book of Job 1:1-5:

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

If we remember Job's story, later on he suffered great trials. Now, from what we have read we see that great trials and suffering come also to the most faithful Christians. Most of us think that Job exceeds us in godliness, and yet he was the one who experienced the greatest tests in the Bible. It teaches us that not only the wicked and disobedient are subject to these kind of suffering. From those verses let's describe Job:

1. Job was "perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil." (v. 1) Job's example must be emulated by all of us: no blemish, fears God and avoids evil.

2. Job was richly blessed. (v.2-3) He was blessed with many children; he was blessed with much possessions, which must be the result of his diligence; and he was blessed with wisdom, the reason why he was recognized as the "greatest of the men of the east." Obviously, we can learn from here that God blesses those who genuinely fear him - and also, even the richest person in the world could be a godly person.

3. Job had a perfect family. (vv. 4-5) We cannot deny that the bond between these siblings was firm--they always had the time of coming together and having fellowship. The brothers were probably close to their sisters, which was hard to see in families today--it is rare that brothers and sisters are close to each other. This would not have happened if Job wasn't a good father and husband together with his wife. And he really thinks about the spiritual state of his children--an enough reason for him to sacrifice for the sins of his children, even if those sins were done in their hearts. Have we prayed for each one of our children, thinking not only their physical well-being but also their spiritual health?

Lord, we have witnessed the life of Job. Come to think of it--it's possible! It's possible to live a "perfect, holy" life that fears You! We also learned that You are blessing those who believes in You. May You help us to be concerned, not only for the physical health of our children, but also for their spiritual well-being. Forgive us for our shortcomings in these matters. Help us, Lord. Amen.

Note--This sermon was based (not exactly or entirely) on a recent Insight for Living radio program episode of Chuck Swindoll's ministry. You can help this ministry through requesting some of their great resources, or just donating to their helpful ministry. You can reach them online at http://www.insightworld.org/.

Am I Right, You're Against Choruses?

by Bro. Elijah Abanto

Anyone who knows me well, especially the kids that I minister to in God's church in Cavite, will be amazed once they hear this question asked. What's puzzling for me, is that there is someone who accuses me about this. This someone said, "Then let's not sing choruses anymore, as Elijah said, but hymns only!"

I have nothing against this person, but I will say directly: YOU'RE WRONG. At first I thought that I will never gain anything if I answer this accusation, but, it's enough - I need to speak now. I don't want misunderstandings to continue. First, I'm not against choruses, in fact, I am composing choruses. Just e-mail me if you want to get a copy of those I composed. Second, I'm not against choruses, because we always sing choruses--whether in Good News classes, Sunday School, and even in our services. Third, I'm not against choruses, and if someone will use what I wrote last June 17, that someone will only be put to shame, because what was written was, "If all they sing are shallow songs without some deeper, richer language, the hymns could probably be alien to them later." (Choruses are "shallow" in a way that they are very simple to sing and understand.) Did I say, I don't like choruses? No! Far from it! In fact, if the situation was reversed, "If all they are hymns, without some simple, easy to understand songs (shallow), choruses would be alien to them later." My point is this: not all choruses are correct (which means are biblical), not all hymns are correct, and not all CCM are wrong--that's my stand. Clear?

Besides, my mind is not that narrow.

P.S. This is the definition of song: "a poetical composition; a melody for a lyric poem or ballad; a poem easily set to music." (Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary) A song has always been a poem, not a prose. Try making one with a prose--it would be ridiculous! Well, someone has just said that hymns are only poems put up with tunes; well, if that's the case, so are choruses--they're just much simple!