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What is contemporary Christian music??

There is a need for a more expansive consideration of that problem which has arisen to distress devout believers within the Free Presbyterian Church and vex the unity of God’s people.

I do not have any ‘musical skill or technical knowledge’, but such is not needed to draw a right conclusion regarding the new style of praise that some are anxious to have embraced. A consideration of its origins and the settings in which these ‘praises’ are often sung — one day in a church assembly and also in what can only be termed a ‘religious disco’ — indicates that such are not suitable for the true and holy worship of God! Rev David DiCanio’s video vividly exposed this evil sham.  Discovering this truth will surely aid the discerning Christian in coming to a right conclusion in this matter.

This is a CCM ‘hymn’ being sung in a ’religious nightclub’ setting. Who is it will say that the use of such material is in keeping with the teaching of Holy Scripture?

Here are the words of a hymn by Keith & Kristyn Getty, leading exponants of ‘Contemporary Christian Music’, which has been sung in at least one of our churches. It has terms and phrases and words that are definitely linked to the gospel message and might easily be embraced and accepted.

What is our hope in life and death?
Christ alone, Christ alone
What is our only confidence?
That our souls to Him belong
Who holds our days within His hand?
What comes, apart from His command
And what will keep us to the end?
The love of Christ in which we stand

Oh, sing hallelujah
Our hope springs eternal
Oh, sing hallelujah
Now and ever we confess
Christ, our hope in life and death

What truth can calm the troubled soul?
God is good, God is good
Where is His grace and goodness known?
In our great Redeemer’s blood
Who holds our faith when fears arise?
Who stands above the stormy trial?
Who sends the waves that bring us nigh
Unto the shore? The rock of Christ

Oh, sing hallelujah
Our hope springs eternal
Oh, sing hallelujah
Now and ever we confess
Christ, our hope in life and death

Unto the grave, what will we sing?
“Christ, He lives, Christ, He lives!”
And what reward will Heaven bring?
Everlasting life with Him
There we will rise to meet the Lord
Then sin and death will be destroyed
And we will feast in endless joy
When Christ is ours forevermore (forevermore)

Oh, sing hallelujah
Our hope springs eternal
Oh, sing hallelujah
Now and ever we confess
Christ, our hope in life and death (oh, sing)

Oh, sing hallelujah
Our hope springs eternal
Oh, sing hallelujah
Now and ever we confess
Christ, our hope in life and death

Now and ever we confess
Christ, our hope in life and death

However, compare its words with this well known hymn by Augustus Toplady. (more…)

Resisting the introduction of ‘Contemporary Christian Music’

What Rev Greer says in this video clip is very true. Any attempt to introduce ‘modern, jazzed up music’ or ‘Contemporary Christian Music’ MUST indeed be opposed and stopped.

Rev John Greer, Clerk of Presbytery, preaching at the ordination and installation of his son, Stephen, as minister of Coleraine Free Presbyterian Church, 4th December 2024.

How?

But how is that to be done? There seems to be a great reluctance on the part of some senior Free Presbyterian ministers to recognise this evil and speak out against the very evident introduction of CCM that has already taken place. Its introduction is not merely a possibility to be opposed but a tragic thing that has already happened.

There have been public denunciations of CCM and the threat which it poses to traditionally scriptural worship. It has been stated on numerous occasions that any attempt to introduce it must be condemned. However, when evidence is produced that CCM is ALREADY within the ranks of Free Presbyterian congregations, the response is not concern and alarm, but rather abuse directed at the one producing the evidence!

The type of music which Rev. Greer objects to IS ALREADY IN THE DENOMINATION!

A look at a number of congregational websites will show that to be so. But despite many warning articles being published, no action has been taken by our Presbytery oversight. Action should have been taken by it since, as Rev Greer states, such a sin must be resisted.

So what is to be done?

One response would be to compile some examples of the music which Rev. Greer objects to, actually being used in Free Presbyterian congregations, and then publish it in a video as a means of exposing just how this infiltration has taken place.

If one were to do that, however, he may be accused by some, who ought to know better, of violating the command of Christ in Matthew 18:15. “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” (more…)

A Liberian Christian protests against the deposing of Rev David DiCanio

The country of Liberia on the continent of Africa

Here is further evidence of the wrong that has been done to Rev David DiCanio and the far-reaching implications for the work of God in Liberia.

This young Liberian Christian’s words make sad reading though we salute him for his courage in standing up for the truth of God. I have not included his name though it is known to me for the simple reason that I do not wish to place him in the way of any retaliation.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

This protest was posted on Facebook and sent to me by Rev Stephen Hamilton.

The the name of the brother who posted it was displayed but I am not disclosing his name – The Editor.

“I want to take this time to publicly react to the statement released by the Executive of the FPCNA informing the Free Presbyterian Mission Church in Liberia of the disposition of the Rev Dicanio.

I am a convert saved in the FPMCL through the ministry of Dr. Alan Cairns, whose sermons were broadcast on the radio. I began attending the FPMCL under the ministry of Rev. Dicanio, under whose guidance I was baptized and began faithfully walking with the Lord as he shepherded us.

As a servant of the Lord who had to separate from friends, family, and even churches that adhere to this brand of so-called ‘gospel music,’ a worldly movement from which I was saved, I do not in any way take the slightest delight in supporting such sin.

Although I am grieved by the proceedings of the FPCNA against Rev. Dicanio, I am also encouraged and in total agreement with and supportive of faithful men like Rev. Andy Foster, Rev. Stephen Hamilton, and Rev. Milos Solc, who strongly opposed such proceedings against the faithful minister Rev. Dicanio.

I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the first letter read in October 2024 from the LPCNA presbytery to our church. I heard nothing about addressing the sin that a faithful minister exposed but instead about his ‘methodology,’ which seemed absurd to me. Rev. Milos Solc made a heartfelt statement: ‘I wish we would be in sackcloth and ashes, praying, fasting, and weeping over how far we have fallen, rather than being so dissectible about the methodology of the messenger—sin is in the midst, not the messenger.’

As a servant of the gospel of Jesus Christ, one who is seeking to be a gospel minister and who has to contend with this type of music, which is so prevalent in many churches in my own country and is destroying the lives of young people, I wholeheartedly oppose the sin of the CWM movement with my whole being. I am committed to faithfully separating from every form of such a trend, whether it be in any church, organization, or elsewhere.

I stand with Rev. DiCanio because I believe his actions were biblical. He did what Paul would have done when he withstood Peter publicly (Galatians 2:11). As a minister of the gospel, it is his duty to rebuke sin, just as Elijah did (1 Kings 18:17-18). He must act as one who will give an account to God for the souls entrusted to him (Luke 16:2; Acts 20:28).

How do we need to heed these words today!

Rev 2:3  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

Rev 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Rev 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Rev 2:6  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

CCM is worldliness dressed up in religion and, therefore, must be abhorred! We need no other ‘methodology’ to address worldliness if our ‘methodology’ is grounded in Scripture.”