
Suggested Resources
Unfortunately, many of the online resources suggested in my books are no longer available, except Majesty Music (see below). I am also including a list of suggested books for further reading, which should be available from places like Amazon, Half-Price Books, Thrift Books, or your local library.
Majesty Music
Majesty Music has reference books, hymnals, digital sheet music, piano books, recordings, and Patch the Pirate Bible story sing-along songs for kids.
For Further Reading
1. Why I Don’t Listen to Contemporary Christian Music, by Shelly Hamilton (available through Majesty Music in both physical or PDF form, if desired.)
2. Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement, by Dan Lucarini
3. Pop Goes the Gospel: Rock in the Church, by John Blanchard
4. Harmony at Home, by Tim Fisher
5. Praise Him in Joyful Song: Conversations on Church Music, by Time Fisher and Dan Sweatt
6. Measuring the Music, Another Look at the Contemporary Christian Music Debate, by John Makujina
7. Music in the Balance, by Frank Garlock and Kurt Woetzel
8. Crisis in Christian Music, by Dr. Jack Wheaton
Examples of Non-carnal Music Styles…
— Traditional folk music (Irish, Scottish, German, Slovak, Greek, etc.)
— Barbershop quartet
— Traditional marches
— Waltzes
— Operas (these should also be morally upright in the lyrical content)
— Classical music (most periods): Baroque, Romantic, Classical, Contemporary period (music written in “classical” style–not included would be the Avant-garde movement )
— Contemporary music (no back-beats, for the most part) such as from motion picture soundtracks, for example: The Sound of Music; Chitty, Chitty, Bang-Bang; Anne of Green Gables, etc.
— Traditional four-part gospel music
— Traditional hymns and choruses
— Biblical oratorios, i.e., Handel’s Messiah
— Biblical cantatas, i.e., Bach’s A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
— Gregorian Chant
— Other contemporarily written music (secular or sacred) which follows biblical principles (non-carnal techniques)
The books shown below are currently available only on the secondary market, such as Amazon, Half-Price Books, etc.
Oh, Be Careful Little Ears (Contemporary Christian Music, is That in The Bible? )
This first book gives a brief overview of the development of Christian music from both historical and biblical perspectives. It shows why many forms of contemporary Christian music (CCM) are not biblical, according to Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16, which instruct us to sing “spiritual songs.” [Publish date: 1997]
You will learn…
* how to identify carnal Christian music and why it’s carnal,
* why good motivations should not be the only consideration for the Christian’s music,
* why adding Christian lyrics alone does not make all types of music acceptable,
* and much more.
Let Those Who Have Ears to Hear (If They Took the Music Away, Would You Still Follow Jesus?)
A follow-up to the first book, this book continues the discussion about CCM–why it is a controversial issue and its resulting consequences to the church. Fifty excuses used to defend carnal CCM are biblically refuted. You will learn when drums are “right,” and when they are “wrong”; how the term “contemporary music” applies throughout history and why carnal CCM is different. [Publish date: 2001].
You will learn…
* when drums are “right,”
* when drums are “wrong,”
* how the term “contemporary music” applies throughout history and why CCM is different,
* steps to help you and your family begin to discern music,
* and much more.
Music and Morals (Dispelling the Myth That Music Is Amoral)
Solid proof from science, sound and music researchers, and secular rock artists that music is not amoral. This book also demonstrates how music affects us positively or negatively, apart from any lyrics. Learn why immoral music is more powerful than Christian lyrics, and the differences between moral and immoral music techniques. [Publish date: 2005]
You will learn…
* scientific evidence proving that music has positive or negative effects on the listener,
* why immoral music is more powerful than Christian lyrics,
* the difference between moral and immoral music techniques,
* the underlying meanings of certain types of rhythms,
* and much more.
