Author's Note A brief appraisal of how this article came about and why it was written.

1. Evangelism Must be Direct and Spiritual. Why entertainment means are not appropriate in the work of evangelism.

2. God Hates Pride and Exhibitionism. In worship and in the presentation of the Gospel, all the glory must be the Lord's. Ministry must be truly Spirit-filled, God-centred, modest and non-exhibitionist.

3. Christians are Meant to be Different. The Lord Jesus calls His people to live lives which are separate from worldly ways. We are to set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth.

4. Worldly Methods Produce Worldly Results. The Bible teaches that even truly converted ministers of Christ- who will themselves enter Heaven in the last day- may spend their lives proclaiming the Gospel in the wrong way, and consequently reap a harvest of false 'converts'.

5. No Evangelism by False Pretences. Some advocates of pop-idiom evangelism say they use these techniques, not as a serious witness, but as a way of getting people into meetings where a 'straight speaker' can then challenge their souls.

6. Worship Must be in Spirit and in Truth. Thousands of young Christians have been led to believe that worship can be expressed by groups, choirs and dancing. They have been taught that praise can be rendered through the exercise of physical gifts. This is a gross misrepresentation of God's definition of true praise.

7. Can 'worldly' things be modified for Christian service? Why should pop-idiom music be classified as 'worldly'? Is it not possible to adapt it for the Lord's use?

8. When Good Things Become Wrong. Some friends protest - 'Surely there is nothing wrong with a nice melody, a few instruments and a strong rhythm?' But according to God's Word there is everything wrong if it is a deliberate imitation of the idiom of a godless world.

9. Playing with Sin. Many Christians say, 'Pop-idiom music is not as bad as that! We can involve ourselves to some extent in modern music and fashions without it detracting from our Christian lives. But the Bible warns that capitulation to worldliness in any form is highly offensive to God and extremely dangerous to the soul.

10. What are our real motives? What are the motives of believers who want to have pop-idiom music in their witness and worship? Do they all have a real desire to win souls for Christ?

11. What about the musical instruments and dancing of the Old Testament? Whenever the present-day excesses of music and instrumentalism are called into question, the a number of questions are raised about the Psalms and the musical instruments of the Old Testament. This section contains four sub-sections given below

11a. Restrictions in the Temple Scripture is given to show the very limited range of instruments permitted in the Temple, and the strict rules which governed their use.

11b. Instruments for Sung Praise. The Psalms give divine approval to the use of instruments to accompany the singing of spiritual songs.

11c. Instruments for Civic Events and Pleasure Some instruments were not associated the Temple worship, but were played on festive occasions and for enjoyment and recreation.

11d. Instruments for Illustration only. Psalm 150 summons us to praise God with tambourines, dance, stringed instruments, organ (or pipe), trumpet, cymbals and harp. But once again we are immediately made aware that the psalmist has in mind not just the sanctuary (i.e. - the Temple worship) but also the national celebrations associated with the historic deliverances and victories, for he says - Praise him for his mighty acts (v2).