Introduction
The
purpose of this expose is to dismiss the possibility that
rock music styles are an acceptable worship format for
the local assembly. It is the writers contention that the
impetus for this pervasive error is an inordinate
fascination with the entertainment industry. This
entertainment industry, utilizing base cultural elements
and boastful of its appeal to the lust of men, has become
the benchmark by which the Christian community must judge
its worship worthiness.
This
exposition was not written with a sense of aggression
toward anything new or innovative, nor to promote
sectarian thought; but rather, with a deep sense of inner
grief. Dark clouds are gathering, darkening the green
pastures to which we were lead, as the hounds search the
fencelines for the vomit which once they expelled. This
anomaly of returning again to ones own vomit is depicted
hereafter in this thesis by variations of the term
syncretism.
The
title of the book draws, too, from the writers
understanding of the mentality which synthesizes profane
ideals into the presentation of the Gospel. The lords of
Laodicea is a phrase coined by the writer to depict those
who promote a synthetic gospel to the ecumenical masses.
Revelation
3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my
mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased
with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest
not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked: |
Another term employed by
the writer in this ethical disclosure is that of elitist.
This term is used to describe those who are the
avant-garde of contemporary Christian thought patterns.
These popular speakers and entertainers have risen above
the fray of the incremental battles won by faithful men
in the past. They take the bloodstained faith that they
have received from their fathers and attach the vulgar
trends and appeals within a culture to the gospel in a
vainglorious attempt to meet people where they are at.
Does their gospel have its appeal? Indeed! Yet let us not
blithely consider the words of our Lord in his earthly
ministry:
Matthew
7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is
the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the
way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be
that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in
sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening
wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men
gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good
fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil
fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good
fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit
is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he
that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy
name have cast out devils? and in thy name done
many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never
knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
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