Acceptable music taste, both in church and in one's personal life, is a surprisingly controversial topic in the Church. There are a range of different opinions, ranging from "anything goes" to "anything goes out the window". Needless to say, there are some songs that can simply never be morally acceptable. Marilyn Manson would be the most common and obvious example. With blasphemous lyrics like "I'm not a slave to a God that doesn't exist", and songs so profane that even the title will not be mentioned here, Manson is practically begging to go to Hell (though let us pray that he doesn't), and his music reflects that. But there are those in the Church who believe that anything even remotely similar, even lacking any of the disgusting content, is in the same category, and to go anywhere near it is a sign that one is not saved.
Personally, I rather like Skillet. Skillet are a Christian rock band, with many amazing songs that reference, or even directly praise the Lord in one form or another. Chris Tomlin is another example of a popular Christian artist whose music is often frowned upon. Phatfish, Paul Baloche, Lecrae, all wonderful musicians whose music reflects their personal faith, yet some believe that letting this anywhere near the Church is practically leaving the door open for Satan.
I remember a story about a couple who complained to their pastor "we didn't like the service today", and the pastor's response was excellent: "Good, because it wasn't for you." Let's be honest here: No one likes every song their church sings. Whether you prefer older hymns, newer songs, or a mixture of both, there's always going to be one song you'd rather not sing. For me, that's at least half of the songs my congregation regularly sings, and at Christmas... I'd rather not talk about Christmas carols. But let us never confuse "I'd rather not sing..." with "God would rather not hear..."
A lot of church buildings are fitted with an organ, or at the very least own a piano. Most Christians are perfectly comfortable with this. It's a familiar setting, as it's been with us for hundreds of years, and not many people deny the beauty of a well tuned piano when it's played by someone with both skill and passion for their instrument. But something being traditional does not make it objectively good, neither does it make deviation from such a tradition evil. In fact, Colossians 2:8 says "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ."
Reading the Bible, it's very easy to conclude that insisting upon a 17th century style of music as the only acceptable style of music is just one more deceitful tradition designed by the devil to both cheat and divide us. I know that for me, personally, I have grown closer to the Lord through music that some Christians would consider sinful. Songs that have referenced scripture have taught me scripture. Songs that have contained wisdom have made me wise. The simple beauty of some songs have calmed me down, and even saved me from some very dark times in my life. Those who call this kind of music sinful are literally telling me "it would be better if you were uneducated, foolish, and perpetually depressed".
But this article, and indeed this entire ministry, is dedicated to edifying the Church in the name of Jesus, not about my personal tastes. So, let's have a look at how music has been used in history to worship God. Specifically, let's look at Psalm 150, which is not just descriptive, but prescriptive:
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!
This short Psalm is the perfect counter to anyone who tries to impose rules on worship music. Whereas the more traditional piano and organ are not on this list (mainly because they were not invented yet), several instruments that many consider sinful are on a list of instruments specifically prescribed as worship. Some of them, such as the timbrel and cymbal, are even said to be worship instruments of Satan!
But where do you see this in the scriptures? Name even one negative reference to music in the scriptures. "Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you use an electric drum kit to sing my praises." It's just not in there. And because it's not in there, Paul tells us that we're not supposed to think it. In 1 Corinthians 4:6, he says "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other." (Emphasis mine).
Speaking again from personal experience, those who do think beyond what is written regarding music tend to be very puffed up. Not only do they typically look down on those who do not share their views, I've actually seen one or two bash the Bible simply because the truths discussed here today were shown to them. But when we cease to think beyond what is written, we cease to divide over it. As Christians, diverse opinions on "doubtful disputations" (Romans 14:1) are tolerable. If one person prefers older hymns while another finds them less than satisfying, that's perfectly ok. No one is sinning (as long as God is their central focus), and no one needs to separate from another.