Conversion & Calling, Student Workbook, SW01

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C O N V E R S I O N A N D C A L L I N G

Which Songs Are Really the “Songs of Zion”?

A serious debate is brewing among the members of the youth group regarding what kind of music is acceptable for young Christians to listen to. It all started when one of the teens brought one of their favorite rap artists in to play in the CD player at youth group, and some of the kids objected to the kinds of things the artist was referring to. The teen who brought the music, a growing Christian who loves God much, was hurt by the controversy, believing that it is important to understand what is going on in the world if he is to be a good witness to his lost friends. Others, equally in love with God, argue that this kind of music is not godly; all of the talk about violence and pain and struggle is not encouraging but depressing to them. Both sides appear to be equally convinced of the importance of the issue and the truth of their particular “side.” What is the best way to resolve this struggle, this impasse between these opposing parties on this issue of music? Recently, a small group studying the Last Things and the Second Coming began to study the various judgments associated with the end times. For one of the sisters in the group, the study has caused much internal strain and confusion, especially on one point-the idea of God judging those who have never heard about Christ. In her mind, the idea that God will judge all people, even those who have not had the chance to hear about Jesus and his love, is offensive. “God can’t do that-that wouldn’t be fair to blame those who, due to no fault of their own, never come to know God. They will wind up being judged by God and even going to hell simply because nobody ever told them about the Lord.” For others in the study, the issue isn’t God’s fairness but God’s holiness. They argue that if God does not judge all according to the standard he has set down (i.e., faith in Christ) he would violate his own integrity, for he has said that the one who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (cf. Rom. 10.9-10). While they continue to discuss it openly, they haven’t come any closer to resolving the issue. What should they do? It Just Isn’t Fair!

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