A music video accompanied the song, showcasing Vandross while he sung and worked in the recording studio. The song reached the #1 position on the R&B charts. How could you not shake your head or the rest of your body when you hear this song? Vandross made his first solo record with this title track. In chronological order, I have listed the top ten Luther Vandross songs that I play over and over again when I feel like “getting in the mood” or reminiscing on good times. He was a great singer-songwriter, as well as record producer, who could play the piano and violin. The soothing, rather recognizable voice of Vandross has earned him the Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times, as well as the Grammy for Song of the Year for his memorable and touching song, “Dance With My Father,” which was co-written with adult contemporary singer, Richard Marx.ĭuring his lifetime, Vandross’ body of work includes a little more than 20 different albums, presenting an array of R&B, dance, pop and soul tracks. What should I listen to? ( an impressive list of Grammy-award winning creations, selling more than 25 million albums, for many, Luther Vandross embodies the perfect R&B crooner.But given that warning I can and should learn to appreciate what is good in secular music. I must watch to be careful that I am not so influenced by that common ground that I depart from the uncommon gospel. Appreciating what is good in the arts is one platform of common ground. Building relationships requires common ground. When we try to remain aloof from any and every human endeavor that is not specifically proclaiming the gospel, we will find ourselves very much divorced from the life of our community and also very much divorced from opportunities to proclaim the truth. Human beings, even unsaved one, do an incredible amount of good things. Being a part of the human community includes honoring that which is positive about the human community as much as decrying what is evil. He also wrote using a lot of athletic imagery (for example, Philippians 3:12-14), signalling his familiarity with the Greek games. The apostle Paul adapted a Greek poet/philosopher’s saying into his sermon (Acts 17:28). Martin Luther created one of his greatest hymns, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, using a tune from a bar song. Also, listening to the world’s music shows me what people are thinking and gives me an avenue into their thoughts and beliefs and into their lives that might help me share the gospel with them. But I can celebrate a loving human relationship in the right way using that song. Most modern songs, for example, are about love relationships and commonly “teach” that a love relationship with another human being is the answer to life. So, of course, I must be careful to evaluate the message of the music. No, he didn’t give a Christian answer to the problem, but he accurately described a common problem people suffer. He was describing a particularly low point in his life with this song. Otis Redding was “sittin’ on the dock of bay” wasting time because he was lonely. Some music is simply a description of a particular struggle or a particular joy.
That does not contradict the Biblical message of man’s sinfulness, but rather complements it with a message of man’s glorious nature.īesides, just because something isn’t explicitly Christian does not mean it is false or evil. Psalm 8 says we were created a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honor.
I can celebrate God’s greatness as I see it expressed through human giftedness.
I have heard some beautiful music (lyrically and in quality of music). God has gifted human beings with God-likeness and part of that likeness is creativity in musical expression. But to say secular music is wrong, I beg to differ.Īnswer: I am in agreement with you on this. If it’s something that’s going to make my brother fall I’ll take it somewhere else. Paul said everything is lawful but not everything is expedient. So whether that person chooses to honor the good LORD or not it’s still a gift from GOD. The Bible said every good gift and every perfect gift cometh from the father of lights. But I don’t think he is looking at the big picture. I love the LORD and I love my brother, and I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him. My brother believes that if the music isn’t honoring God it’s wrong to listen to it. And other artists that are gifted who sing some really wonderful songs outside the gospel arena. I’m talking about artists like Luther Vandross who sang nothing but love ballads. I’m not talking about that rap music or singing that degrades women or uses profanity. Question: I would like to know if it is alright for a Christian to listen to secular music.
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