O Timothy April 2011 - Way of Life Literature

W A Y O F L I F E L I T E R A T U R E
deeply caring for it, and this happens when it buys into
the CCM philosophy that “love” and “unity” are more
important than doctrinal purity.
“If a church starts using CCM, it will eventually lose all
other standards” (Dr. Frank Garlock, Bob Jones
University, chapel, March 12, 2001).
Dr. Garlock is dogmatic here and doesn’t allow for any
exceptions. I hope he has warned West Coast about this,
because to “adapt” CCM is doubtless the same as “using
CCM.”
“Perhaps nothing precipitates a slide toward New
Evangelicalism more than the introduction of
Contemporary Christian Music. This inevitably leads
toward a gradual slide in other areas as well until the
entire church is infiltrated by ideas and programs alien to
the original position of the church” (Dr. Ernest Pickering,
The Tragedy of Compromise: The Origin and Impact of
the New Evangelicalism, Bob Jones University Press,
1994).
The late Dr. Pickering warned that the introduction of
CCM precipitates a slide toward New Evangelicalism
more than anything else. That is a powerful statement.
And observe that he said this slide is initiated by the mere
“INTRODUCTION” of CCM. It doesn’t have to be a full
blown reception. CCM just has to be introduced, and the
church is on its way to New Evangelicalism. This is
because the “introduction” of CCM at any level and in
any way brings the church into intimate association with
the world of CCM which is totally, passionately
committed to the New Evangelical philosophy at best,
and to “ideas and programs alien” to the position of an
old-fashioned Baptist church.
“Good fundamental Baptists and others that refuse the
teachings of the charismatic crowd concerning tongues,
signs, miracles, and so forth are NOW SINGING THEIR
MUSIC in our churches and preparing our people for the
world, the flesh and the Devil. It is the new Trojan Horse
move ... to deaden our churches to spiritual truth” (Victor
Sears, Baptist Bible Tribune, 1981).
This amazing warning was given 30 years ago! That was
before CCM began to sweep into IB churches. But Victor
Sears saw it as “the new Trojan Horse move ... to deaden
our churches to spiritual truth.” He knew that that the
contemporary music brings a contemporary philosophy,
and he was deeply concerned. Sears was a leader in the
Baptist Bible Fellowship International, and this was the
first group of Independent Baptists that “introduced”
CCM. It started with the use of contemporary background
tapes for singing specials. I recall attending a BBFI
preacher’s conference in the 1980s. The music was CCM
even then. In light of these warnings, it is not surprising
that the BBFI today has capitulated entirely to the New
Evangelical philosophy. Victor Sears predicted it, and the
men of real conviction and moral courage left long ago.
10 1 Timothy 6:20,21