Purpose Driven or Scripture Driven? - Way of Life Literature

Saddleback Church Rocking andRollingWe have often warned that one of the dangers and errors ofcontemporary Christian music is its refusal to separate fromsecular party music such as rock and rap. This is evident atRick Warren’s Saddleback Church in southern California.Purple HazeOn April 17, 2005, when Warren announced his P.E.A.C.E.program to Saddleback Church, he first sang Jimi Hendrix’sdrug-drenched song “Purple Haze” to the congregation,accompanied by his “praise and worship” band. He said hehad wanted to do that for a long time.Though long dead, Jimi Hendrix’s influence lives on, but itis an evil influence that should be reproved rather thanencouraged. His music and his life epitomized the rock androll philosophy, which is live as you please; don't allowanyone to put restrictions upon you; flaunt any law that getsin your way; have fun while you can; if it feels good do it.Music was Jimi Hendrix’s god. He attended church somein his youth, but later he testified: “I used to go to SundaySchool BUT THE ONLY THING I BELIEVE IN NOW ISMUSIC” (cited by Curtis Knight, Jimi).Hendrix flaunted an immoral lifestyle, living intimatelywith a succession of women but never marrying. He said:“Marriage isn’t my scene; we just live together. Those bits ofpaper you call marriage certificates are only for people whofeel insecure” (Henderson, p. 245).Hendrix also promoted immorality through his music andhis concerts. His song “Fire” was “basically a vehicle forshouted phrases of sexual innuendo that went as close to the43