The Apologetic Value of Secular Music

There is an area of concern within the Christian Church (universal, not specific to one denomination), which is that so many Christians are both Biblically illiterate and unable to live up to the inspired words of Peter, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." (1 Peter 3:15b).

Modern Christian music is great for outreach and personal enjoyment.  Classic hymns are wonderful for reinforcing scriptural teaching.  However, many Christians don't think about the apologetic value of some secular music and other forms of entertainment.  Below are several examples of very well known songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.  I have added a few comments on each to show how you can use the lyrics as a bridge to discussing eternal truths found only in the Bible.

It's My Life - The Animals, 1965

 

It's a hard world to get a break in
All the good things have been taken
But girl there are ways to make certain things pay
Though I'm dressed in these rags, I'll wear sable some day

Hear what I say
I'm gonna ride the serpent
No more time spent sweatin' rent
Hear my command
I'm breakin' loose, it ain't no use
Holdin' me down, stick around

But baby (baby)
Remember (remember)
It's my life and I'll do what I want
It's my mind and I'll think what I want
Show me I'm wrong, hurt me sometime
But some day I'll treat you real fine

There'll be women and their fortunes
Who just want to mother orphans
Are you gonna cry, when I'm squeezin' the rye
Takin' all I can get, no regrets 

When I, openly lie
And leave only money
Believe me honey, that money
Can you believe, I ain't no saint
No complaints
So girl go out
Hand it out

And baby (baby)
Remember (remember)
It's my life and I'll do what I want
It's my mind and I'll think what I want
Show me I'm wrong, hurt me sometime
But some day I'll treat you real fine

Don't push me
(It's my mind and I'll think what I want) It's my life
(It's my life and I'll do what I want) And I can do what I want
(It's my mind and I'll think what I want) You can't tell me
(It's my life and I'll do what I want) I'll do what I want

Sure, we are given the freedom to live our lives, and we can have hope even while poor.  However, even where the lyricist recognizes he is wrong, he is unrepentant and justifies his actions without regard for the impact on others.  He seems determined to follow in the footsteps of Solomon in Ecclesiastes.

I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless.
(Ecclesiastes 2:1)

Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments,
    for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
    including every hidden thing,
    whether it is good or evil. 

(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

My Way - Frank Sinatra, 1969

 

And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full
I've traveled each and every highway
But more, much more than this
I did it my way

Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill my share of losing
And now, as tears subside
I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say - not in a shy way
Oh no, oh no, not me
I did it my way

For what is a man, what has he got
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way 

Yes, it was my way

This sounds good: persevering, enjoying life, not letting others run roughshod over you.  However, for a Christian, it is not about doing things "my way" but about doing things "God's way".

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

Paul elaborates in the book of Romans, particularly chapter 6.  We are either "slaves to sin" or "slaves to righteousness", and only in the latter case are we truly free.

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath, 1970

 

What is this that stands before me?
Figure in black which points at me
Turn around quick, and start to run
Find out I'm the chosen one
Oh no

Big black shape with eyes of fire
Telling people their desire
Satan's sitting there, he's smiling
Watches those flames get higher and higher
Oh no, no, please God help me! 

Is it the end, my friend?
Satan's coming 'round the bend
People running 'cause they're scared
The people better go and beware
No, no, please, no!

Black Sabbath's dark themes and heavy sound seem very anti-Christian, but this song from their debut album clearly illustrates the hopelessness that people face without God.

In Genesis chapter 3, we see Satan "Telling people their desire" for the first time:

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” 

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 
(Genesis 3:1-6)

The apostle Peter warns believes that "Satan's coming 'round the bend":

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

In the book of Revelation, John warns believers that if they have not put their faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, then they are subject to eternal judgement:

 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15) 

 This is a perfect opening to explain the Gospel message.

Lord of this World - Black Sabbath, 1971

 

You're searching for your mind don't know where to start
Can't find the key to fit the lock on your heart
You think you know but you are never quite sure
Your soul is ill but you will not find a cure yeah 

Your world was made for you by someone above
But you chose evil ways instead of love
You made me master of the world where you exist
The soul I took from you was not even missed yeah 

Lord of this world
Evil possessor
Lord of this world
He's your confessor now 

You think you're innocent you've nothing to fear
You don't know me you say, but isn't it clear?
You turn to me in all your worldly greed and pride
But will you turn to me when it's your turn to die, yeah

Told from the perspective of the devil, speaking to a lost soul, this is another excellent bridge to the message of the Gospel.

Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 
(John 12:31) 

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
(Ephesians 2:1-3)

Imagine - John Lennon, 1971

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky

Imagine all the people
Living for today (ah ah ah)

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

Sounds nice, but there is only peace through Christ and the world will live as one when Christ returns.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
(Revelation 21:4)

If there is no heaven or hell, there will never be peace, because survival of the fittest will only ever lead to conflict.

No possessions, no greed, no hunger, with everyone sharing freely is only something that can be achieved when wholly devoted to Christ.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
(Matthew 6:19-20)

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
(John 6:25)

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
(Acts 4:32)

Free Will - Rush, 1980

 

There are those who think that life
Has nothing left to chance
A host of holy horrors
To direct our aimless dance

A planet of playthings
We dance on the strings
Of powers we cannot perceive
The stars aren't aligned
Or the gods are malign
Blame is better to give than receive

You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice 

You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear
I will choose free will 

There are those who think that
They've been dealt a losing hand
The cards were stacked against them
They weren't born in Lotus-Land 

All preordained
A prisoner in chains
A victim of venomous fate
Kicked in the face
You can't pray for a place
In heaven's unearthly estate 

You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice 

You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear
I will choose free will

Each of us
A cell of awareness
Imperfect and incomplete
Genetic blends
With uncertain ends
On a fortune hunt
That's far too fleet

You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice 

You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear
I will choose free will

We are slaves to sin when we think we are truly free without God (see Romans 6)

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. 
(John 8:31b)

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 
(John 8:36)

Jesse's Girl - Rick Springfield, 1981

Jessie is a friend, yeah
I know he's been a good friend of mine
But lately something's changed that ain't hard to define
Jessie's got himself a girl and I want to make her mine

And she's watching him with those eyes
And she's loving him with that body, I just know it
Yeah 'n' he's holding her in his arms late, late at night

You know
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
Where can I find a woman like that

I play along with the charade
There doesn't seem to be a reason to change
You know, I feel so dirty when they start talking cute
I wanna tell her that I love her
But the point is probably moot

'Cause she's watching him with those eyes
And she's loving him with that body, I just know it
And he's holding her in his arms late, late at night

You know
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
Where can I find a woman like that 

Like Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
Where can I find a woman
Where can I find a woman like that 

And I'm looking in the mirror all the time
Wondering what she don't see in me
I've been funny, I've been cool with the lines
Ain't that the way love supposed to be 

Tell me, where can I find a woman like that

You know, I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I want Jessie's girl
Where can I find a woman like that
Like Jessie's girl
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
I want, I want Jessie's girl

To covet your neighbor's wife (or girlfriend), is not right.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
(Exodus 20:17)

That said, it is OK to express your feelings to God. There are many examples, especially in the Psalms.

Innocent Man - Billy Joel, 1983

 

Some people stay far away from the door
If there's a chance of it opening up
They hear a voice in the hall outside
And hope that it just passes by

Some people live with the fear of a touch
And the anger of having been a fool
They will not listen to anyone
So nobody tells them a lie

I know you're only protecting yourself
I know you're thinking of somebody else
Someone who hurt you
But I'm not above
Making up for the love
You've been denying you could ever feel
I'm not above doing anything
To restore your faith if I can

Some people see through the eyes of the old
Before they ever get a look at the young
I'm only willing to hear you cry
Because I am an innocent man
I am an innocent man
Oh yes I am

Some people say they will never believe
Another promise they hear in the dark
Because they only remember too well
They heard somebody tell them before

Some people sleep all alone every night
Instead of taking a lover to bed
Some people find that it's easier to hate
Than to wait anymore

I know you don't want to hear what I say
I know you're gonna keep turning away
But I've been there and if I can survive
I can keep you alive

I'm not above going through it again
I've not above being cool for a while
If you're cruel to me I'll understand

Some people run from a possible fight
Some people figure they can never win
And although this is a fight I can lose
The accused is an innocent man
I am an innocent man
Oh yes I am
An innocent man

You know you only hurt yourself out of spite
I guess you'd rather be a martyr tonight
That's your decision
But I'm not below
Anybody I know
If there's a chance of resurrecting a love
I'm not above going back to the start
To find out where the heartache began

Some people hope for a miracle cure
Some people just accept the world as it is
But I'm not willing to lay down and die
Because I am an innocent man
I am an innocent man
Oh yes I am
An innocent man

The simple truth is that no one is truly innocent.

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
(Romans 3:23)

The arguments presented in the song are similar to those made by Job in the book of the same name.  The difference is that in the book of Job, he is shown to be a righteous man in God's sight.  In this song, the lyricist provides no evidence of his innocence; he merely makes the assertion.

It Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace) - Willie Dixon, 1984

You have made great planes to span the skies
You gave sight to the blind with other men's eyes
You even made submarines stay submerged for weeks
But it don't make sense you can't make peace 

You take one man's heart and make another man live
You even go to the moon and come back thrilled
Why you can crush any country in a matter of weeks
But it don't make sense you can't make peace 

\You can make a transfusion that can save a life
Why you can change the darkness into broad daylight
You make the deaf man hear and the dumb man speak
But it don't make sense you can't make peace

Blues great Willie Dixon late in his life wrote this song epressing sentiments that could have just as easily been written during the Vietnam War as during the heightened tensions at the end of the Cold War.  Why can't a country that is great and powerful enough to accomplish such marvelous feats not be able to simply by force of will establish and maintain peace?

The Pax Romana was a relative peace that was enforced through military might, but it was far from true peace.  The United States has maintained relative peace internally, but there is no shortage of pain and suffering, violence and death.  There has also been continuous war around the globe since the beginning of recorded history.

The answer can be found in the book of John:

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
(John 3:19-20)

Peace can be found only through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
(John 14:27)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33)