I just received a very nice reply from the folks at Corrupt Christian Music. I would like to reply in an intelligent fashion. Please keep in mind that I know that this is probably a lost cause. However, I feel like I'm supposed to have this chat for some reason so I say "why not?"
Please review their comments and present me with some suggestions for my response. They had a lot of things in bold but I left that out because it made no difference.
Thanks so much y'all!
Dear Bob,
Thank you for taking the time to write us. We would be more than glad to discuss Petra and share with you the facts and information we have about them and please feel free to share our discussions with whomever you desire. Sorry for the delayed response we have many to respond to, and we do appreciate the manner in which you've asked your questions.
PETRA:
To begin with they are sadly no different than any of the other artists on our site. They have been another band to have pioneered many of todays 'Christian' musicians and artists compromise, paving the way for Christian Rock music to become accepted into Christianity.
� Did you know that at their beginning, their band was regarded and promoted as the "musical bad boys of Christian music". Should any true Christian have such a title?
� Not too long ago in the early 80's, Petra wasn't even accepted within the Christian circle, and were more ridiculed because of their 'hard' music. When Petra first was formed Christian's were calling Rock demonic music. You may disregard this saying they were just rigid, old fashioned ways of thinking, but the fruit of this Rock music becoming acceptible among Christians has been one tool to producing the following:
Todays Christians blending into the world, looking, talking and acting just like it
Todays Christians no longer know the definition of worldliness or sin
Todays Christians unashamedly listen to worldly musicians, following the example of their Christian musicians
Christian concerts hardly look any different than Woodstock and are full of sacriligious, irreverent behavior before our Heavenly Father
Petra's music has been referred to by many of the past as "being too secular". From their beginning they have copied, duplicated, and imitated secular/worldly bands such as Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, and Def Leppard.
� In 1982 Petra mellowed their rock tone, and went with a more pop sound because of the outrage and rejection of 'Christian' rock
� They were referred to as "Christian music's oldest and most successful rock band" showing that they have been a key group to lead many - but it's obvious they haven't led anyone into godliness, but worldliness.
Regardless if Petra says the right things or that they might mention God in their lyrics, they are not acceptable before God. Talking about God but living like the world is hypocrisy and is what they have bred in their followers. The Scriptures clearly teach that we are live a lifestyle that reflects Him, and a reflection is a duplication of Him, not a secular, ungodly, worldly band such as Aerosmith, or Def Leppard.
Is it okay to admire worldly, ungodly people? Did Herod influence Jesus or His disciples, John the Baptist or his?
The Scriptures also teach us that we are to know others by their fruit. This means that we can look at what they have produced and see if it has drawn people closer to God and His holy ways, or if instead its brought a mixture and worldliness. This is unacceptable before God and we as His people must be able to discern and test to know whether something is of Him or not, otherwise we will be deceived. A good tree produces good fruit and a bad tree produces bad fruit. We are living in a dangerous day where we must be so very careful, otherwise we will very easily become deceived along with the masses. It takes honesty and humility, not holding to our own thinking, but willing to accept the truth.
If we have truth we ought to strive to sway people to it, otherwise we don't believe in truth - but opinions. We would hope that through this dialogue you would reconsider your views and conform them to truth, for this is the way of salvation. As Jesus said it's the "truth that sets you free" and this is why we take so much time to document our points, to establish truth and expose the error.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
His Servants,
Corrup Christian Music