September 17, 1997 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) -- John Michael Talbot is a popular Contemporary Christian Music recording artist (with roughly 35 albums) who regularly appears in concert with CCM musicians representing a wide variety of denominational backgrounds. In 1996, for example, Talbot joined Michael Card (who claims to be an evangelical Protestant) in creating an album and in a concert tour. Card has won seven Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and has produced 18 albums. Talbot himself, though, is a convert to Roman Catholicism and boldly promotes his Catholic views. In an article "Our Fathers, and Our Divided Family," New Covenant, September 1997, Talbot calls for Christian unity on the basis of the Roman Catholic papacy:

"A Roman Catholic, I respect other Christians. We are especially close to those who value apostolic tradition as well as Scripture. But even in this we face further debates that are obstacles to complete Christian unity. THIS IS WHY THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH INSISTS THAT SCRIPTURE, TRADITION AND MAGISTERIUM ARE NECESSARY FOR A FULLY UNIFIED PEOPLE. WE ROMAN CATHOLICS FIND THIS IN THE POPE AS BISHOP OF ROME, TOGETHER WITH THE BISHOPS OF THE CHURCHES IN FULL COMMUNION WITH ROME. This has theologically freed us to develop the greatest mystical and functional unity in Christendom. It has also given us an authority that enables us to enter into interfaith and ecumenical dialogue without defensiveness. … May we all hear these ancient truths and experience real conversion of heart" (John Talbot, "Our Fathers, and Our Divided Family," New Covenant, September 1997, p. 21).

Talbot says Catholic tradition and the papacy are equal in authority with the Scripture. He says true Christian unity can be found only in fellowship with the pope of Rome. He prays that his hearers will hear this message and experience conversion to Rome. What could be more unscriptural or wicked? The Apostle Paul said anyone, even an angel from heaven, who preaches a false gospel is cursed of God (Galatians 1). The Roman Catholic popes, with their sacramental gospel and blasphemous claims and titles, have been under this curse from their unscriptural origin. Nowhere does the New Testament say the Apostles passed on their authority at death. Nowhere does the New Testament establish a pope over all of the churches, and nowhere do we see Peter acting or living as a pope. We don’t need the so-called "church fathers" to explain to us the rule of faith and practice; God has given us an infallible rule in the Scriptures which were completed during the lifetime of the Apostles and which were sealed with a solemn seal in Revelation 22:18,19.

There is room, though, for Talbot’s apostate theology in the doctrinally confused world of Contemporary Christian Music. He is considered a brother in Christ and is welcomed with open arms, in the face of God’s commands that we mark and avoid those who teach doctrine contrary to that taught by the Apostles (Romans 16:17-18). This is one of the many reasons why we refuse to have anything to do with CCM and its rebellious musicians and worldly musical styles. The devil is using the ecumenical thrust of CCM to break down the walls between truth and error toward the completion of the one-world apostate "church." Referring to the mixed crowds who attended the Talbot/Card concerts in Catholic churches, Talbot said that he delighted in seeing Protestants who never would have darkened the doorstep of a Catholic church come to one of his concerts. "All of a sudden they say, ‘Hey, I feel very much at home here. That doesn't mean necessarily I want to be a Roman Catholic, but I feel very much at home worshiping God with other people who are not that different from me'" (John Talbot, quoted in "Interfaith Album Strikes Sour Note," Peter Smith, Religious News Service, Dec. 8, 1996).

Those who are wise will obey the Word of God and will avoid CCM like they would a poisonous snake.

I can hear someone protesting already. "Yes, Brother Cloud, I know that the charismatics and ecumenists dominate the CCM world; I do believe it is somewhat carnal and worldly and I am glad our church doesn’t use it; but you have to admit that it is very appealing, and I LIKE some of it when I am alone. What harm does it do to listen to some of it in private?" I will let the Lord answer that: "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (Galatians 5:9). "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Corinthians 15:33). If you allow yourself to be lulled by worldly ecumenical style music, it will influence you gradually, perhaps imperceptibly, but surely. It will create a carnal taste which could even lead you back to the world’s music. If you listen to CCM, which has the same rhythms and musical styles as country-western and rock ‘n’ roll, you will be severely tempted to surrender to the siren call of the devil’s music. One discerning preacher described CCM as the devil’s "chum" (blood and other forms of fish bait used to attract large fish) to draw young people to rock music. Do not forget that you are wrestling against spiritual forces which disguise themselves with religion and which put on the "form" of godliness. Music is an extremely powerful influence, and there can be no doubt that the devil is right in the midst of it. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

For more information on this topic see the article "Charismatic Music Permeating the Churches," David W. Cloud, May 30, 1997. This can be viewed at the End Times Apostasy Online Database -- http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/indexfbns.htm. Also see the section on music in the O Timothy Computer Database, which is available from Way of Life Literature. Information on this is located at the Way of Life web site.