Rating: 
Summary: I believe it is solid...
Review: Good exegesis of the two (similar) verses in the N.T. that address music. Mrs. Smith clearly explains how God is referring not just to lyrics, but also the music to which they are set. Right away, we must admit that God has standards for music. It is more difficult to convey what those standards are. Mrs. Smith is correct in her assertion that we "must" worship God in spirit and truth. It follows that carnal (physical) "worship" is not appropriate worship. Music that is spiritual combined with lyrics that are truth qualify as Godly worship in the N.T. Music that appeals to the flesh OR lyrics that are not Biblical disqualifies itself as true worship. Carnal music is music that appeals to us physically-it makes our bodies respond. Spiritual music makes our spirit respond. If you cannot tell the difference, you have a problem. The Bible is clear-just as a well cannot bring forth bitter and sweet water, neither can music appeal both to the flesh and the spirit. Mrs. Smith could have better clarified these simple concepts. She should have also explained (maybe she did, and I just missed it) why in the O.T. many percussive instruments were used, but not in the N.T., where it seems they only sang hymns. In the O.T. people did not worship in spirit and truth (at least not exclusively). Rather, they often worshipped with sacrifices and rituals-carnal methods. That is why Christ told the Samaritan woman that the time was coming when all people would worship God in spirit and truth; not just at temple in Jerusalem, or through a priest. So the method of worship has changed! It is now exclusively in spirit and truth. I do not believe this book will help many people who are dedicated CCM listeners. Rock/carnal music becomes a physical addiction. It is a strong indication that a person is living in the flesh, not the spirit. The spiritual person responds like Elijah on the mount. The carnal person reacts like the prophets of Baal. God responded to the spiritual plea of Elijah. He will not respond to jiving, dancing, or any other physical action music may motivate. Unfortunately, many "Christians" today have gone the way of the Children of Israel. They want a king and a golden calf. They want to see, hear, and feel-physically. This is not the way to worship an almighty God, who is a spirit.
Rating: 
Summary: Deceived, disappointed and dumbfounded.
Review: If it were possible to give a 0 star rating, this book would qualify. I would certainly like to see the evidence that the "Dr." who reviewed this book on March 18th saw, regarding the honest biblical standards he spoke of. I have read the book and found nothing of the sort. 98% of the verses used in this book have nothing to do with the issue at hand. -NOTHING- The very first verse on the first page of the first chapter is about sound doctrine, and the rest of the chapter speaks nothing in regard to that matter, at all. Quite frankly, there WAS no biblical case made for the author's position in this book. One needs to look no further than chapter six, (if you can make it through the first 5 that is) in order to see this. The language Kimberly Smith uses is SUBJECTIVE, with words like, "appears" "we'll call this rhythm carnal, or unnatural" etc. As I mentioned above, the verses at least most of them have literally nothing to do with the topic. This is bad proof-texting at best, and poor, poor, poor biblical hermenuetics at worst. It seems this book stems from a personal bias against rock music rather than from a supposed biblical standard that is never actually put forth. Pulling a verse out of context and stretching it to apply to a topic to which it was never intended does not constitute proof. I would recommend reading Romans 14 instead of this irrational jumble of something the Pharisees would have been proud of. I have no doubt Mrs. Smith is sincere in her motive, yet she herself admits sincerity can't be the basis for truth. This review has many words in it, but I can some it up in just one - WOW.
Rating:
Summary: Deceived, disappointed and dumbfounded.
Review: If it were possible to give a 0 star rating, this book would qualify. I would certainly like to see the evidence that the "Dr." who reviewed this book on March 18th saw, regarding the honest biblical standards he spoke of. I have read the book and found nothing of the sort. 98% of the verses used in this book have nothing to do with the issue at hand. -NOTHING- The very first verse on the first page of the first chapter is about sound doctrine, and the rest of the chapter speaks nothing in regard to that matter, at all. Quite frankly, there WAS no biblical case made for the author's position in this book. One needs to look no further than chapter six, (if you can make it through the first 5 that is) in order to see this. The language Kimberly Smith uses is SUBJECTIVE, with words like, "appears" "we'll call this rhythm carnal, or unnatural" etc. As I mentioned above, the verses at least most of them have literally nothing to do with the topic. This is bad proof-texting at best, and poor, poor, poor biblical hermenuetics at worst. It seems this book stems from a personal bias against rock music rather than from a supposed biblical standard that is never actually put forth. Pulling a verse out of context and stretching it to apply to a topic to which it was never intended does not constitute proof. I would recommend reading Romans 14 instead of this irrational jumble of something the Pharisees would have been proud of. I have no doubt Mrs. Smith is sincere in her motive, yet she herself admits sincerity can't be the basis for truth. This review has many words in it, but I can some it up in just one - WOW.
Rating: 
Summary: Careful research results in eye-opening book
Review: Kim Smith has done an excellent job in bringing together all aspects of music and how it affects our souls. I challenge anyone who dares to criticize this work to do hours of unbiased research and come up with a different conclusion than Mrs Smith and her husband. If you have any questions about how important music is and the real origins of rock music, then this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Careful research results in eye-opening book
Review: Kim Smith has done an excellent job in bringing together all aspects of music and how it affects our souls. I challenge anyone who dares to criticize this work to do hours of unbiased research and come up with a different conclusion than Mrs Smith and her husband. If you have any questions about how important music is and the real origins of rock music, then this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: If you have questions about "Christian rock", get this book.
Review: Kimberly does a great job tracing the roots of "carnal" music and for showing how the words of a song is not enough to make it Christian when the beat still leads you into movements of sensuality. If you have questions about "Christian rock", this book will help.
Rating:
Summary: Defeat the Beat
Review: Kimberly Smith, a church organist and classically trained pianist, can be likened to a modern-day Dr. Van Helsing in pursuit of the fiendish "undead." Armed with the Word of God, she triumphantly impales "Christian" rock music, the most carnal and prevalent style of contemporary Christian music (CCM) today. Despite the fact that the majority of Christians, especially teenagers, much prefer Christian rock over traditional church hymns, Smith exposes Christian rock as nothing more than "Christian" lyrics attached to secular rock music (the latter having evolved from sexually-driven rock 'n roll music of the 1950s). For any music to be acceptable in worship, the lyrics must be in spiritual harmony with the music itself, for each one sends its own "message." The musical "message" of all rock music, including Christian rock, is carnal, sensual, and unacceptable because it appeals to the "flesh" and violates biblical principles. Moreover, attempting to hallow rock music with "Christian" lyrics is futile, because the rock "message" (sex, rebellion, etc.) is not spiritually harmonious with the lyrics. In other words, the secular rock music corrupts and compromises the spiritual lyrics. Smith sees Christian rock as catering to worldly desires and preferences rather than glorifying God. She further presents 16 of the most common, "emotionally charged excuses given by people" regarding CCM in general, then crushes each one with an arsenal of Scripture references. This book will generate extremes of opinions. Discerning Christians will praise Smith for exposing the fallacies and dangers of Christian rock. Non-believers and worldly "Christians," outraged at the magnitude of the truth presented, will burn her in effigy. This book and its companion, "Let Those Who Have Ears to Hear," are highly recommended reading for Sunday school programs and youth groups.
Rating:
Summary: Smith seems to lack any true knowledge of music theory
Review: The ignorance of the Author concerning music theory and relativity is appalling. In my opinion she is just another opportunist preying on the paranoia and fears of the Christian community. If listening to Jazz or rock style music turns you on then maybe you should waste your money and buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Smith seems to lack any true knowledge of music theory
Review: The ignorance of the Author concerning music theory and relativity is appalling. In my opinion she is just another opportunist preying on the paranoia and fears of the Christian community. If listening to Jazz or rock style music turns you on then maybe you should waste your money and buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Read the Book Before Bashing It
Review: Those who read this book with open, discerning minds will find it very difficult not to reconsider the use of contemporary Christian music (CCM), particularly Christian rock music, in the postmodern church today. Yet reviewers will still condemn the book, when it is clear that they have read little or none of it. A man bashing this book elsewhere defended CCM on the misinformed notion that Martin Luther set his hymns to the worldly songs and brothel music of his time. Therefore, the man reasoned, the church should follow that example with popular music today. Having compiled a list of some 16 excuses which proponents of CCM commonly offer in defense, Mrs. Smith on page 84 exposes the fallacy and myth behind excuse #13, entitled "Martin Luther set his hymns to the tunes (worldly songs) of his day." It is clear that, had the man read "Oh, Be Careful Little Ears," he wouldn't have raised the issue, because Mrs. Smith already had defeated it. In Mrs. Smith's opinion, "The practice of pointing to another Christian so that we may excuse our own behavior is not to be commended." If we honestly follow the biblical standards that Mrs. Smith summarizes in her book, we must honestly conclude that Christian rock music, the most carnal and prevalent form of CCM today, fails those standards and is completely unacceptable for use in worship. To potential reviewers: Reviews based solely on prejudicial preferences rather than strictly on book content do potential buyers a grave disservice.
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