My Answer/Billy Graham

DEAR REV. GRAHAM: I really like contemporary Christian music, but I spent a couple of weeks with my aunt this summer and she really came down on me and said I shouldn't be listening to such "noise" (I'm 16). I wonder what you think. —K.M.

Dear K.M.: I always hesitate to answer questions like this because no matter what I say, someone is going to disagree! Musical tastes differ from one generation to the next, and I wouldn't be surprised if 20 or 30 years from now you say the same thing about your own son's musical tastes.

This past summer, our organization sponsored a series of concerts in several major cities along the Mississippi River. A number of Christian bands and musicians participated, and my son Franklin spoke several times during each event. Tens of thousands of young people came, and thousands made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ in response to the preaching of the Gospel.

Would your aunt have liked the music? Probably not; it was very high energy and contemporary, and geared toward young people. But God used its message to focus attention on Jesus Christ and His love for us — and countless lives were changed as a result. When King David was making plans for the Temple, he ordered that "Four thousand (musicians) are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose" (1 Chronicles 23:5).

Ask yourself this question: Does the music I listen to bring me closer to God — or is it only entertaining me? Make sure of your commitment to Christ. Then make it your goal to grow closer to Him every day.