Music

Playing or Singing in Chapel Guidelines

General Guidelines

Maranatha Baptist Bible College desires that all students learn to appreciate good music. Because believers are to love not the world, neither the things that are in the world (1 John 2:15), students are expected to refrain from singing, playing, possessing, purchasing, or listening to certain kinds of music.

Approved Music

The following types of music may be used in campus programs, and students may have these types of music in their dormitories or automobiles
  • Classical
  • Approved religious music
  • Semi-classical (light concert music, music from operettas, and such as has passed into the concert repertoire), band music, old familiar songs such as the music of Stephen Foster, or early American songs where the album is obviously serious music.

Unapproved Music

The following types of music may not be used in campus programs, and students may not have this music in dormitories or automobiles
  • Alternative Rock
  • Jazz
  • Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
  • Rap
  • Rock
  • Folk Rock
  • Gospel Rock
  • Other similar types of contemporary music

Note: Maranatha considers Contemporary Christian Music to be generally unacceptable and in many cases even offensive. Any unapproved music is subject to confiscation.

Standards by Which Music Is Judged

  • The lyrics—What do the words say or suggest?
  • The music—Is the music filled with a heavy bass, loudness, a driving beat, or breathy or sensual characteristics?
  • The association—What is associated with the music, performers, or performances of this kind of music?
  • The objectives—What are the objectives of the recording artists or company?
  • The cover—What does the cover indicate about the music?

Also see Legal Compliance, regarding sharing electronic music files and the Headphone and Earbud policy.