Should believers in the Messiah be listening to heavy metal and other forms of secular music?

     Music is a powerful tool that can be both positive and negative. The Bible provides many examples of music being used in worship and also to soothe troubled spirits in the case of Saul and David.

Realizing that music contains power over the mind and soul, it’s important that we’re selective as to what type of music we listen to as a believer. As we are to refrain from conversations and entertainment that promote evil speaking and thoughts, the same would apply to music. For this reason, we should be very selective as to the music we listen to. While there is nothing wrong with certain forms of secular music, we must ensure that it’s not promoting a message or spirit of opposition to Yahweh’s Word. This would include endorsing things like immortality or depravity (e.g. adultery, homosexuality, etc.) or music that may replace Yahweh’s shalom for a spirit of rebellion.

In the case of heavy metal music, we believe this form of music would violate both concerns. Heavy metal songs often promote immorality along with a spirit that is not of Yahweh. In some cases, the spirit may be demonic, allowing demonic influence to take root within our lives. For this reason, we suggest avoiding heavy metal and other forms of music that would offend Yahweh or provide access for the Evil One.

“Be ye therefore followers of Elohim, as dear children; And walk in love, as Messiah also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to Yahweh for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Messiah and of Yahweh,” Ephesians 5:1-5.

     What is YRM’s position on the wearing of tassels or tzitzit?

     We do not teach for or against tassels or tzitzit; we leave this to personal conviction. The reason for this is that there is a reasonable debate on both sides.

Some who favor tassels will point out that’s it’s mentioned in the Torah and that they were worn by Yahshua the Messiah. Both of these points are scripturally valid, Numbers 15:38-39; Deuteronomy 22:12; Matthew 23:5.

Others who are not convicted will point out the origin of the command was in response to the Israelites deliberately breaking the Sabbath, which Scripture may support, Numbers 15:32-38. They also state that as the tassels were a reminder for the Israelites in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit serves as a reminder for believers in the New Testament, Luke 12:12; Romans 9:1; 1Corinthians 12:3; Hebrews 2:4.

For these reasons, we leave this command to the personal conviction of individual believers. We do not condemn or criticize those who choose to wear them or those who choose not to wear them.

     Why weren’t the rest of the Hebrew names which begin with “J” changed to “Y” in your Restoration Study Bible?

     One of the goals for the Restoration Study Bible was for it to have a wide appeal. This included those in the Hebrew Roots / Messianic movement and also those in nominal or traditional worship. This was one reason why we retained the traditional use of the letter “J.” Also, since only Yahweh and Yahshua’s Names are technically holy or set apart for reverence, we again did not see the need to change the other names with a “J.” Saying that, we acknowledge that the “J” is not correct based on the biblical Hebrew.

     Does 1Corinthians 11:16 negate the wearing of head coverings?

     Paul states in 1Corinthians 11:16, “But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the assemblies of Yahweh.”

Many use this passage to confirm that in the event a dispute arose over the head covering that it was no longer needed. However, this would conflict with Paul’s earlier statement in verse 5 that if a woman refused to wear a covering she might as well be shorn, which was a show of disgrace in antiquity.  In verse 16, Paul is simply confirming that if someone became contentious about the head covering, the assembly had no other form of worship. In other words, they were to honor this practice.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary confirms that this head covering was a common practice and a sign of decency in the early assembly: “Custom is in a great measure the rule of decency. And the common practice of the churches is what would have them govern themselves by. He does not silence the contentious by mere authority, but lets them know that they would appear to the world as very odd and singular in their humour if they would quarrel for a custom to which all the churches of Christ were at that time utter strangers, or against a custom in which they all concurred, and that upon the ground of natural decency. It was the common usage of the churches for women to appear in public assemblies, and join in public worship, veiled; and it was manifestly decent that they should do so.” The Wycliffe Bible Commentary adds, “…no custom of women worshiping without coverings. …for early church history bears witness that in Rome, Antioch, and Africa the custom became the norm.”

The wearing of a veil or covering was not only a custom in the early assembly but also in the Old Testament. Evidence for this is seen from Rebekah (Genesis 24:65) and Ruth (Ruth 3:15).

As with many other biblical norms and customs, the wearing of the head covering has been disparaged in light of today’s social reengineering of culture and family.

     Do you believe in generational curses?

     No, we do not believe in generational curses. Ezekiel 18:20 makes it clear each person will be judged individually for his or her own sins. It reads, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”

Regarding passages such as Exodus 20:5, which seems to indicate generational curses, I believe that these passages are simply accounting for human nature. Most people simply follow the same pattern as the previous generation. Often, it requires several generations to break this cycle. This is why Scripture mentions to the 3rd or 4th generation.

    What role did Esther play in Scripture? I’m asking because I was surprised that you say that women cannot hold any public office within the assembly. I thought Esther was a prophet and even asked for permission to approach the king. I also thought women were allowed to teach other women and still share the good news of Yahshua to others and especially to other women.

    We are not saying that ladies have no role or value within the assembly. In many cases, women served as support roles, Luke 8:1-3, Acts 16:13-15; 18:24-26, Romans 16:1-6. They are also instructed to teach their children and other ladies, Titus 2:3-5. When we say that they have no official role we are referring to ministers and those ordained to the work (priests, elders, deacons, etc.). There are no examples of ladies being ordained to the ministry or being placed in public teaching roles in either the Old or New testaments.

Regarding Esther, she was not a prophetess, but a queen. While she saved her people through her bravery, she never taught the people. This job was given to Ezra and the priests.

It’s never our intention to degrade the value of women. We believe that women provide many blessings to the home and to the assembly. None greater than being a mother and mentor to other ladies.