Once again, there were classes at Pepperdine (as there have been at ACU and Tulsa earlier this year) on the need for greater fellowship between Christian Churches and Churches of Christ — again taught by Bob Russell and Rick Atchley. Of course, this is just a beginning. A small beginning. But, it is an important beginning. (At least it’s a beginning in some places. Many of you are in places where you already realize that anyone who is a Christ-follower is WITH you not AGAINST you!)
So here’s my take on instrumental music: God doesn’t much care. Most of the old arguments were lame, built on shoddy hermeneutics.
Nevertheless, those in the a cappella tradition don’t need to be ashamed of it. There is a rich tradition in the church that runs through the centuries of singing without instruments. Even today, when people enter our churches, they are dumbfounded to hear people singing — full voice, four-part harmony.
That doesn’t mean it’s the only way, or that it’s God’s way. Sure, I could be blessed by being in a church with Chris Tomlin leading worship.
But I’m not. I’m in a congregation with a heritage of being a cappella. That doesn’t mark us as being the REAL people of God or as being RIGHT. But it is a rich heritage that can be, if continued in love and humility, a gift to Christian community, reminding us that worship is a place of full participation where we all offer ourselves again to God, seeking to be reshaped by him to live for the sake of the world.
So God bless the drums/guitars/saxophones that are played for the glory of God. And God bless the pitch pipes and the tuning forks that find a pitch so that others can sing without instruments.
Preserving this a cappella heritage isn’t nearly as important to me as it is to others. It’s nothing I’m going to fight a younger generation on. If they decide to set it aside for the sake of the mission, I’ll be with them. (Sad, perhaps, but still with them.)
But in the meantime, I want to participate at the top of my lungs; I want to remind others that such singing is a blessing; and I want to share with others a growing appreciation for the many different looks of the universal church that lives for Christ.
Amen.
Well, I’m really stepping out there to be the first comment on this one!
Music is huge to me and the way my heart truly worships our Father. It’s ironic my name because Amy Grant’s early Christian music played a large role in shaping my young, high school faith. And still my sweetest worship is in my living room with my piano.
I would guess there aren’t many CoC Christians under age 30 today who hold the strong views on a capella vs. instruments that many in previous generations hold. I say that only to ponder what the future will look like in CoC’s.
My dream would be to remain in an a capella CoC where it would be okay to use some instruments sometimes when the musical accompanyment would truly enrich the worship experience. Not overpower the lyrics, but make them more meaningful.
Does it have to be either/or. All or none?
Thank you for this! It’s always so reassuring to read your blog and actually find someone who generally agrees with the beliefs that I have. I don’t get that very much. I’m normally the one person in a group who believes that it is okay to use instruments in worship without making a big, huge deal about whether or not it is a “salvation issue.” I love a capella music. I want to continue to attend a church of christ because I love the worship, but I don’t think it is the only way to worship our God.
It’s ironic that you and my husband, Tim, have the same stance on instruments in worship (and I guess if I am to be honest, it’s really what I think, too, but I’m not really ready to come out of the closet…guess I just did on this blog…but anyway…) The one time we worshiped with his grandmother at a Christian Church, he sang right out loud with the choir every song they sang…at first, people around us just stared and when they realized it wasn’t going to shut him up, they just smiled. Of course Tim sings everywhere with everyone and loves praising God with his voice. I, like you, am not ready to give in to instruments because I, too, want to participate at the top of my lungs (though I am not always right on key) and I love the look on the faces of nonchurched people when they hear the beautiful harmonies created by voices alone! My wedding (almost 32 years ago now) was the first one at my liitle congrgation in Mississippi that had accapella music. Before the ceremony, you could hear whispers all through the auditorium wondering where the piano was…my Harding friends were there to sing…for months after the ceremony, people in town would stop my mom on the street and tell her that mine was the most beautiful music they had ever heard at a wedding! Praise God for our beautiful voices and may we always use them for His Glory!
I can’t imagine anybody being able to voice how I feel about this better than you just did, Mike. Thank-you!
As Tim Spivey asked at PU, shouldn’t we fellowship to the degree God does? That one is going to stick with me for a WHILE!
DU
When I moved to Abilene, I came from Arizona where the c of c I went to was about 80 people strong. If I came to visit my grandparents in Abilene one of my favorite’s I would look forward to besides the cookie cupboard was the singing in their “big” church on Sundays. I loved hearing the harmonies and all the different voices around me. Now that I have been in Abilene for about 15 years you would think that the excitement to hear (and be a part of) the singing would wear off, but many, probably most, the voices singing their worship to the Lord still bring tears streaming down my face. I love our heritage of accapella.
Amy - I think you’re right. The future will likely have some combination. It may be like at Farmer’s Branch or Oak Hills where there are both instrumental services and a cappella services. Or, it may be assemblies where, for example, the congregational singing is a cappella while “special music” (songs offered as a gift to draw people closer to the Risen Christ — not “performances”) are instrumental.
Mike,
You have been instrumental in helping me be gentle in my dealings with those that have rigid rules and good hearts. Thanks.
Joel
I still love Carl Ketcherside’s comment: “Wherever God has a child, I have a brother or a sister.”
You can read his writings here:
http://www.unity-in-diversity.org
And although he is long deceased, his words were out of their time.
Music is totally a personal/congregational issue that has to be decided by individual churches and her leaders.
We are actually contemplating doing something unusual by trying to promote our “vocalness” using our sign out front and inviting people to come and hear the difference.
I will probably do a lesson or two on music explaining to the audience what our heritage is and why we choose to worship God “vocally only”-that a cappella thing is not very well understood and almost nobody can spell it. We do have a song occasionally accompanied by foot tapping or clapping.
(Naturally I will have to explain that in my heart I am a southern born rocker who used to put “holy” lyrics to rock songs and belt them out–there will be no demonstration however)
I do love to worship with Michael W. Smith, David Crowder and others when I can be in a place where they are leading worship like National Pastors Convention. I love speaking at other churches in our area that have music, but I also derive a deep sense of worship from our “vocally only” style.
May God give us peace and unity in this arena.
Peace.
Here we go again, Mike. Great post. It will be interesting to see what discussion comes of this throughout the day. Here is my take:
1) Any scripture used against instrumental worship is weak at best. Ex. “Make music in your heart.” Sorry, I can’t buy it.
2) Nonetheless, a cappella music is part of the Church of Christ heritage and I respect that. I don’t expect anyone to march into a Church of Christ and say “hey, play the guitar you backwards freaks” in the same way that I wouldn’t want anyone to march into a Baptist church and yell “drums are from the devil!”
3) I do believe that having both in one church is a little tricky. A traditional and contemporary service seems a bit divisive but it’s hard to keep two seperate groups happy without doing something. It will be a big issue in the next 50 years of our tradition. Should be interesting.
Instruments or not, praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen?
I first began to doubt that a cappella was the only form of singing/music that God wanted a few years ago when I heard Neale Pryor’s yearly sermon on “Why we don’t use instruments.” As much as I respected Dr. Pryor, his sermon did not make sense. And I thought that if Dr. Pryor could not hold me to that view, then no one could.
Chris - I agree about the different “styles” of worship. We have resisted that. It can create different congregations who learn to expect things the way they prefer. (Not to say it always does that.) The two-fold test might be this: (1) is it creating greater unity, and (2) is it preparing us for the worship that is lived out throughout the week — of lives poured out in the mission of Christ?
I bought several C-D’s of the Prestoncrest CofC singing, led by Ray Walker. Absolutely beautiful! Some of the newer groups do not come up to this standard in my opinion.
It’s interesting, but I don’t hear many in the “younger generations” even discussing “worship wars” all that much. Kind of like how it seems discussions about denominational affiliation are going the way of the buffalo among my peers (and especially younger folks).
“Oh, you’re a Christian? Awesome. Me too.”
In fact — and not to downplay this issue of music one bit — my peers really think this whole conversation is pretty idiotic. They think it was such a small thing to split over in the first place and an even smaller thing to hash out over and over and over again. Again, this needs to happen, but don’t have it on account of the 20-somethings and younger.
Here are the big “issues” (that I see) to most of the young Christians I know:
- injustice around the world, including close to home
- God’s mission in this world
- unity among ALL believers
- authentic expressions of Christian community
I grew up in an a cappella church. When I was in high school and the chorus auditioned for All-State Chorus, my choir director would put all the C of C students (at that time in my life it was capital C ?) in front because “C of C’ers know how to read music.” I grew up always wanting to be an alto, because I love the harmony. But, I’m also a pianist – so far, a big part of my life’s vocation. My friends used to say, “You’re a pianist, and you go to an a cappella church?” They found it amazing that I wasn’t able to “use my gift” in service to a God I evidently loved! (Though, this was never really a big problem for me . . . another story . . .)
Since my husband now works at a Methodist Seminary, I have had the chance to sing with the choir that sings at the weekly chapel. I have learned what an “anthem” is and what “processing” is . . . ? It was very uncomfortable at first. But, now here’s my take. The chapel services are a good combination of congregational singing, sometimes a cappella and sometimes with organ and sometimes with piano. When I am singing an anthem in front of the congregation (which is sometimes accompanied and sometimes a cappella), I view it as either “leading” a prayer or “preaching” a thought or “reading scripture.” When you think about it, there are many times in a congregation when we “listen” to ideas and thoughts and readings – what’s the difference in listening to someone talking and someone singing? Also, I have found it a wonderful time for meditation when the organ is playing a prelude and a postlude (though sometimes, as a musician it is hard for me to separate myself from thinking about the music for music’s sake . . .).
This is NOT to say I think our tradition should change. In fact, I’m one who feels strongly that we should somehow try to maintain our tradition of being able to read music!! We’re losing that by having just the words in front. We are still able, as a whole, to sing harmonies by ear – but I’m afraid that this could cease to be an easy thing to do if we lose the “reading music” side of things (and if we lose the “old songs” as have been talked about the past few days). Another plus for a cappella singing is that with instruments, singing the harmonies isn’t always easy (and, as I said, I love harmonies – when there’s a wonderful alto/tenor part or a counter melody or a suspension or something like that, it really touches my spirit) – singing harmonies can be hard with instruments mainly because the instruments can choose different harmonies than would normally be sung. (Though, on the plus side, I have to say, I sometimes wish we had a piano or organ when I find a perfect song for the worship that no one knows – the congregation can sing a “new song” easier with instrumental accompaniment.)
Sorry this is long. This is a subject near and dear to my heart as a musician – and a worshipper. I was raised to think that those who use an instrument in worship couldn’t possibly be worshipping, they were somehow lazy, and that it wasn’t pleasing to God because everyone wasn’t “participating.” Now I know that I can “participate” with my spirit whether someone is playing or singing, as well as when I’m actually singing. But!! I love a cappella singing and I hope our tradition never loses it completely!!
Ashamed of our view on instrument music? No. Ashamed of how we used that view to deny most of our neighbors were even Christians? Yes.
Here’s another suggestion:
Before we have a serious discussion about the use of instruments in worship, it might be a good idea to step back and ask ourselves whether our identities as believers and as a church are too heavily invested in the worship experience. If our identity becomes shaped by Jesus’ mission, rather than in our style of worship or preferences for worship, it will be much easier for everyone to keep a healthy perspective during the course of the discussion.
Just my two cents.
Steve - Um, I believe that’s called “sobering perspective.” Thanks. If those are indeed the passionate concerns of your generation — I know it’s yours, but I’m not fully convinced it is yet the majority opinion, though I hope so — may they lead sooner rather than later!
Jack - Nicely said. I don’t care for the arguments made about instrumental music (neither I nor most of my peers ever bought them), but I like the case made for a cappella music as a gift to the broader community of faith.
vtc - Well said, dear friend. Now about that Methodist university . . . .
And Matt, you are now at the centerpiece of this discussion, I hope. Thanks. That perspective helps explain why you’re one of the best Sunday school teachers I’ve ever sat under!
I work with a conservative church of Christ where instruments are still a long way off, but I really appreciate some of your comments here. When I talk about the issue with the kids in my youth group I try to emphasize arguments in favor of a capella singing from church history and try to get them to develop a good philosophy of worship. I feel like understanding why we worship and why we sing is the important part of this discussion that gets left out a lot of times. While I don’t condemn or disassociate with people over the issue of instrumental music, I do think that a capella worship reinforces and implicitly teaches concepts like: It doesn’t matter to God whether your music is beautiful, He cares about the message you’re speaking to Him, and worship is something that everyone should participate in; God is the audience not us.
If we’re going to continue the tradition of a capella singing, then we need to preserve it for the right reasons, and we don’t need to go around tearing down others because of it. I think that this is possible, but it requires a lot of really mature Christians, a commodity that is usually in short supply, and takes a long time to grow. Still, we need to be patient, kind, and respectful to our brethern who oppose instruments at the same time that we are looking to expand our lines of fellowship.
Wow — a lot of people wrote while I was writing my “treatise.
one quick comment to “Steve” (not picking on you personally, because I’ve heard this statement SO many times — just something I feel strongly about and you happened to be the one to say it today)
Steve said “I love speaking at other churches in our area that have music, but I also derive a deep sense of worship from our ‘vocally only style.’”
a cappella churches have “music” — it may be different “styles” among churches, but “music” is “music,” whether it be singing, instrumental, the birds, the wind, laughter . . . it’s all “music” and it’s from God and it is something all creation uses to praise the creator!
I’m just weary. Weary of defending something that “God doesn’t much care” about, as you said. I’ve felt that way for years. Weary of looking at all of the time and energy that have been taken up arguing this issue when we could have been feeding the poor, spreading “good” news. I work in a congregation with a cappella roots. I have no agenda to change that, but I do want to facilitate change that will bring growth to God’s kingdom.
I’m with Matt:”If our identity becomes shaped by Jesus’ mission, rather than in our style of worship or preferences for worship, it will be much easier for everyone to keep a healthy perspective during the course of the discussion.”
Jesus’ mission is what we need to be about. Somehow I don’t think He would have been caught up in all of the discussion either…
Hey Mike. I believe your opinion reflects what a large portion of people think now in our fellowship. I have always wanted very badly to hold that same opinion, but after I really spent some time studying this issue, I just can’t quite get past some of the “lame” arguments. If our only reason was that Scripture doesn’t mention instruments in early church assemblies, I believe it would be a lame argument. (Unfortunately, that seems to be the argument most frequently presented, but there are better ones) I have really loved our movement’s idea of trying to study the Scriptures and to focus on early church practices as a model. I don’t believe the early church fathers are authoritative, but I highly respect their opinion on things. Since several of these guys were so vocally against instruments (for some very thought-provoking reasons), that combined with our “shoddy” hermeneutics still, to me, presents a case worth stopping to think about. I do not think of instruments as an instant ticket to Hell, or anything like that–people who worship instrumentally are as sincere as they can be, but when 1000 years of church history, the testimonies of a lot of early Christian writers, and the Scriptural practices mentioned of early church assemblies all are in agreement for a cappella singing (and some of them specifically against instruments), I just can’t set those things aside and call them silly reasons to remain a cappella. For me, it isn’t just about our “heritage” of 200 years…I didn’t get baptized into a movement, but into Christ’s family…I see myself in uniting with the Christians of 2000 years ago in how I worship, and that means a lot to me. In the end, people who have changed their position on this issue have not, in my experience, really set forth a better hermeneutical approach, but have simply said the old reasons are not good reasons, or that there are bigger issues, without really answering the old arguments; shoddy though they may be.
Just to clarify: this is not an angry e-mail or my attempt to tell anyone “how it is”. I love all of you guys and I’m so glad that we share our fellowship together in Christ. It is vital that we have places like this to talk openly and honestly about our faith in Christian love (Reading Mike’s blog is a highlight of my day). I may well be the weaker brother, but I’m just not quite with some of you guys on the instrumental music issue; I’m not convinced that how we worship is unimportant as long as we’re sincere. Of course, I may be wrong.
I totally agree with you Mike. The bigger problem I have with the current use of a capella music is that as an art form it is dying. Most of the “new” music I see is arrangements of the “hot” Christian worship songs that Crowder or Tomlin have put out. It isn’t new. It isn’t original. But most of all, this music wasn’t intended to be a capella and many times it shows. It doesn’t measure up to the original. As a result, it isn’t very good when it is done a capella.
I believe that a capella is more than a style of worship, it is an art form. Art at its very core ought to be always be reinventing itself through its creativity. I do not think arranging someone else’s art is original nor very creative. What would be think if the Mona Lisa was done in crayon? It wouldn’t be very original or artistic. Whenever there is an original idea on television, there are always cheap knockoffs that follow that hope to gain the same following as the original and never do. For example “Lost” came out and NBC tried to counter with a pathetic version called “Surface.” Okay, I’ll admit I never saw “Surface” because you could jsut tell it was bad. I think the same can be said of many of these arrangements of popular worship songs.
I think if we are true and honest with our tradition of a capella worship we need to be encouraging our people to write new and interesting hymns for our canon of songs. Songs that really capitalize on four part harmony and leverage that. Songs that will push us closer to God. Songs that draw us closer together as family. Songs that really reflect our experience with the risen Christ as it is lived out in faith. Songs that show the transparency that is inherent in the Christian walk. Songs with interesting melodies and harmonies. If we are reinventing and adding positively to the art form of a capella music, then it ought to live on. If we aren’t, then let it die off and let us embrace a mix of the old a capella and some instrumental.
Mike,
About 8 years ago I heard you broach this subject at the National Conference for Youth Ministers. You said there, “The Pine wood mantle argument makes no sense. I believe that we must all worship together worship and if you have to use a piano to worship then I can’t worship because I don’t know how to play a piano.”
(I know that was about 8 years ago and I may have badly misquoted you, but that is how I remembered it. So if I butchered your point I apologize.)
That was music to my ears. I have often struggled with the Pine mantle argument as well. In my mind I have agreed with Alexander Campbell, The instrument in worship is not a sin but neither is it needful.
Thank you for continuing to open the doors of discussion.
Homecoming Chapel 2005—-Can we just all sing equally?
I couldn’t hear the beauty of each individual voice as one for the miked singers and worship leader. My friend and I both commented on how much better it sounds with “nobody” miked and all voiced together equal in unison. All we heard were those voices miked. Not that it wasn’t beautiful, but I feel it drowns out everyone else. I don’t believe God feels any one voice should be heard “more” hope this makes sense.
Just my opinion~~again, I like this blog because we don’t all have to agree, we can each voice our honest opinions~~even if they differ a little.
Again, I’m only 37 and I know some of you on here probably think I’m alot older! ha ha ha
JCH - I’d say that’s a VERY loose memory of what I said. Ha!
I don’t remember addressing that at the conference any of the years I was there. Must have been an aside. And was likely talking about the “gopher wood argument.” (A few readers will understand.)
Mark - Thanks for weighing in. Great spirit in your words.
Again, bless you, Mike! Your courage and integrity are astounding. I pray you know how much you are appreciated!!!
You have pretty well stated my POV re music worship. I must admit though that there are times I long for a keyboard and guitar to accompany and emphasize rhythm in some of the upbeat praise songs. I’d still prefer that the old hymns continue to be sung sans instruments.
However, some of the smaller congregations that I attended growing up could well have used the aid of instruments. Sometimes the singing was absolutely, well, ear-bashing. Sorry, but this musician’s ear gets a bit sensitive at times.
Mike can you do me a favor? Would you mind either affirming or correcting what I’ve heard as an accurate definition of a Psalm? Is it truly, as some contend, a worship poem accompanied by instruments? I yield to the expert in the languages, you. :o)
And I’m afraid I won’t be back online until late this afternoon. But keep the discussion going!
To me, if you listen to music outside of church walls, then you are listening to music in God’s Kingdom. If you play music outside church walls, then you are playing music in God’s Kingdom. We worship God at ALL times in ALL places, for God is IN us. Walls cannot contain Him!!
The bottom line reason I prefer acapella music is strictly because, unless you’re in an instrumental church with a huge collection of excellent musicians, I generally feel the instrument side really hinders the singing side. Who hasn’t been to a smaller to mid-size church where the pianist/organist was so loud and so, hummmm, mediocre, you couldn’t hear yourself think, much less sing, and the worship was just not meaningful. But, to attempt to concoct a scripture-based argument that God is steaming mad because you’re using a piano, drum or tamborine is just laughable.
AMEN to Walter’s comments!!
Lee — I totally understand where you’re coming from, especially in the example you gave of Homecoming. But sometimes it’s the only way to actually hear 4 parts. There are many, many congregations that have a bunch of people who sing lead, a scattering of altos and basses and maybe a tenor or two on visitor Sunday. Rarely do I hear a tenor in our small church. If there is a large group (such as at Highland or at Pepperdine lectures, etc), I can see your point, but having “miked” (not “over-miked”) people in a smaller church can help (though maybe not “up front” when there are as many people “up front” as are in the pews.
Along that same line, I might as well say this: Regarding the “performance” idea I have heard voiced many times on this site, I struggle with that, since I am a musician and have been a “performer.” However, I have come to peace with it by noting that I cannot judge someone else’s motives. Why should I assume that someone is “performing” in front of me just because I might have a hard time doing it without feeling like it is “performing.” As I get to know more and more people in “worship leading teams” I am becoming more and more aware of their sincerety and love for God — and I believe they really CAN do it with right motives and without thinking of themselves at all.
For me there is nothing more beautiful than the blending of accapella voices. I had a Methodist friend who visited church with us recently who said, “I had forgotten how beautifully you all sing. There is nothing like it.” I agree there is not. Do I mind instrumental? No. Do I think it’s wrong? No. But I just don’t think it in any way compares to the blending of the human instruments that are lifting up praises to the King. For me, there is a pureness and a basicness (not even sure if that is a word) that cries out from the depths of my soul.
And on the topic of “performance”….if I’m a performer, then always let God be my audience.
I grew up singing to music, so when I came to the churches of Christ, singing without instruments was very hard for me. I simply accepted the rational given for this choice and began to thrive in singing a cappella. I have come to love a cappella singing. I then had to unlearn when I began listening to Christian pop music, that it was okay to listen and sing with instruments!
What a web we weave as we try to logically determine and decipher each step, each choice, each reality of our daily lives. It’s only through a sheer inability to do so, that I faced the reality, that it not about how we do it, what we do, but rather why we do it!
If my children so chose to remain in this heritage and use instruments, I would be sad, but not angry or doubtful of their salvation! My teenager is a wonderful instrument player, what I wouldn’t give to have her be using this gift for the glory of God!
I have never been in a large church, nor seen any praise teams as such. I have heard this “performance” arguement before. I often wonder, how can one say one is “performing”? Can they see their heart? That’s like saying someone who is taking the Lord’s Supper shouldn’t and is just going through the motions. We must be cautious of how we look at others, it effects the way we look at ourselves as well.
I remind myself that Jesus cared more about the heart than anyone else. May the overflow of ours hearts revel Him in all ways to worship and honor Him!
We’re known for a lot of things in the church of Christ. “Oh, you’re the ones who think you’re the only ones going to heaven.” Or, “You take the Lord’s Supper every Sunday.” Or, “You’re the ones who don’t use instruments.” How about being known for what Jesus said, “They’ll know you’re my disciples by the way you love one another.” Ever heard that from someone? I would hope so.
1. It is unfortunate that the CoC that I know spends 90 percent of its time and energy planning/critiquing a 60-minute period of time on Sunday, and 10 percent caring about what happens the other 167 hours of the week.
2. I have worshipped mostly in the a capella tradition, but spent two years in a Christian church and am now outside the Restoration Movement alltogether. One thing I have often heard from my a capella friends is, “Those people who use instrumental music don’t sing … they are just there to be entertained by the band.” That’s a moronic thing to say. While it certainly could be said of some churches, it would not be true for the majority. It certainly has not been true in my experience. Instrumental worship, just like a capella singing, comes in many forms, carried out by skilled and not-so-skilled disciples.
3. This is more pertinent to yesterday’s discussion … two song titles from the last CoC hymnal I used were the following: “Getting Used to the Family of God,” and “Did you think to Pray?” Hysterical!
Mike:
You said . . .
“But it is a rich heritage that can be, if continued in love and humility, a gift to Christian community, reminding us that worship is a place of full participation where we all offer ourselves again to God, seeking to be reshaped by him to live for the sake of the world.”
Indeed. I saw this happen last October at the GOCN conference at Luther Seminary. Churches of Christ were one of four traditions sharing their stories at the conference (the other three were Mennonite, a Presbyterian Synod in the Northeast, and a Lutheran group).
Each group led the assembly in worship according to their traditional “style.” Those in attendance received the worship and participated in the worship in the spirit you described above. And those who led the worship had that attitude of love and humility and the willingness to offer their worship leadership as a gift to be shared.
Many years ago, about one hundred members of my wife’s family gathered at a mountain resort in southern Colorado for a family reunion. On Saturday evening, after the speeches and some unbelievably good food, one of the elder-statesmen of the family said, “We’re gonna’ have a singin’ now.”
Maybe four or five people left the hall. The rest gleefully joined in the singing. There were no song books, but someone requested 728b. We sang our hearts out! The windows were open and our spiritual tunes rolled through the meadows surrounding us.
Within a very few minutes, there were strangers standing at the door looking in. I rose from my seat and walked over to them. I invited them to join us. They declined. One of the older women touched me gently on the arm and beckoned me to lean in so that she might say something to me. I did.
She smiled and said, “You’re all members of the Church of Christ, aren’t you?”
I smiled and said that most of the people were. She returned the smile and said that she knew it. As she looked at the person standing next to her she added, “Nobody can sing like those Church of Christ people!”
What a legacy! Being known for our devotion to God has gotta’ be a good thing. Taking this a step further, though, and casting aspersions on others simply because they sing with instrumental accompaniment seems to be harsh, censorious, pharisaical judgment—Jesus didn’t look very favorably on such an attitude.
I tend to agree with the above comment by Matt:
***
…it might be a good idea to step back and ask ourselves whether our identities as believers and as a church are too heavily invested in the worship experience. If our identity becomes shaped by Jesus’ mission, rather than in our style of worship or preferences for worship, it will be much easier for everyone to keep a healthy perspective during the course of the discussion.
***
May God help us to become as well known for what we are for, as we are known for what we are against!
I don’t know if I’d call it “sloppy hermanuetics.” The Greek Orthodox church STILL doesn’t use instruments in their worship, and no one can say THEY don’t know the language!
What an interesting discussion! Seems that what we’re saying is, We’ve majored in a questionable biblical minor and we’ve minored in some absolute biblical majors. Now we want to reverse that.
But if that leaves us minoring in a debatable, dubious biblical minor, then we doubt or even deny that there’s anything “Bible” about our stance and practice in the first place.
This sends us to defenses rooted in history, tradition and aesthetics. But since when did we care much about them? Sometimes practice grows out of doctrine, theology. But more often, it’s the other way around, . . . I think. But this is no change in mere interpretation. It’s bigger than that.
As I remember, in his book “Sing His Praise,” Rubel Shelley starts by articulating a biblical argument against the use of instruments in Christian worship. It’s no surprise, though, that the strongest section of the book is in the chapter(s) dealing with history. Too, he begins by placing the discussion in the category of minor-but-not-irrelevant debate.
I completely agree with you on our “Inorganic Music”. I too love the a cappella tradition of our heritage. I love hearing the voices worshipping and surrendering to God. But I’m not going to tell someone who wants to use instruments their wrong. I agree, I don’t think it matters much to God. What matters is that our worship is genuine and completely focused on Him. When worship becomes more of a show than a time to praise and honor God, that’s when the concerns begin. And that can happen whether you are instrumental or a cappella. Our worship is meant to be bring praise, glory and honor to God. If it becomes about man, and not God, that’s when I have to take a stand. Great Post!
All I know is, that sandwiched between our “vapor” of life, are the ones before us who were many times considered “after God’s own heart” & who used instruments in their psalms, possibly a cappella or not in their hymns & spiritual songs, and then the ones in Revelation(Christians) who will hear harps, trumpets, cymbals, etc. Why, in this world, in this time, have we made it such a big deal for either/or? I can’t wait to hear our voices lifted up in constant praise to Our LORD with the beautiful instruments He talks about in His Word, & at times with just our voices that He created for communicating His Love. I also think it’s going to be magnificent to just LISTEN to the “Heavenly Hosts” when they descend with Christ when He comes! Won’t people be shocked that a closing prayer doesn’t have to be uttered before the visiting “chorus”(not “choir”–that would be any group other than US) begins to sing?!
Mike,
I share your same view.
I do wonder if switching sides is worth the cost of division that will occur in some local churches. Which is more important to God: Congregational unity or a certain style of congregational worship? I raise this question not because I believe you would advocate division but because growing up in the CoC I was part of a church that split several times because certain people had to have things their way and I am afraid that this whole acapella vs. instrumental worship could easily become just one more example.
On a personal level, I would prefer to add instruments some of the time but I would hate to think that by adding instruments half of the congregation who could not conscienciously worship with instruments left.
Mike; Once again, a great post. I personally love acapella music and view it as a great part of our tradition and heritage, a part that I do not want to give up. I do believe, however, that it is just a part of our tradition and heritage, not doctrine.
I like what walter had to say. Our music could use a bit of revamping. I love the a capella sound and it still can bring a tear to my eye when certain songs are sung. However, my neighbor who is visiting with me is standing scraching his head wondering why this old 4 part harmony being sung out of tune is so touching to me. I think if we truly have those in our community in mind when we design our worship, we’d make a few changes to give our members a better chance to connect to the non-members. It’s not all about the saved, it is about the non-saved and the job we have to get them on our side. If that takes me playing the bagpipes, so be it.
We use both in our assembly time….mainly because we are a merged cofc and Christian church. It is special to hear some songs accapella and some instrumental and sometimes both in the same song! That really rocks.
Four of us sang at a deacon ordination at a Baptist church in a small rural town and sang accapella. They thought it was great! I think when we use our voices for God’s glory, the method is unimportant.
I had a hard time at first, but since our merger and using instruments, I have realized how attitude plays a big role. I wondered how much was “performance”. Now, I realize I was performing many times with my voice. I have a strong soprano voice and when we sang certain songs, I “performed”. So, performance is an attitude that can come from accapella or instrumental use.
I agree that we spend way too much time worrying about what we do in an hour on Sunday than what our lives bring to our Lord. Since we worship God in everything we do, that hour is only a small portion of our Christianhood!
Thanks for the great post!
Here’s a REALLY good outline on instrumental music in NT worship that also includes non-Biblical evidence of non-instrumental worship in the early church:
MUSIC IN NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP
INTRODUCTION
1. The example of Nadab and Abihu serves as a very important example for us today in regards to rendering worship to God - Leviticus 10:1-3
a. When they offered in worship something the Lord had not commanded, it was taken by the Lord as a sign of disrespect for His Holiness
b. Such examples were written for our learning - 1 Corinthians 10:11
2. As children of God …
a. We are to be holy before the Holy One who called us - 1 Peter 1:14-16
b. Therefore it is equally important that we treat God as holy!
c. This we can do in our worship by doing exactly as He instructs in His Word!
3. To be sure that we do this in regards to our MUSIC in worship, I would like for us to consider what the New Testament has to say about:
a. The nature of worship in general
b. And especially about the music in New Testament worship
I. TYPES OF WORSHIP IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
A. “TRUE” WORSHIP…
1. Referred to by Jesus in John 4:23-24
2. This is the type of worship expected by God today (”an hour is coming, and NOW IS”)
B. “VAIN” WORSHIP…
1. Referred to by Jesus in Matthew 15:7-9
2. This worship is the result of:
a. Following traditions of men and ignoring the commands of God on a particular subject
b. Also, when worship is not done “from the heart”
C. “IGNORANT” WORSHIP…
1. Referred to by Paul in Acts 17:22-23
2. This is worship offered in the absence of a knowledge of God’s will concerning who He is and how He is to be worshipped
D. “WILL” (SELF-IMPOSED) WORSHIP…
1. Referred to by Paul in Colossians 2:20-23 (KJV)
2. This worship, closely aligned with VAIN worship:
a. Is the result of doing what WE like and WE think is good
b. But not taught by God in His Word (cf. Nadab & Abihu)
It should be evident, then, that not just ANY worship is acceptable to God! There are different kinds that can be offered, but only ONE is acceptable. Since God will only accept “TRUE” WORSHIP, we had better understand what is involved …
II. THE MEANING OF “TRUE” WORSHIP
A. IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH - John 4:23-24
1. What does it mean to worship God “in spirit?”
1 Corinthians 2:11; Psalm 51:10, 17; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Matthew 10:28
2. What does it mean to worship God “in truth?”
John 1:14, 17; John 17:17; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 3 John 4
B. GOD IS SEEKING “TRUE WORSHIPPERS!”
C. THIS IS TRUE IN OUR MUSIC AS WELL AS IN THE REST OF OUR WORSHIP
III. THE MUSIC IN “TRUE” WORSHIP
A. THE ONLY MUSIC COMMANDED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WAS
“VOCAL”…
1. The example of Jesus and His disciples - Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26 (they “sung a hymn”)
2. The example of Paul and Silas - Acts 16:25 (”singing hymns”)
3. Other references
a. Romans 15:9 - “sing to Your name”
b. 1 Corinthians 14:15 - “I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding”
c. Ephesians 5:19 - “singing and making melody in your heart”
d. Colossians 3:16 - “singing with grace in your hearts to the
Lord”
e. Hebrews 2:12 - “I will sing praise to You”
f. James 5:13 - “Let him sing psalms”
B. THE MUSIC IN THE NEW TESTAMENT EMPHASIZED THE “SPIRITUAL”…
1. Ephesians 5:19 - “singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”
a. “making melody” (PSALLONTES) - In the Old Testament this
had reference to the playing of musical instruments
b. But notice that now (in the New Testament) the “making melody” is to be done “in the heart”, not with mechanical
instruments!
c. Since this music is to be offered “to the Lord”, we had better
regard Him as holy and offer exactly what He specified
(remember Nadab & Abihu)!
2. Colossians 3:16 - “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”
a. This passage is parallel to Ephesians 5:19
b. Notice again that the emphasis is SPIRITUAL: “in your hearts to the Lord”
C. REVIEW THE CONTRAST BETWEEN OLD TESTAMENT MUSIC AND
NEW TESTAMENT MUSIC…
1. Old Testament music
a. Performed by a professional choir
b. Accompanied with various mechanical instruments
2. New Testament music
a. Sung by all in the congregation (”speaking to one another in
psalms…”)
b. The melody to be made in the HEART, not on the HARP
c. The emphasis is not on how we sound, but that we are making true melody in our hearts to the Lord!
IV. REFERENCES ON MUSIC IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
A. THE VOICE OF HISTORY…
1. “All our sources deal amply with vocal music of the church, but they are chary with mention of any other manifestations of musical art… The development of Western music was decisively influenced by the exclusion of musical instruments from the early Christian Church.” – Paul Henry Lang, MUSIC IN WESTERN CIVILIZATION, pp. 53,54
2. “Only singing, however, and no playing of instruments, was permitted in the early Christian Church.” – Hugo Leichtentritt, MUSIC, HISTORY AND IDEAS, p. 34
3. “There can be no doubt that originally the music of the divine service was everywhere entirely of a vocal nature.” – Emil Nauman, THE HISTORY OF MUSIC, Vol. 1, p. 177
4. “We have no real knowledge of the exact character of the music which formed a part of the religious devotion of the first Christian
congregations. It was, however, purely vocal.” – Dr. Frederick Louis Ritter, HISTORY OF MUSIC FROM THE CHRISTIAN ERA TO THE PRESENT TIME, p. 28
5. “Both the Jews in their temple service, and the Greeks in their idol worship, were accustomed to sing with the accompaniment of
instrumental music. The converts to Christianity accordingly must have been familiar with this mode of singing…But it is generally admitted, that the primitive Christians employed no instrumental music in their worship.” – Lyman Coleman (Presbyterian), THE APOSTOLIC AND PRIMITIVE CHURCH, pp. 368-369
It may seem odd that music was entirely vocal in the early church, when instrumental music was quite common in the worship of the Jews and Gentiles. But not when you recall that the worship in the New Testament was to be spiritual in it’s emphasis.
B. THE VOICE OF VARIOUS RELIGIOUS SOURCES…
1. CATHOLIC - “… the first Christians were of too spiritual a fibre to substitute lifeless instruments for or to use them to accompany the human voice.” – CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA
2. GREEK ORTHODOX - “The execution of Byzantine church music by instruments, or even the accompaniment of sacred chanting by instruments was ruled out by the Eastern Fathers as being incompatible with the pure, solemn, spiritual character of the religion of Christ.” – Constantine Cavarnos, BYZANTINE SACRED MUSIC
3. PRESBYTERIAN - “Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things, from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more pleasing to Him.” – JOHN CALVIN, Commentary on the Book of Psalms, Vol. I, p. 539
4. METHODIST - “I have no objection to instruments of music, in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen.” – JOHN WESLEY (founder)
5. METHODIST - “Music as a science, I esteem and admire: but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor. This is the abuse of music; and here I register my protest against all such corruptions in the worship of the Author of Christianity.” – ADAM CLARKE (commentator)
6. LUTHERAN – “Martin Luther called the organ an ‘ensign of Baal’.” – MCCLINTOCK & STRONG’S ENCYCLOPEDIA
7. BAPTIST – “I would as soon attempt to pray to God with machinery as to sing to Him with machinery.” – CHARLES H. SPURGEON
Why did these men object so strongly to instrumental music in the worship of the church? Because they properly realized:
1. That such was a carry-over from the Jewish worship
2. That as such it was out of harmony with the SPIRITUAL nature of NT worship
3. That it rightfully belonged to the Old Law with its “shadows” and not the TRUE worship of the New Testament
V. JUSTIFICATION OFFERED FOR THE USE OF INSTRUMENTS
A. “IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TRADITION IN OUR CHURCH”
1. Not really, as history reveals the use of instruments to be an innovation introduced hundreds of years after the New Testament Church began
2. In most cases, it has been used only during the last two centuries
3. Even so, as “traditions of men” it qualifies as VAIN worship -
Matthew 15:9
B. “I DON’T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT”
1. Then your worship is IGNORANT worship - Acts 17:22-23
2. For you are not aware of the kind of worship God commands of you
C. “I LIKE IT IN MY WORSHIP TO GOD”
1. Then it becomes WILL worship - Colossians 2:20-23
2. And you begin worshipping like Nadab & Abihu
a. Offering that which YOU like
b. But offering that which is profane, for God did not command it
D. “IT IS FOUND IN THE OLD TESTAMENT”
1. So are a lot of other acts of worship which were “imposed until a time of reformation” - Hebrews 9:9-10
2. That time has come and God expects His people to worship differently - John 4:23-24
3. The fact that God may have commanded it in the past does not mean that He approves its use now (especially when He has revealed what He DOES want)
4. Consider the sin of Moses
a. God first told him to STRIKE the rock for water - Exodus 17:5-6
b. Later, God at another time told him to SPEAK to the rock - Numbers 20:7-8
c. But Moses struck the rock as before, and in so doing sinned and lost his right to enter the promised land - Numbers 20:9-12
5. His sin? He did not treat God holy by doing ONLY what God had commanded at the PRESENT time!
a. God may have commanded INSTRUMENTAL music in the past (Old Testament)
b. But He now commands VOCAL music (New Testament)
CONCLUSION
1. Let’s not make the same mistakes as did Nadab and Abihu, Moses and Aaron, forfeiting our inheritance in the Promised Land offered to Christians (Heaven)
2. As we approach God in worship, let us treat Him as Holy by worshipping as He has commanded: “in spirit and in truth”
3. In regards to our music …
a. Let it be singing with melody in our hearts to the Lord
b. And not with melody made with mechanical instruments
In doing so, we KNOW we are on safe ground, and that our worship is well pleasing to Him!
I hope this helps everyone!!!!!!
Matt Richie - All I can say is…YES! Whenever Christianity becomes more about event (ie Sunday morning worship) rather than incarnation in the world, we end up with (in my opinion, pointless) discussions about singing, instruments, sound systems, voices mixing, yada yada yada.
You are so right, brother.
Thanks Joseph! That was great and I agree!
Lee
I have a question. After Paul instructed women to be silent, did that mean singing? Thanks in advance for whoever can answer this with authority.
I grew up in the conservative “we’re the only ones who have it right” church (those were the only kind around when I was a kid), and thankfully have been able to move on to more grace-centered congregations since then. When we left the midwest last year to come to the left coast (northern California), we found ourselves seemingly back in time. We’re driving 45 minutes away to escape the old mindset. But in our search for community, we did visit several Christian churches in the immediate area. I have no problem with instrumental music and listen to contemporary Christian music on a daily basis. But the worship services we attended made it difficult for me to participate… I have mentioned to others many times that I felt like I should have been holding a lit Bic lighter aloft. The extreme musical-driven worship (drums, electric guitars, etc.) made it difficult to join in the singing; and I did notice fewer people singing than one would normally see in a typical CoC worship.
Is it wrong? I seriously doubt it. But for me, if there have to be instruments, I’d prefer to keep it simple: a piano or keyboard and/or an acoustic guitar.
I agree Karen
Lee
As an a cappella junkie, including secular a cappella (is that a paradox, like jumbo shrimp?) I just simply like a cappella music. But I also like lots of instrumental music. The thing I like about a cappella music is the ability to make harmonies and (gasp) any sounds using the human voice. You can’t make too many vocal sounds with instruments, but you can make plenty of sounds with the voice.
The thing about the early church argument for a cappella music is that at that time, where were the harmonies we know? Not in music. They didn’t exist. The a cappella argument just doesn’t hold water if you want to look at music historically.
My family and I recently started attending an independant Christian Church. I love the guitar and piano they sometimes use. The organ I could live with out. However, I even enjoy it during the communion as background music.
Recently they used accapella for two songs during a service. I love accapella music. I miss that part of my identity. But I don’t hang my salvation on that issue. I hang my salvation on the empty grave of a risen Savior.
Joseph, so to be on safe grounds, shouldn’t all our women come with their head covered and and not speak a word (including singing) while in the assembly? We also better start discussing what “long hair” is for men so not to step on that one either.
There is an interesting book written by Richard Wolfe title “Songs, Cymbals and Tambourines - The Music of Scripture” - 21st Century Christian.
It is a comprehensive look at music in Scriptures. Not for or against music in worship, but does make one look at our sometimes “long held” arguments for or against music in worship.
Worth reading.
Mike, I love the spirit in which you have presented this. In my own pent up frustration I sometimes lack this manner. I long to worship in a fully instrumental setting because of how the music ministers to my heart. But, before I worship worship I have to worship God in the current accapella setting and if I can’t do that, the issue is with me and not the style of worship.
Part of my hurt over this issue is from my Dad. He was an accomplished musician - I do not remember an instrument he could not play. The cofc was not a good areana for him. He was both artistically gifted, musically gifted and dramatically gifted. In his time, there was no room for that. But I know he is rocking out heaven!
I was so encouraged hearing Brian McLaren at Zoe a couple of years ago. He encouraged us as Accapella worshippers to bring our music style to the table as a gift and let it join the banquet of gifts from our fellowships and we could together benefit from the bounty. I love that! Sometimes I need to see with the eyes of others and not “dog” on our stuff so much.
I think Joseph may have violated some copyright there (I’m teasing!).
Say, in Matthew 24:31 where it infers that the Lord is a trumpet player.. “And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” … do you think he’s playing without accompaniment? Would that still qualify as a cappella? Also, as a trumpet player, I wonder what make and model he’ll use, and what size mouthpiece. Trumpet geeks always wanna know about mouthpieces.
Good post, Mike. Grew up and baptized in the Church of Christ, now worship at a wonderful Methodist church that has supported missions of one our local Churches of Christ (both monetarily and accompanying him to Russia). I wouldn’t ever want the Church of Christ to change is a cappella tradition, but I wouldn’t die on the hill defending it since that’s basically all it is, tradition. Tevye would be disappointed in me, eh?
Annie,
Word for silent in 1 Corinthians 14:34 means say nothing (it’s an imperative too) which would include singing.
I would say about arguments from what happened in history soon after the biblical period would apply to about everything we do: church buildings, paid local preachers, four part harmony, Sunday only Lord’s Supper, song books, cars, planes, trains, automobiles, computers etc.
We have to be very careful in our use of scripture as well. Using a text like Acts 17 to teach what we can and can’t do in worship would be like using an auto mechanics manual to do heart surgery.
Peace.
The first sermon I ever sat through without falling asleep was when I was 7 years old. It was 1942. The preacher was Marshall Keeble, the renowned black American, who baptized thousands in the South back when many said, “Impossible.” Almost I can remember every point Bro Keeble stated and I am now 70. What a man of God he was.
Within a few years of my becoming aware of what was going on within my home congregation (now about 10 years old) I witnessed a string of splits. I saw and heard fights, splits over many issues. The ones I remember definitely were makeup on women, women cutting their hair, women wearing or not wearing hats in the worship, kitchens in the church building … well I shouldn’t be going into all of that except to preface the following:
I came through my childhood learning to be what I term, “dead-right.” I learned to be right on all those issues. I was in my 30s before I realized I was dead in the Spirit. I had spent the first half of my life being right.
Anyway there is a long story as to how I became free in Spirit before God. But one of the first things I did was to write a poem that expressed my frustrations at the time. Some of it is dated but remember that it was written back in 1968:
Friends - A quick chance to catch up. Thanks so much for the differing opinions and the kind spirits. One of our challenges is to believe in the good, seeking of hearts of most people to the right of us and to the left of us!
Two things, Winston:
(1) Someone needs to give you a big hug, brother! Thanks for sharing your story with us. Your experience is almost identical to that of a close family member of mine who is now deceased. We did not tell him often enough how much we loved and appreciated him…and then he was gone.
(2) Your poem didn’t post. Please try again. I’d love to read it.
God bless you!
The independent Christian church brothers who play contemporary music would say that using acoustical guitars instead of electric is “organic.” Many of the progressive independent Christian churches I have gone to like that David Matthews kind of sound.
Joseph,
“3. In regards to our music …
a. Let it be singing with melody in our hearts to the Lord
b. And not with melody made with mechanical instruments
In doing so, we KNOW we are on safe ground, and that our worship is well pleasing to Him!”
So the worship act of loving my neighbor as myself Monday through Saturday is negated by singing with a guitar on Sunday? What kind of legalistic b.s. is that?
Sorry for mean spirited comment, but I thought I would be real today. This very argument makes us look silly and irrelevant to an opressed world.
I like accapella music because I like accapella music. But I could sing out of key all day long without the piano and it wouldn’t matter one damn bit if I stood by while my neighbor suffered.
(My daughter, Deana Nall, who watches out for her old man called me from Baytown and stated that some of my post did in fact not post. So excuse some duplication but here is another try:
The first sermon I ever sat through without falling asleep was when I was 7 years old. It was 1942. The preacher was Marshall Keeble, the renowned black American, who baptized thousands in the South back when many said, “Impossible.” Almost I can remember every point Bro Keeble stated and I now am 70. What a man of God he was.
Within a few years of my becoming aware of what was going on within my home congregation (I was by now 10 years old) I witnessed a string of splits. I saw and heard fights, splits over many issues. The ones I remember definitely were makeup on women, women cutting their hair, women wearing or not wearing hats in the worship, kitchens in the church building … well I shouldn’t be going into all of that except to preface the following:
I came through my childhood learning to be what I term, “dead-right.” I learned to be right on all those issues. I was in my 30s before I realized I was dead in the Spirit. I had spent the first half of my life being right.
Anyway there is a long story as to how I became free in Spirit before God. But one of the first things I did was to write a poem that expressed my frustrations at the time. Some of it is dated but remember that it was written back in 1968:
THE TRUTH SEEKER’S DILEMMA
or
Caught Up In The Lurch Of The Church
(Whichever Comes First)
Cup or cups, have classes or no;
Support the homes or never so
The Spirit within or keep Him out;
Say, “Amen,” or never shout;
One Thousand years or immediately;
I’ll fellowship you; don’t fellowship me?
John or be added; sing and/or play;
Communion each week or do so each day?
Read “Advocate,” “Mission,” and “Foundation True,”
Or even the conservative, “Restoration Review.”
What causes this rupture, this loss of my poise,
This crisis-crossed confusion of negative noise?
I ventured one day per necessity’s voice
To find the True Church of Christ … of my choice.
What strikes me is that the sentiments of my poem written in 1968 are very similar to many of the frustrations expressed in today’s comments.
May God us all as we seek His higher calling …
brother joseph,
the story of nadab and abihu has nothing to do with musical instruments. rather, the LORD is showing us that there is a specific way to approach the LORD and when we deviate from that path, we will be consumed by Him. it is a foreshadowing of Jesus, teaching us that we must come to the Father through Him and not our designated way. “i am the way, the truth, and the life. no man may come to the Father except by me.”
may the LORD bless us as we weship daily.
My daughter attended a conservative Christian camp many years ago.
After having the poop scared out of her about not being baptized, and dying in a car wreck on the way home, she would burn in hell if she did not take the plunge….she recounted to me finally how the same Bible teacher told her that Instrumental music was wrong. My daughter who was 9 or 10 piped up, “Then why does the Bible say if we don’t praise God, that the rocks will?” To which the teacher replied, that is the Old Testament and it is no longer valid since we have the New Testament.
We laugh about it now, but seriously, music is not a salvation issue.
Great post Mike!
So, is cussing now ok on this blog?
Whats up Leland? I teach my kids if they are frustrated, vent in other ways ~~~
Wow
Lee
Thanks for the post. It was a real shock to me as a Master’s degree college student to open the Bible and read all those passages I had faithfully memorized in Sunday school (to defend music without instruments) and realize they were taken out of the context of the text in which they were written. That was an eye opener!
This did bring up a question for me, though. If there is evidence that early Christians did not use instruments, as has been stated in the comments, why not? After all, they were coming from a history rich in music and in instruments (I’m remembering David). Why would they suddenly up and quit? The only answer I can come up with is persecution…just like the believers in Eastern Europe reported to me. When the Czechs and Poles and Russians stopped secretly meeting in homes and started meeting in church buildings again after the Wall fell, nobody said it was not Biblical… So I’m honestly wondering…is there really evidence that the early Christians did not use instruments, and if so, do we know of reasons other than persecution that they might have done so? Mike (or someone with more historical training in this area than I have), would you please comment?
Recently, I had one of my comments not posted ( not sure why) but I know I didn’t cuss. I’m trying to hear your heart Leland, but it’s tough when you throw those words up in my face.
Before deciding on a church here in Austin, I spent a few weeks attending worship at Austin Stone church after finding out they had Chris Tomlin as their worship minister. After a few weeks there and at 45 being one of the few (maybe 3) people over the age for 40 I decided to attend Westover Hills. Don’t get me wrong the worship was awesome but what we have at Westover is hard to beat and we still sign a capella. Amazingly and I don’t speak for God, the way I would describe both services is Spirit led. I had worked at churches when it was hard to Spirit led when handed a filling the blank worship order (these 3 songs, this scripture reading). I have never thought the issue was worship style but like communion is it about us and us getting it right or is it about being led by the Spirit and our offering given up to God in worship.
I find it interesting in Joseph’s post (assumed that is a copy and paste from some circular) that it is fine to give the example of God’s wrath in the OT with Nahab and Abidu, but we can’t look at the example of musical instruments in worship in the OT - because Jesus took those examples away with the cross. Did Jesus not also take away God’s impending wrath for those that call on the name of Jesus? Apparenty not if you don’t worship in the “correct way”.
Secondly and lastly, I find it interesting from this comment of his post
>>>>>>
B. “VAIN” WORSHIP…
1. Referred to by Jesus in Matthew 15:7-9
2. This worship is the result of:
a. Following traditions of men and ignoring the commands of God on a particular subject
Sorry seems I got my d and h crossed up and that half of my post went away. It does seem the rigid right will condemn Wesley and Luther as purveyor’s of tradition, but then quote them as authorities for not having musical instruments. Ok -I’m done for today.
its always interesting to me to build an arguement on what other people said (ie. John Wesley) when nothing else they said would be considered correctly applying of scripture.
Its interesting. that’s all I’m saying.
I know a man who worships with a CofC in Kingsville, TX who had a dream ( a literal while he was asleep dream!) that Christians should be able to “get along” with each other and fellowship one another in spite of the name on the door. He pursued his dream, and now I think it is on the 5th Sunday of any month having 5 Sundays that this group meets to sing together at one of the churches involved in this effort. The group consists of members of various churches/denominations in Kingsville. It is one of the best examples I know about of how we can reach out and truly love one another as Jesus loves us. No judgements are made toward any group. They each respect the traditions of the other and enjoy being together in fellowship to sing and praise the Lord they all love and serve. I wish I knew more about the particulars of this, but I just wanted to share that wonderful things are happening in many places. Oh yes, the precious man who had this dream is well over 80 years old!
Greg - Sorry that comment didn’t publish. I checked earlier today and there are no comments waiting for moderation. I’m still trying to figure out what gets a comment “sent to the principal’s office.” It seems that the word “sex” is a red flag — even in a healthy discussion. But apparently a couple words used today don’t. So, I don’t know. Lee, are you asking me to delete a comment with that language? Or are you just asking people not to use that language? I presume the latter.
Last year I was invited to speak at the Pepperdine Bible Lectures on “The Case for A Cappella Singing in Churches of Christ.” I am from the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ fellowship that use instrumental music in worship. If you want to see how I view a cappella music (you may be surprised) go to my website at http://www.poeministries.org and click on “Lectures” then scroll down to the one I mentioned in this post.
Sometimes I joke (when I feel I have earned the right) and say, “Churches of Christ use a small instrument to obtain the pitch (pitch pipe or tuning fork( while Christian Churches use a larger instrument (piano, organ, you name it) to maintain the pitch.”
Hmmm………I wonder if Nadab and Abihu EVER thought they were going to be this popular? They seem to be the default answer to EVERY question!
DU
Lisa - The Greek orthodox church didn’t use our hermeneutical arguments. No Nadab and Abihu, gopher wood stuff there.
TCS wrote:
its always interesting to me to build an arguement on what other people said (ie. John Wesley) when nothing else they said would be considered correctly applying of scripture.
KentF wrote:
It does seem the rigid right will condemn Wesley and Luther as purveyor’s of tradition, but then quote them as authorities for not having musical instruments
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You guys get an “attaboy” from me today! Ol’ J.W. was a pretty good dude, to say the least. Had he been born a little later he would have made a great Campbellite (haha!). I love ‘em all!
This issue, of course, deeply troubles many. Recently my dad, a wonderful example of consistent christianity in action (and a hero for me)said, “Son, I believe that you and your brother get more of your theology from men than God’s Word.” I asked him for a specific. “Instruments,” was his reply. My response was,
“It is strange that you would say that, Dad, given that my decision regarding instruments in assemblies was arrived at only after reading through the Bible, page by page, line by line, hoping to prove for myself that instrumental worship is wrong. After studying conscientiously and sincerely, I could not do so. It was not men that convinced me-people who support instrumental music in worship seldom spend time thinking, much less writing, about it. Rather it was my desire to honestly and consistently apply God’s Word.”
Lee and Greg,
My poor choice of words were meant to voice my extreme frustration over arguing about petty issues when the rest of the world watches.
I am sorry for the language. I will refrain from using it on this blog.
I hear this language everyday used by good people and I am not offended by it. I should not assume everyone else holds my view.
Once again I apologize to the readers of this blog for my offensive language.
Leland,
Why in the world did you have to use language like that? Many of us were right where Joseph seems to be and we moved away from some of his arguments not by arrogant put downs, but by someone taking the time to love us and calmly reason with us. I disagree with our movement often, but I have too much respect for my heritage to to put a brother down like you did. It can really hurt to talk to a person like that. I just can’t see Jesus doing that.
Thanks for the apology, Leland. It is appreciated.
Lord, please give us Your patience and Your grace for each other. Thank You for Your patience and grace for us. It’s been 2000 years, and we still need Your example every day!
Mike~
I hope you would DELETE comments with offensive language. I would also hope individuals would choose on their own to not to use offensive language.
Actually, I’m still in shock you would allow offe