Inorganic Music
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.
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
=====
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 offensive language on your blog and about YOUR QUESTION TO ME “Lee are you asking if I should delete posts with language or just ask people not to use it. I presume the latter.” To answer your question to me, YES to both of them. Christians shouldn’t tolerate offensive language. Wow, just another example of people not taking a stand for what is right and wrong. There is nothing appropriate about cussing in ANY context.
Lee
Leland,
Thanks for the apology. I don’t think you meant to, but your statement that you hear this language all the time and seem to feel justified in talking like everyone else is a real problem for me. My observation is that we are very good at having verbose theological discussions about almost anything and then when it comes to the way we live our lives we seem to blend in all to well with the world.
I think there may be a generational difference of opinion about language and what is appropriate and what is not. Of course, I’m just guessing it’s generational – but I’ve noticed that as a 40 something I am not comfortable with language like that for the most part, but know that there are some younger people – good people – who don’t see it that way. (It surprises me, but there it is.)
I know a lot of Christians that cuss. We play guitar, too. And we care about Africa and lost people. And we know we shouldn’t cuss.
Steve, Thank you for giving me an authoritative answer. Now I can stay home from the assembly this Sunday & just worship in my cozy kitchen. I’ll listen to my favorite praise, hymn, psalms & spiritual songs on my wonderful Bose CD player(wait! is that considered an instrument?). And since it is Mother’s Day, I can sleep in for a change, & have that “day of rest” that God commanded. Thanks a million for clearing all that up for me! (All said with “tongue in cheek”, but I’m THIS CLOSE to doing it in protest of ludicrous mixed messages from the past)
To all who refuse to accept my apology or give me a qualified “Thanks”,
I apologized. Pop the bubble your living in!! I can see why the instrumental debate is such an issue with ya!
I am 38, have 4 children and my Christianity is not predicated on whether me or my children say bull**** or say D***. It is predicated on how we live our lives with respect to our neighbors.
I am more worried about teaching my children to pick the last – first at recess than them saying a bad word out of frustration.
Jesus called the Pharisees a brood of vipers (Greek for SOB). He took a whip to the money changer’s animals or the money changer’s (depends how you read it) so don’t tell me Jesus wasn’t “blue collar” sometimes.
I’m intrigued by loving comments about the “rigid right.” A few years ago, a Baptist military chaplain chewed me out because I led singing acappella in a military chapel. I listened, but said nothing as he stomped away. A few minutes later he returned with a bewildered expression on his face, and apologized. I must confess that I’m a little bewildered about why we must defend acappella (the word means, as I recall, as in the chapel or church) music. While some hissed at the “Nadab and Abihu” example and suggested hypocrisy in quoting Wesley’s approval of acappella music, perhaps they should consider why they have such animosity toward a practice documented by church historians and endorsed by theologians and reformers. A cappella music was used exclusively in Christian worship for a very long time. Orthodox churches (as in Greek, not sound) remain by far the largest fellowship to use it. At least some Mennonites and most Primitive (there’s that suggestion of going back to the beginning again) Baptists do as well. I occasionally am asked if I belong to the non-instrumental churches of christ or the instrumental ones. I reply that I belong to the accappella fellowship. Perhaps that a little facetious, but let’s treat the voices of history with respect, and ask why even when persecution was not an issue, people who had backgrounds in religious that used instruments in worship, did not. Certainly there is no reason to get angry or use profanity towards people who simply want just to be faithful.
Looks like I got here a little late for this one but I will put my two cents in anyway. Hip, hip, hooray! Tell it like it is. Mike, you may think my thoughts better than I do!
The last church I preached in was open to using backup tapes or guitars sometimes. We did a lot of special music. We even played a violin during communion once. We were 90% acapella but we allowed for some opportunities to worship in a different style. It was refreshing. We bucked the traditional crowd for a while but it was quite meaningful.
In my opinion posts with foul language should be admitted to this blog. If it was a none christain who had made a post with foul language it would be a great ministry opportunity to take advantage of. Although i do not appreciate reading it, i think as christians we should want more and more people who do not know christ to get involved in these comments.
Guacamole, anyone?
Lee – I’ll have to think about that one. Sorry you’re shocked at me. I just don’t think it’s come up before — at least I don’t remember. Most days I don’t check comments often enough to be able to monitor, and I don’t know how to set the automatic monitor (as I’ve proven in the past!).
It’s funny: a few people have accused me of keeping out comments I didn’t like (not true). And now the accusation is that I’m letting comments through that I should delete.
This blog thingee is getting too complicated for one preacher who already has too many irons in the fire.
Mike – too many irons in the fire??? Have you seen Nadab & Abihu in there?
As an English professor and sometime language and linguistics scholar, I’d say that the main thing that makes language– any language– offensive, is the meaning we attribute to it. Typically, there are words that “mean” exactly the same thing, but one is offensive and the other is not. Case in point, two words for the same substance: “sh**” and “p**p,” “mean” exactly the same thing. However, because the first one is Germanic in its origin and the second is French, and because at the time of thier introduction into our language, all things Germanic were considered “low” and all things French were considered “elevated,” the “s” word is profanity while the “p” word is generally considered “cute.”
Often what passes for a “sinful” word is actually a word that embodies a long-forgotten racial, social or economic prejudice.
I say this mainly to make four points:
1) There is no absolute list of “naughty” words
2) It is important always to consider what your listener might perceive as “offensive” before speaking or writing (an then you must still make a decision as to whether or not your over-riding purpose justifies the use of the offensive language)
3) We walk on shaky ground any time we fail to “hear” what someone is saying and are distracted into “judging” based upon their word choices.
4) It is always wrong to communicate with the intent to hurt–whether one uses “profane” words or not
Blessings to all– and thanks for the provocative post Mike… though I said nothing about instruments or music in my post.
Someone forgot to read yesterday’s post about lightening up…When I left this blog this morning there were only 19 comments and no mention of cuss words or Nadab & Abihu…
Like we have a shortage of opinions around here, but here is mine…Mike can not keep up with all these comments and I don’t think anyone should expect him to! REMEMBER ~ He has a full time job and ministry away from this blog. Sometimes people say things we don’t like, agree with, or even respect in the course of open dialogue. But we need safe, or semi-safe, places to talk about such things in order to grow and understand eachother better. This is one of those places.
Thanks Mike for allowing us to chat here… and I totally agree with all you said about music and worship.That was the topic today, wasn’t it?
Good night blog church!
Leland~
Jesus wasn’t “off color” with his speech. The bible has many examples of controlling our tongue.
Proverbs 17:27
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint and a man of understanding is even tempered.
Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse
Luke 6:28
Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you
Thank you for your apology!
Blessings,
Lee
Mike~Thanks for your response! I realize the difficulty of filtering cursing on your blog.
Mike
I think the good FAR outweighs the bad. Thank you all for your comments. I do get dibs on the domain http://www.screenmikecopesblogg.com can i say that or does some else have it…….