Leroy, Richland Hills, and Instrumental Music
Leroy Garrett has written this wonderful essay about the decision at the Richland Hills Church of Christ to add an instrumental service. I’m using it with Leroy’s gracious permission.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN CHURCHES OF CHRIST
It is significant that the Richland Hills Church of Christ in Fort Worth recently announced that it would soon have a service with instrumental music in addition to its usual services where the traditional practice of acappella singing will be preserved. It is significant not only because Richland Hills is one of our largest congregations, if not the largest, but also because it is one of our most influential churches, if not the most influential.
Unlike some of our avant garde churches, Richland Hills has been cautious and moderate in the changes it has made through the years. A number of churches have “progressed” beyond the point of any identity as Churches of Christ, and have more or less disclaimed any connection. They have not only gone “instrumental” completely, but they have taken some generic name in place of Church of Christ. They say that name is an impediment to their mission. And yet their leadership and membership are largely from Churches of Christ, and they are likely to practice communion and baptism as before. They are particularly “grace-oriented.”
When I discussed this with Rick Atchley, senior minister at Richland Hills, he said being “Church of Christ” was no problem to them. He appeared to agree with what I have long said: We should be busy being what we believe a true Church of Christ should be – unsectarian, unity-minded, Christ-centered, and faithful to our heritage both in Scripture and to our Restoration tradition. That is what reformation/restoration is about – not leaving and becoming rootless, but staying and effecting renewal from within.
This is what makes Richland Hill’s decision to go instrumental for even one service historic. It is something of an exemplary congregation, one that has kept its balance amidst decades of change, and it has remained loyal to its heritage in Churches of Christ. It has in fact through the years conducted workshops for our leaders on “how to do church.” Are they now showing their penchant for leading the way by going (partly) instrumental?
While there are several Churches of Christ that still wear that name that are now instrumental in one service, it is not yet a trend – perhaps no more than six or eight congregations. The Jenks Church of Christ in Tulsa has the unique arrangement of simultaneous services, one acappella and one instrumental, one upstairs and one downstairs. They supposed that the instrumental service would be for the youth, but to their surprise a number of oldsters attend as well.
The Farmers Branch Church of Christ in the Dallas area also has simultaneous services Sunday a.m., a “contemporary” service in the Family Center that uses instruments, and a traditional acappella service in the sanctuary. There is a second acappella service on Sunday morning.. There is also a contemporary service on Saturday p.m., with instruments. These contemporary services use keyboard, guitars, drums. The four weekend assemblies total upward of 1500 in attendance. Considering its background as a non-Sunday school congregation (It still has no Sunday school!), Farmers Branch is a phenomenon among Churches of Christ, with dynamic leadership.
As might be expected, this innovation of having even one instrumental service is viewed with concern, if not dismay, by many in Churches of Christ. It is probable that for the foreseeable future most of our churches will remain uncompromisingly acappella. But there will almost certainly be a continuation of some congregations –the larger and the more progressive – going instrumental for one or more services. Now that Richland Hills is among that number the pace could accelerate.
Churches of Christ have such a rich tradition of acappella singing that it is unlikely that it will ever be completely abandoned. Even our most progressive congregations will almost certainly continue to do some singing without instruments. And for good reasons, one being that we often do it well. It is common for visitors to our services to comment that we don’t need instruments. We can also believe that acappella music is more in keeping with the simplicity and beauty of New Testament worship.
Nor are Churches of Christ uniquely acappella, except in some American communities. Throughout the history of the church there has been a substantial presence of acappella singing, sometimes acappella only, as in the great Orthodox churches, the most ancient of denominations. All churches sometimes sing acappella, and some of the great choirs of the world use only the human voice. The Presbyterian Church of Scotland not only objects to instruments but to man-made hymnals as well. They use the hymnal that is in the Bible, the Psalms. The only scriptural hymnal! I don’t know how we missed that one!
This is why I questioned the thesis of a publication by a professor at Abilene Christian University some years back on The Case for Acappella Music. I pointed out that no case has to be made for acappella singing, for reasons noted above. Beside, insofar as Churches of Christ are concerned that is not the issue. The professor’s book should have been on The Case for Making Acappella Music a Test of Fellowship.
No one faults us for singing acappella. That has not been our sin. We erred when we made the use of instruments a test of fellowship and allowed it to be a divisive issue. We went wrong when we moved acappella music from being an opinion or preference to being an essential. We took it from our small t traditions, where it properly belongs, and made it part of our capital T tradition, the core gospel which we share with all believers.
And that, thank God, is what is changing – not in a trickle, but massively. Instrumental music is a dead issue in most mainline Churches of Christ. Many churches – that will adamantly remain non-instrumental — have gone on record of no longer making it a condition of fellowship. Even those who view it as a sin should they sing with an instrument no longer apply that judgment upon others.
It does not matter all that much whether Churches of Christ remain acappella or whether they become partly or completely instrumental. The church catholic has long labeled such questions as adiaphorous (matters of indifference). In our own Restoration heritage we have it in the motto: “In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things, love.” We got off track and betrayed our own heritage when we turned opinions and methods into essentials.
What is important, whether we are acappella or instrumental or something of both, is that we love and accept all other believers as equals in Christ. How they sing in their assemblies, or how they otherwise “do church” is adiaphorous, so long as they are devoted to Christ and hold to the essentials of the faith.
History could do an irony on us, a benevolent one. Churches of Christ could end up with both instrumental and non-instrumental churches, while we remain united. That would put us where our Stone/Campbell heritage was 150 years ago. For an entire generation we had “organic” and “inorganic” congregations without a rupture in fellowship. This was the case until editor-bishops appeared who insisted that “It can be only one way,” and divided us.
This transition we are going through – and remember the “law of change” is the “law of God – isn’t really about instrumental music. It goes much deeper and is much more complicated. It is the old issue of “form and substance” that goes back to the ancient Greek philosophers. Is reality and truth in the form (anything material or outward) or is it in the substance (the ideal, or what’s in the heart)? Or s it somehow both? Plato, for instance, held that material things are but a shadow of reality, which is mind or idea.
We are all exposed to this problem in one way or another. We know that unless baptism is a “circumcision of the heart” (Col. 2:11-12) one only gets wet. And we agree with Shakespeare in reference to prayer that “words without thoughts never to heaven go.” And unless it is an act of heart and conscience the Lord’s Supper is in vain. Form must have substance, and substance must have priority. Errors of the heart are far more serious than flaws in the form.
Our people are becoming more spiritually discerning, and this includes being more aware of what matters most, the heart. If the heart is right (substance) the form might be adiaphorous – or at least matters on which we can differ. Not that form is unimportant, for it is sometimes ordained of God, but our sincere responses to form might differ in detail. Foremost, God looks upon the heart, not outward appearance.
So, just how we do music — hymnals are only the Psalms, shaped notes or round notes, choirs or solos or congregational singing, acappella or instrumental – may not be that big a deal with God so long as the music is from the heart and glorifies Christ. And so we are to unloose and renounce the old fallacy that “It can be only one way.”
is this apathetic…..who cares?…Obviously alot of people do…just felt like saying it…im with Randy if you want to nail me down..man, praise God with everything you got and can get holt of….
I must agree with Kerry on this one.
I believe Kerry is right . I earlier commented on the decline in some major denominations. The book of Acts records for us the greatest manual we have concerning church growth and it was the preaching of the gospel, especially the preaching of the resurrection of Jesus . Example after example of conversion speaks to the need of going into all the world and preaching the gospel and what a person must do in response. Then when a person becomes a Christian then we have more teaching about worship. The worship of the church to adore God, remember Jesus and to be edified and then to go out and teach, be good examples, love people, do good works, be Christ-like , love one another in the church , and always to obey our heavenly Father.
I agree with Kerry.
As with most “progressive” movements, victory is declared at the first mention of noble intentions. I’d be interested to know how many people have left RH, in the past few months, over this issue. I’d like to see some real numbers over the next six months.
My cousin is a youth pastor at Highpoint Church in Arlington. They have left RH in the dust as far a growth goes. Their secret is not metioning the Cross. Just think of the possibilities.
For the record, we buried my beloved grandmother two weeks ago. She was Southern Baptist. I have no doubt she’s with Jesus.
Another thing I meant to say earlier:
We are a priesthood of believers, as the Bible says. When you take the liberty of adding a musical performance (and yes, it is a PERFORMANCE), to our “together” worship, you are creating a separate class of “priests” who do something that nobody else can do. To wit:
I am not a hired preacher, but I can get up and tell about the good news of Jesus Christ to the believers.
I am not a songleader, but I can get up and lead a song, however poorly.
I can pray with and for the believers.
I can participate in all aspects of the “together” worship, and even lead the worship, despite the level of my abilities.
However,
No matter how hard I try, or how badly I want to, I CANNOT participate in a musical performance during worship. Not because I don’t want to, or because I disagree with it, but because I mentally and physically CAN’T. I can’t play the piano or the drums. If I did, it would be nothing but a cacophonous disaster, meaning nothing.
When the veil of the temple was torn in two, it wasn’t just to signify the body of Christ (per Hebrews), it also ended the Levitical priesthood, appointed to do things the “common folk” couldn’t. No longer were there to be performers and intermediaries, but there was to be worship by the believer in all aspects. Suddenly, two thousand years later, we are rushing headlong to create new, elevated classes of worship that are reserved only for the “talented”, or “gifted”. Think about it: If I showed up at Richland Hills next Sunday with my banjo (I’m not kidding, because I really do play banjo), are they going to let me get up there and play “I’ll Fly Away” on the old five-string? Of course not, because it doesn’t fit their definition of “talent”. They have created a class of worship that I cannot be a part of, other than to observe.
I don’t think Jesus came and died so we could set up a hierarchy within his church. Inserting music into our “together” worship is doing EXACTLY THAT.
You know Kerry, I don’t personally care much about this debate. But in my opinion, for deep theological reasons, you raise a very good point. A very good point.
Its so great to the COC starting to mature as a body of believers. Just think how great it will be when your entire focus is on living life as followers of Jesus instead of spending so much time focusing on what happens during your Sunday service.
I’m with Joel Quile, above. He noted how much more discussion and argument there is over instrumental music here, and how little there is on social justice in Mike’s former post.
If the Church of Christ claims to speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where it is silent, take note:
Clear scriptural commands on instrumental worship: 0.
Scriptural references to Justice: at least 134 (read them here)
They may both be valid issues to your fellowship (I’ll let ya’ll decide), but as an outsider it sure seems sad.
(Responding to Kerry’s 11:16 p.m. post)…couldn’t the same thing be said about the preaching/teaching? To use the example of this blog’s creator, how many of us could teach/preach a sermon at the same level as Mike Cope? Well, not many. Does that mean we are somehow left out of the experience? No, it doesn’t. We are all gifted in different ways and some more than others and these are to be honored and nurtured in the church. You may think you are physically unable to participate in the worship service, but this is a man-made limitation. Take a tamborine to church and clang on it. Or just dance around a little (see how that goes over!). I just don’t think it is a reasonable policy to say that we should have a worship format at church that begins with the lowest common denominator.
I must also add that to think we are somehow going to “save” the younger generation from leaving the church just by adding guitars, powerpoint, praise teams, shorts or whatever is very misguided. Most of these young people are going to leave regardless of what we “add”. Simply making the worship different is not what is going to “keep them”.
I never thought about using musical instruments as “repairing the temple curtain” and destroying the priesthood of all believers.
Let’s see. There are 100 million “Christians” in the USA…
About 1% of those are members of the church of Christ…
The rest use those evil, temple curtain repairing cowbells and such…
So…since the 1% got it RIGHT and the 99% got it wrong…
I guess I’ve got my work cut out for me but I’m gonna have to let the other 99 million “Christians” they’re in big trouble for bringing back the Levitical priesthood…
I’m off to break the news!
FYI:
My son John will be hosting a conference for everyone who likes to wrap their Father’s gifts in blue next year. Books and CDs will be available for purchase.
My daughter Laura will be speaking to all the colleges who like purple paper wraping in the spring as well.
My other daughter Emily has officially cut ties with Laura because she is convinced that everyone who uses purple is in effect repairing the temple curtain and restoring the Levitical priesthood.
For the record: My heart, as a Father, is broken, but you probably already knew this in light of my thoughts in John 17.
I wonder when we will reach the point where we can accept those who disagree with us on subjects like this. I’m talking about both sides. When this subject comes up, a lot of energy is expended trying to defend one’s position, or to tear down the other side’s position. Just go back and read this thread again–it is no different. That is not how the scriptures tell us to handle these things. We need to accept our brother without passing judgment on disputable matters (Rom 14:1). We need to keep what we believe on these matters between ourselves and God (Rom 14:22). We need to go out of our way to avoid offending those who believe differently. (Rom 14:13-15) And we need to devote our energies to promoting peace and mutual edification (Rom 14:19) Instead we want to argue and prove our point–again, both sides. IMO that is why there are so many more posts on this thread than on threads on non-controversial topics like, for example, serving the poor. We like controversy more than we like having our shortcomings exposed.
Alan, did you ever notice that many times, those who fight the hardest are NOT those who are against something (which is how we many times characterize these fights) but those who are for it?
Maybe I should rephrase that. Those who whine the loudest are those who are for it. I can be one of those many times. I probably still whine too loud about women being more involved in worship.
So often we talk and talk and are so critical and upset about those who are against something we don’t stop and look at ourselves being the same way for it.
Gee, Joel, you’re so persuasive. Your attitude makes me REALLY want to know more about your side of things! Apparently, scorn and sarcasm are the new encouragement! Yay!
(And yeah, I do get the irony.)
Tim, I agree with you. I would like to think our youth would be drawn to the preaching and teaching of the word when speaking about our worship assemblies.
Nine posts from Joel G. Quile.
Joel Quile,
Your condescending attitude hinders the point of what you’re trying to say. Just because some people wish to preserve the tradition of a cappella music doesn’t make them the pathetic, childish people you are making them out to be. In all reality, they are people who are trying to live a life that is pleasing to God – just like you.
I find it somewhat funny because you declare your way with the same dogmatism that they use to declare theirs – when, most likely- neither of you have it completely figured out just yet.
when in doubt, epistemic humility is never a bad place to be.
Great blog, great comments. I probably don’t have anything new to add, but here it goes anyway.
I grew up in the CofC, and have attended the same church for almost all of my life. Well, except for a brief (14 year) rebellious stage. My church has made many changes through the years in the way we worship. We have a worship minister, praise teams, videos, powerpoints, blah blah blah. Some of the changes made make my experience more meaningful. Some don’t, but they work for others, so I’ll take them.
I recently attended a Baptist church, in Abilene, with a woman I was dating, who is now my wife. They had a small band, and as far as I could tell, it was made up of high school/college age people. It wasn’t overpowering. It was complementary. At our church, we have taken some of the new praise songs and sing them acappella. And frankly, I think we butcher some of them. With the instruments, these same songs were beautiful.
I think that I should add that I connect to God through singing. We have one of the best preachers around. But I can’t pay attention to him. I try, but after 3 or 4 minutes, I’m thinking about something else. I try to listen to someone else pray, but I just can’t stay with them. I need the singing, because that’s when I experience God.
As I sang along with the band, this thought came on my heart: “How many high school/college kids have come through our doors, who have the gift of music, and we have told them they couldn’t praise God with their gift in our building”. I know young people who have the gift. Who are we to say when and where they can use their gift to glorify their Maker? I heard God say “Your church just doesn’t get it!”
But then, during the sermon, I was reading their handout. To place membership, all you had to do was get baptized at their place, or to deliver or have delivered some kind of certificate of authentic baptism from a legitimate church in their brotherhood. Guess what I heard God say? “This church doesn’t get it either!”
As I thought about these things on my drive home, the best I could come up with is God looking down, saying “None of you really get IT”. Some songs need, and beg for, instruments, because we (CofC) really kill some beautiful words. Some songs can pierce my heart when they are “sung at” me by one person with an incredible voice. Some songs are most powerful when sung acappella, with a booming bass. All this, of course, is my opinion.
I think there is room for all of this. Many will disagree, I am sure. I may have one other person in my rather large family who would even consider what I have just written. I won’t claim that I have found “IT”. I know that I have heard the following words, both acappella and accompanied by instruments:
My sin, o the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part, but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, o my soul!
My “bag-o’-sins” is bigger than most. No matter when, no matter where, no matter how, these words bring me to my knees. I am near tears typing them. For me, perhaps, that is part of “IT”.
Peace.
My bad. Didn’t realize the discussion had moved.
Lisa, I can be way too sarcastic and I never want to be scornful so I sincerely apologize because that was never my intended outcome. I wasn’t trying to get anyone to learn more about my side of things – I was just sharing my deep sadness in the fact that we can’t be more of a unified family. I admit that I used sarcasim instead of encouragement. I appreciate you bringing that to my attention. I knew that I was in trouble when I first read your comments and said to myself, “I wasn’t trying to encourage…” and then it hit me: “Hello, maybe that is the problem?”
Kelly, I owe you an apology too. In an effort to share my heart, I’ve appeared (at least to you) to have a “condescending attitude” which is not what I see in Jesus! I don’t think I was ever speaking about people who want to “preserve the tradition of a cappella music” and I don’t recall ever feeling or saying that anyone was “pathetic or childish” people you are making them out to be. I appreciate that you can read through enough of my “smack” to know that I want to please God.
We are definately in agreement on your final two points: I haven’t figured much out and when in doubt, epistemic humility is never a bad place to be. I haven’t shown much humility. Please forgive me.
NM: This makes 10. I’m done. The real problem is that I took yesterday and today off because we have friends in town. Too much free time can be a bad thing.
Jenks is in Jenks not Tulsa
The only person who likes change is a wet baby. And sometimes they will fight you.
I was raised Roman Catholic, but left to join the Presbyterians at age 17. Then I found my way into the independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ (instrumental). I graduated from Harding University with a Bachelor of Ministry degree on December 18, 1999, and the very next day was ordained to the work of evangelist by the elders of the Christian Church of Jacksonville, Arkansas. I spent nearly three years in Brazil working in church planting. Funded by instrumental churches, I worked with my brother in law Marcelo in planting an acappella church there. Then I served a Christian Church in New Mexico, and now attend a Brazilian non-instrumental church in New Jersey.
It’s a mountain out of a molehill. I wonder as much at the fuss over becoming instrumental or leaving it behind as much as I do at the “unity” gatherings at various colleges.
Unity is lived. It’s not that complicated.
We tend to think in very “reductionist” terms and always want to reduce someting to a “salvation issue”…which means tell me from a legalistic standpoint what I can or cannot do…or what’s the minimum? The a cappella style of worship is not a salvation issue. In my opinion it is a “fullness” issue. Is it the most pure, the most paticipatory, the most from the heart, the most holy (separate from the culture), the most other-worldly, is it the most inclusive…etc.? Is it ancient and has the Holy Spirit guided the church to use it in its 2000 years of history? Those questions should be asked. It seems that when we get out of a narrow, Protestant mindset and look at the Orthodox and even Catholic traditions that we see that a cappella music has and continues to be an important part of the worship of the church.
I think the question should be asked…did the Holy Spirit guide the young restoration churches to use the ancient practice of a cappella music or was this just some invention of rationalistic man. I believe we should really be seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit before we jettison an ancient practice and proven tradition of the church.
You can worship with an instrument but it may not b e the best and ultimately highest form. And just because a cappella music can be done poorly, does not mean it cannot be done in an excellent, holy manner.
We need to carefully consider if the Holy Spirit has called some of us to offer this ancient form of worship to the Christian community and the world.
Mark W , Excellent thinking on the subject. It is beginning to look like the traditional churches will be instrumental and the non-traditional will be the a cappella churches.
This is such an interesting conglomeration of ideas and opinions to read.
I grew up at Richland Hills and have since been a part of churches which are instrumental and/or acappella, with or without praise teams, with hymnal singing only or power point or whatever else. I found God in all those places. Or he dug through a lot of garbage to find me.
It is very difficult for us to personally reflect on our embedded vs deliberative theology because sometimes that shakes things up. Sometimes it doesn’t, and we affirm and land right back where we started. And that’s okay also.
I think the most important thing is for people to have authentic worship experiences. To not let church be a consumer-oriented place where you shop around, but a place where you go to connect to the Spirit, to beg God to show up and move in hearts. To refuel for the week ahead. Where people are drawn because they saw the Spirit moving in you. God is so not bound by traditions. I think more often he is limited by our planning where we are eating out for lunch towards the end of worship, harsh judgments about “stale” conservative worship services or “trendy” progressive ones.
The world is so big and so hungry for God, even when they don’t know it. Our lives have to be worship, selfless reflection of the Spirit, whether that involves instruments in a building on Sunday or not.
Interesting discussion here.
Actually came over here from Wade Hodges similar blog post. I must say that this is an issue that really gets me going. The way we worship is obviously a salvation issue, if it wasn’t, why would God tell us how it should be done in the first place?
The CofC is KNOWN for its a cappella “tradition.” I refuse to call it simply a tradition. Tradition implies that it has become mindless, rote, something we do without understanding fully why we do it.
Rather, it is evident that it is something done for a reason, because God says we should sing his praises. In the same way, God told Noah build the ark out of gopher wood–do you really think that ark would have floated (regardless of what a good, moral, upstanding man Noah was) if he used cedar instead? Both the old and new testaments are chock full of examples of God denying certain behaviours to us by the simple fact that he asked us to do, or gave us examples of, something entirely different.
Many say that the so-called “traditional” CoC self-righteous, out-of-date or simply mired in a traditionalism akin to the Catholic Church. Could it simply be that it actually hit the nail on the head and was doing what God wanted it to do?
Guess what? The Church in the 1st century was a capella too. They baptized for the salvation of sins. They participated in the Lord’s Supper every Sunday too. They also met in caves and homes on occasion. Sometimes met ridiculously early in the morning or all day long. Which ones of the above were we given examples of in the Bible? The first three if I’m not mistaken. Meet at 5 in the morning if you so desire and in a cave to boot–that is your choice. What you do in that cave though, depends on what God wants. God wants us to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent.
Keep in mind that it is possible to be the most sincere and devoted person to God and STILL worship in a manner that is unacceptable to God. Think of the apostle Paul. He was more zealous for God than I know that I will ever be. He was also wrong. These, however, are not the days of the apostles, and while there may be scales on your eyes, God will not miraculously send a messanger to tell you how to remove them. Rather, you have God’s utterly perfect and utterly complete and utterly binding Word.
God does not desire his Church rooted in tradition, an attempt to be more popular or entertainment. He wants what he asked for. He asked for voice.
While I know you think that the issue is literally, a non-issue and that it has no bearing on salvation–do you ever really wonder what would have happened if Noah built that ark out of cedar?
God –”Build the ark out of gopher wood.”
Noah — “Gopher wood isn’t pretty. Gopher wood isn’t popular. Just because you said use gopher wood, doesn’t mean I can’t trim it with cedar, right?”
God — “Build the ark out of gopher wood.”
Noah — “Okay! A cedar trim it is!”
–some time later–
Noah — “Err–God? Why is the ark sinking?”
God — “I said to build the ark out of gopher wood.”
Noah — “So we’re sinking because of the cedar trim?”
God — “Yeah, and it’s a little late to go back to fix things now, aint it?”
Rae,
That’s a nice argument you make, but the only thing missing from your position is actual proof that instrumental worship is unacceptable before the Lord. The only reason it’s missing from your argument is because it’s also missing from the Bible.
Worship in Spirit in and Truth has taken on many forms in the whole Bible, and will continue to do so here on earth until we join with heaven to worship. It’s the Spirit and Truth that God is after, and both Old and New (especially New) Testament scripture makes that very apparent.
In matters where the Scriptures have left no directive, opinion must be respected among all. But in matters where Scriptures have given specific instruction, such as the bread and the fruit of the vine in the Lord’s Supper, we respect the authority of God through Christ and the apostles. In the matter of music in worship and praise, singing is what is specified with no authority for adding mechanical instruments in the Christian’s worship. If it is commanded, then every person must play his instrument to be obedient. No mechanical instruments were in the assemblies for hundreds of years until after the general apostasy. That is why the word a cappella means to sing as was done in the chapel, in the church assembly.
It does not matter how much I love my family and friends, if I worship with them it must be on the terms of the Lord’s authority as head of the church, and not according to what I like or prefer, or what young people want, or what changes I need to make to attract outsiders, nor even what a group of elders may approve. All authority belongs to Christ in all matters in His body, the church. Some of the best material available on this was the early Herald of Truth sermons put out by the Highland church in Abilene. I have preached them many times on the radio and in the pulpit.
I have just completed writing a history of the Thorp Spring church where Thorp Spring Christian College was located, earlier known as Add-Ran Christian College. When the Clark sons brought in the instrument for worship, the father and about half the congregation left … and that was the beginning of the end of that college. The college did survive, but not to the benefit of families in churches of Christ. It changed its entire image, and over time lost its identity as a voice for restoring the New Testament church; it became what is now one of the most liberal believe-anything-you-want schools, Texas Christian University. In what is happening at RHCC, we see history repeating itself. The music, then accepting any and all as brethren regardless of whether they have been immersed for the forgiveness of sins. After all, you know, “the blood of Christ is powerful enough to save without any puny ceremony performed by a man in water!” That is where Atchley and RHCC leadership is today. Elders are resigning and members are leaving.
Great blog, Mike. I especially liked one paragraph. I will cut and paste here:
“No one faults us for singing acappella. That has not been our sin. We erred when we made the use of instruments a test of fellowship and allowed it to be a divisive issue. We went wrong when we moved acappella music from being an opinion or preference to being an essential.”
I fear there are many remaining “tests of fellowship” in the CoC. What is a test of followship? Where did we get this term? If you do not pass the fellowship test, I am not going to fellowship with you.
Are you born again? Are you born of God, of His Spirit because you trusted Christ as your savior? Then you are my brother/sister in the Lord. I can have fellowship with you in Him. No matter what denomination you belong to or how you worship Him, if you are born again, into Him, we can fellowship.
Our doctrines divide and separate His children. Despite this division, in His eyes we are one body, one family.
Legalsim crept into the church just a few years after Christ rose: see Galatians. Unfortunately, it is alive and well today. What is legalism? If we are relying on anything other than Jesus and His blood for justification, we are relying on legalistic efforts or beliefs for our justification. Only one thing can justify: Jesus and Him crucified. When we start basing our justifcation on the fact that we do not use instrumental music, then we are transferring our dependence on His cross to a dependence on not using instruments for our justification.
The Galatians were basing their justification on circumcision. Circumcison was a test of fellowship for many early Christians. Just ask Peter. Circumcision was given to us by God, it is in the scriptures but His children actually nulified the cross of Christ by their reliance on circumcision for their justification.
I am thankful this “test of fellowship” is fading. When we set up these tests of fellowship we begin depending on them for our righteousness separating us from the church down the street that does not have the same tests for fellowship. I pray the many remaning tests of fellowship in the CoC will also fade that we all may one day have one source for our justification and fellowship: His cross.
One other thought on worship. The scriptures may not be clear on the details of worship but it is very clear on how we worship: in the Spirit. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.
As children of God, we are led by His Spirit, we walk in His Spirit. Is the Spirit free to lead in worship? What does this mean, to be led by His Spirit in worship?
Is the congregation being taught how to walk in the Spirit? Does the worship leader understand how to be led by the Spirit in worship? Are the members of the congregation yeilding to the Spirit allowing Him to lead them individually into His presence during the worship or are they merely singing the words of songs on the overhead?
If we are not understanding a walk in the Spirit Monday through Saturday, it is doubtful we are going to worship in the Spirit on Sunday, with our without instruments. The Spirit wants to lead us into His presence every day but especially when we gather. What is the mind of the Lord regarding worship? To draw close to Him, to worship Him in the Spirit, to be led by Him in everything we do, with or without instruments.
Alvin:
It was good to recognizeat least one familiar name among (I presume) many younger brothers and sisters responding to Mike’s blog site. I guess that says something about our age and the fact of my being away from East Coast (NYC and Miami) for nearly 35 years.
While I have tremendous respect for you and what you have done through the printed page, I do want to dialog a little with you because my perception of clear truth (on the somewhat ambiguous issue of praise in worship) may differ a little from yours.
EVERYTHING ON MUSIC IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Every sectarian system is shaped by its unique use, misuse and ignoring of Scripture. This is equally true when we make our A Cappella praise a point of Christian doctrine and test of faithfulness to the Lord.
Examine the ways we have employed or not employed the “music” passages in the New Covenant Scriptures:
Luke 15:22-32–This is a parable of lost sons coming home to the Father’s house (that is the church). This suggests that we worship the Father because of his grace, mercy and salvation. We worship by celebrating the return of the lost. This celebration involves music (from SUMPHONA which means music from many instruments). How did we miss that passage in our “red letter” additions of the New Testament with the very words of Jesus?
Acts 2:42-47–The earliest Christians gathered daily in both private homes and the Jewish temple. When and wherever they gathered they were praising the Lord. At the temple they obviously were joining their neighbors and praising in the way the Lord commanded for the Temple. It seems very clear that the very first congregation of the Lord’s church regularly (even daily) praised the Lord with instruments. How did we miss that “necessary inference”?
1 Corinthians 10:14-14:40–This is the only detailed discussion of the church assembly in the New Covenant Scriptures. From this exhaustive discussion by Paul, we learn that the earliest disciples used music as part of their assembly time. They may have even understood that PSALLO most consistently included instrumental accompaniment. This conclusion is especially relevant with Paul’s mention of five mechanical instruments in the passage. How did we miss the mention of those instruments and draw the conclusion of Paul’s also imposing some hidden prohibition between the lines of this text? If we really followed our Restoration premise of “Being silent where the Bible is silent” we never would have legislated God’s emphatic will from the thin air of textual silence.
Frankly, I have the same problem with some modern Supreme Court Justices who handle the Constitution of our nation in a way as to essentially legislate in terms our Founding Fathers never had in mind.
Do note: there is definitely a difference between “substituting” our ways for the explicitely revealed will of the Lord. But to lesgislate doctrine out of “biblical silence” becomes so subjective–rejecting what we feel uncomfortable with and introducing innovations which contribute to our comfort.
Ephesians 5:18-21–Contextually, this is not even a passage really about a church assembly but about life. The early disciples’ praise found its source in their being “filled with the Spirit” inspired “in the heart.” They understood that praise, while being addressed primarily to the Lord was also shared with fellow Christians. They recognized three resources sources from which to select their praise music: the Psalms, Hymns of NT Scripture, and later Christian praise songs. They were given TWO verbs for praise and worship instruction. Two different kinds of praise are called for as an offering to the Lord, ADO & PSALLO–BOTH sing and make music! How did we miss those TWO verbs when we saw to it that conversion must call for BOTH “believe AND be baptized”?
Colossians 3:15-17–Contextually, this is not a passage really about a church assembly but about life. Two concerns are addressed: (1) Let the peace of Christ “rule in your hearts” (there is that inspiration in the heart from which all praise comes) and pursue the unity of the body of Christ. (2) As to praise ADO (not PSALLO), is used for “speaking and singing” but part of the singing is from the PSALMS and many of the Psalms specifically call for instruments to accompany them. By citing the PSALMS as legitimate, even recommended, praises for Christians, the prohibition against instruments is absolutely mute (in my judgment). Note this: if the “human heart” is the exclusive instrument of the “PSALLO” in Ephesians 5:19, then the “human heart” is also the exclusive agent of “ADO” in both Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. Therefore, the hermeneutical “law of silence and exclusion” would consistently eliminate all music, singing or instrument, except for silent meditation. In fact, the Reformer Ulrich Zwingli prohibited all audible music in the Zurich church because the “human heart” (in his judgment) was revealed as the exclusive agent and instrument of praise, eliminating both voice and mechanical instruments. Zwingli was more consistent that we but he too missed the point.
Revelation 5:6-14–The first 20 chapters of John’s Revelation may be seen as a parabolic narrative to instruct and comfort the church on earth. The Revelation of John ties together both the earthly and heavenly portions of the Lord’s new sanctuary-the Lord’s church where the curtain between the two rooms has been torn away by the death of Christ.
It seems most likely that this is a parabolic picture of the “church” age and not eternity after time has ended. This is most likely true because when time ends, Jesus will not be in the center of the throne but will turn all Kingdom rule back to the father (1 Corinthians 15). It is clearly a picture of “church age” also because Christ is on the throne/mercy seat in heaven as “the one who was, and is, and IS TO COME (now that is future).” The sacrificial Lamb of God is receiving adoration from the elders of the church “holding golden bowls of incense which are the prayers of the saints” AND each is also praising the Lord with both singing and the music of harps.” Millions of angels join the elders in worship to the Lamb. Heaven and earth become fully “one” in the new Jerusalem where the unshaded brilliance of the Son of God is the temple, because where we are together in the presence of Jesus, there is the true temple in all its fullness.
Revelation 7:9-17–The spiritual leaders of Revelation 5, who are praising Jesus with singing and instruments, are joined by the great multitude which no one could count from every nation, tribe, people and language. All the angels of the Lord are present. Who makes up the great multitude? All who “have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.” Their worship is not Sunday-only! Before the throne, they serve him day and night in his temple. The Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd: he will lead them to springs of living water, etc. What would it do to our worship if we saw the Lord’s church as the assembled multitude like John did? What would it mean if we were to see worship as serving the Lord “day and night” in His temple—24/7?
Maybe this is all part of what Jesus meant when He taught us to pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The real church, the body of Christ, is not just the congregation at a given location, nor is the church just made up of all the living believers in the here and now.
Hebrews 12:18-29–The writer of Hebrews seems in solid agreement with the “heaven and earth” implications of John’s Revelation passages. if we were all to capture the full meaning of the Lord’s church, the grand assembly, we need to vastly enlarge our view of the church to embrace the Lord’s faithful in all ages, the holy angels, the spirits of righteousness men made perfect, and come fully into the presence of Jesus Himself!
It the presence of His majesty, our worship wars look like little children playing with noisy toys in church if not much worse!
MOST OF WORSHIP IS OUTSIDE OF CHURCH GATHERINGS
Worship for too many of us has often been something which takes place at a certain time (Sunday “worship hour”) and place (church building) with special religious ceremonies and functions (when Lord’s Supper is served). Because of this, all related activities of these special gatherings are thought to be of very special importance to the Lord., in fact of the greatest importance to the Lord.
The Lord’s Day gathering is perceived to be regulated by rules and directives which are not equally binding for the other times and places and occasions when the congregation gathers. The predominate idea of worship for many Christians is the Lord’s Day gathering when the Lord’s Supper is served. The Lord’s Day gathering is often seen as an especially holy and a more sacred time of worship than other times and gatherings.
The biblical facts are that no gathering of the church in the New Covenant Scriptures was EVER DESIGNATED as “worship.” Equating Christian worship uniquely with a congregational gathering is a product of the institutional church which sometimes “winks the eye” at the grim reality that Sunday morning holiness is too often followed by Monday morning worldliness.
Jesus insisted that the time was already present for men and women to understand that faithful worship is living and serving the Father “in Spirit and in truth!” But most important of all, our Lord Jesus personally addressed the false notion of thinking that “worship” is a matter of special places, special times and special ceremonies. The Samaritan woman at the well at Sycar (John 4) was concerned about getting “worship right.” Jesus, in his ministry, did not “give in” to the Pharisaical notion that holy days or the temple or the Sabbath or the synagogues were to be seen as significantly different from other days and places in the sense of doing the will of Lord or even worshipping the Lord. Jesus insisted it was not the specialness of the Samaritan Holy Mountain or Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
In the letters of the Apostles, only Paul comes closest of all writers to giving a precise definition of what “worship” means and what it is all about: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-THIS IS YOUR SPIRITUAL ACT OF WORSHIP. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)
Faithful worship is all of life, every day and every place. Worship is living and breathing the will of the Lord. This understanding makes all of life sacred and holy. No part of a believer’s life can become profane. There can be no secular dimension in a believer’s life. All of life is Christian Ministry. All of life is worship. To think of being “God’s holy people twenty-four/seven” is a great responsibility and yet very liberating at the same time. This is why the Apostle Paul can give the wonderful instructions about the intimacies of marital love, and see the marital relationship as sacramental because the relationship between a Christian husband and wife is a sacred covenant and embraces a sacred act of worship. Sex, in a Christian marriage, is not fleshly but spiritual. Marital intimacies for Christians derive holiness from their reflection of another marriage, the great mystery of Christ and his marriage with the church, his bride (Ephesians Chapter 5).
My brother-in-law, Stephen Holt asked about worshipping outside of “church.” The longer I live I believe that worship is all of life.
The story that follows was really born out of a suggestion by our daughter, Margie, visiting over Thanksgiving with us from Massachusettes:
Several from our new little community of faith here in Miami experienced powerful worship Thanksgiving morning. About 60 gather regularly on Sundays and Thursdays with our congregation. Several sisters prepared traditional meals (just like we would all have later in the day the at our tables with family and friends).
We not only got to minister “to the least of these” but with them praised and glorified the Lord. The brothers (men and boys) took the meals down to streets where the greatest community of our homeless neighbors live. With about half of those we shared our meals with, we also huddled in little circles or knelt in the dirty streets to pray for them as they poured out the painful stories of their lives.
We found two evangelists on the streets who had drifted far from the Lord’s will through drugs, etc. Both asked that we beg the Lord for deliverance from their demons. Both wanted deliverance and committed to stay within their transient community to minister to those who do not know the Lord.
One gentleman was suffering a high fever and was shivering with cold–yes, it got down to 49 in Miami Thanksgiving morning. A non-Christian with us took off his new coat and gave it to the man. The man shed tears and insisted on giving the coat back to my friend because in that way, he insisted, “We can both experience the joy of knowing it is more blessed to give than receive!”
A buddy of mine, went around the van and took his own new jacket off and came back with the message, “I just found a spare coat in the van” and gave it to the shivering man. It was a jacket he had just received as a gift.
This is worship in the sense of pouring out adoration to our Heavenly Father while offering our gifts to Him as we serve the lease of these. This kind of stuff is where the rubber meets the asphault in worship. This is what bringing our gifts to the altar is all about. This is what Jesus defined as the dividing line between those who are “good and faithful servants.”
So long as we live, my prayer is that you and I and all of our brothers will always be a people of “the Book” and let our sincere, prayerful study shape our convictions, never letting the creeds (written or unwritten) of the historic church (or even our Movement) dictate faith and faithfulness!
God bless you, my Brother! See you in heaven if not before!
Somone posted that they had read Garrett’s book. I presume that reference is to the Stone-Campbell Movement. I commend his more recent book, A Lover’s Quarrel. It gives a personal, historical perspective of our heritage from the living historical treasure who is Leroy Garrett. A brother from the instrumental, independent Christian churches put me onto the book. I take a lot of personal instruction from Dr. Garrett’s example of teaching truth in love. You may not agree with him, but how can you not love him? He is one who loves the Church as Christ loves the Church. Wouldn’t it be grand if our love for the Church guided our history and future more than our love for our egos and our craving for being right?
Anything Leroy has written is worth reading!
http://www.leroygarrett.org/
The two passages in Eph 5 and Col 3 deal with everyday life but that would also include Sunday. They both teach about one another and yes we can interact with one another on any day but also on Sunday.
One of my concerns is that when you bring in the instrument you are bringing in the shadows and types of the Old Testament. In this covenant the reality is found in Jesus Christ. Let us honor Him with praise from our lips and hearts.
Bringing in the instrument divided the church in the past and it is currently doing it again. We are kidding ourselves if we think the instrument will help us reach the lost people of the world. It has been the traditional practice to have the instrument. The Catholic church and various protestant denominations have used the instrument for centuries. Everyday souls are being born again and it has been through the teaching / preaching of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and raised. The gospel.
If you want to be non-tradititonal in your apprach to reaching this post – modern cullture then teach the word of God. The mega church movement and the emerging church movement will have its day but they are the novelty right now.
Keith,
I do believe you set an indoor record for a comment. If you were outdoors with a wireless laptop connection you need to check the wind to see if it was wind aided (looks like it was) to see if it holds.
Didn’t get much past Alvin,
Kieth , Just an observationf rom your comments on I Cor 14 . In verse 26 Paul writes about a hymn, a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation all for the purpose of strengthening the church. He tells those who speak in tongues to interpret so the whole church can be edified. The question I have always had is how the mechanical instrument of music can ever edify or teach us ? It is difficult for me to see how the use of the instrumrnt can ever be useful in the new covenant approach to worship.
I still don’t understand why this is even an issue. The basic question that nobody can answer satisfactorily is:
“Why exactly do you want instruments in the church?”
Forget the “right and wrong” of it, because it has been obvious for years that there is no end to those arguments, and no conclusion can be reached that will satisfy everyone. The basic question remains: if everybody else already has “together” worship with instruments, why do you want the churches of Christ to do it too?
Somebody will undoubtedly answer, “so people can exercise their God-given talents to worship him.” If that is the correct answer, then we need mirrors installed down the auditorium walls, and rails attached, because some people have “gifts” in ballet dancing. We need to have a pvc dust collection system installed, because many people’s “gifts” are in woodworking. We need some easels set up, because many people’s gifts are in the visual arts.
Just because you are talented or “gifted” at something doesn’t mean that it belongs in “together” worship.
It is incredibly interesting to me the dichotomy in the actions of many of those who are in favor of adding instruments. In their everyday life, many of them are “green”, admire primitive methods of doing things, buy “organic” foods, bemoan the rampant consumerism in the world today, generally eschew the “modern” way of doing things, and beat the drums of “individuality” and “uniqueness” mercilessly. For some reason, though, when it comes to our congregations, those same people tend to want to make us conform the image and pattern of so many other congregations. In my opinion, the church of Christ model (non-instrumental, independent congregations, etc…) is one of the most authentic, organic, individualistic, unique forms of “together” worship out there. Why in the world would we want to change it, unless we found something Biblically wrong with the model?
Can somebody PLEASE answer this question honestly? PLEASE?
Kerry,
Because worship is all of life not just what is done inside a building. Wood working, ballet, engineering and how its done is worship.
Two sentences, no scripture reference took me less than 1 minute.
Kerry, Thank you ! I am wondering the same thing. One of the disctinctive characteristics of the church of Christ has been singing without the instrument. It has been a non-traditional approach to worship in a world filled with traditional worship. Singing can edify and encourage along with all aspects of worship where we can be stirred up to love and good works. Then we can leave the assemblies to preach, teach, and be invovlved in various works of compassion
Lord have mercy on your souls if you feel the need to add to God’s word.
I have enjoyed reading everyone’s essays above. Personally, I don’t believe that Instrumental Music in worship is a salvation issue and haven’t for quite some time. I believe that churches that use verses such as Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 are misusing these verses to say things that Paul never inferred.
I have run the gammit with churches of Christ. I worshipped with congregations that didn’t believe in supporting Widows and Oprhans homes from the church treasury and did not believe it is right to eat in the building for 10 years. I also worshipped with Richland Hills church of Christ for 10 years after that.
Let me also say that I grew to love my brothers and sisters in Christ at both locations. What I found were sincere people in both locations who honestly believed they were following Christ to the best of their abilities.
The saddest part of my experience with both groups of churches though was the factions within both groups that are intollerant of the other. On one hand, some in the conservative churches believed that everyone who went to churches such at RHCC were in error because they ignored verses within the Bible. On the other hand, factions within RHCC didn’t always consider the stumbling blocks put in place (as the Bible commands us not to put stumbling blocks in their place) towards those more conservative at RHCC and also looked down upon their more conservative brothers and sisters as being modern day Pharisees because they were looked upon as narrow minded or too strict with their interpretation of scripture.
In my opinion, both sides of the church are guilty. Personally, I think we all struggle as Paul described in Romans 7 to live a completely devoted holy life toward God as well as counting some portions of scripture as more important than others…although scripture teaches us that all scripture comes from God.
Jesus, as well as the apostles, taught that the greatest commandment of all is to love God first and our brother as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).
My plea is this….we need to strive for unity and not division. For both sides of the issues from both spectrums of the church, it is not funny or in vogue to make fun of or demean other Christians who are just as sincere as you are. It is just as important to love your brother enough to consider them as you would yourself when making decisions in regards to worship. The bottom line is that everything we do, must be consistent with scripture and not our own agenda’s.
Love one another Brother and Sisters!
Thank you for providing the open forum.
It is unlike an elder at Richland Hills who said if you worship with us you will do what we decide. No open discussions. No appeals to the Bible. No expressions of contrary opinions than what we announce. No conferring with other overseers in nearby churches of Christ.
I have made a listing of all of the approximately 100 congregations of churches of Christ in the Fort Worth area. Only one is or plans to be instrumental, and so far as I am concerned, it should not be included in the listing. It (RHCC) is not a part of the fellowship of churches of Christ even though they may continue to wear the name. The churches of Christ who brought salutatations from the apostle (Romans 1:16) were all a cappella. As long as I have a voice to speak or a pen to write, when I speak of churches of Christ it will have the same connotation as Paul’s. That is why I thank Max Lucado for changing the name when he abandoned the New Testament pattern in praise. His old college roommate Rick Atchley would do the brotherhood a favor by doing the same. The sooner that those not of us, go out from us, the better. He professes to be a champion of unity when in reality he has caused more division, tears and heartache among Christian families than any man I know.
I am now calling for the champions of change to meet in an honorable public orderly oral discussion of these matters. Choose a Garrett or Atchley or Cope or Lucado or whatever Goliath you can muster. God will bring a David from the sheepfold to meet him with the sword of the Spirit. Truth has nothing to fear. I am serious. Where is your man?
Alvin:
I was sincerely saddened by what I perceived to be a combative spirit. Jesus did not die for muscial instruments or for a cappella praise. Jesus died on the cross so that sinners like us (and all our brothers) could be forgiven and enjoy sweet fellowship together here and eternity together in the full presence of the Lord Jesus.
In my humble judgment, young people are not leaving our congregations because they love Jesus less than we. They are not leaving because they have less respect for God’s revealed word than we. They are not leaving because they have no respect for the sacrifices others have made to help bring God’s people to many of the healthy understandings which we enjoy because of the study and efforts of our forefathers.
Some of our very finest young people are leaving the “Church of Christ: because they cannot buy into doctrine shaped out of the thin air of what some call “the law of exclusion in biblical silence.” It is quite different to substitute our own will and ways for what the Lord has commanded. Our ways can never substitute sprinkling for immersion. We dare not substitue purely instrumental praise for singing. Some would say say that we dare not substitute purely a cappella singing for instruments since God has been pleased with both as evidenced in both ends of the Bible.
Instrumental praise was clearly acceptable in the Old Covenant Scriptures (1 Chronicles 15:16; 16:42; 2 Chronicles 5:13; 7:6; 34:12-13; Psalm 68:25; Psalm 50 and all the instrumental musical instructions imbedded within the psalms). Its use is clearly endorsed and never condemned in the New Covenant Scriptures (Luke 15:22-32; Acts 2:42-47, Revelation 5:6-14, and in the ADO plus PSALLO renderings of Ephesians 5:18-21 and Colossians 3:15-17).
Back to our younger Christians, I am convinced that it is not even our ways of handling (or mishandling) God’s word that turns many of them off and causes them to look elsewhere for fellowship. Many, especially those who grew up in the “Church of Christ,” are most turned off by some of the unloving and ugly spirit they have seen in some of us over the years.
“Love one another as I have loved you (laying down our lives for the brothers)” is still in the Book as Jesus’ New Commandment. And Jesus commented “By this shall all men know you are my disciples!” That is the “Hallmark” of a real disciple.
None of our issues are so important as our brothers. Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace is maintained by those who learn to “bear with one another” (Romans 14). Real unity will never be enjoyed when we insist upon institutional “uniformity” — insisting that everybody must see and do things exactly the same way in areas of scriptural ambiguity.
Most of the issues which I have seen divide the body of Christ (within the fellowship of the “Church of Christ”) over my past 54 years since I came to Jesus, have often had nothing to do with clear “black and white” explicit commandments of the Lord and arguing about obedience to Him.
When brothers stop “loving one another,” stop “bearing with one another,” any little thing can tear them apart. This is likely true whether we stand more on the “right” or “left” or “centrist” position while interpreting the word of the Lord. People who really love one another will not be torn apart by issues of our own manufacturing from perceived “silence and the law of exclusion.”
Brother, as we approach the end of our race, let us be very careful to maintain deepest love and respect for our Father, for Jesus who died for us and for the Holy Spirit who comforts us.
The Matthew 25 “In as much as you did it unto the least of these, my brothers, you did it unto me” passage really burns into my heart. If this teaches anything at all it teaches that our love for the Lord is most obviously demonstrated by the way we treat the rest of his children. I pray, from the depts of my heart, that we may all really “love one another as Jesus has loved us.”
The angry, combative spirit really must go. When the meek and mild Lord Jesus really blasted folks during his personal ministry, Jesus went after the Pharisees, the Bible-bangers of his day who legislated in the areas of “biblical silence and built a whole system around the law of exclusion.” Many of our younger Christians have seen many of us older ones as more like the Pharisees (who crucified the Lord) than like Jesus (who was crucified for our sins_. May God bless us all!
All of the rationalization and theological maneuvering in the world will not change the fact that the churches of the New Testament did not use instrumental music in worship to God. I suppose it is simply a matter of whether we believe that to be important. I do. The authority of Jesus Christ and the Scriptures far exceeds the opinions of Richland Hills, their elders, their preacher, or any other man. What will be the next step away from the New Testament?
This argument can easily be settled. I have scanned the jillion or so responses to this blog looking for scriptures. Show me the scriptures! Can someone please quote some scriptures that answer these simple questions. I mean cut and paste the verbatim scriptures for all of us to see. Put us out of our misery, settle this once and for all by answering one or all of the following questions:
1. Scriptures that say we SHOULD NOT use intruments in worship or 2. Scriptures that say we SHOULD use musical insturments in worship or 3. Scriptures that say the early church USED musical instruments in worship or 4. Scriptures that say the early church DID NOT USE musical instruments in worship.
Please cut and paste, not just use the scriptural reference.
An illustration for this issue: A father tells his two boys to go out and play. They obey and go outside where there is a sandbox. The younger brother goes to the sandbox to play but he is stopped by the older brother. “Dad did not tell you to play in the sandbox.” The younger brother said, “Dad just said to play, he did not say we should stay away from the sandbox.”
Which brother is right? Unless someone can come up with a clear scripture answering one of the four questions above, I would say the Father told us to go out and worship (in the Spirit), He did not tell us to stay away from instruments or to use instruments. If I am wrong, please quote the scripture where He gives us instructions on instruments.
Is it wrong to play in the sandbox if the father did not explicitly say to play in the sandbox? Am I going to base my doctrinal stand on what the Father did not say? Am I going to judge which brother is right or wrong based on what the father did not say?
One other thing. I have always been under the impression the Church of Christ is not a denomination. Each church is independent. If one church decides to do whatever, this does not affect the church down the street. Each church looks to the Lord for guidance and follows Him. It is not up to the church down the street to make decisions for other churches.
Jhn 21:21 So Peter seeing him *said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?”
Jhn 21:22 Jesus *said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what {is that} to you? You follow Me!”
Herb, you asked for the Scriptures. They are given here from the NIV:
Instrumental praise was clearly acceptable in the Old Covenant Scriptures:
1 Chronicles 15:16 – David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.
1 Chronicles 16:39-42 — David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon to present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law of the LORD , which he had given Israel. With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD , “for his love endures forever.” Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.
2 Chronicles 5:11-14 — The priests then withdrew from the Holy Place. All the priests who were there had consecrated themselves, regardless of their divisions. All the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD . Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God.
2 Chronicles 7:6 — The priests took their positions, as did the Levites with the LORD ’s musical instruments, which King David had made for praising the LORD and which were used when he gave thanks, saying, “His love endures forever.” Opposite the Levites, the priests blew their trumpets, and all the Israelites were standing.
2 Chronicles 34:12-13 –The men did the work faithfully. Over them to direct them were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites descended from Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, descended from Kohath. The Levites—all who were skilled in playing musical instruments—had charge of the laborers and supervised all the workers from job to job. Some of the Levites were secretaries, scribes and doorkeepers.
Psalm 68:24-26 — Your procession has come into view, O God, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary. In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the maidens playing tambourines. Praise God in the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.
Psalm 150 — Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
Instrumental praise is clearly endorsed and never condemned in the New Covenant Scriptures:
Luke 15:22-32 – “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music (sumphona, song of many instruments) and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” (NOTE: Father’s house is the church, we are the prodigals and Father said we had to celebrate our salvation with many instruments)
Acts 2:42-47 – They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to MEET TOGETHER IN THE TEMPLE COURTS. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, PRAISING GOD AND ENJOYING THE FAVOR OF ALL THE PEOPLE. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Note: the praise of the Temple Courts was with the whole congregation, choirs, and a full orchestra and this very first congregation of Christians was praising with all the people)
Revelation 4:6-11 – In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Revelation 5:6-14 – Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Note: this is a parabolic picture of church age, not eternity after time because Jesus is still on the throne and is addressed as the One who WAS, IS and IS TO COME. The elders are leading the congregation with instruments)
Ephesians 5:18-20 — Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Note: the PSALMS are to be used in Christian praise; remember Psalm 150. In/by/with our hearts we are to BOTH sing (ado, sing either accompanied or unaccompanied AND psallo, make music with instruments).
Colossians 3:15-16 — Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Note: with all of our hearts ruled by Christ, we are to teach, admonish [encourage] with PSALMS; remember Psalm 150)
Good scriptures, Keith. Thanks. This, to me, is where the discussion should be taking place, right in the middle of these and other scriptures. I do recoil at the idea of adopting a change to draw more people or to reach the younger crowd or for unity or for tradition, unless the change is based on scripture first.
The scriptures you quoted from the OT are clear. Instruments were used to worship and praise the Lord. No doubt. I do not see how anyone could argue with the clarity, nothing left to interpretation.
So, what happened to instruments in worship between the OT and NT?
I have read in some of the many comments above that the old has passed and the new has come. Yes it has. Does this mean we trash the entire OT? If not, what parts do we keep? The NT is clear, we are no longer under the law. What else happend between the OT and NT that would cause us to ignore these scriptures for today, for the church? Were God-ordained instruments in worship, say 1 year before Jesus was born, all of a sudden a sin once Jesus was born? Or, more accurately, was God-ordained instrumental worship okay right before Jesus died but a sin once He rose from the grave or after Pentecost? God evidently wanted us to worship Him with instruments of all kinds in OT days. Did He all of a sudden not like instrumental worship at Pentecost?
What is one of the side effects of this argument? Our attention is taken away from praising Him and onto how we praise Him. HMMMM. Who would want to take our attention away from praising Him. Maybe the enemy.
When I read Psalm 150, I cannot but help want to praise Him:
Psalm 150 — Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
As I read this, my focus is not on the cymbals, not on the flute but on our Lord. When we get caught up in the instrument argument, our focus shifts from Him to the cymbals or guitar.
As I reread your comments I see you already answered my question above. One link between the OT and NT, one carry over from the OT right to the heart of the NT church is Psalms and Psalms in worship, Col 3. How can we sing Psalm 150 in our church service and leave out the instruments? How do you say oxymoron? So Psalms did not pass away with the old and is a link with OT and NT worship.
What about the harp? Remember how David used the harp with Saul and the evil spirit? The harp was used in other situations in the OT. Does God no longer like the harp in worship?
I know this issue is rooted deep in some hearts. But, what a distraction in our walk with the Lord, what a diversion from real worship, what a divisive factor in the body. When we let something like this split his body, turn brothers against each other, we are truly letting the enemy have a foothold in the church.
Thanks for your eye opening scriptures and your thoughts.