MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC

Transcription

1 MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC About e auor... Terry was baptized at e age of 13 in As a teenager he preached monly for two rural congregations. He was married in 1965 to Mary Herbst. They have two grown children, Shelley (married wi four sons) and Brett (still single). Terry graduated in 1967 from Souern Illinois University at Carbondale wi a bachelor s degree in education. He taught maematics and physics in public schools in St. Louis County from 1967 to During at time he became a deacon at e Lemay church of Christ in St. Louis County, working wi evangelism and you. He was hired in 1975 to work more in dep wi e you and evangelism. In 1977 he was hired to work full time wi e church and began full time preaching ere in In 1997 began working wi e Collinsville church of Christ in Collinsville, Illinois where he now preaches. Terry has preached in you rallies and gospel meetings in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia, and West Virginia. He has preached in and directed crusades to Jamaica, West Indies. He has also preached and participated in work in Murmansk, Russia, e largest city in e world above e Arctic Circle. Introduction A century ago, in e United States, ere was a great problem in e church which had been stirring for several decades. That problem eventually led to a division which brought about e denominations called e Christian Church and e Disciples of Christ. That monster continues to raise its ugly head today. The controversy at caused at division centered around e music of e church wheer a capella singing in e worship of God is a matter of tradition and opinion, or of doctrine. The controversy over e use of mechanical instruments of music in e worship of e church was not, however, a new one at arose in e United States in e late 19 century. There is no evidence of e use of such instruments in e early church. However, as e church fell into apostasy, according to F. W. Mattox, By e fif century some mechanical music began to be introduced. Organs were not used until e eigh century (156). In e apostate Roman church, e use of mechanical instruments was not officially sanctioned until Pope Vitalian in e seven century, and it was not immediately received wi universal favor. It was even abolished, for a time, by Pope Gregory in 1074 (Brumback 75-76). Since is has been a controversy for centuries, and is an on going controversy, it is necessary at all Christians be prepared to give an answer regarding is matter (1 Peter 3:15). A Matter of Auority In all ings ere is a need for guidance, direction, and auority. Can you imagine e chaos at would be in is world if ere were no auority, no laws? I cannot imagine what e major intersections of downtown Kansas City would be like if at were e case. So it is wi religion. The chaos in religion today because of denominations and world religions comes as a result of not recognizing auority. There is a need for auority in religion just as ere is in all ings. In Christianity, ere must be auority for all teaching, practices, and worship. The Ready To Give An Answer The 18 Annual Mid-West Lectures Page 1 not to be sold. For information contact e 39 Street Church of Christ E. 39 Street, Independence, Missouri 64055

2 possible sources of auority is revealed by Jesus when he was questioned by e chief priests and e elders in e temple regarding His teaching. When asked by what auority He taught, He turned e question back to em when He asked, The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men (Matew 21:25)? Jesus us revealed at auority for any matter comes eier from God or from man. If it is of man, at auority has eier been usurped by man or given him by God. Truly, all auority rests in Christ (Matew 28:18). Paul wrote, And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in e name of e Lord Jesus, giving anks to God e Faer rough him (Colossians 3:17). To do someing in e name of anoer clearly means to do so by at one s power, or auority (Acts 4:7). Therefore, when man auorizes at which has not come from God, he is in error and sins against God. Man is not to add to what God has auorized, nor take away from it (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19). Man is not to go beyond what God has written (1 Corinians 4:6) He is to continue in e doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). He is to walk by fai (2 Corinians 5:7), at system of fai given in Christ (Jude 3). Wi regard to worship, one is to worship not only in spirit, but in tru (John 4:23-24). To do so is to worship according e word of God (John 17:17), or in oer words, by at which God auorizes. Wi regard to music in e worship of e church, God says we are to have it. Singing, a form of music, is auorized by e word of God. After instituting e Lord s Supper, Jesus and e apostles sang as ey went out unto e mount of Olives (Matew 26:30). In e context considering e assembly of e saints at Corin, Paul wrote, What is it en? I will pray wi e spirit, and I will pray wi e understanding also: I will sing wi e spirit, and I will sing wi e understanding also (1 Corinians 14:15). Paul also wrote at we are to speak, teach, and admonish one anoer by singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 2:16). This is ample evidence at singing is auorized as an act of worship to God. The purpose of is lesson, however, is not to consider singing, but e use of mechanical instruments of music in praising and worshiping God. In doing so, an attempt will be made to examine and refute some of e arguments made by ose who want to auorize e use of mechanical instruments of music. The No Auorization Needed Argument Given O. Blakely, in his debate wi Alan Highers, said, I question at ere is such a ing as <auorized worship (40). He added, As we ink about e knowledge of God, remember we have affirmed roughout is debate at e worship of God cannot be regulated (150). I contend, however, at ere is such a ing as auorized worship and at worship of God is regulated by God Himself. Jesus, in His dialogue wi e Samaritan woman at e well, said, But e hour come, and now is, when e true worshippers shall worship e Faer in spirit and tru: for such do e Faer seek to be his worshippers. God is a Spirit: and ey at worship him must worship in spirit and tru (John 4:23-24). Mr. Blakely said, regarding is, That text, verse 24, can mean one of two ings...a great number of people...are of e persuasion at it means God has a legal requirement at men worship him in spirit and Tru. That is not my position (216-17). Regardless of Mr. Blakely s position, we must ask, What is e position of God? Jehovah is e God of tru (Psalm 31:5). He keeps tru forever (Psalm 146:5-6). He wants man to worship in tru Ready To Give An Answer The 18 Annual Mid-West Lectures Page 2 not to be sold. For information contact e 39 Street Church of Christ E. 39 Street, Independence, Missouri 64055

3 (John 4:23). His word is tru (John 17:17). Therefore, man, to worship as God has ordained and regulated, must worship him in...tru (John 4:24 emphasis TLM), which is according to His word (John 17:17). The term, must, from e Greek, dei, means, according to Thayer, it is necessary, ere is need of, it behooves, is right and proper (126). Therefore, at must, at necessity, indicates regulation which is according to tru, or to God s word. It should be understood at we are under law. The apostle Paul, in his writings, refers to e law of fai (Romans 3:27), e law of e Spirit (Romans 8:2), and e law to Christ (Galatians 6:2). James, in his epistle, writes of e law of liberty (James 1:25, 2:12) and e royal law (James 2:8). That law, of course, is at which is written in God s word, His tru. One of e problems of today is at we have entered into e entertainment arena. It is ought at if it makes me feel good, if I like it, it is all right wi God. That is e only auorization one needs e feel good auorization. A former campus minister from Mississippi, Ray Notgrass, has observed... What must be guarded against is (1) inking at we are drawn closer to God when, in fact, we are disobeying him...; and (2) being emotionally uplifted by music...and actually being drawn closer to at an to God under e allusion at, if it makes me feel better, it must be God-approved (Freed-Hardeman Forum 19). Yet, as we have seen above, regardless of one s feelings or opinions, one must worship as auorized by God s word. The Old Testament Argument Given O. Blakely affirmed at The employment of instruments of music in singing of praise does not transgress e law of God... (17). The specific law at he referred to, however, was e Law of Moses. He said, e law was e nature of God compressed into ten succinct statements, and written wi his finger upon tablets of stone (150). Oers have, also, looked to e Old Testament for auorization to use mechanical instruments of music in worship to God. Passages can be cited where timbrels were used in connection wi singing to e Lord. The psalms frequently refer to harps, timbrels, psaltery, and oer instruments in connection wi praise to God and singing praises. It is even found at mechanical instruments of music were incorporated into e religious services in e temple, as initiated by David. Yet, Amos spoke of e presumptuous act of David when he declared, Woe unto em...at sing idle songs to e sound of e viol; at invent for emselves instruments of music, like David (Amos 6:1-5). However, regardless of how many citations from e Old Testament can be made and regardless of what auorization is found in e Old Testament, at has no bearing on New Testament Christians today. We are no longer under e auority of e Old Testament. Paul made it clear at e Law of Moses was to be in effect until e seed, which is Christ, should come (Galatians 3:16-19). In His dea upon e cross, Christ abolished at law (Ephesians 2:14-16), nailing it to e cross (Colossians 2:14). Whatsoever we do in worship is to be in e name of, by e auority of, Christ not Moses, not e patriarchs (Colossians 3:17). Oerwise, we would have auority for e burning of incense Ready To Give An Answer The 18 Annual Mid-West Lectures Page 3 not to be sold. For information contact e 39 Street Church of Christ E. 39 Street, Independence, Missouri 64055

4 and offering burnt offerings in worship to God. Why do we not do ese today? Because ey are not auorized by Christ and His law. Mechanical instruments of music should not be used for e same reason. The Not Specifically Condemned Argument Many have said at e mechanical instrument is acceptable to God because it is not specifically condemned. It is true at it is not specifically condemned. Yet, if it was required at God specifically mention everying not acceptable to Him, e ear could not hold e volumes of books at would be necessitated. This is such a shallow argument at even e smallest child understands oerwise. Gaer togeer any group of children and have em play e game, Simon Says. They understand at ey are to do only what Simon says in order to stay in e game. Send a child to e store for milk, and he knows immediately at he is to return wi milk and milk only. If specific directions are given to go to e neighborhood store down e street, he immediately understands at he is not to go all e way across town to purchase e milk. If e child returns wi no milk, or wi milk and ice cream, he knows he has disobeyed. Why is it so difficult to apply at same principle, at is so readily understood by children, to religion and to worship in particular. As has been pointed out already, God has auorized singing in New Testament worship. If at is eliminated, we sin. If anying unauorized is added, we sin. This principle was illustrated quite well wi e story of Nadab and Abihu, as found in Leviticus 10:1-2. They were auorized to burn incense in worship (Exodus 30:7). When burning incense, coals of fire from off e alter were to be used (Leviticus 16:12; Numbers 16:46). They were specifically instructed not to use strange incense (Exodus 30:9), but no similar instruction is found regarding e fire. One might understand eir hesitancy of approaching e altar to get coals to use for e burning of incense because of what had just happened prior to is incident (Leviticus 9:24cf). However, at was no excuse. We read at ey offered strange fire which he had not commanded em (Leviticus 10:1 emphasis TLM), and ey were punished for doing so. God had given a specific command regarding e fire to be used, coals from e altar. He did not have to say not to use any oer fire. This principle is so easily understood. Why, en, do people want to argue oerwise when it comes to music in e church? God has auorized singing. No oer music has been auorized. Mechanical instruments of music have not been auorized. God did not have to say, Do not use any oer music in worship to Me. He did not have to say, Do not use mechanical instruments of music in worship to Me. The Psallo Argument Some say at e instrument is inherent in e term make melody translated from e Greek, psallo (Ephesians 5:19). According to Webster s Seven New Collegiate Dictionary, to be inherent means, involved in e constitution or essential character of someing (435). If e instrument, en, is inherent in e term, psallo, it is an essential it cannot be removed or changed. Let us observe Ephesians 5: In is passage ere is a positive command, be filled wi Ready To Give An Answer The 18 Annual Mid-West Lectures Page 4 not to be sold. For information contact e 39 Street Church of Christ E. 39 Street, Independence, Missouri 64055

5 e Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Following e command ere are five present participles. This indicates e action which is to accompany or to result from e command. These present participles are speaking, singing, making melody, giving anks, and subjecting. Roy Deaver notes at singing and making melody are connected by e conjunction, and. This indicates e essentiality of each. Therefore, if mechanical instruments are inherent in psallo, it is not just auorized, but mandatory (The Psallo...18). In oer words, it would be compulsory for everyone to bo sing and play a mechanical instrument. There would be no choice. Can you imagine what a mess at would be? There is not one instrument at I could even begin to play. However, it is not inherent. According to Vines, psallo means primarily to twitch, twang, en, to play a stringed instrument wi e fingers, and hence, in e Sept., to sing wi a harp, sing psalms, denotes, in e N.T., to sing a hymn, sing praise (Volume III:58). Thayer defines psallo as being from e root word which means to rub, wipe; to handle, touch,...a. to pluck off, pull out...b. to touch or strike e chord, to twang e strings of a musical instrument so at ey gently vibrate; to play on a stringed instrument, to play e harp...to sing to e music of e harp; in e N.T. to sing a hymn, to celebrate e praises of God in song... (675). It can be seen, en, at, as wi many words, ere was a progression of meaning over e centuries. Originally, it meant merely to pluck, such as a hair, bowstring or carpenter s line. It came to be used to touch e chords of a musical instrument. Yet, by e time of Jesus and e apostles, it had come to mean to touch e chords of e human heart in song. Thus, in Ephesians 5:18-19, e positive command to be filled wi e Spirit followed by e present participle making melody actually demands an instrument at someing be touched. We are to sing and make melody wi e heart. The heart is e instrument, used figuratively. David Lipe indicated at e translation of e Hebrew word zamar by e Greek word psallo in e Septuagint version is always followed by e preposition and e name of e instrument (Freed Hardeman Forum:80). He cites Psalm 98:5 and Psalm 149:3 as examples. He went on to say, In Ephesians 5:19, e instrument on which e melody is made is e heart (Freed-Hardeman Forum 81). Roy Deaver points out at some insist singing and making melody are distinct, wi making melody being accompanied wi e heart. However, as was pointed out in e introduction, e early church did not understand it as so (The Singing...16). Deaver continues by pointing out at wi your heart is in e instrumental case. Thus, e heart is e means or instrument by which e making melody takes place. The making melody is not distinct, complete wiin itself, separate from e heart (The singing...16). One can, erefore, see, at e mechanical instrument is not intrinsic to e term psallo. The term does, however, demand at someing be plucked or touched. That instrument to be plucked is not a mechanical instrument, but it is e heart, used in a figurative sense. The Found in Heaven Argument There are ose who, not being able to find auorization in e literal commands of e New Testament for mechanical instruments of music in worship, turn to e highly figurative writing of John s Revelation. John recorded at ere were ose in heaven at had harps (Revelation 5:8). Ready To Give An Answer The 18 Annual Mid-West Lectures Page 5 not to be sold. For information contact e 39 Street Church of Christ E. 39 Street, Independence, Missouri 64055

6 There was, also, an angel wi a trumpet (Revelation 9:14). Therefore, it is concluded at mechanical instruments of music are auorized in New Testament worship. This is an extremely weak argument, and ere are several matters at should be kept in mind. First, Revelation does not deal in any way wi e worship of Christians here on is ear. Therefore, even if ose in heaven literally use mechanical instruments of music, at does not auorize one to do so in worship to God on ear. Second, ere are many ings found mentioned by John as being in heaven at are not included in e worship of Christians, such as e burning of incense and e wearing of white robes. If mechanical instruments are so auorized, why are not ese and oer matters so auorized. Third, Revelation is quite figurative. Oers, such as premillennialists, have taken such figurative language literally in order to make false assumptions. It is quite dangerous and questionable to take from such a figurative document and assume someing is literal wiout some oer basis for doing so. Actually, one should question e idea at ere are or will be literal mechanical instruments in heaven, just as one would question e literal picture John gives of streets of gold and gates of pearl. Did not Paul indicate at corruption does not inherit incorruption (1 Corinians 15:50)? Can ere be anying in heaven, literally, at is corruptible? I believe e implication is at ere will be noing in heaven of a corruptible nature. That includes mechanical instruments of music, or any oer literal mechanical device. The Aid Argument Finally, ere are ose who argue at e instrument is merely an aid, as are public address systems and tuning forks. The instrument, ey would argue, merely aids in e singing of songs of praise. An aid provides wi what is useful or necessary in achieving an end; gives assistance (Webster s 19). As an aid, erefore, e instrument would be an expedient. It would be someing necessary or helpful in achieving e end of singing. Is at what e instrument does when incorporated into worship? Does e instrument provide what is necessary to achieve e end of singing? Can one not sing wiout an instrument? I dare say if one would ask any famous opera vocalist if he/she can sing wiout e use of an instrument, e answer would be, Yes. The instrument is not necessary to achieve e singing of praises in worship. Does, en, e instrument merely assist in e singing? Again, I dare say if one would ask any musician of some famous orchestra if he/she merely provided assistance to a vocalist, e answer would be, No. The use of an instrument provides a different kind of music. Conclusion As stated before, e real issue is at of auority. The use of a mechanical instrument of music in worship to God is merely evidence of e problem. Do we allow anying? Is worship regulated? Is ere a need for auority in worship? As has been seen, we are under law. We do need auority in all at we do, including worship. Singing is auorized as an act of worship. Yet, ere is no auority to play a mechanical instrument of music in worship to God. Ready To Give An Answer The 18 Annual Mid-West Lectures Page 6 not to be sold. For information contact e 39 Street Church of Christ E. 39 Street, Independence, Missouri 64055

7 Works Cited Mattox, F. W. The Eternal Kingdom. Delight, AR: Gospel Light Publishing Company (1961). Blakely, Given O., and Highers, Alan E. The Highers-Blakely Debate on Instrumental Music In Worship. Denton, TX: Valid Publications (1988). Brumback, Robert H.. History of e Church. St. Louis, MO: Mission Messenger (1957) Deaver, Roy. The Singing and Making Melody Argument. Spiritual Sword, Volume 10, Number 1. Memphis, TN:Getwell Church of Christ (1978) Deaver, Roy. The Psallo Argument. Spiritual Sword, Volume 10, Number 1. Memphis, TN:Getwell Church of Christ (1978) Freed-Hardeman University Preachers and Church Workers Forum. Instrumental Music: Fai or Opinion. Huntsville, AL: Publishing Designs, Inc. (1991). Thayer, Joseph Henry. Greek-English Lexicon of e New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House (nd). Vine, W.E. Vine s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Old Tappan, N.J.:Fleming H. Revell Company (nd). Webster s Seven New Collegiate Dictionary. Springfield, MASS: G. & C. Miriam Company (1971). Ready To Give An Answer The 18 Annual Mid-West Lectures Page 7 not to be sold. For information contact e 39 Street Church of Christ E. 39 Street, Independence, Missouri 64055