Instrumental Music In Christian Worship
Instrumental Music In Christian Worship INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
By A. O. COLLEY The subject that I am to address you upon is to my mind one of great importance to every one of us. It is a live issue that we must understand or we will do much harm opposing it or by compromising its importance to the detriment of the cause of Truth.
I have made this question a serious study for many years, not from a selfish or prejudiced viewpoint, for I had rather be On the other side of the question if I should allow that to enter into it, it has a side to me far more important than that. It has divided a once happy and united people into at least two bodies, both claiming to be "Christians," and has been the source for many other evils that follow after all departures from the plain word of God. The Church of Christ, in its primitive purity, is to my mind the greatest institution that ever has or ever can exist. And one of the strongest ones to oppose as long as it stays with "Thus saith the Lord." But when it breaks away from that, they are no stronger in their plea for "Unity" than other religious bodies.
I have observed many steps taken by those who advocate the use of instruments in their efforts to find a real reason for using the instruments. I have been at times amused at their shifting positions. Some of those considered their strongest men have shifted their positions on this subject several times since I have been reading after them. No two of them seem to take the same route to defend it. They have tried to get the faithful brethren to let the subject alone, trying to say that the division that has resulted from it is caused by us opposing it, and there is nothing in the subject further than "Expediency," "Good Taste" and so on; but recently they have produced a champion from Canada that takes the position that you must have the instrument to carry out what we are required to by the expression "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19) without the instrument. Some of them hastened into the papers, giving strong endorsements to this man's NEW DISCOVERY, but when railed on to defend it they back off.
I give you this bit of history and observation to show you this subject is a live one, constantly coming up to the student, preacher and teachers for a disposition.
Removal of the Rubbish
There have been many false issues raised on this question, the waters have been muddied with foreign matter that needs to be cleared away to see the real issue upon this great question. 'Those who favor the instruments try to make it appear that the tuning fork, used sometimes by our songleaders, is a musical instrument. They have one kind and we have another. I do not consider this a very intelligent claim, but I will briefly notice it. A "Musical Instrument" is an instrument that you can play a tune upon, combining length, pitch and power, the elements of music. The fork has only one of these elements, "pitch". It is used, when used at all, to get ready to carry out the command "sing," and that part that it plays is over before the "singing" is started. It occupies about the place of the announcement of the number of the song—an incidental that is over before the song is started.
Music in the Home
"If we can have music in the home no harm to have it in the church." The Lord has never told us WHAT KIND OF MUSIC to have IN OUR HOMES, whether to have any kind or all kinds, that is left to us. He did command singing in the worship and we have no right to change it in any way. We can use many things on our tables, at home, but must not tamper with what the Lord authorized to be put on HIS TABLE—the bread and the fruit of the vine.
Song Book and the Instruments The advocates of instrumental music in Christian worship say "The song hook, notes, etc., are not mentioned in the New Testament, and if it is wrong to use the instruments in our worship these things would also be wrong." To this I wish to say, the song book, notes, etc., add nothing to the command to sing, in fact, they help to carry out the command without adding one thing to the command. When the Lord commanded a thing to he done He implies EVERYTHING that is NECESSARY to carry out the command in the command itself. To illustrate this, I will say, when the Lord commanded us to "Teach and Baptize" the nations, lie implies everything necessary to carry out the commands given. He does not say go to the water, but we find the .Apostles and first teachers carrying out that command in the very way the Lord implied that they should when he gave it. "They came unto a certain water." Acts 8:36-39.
Just so when the Lord commands us to "Sing" he implies everything that is necessary to carry out the command in the command itself.
If it takes a "Song Book" to carry out the command it is implied, if it takes a "Tuning Fork" it is implied. If it takes an instrument to obey the command sing (who is hold enough to affirm it) then it is implied. The song book adds nothing to the command of God, but instrumental music does, it is therefore wrong.
"Nothing For or Against in the New Testament." The next objection I wish to notice is, "There is nothing for or against the use of the instrument in the New Testament." This admission is a little too strong for some of the instrumental music advocates now. Some of them are trying to prove you can not carry out the command "sing," as given in the New Testament, without the use of the instruments. This is too strong for the more thoughtful among them who are trying to hold out that there is nothing "for or against its use in the New Testament." If we take them seriously on this point it shows us that they do not play nor sanction the use of instruments AS AN ACT OF FAITH , for "Faith comes by hearing." Since there is no testimony on the question for its use, whatever division that has arisen over its use, is in direct
violation to the prayer the Lord offered for his followers --that "They be as one." John 17:20.
If the New Testament does not furnish a precept or example for the use of instrumental music, and men of their own determined will force them into the worship, they SIN. (1) Faith comes by hearing Cod's word. Romans 10:17. (2) Where there is no testimony (nothing for or against) there can be no faith. (3) No faith, no acceptable worship. Hebrews 11:6.
Again: (a) In the absence of testimony there can be no faith.
(b) No faith, no acceptable service.
(c) The playing of instruments of music in the New Testament worship is not an act of faith, it is
therefore sinful. Romans 13:13.
"Not Commanded to Either Sing or Play."
One of the modern efforts to show that it is left to "Sanctified Common Sense" as to what kind of music we have when we assemble for worship is, "We are sure not commanded to either sing or play, the brethren just took it up as a pleasing exercise." This comes from one of their men who has shifted his position at least four times since I have been studying the question. It was also advocated by a man I recently met in public discussion. But this is weak as I view it. and doubly hard on them, as they do both "sing and play," and without authority for either, according to their admission, while we only do one, "sing," and that was done by both Jesus and the Apostles while they were here. The Old Testament Teaching
Some of the tactics of modern advocates of instrumental music in divine worship is to collate the many times it is mentioned in the Old Testament, arranging them in chart form, and then try to force the conclusion that a thing so well established in the Old Testament could not he wrong in the new. The one most guilty of this when called on to defend it in public discussion backs off and opposes an open debate on the question. He believes in a one-sided debate, carried on by himself with his opponent as far away as possible. The advocates of "Sabbath of the Decalogue" is binding upon Christians of today; adopt these same tactics as a rule, and make a good showing toward proving them where they have no opponent. The advocates of "Infant Membership" in the New Testament Church also adopt this line of reasoning. All students of the Bible who know how to rightly divide the word of God are able to meet these arguments.
I shall not go through the Old Testament to see all that is said upon this question, but will adopt what I think will be the plainest way to handle the question from the Old Testament. When we reduce the Old Testament argument to its legitimate basis, first, to be of any value to us today, the instruments must he found under one of these two headings. It must be used IN THE HOLY PLACE OF THE TABERNACLE, or it must be found in PROPHECY in the Old and A FULFILLMENT IN THE NEW.
If under the first heading—IN THE TYPE. WHAT DID IT TYPIFY since types NEVER typified themselves.
If under the second heading—IN PROPHECY. Where did any inspired man ever say, "This is that that was prophesied by the prophet " They shall play instruments of music in the last days. No, there is no such intimation in either the types of the church in the Old Testament nor in the prophecies. Those who appeal to the same do so to muddy the waters. While on this, I wish to tell you that I have met one of their men on this question, who openly affirmed that Jesus used the harp to speak his parables. He proposed to found this on Psalms 49:4. "I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark sayings upon a harp," but when I got after him on it, he was unable to find where Jesus ever used a harp (or any purpose. I also insisted on him pointing out to the audience that the writer of that psalm was speaking of himself, for in verses 5 he confessed his own iniquity. Then Psalms 72:2 was offered and Matthew 13:33 as its fulfillment, but as there was NO HARP IN EITHER of these two I insisted that the two passages from psalms did not refer to the same thing.
Singers and Players There This passage is found in Psalms 87:7, which reads, "As well the singers as the players in instruments shall be there; all my springs are in thee."
While this is the strongest passage the advocates of instrumental music have ever brought forward to prove their contention, it likes much proving it for the following reasons: First, it is not a good translation of the passage. The Septuagint translates the passage, "The dwellings of all within thee is as the dwellings of those that rejoice." The AMERICAN REVISED VERSION renders it "They that sing as well as they that dance shall say all my fountains are in thee." This passage does not refer to the church as they try to prove, neither does it carry the idea of instrumental music any more than "Rejoice in the Septuagint or "Dance" in the American Revised Version. Just why any man that has any respect for scholarship can offer this to Bible readers to prove the contention under review, I can not see. The Book of Psalms as Authority Today.
Those who want to justify the use of the instruments today try to do so by finding the instruments used in the Book of Psalms, and then trying to prove this book was written for all time—that it is no part of the Law of Moses and is therefore binding upon us today. This to my mind is very dangerous. The Psalms of David are no more binding upon us today than other parts of the Old Law. In fact, many of the statements of the Psalms are so far different to the NEW TESTAMENT teaching upon the same things that they directly conflict, showing that God does not demand the same standard of service today that he demanded when the Psalms were written.
First: Jesus refers to the Psalms as "LAW " in John 10:35-36. "The Jews answered him, for a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy and because thou being man, makest thyself God." Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, I said ye are Gods." This is written in Psalms 82:6. This same thought is found in John 15:25. "They hated me without a cause." Note the Saviour's comment: "This cometh to pass that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their law, they hated me without a cause." This passage refers to the Psalms of David, calling them "LAW, " Psalms 35:19; Psalms 69:4. Alexander Campbell said: "The term law in common usage, a rule of action. It was used by the Jews until the time of our Saviour to distinguish the whole revelation made to the Patriarchs and Prophets from the traditions and commandments of the Rabbis or Doctors o f the Law. Thus when we hear David extolling God's law we are to understand him as referringto all divine revelations extant in his "Sermon on the Law, page 10.
Further Evidence on the Psalms Not Binding Today
(1) David prayed for the Lord to "Cut off my enemies."Psalms 143:12. Jesus prayed, "Father
forgive them (His enemies) they know not what they do," and taught the disciples to
"Pray for those who dispitefully use you."
(2) David prayed, "Destroy all men that afflict my soul." Psalms 44:5 The New Testament
teaches us. " If thine enemy hunger, feed him." Romans 12:19-20.
(3)David said. "Blessed he Jehovah mv rock who teaches my hands to war and my fingers
to fight." Psalms 144:1; Psalms 149:7-8.
Jesus taught, "My Kingdom is not of this world: if My Kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews." John 18. When Christians desire instrumental music bad enough to argue that the Psalms of David are binding upon us today as a book, they have either failed to look into the question, or they care but little for a true interpretation of the Book of God. The Lord gives us victories today in a different way, by the sword of the spirit (Ephesians 6:17) and helps us to overcome our enemies "by the blood of the Lamb," whose praises we "sing" as a result of His word dwelling in us richly or abundantly. Ephesians 5:19; "Being filled with the spirit." Colossians 3:16-17. The Instrument in Psallo In this objection I suppose is to be found what the advocates of instrumental music believe to be their strongest proof. By this they propose to appeal to the learned or educated class. They say that the word "Psallo," used by Paul the Apostle, in his letters to the Corinthians, the Ephesians and the Colossians, and one time by James (including all forms of the word) contain authority for the use of instruments. This appeal is not without "Fruit," as they have been able by it to capture some who used to be faithful to the word of God. It has a good "Ring" to it, as no one wants to stand against the good scholars of the world, especially if they are right; but, young people, let me admonish you not to be too quick to accept anything as right, because you find so-called scholars favoring it, for I believe I can take what men have said and wreck our faith in the Bible being the word of God.
I can prove by MEN that the word of God is not an infallible guide in religion.
I can prove by men posing as scholars that infants are depraved at birth, and that they should be baptized, taken into the church, and that both infants and adults may be sprinkled by Baptism, in the face of very plain facts on being buried with Christ in Baptism. So while we study this question let us approach it feeling that the Holy Spirit, in making known "All Truth" guided the Apostles correctly on this, and all items of worship he has required of us in the New Testament. Then let us ask how can Christians safely carry out the command to "Speak to yourselves in Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs". I affirm that the how is suggested in the next phrase in the passage; "Singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord". To illustrate this: I say to the maid "Cleanse the house. Sweeping it" . Just so when we are told to speak one to another in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, the writer goes further and expresses how to do it by singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Ephesians 5:19.
There have been but few Instrumental Music advocates that have been bold enough to affirm that we are commanded to use instruments in our worship, yet that is the only position to take if the instrument is found in the command where "Psallo" is found. If the authority for the instrumental music is found in that word "Psallo" no Christian has carried out the command as it is given until he has used the instrument, then would any except the "Organist" really do what the word calls for, since they are the only ones that both "SING AND PLAY" .
If this word carries the authority for the instrument, the Apostle Paul either used it or died disobedient to the command that he had written to others to keep, for there is no evidence where he ever used an instrument. We do read where he "Sang praises unto God" in Acts 16:25. The ones to whom he wrote were also disobedient to the command if the command to use the instrument resides in the word Psallo as our music advocates now claim, for during this time there were no instruments used in connection with their songs, they came in as an addition to God's perfect law much later.
According to McClintock and Strong's Encyclopedia they were introduced at a much later date: Note what they say: "The Greek word "Psallo" is applied among the Greeks of modern times exclusively to sacred music, which in the Eastern Church has never been any other than vocal. Instrumental music being unknown in that Church as it was in the primitive Church. Sir John Hawkins following the Romish writes in his learned work on the History of Music, makes Pope Vitalian in A. D. 660 the first to introduce organs into the Churches. We use this for the purpose of showing corroborative evidence with the statements found in the Bible on the subject of singing, and that the instrument is NOT in the word under review, yet it has another value on the question at this point. It marks the time when men began to apply this meaning to the New Testament command, in the "Dark Ages" where nearly every false position has come from that now disturbs and divides the children of God. We also note in this, that the Greek Church, who really ought to understand their own language, do not understand that the instrument is in "Psallo" for they have never used the instruments of music in their worship. The Appeal to Our Young People
Inasmuch as our young people are appealed to on the line of scholarship and we have at our command some of the best real Bible scholars of the world on the side of truth, some of whom permit the instruments to be used on the grounds of "Expediency", who have spoken out upon this part of the question, the instrument being in "Psallo". I think it best to introduce some of them.
First we introduce the Prince of Bible scholars as he has been called, John W. McGarvey: "The Greek word Psallo originally meant to touch, then to twang a bowstring, or play a stringed instrument with the fingers as in the expression "Touch my light guitar". It meant to play a harp and finally to sing. You can find this gradual progress in the use of the word in the Greek Lexicons generally, especially in Liddell and Scott, though in the last the latest meaning given is "To sing to a harp". Sophocles, who gives the meaning of the Greek words from B. C. 146 to A. D. 1100, which includes only the latter use of the language, gives "Psallo" only one meaning: "To chant, to sing religious songs". "NO FIRST CLASS SCHOLAR OR TRANSLATOR IN THE RANGE OF MY KNOWLEDGE TAKES THE POSITION OF WHICH YOU INQUIRE. " He said this in reply to a letter from G. W. Bonham on whether or not there was authority for the instrument in Psallo.
He said again in the Christian Standard of 1895 on the same thing: "If any man who is a preacher says the Apostles teach the use of the Instrumental Music in the Church by enjoining the Singing of Psalms, he is one of those smatters in Greek who can believe anything he wishes to believe." In a letter to W. M. Thurman, he said: "Answering yours of the 9th, No scholar has ever taken the position that the Singing of Psalms requires the use of a musical instrument. It would be easy to show the Greek word, for Baptism requires sprinkling. A few men among us who are overzealous for the organ have so argued, but they are not sustained by real Scholars."
Fraternally, JOH N W. MCGARVEY.
"IT IS UNIVERSALLY ADMITTED BY THOSE COMPETENT TO JUDGE THAT THERE IS NOT THE SLIGHTEST INDICATION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT OF DIVINE AUTHORITY FOR THE USE OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN THE CHRISTIAN WORSHIP" . In "What Shall We Do With the Organ" Pg. 4, 5.
J. H . Garrison, a noted preacher among the disciples of Christ, and standing with people who use the Music, as a scholar says: "There is no command in the New Testament, Greek or English, commanding the use of the Instrument. Such a command would be entirely out of harmony with the New Testament".
I. B. Grubbs, whose principles of interpretation has been more widely known and accepted than any man I knew of, said, in reply to a letter written to him by Bro. Dunn, who asked him the plain question: "Is there any authority in the Greek for the use of Instrumental Music in worship"?—"You ask about the Greek word Psallo. Your question is: Can we get Instrumental Music from the Greek word Psallo"? IT IS ONLY IGNORANCE THAT COULD LEAD ANYONE TO THINK THAT . —While the word originally meant to strike or twang the strings of a musical instrument it had like many terms outgrown this original sense, and cannot have this meaning in the New Testament. What sense would he conveyed by the expression: "Play on Instrument in your heart to the Lord." Or what meaning could he gathered from the direction: "Speaking to yourselves in twanging the strings of an instrument." (Ephesians 5:19). If Paul directed that Musical Instruments be used in the worship, how came it to pass that he and all primitive Christians utterly ignored the requirement?"
Friends let me say here that I could extend this line to some of the most modern Greek Lexicons and multiply this kind of testimony beyond reasonable limit, but what is the use? I stand before you with the open Bible, in it is found the terms of pardon and ground of the sweetest unity. You can find no help on this or any other important subject out of it, then what does it teach us to do? I answer "Sing". But why include these scholars at this time? Because, I repeat, our young people, here and elsewhere, are appealed to from this standpoint. They are told by the Music advocates they must accept the position or be left behind in the progress of the educational world. This is untrue. I have at my hand statements from some of the ripest scholars of the world, some of them belonging to the denominations who use the Music, who frankly say: " It cannot be defended from that standpoint" i. e. that "Psallo" carries the authority for it.
I shall now leave that part of the subject and advance some affirmative thought.
Instrumental Music Was Never Used Under Any Covenant
That Included the Gentiles
God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 13:3; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 22:18, is the only one WE, as Gentiles, have any promise under. The Law that had Instrumental Music connected with it in any way came in 430 years after THE PROMISE that embraced US. It was added because the Jews, the fleshly heirs of Abraham, had "Transgressed", and was to act "AS THEIR SCHOOL-MASTER UNTIL THE PROMISED SEED SHOULD COME" Galatians 3:14-17. But since the "School-master", Christ, (The Promised Seed of Genesis 12:3) came, you are no longer under the "School-master". While the Lawgiver, Moses, DID NOT INCLUDE Instrumental Music, to the Jews, in any of their ceremonies. in the Law that he gave 430 years after the promise, but when Israel had called for a King, and had tried many other improvements on the Divine statements from Moses, they, under David as King, added to the "Mosaic Rites and Ceremonies" Instrumental Music. Many long drawn out arguments have been offered "For and Against" as to whether David was authorized of the Lord to practice Instrumental Music, all of which to my mind is unnecessary for the following reasons: First. It was in the Outer Court, and not in any type of the Church, but in the place where the burnt offerings were made. 2 Chronicles 29:26; 2 Chronicles 29:29. Second. It was under the Law that was nailed to the cross when Christ died, and is therefore not binding on us. Colossians 2:14.
It Is Dangerous to Practice It Now.
It came at a time when God governed Israel with "Carnal ordinances imposed on them until the time of reformation". Hebrews 9:9-10. Christ came (ended this law of Carnal ordinances imposed on them) took the Law out of the way, nailing it to the cross, Colossians 2:14, 2 Corinthians 3:1-9. Jewish Christians were slow to recognize this in Paul's day. They tried to bring over a well established ordinance "Circumcision", just as our Music advocates try to bring over one of the ordinances of David's time. Paul gave them to understand that the ordinance of that Law was ended and it was sinful to practice them under the "Perfect Law of Liberty" in the following way: (I) If you keep the whole Law and offend it in one point you are guilty of breaking all of it. James 2:10 and Galatians 5:2-3. (II ) If you be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing, has become of no effect to you. Galatians 5:4. (III) And those who still tried to practice circumcision found under the Law after they became Christians "Were fallen from Grace". Galatians 5:4.
If the practice of circumcision, a Jewish ordinance under the reign of the Law, endangered those who proposed to bring it over into the Gospel Age, tell me how those who claim to be enlightened by the Gospel can escape today for bringing the Instrumental Music over, found only under the reign of the Law? If men in Paul's day had done by the music as they tried to do by circumcision, bring it over into Christian Worship, we would have the plain teaching on it as upon other Jewish ordinances. Where Then Do We Get Our Authority for What We
Do in Our Worship? This is an important subject, we should all know what is regarded as real authority from the Lord, for what we should do in His Praise today.
We must evidently get it from the Apostles doctrine, for the Lord before leaving this world, prayed the Father to Sanctify them through truth—John 16:17. He promised them the Holy Spirit who should "Guide them unto all Truth." John 16:13.
They were given POWER to BIND and LOOSE on EARTH with the promise "Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in HEAVEN. " Matthew 16:19. This work should begin in Christ's name (authority) after he should suffer and rise from the dead, Luke 24:48-49. He then claimed "All authority in Heaven and on earth" and upon this authority sent the Apostles into "All the World" and to preach and baptize, and to Teach the Baptized ones, "To observe all things I have taught you and I will be with you all the way, even to the end of the world." Matthew 28:19-20. This teaching according to the divine plan began in Jerusalem where the first Church was established, and where they first preached a Risen Christ, and where the first additions to the Church were made. Acts 2:1-17. These fundamentals had been called "The Doctrine of Him that sent me." John 7:16-17. It is now called "THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE" . Acts 2:42; Acts 5:28.
These Apostles taught ALL THE TRUTH by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. John 16:7-11.
What Did The Apostles Doctrine Embrace.
It embraced the entire worship of the New Testament.
READING THE SCRIPTURES Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27.
PRAYERS, Acts 3. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
FELLOWSHIP, Contribution, Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. THE COMMUNION, The Lord's Supper, Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:1-17.
PRAISING GOD, The fruit of our lips, Hebrews 13:15; Acts 2:47. This is done by letting the words of Christ dwell in us richly and abundantly, singing and making melody in our hearts unto the Lord. Ephesians 5:10.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another, (HOW) with Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, singing with Grace (MELODY) in your heart to God." Colossians 3:16. This is what the Holy Spirit, through the Apostles, taught Christians to do in their worship. For uninspired men to tamper with any part of it by addition, subtraction or substitution, is to set God's Law aside. Those who set God's Law aside, in Old Testament times were said "To Despise it. " "To treat with contempt," "To disregard it. " Paul said "They died without mercy." And those who disregard the Perfect Law of Liberty, Christ's Law, will be thought worthy of even sorer punishment. Let us all take warning and be guided by the teaching of the Holy Spirit upon this and all of the principles of the Doctrine of Christ, peace and harmony will then prevail instead of division and strife.
Jesus prayed, in the shadow of the cross, for all who believe on me (HIM) through the words of the Apostles, that they should be one, all Christians should so pray now and then try to work in harmony of HIS WILL , TO BRING IT TO PASS. May the Lord Bless you and keep you in His Way.