Analyzing Arguments
in Favor of Instrumental Music
Christianity is a religion of faith. To walk by faith means that we live in
harmony with God's Word. This has special application to our expression of worship:
It must be according to God's will! Our faith, practice and worship must be
grounded in the teachings of the Bible. The New Testament furnishes us with
a pattern for worship. Sadly, many people are content to follow manmade systems
of religion without ever determining whether or not they are pleasing to the
Lord.
Let's consider one specific issue: What kind of music should we use in worship?
Every so often one of our neighbors will ask, "Why is it that churches
of Christ do not use instrumental music in worship?" The answer is simple.
We do not use mechanical instruments of music in worship because there is no
New Testament authority for such a practice. Vocal music is all that God ever
authorized. Of those passages in the New Testament that speak of music in worship,
without exception the focus is on singing (Matt. 26:30; Mk. 14:26; Acts 16:25;
Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12; Jas. 5:13). The New
Testament teaches that God desires us to worship him in song, and we must be
content with that divine decree. Ephesians 5:18-19 says, "And be not drunk
with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart
to the Lord." Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
In spite of the plain teaching of Scripture, many still try to justify the use
of mechanical instruments of music. Let us examine some of the arguments made
in favor of instrumental music. A diligent study of each point will show that
these arguments do not hold water.
I. "It Is An Expedient."
Some try to justify instrumental music by saying, "It is an expedient."
Webster defines an expedient as something "useful for effecting a desired
result; suited to the circumstances or the occasion; advantageous, convenient."
Certain things in religion can be justified as expedients, but there are biblical
principles that must be respected.
In order for a thing to be an expedient, it must first be lawful. It must fall
within the bounds of that which God has authorized. If there is no command,
approved example, or necessary inference in the New Testament to justify a practice,
then we should avoid it (Matt. 15:7-9; Col. 3:17; 2 Jn. 9).
Consider the tragic example of Uzzah in the Old Testament (2 Sam. 6:6-7). He
surely thought he was justified when he reached out to steady the ark when the
oxen stumbled, but he sadly discovered that an act cannot be an expedient if
it is unlawful (Num. 4:15).
Furthermore, an expediency has to do with a best choice among various options.
Certain things may fall within the realm of God's commandments, and assist us
in obeying his will. For example, communion plates and cups help in serving
the Lord's Supper. A church building is often the most expedient way of carrying
out God's command to assemble. When Jesus gave the great commission, he said,
"Go teach." Since the Lord did not specify how they were to go, the
apostles were free to choose the most expedient method of travel.
However, man has no options when the Lord specifies exactly what he wants done.
In such cases we are not free to do something else and call it an expedient.
If we go beyond what is specified, and offer a substitute, we are guilty of
adding to God's Word (Deut. 4:2; Lev. 10:1-2).
In giving the great commission, Jesus said, "Preach the gospel." He
specified what they were to preach. No one is at liberty to preach anything
other than the gospel of Christ (Gal. 1:8-9). This principle is also illustrated
through the Bible's teaching on baptism. The New Testament repeatedly pictures
baptism as a "burial" (Acts 8:38-39; Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12), and the
Greek word itself means "to dip, plunge, or immerse." Some would claim
that sprinkling is simply one way to carry out God's command regarding baptism.
Not true! Sprinkling is a substitute. God has specified the "mode"
of baptism he desires, and no other will do.
When God commanded us to make music in worship, he specified what kind of music
he desired: "singing" (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Thus we cannot justify
instrumental music as an expedient. It is not merely an aid, but is in fact
an addition to God's commandment. The use of instrumental music is unauthorized
and cannot be practiced "by faith."
II. "It Was Used In the Old Testament."
Many would defend the use of instrumental music by saying, "It was used
in the Old Testament" (2 Chron. 29:25; Psa. 150). True, but we are no longer
under the Old Testament! The Law of Moses served its purpose and it has now
been abolished (Gal. 3:22-25; Eph. 2:13-16; Col. 2:14-16). Those who are living
today are under law to Christ (1 Cor. 9:21). As a result, no one can seek to
be justified by the Law of Moses (Gal. 5:14). The Old Testament called for animal
sacrifices, burning incense, circumcision, a distinction between clean and unclean
meats, etc. You can't take one and leave the rest. Paul warned the Judaizing
teachers, saying, "I testify to every man that is circumcised that he is
a debtor to the whole law" (Gal. 5:3). The same statement could be made
to those who would reach back to the Law of Moses in an effort to justify instrumental
music.
III. "It Is Not Explicitly Forbidden."
Others would argue for the use of instrumental music by saying, "God didn't
say not to use it!" However, such a premium on silence could justify almost
anything. The Bible does not have to specifically condemn something for it to
be wrong. Faith is based upon the Word of God (Rom. 10: 17; 2 Cor. 5:7). Our
Father has clearly and positively stated that he wants us to worship him in
song. When God specifies what he wants, unauthorized alternatives are excluded.
There is a maxim of law, which states that the expression of one thing is the
exclusion of another. It must be so, for otherwise legal contracts would not
be definite, and there would be no precise understanding of law. In the Patriarchal
dispensation, God commanded Noah to make an ark of gopher-wood. This positive
command disallowed the use of any other kind of wood. In the Mosaic dispensation
when the Passover was instituted, God specified that a lamb was to be killed
- not a heifer or a goat; it was to be one year old - not two or three; it was
to be without blemish - not with a blemish; it was to be offered on the fourteenth
day of the month - not some other day; the blood was to be applied to the door-posts
and lintels - not elsewhere. The same principle applies here! In the Christian
dispensation, God told us to worship him in song, and this eliminates playing
an instrument.
IV. "It Is Used In Our Homes."
Many would support the use of instrumental music by saying, "It is used
in our homes." We also have lawn mowers, hair dryers and washing machines
at home, but does that prove anything? We do many things in our private lives
which have no part in the public worship (Mk. 7:1-8; 1 Cor. 11:20-22).
V. "It Will Be Found In Heaven."
Others would advocate the use of instrumental music by saying, "The Book
of Revelation speaks of it in heaven" (Rev. 5:8; 14:1-2; 15:1-2). First,
let us realize that the Book of Revelation is filled with symbolic imagery,
and it is a perversion of the text to literalize those symbols. Revelation describes
various colored horses, bowls of wrath, burning incense, four-headed beasts,
a sea of glass, etc. Heaven is described in physical terms which we can understand,
but we must never forget it is a spiritual realm. Nothing material will be found
there (1 Cor. 15:50). Revelation 14:2 describes the majestic chorus of 144,000
voices as they sing praises to God. The heavenly chorus was characterized by
great volume (as the voice of many waters and great thunder), and beautiful
harmony (the voice of harpers).
Furthermore, we must understand that Revelation is picturing a different realm
or dispensation. Those who lived under the Mosaic dispensation will be judged
by the Law of Moses. Those of us who live under the Christian dispensation will
be judged by the Gospel of Christ. Our focus should be upon what is required
of us during this Christian age. Whatever God chooses to do in the future is
his business.
VI. "It Is Supported By The Greek."
Some would defend the use of instrumental music by saying, "The use of
instrumental music is justified by the Greek." Such a statement shows a
great deal of ignorance concerning the Greek. The expression translated "make
melody" in Ephesians 5:19 is from the Greek word psallo. Its root meaning
is "to pull, rub, strike, pluck, or vibrate." In Classical Greek,
the word did in fact describe the playing of a mechanical instrument. However,
words change over time and in the Koine Greek of the New Testament this word
applied exclusively to singing. Forty-seven scholars worked to produce the KJV
and 101 scholars translated the ASV. Every time psallo appeared, it was translated
"sing" (Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Jas. 5:13). Were all these
scholars wrong? Of course not! It is interesting to note that many of these
translators were members of churches which used instrumental music. They could
have tried to justify their practice, yet they remained true to their scholarship!
Conclusion
It is essential that we have Bible authority for everything that we do or practice
(Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11). Which New Testament passage justifies the use of instrumental
music? There is none! We must learn "not to go beyond the things that are
written" (1 Cor. 4:6, ASV). Christians are commanded to sing, and the instrument
we worship God with is the heart! Paul said, "Make melody in your heart
to the Lord."
by Mark Mayberry via Guardian of Truth -- January 18, 1990
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