Today we complete our brief study of instrumental music in worship…
BRIEF HISTORICAL NOTES CONCERNING INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
- Differing dates are sighted for the introduction of instrumental music in worship, but all of them are centuries after the apostolic period. A historian by the name of Bowles said that instruments “appeared with some frequency during the period from 1000-1300 while in the later middle ages its use continued to spread…” (See The Spiritual Sword. Woodson, William. January 1993). In fact, since the time of Christ, much more worship has been offered to God without the instrument than with the instrument! While we may be in the minority today, in the historical context, we certainly are not. (Not that minority/majority really matters.)
- The first documented case of instrumental music within the restoration movement in the U.S. involved a man named L.L. Pinkerton who introduced the instrument in worship at the church in Midway, KY in 1859. There were likely a few cases previous to this in the 1850’s. (See Sounding Brass and Clanging Symbols, Woodson, William, p. 19).
- Perhaps it should be noted that there are in fact many other groups who continue to oppose this manmade addition to worship, such as most Orthodox churches, Primitive Baptist (and some other Baptist Churches), The Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, Mennonites, Quakers, Amish, some Anglican churches as well as others.
COMMON ARGUMENTS FOR INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
ARGUMENT #1: Instrumental music is used in the OT.
RESPONSE: Yes it is, but our standard for faith and practice is the NT of Jesus Christ (see Jn. 12:48; Mt. 17:1-8).
ARGUMENT #2: The book of Revelation talks about instrumental music.
RESPONSE: The mention of instruments of music in Revelation is in regards to a vision of heaven. Two things should be said about this: (1) What takes place in heaven is not a model for our worship on earth. (2) Also, in reality, there will be no instruments in heaven because it is a spiritual realm. Flesh and blood can’t enter into heaven (see 1 Cor. 15:50), and neither can a piano or symbol! What can enter heaven is our spirit from which our songs and worship proceed!
ARGUMENT #3: The word “psallo” in passages like Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 means “to pluck as of the harp.”
RESPONSE: Two things should be mentioned here. First, the best Greek lexigons suggest that while the word “psallo” originally meant to “pluck the strings” (or something similar), by NT times the word came to mean simply singing. (See Gingrich & Danker, Strong’s, Thayer’s Greek Lexicon.) Secondly, even if the definition of “pluck the strings” could be proven, the Bible text indicates that it is the cords of the heart that are to be plucked! (See again Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:16.)
ARGUMENT #4: The use of instrumental music is a matter of opinion.
RESPONSE: It is the opinion of some men that it should be used. The way we worship God is a matter of faith for which God has supplied all we need to know (see 2 Pt. 1:3; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Rom. 10:17). When God commands something, He does not need to tell us everything we are not to do. For instance, with the Lord’s Supper He doesn’t need to tell us everything we should not use (peanuts, tea, etc.). To consider the authority of the silence of the Scripture, see Hebrews 7:14 (and also Col. 3:17 again).
ARGUMENT #5: Instrumental music is a matter of expediency. In other words, it simply helps our singing.
RESPONSE: Perhaps we need to be reminded that singing to God has two main functions or purposes: (1) To praise the name of God; and (2) To teach and admonish one another. Concerning the first point, does a dead instrument really give praise unto God? Should we decide how the God of heaven should be praised, or should we let Him decide what gives Him glory? Secondly, simply singing (vocally) accomplishes the task of speaking to one another in song. If anything, the use of instruments hinders the ability to communicate a vocal message.
ARGUMENT #6: There is no difference between using instruments of music and using PowerPoint, a pitch-pipe or a song book.
RESPONSE: There actually is a big difference. Instruments of music are an actual part of the worship being offered to God. I’ve never known a single person who felt that way about PowerPoint, a pitch-pipe or a song book. These, and many other things, are simply expedients which help facilitate the actual worship.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
- It is ironic that churches of Christ have historically been ridiculed for not using instruments in worship. Instead of doing so, wouldn’t it be wonderful if such people would give up their man-made innovations and take a step toward religious unity in the truth?
- Let us make certain that our focus is always upon giving God the glory that His holy name deserves!
Daren Schroeder
