The Instrumental Music Question

1. The Instrumental Music Question Answering Arguments from Human Reasoning Part 3

2. Answering Arguments Where does the Bible say not to? Answer: When God specifies one kind of music for worship, any other kind of music is excluded (see Gen.6; Ex.12; Num.19; 2 K.5; Mt.26:26-29; Jn.9; Eph.5:19 and Col. 3:16). Had God said, “Make music” or “play music”, any kind of music would be authorized.

3. Answering Arguments • Answer: We go by what God says, not by what He does not say (see Lev.10:1; Deut.17:3; 18:20; Jer.7:31; Ac.15:24). Remember, a practice does not have to be expressly forbidden (“thou shalt not”) to be sinful.

4. Answering Arguments • The New Testament does not specifically prescribe it or forbid it; it is “adiaphoros” (a term used by the Lutheran Church and others; it means morally neutral; neither right, nor wrong). Answer: God has spoken about the kind of music he wants in the church. When he specifically authorizes singing, all other music is forbidden.

5. Answering Arguments • There is no specific mention of it in the New Testament, like church buildings. The Scriptures are “silent” on mechanical instruments so the issue is in the realm of opinion. Answer: This is mixing “apples and oranges.” The church building is authorized under the generic authority to assemble (Heb.10:25). The instrument is excluded by the specific authority to sing.

6. Answering Arguments • It is only an “aid,” like songs books, song leaders, or a pitch pipe. Answer: A true “aid” does not add anything to, or change in any way, that which is specified. A true “aid” is not an addition. Mechanical instruments of music are an addition. When using a song book, one thing is being done – singing.

7. Answering Arguments Answer: When singing with a mechanical instrument, two things are being done – singing music and playing music; thus, it is not an aid, it is an addition.

8. Answering Arguments • Answer: God’s generic authority allows any expedient or aid to fulfill the generic authority. An “aid” must (1) be lawful (1 Cor.6:12-13; 10:23), (2) edify (1 Cor.10:23), and (3) not cause destruction (1 Cor.8:13; 10:32-33). But, in the case of music, we have specific authority – singing.

9. Answering Arguments What about using the piano to keep the “pitch” all throughout the song? The repetition of tones is playing a “melody,” not “pitch”.

10. Answering Arguments • Instrumental music is played in the home. Answer: There are some things that are morally right when done in the home, but religiously wrong when done in the church (Mk.7:3-7; 1 Cor.11:22,34; Gal.5:1-4).

11. Answering Arguments I use my talent to praise God. I have a God-given talent to play the piano in worship. Answer: This argument would allow anything in worship to God. Standing on your head and hog calling are talents. Should these be in the church? A person with talent must still remain within God’s pattern (Ex. 25:8-9, 40; 26:30; 31:1-11; 35:30 - 36:1; 38:22).

12. Answering Arguments • I don’t see any harm in it. I like it. It sounds good. I was raised hearing instrumental music in church. Answer: What about Eve (Gen.3)? What about Uzzah (2 Sam.6:6-7)? The important things is what does God want (Gal. 1:10)? What does He like (Jn. 8:29)? What does God say (Heb.1:1-2)?

13. Answering Arguments Answer: Will-worship is sinful (Col.2:23; see also Mt.15:9 and Ac.17:22-23; Isa.55:8-9; Jer.10:23; Prov.14:12)! “What saith the scriptures (Rom.4:3)?” should be our guideline, not, “What do I like?”

14. Misc. Questions Is it all right for Christians to listen to instrumental music outside the assembly? Answer: Christians sang outside the assembly and did not play (Acts 16:25; Jas. 4:15). Listening to contemporary “Christian music” can be like the famous Trojan horse.

15. Misc. Questions Is it right to have beatboxing with singing? Answer: We are to sing and teach and this requires words not sounds (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

16. Misc. Questions Is it all right for a Christian to practice religious songs on the piano? Answer: As long as the practice does not lead to worship “to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

17. Misc. Questions Is it all right to have solos and choirs in the church? Answer: The command to sing involves everyone – “one to another” (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

18. Misc. Questions Is it all right to sing or play Christmas music that involves Jesus? Answer: Some songs that are biblically-based are also used at Christmas time (“Joy to the World”). Just because a song is used for an unauthorized celebration doesn’t mean that the song itself is unauthorized. Is the song a “spiritual song” (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)?

19. One Argument Never Made • You will never hear anyone say, “Jesus commands New Testament Christians to use mechanical instruments of music.” You will never hear anyone say, “You cannot be pleasing to God unless you play a mechanical instrument of music.”

20. The Instrumental Music Question • Do we understand better the issue over the instrument? • We “sing” because that is what God said he wanted. We refuse to play a mechanical instrument because God never authorized it in the New Testament.

21. The Instrumental Music Question We can unite upon what is in the New Testament. We can never unite upon what is not in the NT. Mechanical instruments of music in worship to God by Christians is never found in the New Testament, and, as such, is unauthorized.