In a recent article, I discussed the decision of the leaders of Quail Springs church of Christ in Oklahoma City to add an instrumental service to their worship. A few readers responded to my article with the idea that those who opposed the Quail Springs decision are being “comdemning” and “judgmental.”

As a response, I asked the question, “How dark does darkness have to get before we oppose it?” I cited Paul’s admonition to the Ephesians:

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

A couple of readers commented, in effect asking the question, “How can instrumental music be darkness?”

Since instrumental music is admittedly absent from the New Testament (both sides of the issue seem to agree on this), the burden of proof seems to lie on the side of the instrumentalist to show why it would be acceptable to God.

As for my understanding, Paul says that whatever is not of faith is sin (Rom. 14:23). Since faith comes by the word of God (Rom. 10:17) and instrumental music is not commanded in the New Testament, it would seem that instrumental music is, at best, not of faith.

Since many go to the Old Testament for justification for the practice of using instrumental music, it might also be noted that Paul said:

Gal 3:12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “THE MAN WHO DOES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”

If instrumentalists use the Old Testament as a standard, they put themselves into the postion of obeying the whole law.

So, whether one inquires of the Old Testament or New, instrumental music does not seem to be “of faith” according to the scriptures.

Therefore teaching others to use the instrument when the New Testament–the rule of faith for the Christian–includes no mention of their use by Christians is to digress from the teachings of Christ.

Those who oppose the use the instrument are not just scholars of the church of Christ. Pick up a copy of the book, “Old Light on New Worship” by John Price, a scholar of the Christian Reformed denomination. He does a good job of investigating the issue.

As always, thank you for your comments, and for reading.