Is worshipping with instruments ‘darkness?’
Posted on February 11, 2008
Filed Under Bible 'Quick Notes', Instrumental Music
by Matt Clifton
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.
Please also consider this article by Basil Overton.
As always, thank you for your comments, and for reading.
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3 Responses to “Is worshipping with instruments ‘darkness?’”
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Thanks Matt,
It is easy to see that one could be a professing Christian without ever knowing or practicing all these doctrinal details of faith. I have to wonder where that would put that one on judgement day? Such is a scary thought.
Can one be a believer in the Christ, be baptized into Him and still be saved if ignorant of these doctrinal details and not yet finding knowledge of them before He returns?
Thanks again,
ollie
Ollie,
Good question. I think it all comes down to the idea of living a life of repentance, and being submissive to God.
The sort of person you are talking about (one who has learned the biblical way of salvation, but perhaps has not advanced far in doctrine) is still a Christian, of course. We can look to the example of Acts 2 and Peter’s sermon to the Jews. There was not much teaching about the specific worship of the church there, but they were required to believe on Jesus as the Christ, repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. This was done publicly, so it was an open confession of Christ. Those who heard the word and obeyed were added to the church by Christ Himself (Acts 2:47).
They were at that point Christians. If they died right on the spot afterward, I’m sure they were heaven-bound.
When one obeys the gospel, frequently that person does not understand completely all things about the church. Yet, I don’t think we can say they are going to be lost because they do not know perfectly about doctrines of the church.
Peter tells us, though, that we have to be growing and learning (2 Peter 1:5-11), and Paul told Timothy to “study to show thyself approved” (2 Tim. 2:15).
In the case of those who have learned the truth, though, and stray from it, there is extreme spiritual danger involved. That is why we hate to see brethren fall away from the doctrine of the church. Our love for them compels us to express our concern for their practices.
God bless you in your studies, Ollie. Thanks for your questions, they cause me to think and study more also. We all need that!
Matt,
Thanks for your reply and encouragement. I am learning and working to grow in the Lord. I pray I can learn and share in His love and that we all can in Him.
ollie