BACK TO THE BASICS - MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC Introduction I Johnny asked, "Mom, CAN I go over to Bobby's." A. "Yes you CAN, but no you MAY not." II. It is important for us to know why the churches of Christ still loyal to the Bible don't use mechanical instruments of music in worship. III. So many times we have been misrepresented in what we affirm. A. We are not affirming that all "music" is sinful. B. We are not affirming that all "mechanical" music is sinful. C. We are not affirming that all "instrumental" music is sinful. D. We ARE affirming that all mechanical instruments of music in worship are sinful. IV. In this lesson we will research the history of music in worship and the kind of music God wants in worship. Body I THE HISTORY OF MUSIC IN WORSHIP. A. Music in the Old Testament temple from David to Exile. 1. God sanctioned the use of instrumental music is worship in the Old Testament (1 Chr 23:5; 2 Chr 29:25; Psa 150:1-6). B. Music in the synagogue worship from the Exile to the church. 1. The Synagogue was the chief center of worship after the Babylonian captivity. 2. Instrumental music was not used in the synagogue worship. a. Winford C. Douglas stated in Church Music in History and Practice, "The synagogue music was an adoption without musical instruments of the Temple music." b. In Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, McClintock and Strong, "Instruments were never used in ancient synagogue worship." (1) It was not until June 14, 1815 in Berlin that any Jewish synagogue had the mechanical instrument. (2) And as is pointed out by Tom McLemore, "The worship and organization of the New Testament church were an adaption of the Jewish synagogue worship." (a) The synagogues were overseen by elders. (b) The services consisted in reading from the law, sermons, prayers, singing, and alms-giving. C. Music in Christian worship during the apostolic days (33 AD to 100 AD). 1. Singing is the only music we find in Christian worship (Acts 16:25; Rom 15:9; 1 Cor 14:15; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16; Heb 2:12; 13:15; James 5:13). D. Music in the church during the time of the Church "fathers" (100 AD to 500 AD). 1. Justin Martyr "The use of singing with instrumental music was not received in the church of Christ . . . but only the use of plain song." 2. According to Dr. James W. McKinnon, professor of musicology at Columbia University, "The Fathers of the early church were virtually unanimous in their hostility toward musical instruments." a. He also stated that instruments in the church were not used until after the fourth century. E. Music in worship from 500 AD to the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. 1. McClintock and Strong state that Pope Vitalian in 660 AD first introduced organs to churches. 2. Philip Shaff, History of the Christian Church, "The Latin church (Catholic church) introduced it (the organ) pretty generally, but not without the protest of eminent men, so that in the Council of Trent a motion was made, though not carried, to prohibit the organ at least in the mass." 3. Mechanical instruments of music continued to be used throughout the middle ages in Catholicism. F. Music in worship in the Protestant Reformation. 1. According to McClintock and Strong, "The early reformers, when they came out of Rome removed them (the instruments) as the monuments of idolatry." a. Martin Luther, founder of the Lutheran Church, called the mechanical instrument in worship "an ensign of Baal and a sign of the devil." b. John Calvin, founder of the Presbyterian Church, said: "Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting of lamps, the restoration of other shadows of the law." c. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, said: "I have no objection to the instruments of music in our chapels, providing they are neither seen nor heard." d. Charles Spurgeon, a famous Baptist preacher, said: "I would as soon pray to God with machinery as to sing to God with machinery." 2. But according to Philip Shaff, "In recent times the opposition (to the organ) has largely ceased." G. Music in worship in the Restoration Movement. 1. The pioneers of the Restoration Movement recognized that mechanical instruments of music in worship had no authority in the New Testament a. Alexander Campbell, a restoration leader, said: "I presume that to all spiritually-minded persons such aids would be as a cowbell in a concert." b. J.W. McGarvey, a 19th century Christian scholar, said in The Apostolic Times, "I hold that the use of the instrument is sinful, and I must not be requested to keep my mouth shut in the presence of sin, whether committed by a church or an individual." 2. But in 1851, some members of the churches of Christ began to introduce the instrument into worship. a. In 1857, the church of Christ at Midway, KY, was the first congregation on record to use the instrument. 3. This was one of the issues which resulted in the division between the churches of Christ and the Christian church. a. In 1906, the U.S. Census reported a distinction between the church of Christ and the Christian church. II. THE KIND OF MUSIC IN WORSHIP. A. Vocal music is the only music authorized by God for Christians (Eph 5:19). 1. Congregational singing. 2. Each individual participating. 3. Spiritual songs. 4. Melody made in the heart. B. Instrumental music in worship is a violation of God's word (1 Jn. 3:4). 1. Instrumental music violates the LAW OF FAITH. a. Christians are to walk by faith not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). b. It takes faith to please God (Heb. 11:6). c. Faith comes by hearing God's word (Rom. 10:17). (1) The instrument of music is not authorized in the New Testament. d. Since instrumental music is not a part of divine writ, it cannot be of faith. 2. Instrumental music violates the LAW OF WORSHIP. a. No religious service is acceptable to God unless it's authorized by His word (Jn. 4:24; 17:17). (1) The New Testament mentions four different kinds of worship: (a) Vain worship (Mt. 15:9). (b) Ignorant worship (Acts 17:23). (c) Will worship (Col. 2:23). (d) True worship (Jn. 4:24). (2) Only singing is according to His word - the truth. 3. Instrumental music violates the LAW OF UNITY. a. Instrumental music causes division (1 Cor. 1:10). 4. Instrumental music violates the LAW OF EXCLUSION. a. This is a principle that says when God has specifically commanded a thing, implicitly all other things in that class are excluded. b. The Bible authorizes by: (1) Direct command (no direct command for instrumental music). (2) Implication (no implication for instrumental music). (3) Approved action (no approved action for instrumental music). 5. Instrumental music violates the LAW OF SILENCE. a. God has warned man not to go beyond what's written (2 Joh 9-11). (1) Instrumental music is going beyond the written word of God. (2) God's commands are both generic and specific. (a) "Generic" means that the word is universal, general and that we have liberty. (b) "Specific" means that we are bound, limited and cannot go beyond what is specified. i) In the New Testament, God commands that we "sing" (specific); He did not command "make music" (generic). (3) Instrumental music cannot be held as an opinion. (a) An opinion cannot violate other positive teachings. (b) The Bible is not silent about worship; the Bible specifically says sing. Conclusion I. We have explored the history of worship and kind of worship God wants. A. And we can logically conclude that God wants and authorizes vocal music. II. The wisdom of God is seen in this choice. A. Everyone can sing for the heart. ** If you have any questions or if you would like to become a Christian, please let us know. Alan C. Cole 26th St. Church of Christ 101-26th Street Huntington, WV 25703 Phone - (304) 522-0717 E-Mail - Cole8@marshall.edu Homepage - http://mupfc.marshall.edu/~cole8/