“Historically,
the ban on instrumental music in Churches of Christ was based on the Bible,
specifically what’s not in the Bible. In an effort to restore the church to its
earliest days, an emphasis was placed on being “biblically correct” by not
adding anything to a worship service not mentioned in Scripture.”
“But that’s
no longer the case among most Highland members, said David Green, chairman of
the elders or main leadership team of the church (there is no authority for a
head elder and its obvious the author doesn’t understand the eldership—DW).
Just because instrumental music isn’t mentioned doesn’t mean it’s not allowed.”
“‘No one in
the eldership believes it is scripturally prohibited,’ Green said.”
It is amazing to me that the author points out the obvious and yet many of
our brethren do not see it. She states that the church once went to the Bible
for its authority in worship and practice but now it does not seek biblical
authority and as was pointed out in past articles, points to people, preachers,
other congregations, colleges and the world for what it will do in practice and
worship. What makes us think as people that we know more than God? What makes
us think that we can do what we want when we want and that somehow, God will
not only accept it, but love it and reward us accordingly? The fact is we must
worship in spirit and in truth to be pleasing to God (John 4:24). We must have
our heart in the worship and we must worship according to the truth of God’s
word (John 17:17). Who are we to add anything to that worship or take anything
away from that worship (Deuteronomy 4:2)?
As God’s people, we must have the authority of Christ in all that we do
(Colossians 3:17; Matthew 28:18). Silence in the Scripture does not allow us to
choose any method or any style of worship or behavior that we desire. Noah was
told what type of wood to use in building the ark. To do otherwise would have
been disastrous. Nadab and Abihu were told what type of fire to use in worship
but chose profane fire and were killed. The Levites were told to carry the Ark
of the Covenant and yet when placed on a cart and touched by Uzzah, it brought
death. Silence does not mean we can do what we want. If the doctor gives me a
prescription, do you think the pharmacy will allow me to take any drug from
their shelves? Of course not! And the argument, well the doctor didn’t say I
couldn’t get other drugs is not going to hold water. The pharmacists knows what
the doctor authorized by the script. Likewise, we know what God authorized by
His Scripture.
In worship, we are commanded to sing. Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word
of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:19 says, “Speaking to one another in psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody I your heart to the
Lord.” Notice that we are to sing (not hum, not play an instrument, not make
instrument sounds). We sing with words that teach and admonish one another,
meaning we all sing to one another with words that encourage and motivate while
praising God. We sing with words and hearts of thanksgiving. We sing with songs
of a spiritual nature, not worldly nature. We sing to praise God.
These verses are not silent about music in worship. They teach us to sing
congregationally. We must not add instruments of music to that worship or we are
in sin. I pray for repentance!
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