Re: [TruthTalk] Here's an argument against musical instruments in worship
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Agreed, the question, "Does it bring spiritual edification and does it honor Christ" is vital. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in the direct us when the Bible is silent. The "argument from silence" is to be understood against making "silence" a prohibition and condemning others when the Bible does not do so. In opinions, liberty. WE ARE FREE TO DIFFER WHEN THE BIBLE IS SILENT. The Holy Spirit might prohibit me from doing something and not prohibit you from doing the same thing...AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T BRING REPROACH TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST. Michael D: Fair enough. I was just pointing out that absence from the scripture does not necessarily give one a free ticket to everywhere, so to speak. Paul said it this way... All things are lawful to me but all things are not expedient... And again ... all things are lawful, but I will not be brought under the power of any... Those are signs of real Christian maturity. Michael D: Glenn and Izzy, I have a question? If it is not in the Bible gives one the opportunity to decide whether to or not to, yes. But should there not be other criteria in deciding what to do in those situations? For instance, does it bring spiritual edification and does it fit in with sound biblical principle? A good example is the practice of ...pleading the blood of Jesus Personally, I can't find any ground for doing that in the scripture, so I don't do it. My feeling is that it is of limited, if any use at all. What I understand the scripture to be saying is that the blood of Jesus has given us certain rights and priviledges, and absolute authority against the enemy. Using the authority and enforcing those rights and priviledges are the way I see the scripture teaching us to appropr iate the value of the blood of Jesus, but just pleading the blood doesn't seem to be accurate... What do you all think? ShieldsFamily <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Glenn, I think you are right on in this statement. Izzy I believe if it's not in the Bible then I am free to do it or not do it. Get a bigger mailbox -- choose a size that fits your needs.
RE: [TruthTalk] Here's an argument against musical instruments in worship
Michael D: Glenn and Izzy, I have a question? If it is not in the Bible gives one the opportunity to decide whether to or not to, yes. But should there not be other criteria in deciding what to do in those situations? For instance, does it bring spiritual edification and does it fit in with sound biblical principle? A good example is the practice of ...pleading the blood of Jesus... Personally, I can't find any ground for doing that in the scripture, so I don't do it. My feeling is that it is of limited, if any use at all. What I understand the scripture to be saying is that the blood of Jesus has given us certain rights and priviledges, and absolute authority against the enemy. Using the authority and enforcing those rights and priviledges are the way I see the scripture teaching us to appropriate the value of the blood of Jesus, but just pleading the blood doesn't seem to be accurate... What do you all think? ShieldsFamily <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Glenn, I think you are right on in this statement. Izzy I believe if it's not in the Bible then I am free to do it or not do it. Get a bigger mailbox -- choose a size that fits your needs.
RE: [TruthTalk] Here's an argument against musical instruments in worship
Glenn, I think you are right on in this statement. Izzy I believe if it's not in the Bible then I am free to do it or not do it.
Re: [TruthTalk] Here's an argument against musical instruments in worship
I believe in musical instruments in church. I sent the post to show the reasoning behind anti-musical instruments. Notice they used Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:16 to claim we should make melody in our hearts to the Lord, not melody on a piano. This is called the "doctrine of silence". They believe since a piano is not in those versus it is a sin because that is adding to the Bible. I believe in freedom in Christ as found in the book of Galatians. I believe the "doctrine of silence" is bad hermeneutics. I believe if it's not in the Bible then I am free to do it or not do it. To take a position that something is a sin because it is not in the Bible leads to this kind of reasoning. Glenn, Do you personally not believe in musical instruments in church? Izzy
RE: [TruthTalk] Here's an argument against musical instruments in worship
Glenn, Do you personally not believe in musical instruments in church? Izzy -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 10:31 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [TruthTalk] Here's an argument against musical instruments in worship Worship here meaning in the church building. I have never know of a Church of Christer who thought it was a sin to have a piano in the home and sing hymns with it. C. CONTRAST THEIR SINGING WITH O.T. MUSIC... 1. Mechanical instruments were used in the OT to accompany praiseto God 2. In NT worship, the instrument they used was the "heart", notthe "harp"a. Upon which they were to "make melody" - cf. Ep 5:19b. In which they were to sing "with grace" - cf. Co 3:16D. CONTRAST OTHER ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP... 1. The OT required:a. A physical tabernacle (temple)b. Separate priesthoodc. Special garmentsd. Burning of incensee. Elaborate ceremonies, special feast days2. In NT worship:a. The temple is the people of God - 1 Co 3:16-17; Ep 2:20-22b. All Christians are priests - 1 Pe 2:5,9c. They adorned themselves with Christ - Ga 3:27; Co 3:5-14d. Their prayers were as incense - Re 5:8e. Observance of feast days was a cause of concern - Ga 4:10,11; Co 2:16,17 CONCLUSION1. The worship in the early church was simple, and it was "spiritual"a. Certainly simple in contrast with the worship of the Old Covenantb. Designed to encourage the worship of God with the inner man, notto make an impression on the outer man-- Not to say that the outer man was not affected, but the prioritywas on the spiritual2. This was especially true in regards to the use of mechanical instruments of music...a. "... the first Christians were of too spiritual a fiber to substitute lifeless instruments for or to use them to accompanythe human voice." -- CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIAb. "The execution of Byzantine church music by instruments, or eventhe accompaniment of sacred chanting by instruments was ruled outby the Eastern Fathers as being incompatible with the pure, solemn, spiritual character of the religion of Christ."-- ConstaNE SACRED MUSICc. "Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would beno more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up oflamps, the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well asmany other things, from the Jews. Men who are fond of outwardpomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more pleasing to Him." - JOHN CALVIN, Commentary on the Book of Psalms, Vol. I, p. 5393. Sadly, many today think that to become more "spiritual" requiresinnovation (change)...a. Such as mechanical instruments, clapping, burning of incense, theatrical productionsb. But such things appeal to the fleshly side of man, rather than tohis spiritual side!-- When one looks to the OT for the kind of worship they offer, theyare taking a step backward, not forward to true spirituality!4. Some complain that simple singing and worship is "out-dated" and boring...a. But the "fleshly ordinances" of the OT are older than the "spiritual worship" of the NT!b. If we find the "spiritual worship" of the NT boring, is that nota sad commentary on our own spiritual condition?1) The melody of a song may only be a simple chant...2) But if the words of the song present spiritual truths, how canthat be "boring"?ed, or simply challenging to those seeking toentertain themselves?In "The Church Jesus Built", the worship will seek to worship God theway Jesus instructs, again noting His words:"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers willworship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seekingsuch to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him mustworship in spirit and truth." (Jn 4:23-24)Is our worship "in spirit and truth"?
