The Case for Rejecting Instruments in the Assembly
Churches of Christ (the a cappella segment) seem to be becoming very different very quickly. Several larger congregations and a number of smaller ones (I have no idea of the actual numbers) have opted for adding mechanical (as opposed to vocal) instruments to their assemblies (I absolutely refuse to call them “worship services” as that description of assemblies of the saints is nowhere to be found in Scripture – and, when you think about it, it betrays an ignorance of the meanings of both “worship” and “service”). For over a century, one of the distinguishing marks of churches of Christ was strong opposition to the use of instruments in assemblies. Countless debates, articles and divisions occurred with both sides remaining unconvinced.
It will not be my purpose here to pile more verbiage on the tons of arguments by taking one side or the other. I’m not sure it would serve any purpose except to put me in one opposing camp or another. No, my point will be something different. I want us to take an honest look at our motives. WHY are we ditching our a cappella tradition?
The most common reason given is some variation on the desire to attract a younger, hipper crowd into our buildings. One group is currently remodeling their auditorium to add a stage for the musicians. If we build it, they reason, they will come. Sound familiar? Put simply, it is an attempt to increase attendance at their “worship services.”
At this point let me ask a question that seldom seems asked: what are assemblies for? No…not what do you WANT them for but what are they REALLY for? By that I mean what does Scripture say they are for?
· Are they for “seekers?” Can you show me a passage for that?
· Are they for the entertainment of the members? Passage?
· Are they for the excitement of the members? Passage?
· Are they for the encouragement of the members? Bingo!
· Are they for the edification of the members? Score!
Our purpose for assemblies and our conduct during them seems to be the focus of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians in chapters eleven and fourteen. He deals with several subjects but his emphasis; especially in chapter fourteen is edification. Edification has absolutely nothing to do with attracting a crowd and blowing them away with sanctified rock (make no mistake, I like to rock as much as anyone). To edify is to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge…promoting the spiritual growth and development of character of believers, by teaching or by example. Look it up. Paul goes so far as to say, “…let all things be done for edification” (I Corinthians 14:26).
So. How do we instruct and promote each other’s spiritual growth? One of the most important and effective ways is by singing to one another (Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16). Notice that our singing is for teaching and admonishing one another. Sorry folks, well-choreographed and orchestrated performances accomplish nothing assembly is designed for. In truth, they hinder the process. Inevitably, the volume gets louder and louder. How can we edify one another if we can’t hear the singing of the one standing next to us? Read lips? Not likely!
Could this be the reason we are commanded to sing to one another? Singing with thankfulness is not assisted by a groovy drummer, hot guitarist, deft keyboardist and a soloist who’s been listening to a lot of contemporary Christian radio. Save all that for a concert.
Are there exceptions? Of course. Some of the new contemporary music conveys wonderful spiritual, edifying truths. Even a cappella churches have adapted and incorporated some of these songs in our assemblies. In my experience, however, the mechanical instruments overwhelm the potential edification as they play louder and louder.
Here is the crux of the problem as I see it: we have turned our assemblies into something they were never intended to be. They are times of encouragement and edification. When this is not accomplished, our assemblies are failures no matter how well choreographed they are. When we leave behind principles and purposes taught by Scripture; when we replace them with innovations never envisioned by the Spirit; when edification and encouragement are no longer the focus of our assemblies; when synthetic externals take precedence over spiritual internals — we can expect to fail. In the words of Hosea (8:7), we have sown the wind and are now reaping the whirlwind.
Here are a couple of articles that, while I don’t agree with everything they say, help make my point: http://churchformen.com/uncategorized/have-christians-stopped-singing/ http://www.patheos.com/blogs/afewgrownmen/2013/05/why-men-have-stopped-singing-in-church/
Politics and Civility
Okay, I get it, a bunch of Americans don’t like Obama. You have made your point clear. A bunch of Americans didn’t like Bush either. In both cases, the muck-throwing has been prodigious! Shame on us! How fortunate we are to be citizens of a country where they don’t lock you up or knock you off for criticizing the president/prime minister/king or dictator. If we lived in one of these nations, a bunch of people would now be behind bars or deceased.
How privileged we are to be able to vote for the president and congress (the Supreme Court is another matter). Come the next election, we can vote-out those we disagree with and vote-in those we think better represent our values. Historically this is a new paradigm bestowed upon the world by the Mother of Parliaments and not every nation is ready or able to live within this concept. Yes, we are indeed fortunate to live in a nation governed by and for the people.
In a couple of years, we will be able to express our opinions of Mr. Obama and his party by voting in an election. We can go to the polls and fire those we disagree with. In the meantime we can make our opinions known in letters to the editor, blogs and in the various forms of social media.
Unfortunately, what I have been reading across the political spectrum is distressing. Never have I seen such hatred and invective. So much of it is offensive, disrespectful, divisive and downright ungodly. Some of it is simply false. And, to make matters worse, too much of it comes from people who call themselves Christians.
It is possible to disagree without spewing hatred. The lengths to which some go to express their hatred is astonishing…especially from those who should be known for speaking the truth in love…whether that truth is related to the gospel or any other subject.
How would you like to live under a Roman emperor or a cruel king or governor? Well, as a matter of history, Christ and his followers lived in such a time. And yet, we fail to see them respond with anything but Godliness. About the strongest language I can recall is when Jesus called Herod a “fox” (Luke 13:32) I challenge you who claim to be Christians to re-read some pertinent passages.
John 19:10-
Romans 13:1-7
1 Timothy 2:1-4
1 Peter 2:13,14
· “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.“
1 Peter 2:17
· “Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.”
We live in a wonderful time when we can voice our opposition and act upon it in word and deed when we go to the polls. But we must do it with honor and respect, praying for those in authority whether we agree or disagree with their policies. It is high time we begin acting like the one we follow.
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