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printable version VOLUME 25, NUMBER 14 April
7, 2003
Are WE Responsible?
Dennis (Skip) Francis (STOP, EDITED FOR SPACE)
Are we ourselves responsible for the entertainment mind-set of
some “liberal” brethren, albeit inadvertently? . . . I have,
over the years, observed the growing trend among “our schools”
and other “para-church” groups to develop and use choirs and
choruses in so-called “entertainment settings.” The idea seems
to be that I can use God-prescribed elements of worship as
entertainment, as long as my “intent” is not to worship God . .
.
Addressing music in Colossians 3:16, the apostle Paul wrote,
“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.”
This, along with its sister passage in Ephesians 5:19, gives us
the principles we are to exercise when we use music in worship
to God. Several principles should be obvious in these passages.
First, our music should be filled with “the word of Christ” so
we can effectively “teach and admonish” one another. This would
preclude the use of popular “Christian” songs that do not teach
what the Bible teaches, as well as the use of secular songs in
our worship.
Second, our music should be both horizontal and vertical, that
is, to “one another” as well as “to the Lord.” . . . one cannot
fulfill the action required by only listening. For one to
participate in the act of worship specified (singing), one must
both teach and be taught, admonish and be admonished, speak and
be spoken to. Special groups: choruses, choirs, solos, and such
like, cannot fulfill this requirement.
Third, our music should be vocal, or “a cappella.” Colossians
3:16 has “singing,” while Ephesians 5:19 has both “speaking” and
“singing.” You simply cannot “sing” or “speak” with a musical
instrument, nor can you “teach and admonish” with an instrument.
An instrument of music is an “add” to vocal music, not an “aid”
to vocal music.
Fourth, our music should be understood in order to “teach and
admonish.” The unintelligible noises and sounds made by
so-called “vocal bands” simply will not comply with that need.
“Hums,” “pops,” and the imitation of musical instruments, simply
cannot teach and admonish.
Worship can be done both privately and publicly. It can also be
done in smaller settings than the entire congregation. One
principle we need to grasp here is that whenever we worship
[and/or perform worship acts, editor], in our closet, in our
home, or any other setting, we must worship as God has
prescribed. If we sing songs, hymns, or spiritual songs at home,
we must use the principles previously established: 1) let the
word of Christ dwell in you richly, 2) all Christians present
should sing, 3) do NOT use mechanical instruments of music and
4) SING (do not make unintelligible sounds).
Bro. Guy N. Woods, answering a question on the use of
instruments of music with sacred songs at other times and places
than our usual worship services, had the following to say:
The third commandment of the Decalogue forbade the taking of
the name of the Lord in vain: “Thou shalt not take the name of
Jehovah thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless
that taketh his name in vain.” (Ex. 20:7) The phrase “in vain,”
translates a Hebrew term signifying that which is done in a
flippant, frivolous fashion, without due regard for, or
attention to, the sacred nature of the same. Those who utter the
names of God, Christ, and give utterance to other sacred matters
such as are involved in our songs of praise for “pastime,”
violate, in principle, the foregoing commandment, and are guilty
of profanity.1
What Bro. Woods addressed in this context also applies to the
use of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for “pastime”
(entertainment).
What constitutes worship -- the attitude or the action? Though
men will indeed decry the use of the instrument, or the choir,
in our formal worship times, they will still support such in our
“off duty” times. We need to remember that the Lord said our
worship was to be “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). This
refers to both attitude AND action! When we begin an action the
Bible authorizes as worship, then that is what it is!
Some may say, “But, I can drink grape juice at home without it
being the Lord's supper.” Brother Woods pointed out, though the
grape juice has no religious significance when not a part of the
Lord's supper, the sacred themes characterizing religious songs
always have religious significance. “The holy names of God,
Christ, heaven; the doctrine of grace, redemption, and
salvation; the hope of heaven and of eternal life -- frequent
themes in our song books -- do possess spiritual and religious
significance, everywhere, and at all times. Any use of them,
therefore, must either be sacred or profane.”2
It has always baffled me why, if we are entertained by listening
to someone else perform an act of worship in song, we aren't
entertained by listening to someone pray, or watching them give
or partake of the Lord's supper? . . . No matter how much “good”
we perceive these choirs, choruses, and special groups doing, we
still have a difficult time with Colossians 3:17, “And
whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Brethren,
concerning choirs, choruses, and other “special music,” where is
BIBLE authority for it?
ENDNOTES:
1 Guy N. Woods, “Questions and Answers, Open Forum”
Freed-Hardeman College Lectures, FHU, p.359, Para. 1.
2 Guy N. Woods, “Questions and Answers, Open Forum”
Freed-Hardeman College Lectures, FHU, p.359, Para. 2.
Family Bulletin Board
Remember in prayer and with cards, phone calls,
or visits those who have chronic illnesses: Delsie Bishop, Reva
Brewer, Ella Brumitt, Jamie Farmer, Francis Ferren, Elizabeth
Fowler, Savannah Green, Lola Mae Hamlett, Louise
Hunt.
POTLUCK today! We hope you will stay and share dinner
with us. Also, the afternoon worship is at 2:00 pm and then we
will work on the mailouts. Please stay.
VBS meeting- Anyone interested in teaching a class or
helping in some other way, meet at the building at 5:00pm on
April 20th.
LECTURESHIP- May 16-18 “Departures From God’s Way”
ALSO: If you are interested in keeping one of the speakers, see
Dan Miller.
SIGN-UP SHEETS- Please check the bulletin board. There
are a number of open spaces still available. |
