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.
 

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