This should be a rather interesting post.
My attention was drawn to an article giving ten reasons why instrumental music is wrong in worship. What my post about is simple: showing you all how wrong the article is. Thus, I debunk!
- There is no command in the New Testament for Christians to use instruments of music in the worship of the church.
The Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 worship songs, the 150th of which says "Praise Him with trumpet and sound; praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe." (Psalm 150:3-4 [NASB]). This Psalm was written by King David of Israel, who is described in the Bible as being a man after God's own heart. Surely, a man so close to God would not dare sin against Him by worshiping in a way that God forbade. There may be no command in the New Testament for instrumental worship, but such music is rampant in the Old Testament, and if you accept one part of the Bible, you would do well to accept the entire thing.
- There is no example in the New Testament of a church, apostle, teacher, or any Christian ever using an instrument in worship.
Again, there are many examples of this in the Old Testament, which is still completely valid and crucial to modern day Christianity. The Old and New Testament are actually extremely similar, so to reject the Old Testament to force your argument is extremely foolish and ignorant. Furthermore, it is irrelevant that there are no New Testament examples. There are no examples of anyone in the New Testament going to the bathroom. Does that make defecating a sin?
- It is not faith, therefore it is a sin (Romans 14:23).
I shall quote the cited verse: "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin" (NASB). In this passage (this is where I apply proper context), the author of Romans is advising the Christians in Rome not to do anything that causes their brethren to stumble in their faith.
In Jewish culture, eating pork is ceremonially unclean. I am not a Messianic Jew (a Jew who believes that Jesus was the Messiah, and so a "Jewish Christian", so to speak), and so I was never forbidden from eating pork. However, because I do not wish my Messianic Jewish brother to stumble, I will not eat unclean food in his presence. In fact, I would not do so around any sort of Jew, or a Muslim, or even a common vegetarian. That is what the verse that the site was using is supposed to mean.
By that logic, it could be argued that you should not participate in instrumental worship if it will cause one of your brethren to stumble, but that does not at all mean that instrumental worship must be prohibited universally. The verse they used provides grossly insufficient justification for the point they were trying to make, and so the point is moot.
- It is going beyond that which is written (1 Corinthians 4:6).
This verse says, "Now these things, brethren, I have applied figuratively to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that you will not become arrogant on behalf of one against the other" (NASB).
My question: how does instrumental worship "go beyond that which is written"? That is a massive and unjustifiable assumption which they provide absolutely no proof for. What Paul was talking about in this letter was advising his fellow believers not to pass judgment on others before the time of judgment (during which time, all the judgments will be performed by God, and not Christians). It has absolutely nothing at all to do with instrumental worship.
- It violates the command to "sing" (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
No it doesn't. That is another grossly unjustifiable assumption. Remember that Psalm I mentioned earlier? The one about praising God with various instruments? That Psalm was a song. Both of the verses that they provided here explicitly mention worshiping God with psalms, as well as hymns and spiritual songs. Psalms were written to be accompanied by music. King David, the author of many of the Bible's Psalms, played the harp.
- Singing is commanded; the accompaniment of a musical instrument is an "addition" to this command, and therefore it is wrong (Revelation 22:18).
Here, John the Apostle, one of Jesus' original twelve disciples, says, "I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book" (NASB). He is specifically referring to the book of Revelation, because John had no idea that his book would be incorporated into the Bible. He wrote it while in exile on the island of Patmos, for crying out loud! What John was saying is that no one should add any additional prophecies (or revelations) to the book of Revelation. Once again, it has absolutely nothing to do with how worship should be conducted.
Also, their point that singing is commanded forgets to add that the very same Psalm I keep mentioning also encourages instruments and even DANCING! Save your solemn worship music for Catholic Mass (which has organ music, so the Catholic Church must be in universal sin).
- The use of the instrument in worship to God is a failure to "abide in the doctrine of Christ" (2 John 9).
Yet another huge assumption which for which they offer no justification. "Anyone who goes to far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son" (NASB). The teachings of Christ were simple: love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; love your neighbor as yourself; and prepare for the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus never gave specific instructions on how to worship. In fact, He gave us many freedoms on how we may choose to worship Him. Jesus is always delighted when we worship Him, even if it is done with musical instruments.
- Those who use the instrument in worship "reject" the authority of Christ (Matthew 28:19; Luke 6:46).
These points are very circular at this point. They are essentially arguing that instruments in worship are wrong because instruments in worship are wrong. They make an assumption, and attempt to prove the assumption correct by assuming that they are already correct. That is a very pathetic demonstration of illogic. And just to come full circle, no: those who use instruments in worship do not reject Christ's authority, for reasons I have already mentioned.
- It cannot be done "in the name" (or by the authority) of Jesus (1 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 3:17).
Yes it can, and it is done quite often. These points are committing suicide at this point. I can't debunk each one without sounding redundant.
- From the above evidences, the use of the instrument in worship is obviously not from Heaven, so it must be from men (Matthew 21:25).
They did it AGAIN!!! They assumed they were already correct, so they could bring in their final point! First off, they provided no evidence, only Scripture verses quoted way out of context and a legalistic theology WHICH, ironically enough, IS FROM MEN! Not only is the author of this article an idiot, but also a blatant hypocrite!
But wait, it gets better! Here's how the article is concluded:
From the above Scriptures, we can now "clearly" answer this question, "Can Christians use musical instruments in worship and still be pleasing to God?"
I am sorry, idiot who wrote this article, but the answer is "Yes, God is overjoyed when we worship Him, instruments or no instruments." He is infinitely more gracious than you can ever hope to be. It's people like you, who treat the Bible like a book of laws to be forced upon others, to whom Jesus said, "Woe to you!" I would say, "God have mercy on your soul," but not only is that tremendously cliché, but I also know that God already will be.
God loves music, and music is made with instruments. Get over it.
God loves music, and music is made with instruments. Get over it.
