The Instrumental Music Question

1
The Instrumental Music Question

• Answering Arguments from Human Reasoning
• Part 3

2
Answering Arguments

• Where does the Bible say not to? Answer When God
  specifies one kind of music for worship, any
  other kind of music is excluded (cf. Gen.6
  Ex.12 Num.19 2 K.5 Mt.2626-29 Jn.9
  Eph.519). Had God said, Make music, any kind
  of music would be authorized. We go by what God
  says, not by what He does not say (cf. Lev.101
  Deut.173 1820 Jer.731 Ac.1524). Remember,
  a practice does not have to be expressly
  forbidden to be sinful.

3
Answering Arguments

• The New Testament does not specifically prescribe
  it or forbid it (Adiaphoros, used by the
  Lutheran Church, means morally neutral neither
  right, nor wrong). Answer God has spoken about
  the kind of music he wants in the church. When he
  specifically authorizes singing, all other music
  is forbidden.

4
Answering Arguments

• There is no specific mention of it in the New
  Testament, like church buildings. The Scriptures
  are silent on mechanical instruments so the
  issue is in the realm of opinion. Answer This is
  mixing apples and oranges. The church building
  is authorized under the generic authority to
  assemble (Heb.1025). The instrument is excluded
  by the specific authority to sing.

5
Answering Arguments

• It is only an aid, like songs books, song
  leaders or a pitch pipe. Answer A true aid
  does not add anything to, or change in any way,
  that which is specified. An true aid is not an
  addition. Mechanical instruments of music are an
  addition. When using a song book, one thing is
  being done singing. When singing with a
  mechanical instrument, two things are being done
  singing music and playing music.

6
Answering Arguments

• Gods generic authority allows any expedient or
  aid to fulfill the generic authority. An aid
  must (1) be lawful (1 Cor.612-13 1023), (2)
  edify (1 Cor.1023), and (3) not cause
  destruction (1 Cor.813 1032-33). But, in the
  case of music, we have specific authority
  singing. What about using the piano to keep the
  pitch all throughout the song? The repetition
  of tones is melody, not pitch.

7
Answering Arguments

• Instrumental music in the home. Answer There are
  some things that are morally right when done in
  the home, but religiously wrong when done in the
  church (Mk.73-7 1 Cor.1122,34 Gal.51-4).
• I use my talent to praise God. I have a God-given
  talent to play the piano in worship. Answer This
  argument would allow anything in worship to God.
  Standing on your head and hog calling are
  talents. Should these be in the church? Gods
  prescription/pattern comes first (Ex. 25-30),
  then mans talent (Ex. 31, 35-39), not the other
  way around.

8
Answering Arguments

• I dont see any harm in it. I like it. It sounds
  good. Answer What about Eve (Gen.3)? What about
  Uzzah (2 Sam.66-7)? The important things is what
  does God want? What does He like (1 Cor.212-13)?
  What does God say (Heb.11-2)? Will-worship is
  sinful (Col.223 see also Mt.159 and
  Ac.1722-23 Isa.558-9 Jer.1023 Prov.1412)!
  What saith the scriptures (Rom.43)? should be
  our guideline, not, What do I like?

9
One Argument Never Made

• You will never hear anyone say, Jesus commands
  all New Testament Christians to use mechanical
  instruments of music, and you cannot be pleasing
  to God unless you play a mechanical instrument of
  music.

10
The Instrumental Music Question

• Do we understand better the issue over the
  instrument?
• We sing because that is what God said he
  wanted. We refuse to play a mechanical instrument
  because God never authorized it in the New
  Testament.
• We can unite upon what is in the New Testament.
  We can never unite upon what is not in the NT.
  Mechanical instruments of music in worship to God
  by Christians is never found in the New Testament.