Made on Haiku DeckThis
This article is not intended to give a thorough Biblical defense of a cappella singing in worship (see the footnotes for information on that subject), rather this post assumes the belief in a cappella worship to God.
The Otter Creek Church, which is a congregation traditionally associated with the Church of Christ adopted the use of instrumental music in worship in one of their Sunday services. This congregation located in Brentwood, TN is one of a growing number of churches of Christ who have added instruments to their worship. This announcement grew significant media attention, even an article in USA Today.
This news, as well as the subject in general, often creates discussions amongst friends and family. These can be awkward and uncomfortable at times. How should those of us who believe in a cappella praise in worship to God respond to those who ask us about why we still worship without instruments? Let me suggest three things.
- Don’t act ashamed for the practice of a cappella music. We can tend to feel like the odd balls in the religious world who aren’t like everybody else. So when we are asked about why we don’t use instruments, sometimes Christians can act embarrassed of our practice. There is nothing to be ashamed of regarding our commitment to singing in worship. We don’t practice a cappella praise to be different, we practice it out of a conviction that it pleases God. In fact, a survey of music in the church through the centuries reveals that churches of Christ stand on the side of history with their a cappella praise. Instruments were not introduced into Christian worship until the 6th century. Most assign the date of their introduction to 670 A.D. by Pope Vitalian. What is more surprising for most of our religious world today, is that most all protestant churches were a cappella in praise until the last 160 years.
- Develop an easy to understand response. So once you have determined that you are not going to act embarrassed about why you worship a cappella, work on developing an easy to understand response. Don’t be argumentative or condescending to the questionnaire. Personally, I don’t think real quick on my feet, so I like to have an idea of how I will respond when a certain subject comes up. Regarding instruments of music in worship, I suggest you incorporate these ideas into your response.
- Our plea is restoration of the New Testament church in faith and worship. There is no record of them worshipping with instruments in the NT, but only singing in praise to God and we want to do likewise.
- Our aim is to simply do what God has asked us to do and what we know He will be pleased with in worship. He commands us to sing and make melody in our hearts in worship and so that is what we do (Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16).
- We have no indication in the NT that God is pleased with praise offered from a musical instrument in worship, there is neither a command nor example of Christians doing such. Thus, we will do what God has asked us to do numerous times in the NT and sing to God, offering to him the “fruit of our lips.” (Heb. 13:15)
- For us it is an issue of authority, we try to do things in faith and practice for which we have authority (Col. 3:17). There is not authority in the NT for worshiping with instruments. God specifically asked for singing, so we don’t want to go beyond His authority.
- Determine to make your singing heartfelt. I said earlier that we should not be embarrassed with our doctrinal conviction, because it is a conviction based on the authority of God and a desire to please God. But many Christians should be embarrassed with their singing! Christians must understand that God calls us to sing and make melody in our hearts to the Lord (Col. 3:16, Eph. 5:19). The instrument that should be used in our singing is our heart reverberating with praise, thanksgiving, joy, and gladness to the Lord. We should sing out, even if we have a poor singing voice, encouraging one another in worship with our songs. It has been said that the best argument in favor of a cappella music is good, heartfelt singing where our voices join the heavenly chorus in praise to God.
It is sad when churches add instruments of music to their worship leaving the restoration plea and going beyond the authority of God’s word. One positive that comes from news like this is the discussion that takes place. Those of us committed to a cappella worship must respond appropriately, not shying away from these discussions.
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Resources:
This archive of some sermons includes three I did on the subject back in 2009. Scroll to the bottom of the page.
A powerpoint I did on the subject in PDF form. –Should Christians Use Instrumental Music in Worship to
Where is the Piano? By Dan Chambers – a great little book on the subject.
2 comments
Josh, I would suggest a 4th alternative. Since the Bible does not speak for or against the use of an instrument, it becomes a personal matter/opinion/choice for anyone involved. The two Pauline texts that you mentioned above have been historically taken out of context, because they are rooted squarely in daily Christian living, not corporate worship.
I have never encouraged nor have I promoted the use of an instrument in the worship settings of our fellowship. However, for me to tell someone they cannot worship with an instrument is a violation of scripture and my individual conscience. The church is first an ‘individual’s ‘personal’ relationship with God,’ and congregational umbrellas appear in various styles,colors, and functionality………..
i am not going to tell someone they are going to hell for adding musical instruments either. But the moment you add them to the general assembly you have taken away my personal choice. I have no choice but to sing with the instrument. For me, the deciding factor was that the early churches didn’t have them. Even the very definition of the Greek words a Capella meant from the chapel. So that indicates that WAS church music. Now God may not care. But I don’t want to chance it.