Richard Kirby: Instrumental Music and the Silence of Scripture Kenneth Sublett, Piney.com, Hohenwald, Tennessee
Richard Kirby: Condemning sectarian churches of Christ who refuse to join the band. The writer invites debate so here goes. The article being reviewed was posted by Richard Kirby who rejoices in the "New Winds" of division among A Cappella churches. While we might agree with him on some things, to label non-musical churches as setarians is built upon rumor or preacher-prattle but not fact. A sectarian is one who adds non-essentials and therefore creates a split: the introduction of music into a non-musical Christian world was and is sectarian. However,"It is not uncommon to give the blow and raise the cry." Barton W. Stone
For the Bible's Statement about Biblical Commands, Examples and Inferences.
Olan Hicks on Music and the Law of Silence
Those Christians who call themselves Churches of Christ began with the noble purpose of uniting all Christians under the headship of Christ, apart from denominational name and creed. Hence their motto and the name of this site: Christians Only.
- But sadly a party spirit entered in, and their implicit motto became instead: We are the only Christians.
> Calvin noted that the error of the Catholic clergy did not become "mainstream" or "Scripturally acceptable" by virtue of its long experience.> The mainstream of Christendom (even Catholics officially) was Congregational singing. Instruments were introduced by a party spirit and, as now, to help pay the bills but not to become more Biblical. A cappella was added in the late 15th century to give the Sistine Chapel the benefit of feminine singers (castrates) and an organic "pipe organ" (organum) when the Pope knew that mechanical instruments were not ruly lawful.
> Unfortunately the plea of "Christians only" can be translated as 'only Christians." This is the key to the article we are reviewing which has the powerful ability -- like all anti-A Cappella attacks -- to turn the world upside down.
The goal of the Restoration Movement was not to unite all Christians in one "body." Rather, the goal was to restrict the actual worship practices to those for which there was a direct command. This would allow the broadest possible participation in collective worship. This explicitly acknowledged that people have diverse personal beliefs but -- if you are interested in unity -- cannot be the basis upon which "Worship" is forced. This forced adding of instruments is a direct violation of Romans 14 which is followed by Romans 15 which defines a form of "singing" which is teaching which does not pass judgment or despise by the instrumental practices of either the Orphic (Vegetarians) or Dionysic (Meat eaters) influence in Rome.
See Campbell's Declaration and Address. Thomas Campbell had been ejected from the Presbyterians by offering communion to another branch of Presbyterians who did not have their little token proving their worthiness to eat.
The goal was to REJECT everything not required so that everyone could meet together as a SCHOOL OF CHRIST as, indeed, Jesus built an ekklesia or synagogue to "come learn of Me." You can listen to the SECTARIAN MUSICIANS or to Jesus Christ but NOT to both.
The Declaration and Address made this a DECLARATION OF FREEDOM from religionists wishing to IMPOSE something THEY liked on other who bought the property.
And then ejected from the Baptists because he refused to put candidates through the mental dissociation which produced the "exprience" they could use as proof of predestination to be permitted to "join" the church.
has become one of the most exclusive and divisive sects in the history of Christianity.
"But (praise be to God!) new winds are blowing in the Churches of Christ, winds of the Holy Spirit. There is a great hunger and openness evident among many of these precious people.
It is our ardent hope that we can encourage and nurse along this new and hopeful trend.
We welcome all who will, to share their hearts with us and to join with us in praying: "May your kingdom come and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Amen.
As a result of the first Great American Awakening there were 321 NEW denominations formed and MOST of these were Baptists. Researchers can still find evidence of 146 separate Baptists denominations. They are NOT blowing churches of Christ so the major shakers and movers have ADDED a form od DISCIPLING or SHEPHERDING to hold onto those who will always in time feel themselves SEXUALLY MOLESTED by effeminate music and musicians.On the contrary, the BIGGEST and most divisive movement was by the musical SECTARIANS who were propelled by a publishing company and actively promoted diverting peacable churches of Christ into a denomination which had as its goal THE INCLUSION OF ALL CHRISTENDOM. The goal was to sign up even children as LIFE MEMBERS, restrict the class material to theirs and restrict the song books to theirs. Therefore, it is puffing and blowing and CONTINUING to be as divisive as those who introduced the organ to ATTRACT the paying audience to buildings financed by carpet baggers. It was not until 1878 than anyone EVEN CARED to try to justify music as the most paganistic, legalistic superstition known to human history: it is called the OLDEST profession.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ who was attacked by the musical clergy, who ejected "more or less violently" the female mourning team and who exampled the simple reciting of Psalms. Therefore the Holy Spirit is not blowing the winds of doctrine. Non instrumental groups have always been "open" by structuring that one hour a week where those who believe in instruments and those who do not can come together and fulfull Romans 14-15. Istrumental churches are CLOSED to all of those who cannot worship with instruments. That is the truth side of the issue.
Alfred T. DeGroot has the magical logic to define those who practice a Catholic-like "living church" with the authority to make up for Christ's shortsightedness as "churches."
Churches of Christ are defined as "sects" because they rely upon the Word of God for faith and practice -- consistent with all previous views not Catholic.
Well, we thought that the kingdom came with power on the day of Pentecost. But, others are still looking for a physical kingdom. Jesus said, "Don't' bother to go out, the kingdom of God is within you." Didn't Paul say something about teaching the truth so people would not be blown about by winds of doctrines?
Of course the new winds are blown by Lynn Anderson and defended by Jubilee 99. The Kirby's includes Rubel Shelly in the new movement to "encourage and nurse along" the further division of the church:
I always noted that in business the fellow who made a career out of finding all of the faults was identified as very bright. However, this fellow reads for the hate stuff against "non-instrumental churches of Christ" and cannot possibly agree with most of the sermons. For instance, how about taking the musical idolatry at Mount Sinai for which cause God gave the Book of the Law and "turned them over to worship the starry host." This worship was of Remphan or Chiun identified by Amos 5 and 6 and of Molech worshiped in Jerusalem with lots of instrumental music.Well, Rubel has changed the name of His church sign. What Rubel promotes is, for instance, the restoration of the ancient Jewish Jubilee. The Catholic Encyclopedia notes that whatever else the Jubilee means it essentially looks for the Atonement. Therefore, the concept is Judaic and legalistic along with the Levitical worship teams. You can click here to listen to another "black is white" sermon by Rubel Shelly.
Rubel Shelly is presently using the Exodus as a pattern for "worship and community." He mangaged to get through the story without mentioning the "baptism" type at the Red Sea, The "gift of the Holy Spirit" pattern with the Book of The Covenant, the "rising up to play" at Mount Sinai whicih was the musical idolatry which lost Israel the Covenant and shackled them with the Levites to keep the common people away from God's symbolic presence. That is how you interpret Scripture in the Post-Modern world and it is very theatrically performed. But it usually misses the point.
The following article will be reviewed also:
Instrumental Music and the Silence of Scripture.
She meant that
because they conceive of the New Testament in terms of the Old,
and think of the "law of Christ" as they do the Law of Moses,
- they are looking for a new Levitical system like that of the Old Testament
No. Just the opposite is the fact: churches of Christ believe in dispensational distinction but believe that a direct command from the Yahweh-Saves of the New Covenant has authority because love for the truth means keeping the commands of Jesus Christ.The "musicians" were under the KING and the COMMANDERS of the army. They were assigned to the TEMPLE which was NOT a church house. Rather, it was the king's shrine because all such secular kings were thought of as the GOD'S AGENT. The common people did not worship at this LIKE THE NATIONS' animal sacrifice. Rather, they always attended the synagogue under various names. As the Qahal or church in the wilderness God called at Mount Sinai it was for hearing His word. However, they rose up in MUSICAL IDOLATRY of a trinity. God turned them over to worship the STARRY HOST.
Therefore, ALL who attempt to introduce MUSICAL WORSHIPERS or mediators do so by claiming the authority of the Levitical Warrior Musicians. They MUSICALLY MOCKED the innocent animas which God permitted as their effort to purify themselves. Psalm 22 and 41 prophesied that led by Judas they would try to MUSICALLY MOCK Jesus as the TRUE Lamb of God.
There is no evidence that MUSIC was anything than a legalistic effort to CALL DOWN the "good gods" and chase away the bad gods.
Therefore, KIRBY is promoting LEGALISM which deliberately sows discord and MOVES all musical worshippers on the FAR side of the cross!
The New Wineskiners do not believe in dispensational distinctions. For instance, Paul Woodhouse who promotes the pro-instrument position, teaches that the "command" for instruments in the Law is still in effect if there is not a legalistic law which says: "Thou shalt not use instruments."
The "people" under the Monarchy did not use instrumental music with congregational singing. God specificially put them "outside the camp" when the like the nation's animal sacrifices with noise were performed.
Therefore, the Old Testament is not silent and the New Testament is not silent.
It was musical idolatry which brought about the Law of Moses and replaced the oral Covenant of Grace:
"The triumphal hymn of Moses had unquestionably a religious character about it; but the
employment of music in religious services, though idolatrous,
is more distinctly marked in the festivities which attended the erection of the golden calf." (Smith's Bible Dictionary, Music, p. 589).
Music accompanied the horrors of animal sacrifices and any Jewish school boy knew that without the Temple in Jerusalem and in connection with animal slaughter had no reason to exist. Furthermore, the common people did not worship in the Jewish Temple which was "like the nations" because that is what the elders demanded as they fired God.
Musical worship teams and instrumental music has no higher authority than the Catholic church which restored the Levitical priesthood and calls their musical teams "Levitical Singers."
The authority for adding musical worship is most often based upon the notion that the Law of Moses is still the authority for Christian worship. However, it was left to Alexander Campbell to preach a sermon showing the difference between the Law and the Christian System of grace. For his effort He was almost tried for heresy by the Baptists. See The Sermon on the Law However, what Campbell taught was the almost-universal view of everyone down through the pages of church history.
"Musical ministry" was added without authority by the Catholic church about 1200 years after the time of Jesus and Paul. As ecclesiastical or liturgical music it was still not performed in the presence of the Pope as late as the 1911 Catholic Encyclopedia. Music was added, then and now, not because of any hint of Biblical authority but clearly as a Seeker-Friendly (Willow Creek) "navigating the winds of change" effort to attract the masses to pay for the Cathedrals. Even so, when called upon to authorize music the Catholic Encyclopedia was forced to fall back on the Law of Moses under the Monarchy period when Israel rejected God and demanded a human king so that they could worship like the nations.
The musicians are called Levitical singers. Even today, sectarians use the Old Testament to defend their practices. Psalms 150 is a favorite.
Therefore, there is no hint of debate to dispute the fact that those who added musical instruments were fulfilling a practice of the
Levitical system added by "David and the commanders of the army" for unemployed warrior musicians. Click on any of the Catholic Encyclopedia articles linked below to get the facts.
These warrior musicians would "stand in the gap" to defeat Jesus as prophesied in Psalm 41.
Therefore, contrary to the upside down claim, churches of Christ used no rules and no interpretation or legalistic theology to become a sect.
How do I know that? I know that because faithful churches had always rejected instruments from the time of Christ. The Catholic Encycloped acknowledges that singing was taken away from the untalented common folks without authority and needs to be restored.
Pre-reformation believers took the pay away from priests and destroyed their organs. The Presbyterians and Baptists which made up much of the churches of Christ had no history of music in worship to worry about.
A sect is one which adds divisive practices and therefore the sectarians added instruments.
How can you be accused of "using the law of Christ like the Law of Moses" to exclude instrumental music when there was no instrumental music in their theological "ancestors" even including most Catholics?
The writer is mistaken: the musical churches added the instruments without using any authority. Only when questioned did they run to the Law of Moses under the like the nations Monarchy for "legal authority."
Well, that is one way.Jesus condemned the Temple system and promised that it would be taken down, stone by stone. The priests, Levitical musicians and instruments all went into the eternal fires of the temple.
Jesus participated in the Synagogue which was, like the church, a school and not a pagan worship center. The synagogue had not "praise service" and certainly no instruments.
By not playing a musical instrument one is not adding a rite or ritual:
adding instruments is adding a rite which is acknowledged by the most ancient pagans up to today's new-winds churches as having the magical power to "move the worshiper into the presence of God."
The "burden" Jesus came to remove along with the clergy which laded them was not approaching Him in silence. How can being silent be a burden????
The burden is defined as "spiritual anxiety created by religious ceremonial." Music is the most powerful mind-altering, burden-lading mechanical practice short of shooting up with drugs.
The Word which became visible as Lord Jesus Christ in Whom full Deity dwells (Col. 2:9) was the Pillar, Manna, Rock and Giver of the Book of the Covenant which He had given to Abraham. When the Book of the Covenant was given by the One and Only God prior to the musical idolatry at Mount Sinai, it was by the same Spirit of Christ:
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 1 Peter 1:11
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Rev 19:10
This same Spirit God never hinted at a clergy or musical worship in the Book of the Covenant. When Israel rejected the Covenant, God gave them The Book of the Law.
There was now a mediating clergy but no musical worship under the Law. In fact, Numbers 10:7 prohibits the instruments and loud rejoicing when the "congregation" comes together which was only for instructions.
Mediating clergy is a literal burden as in "you pay me to give you the free Word of God." For instance:
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 1 Thess 2:4
For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 1 Thess 2:5
Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 1 Thess 2:6
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 1 Thess 2:9
It was the Levitical musical worship teams under the commanders of the army who "excelled" by being the tyrants who drove even Israelite slaves to build the temple.
The "gospel" is something preached by evangelists where the Word has not been taught. Even then, as an apostle Paul had only the right to be supported as the priest got his daily dole of food, the soldier got his daily food allowance and the oxen nibbled at the grain while it was threshing, Paul knew that the free gospel cannot be sold -- even by an inspired Apostle.
Jesus fired the Jewish clergy because they "took away the key to knowledge" and refused, as demanded of every ancient priest, to support themselves when not on duty. The "burden" He came to permanently remove was "spiritual anxiety created by religious ritual."
Every informed musicologists, "worship minister" and Rock star knows that the easiest and cheapest way to induce the burden which creates endorphins (morphine-like) with a little joy juice left over from curing the burden or "hurt' is music.
If the writer believes that this is the only "law of Christ" then going into all the world and help peasants learn how to fish would be in order. Therefore, we need to ask the meaning of the "LAW" since the writer believes that under the "Spirit" there are no laws.
Nomos (g3551) nom'-os; (to parcel out, espec. food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), gen. (regulation), spec. (of Moses [includ. the volume]; also of the Gospel), or fig. (a principle): - law
The "regulative principle" out of which the Restoration Movement came meant that one must not impose any "act of worship" not commanded in the New Testament. This has been the universal rule obeyed by all but Catholics and many
Post Restorationists who ignored 1800 years of church history and
created sectarianism by imposing musical instruments and evangelistically attempting to force them on others. Great pre-Christian Jubilees are still held to try to force musical worship.
That is true. If we have joined the reading public, the operative word is Teach and Admonish: there are no "musical" terms associated with worship in the Bible. If you cannot grasp TEACH externally and SING internally then there is no hope.No, not like Mosaic law but like Covenant Law which Abraham kept to gain God's approval (Gen. 26:5). We consider it a command in the manner of Paul under the Spirit guidance of Jesus of Nazareth in Spirit form.
If Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:16 is not a command then "go preach the gospel" is not a command. These passages are not remotely connected with musical performance or performaners, but with teaching one another the revealed Word of Christ or "spirit."
Again, the first command to Moses was the Book of the Covenant of Grace; Israel sinned with musical "play" at Mount Sinai; God gave the Law of Moses to regulate a lawless and doomed nation. A command of Christ or of Paul is a command of Christ not because it is like Mosaic law. But who would ignore a demand of Jesus just for fear of being "legalistic."
Take a look at a direct command of Jesus and then a direct command of Paul with the understanding that Jesus (as Spirit) promised to lead Paul into all truth just as He guided the other apostles into all truth:
Jesus: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16
Paul: And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Ephesians 5:18
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Ephesians 5:19
Is it not a command that we must not get drunk with wine? Or as the "new wineskins" religion teaches just an admonition about "a second order truth?" Then how can "be filled with the Spirit" and then "speak" or preach to one another be any less of a command?
The word METHUO is almost always associated with GETTING PIPED DOWN with wine or GETTING FLUTED DOWN with wine. When the people--at the homosexual gatherings NEAR WINE--got high on wine and music: you still cannot run a wine house without MUSIC. When the homosexual symposium wanted to TALK or discuss some issue they SENT AWAY the flute-girl who was always a prostitute or the harpIST who was always a Sodomite.
You have to LOOK where Paul POINTS. Therefore, the direct command was to be FILLED with the Spirit which is the Word of Christ in John 6:63 and the other "musical" passage in Col. 3:16.
When Christ prayed, He did not call an assembly. Rather, he hymned (prayed) in quiet, private places (like your closet) so He could hear Himself speak to Himself. He knew that you cannot listen with your mouth open.
Hymning in the Old Testament
Hymning means: Siyach (h7878) see'-akh; to ponder, by implication: converse with oneself, and hence aloud or utter: - commune, complain, declare, meditate, muse, pray, speak, tall with.
Hymning in Ephesus--
Speaking to yourselves is: Heautou (g1438) heh-ow-too' thy- our-, your) self (selves), alone, her ownself, he himself, his own self, one to another.. thyself, you, your own.
Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; (1) I will speak in the anguish of my (2) spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my (3) soul. Jb.7:11 (Ro 8:23 our spirit groans within our self, the Holy Spirit doesn't groan)
I call to remembrance my song in the night: (1) I commune with mine own (2) heart: and my (3) spirit made diligent search. Ps.77:6
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan (pray silently) within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Ro 8:23
think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Mt.3:9
This is probably true but even less would a mid 1800s addition of instruments be a command. The word IS SPEAK which means PREACH: you CANNOT speak and sing externally at the same time.And if not a command then why would grown men sectarianize the church by forcing instruments in over the objection of the elder as at Midway, Kentucky one of the first sects?
And why is the writer promoting a movement to change non-musical churches of Christ if singing is not a command?
But you say (as an evangelical) that God pours the Spirit into you in another Incarnation to prove that you are selected; Paul issued it as a command.
To be filled with the Spirit is a direct command and this means that it is something which we can do. How is that? Notice that "be filled with the spirit" is identical to "let the word of Christ dwell in you" fully in Colossians:
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 Colossians 3:16
But how can I know that? First, the identical functions are performed and the demand of the worship is to fill up and the "substance" is the same. Second, Jesus actually said it:
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63
So "spirit" in this case is not a little "person" who has replaced Father and Son; the spirit by the definition of the Hebrew ruwach and the Greek pneuma is the "mental disposition of a person or of God." The "Spirit" is never pictured as a "man." In 1 Corinthians 2 Paul insisted that the Holy Spirit (to us) is the Mind of Christ. The only way to fill up with the Spirit is to fill up with the Mind of Christ -- that is exactly what Paul commanded.
The writer is right: there is no command to sing: the command is to teach and admonish one another with the Word of Christ and the result is singing and melody "in the heart" and directed to God because we use His Words. Both A Capella and instrumentalists reverse the order of the command. They don't use the words of Christ and they sing and play to one another!
Paul's statement is clearly a command to quit using the pagan, Dionysus type of singing with instruments where wine went along with the instruments to induce a frenzy which was then peddled as "leading you into the presence of the gods."The Classical writers describe this so clearly that we know exactly what was happening in Corinth, Ephesus and Colossee. In Attic Greek "psalmos" was a poem or praise which had been composed so that it could be accompanied with the human instrument or voice (the harp of God) or a physical harp. Paul excluded the external instrument by including the internal instrument. However, James is offering a word of encouragement and not a command for "worship."
Is anyone among you suffering? He should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually be singing praises to the Lord. James 5:13LIV
This is an admonition but Paul issued a direct command to silence the Dionysus form of singing self-composed songs with instruments to "lade" the people with anxiety and sell it as "spiritual." Jesus died to remove that burden.
We have just said that churches of Christ along with their Presbyterian and Baptist ancestors did not do, did not include or did not exclude anything on any basic, old or new Testaments. Rather, churches of Christ just kept on not doing what had been recognized as correct from an understanding of the Old Testament Monarchy period, the Catholic scholars and all early Reformers.For hundreds of years the Temple was captive to the priests and systems imposed by the Roman rulers. The temple "staff" consisted of no more than ten thousand. However, there were millions of 'common' people. They went to Synagogue to hear the Scriptures read and explained if any explaining was needed.
The synagogue, endorsed by Jesus, had no praise service.
The cultural pattern based on the Scriptures used no instruments.
Therefore, the synagogue is silent about instruments and those who add them jump back over the Jesus-endorsed "assembly" and base their instruments on the Law of Moses as changed by David under the Monarchy.
Those who added instruments were the sectarians because they added something alien to the scholarly views "held en toto" for two thousand years and which sowed discord among brethren. Their only authority was "David did it."
That makes it based on the law during Monarchy period under secular kings.
Because it was in the vested interest of the innovators to attract the masses by adding theatrical performance,
the definition of "heresy" or "sectarian" is totally complete and can only be applied with honesty to those who added instruments from silence of the Synagogue and Church and in their own vested interest which were so strong that they could "dismiss" with a swat of the hand those like J. W. McGarvey who objected.
There is no innovation by not adding instruments and there is no hope of any financial gain or vain glory by not adding instruments.
Therefore, by definition, one cannot be a sectarian by refusing to join the crowd changing "the law."
This was not the opinion of a narrow, bigoted group of Southern rednecks (per a musical worship book) but read:
These additions were not commands of the Law;
they were harmless and helpful aids to the fulfilling of the command to worship God.
We have noted that Israel's elders "fired God" and demanded a king like the nations so that they could worship like the nations. God gave two important signs:the musical prophesiers from the Philistine high place "turned Saul into another man" or perverted him by inducing charismatic prophesying with instruments.
And God destroyed the wheat crop. Furthermore, he prophesied that the kings would lead them into destruction and He would not prevent it.
If one has been virtually abandoned by God then one is free to improvize. Solomon innovated by adding paganism to the Jerusalem "venue." Many of the kings imitated him. But the instruments came from Egypt and the musical guilds had Canaanite names. They were under the commanders of the army and never under the priests.
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit always distinguishes between "the trumpets of God" and the 'instruments of David." David and later Hezekiah used lots of instruments to make "a great crashing sound" during animal sacrifices but only for dedicatory or purification rituals connected with the secular temple and civil state.
The "congregation" of the people never worshiped by singing with instrumental accompaniment.
Asaph was added by the king and commanders of the army. His name is derived from:
Acaph (h622) aw-saf'; a prim. root; to gather for any purpose; hence to receive, take away, i. e. remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.): - assemble, bring, consume, destroy, fetch, gather (in, together, up again), * generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover [another from leprosy], (be) rereward, * surely, take (away, into, up), * utterly, withdraw.
Asaph was not a "Musical Worship Minister" but really a slave driver as the history of the Temple and the use of the Levitical musicians (all males of the tribe of Levi) clearly show. Worship meant to fall on your face and if you did not or was caught inside the walls (church house) of the civil temple they would kill you.
The entire priesthood and especially the Levites were added after the musical idolatry at Mount Sinai to keep the people away from the Tabernacle. Even Israelties were identified as "strangers" and could not come boldly before the throne of God.
other than the "willful disobedience of a known law of God" or a wicked heart.
Jesus in John spoke of a law of silence which He obeyed by speaking only what He heard from the Father. The direct command and approved example was that if the "Father" was silent on some issue then the "Son" was silent. This is the highest authority one can have.Paul obeyed in his teaching and which Paul commanded for us:
"Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit,
so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying,
Do not go beyond what is written then you will not take pride in one man over against another." 1 Corinthians 4:6An occasion for pride, such as arraying Rubel Shelly against the "old legalists" can never happen if Rubel Shelly does not go beyond what is written. When people presume to be "an evangelist by the sovereign grace of God" then he is liable to become the "13th apostle" and speak his own mind. Then, people not trained in the Word and its Spirit, align themselves with people. James would say that those who "show partiality" have brought the whole weight of the law down on their heads.
When Israel engaged in musical idolatry at Mount Sinai, it was obvious that they did not listen to the covenant of grace. Therefore, they probably reasoned: "God didn't say, don't sing, dance, play instruments, get drunk and naked."
God promised that in contending for the faith in the time of Jesus:
I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. Deut 18:18
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. Deut 18:19
But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name,
which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. Deut 18:20
Pauls Commission
Colossian's Commission
Ephesian's Commission
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Col.1:18
And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Col.2:19
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Col.3:4
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Eph 4:16
- For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; Col 1:19
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Col.1:12
IF ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Col 3:1
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Col 3:2
for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word (Logos) of God; Col 1:25
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Col 3:10
"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Eph 5:14
- Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generation,
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body (church)
Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, Eph 5:15
- but is now disclosed to the saints. Col 1: 26
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free:
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles Col 1:27
but Christ is all, and in all. Col 3:11
understanding what the will of the Lord is. Eph 5:17
To present to you the word of God in its fullness Col 1:25
Let the word of Christ dwell
be filled with the Spirit Eph 5:18
We proclaim him,
admonishing and teaching
everyone
with all wisdom,
as you
teach and admonish
one another
with all wisdom, and
Speaking
to yourselves
so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. Col 1: 28
as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace
with gratitude in your hearts (proof of unity)
singing and making melody in your heart
of God in truth: Col 1:6
to God. Col 3:16
to the Lord; Eph 5:19
To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Col 1:29
giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col 3:17
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Eph 5:20
I don't know how you can be clearer. However, in all of the Biblical and noncannonical writings, once you have fallen into the musical trap sprung by Satan you are never going to understand the simple Words of Spirit.Click so you don't go naked before God about the silence thing.
When God removed Israel from the Egyptian worship He did not command them not to "sing, dance naked and play instrumental music" which is defined by the word "play" which Paul warned the Corinthians about in chapter ten. Yet, when they rose up to play, God took the Book of the Covenant away from them, gave them The Book of the Law and a priesthood to keep the people out of His symbolic presence at the Tabernacle. This is why Paul demands that a Christian has to "go to Him outside the camp" which later became the walls of the temple separating the priests and noise-makers from the people who prayed outside the gates and God heard from heaven.
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 1 Corinthians 10:7
"And the people celebrated this feast with burnt-offerings and thank-offerings, with eating and drinking, i.e. with sacrificial meals and sports, or with loud rejoicing, shouting, antiphonal songs, and dances, in the same manner in which the Egyptians celebrated their feast of Apis (Herod. 2, 60, and 3, 27)." (Keil and Delitzsch, Vol. II, p. 222).
You can understand how the Israelites worshiped in Egypt by clicking here.
When God gave the silver trumpets for signalling and to panic the enemy with "making a joyful noise" He specificially outlawed this activity when the congregation assembled which was never for worship but for instruction (as a synagogug) Numbers 10:7
Again: "The triumphal hymn of Moses had unquestionably a religious character about it; but the employment of music in religious services, though idolatrous, is more distinctly marked in the festivities which attended the erection of the golden calf." (Smith's, Music, p. 589).
Topheth was named after tabret or the tambourine or drum. Topheth which stands for hell itself was once the "King's music grove" and had under the Monarchy become the site of the red hot Molech idol at which children were burned by the Jews while music was played to get an inspired message from the "god." Remember that God sent the "musical prophesiers" from the Philistine High Place as a witness against Israel's rejection of His rule. Jeremiah notes:
And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire;
which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart. Jeremiah 7:31
They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind: Jeremiah 19:5
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place. Jeremiah 7:32
Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate. Jeremiah 7:34
Of the end-time Babylon whore worship:
And the fruits [spectacle] that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. Rev 18:14
And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; Rev 18:22
The musicians were the MUSES. They were USED by Apollo or Abaddon or Apollyon. They were sent into hell for failure to worship the Mother Goddess. Apollo unleashes them as LOCUSTS which is intimately connected to ODEING or singing exciting songs. The craftsmen are the TECHNE which includes "rhetoricians, sOPHISts (serpents), singers and musicians." They performed the task of SORCERY and were all know as parasites. The word is found often to define the THEATER BUILDER and the STAGE MANAGERS.
God warned Israel about the Asherah poles (See Rubel Shelly's) and the high places but they never listened. When they fired God and demanded a king so that they could worship like the nations this is what God was silent about in that He ruled by law and not by silence:
"The ritual observances at the Hebrew and at a Canaanite sanctuary were so similar that to the mass of the people Jehovah worship and Baal worship were not separated by any well-marked line... A sacrifice was a public ceremony of a township or clan... Then the crowds streamed into the sanctuary from all sides, dressed in their gayest attire, marching joyfully to the sound of music, and bearing with them not only the victims appointed for sacrifice, but store of bread and wine set forth the feast... Universal hilarity prevailed." (Gurney, p. 37).
God condemns these public processions to Jerusalem. He implicates human sacrifices by warning Israel about How He would bring down the Assyrians to the beat of musical instruments just like their Canaanite-like processions.
Music was a powerful tool to "lead the worshipers into the presence of God while even Israelites were sacrificing their children." Therefore, God used the sacrificial, musical procession to Topheth to warn of what he would do to Syria -- And God never told Assyria: "Thou shalt not oppress my people."
Must ye always rejoice, and go into my holy places continually, as they that keep a feast? and must ye go with a pipe, as those that rejoice, into the mountains of the Lord, to the God of Israel? Isaiah 30:29LXX
Remember that only adult males were commanded to hold festival at Jerusalem three times a year. However, playing loud instruments and burning a child in the red hot arms of Molech would allow the priest to get "a direct message from the gods" for which they came. This was always to get around God's commandments and be "innovative."
And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones. Isaiah 30:30
For through the voice of the Lord shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod. Isaiah 30:31
And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the Lord shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it. Isaiah 30:32
For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. Isaiah 30:33
> This was "the king's music grove" where they burned bodies of the living and dead. It stands for hell, the place of everlasting fire and maggots. It would be fulfilled by the musical, Babylonian king/queen religion:
All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you. Is.14:11
> This would also be fulfilled in Jerusalem after the time of Christ. Perhaps a million bodies were burned or just consumed by maggots when it, identified as Sodom, was consumed when the trumpets of Rome blared.
> It will happen in the end-times when the Babylonian whore religion ceases and the musicians and their instruments are once again consumed (Revelation 18).
This may be being fulfilled as believers are brought down to spiritual death as God performs the musical "triumph" over those who do not love the truth but love to follow the blind.
If it had intered God's "mind" and He wanted the musical idolatry He would have commanded it. He did not command it nor think of it but the Israelites did something which God had not commanded and were punished just as they had when they demanded a King over God's "silence."
God did not command: "Thou shalt not fire me and hire a human ruler." But they did and He promised their destruction. In the end, they and the Temple He could not use were destroyed. Amos poured out God's promise that the people would hunger and thirst for the Word of God and go into captivity. The cause was their celebrative "religious festivals with instrumental music." And yet, God had never said, thou shalt not.
If "authority" has any meaning, the command to "teach and admonish" one another only after filling up with the 'Word of Christ' or "spirit" is as direct a command as "go, preach, baptize." If not then how would Paul have commanded that teaching replace pagan singing if He had intended to do so?
- In what possible sense is singing with accompaniment not singing?
Jim Jones told his "flock" that they were drinking Kool Aide -- and they were.Many of the classical writers note that singing is one thing but playing an instrument is another. Playing and singing at the same time was clearly seen as a way to keep you from understanding the words of the song. Furthermore, it was something which only children or female slaves engaged in.
First. The Bible takes note that "singing" is one thing but "making melody" with an instrument is quite a different thing. Singing is no longer just singing if the "voices" of the dead instruments are allowed to "teach."
This is why when instruments are intended the usuall statement is: "Sing and make melody with a harp."
Second, from the earliest history the view of the writers was that instruments totally silenced the congregational singing. In time the Catholics were forbidden to sing and the music was performed by a Clergy Person which is now at times replaced by the "worship team." The team by definition and their position does not want the "audience" to sing while they "perform."
McClintock -- Strong identifies this as the "first heresy largely pervading the church."
Before and during the Reformation men like Calvin tore down the idols, melted down the organ pipes of what was considered an "idol" and restored congregational singing: you cannot really have both at the same time.
Third, there is no command to "sing" in the sense of modern compositions set to four-part harmony. Paul used the "singing" idea to the Romans after he warned about the "wine induced" forms of singing alluded to in Romans 14 and clearly defined in Ephesians 5 where the command was not to "sing" but to teach for learning:
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning,
........... that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: Romans 15:5
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:6
This chapter comes after Romans 14 where Paul warned about imposing the Orphic or Dionysic practices of Rome. The meat and the vegetarian sects were both instrumental. The only way to speak the same thing was to peak the Scriptures.
When you sing with harmony (which is not melody) you do add to unison singing which is with one voice. For instance, 2 voices harmonizing will produce 4 voices through harmonic distortion and many more lesser notes. 4 will produce 16 strong voices and dozens more lesser voices. Harmony also produces the irritating dissonance like "water drips" or "dog barks" which cannot be ignored and which hurt. It is this dissonance which bridges the gap from one note to a leap to another and is therefore tolerated. This is why "psallo" is derived from "grinding you into a fine powder." Melody has no spiritual connotation.
By analogy, when you put a bit of acid in water you are no longer drinking water but a dilute acid. When you sing in the bathtub you are doing more than singing, you are adding your own mixed-up echo. This is the meaning of the "sounding gongs" or brass vases which the pagans used and sold as the "voice of the gods." It assuredly is not possible to teach a Biblical psalm with a multi-horsepower organ breathing on you.
The message has always been that if you speak the revealed Word to one another it will be taught. There will be unity because you are not adding divisive songs from Sister Singers or organs. The result will be singing to the name of God and not modern, mind-altering singing with instruments:
And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause
External: I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, (teach and admonish)
Internal: and sing unto thy name. Romans 15:9 (singing and melody in the heart)
Once Paul had done his part he had the common decency to get out of the way and continue to carry out the Great Commission because:
And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Romans 15:14
Organists and musical worship teams are a direct insult saying that "you are not filled with knowledge and able to admonish one another."
Or as Paul told the Colossians using almost identical terms:
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. Colossians 3:16Paul obeyed the command which would allow Jesus to "sing to the Gentiles" or to those who had not heard the gospel once:
Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another mans foundation: Romans 15:20
But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. Romans 15:21
You are still singing but the instrumentalist is still playing. You are not playing and she is not singing. The combination of the two puffs up your voice and makes it more eappealing than what God gave you. The combination of vocal noises and instrumental noises produces something entirely new to the equation. For instance, I eat unleavened bread. It is still unleavened bread if I add a slice of baked ham. Any logic chopper would conclude that you are doing more than eating unleavend bread and therefore you are showing contempt for the Word of God.Then the preacher should not object if a brass band plays while he preaches. After all, he is still preaching. And the critic should not object if the cook puts a pound of salt in his chicken soup. After all, it is still chicken soup. Paul did not command "singing songs" but speaking or preaching the reveled Words of Christ to one another. External melody in the Bible and in the classics meant to "grind into a fine powder" or to "twang the bow string" at a person as the arrow approached you. Therefore, Paul issued a direct command that the melody be in the heart. And the Bible is silent about Harmony.
If Jesus demanded that those with the talent go preach where the gospel had not been heard, and the preacher took along a choir and an orchestra to be used during his preaching would the preacher still be preaching? Of course. Would he be understood? Of course not.
You cannot think about spiritual truth with your brain chopped free of its logical or rational (or spiritual) left (male) hemisphere.
If Jesus walked into your living room and said: "I want to talk to you." But you say, Lord, if I turn the Boom Box up full volume you will still be talking. Of course, you would be so embarrassed by the thought that you would be like Judas and hang yourself. Well, Jesus said that He (not a third god) would be in the midst of two or three gathered by His authority. Does He not have any authority? Would you actually give God a theatrical performance to "lead Him into your presence" or "provide a platform upon which God lands?" You might say that I am still listening but you are not.
We would be locked up for doing to our friends what we do to God and call "worship."
God was wise not to command playing, not to command the use of an instrument.
For then, according to the fearful among us, the nonmusical would necessarily be guilty of disobeying the command to play.
So God was wise enough. If so why was He not wise enough to command singing so that we could be free to do my thing with no concern for the multiple-choice God of the universe.But Paul did command one of the allowable instruments to accompany a psalm -- the human voice.
Legalistic in Paul's mind meant "trusting the Law of Moses." Most music proponents are forced to trust David. On the other hand, obeying direct commands of Christ or His Apostles is not being legalistic. In fact, treating them with contempt and trusting a machine is truly legalistic because it believes that God can be honored with a machine or by minds manipulated by a "drug" overdose through music.
The late 19th century attempt to justify instruments claimed that Psallo commands instruments and therefore they are permitted. If Psallo commands instruments then what motive would anyone have for not legalistically obeying the command to play because playing certainly sucks in moree people?
But the first grasp out of the bag when reinventers of Christian Worship slipped in the first melodeon while the elder slept was the Greek word PSALLO