The History of Mechanical Instrumental Music In Worship

1st Old Testament 2nd New Testament 3rd 2 nd – 4 th Centuries 4 th Dark Ages 5 th Restoration Movement Periods To Cover

Mechanical Instrumental Music & The Old Testament

Mechanical Instrumental Music & The Old Testament 1 Chronicles 16:4-7, 23:5, 25:1, 28:11-13  2 Chronicles 5:11-13, 8:14, 23:18, 35:4,15 2 Chronicles 29:25: “And he set the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandments of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet; for so was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets.”

Mechanical Instrumental Music & The Old Testament 1 Chronicles 16:4-7, 23:5, 25:1, 28:11-13  2 Chronicles 5:11-13, 8:14, 23:18, 35:4,15 2 Chronicles 29:25: “And he set the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandments of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet; for so was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets.”

Early Church Fathers “The second century and the centuries following provide a uniform testimony to vocal singing without the use of any musical instruments. The unaccompanied human voice became the norm for Christian worship following the death of the apostles. James McKinnon states, ‘The antagonism which the Fathers of the early Church displayed toward instruments has two outstanding characteristics: vehemence and uniformity’” OLNW, 72 *OLNW – Old Light On New Worship by John McKinnon

Early Church Fathers “The second century and the centuries following provide a uniform testimony to vocal singing without the use of any musical instruments. The unaccompanied human voice became the norm for Christian worship following the death of the apostles. James McKinnon states, ‘The antagonism which the Fathers of the early Church displayed toward instruments has two outstanding characteristics: vehemence and uniformity’” OLNW, 72 Matthew 23:9

Early Church Fathers Justin Martyr (ca )… “Concerning the distinction between Old and New Covenant worship, Martyr wrote about A.D. 140, ‘The use of singing with instrumental music was not received in the Christian churches as it was among the Jews in their infant state, but only the use of plain song.’ Plain song refers to singing with the voice unaccompanied by musical instruments. Martyr also writes, ‘Musical organ pertain to the Jewish ceremonies and agree no more to us than circumcision.’” OLNW, 75

Early Church Fathers Clement of Alexdandria (150-ca. 215), an apologist of the early church… “Leave the pipe to the shepherd, the flute to the men who are in fear of gods and are intent on their idol- worshipping. Such musical instruments must be excluded from our wineless feasts…’” OLNW, 75-76

Early Church Fathers Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea (ca 260-ca. 339), was the leading historian of the early church. If musical instruments had existed in the worship of the church, he surely would have recorded their use. But Eusebius states that it was the universal practice of the churches to sing unaccompanied psalms. In his commentary on Ps. 91:4, he contrasts the worship of the church in its infancy under the Old Covenant with its maturity under the New Covenant, “When formerly the people of the circumcision worshipped through symbols and types, it was not unreasonable that they raised…. (continued)

Early Church Fathers hymns to God on psalteries and cithara…we however…upon a living psaltery and an animate cithara and in spiritual songs that we render the hymn. And so more sweetly pleasing to God than any musical instrument would be the symphony of the people of God, by which, in every church of God, with kindred spirit and single disposition, with one mind and unanimity of faith and piety, we raise melody in unison in our psalmody.” OLNW, 77 Many other such quotes can be cited. “We have heard the unanimous rejection of musical instruments by the Church Fathers…” The early church councils condemned such as well. OLNW, 80

Rise of Instruments in the Dark Ages “Church historians agree that the first recorded example of a musical instrument in Christian worship was an organ introduced in about 670 in a Roman Catholic Church in Rome by Pope Vitalianus.” There are only a couple of other examples for hundreds of years. “The organ, however, continued to face strong opposition and remained only isolated in its use for hundreds of years. There was no general acceptance of it in the churches until at least the late 1200’s.” OLNW, 84

Introduction of Instruments In Christian Worship “Thomas Aquinas ( ) was one of the most prominent Roman Catholic theologians of the Middle Ages and one who surely knew how worship was conducted in his time. As late as 1260, he wrote, ‘The church does not use musical instruments such as the harp or lyre when praising God, in case she should seem to fall back into Judaism…For musical instruments usually move the soul more to pleasure than create inner moral goodness.” OLNW, 84

Instruments Gain Ground “It was during the dark ages of the 14 th and 15 th centuries that the organ gained prominence in the worship of the Roman Catholic Church. Girardeau writes, ‘In spite of opposition, the organ, during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, steadily made its way toward universal triumph in the Romish church.’ By the early 1500’s, an organ was found in almost every important church of Europe, and its use became one of the distinguishing traits of Roman Catholic liturgy.” OLNW, 84

The Reformers – John Wycliffe Wycliff Wycliff strongly encouraged the unaccompanied singing of psalms by the entire congregation.

The Reformers – Jan Hus Hus Hus complained that when people come to church they, ‘gape at the pictures, the vestments, chalices and other marvelous furnishings of the churches. Their ears are filled with sound of bells, organs, and small bells, by frivolous singing which incites to dance rather than to piety.” Hus and his followers reformed worship by forbidding the use of musical instruments and returning to primitive simplicity with unison congregational singing.

The Reformers – Ulrich Zwingli Zwingli “Only what Christ has explicitly commanded in His Word should be part of the worship of the church.” He applied this principle to the use of musical instruments. Since Christ had not commanded them in the New Testament, they should not be used in His church. He applied this to worship and said, “Everything which is added to the true institutions of Christ is an abuse.” OLNW, 94

The Reformers – Martin Luther Luther “Luther’s main concern throughout the rest of his life was the centrality of preaching justification as the gospel way of salvation. Luther did not hold to a biblical view of the regulative principle of worship. He believed that unless a practice was expressly forbidden by the word of God it could be allowed. As a result, Luther never considered the reformation of worship a matter of priority as did the other leading reformers.” “…for the other leading reformers, the central issue was the restoration of pure and spiritual worship according to the New Testament.” OLNW, 91, 94

The Reformers – Martin Luther Luther “…called the organ an ensign of Baal." McClintock and Strong's Encyclopedia, Vol. 6, page 762.

The Reformers – John Calvin Calvin “But when they frequent their sacred assemblies, musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papist, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more pleasing to him.” OLNW, 99

The Reformers – Adam Clarke Clarke "I am an old man, and an old minister; and I here declare that I never knew them (musical instruments) productive of any good in the worship of God; and have had reason to believe that they were productive of much evil. Music, as a science, I esteem and admire; but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor. This is the abuse of music; and here I register my protest against all such corruptions in the worship of the Author of Christianity." Clarke's Commentary, Vol. 4, page 684.

The Reformers – John Wesley Wesley "I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen." Clarke's Commentary, Vol. 4, page 684.

Sing or Play ??? Matthew 26:30 Mark 14:26 Acts 16:25 Romans 15:9 1 Corinthians 14:15 Ephesians 5:19 Colossians 3:16 Hebrews 2:12 Hebrews 13:15 James 5:13 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ You get the point?

Arguments Used In Favor Of Mechanical Instrumental Music 1. “Instruments simply aid in our singing!!!” 2. “Instruments make our singing sound better!!!” 3.“I like them!!!” 4.“Our young people like a more contemporary, upbeat service!!!” 5. “The Bible doesn’t say we can’t use them!!!” 6.“David used them!!!” 7.“The word “psallo” in Ephesians 5:19 means to pluck on a string!!!”

AidsAdditions VS.

Arguments Used In Favor Of Mechanical Instrumental Music 1. “Instruments simply aid in our singing!!!” 2. “Instruments make our singing sound better!!!” 3.“I like them!!!” 4.“Our young people like a more contemporary, upbeat service!!!”

“Instruments make our singing sound better!!!” “I like them!!!” “Our young people like a more contemporary, upbeat service!!!” These are nothing more than an appeal to emotion.  Isaiah 55:8,9  Acts 26:9  2 Kings 5:11  Proverbs 14:12

Arguments Used In Favor Of Mechanical Instrumental Music 1. “Instruments simply aid in our singing!!!” 2. “Instruments make our singing sound better!!!” 3.“I like them!!!” 4.“Our young people like a more contemporary, upbeat service!!!” 5. “The Bible doesn’t say we can’t use them!!!”

“The Bible doesn’t say we can’t use them!!!”  Does God have to specifically state the forbidding of something before it is wrong?  God has legislated what he wants via the Bible.  The Law of Exclusion 1.The wood used in preparing the ark (Gn. 6). 2.The fire authorized in service upon the alter (Lev. 10). 3.Naaman (2 Kgs. 5). 4.Blind man of John chapter 9  We do not have the right to add to or take away from what God has stated (Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18,19).

Arguments Used In Favor Of Mechanical Instrumental Music 1. “Instruments simply aid in our singing!!!” 2. “Instruments make our singing sound better!!!” 3.“I like them!!!” 4.“Our young people like a more contemporary, upbeat service!!!” 5. “The Bible doesn’t say we can’t use them!!!” 6. “David used them!!!”

“David used them!!!”  We do not live under the Law of Moses as David did! Colossians 2:14 Hebrews 8:6, 9:15, 12:24 Galatians 5:1, 4  David is not our authority, Jesus is (Mt. 28:18; Mt: 17:5).  There are a host of things individuals did in the Old Testament which many would not do today, yet they better get busy if the argument stands!

Arguments Used In Favor Of Mechanical Instrumental Music 1. “Instruments simply aid in our singing!!!” 2. “Instruments make our singing sound better!!!” 3.“I like them!!!” 3.“Our young people like a more contemporary, upbeat service!!!” 5. “The Bible doesn’t say we can’t use them!!!” 6.“David used them!!!” 7.“The word “psallo” in Ephesians 5:19 means to pluck on a string!!!”

“The word psallo in means to pluck a string!!!” VINE’S: probably strengthened from psao (to rub or touch the surface; compare 5597); to twitch or twang, i.e. to play on a stringed instrument (celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying odes):--make melody, sing (psalms). Psallo: Romans 15:9 – Sing 1 Corinthians 14:15 – Sing James 5:13 - Sing Notice where the melody/plucking/twanging is to be done – Ephesians 5:19. The instrument God has given each to employ is that of the heart not man-made devices played with the hands.

Sing or Play ??? Matthew 26:30 Mark 14:26 Acts 16:25 Romans 15:9 1 Corinthians 14:15 Ephesians 5:19 Colossians 3:16 Hebrews 2:12 Hebrews 13:15 James 5:13 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Arguments Used In Favor Of Mechanical Instrumental Music 1. “Instruments simply aid in our singing!!!” 2. “Instruments make our singing sound better!!!” 3.“I like them!!!” 3.“Our young people like a more contemporary, upbeat service!!!” 5. “The Bible doesn’t say we can’t use them!!!” 6.“David used them!!!” 7.“The word “psallo” in Ephesians 5:19 means to pluck on a string!!!”

The only reasonable, logical, sound, unavoidable, undeniable, conclusion one must make, if he is honest, is the Bible teaches singing unaccompanied by mechanical instrumental music is the only authorized music in the church today. What’s The Conclusion???

Hear – Romans 10:17 Believe – Mark 16:16 Repent – Luke 13:3 Confess – Matthew 10:32,33 Baptized – Acts 2:38 Obey the Gospel of Christ today COME FORWARD RIGHT NOW!!!