Meme found on Faceborg. Our comments in bold.
The Church of Christ is particularly known for refusing to worship with musical instruments. It might have other distinctive doctrines as well, but we are here only to consider the issue before us.
As we reviewed the information provided above, it soon became apparent that most of it was not relevant to this particular doctrine. Generally it's sound, biblical information, but very little of it comes to bear on using musical instruments in worship.
The salient point seems to be, if it's not in the NT we don't do it. A sub text to that would be, some historical personages agree with us, along with unnamed scholars agree with us. This is thin stuff, indeed. The foundation of this doctrine is essentially an Argument From Silence.
The principal issue in our minds is the arbitrary nature of the line being drawn. Upon what basis is doctrine determined by dividing the NT from the OT? Upon what basis should a doctrine be derived only if the information is repeated in the NT?
We could draw our own arbitrary lines. How about the 10 commandments, for example? The only one not repeated in the NT is the Sabbath. So we should work seven days a week. Or, maybe we should only embrace the commandments Jesus Himself reiterated:
Matt 19:17-19...“There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments." 18“Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, 19 honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
These are the only ones that are important because Jesus didn't repeat the others.
Let's take the matter further. The Bible never records the early church as constructing houses of worship. The Bible makes no mention of pastors leading churches. The entire structure of a Sunday service as practiced today is not found in the Bible.
But this one thing, musical instruments, is made into an issue worthy of causing disputes and divisions in the Churches, yet it's not even a key doctrine regarding how to be saved or how to live a holy life.
Therefore, in our view it's not relevant.
It is a precarious thing to derive doctrines from what the Bible doesn't say.
As a final note, we have no opinion about the Church of Christ in general. We are only intent on analyzing one of their doctrines.
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Transcript:
It's just an aid, like a songbook
Panel 1 Clarifying the Stance: Not Against music, But For Biblical Worship
Daily life: Music enjoyed
Worship: Regulated by God's word
We love music! The issue is authority in worship, not a dislike of instruments
Panel 2 The foundation: Authority in Worship
God is Spirit, worship in Spirit & truth (John 4:24)
Jesus has all authority (Mat 28:18)
God's word (truth) (John 17:17)
New Testament (New covenant) (Col 3:17)
Our sole authority (1 Cor 4:6, 2 John 1:9)
Panel 3
Old Covenant (obsolete)
Instruments commanded (2 Chron 29:25)
Physical acts.
Nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14, Heb 8:13)
vs. New Covenant (binding today)
Focus on Spiritual
No command for instruments
We are under Christ's law
Panel 4 The New Testament Command: Singing
Rom 15:19 1 Cor 14:15 Heb 2:12 James 5:13 Heb 13:15 Acts 16:24 Col 3:16 Eph. 5:19
Making melody in your heart
Every New Testament verse on music in worship commands singing ONLY. No music instruments mentioned or authorized.
Panel 5 Historical Perspective & Early Church
1st century church - vocal only (scholars agree)
John Calvin - "no more suitable than burning incense"
John Wesley - "no objection, provided they are neither heard nor seen"
Early church fathers - rejected instruments
Martin Luther - "ensign of Baal"
Instruments introduced - 670 AD Pope Vitalian Widespread after 1851
Charles Spurgeon - "Would as soon pray with machinery"
Panel 6 Addressing Common Arguments
The NT doesn't say we can't
Silence is not permission God specifies what He wants (e.g. The Lord's Supper elements)
Adding elements is like adding hamburger to communion
It's just an aid, like a songbook
AID vs. ADDITION
Aids (books, leader) help obey the command to sing
Instruments add another element, changing the command
The Greek word Psallo means to play
Context determines meaning
In the NT, psallo means to sing or pluck the heartstrings (Eph 5:19) Scholars and translators agree
Instruments are in Revelation
Symbolic language
Revelation is highly symbolic (beasts, incense)
We don't' follow heaven's non-marriage rule on earth (Matt 22:30)
Panel 7 Conclusion - Walking by Faith
Faith comes by hearing (Rom. 10:17)
Without a command there's no faith
We seek to please God by following His specified will: Singing from the heart
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