Instrumental Music:
What Does The Bible Say… Authority and Silence?
When the discussion of worship
turns to the use of instrumental music in worship, it soon becomes clear that
there is no command, example or even inference of the use of such instruments
to worship God in the New Testament. The argument usually then turns to such
statements as “they used it in the Old Testament… David had them.”
Of course when one is asked to read Galatians 5:4 and clearly see that God said,
“whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace”,
that argument is seen as doomed.
But the argument does not end. Those who desire to justify the use of mechanical
instruments quickly turn to the idea, “God did not say not to!”
Be it known first of all that this argument is actually an announcement that
the defender of the instrument cannot find Scriptural justification for their
mechanical instrument. But the question comes, is it a valid argument to say
something is authorized since “God didn’t say not to”? The
answer a resounding “No!”. We do not reject the argument just because
of personal feelings, but we find that the Bible and logic both deny such an
argument. In Hebrews 8:4 God tells us that if Jesus were on earth, “He
should not be a priest” (could not serve as such). But why would He say
that? In Hebrews 7:14 we are given the answer: “For it is evident that
our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.”
Did you notice the basis of God’s argument given by inspiration... “of
which tribe Moses spake nothing”! What if someone were to turn and say
to the Lord, “But you didn’t say not to have priests of Juda!”
Clearly we recognize the arrogance such a reply would have carried and that
it would be rejected. Consider also, what about taking the “logic”
of this argument and applying it in our daily life? Have you ever ordered something
at a restaurant? Say you ordered a hamburger, fries and coke. When the waiter
fills your order he proceeds to add to your order some chicken, tacos, a malt…
you stop them and say, “I didn’t order all of that, I only told
you to bring a hamburger, fries and coke!” To which they reply, “But
you didn’t say not to bring the other things!” Will such a person
be consistent with their religious “argument” and accept whatever
is offered… or will they reject the foolishness of the same argument they
expect God to accept in the religious realm?
By Jack H. Williams
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