PITCH-PIPES AND POWERPOINT
Members of the church of Christ have historically emphasized that the Bible
teaches that we should have Biblical authority for what we do. God has required
such. He did under the Old Covenant (e.g. Leviticus 10:1-2; 1 Samuel 13:9-14;
2 Chronicles 26:16-21). He does under the New Covenant (e.g. Acts 15:22-24;
Colossians 3:17 - Thayer [Greek-English Lexicon] indicates that to do a thing
"in the name of" is used of "by one's command and authority;"
Vine's [Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words] indicates that it can
mean "in recognition of the authority of").
Some ask "What about pitch-pipes?" and "What about PowerPoint?"
I believe that there are two types of people who ask such questions. (1) Some
are people who do not believe in this hermeneutical approach to the Bible. They
reject the need to limit worship (and other matters) to what is authorized by
explicit statements, accounts of action (examples), and implication in the Bible.
Therefore, they ask such questions to ridicule the need for authority (reduction
ad absurdum), or to expose what they believe is an inconsistency in our practice
(note: showing an inconsistency in us does not prove their position). (2) Others
are people who believe that we must have Biblical authority for what we do.
However, they do not understand how such things are authorized.
People may ask these questions for different reasons. Whatever the reason, let
us provide an answer.
Generic Command v. Specific Command
A generic command is a command to do something, but certain specifics are not
mentioned. A few examples: (1) Christians are to assemble on the first day of
the week (Acts 20:7). The hour has not been specified. God has left it to man
to decide. The place has not be specified. Israelite males were required to
worship in Jerusalem, three times per year (Deuteronomy 16:16 cf. 2 Chronicles
7:12; 1 Kings 12:27; Luke 2:41-42). No such requirement exists for Christians.
The church met in various locations (Acts 8:1; 13:1; 18:22; Romans 16:1; 16:3-5;
1 Corinthians 1:2; 16:19; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2;
1 Peter 5:13; Revelation 1:11; 2:1; 2:8; 2:12; 2:18; 3:1; 3:7; 3:14). (2) Christians
are to give on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). How this giving
is to be collected is not specified. Should it be dropped into a box? Should
we pass a hat? God has left such details to man. (3) Christians are to sing
(Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). The type of songs are specified: psalms,
hymns and spiritual songs. However, the specific songs and how to start these
songs are not specified. Therefore, God has left such to man (e.g. song books,
song leader, the pitch and speed of the song).
A specific command is a command to do something with certain things specified.
A few examples: (1) God did not just tell Noah to build the ark; He told Noah
to build the ark out of gopher wood, with certain features, and dimensions (Genesis
6:13-16). Where God has specified, man is not at liberty. (2) God did not tell
Christians to make music (any music). He specified the type of music (singing)
and the type of songs to be used (psalms, hymns and spiritual songs). (3) Jesus
did not tell His disciples to eat and drink something remembering Him. He specified
the elements (Matthew 26:26-28). Unleavened bread (cf. Exodus 12) and the fruit
of the vine (grape juice) are to be used.
Expedient v. Addition
I am using the word 'expedient' to refer to an aid to carry out God's command.
A few examples: (1) Saws and hammers may have been expedients to Noah's building
the ark. (2) A collection plate may be an expedient to gathering the collection.
(3) A podium may be an expedient to preaching and teaching. (4) Song books may
be an expedient to singing. So also may be the use of an overhead projector
or PowerPoint to display the words and musical notes of the song. An expedient
does not add to what is being done.
I am using the word 'addition' to refer to an unauthorized addition to what
God commanded. A few examples: (1) The use of another kind of wood in the ark
(e.g. oak, pine, etc.) would have been an addition. (2) The use of chicken and
iced tea, along with unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, would be an
addition. (3) The use of purely patriotic songs, along with psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, would be an addition. (4) The use of instrumental music
in our worship is an addition to the command to sing.
Pitch-Pipe
It is possible for one to use the pitch-pipe as a musical instrument, like a
harmonica, to play a tune. Moreover, it could be used this way with the intent
of worshipping God. Such would be an addition.
However, it is an expedient to use a pitch-pipe to get a pitch in preparation
to leading a song. There is no intent to worship with such. The pitch-pipe ceases
to be blown before the intended song of worship begins.
Consider this comparison. A song leader may clear his throat before leading
a song. He does so preparing to worship in song. He does not do so as a part
of worship N.B. Hardeman said in one of his tabernacle sermons of 1923, "I
have been told …that there is just as much scripture for the organ or
piano or flute or violin as there is the tuning fork… they are not parallel…You
watch what a tuning fork does… I strike it here, and it gives the pitch
of the music to be sung…When does worship begin? In the singing of the
song. There was an old gentleman in my town who in answer to this, once made
this remark 'the difference between a tuning fork and the organ is this: that
the tuning fork has enough respect for God to quit before worship begins, while
an organ continues all the way through.' Let me say to my friends who use the
organ that if you would use it as a tuning fork, let it stop before we commence
to worship God, I would not open my mouth against it." (Hardeman's Tabernacle
Sermons Vol. 2, p. 278). G.K. Wallace said, in the Wallace-Hunt debate of 1951,
"All right, now what are we doing with the tuning fork? We do not produce
music with it. The singing is a result. The singing is a result of getting pitch.
You get the pitch"(Wallace-Hunt Debate, p. 37). Guy N. Woods said, "The
tuning fork gives the leader the pitch of the first note and is silent when
the worship begins. This is one great difference between a tuning fork and organ
or piano - the tuning fork knows when to quit!" (Woods, Questions and Answers,
Vol. 2, p. 34).
PowerPoint
It is an expedient to use PowerPoint. In singing, its function may be likened
to the song book (It displays the words and notes of the song). In preaching
and teaching it may function as a Bible (displaying the text being studied)
or as a visual aid (much like white boards, chalk boards, overhead projectors,
hand-out notes, flannel boards and sheet sermons - preachers of an earlier generation
often presented their points on white sheets which were suspended before the
audience).
The use of visual aids is authorized. They were used in the Old covenant (e.g.
Jeremiah 18:1-ff; 19:1-ff; Ezekiel 4:1-3; 12:1-7; 24:1-14). They may be used
under the New Covenant (e.g. Acts 21:10-11).
Let us be careful Bible students. Let us discern between good and evil. Let
us discern between what is an expedient and what is an addition.
by Bryan Hodge
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