“instrumental music.3” by. steven j. wallace. analyzed and debunked (2) arguments to justify...

“Instrumental Music.3”

by. Steven J. Wallace

Analyzed and Debunked (2)

Arguments To JustifyArguments To Justifymechanical musicmechanical music

ININ WORSHIP?WORSHIP?

In The Last Lesson

Natural Talent Home-Church Heaven-Church Psallo

1. Old Testament Argument

Jews had it in the Old Testament, therefore we can have it today

Why Did Israel Have Instrumental Music?

because all the nations around them had it???

because the populace demanded such for their worship???

because God didn’t care how they worshiped???

because God commanded it???

2 Chronicles 29:25-27

25 And he stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the LORD by His prophets.

26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.

27 Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel.

Where Is A New Testament

Commandment? when people run to the Old Testament to

find Instrumental Music they confess:1. the need for authority. . .

2. the lack of New Testament authority! PRINCIPLE: “Since we have heard that

some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law’ ––to whom we gave no such commandment” (Acts 15:24)

Why Not Insist on Other Old Testament

Deeds? why not “burnt offerings” with the “Song of the

Lord” (2 Chron. 29:27)? why not have more than one wife (2 Sam.

5:13; 12:8; Deut. 21:15-17)? why not keep the Sabbath holy (Ex. 20:8)? why not have a separate priesthood today

(Lev. 8; 9)? why not kill religious enemies (Deut. 7:2-5)?

as a religious work of the law

Galatians 5:3, 4

3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

as a religious work of the law

APPLICATION of Galatians 5:3, 4

3 And I testify again to every man who worships with instruments that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

2. “No Harm” Argument

Don’t see any harm in it. . .do you really think God is going to send someone to hell for adding an instrument in praise? ask Nadab and Abihu if there was any

harm in doing something for God which He had not commanded (Lev. 10:1-3)

ask Uzzah if there was in harm in touching the ark when the oxen stumbled (2 Sam. 6:6, 7)

The “No Harm” Crowd

lacks understanding of Bible authority is imperceptive of the nature of God is shortsighted

just because we cannot see any harm in something doesn’t mean it is harmless

captain of Titanic didn’t see any harm in his route. . .resulted in death

Innovations from the “No Harm” Crowd

infant baptism women preachers celibacy for “clergy” church sponsored

Christmas/Easter programs

daily communion /quarterly communion

ashes on forehead church kitchens cancelling services

for Christmas

3. Instruments are an Aid

Mechanical instruments are an aid like song books and a pitch pipe an “addition” is not an “aid” if competition rule states “compete on foot”

walking stick, walking shoes, etc. = aid (still just walking. . .lawful)

motorcycle, skateboard, etc. = addition (no longer just walking. . .unlawful)

3. Instruments are an Aid

Mechanical instruments are an aid like song books and a pitch pipe pitch pipe is to pitch the note; book to read

the words, notes, etc. still just singing

piano, flute, guitar, drums, etc. are designed to “play” music, not “sing” music

you don’t play music on a song book or a pitch pipe. . .you sing to the words!

Authorized Aid AdditionArk ax, saw, ladders,

measuring tapeAIRPLANEAnother Vessel

Baptism pool, baptistery, pond, river

SPRINKLEAnother Action

Lord’s Supper trays, cups, plates, servers

PEPPERONIAnother Food

Give basket SELLAnother Action

Sing pitch pipe, books, leader

PLAYAnother Action

4. We Do A Lot of Things With No

Authority Why not have instrumental music in

worship since we do so many other things without authority. . .restrooms, PowerPoint projector, white boards, etc.

Command Authorizes ItemsArk Tools Hammer

Assemble Place Buy, Rent

Teach and Preach Ways and Means Print, Write, Speak

Sing Vocal Song Leader, Books, Notes

Play? All Mechanical Instruments

Guitars, Organs, Bands

5. Bible Doesn’t Say “NOT TO”

The Bible doesn’t say not to worship God with instruments so we can we are to reside in what is revealed, not

silence “The secret things belong to the LORD our

God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deut. 29:29; cf. Acts 15:24; 1 Cor. 4:6)

Where Does the Bible Say. . .

not to burn incense? not celebrate

Ground Hog Day? not to have a Pope? not to gamble? not to have women

deacons? not to commit

suicide?

not to abort? not to serve root

beer on the Lord’s Table?

not to have aerobic praise

not to slap people on their forehead after they are baptized?

Do You Have an Argument For

Instrumental Music In Worship?

we have provided abundant material against it!