instrumental music: The Old Testament tells of the plans put in David's heart, including the responsibilities of the Levites. Some of them were given the role of playing musical instrument or singing. The Psalms used in temple liturgy contain commands to play musical instruments.

Elisha was asked to prophesy. He called for a minstrel. The minstrel played for him. The hand of the Lord came on him and he prohesied.

There are many positive references to music int he Old Testament.

it is likely that some of the earliest Christians- Jews still participating in temple worship, zealous after the Law, but justified through faith in jesus Christ, praised God to the sound of musical instruments.

I have a friend who is amissionary in Israel who is well-versed in Judaic studies. He says that musical instruments were removed from the synagogue because of mourning over the temple being destroyed. Christian liturgy was greatly influenced by the synagogue, and so he felt that may have carried over into church meetings.

The New Testament itself does not forbid nor demand the presence of any musical instruments to praise God. John's vision shows musical praise of God with harps. But we are not told one way or another whether to use instruments in Christian meetings. The Old Testament, is of course, inspired, and can teach us a lot about these things.

Any comments?

-- Anonymous, August 07, 2000

Answers

Link,

I am not a non-instrumentalist but a can tell you that your above post would be a "target rich environment" if I was.

For starters....what the O.T. has to say on the subject is irrelevant. There were many things done in the O.T. that the N.T. church did not carry over.

Secondly, Revelation is symbolic language. Therefore, one must be careful in assuming what heaven is like based upon the symbolism (i.e., streets of gold, etc.).

In order to present your case effectively you must examine and exegete the Sciptures the "nons" use to defend their position.

Like I said, I'm not one.....so it's not my place (nor desire) to tell you what those are.

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2000

Danny,

I realize you are not an instrumentalist, but the OT does have importance in this discussion.

For one thing, the OT tells us what hte temple was supposed to be like. If the early Christians praised God to the sound of musical instruments in the temple (one of the places they met) then how can it be wrong to praise God to the sound of musical instruments in our meetings?

The Old Testament shows us that God was not opposed to being praised to the sound of musical instruments. The OT endorses the practice. It shows that God is not prejudiced against musical instruments as some preachers are.

Also, if the New Testament is silent on the issue of musical instruments, how can one teach as doctrine that we are not to have instruments in meetings.

I see some get bent out of shape about musical instruments, arguing that there should be none in the meetings just because the Bible does not mention them in the meetings of the early church. But often those who argue for such things ignore practices the Bible DOES give a few details about- such as communion services, or mutual edification in church meetings (as opposed to the one-man sermon tradition.)

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2000

Or the two chief commandments, against which there is no rule or law ~ love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul, and your neighbor as yourself.

We had that whole long discussion on I Corinthians 13 and 14, forgetting 'the weightier matters of the law', and the main point for its being written ~ love of others. (Assuming one already loves God and wants to obey His words).

Respectfully,

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2000

Link, Danny is right about one thing, this is a target rich invornment, especially for this topic. But, I feel you are right. Nowhere, do we see the OT "done away" with. Jesus is the fulfillment of the OT- but has he doen away with it or are we to do that? NO! It is a greivious error on our part within the Restoration heritage to disregard the OT and to only depend upon the NT.

Can you picture, Jesus jumpin to the jam at a youth conference?? I can- in fact I think He would love groups such as Stereo Deluxx and Skillet, or even Seven Day Jesus! Church is a place of celebration- we celebrate as is Psalms 150. But, we are also to shake and tremble in our boots when we are in the awesome presence of God as in Exodus 19-21. There is a time and place for everything- silence and loud music- and nowhere is it seen in scripture that either is wrong(when appropriate).

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2000