"Instrumental Music & The Religious World"    

            God commands Christians to sing as they worship and as they express joy (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13; 1 Corinthians 14:15). The New Testament is our guide and rule of authority (Hebrews 9:16-17; Matthew 28:18). In the New Testament this in not one solitary reference to musical worship and expression being instrumental in nature. This should settle the issue for anyone who desires to submit to the authority of God, and also for those who wish to worship Him as he (God) stipulates (John 4:23-24; Matthew 15:8-9).

            It is very well known that, for as long as modern man can remember, the so-called religious world has defied the command of God in regard to music & worship. The Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Catholics and an almost innumerable number of other groups use the instrument. Most regrettably, the Lord’s church has also experienced elements in its own number who have gone the way of human preference over Divine authority. Most recently, the boisterous apostate Max Lucado has publicly announced that “his church” was adding the instrument because of its drawing power to the masses.

            A serious study of this issue reveals some surprising facts regarding instrumental music and worship, especially in the denominational history of this practice.

            The late brother M.C. Kurfees authored an old volume entitled, Instrumental Music In The Worship. In brother Kurfees book he quotes from John Spencer Curwin, a member of the Royal Academy of Music in London, and also a college administrator in England during the late 1800’s. Curwen stated, “Men still living can remember the time when organs were seldom found out of the church of England. The Methodists and Baptists rarely had them, and they were stoutly opposed by the Presbyterians.”

            John Calvin, along with John Knox, is widely credited as being the founder of the Presbyterian Church. In his commentary on the 23^rd Psalm, Calvin said: “Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God  would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, lighting of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law (of Moses). The papists (Catholics) have foolishly borrowed this practice, as well as many others, from the Jews.”

            Adam Clarke was a Methodist. His commentary on the Bible that bears his name is widely known and respected among those in religion even today. Mr. Clarke knew John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church. In his commentary on 2 Chronicles 29:25, Mr. Clarke said: “the whole spirit, soul, and genius of the Christian religion are against this (instrumental music). Those who know the church best, and what constitutes its genuine spiritual state, know that instrumental music has been introduced as a substitute for the life and power of religion…Away with such pretentious trinkets from the worship that the Spirit requires to be done in spirit and in truth…To no such worship are those instruments friendly.”

            Also, Mr. Clarke states in reference to Amos 6:5: “I believe that David was NOT authorized by the Lord to introduce that multitude of musical instruments into the Divine worship of which we read.” Evidently, Mr. Clarke did not believe that musical instruments were justified even in the Old Testament, where many often go to justify this practice in their modern denominational practice.

            Clarke also observes: “I further believe that the use of such instruments of music in the Christian Church s without the sanction and against the will of God. They are subversive to the spirit of true devotion, and as such are sinful…Instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor.”

            John Wesley, mentioned in this article as the founder of the Methodist Church was publicly quoted as saying: “I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen.”     

            Charles Spurgeon is recognized as the greatest Baptist preacher who ever lived. His Metropolitan Baptists Tabernacle in London, England, was a congregation in its heyday of 10,000 people. Spurgeon was also a prolific writer. In his commentary on the 42^nd Psalm, he said: “What a degradation to replace the intelligent song of the whole congregation by the theatrical design of a choir or quartet, or the blowing off of wind from bellows and pipes (i.e., organ). We might as well pray by machinery as praise by it.”

            David Benedict was and is one of the most respected historians of the Baptist faith. His book, Fifty Years Among The Baptists, is considered to best the most accurate account of the evolution of the Baptists Church. In his book, Benedict says: “Staunch old Baptists in former times would have as soon tolerated the Pope of Rome in their pulpits as an organ in their galleries.”

            When our friends and neighbors in this day and time look at us in churches of Christ and think that we are odd or backward in our refusal to use the instrument, it would perhaps be helpful to point out what their own particular denomination of choice thought about the matter in days gone by.

            It was wrong then. It is wrong now.