Some folks who are against instrumental worship say it is because of the "look at me" factor. Now, on this point, I can understand where they're coming from. Maybe. Yes, there does exist the very real possibility that the main reason a musician is standing on that stage is for self-glorification. What most people don't seem to realize however is, 1.) That danger exists whether the worship is instrumental OR a capella, and 2.) the worship leaders at any given church are appointed by the church leadership, hopefully the Elders. However, it seems to me that anyone with much sense should be able to tell by attending a few services whether or not the worship leaders are trying to be "transparent" (i.e. giving all the glory and praise to God).
If it seems to you that they are in it to bring glory to themselves, my advice is to pray for them, approach them after church, shake hands with them, engage them in conversation, speak to them, ask them how much time and effort they put into preparing for the worship service, ask them what motivates them to get up there week after week and lead the congregation like that. Look them in the eye. Then see if you still think they're just in it for personal glory. And IF you still do, then go speak with an Elder. But whatever you do, don't you dare sit back there in your comfy ol' pew with your arms crossed, your face frowning, your tongue tsk-tsk-ing, and judge people whose hearts you don't even know. For one thing, you are commanded not to in the Bible (look it up). And secondly, YOU are supposed to be worshiping!
That's certainly on thing I don't understand. If everyone was busy doing what they were supposed to be doing, most people wouldn't have time to sit and judge what someone else was doing. Judging the worship leader's motives isn't really supposed to be your job.
It's God's.
In the same way, a worship style is not supposed to define you.
Christ is.
Some conservatives, (a word which here means "set in their ways"), argue that a capella worship is part of what sets us apart from those other people who think they're going to heaven, too. It's part of what defines us. It's part of our "heritage". I have only one thing to say about that. Would you prefer it if the government were still feeding us to the lions? That's part of our heritage too, right? How 'bout being burned at the stake? How 'bout being stoned to death outside the city? Hmmmm? Really? You really wanna hang on to all that "heritage"?
Finally, there's the "entertainment" argument. Yes, I agree that worship is not supposed to be entertainment. But that does NOT mean that it is wrong to get "enjoyment" out of it. Some of our worship songs reflect a spirit that is full of love for God, His creation, our neighbors, etc. Some songs reflect a spirit that feels triumphant, victorious, and filled with God's power. I have experienced these types of songs in both instrumental and a capella services. In both types, the feelings of exuberant joy and exaltation are the same!
Other songs are written to reflect more reverent attitudes such as humility, conviction, repentance, contrition, etc. They might bring images of how Christ suffered for our sins, how we are all guilty for causing the death of Jesus, and how completely and utterly lost and hopeless we would be without Him. They remind us of how much we need our Savior, which in turn reminds us of how much He loves us, and there we stand in helpless adoration, with tear-stained cheeks, realizing that we will never, ever, be worthy of the Gift, and the only thing we can do is accept it with undying gratitude. And again, I've experienced all of these feelings during both instrumental and a capella worship servcies.
My friend, worship is not a passive activity. One must participate. It is something you must DO, not something you feel. No, it is never supposed to be entertainment, but if it's never something you enjoy . . .
Well, I'll pray for you.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
"To play or not to play" verse 2
Many proponents of a capella worship will say that instrumental worship is invalid, because a piano, or a guitar, or an accordian (ha ha), is not alive, and therefore cannot worship God.
These people are being completely obtuse and idiotic. If you see a man standing up in front of a congregation, singing a worship song while strumming a guitar, would you think to yourself, "that guitar sure is trying to worship God"?
No?
Of course you wouldn't.
Why not?
Because you're not barking mad, that's why not.
If you observed a hunter with a rifle stalking a deer through the forest, taking aim with his rifle, then shooting the deer dead. Would you think to yourself, "that Winchester M 94 sure is doing a good job hunting down that deer"?
No, because again, you are not a complete moron.
My friend, when instruments are used in worship to God, IT IS NOT THE INSTRUMENTS DOING THE WORSHIPING, it is still the PEOPLE who are worshiping.
Again, anti-instrumentalists will remind you that Hebrews 13:15 calls vocal worship "the fruit of our lips".
Well what about the fruit of our hearts? Do they think that God doesn't see that as well?
There are several examples throughout the New Testament (I'll let you look them up yourself. Consider it "homework") where we are told to use our gifts for God. Use your talents to bring glory to God. Do everything you do, as if you were doing it for God. Sounds familiar, right?
Why is musical ability (other than singing) excluded then? If someone discovers that he has a natural affinity and ability for playing guitar, hones his skills, becomes quite accomplished at playing this instrument, then meets and gives his life to Jesus, are you telling me he should not use that amazing ability in His service?
Oh, perhaps you think he should just use his guitar to play uplifting songs that, in some vague way, promote Christian principles? Or maybe he could play jazz, classical, or country music, in concert gatherings that otherwise have nothing to do with promoting Christ, as long as he remembers to give his "testimony" or make some remark about loving Jesus at some point during the show?
Poppycock and Balderdash.
Whether with instruments or without, it is still, and always will be, the people doing the actual worshiping. The inclusion of instruments does not make worship any more or less valid, any more or less holy. But for many unbelievers, it makes praise music more accessible.
Let's go back to the hunting example. If I were to tell you I went dove hunting this weekend, you would undoubtedly make some assumptions. The first one probably would be an assumption that there were firearms involved. You wouldn't picture me chasing down doves, trying to catch them in a large net, or picnic basket. You probably wouldn't picture me holding a rod and reel. Or a baseball bat. Or a taser. You'd picture me with a rifle, correct?
Same thing with music. You tell most people that we're going to sing a whole bunch of worship songs, they assume there will be instruments even though you said "sing".
If I said to you, "I heard Celine Dion sing at Carnegie Hall.", would you assume there were no musical instruments there, other than her voice? If I invited you to a venue, and told you it was because I wanted you to come hear my friend Mandy Holmes sing, would you be suprised to find at least a piano there? What about a full band? You wouldn't say to me "Hey! What are all these instruments doing here? I thought you said she was going to 'sing' !" ?
No, I doubt you'd say that. And yet afterwards, you wouldn't leave the place saying "I really don't think that was a valid display of Mandy's vocal talents because she was accompanied by instruments.", would you?
So how can someone say that another person's worship is invalid because while that person sang to God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, he was also playing a musical instrument? That playing that mechanical instrument somehow completely negates all the love and devotion that the worshiper was trying to communicate to God?
Codswallow!
Then there are those who question the church musician's motives. That the church praise band members are really just up there to entertain, or put on a show, or to draw attention and/or glory to themselves rather than God. . . . .
Stay tuned for verse 3.
These people are being completely obtuse and idiotic. If you see a man standing up in front of a congregation, singing a worship song while strumming a guitar, would you think to yourself, "that guitar sure is trying to worship God"?
No?
Of course you wouldn't.
Why not?
Because you're not barking mad, that's why not.
If you observed a hunter with a rifle stalking a deer through the forest, taking aim with his rifle, then shooting the deer dead. Would you think to yourself, "that Winchester M 94 sure is doing a good job hunting down that deer"?
No, because again, you are not a complete moron.
My friend, when instruments are used in worship to God, IT IS NOT THE INSTRUMENTS DOING THE WORSHIPING, it is still the PEOPLE who are worshiping.
Again, anti-instrumentalists will remind you that Hebrews 13:15 calls vocal worship "the fruit of our lips".
Well what about the fruit of our hearts? Do they think that God doesn't see that as well?
There are several examples throughout the New Testament (I'll let you look them up yourself. Consider it "homework") where we are told to use our gifts for God. Use your talents to bring glory to God. Do everything you do, as if you were doing it for God. Sounds familiar, right?
Why is musical ability (other than singing) excluded then? If someone discovers that he has a natural affinity and ability for playing guitar, hones his skills, becomes quite accomplished at playing this instrument, then meets and gives his life to Jesus, are you telling me he should not use that amazing ability in His service?
Oh, perhaps you think he should just use his guitar to play uplifting songs that, in some vague way, promote Christian principles? Or maybe he could play jazz, classical, or country music, in concert gatherings that otherwise have nothing to do with promoting Christ, as long as he remembers to give his "testimony" or make some remark about loving Jesus at some point during the show?
Poppycock and Balderdash.
Whether with instruments or without, it is still, and always will be, the people doing the actual worshiping. The inclusion of instruments does not make worship any more or less valid, any more or less holy. But for many unbelievers, it makes praise music more accessible.
Let's go back to the hunting example. If I were to tell you I went dove hunting this weekend, you would undoubtedly make some assumptions. The first one probably would be an assumption that there were firearms involved. You wouldn't picture me chasing down doves, trying to catch them in a large net, or picnic basket. You probably wouldn't picture me holding a rod and reel. Or a baseball bat. Or a taser. You'd picture me with a rifle, correct?
Same thing with music. You tell most people that we're going to sing a whole bunch of worship songs, they assume there will be instruments even though you said "sing".
If I said to you, "I heard Celine Dion sing at Carnegie Hall.", would you assume there were no musical instruments there, other than her voice? If I invited you to a venue, and told you it was because I wanted you to come hear my friend Mandy Holmes sing, would you be suprised to find at least a piano there? What about a full band? You wouldn't say to me "Hey! What are all these instruments doing here? I thought you said she was going to 'sing' !" ?
No, I doubt you'd say that. And yet afterwards, you wouldn't leave the place saying "I really don't think that was a valid display of Mandy's vocal talents because she was accompanied by instruments.", would you?
So how can someone say that another person's worship is invalid because while that person sang to God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, he was also playing a musical instrument? That playing that mechanical instrument somehow completely negates all the love and devotion that the worshiper was trying to communicate to God?
Codswallow!
Then there are those who question the church musician's motives. That the church praise band members are really just up there to entertain, or put on a show, or to draw attention and/or glory to themselves rather than God. . . . .
Stay tuned for verse 3.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
To play or not to play, IS that the question?
Greetings! Apparently that same morbid curiosity, or plain old ennui has brought you back to my lair once again. Eh? You heard music on the way in? Probably Here To You by a christian rock group called Decypher Down. One of several christian groups that I happen to enjoy very much. In my humble opinion, they're up there with Decemberadio, Big Daddy Weave, Ten Shekel Shirt, Jars of Clay, DC Talk, (way better than Creed), and as good as Day of Fire and Third Day.
Third Day is especially good. In fact the praise band at my church has played Third Day's version of quite a few songs.
What's that?
Yes, we have a praise band at the church I attend.
Heh, heh, well yes, it IS a Church of Christ.
This suprises you? Yeah, well the idea of instrumental worship, especially in a C of C tends to suprise or offend many people. In fact, it's a very volatile issue with strong feelings on both sides. Both sides think they are right. Both sides think the Scriptures support their views. Hmmmm.
Ok, lets start there.
How do you take scripture, and argue against having instruments in the worship service?
Some people go to the Old Testament (OT) and try to show that unauthorized worship consituted a death sentence. One example they use is the story of Nadab and Abihu. The problem there is that those guys were violating some very explicit instructions about their worship. They were not dealing with something that God had been completely silent about. Another problem there is that if one uses examples from the OT to enlighten us on how we should worship, then that would suggest we should use instruments in our worship service, because it is clear from numerous examples throughout the OT they they used instruments in theirs. Also, I seriously doubt that when Moses recorded this story in Levitcus he was thinking that, (thousands of years later), Christians would be trying to decide whether or not to use instruments in worship, and so decided to include this story. The point of the story of Nadab and Abihu is not that they tried to introduce innovations in worship, or that they broke some "Law of Silence", it's that they blatantly broke several very explicit rules regarding their worship service.
Another reason I believe that arguments against instruments fail is because it cannot be applied to other aspects of worship. For example, people who evoke the Law of Silence will say that since God didn't say to do something, then we have no authority to do it. Well, when did God say to use non-alcoholic grape juice in Communion, when the New Testament example is clearly wine? In scripture, we're told to greet each other with a holy kiss. Who does that? In my entire life, I've met ONE man that did that. One. Everyone else greets with a handshake or hug.
As far as I can tell, first century believers met outside, or in one another's homes. Nowhere in the New Testament are christians commanded to erect church buildings, or purchase a church bus, or provide baptistries, all things that even very conservative christians seem to be perfectly fine with. One cannot argue for or against instrumental worship based on Jesus' teachings, because Jesus simply never said a word about instruments.
Which brings us to my next point. Why are so many people getting so bent out of shape on this issue, when it seems to me to be exceedingly low on the Important Stuff list. There are so many things, such as hypocritical worship, hypocritical church leaders, sexual immorality, personal finances, legalism, and other issues on which Jesus did have very much to say. And yet many churches conveniently overlook, or ignore, or pretend these problems don't exist in their congregation. Church leaders and members alike will sit and argue passionately for hours about things such as instruments, the communion table, the name on the sign, even about the exact number of songs to be sung before the sermon is delivered. Meanwhile, Joe Lost and Suzy Sinner across the street remain in darkness and despair. If Jesus showed up to one of those meetings, do you think he'd stick around for very long? I doubt it. I think he'd be outside, having an impact on the community. And let me tell you something, having an impact on the community is what instrumental worship is all about.
Folks, this is not the 1800's anymore. It's not even the 1900's anymore! It's time to catch up.
I know, I know, scripture tells us to be in the world, but not of the world. But if we are to remain effective in having an impact for Christ on the world, then we have to always be able to communicate with the world. Most people who don't attend church today, especially those under 40 years of age, aren't going to be attracted to a church whose members drone on about The Old Rugged Cross while looking as if all the joy has been sucked out of their lives the moment service began, then sit through a thirty or fourty-five minute "fire and brimstone" sermon which does nothing but make them feel guilty while re-enforcing the idea that God is some vengeful Creator sitting up in heaven just waiting to zap us with his Gospel Gun.
Scripture tells us that God is Love. Jesus said in Mark12:28-31 that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And that the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as much as you love yourself. I believe that our worship service, especially the musical aspect of it, should reflect those commandments.
Worship should be joyous. It should be uplifting. It should reflect our love for God, our eagerness for Jesus to return, and the awe and reverence we feel at the thought that He who created the universe loves each individual one of us. (Enough to die for us. Wow.)
That worship must also be honest, truthful, and heartfelt.
Jesus said "God is spirit, and they that worship Him, must worship Him in spirit and in truth."
Tell me this, if the worship leader at church is leading the song "Amazing Grace", and he believes the words and ideas in that song with every fiber of his being, then would you say he is worshiping in spirit and in truth? Now suppose that same worship leader, leads that exact same song, with the same amount of passion and belief one week later, only this time there is someone accompanying him on piano, does that make his worship any less spiritual, or truthful?
Well I don't. God doesn't just see what you're doing on the outside, He sees what's in your heart as well.
More on this issue coming soon. Stay tuned!
Third Day is especially good. In fact the praise band at my church has played Third Day's version of quite a few songs.
What's that?
Yes, we have a praise band at the church I attend.
Heh, heh, well yes, it IS a Church of Christ.
This suprises you? Yeah, well the idea of instrumental worship, especially in a C of C tends to suprise or offend many people. In fact, it's a very volatile issue with strong feelings on both sides. Both sides think they are right. Both sides think the Scriptures support their views. Hmmmm.
Ok, lets start there.
How do you take scripture, and argue against having instruments in the worship service?
Some people go to the Old Testament (OT) and try to show that unauthorized worship consituted a death sentence. One example they use is the story of Nadab and Abihu. The problem there is that those guys were violating some very explicit instructions about their worship. They were not dealing with something that God had been completely silent about. Another problem there is that if one uses examples from the OT to enlighten us on how we should worship, then that would suggest we should use instruments in our worship service, because it is clear from numerous examples throughout the OT they they used instruments in theirs. Also, I seriously doubt that when Moses recorded this story in Levitcus he was thinking that, (thousands of years later), Christians would be trying to decide whether or not to use instruments in worship, and so decided to include this story. The point of the story of Nadab and Abihu is not that they tried to introduce innovations in worship, or that they broke some "Law of Silence", it's that they blatantly broke several very explicit rules regarding their worship service.
Another reason I believe that arguments against instruments fail is because it cannot be applied to other aspects of worship. For example, people who evoke the Law of Silence will say that since God didn't say to do something, then we have no authority to do it. Well, when did God say to use non-alcoholic grape juice in Communion, when the New Testament example is clearly wine? In scripture, we're told to greet each other with a holy kiss. Who does that? In my entire life, I've met ONE man that did that. One. Everyone else greets with a handshake or hug.
As far as I can tell, first century believers met outside, or in one another's homes. Nowhere in the New Testament are christians commanded to erect church buildings, or purchase a church bus, or provide baptistries, all things that even very conservative christians seem to be perfectly fine with. One cannot argue for or against instrumental worship based on Jesus' teachings, because Jesus simply never said a word about instruments.
Which brings us to my next point. Why are so many people getting so bent out of shape on this issue, when it seems to me to be exceedingly low on the Important Stuff list. There are so many things, such as hypocritical worship, hypocritical church leaders, sexual immorality, personal finances, legalism, and other issues on which Jesus did have very much to say. And yet many churches conveniently overlook, or ignore, or pretend these problems don't exist in their congregation. Church leaders and members alike will sit and argue passionately for hours about things such as instruments, the communion table, the name on the sign, even about the exact number of songs to be sung before the sermon is delivered. Meanwhile, Joe Lost and Suzy Sinner across the street remain in darkness and despair. If Jesus showed up to one of those meetings, do you think he'd stick around for very long? I doubt it. I think he'd be outside, having an impact on the community. And let me tell you something, having an impact on the community is what instrumental worship is all about.
Folks, this is not the 1800's anymore. It's not even the 1900's anymore! It's time to catch up.
I know, I know, scripture tells us to be in the world, but not of the world. But if we are to remain effective in having an impact for Christ on the world, then we have to always be able to communicate with the world. Most people who don't attend church today, especially those under 40 years of age, aren't going to be attracted to a church whose members drone on about The Old Rugged Cross while looking as if all the joy has been sucked out of their lives the moment service began, then sit through a thirty or fourty-five minute "fire and brimstone" sermon which does nothing but make them feel guilty while re-enforcing the idea that God is some vengeful Creator sitting up in heaven just waiting to zap us with his Gospel Gun.
Scripture tells us that God is Love. Jesus said in Mark12:28-31 that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And that the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as much as you love yourself. I believe that our worship service, especially the musical aspect of it, should reflect those commandments.
Worship should be joyous. It should be uplifting. It should reflect our love for God, our eagerness for Jesus to return, and the awe and reverence we feel at the thought that He who created the universe loves each individual one of us. (Enough to die for us. Wow.)
That worship must also be honest, truthful, and heartfelt.
Jesus said "God is spirit, and they that worship Him, must worship Him in spirit and in truth."
Tell me this, if the worship leader at church is leading the song "Amazing Grace", and he believes the words and ideas in that song with every fiber of his being, then would you say he is worshiping in spirit and in truth? Now suppose that same worship leader, leads that exact same song, with the same amount of passion and belief one week later, only this time there is someone accompanying him on piano, does that make his worship any less spiritual, or truthful?
Well I don't. God doesn't just see what you're doing on the outside, He sees what's in your heart as well.
More on this issue coming soon. Stay tuned!
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