A Short Note in Instrumental Music in the Assembly

      Just a short note about instrumental music in the assembly. I am opposed to the use of instrumental music in the assembly on a very practical level. First, the early church did not use instrumental music. The first musical instruments were introduced into the church in the 10th century. Of course that was a Roman Catholic innovation. Even then according to Dr. Ferguson, the Organ was not permitted in the main assembly building but gradually moved its way inside.  The first congregations of the Lord's church were started in Jewish Synagogues and from Rabbinical writings we know that the Jews of the first century prohibited instrumental music in the assembly since they saw it as belonging to Temple worship and the sacrificial system. Further, they no doubt understood much more than the modern Christian understands about the Law (the law of Moses). We are told that the "law" was a "shadow" and a "copy" and not reality (Hebrews 10:4ff). Instrumental music in the Temple was part of the "law." (1 Chronicles 25).  Thus, as all the other physical elements of Temple worship passed away (animal sacrifices, offerings of physical incense and things of that nature) with the death of Christ, so did instrumental music in the Temple. And of course, the new Temple is the church(1st Cor. 3:16-17, where the "You" ,humeis 5210 is plural and not singular). There is a new argument coming from the left that states that "instrumental music was accidentally caught up in the iconoclastic movement of the Reformation."  (See Iconoclasim and the Reformation)  They claim that if the Reformers had not accidentally included musical instruments in their sweep of European churches, it would not even be a subject we would be considering now, as if musical instruments had always been. (Insturmental Music in the Assembly and Popery) Let me state that nothing is further from the truth. Yes, instruments of music were purged during the Reformation but it was not a new subject. In fact, the same argument had already taken place centuries earlier (see Clement's Exhortation to the Heathen) Clement lived and wrote during the late 2nd century and early 3rd century. Clement absolutely rejected musical instruments in the church. Here is the point I think. Musical instruments in the assembly have a way of dividing the church meaning they are what Satan uses to accomplish his works. Throughout history, the church purges them from the assembly and some how over time they creep back in. That is where we are now. For the most part they are back. If the earth is around long enough at some point there will be another awakening and another purge.

Home


 Thanks with love,  Lane