Music and the Bible
Many Christian places of gathering use instruments and
singing in their "praise to God". Is this Biblical? Does the New Testament ever
mention musical instruments? Should we be using them? The Bible does say that
we are to sing both to the Lord and to others, as you can see in the following
verses:
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16)
So you might say that there is obviously nothing wrong with singing - but that
is not completely true, because it matters what you are singing, and the way
you are singing, not just that you are singing.
So what music is acceptable? Well, the verse mentioned
"psalms and hymns and spiritual songs". This is the best guide there is -
Biblically accurate messages put to music.
Now you ask, What kind of music?
Influenced by the music of the world, many
"Christians" have created their own new type of music, very different from the
Biblical hymns of the past. They have called this music "Christian rock". There
is nothing wrong with writing new hymns, but these "songs" are far from being
hymns. This new type of music is not Godly and is far from being based on the Rock, as it says in 1 Corinthians 10:4 "...and that Rock was Christ." This music is virtually the same as that of the world's
rock-and-roll. It is not hard to tell that the world's music is evil, is it? So
why would a Christian slant suddenly make it fine? It certainly does not.
Music effects the emotions. Likely this is the reason
why so many people listen to it. Music can make us feel happy or sad, and it
affects the way we do things. This is why it is very important that people take
care when they choose what music they listen to, if any at all.
But does the Bible mention instruments, which are so
exalted in today's
"churches"? It certainly does. There are many places in the Old Testament and
some in the New Testament that refer to musical instruments. It is very clear
in the Old Testament that some instruments were to be used in worshiping God,
although there are also many places where music was used for evil. The question
that may be asked is, If music pleased God in the Old Testament, would it in
the New Testament?
If we examine the verses that mention music (spelled musick in the King James Version Bible), instruments, and the like, we see that they were often used in the Old
Testament to praise God. For instance, you probably know that David played the
harp. And the priests used ram's horn trumpets.
There are many, many other verses which mention both music and instruments, and
we can see that some music pleased God in the Old Testament. We can also see
that the music of harps will please Him in the future:
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell
down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps... (Revelation 5:8,9)
I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it
were a new song before the throne... (Revelation 14:2,3)
...having the harps of GOD. (Revelation 15:2)
But the questions that must be asked are:
Why don't we hear about the apostles and early Christians using instruments? We have no reason to believe that the early Christians
used instruments;
and since many of their practices have been recorded in the Bible, we have no
reason to think they used instruments. Paul never told the converts to take up
instruments in their praise; so it would certainly seem strange if they were
supposed to do so!
Why didn't God lay out requirements for instruments in the New Testament if
He meant us to use them?
Maybe he doesn't want us using them. Would this be so
hard to believe? In
so many "churches" the instruments are on the platform, in front of everyone
else, and soon the music becomes more of an attraction than the teaching.
Think of the pride that often comes with playing an
instrument. So often
people show off their musical skills. We all know that "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18) How easily a congregation can be ruined by letting the wrong types of music
enter into it. Modern "churches" are falling into step with the world, and
falling out of step with God.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride
of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:16)
Although we are to be separate from the world (2 Corinthians 6:17), "modern Christianity" is not so much as even glancing in that direction.
We can see how the world uses instruments: drums, guitars, pianos, horns,
flutes, etc. Now the "churches" have adopted many of these to their own use,
even though they can see the evil behind it. The types of evil that occur at a
music concert should be enough to show that bad music provokes evil. Also, many
of the jungle tribes and natives use drums in their satanic ceremonies. Why
then are Christians wishing to participate in this?
I find no scripture that seems to point in the
direction of instruments for
those living in the "Church age", and until the scripture persuades me
otherwise, which I can not foresee, I see no reason to use instruments in "praise" to God.
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. (1 John 3:13)
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
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