Sunday Sermons
Instrumental Music Arguments - Part 1
Instrumental Music
The Psallo Argument
From time to time, proponents of instrumental music in worship have attempted to prove that instrumental music, or singing to the accompaniment of an instrument, is inherent in the definition of the Greek word psallo, which is translated “make melody” inEphesians 5:19. Consider the following definitions that are given by the experts:
* “The original meaning was ‘pluck, play--in the LXX., frequently means sing whether to the accompaniment of a harp or (usually) not. The process continued until ‘psallo’ in modern Greek means ‘sing’ exclusively, with no reference to the instrumental accompaniment" (Arndt p. 891). Both Thayer and Vine note the same progression in both words. “In the N.T. to sing a hymn, to celebrate the praise of God in song” (Thayer p. 5). “Denotes in the N.T. to sing a hymn, sing praise” (Vine p. 58 'Melody'). What these definitions reveal is that the instrument was never inherent in this word. In fact, long before the term psallo was used in the context of plucking an instrument in the Old Testament, it meant to pluck or pull whether one plucked a hair, a bowstring, a carpenter’s line or a stringed instrument.
* This is true even in the Old Testament when instrumental music in worship was authorized. Psalms 98:5 “Sing praises”, the Hebrew word here means striking with the fingers, to touch, yet the instrument must be supplied by the context, hence we find what follows, “with the harp”. The same is true in Psalm 71:22; 33:2; 144:9; and 149:3. Compare Ephesians 5:19 to Psalm 98:5. In both contexts an "instrument" is supplied to "psallo". In the Psalm it is a harp, in Ephesians it is the "heart". God specified the "instrument" to "touch, twang, pluck", that is, the human heart.
· Yet if the instrument is inherent in the word, then there is no middle ground. To argue that psallo allows the instrument contradicts the idea that the instrument is inherent in the word. Other uses of Psallo are: James 5:13 “sing praise”; Romans 15:9 “sing”; 1 Corinthians 14:15 “sing”. When psallo is found in the New Testament, the translators never translated it “playing an instrument”. Obviously the scholars that translated the KJV, ASV, NASV and NIV all understood that psallo, simply means to sing. “One hundred and forty-eight scholars who translated the American Standard Version and King James Version have said with one voice that ‘psallo’ in the New Testament means ‘sing’. That alone should settle the matter” (The Spiritual Sword, April 1997, p. 20).
· It must be a matter of some consternation, to those who argue that psallo necessarily includes the instrument, that virtually no standard (committee) translation of the English language provides a hint of instrumental music in any of the five texts where the verb is found in the New Testament. This should be dramatic testimony to the fact that the cream of the world’s scholarship has not subscribed to the notion that psallo inheres a mechanical instrument of music (Wayne Jackson).
· Another writer noted, “If God intends for us to use instrumental music in the church there is no standard English New Testament, no generally accepted translation in the world from which we could learn God’s will on this point” (Brewer, Instrumental Music, p. 17).
· We must remember that what a word might have meant at one time in a particular context does not mean that it authorizes such in the New Testament. In the Old Testament the term was used at times in a context where an instrument was played, but it was equally used where other things were plucked as well. Thus, to argue that psallo authorizes singing with instrumental music makes about as much sense as arguing that the same word authorizes singing to the accompaniment of pulling one’s hair, a bowstring or a carpenter’s line.
“In view of this, let us consider Ephesians 5:19, where the inspired apostle commands the saints in Ephesus to practice ‘speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody [psallontes] with your heart to the Lord.’ If the participle psallontes retains a literal, classical sense (to pluck), and therefore inheres the instrument, then the following conclusions necessarily result:
* This command cannot be obeyed without the employment of the instrument.
Since each Christian is under the obligation to psallo, each person must play
an instrument.
* The instrument must be one capable of being “plucked” (e.g., the harp), which
would eliminate organs, pianos, trumpets, etc.
This writer has never encountered an advocate of the use of instruments in worship who will stay with the logical demands of his argument in defense of psallo. That speaks volumes. Perhaps the most telling thing of all in this controversy over instrumental worship is the fact that in the recent history of our exchanges with those of the Independent Christian Church (with whom we’ve had most of our discussions), the psallo argument has been virtually abandoned. One of the last major debates on instrumental music was between Alan E. Highers (churches of Christ) and Given O. Blakely (Independent Christian Church) in April, 1988. During the course of that encounter, Blakely never attempted to introduce the psallo argument. In fact, he ‘broke new ground’ in that he argued that ‘authority’ for what one does in worship is not even needed; worship is a wholly unregulated activity” (Wayne Jackson). Of course, worship is not a wholly unregulated activity; it is often regulated in both Testaments (1 Corinthians 11:18ff; 14:26ff).
It was Pleasing to God at One Time?
It is argued that since God commanded instrumental music in the Old Testament that it cannot be sinful, that God would not change His mind about such a matter. It is equally argued that since we are commanded to sing psalms (Ephesians 5:19), that this authorizes instrument music seeing that the Psalms in the Old Testament at times mentioned instrumental music.
· This fails to recognize that the Psalms also mention other things besides instrument music: Worshiping God with incense (66:15). Sacrifices (54:6). The Sabbath Day (Psalm 97). The Old Testament priesthood (132:9, 16).
· Just because God commanded something at one time in history does not mean that such a practice would always be authorized. God commanded circumcision, and yet religious circumcision today separates one from God (Galatians 5:1-4).
· God has changed various ordinances, even prominent ones, such as the Sabbath Day, circumcision, not to mention the entire Old Testament Law.
· One individual recently attempted to argue that while the Old Testament Law was removed, the Psalms were never part of the Law. That is, the Psalms were a songbook, not a Law book. Yet, Jesus placed the Psalms in the Law category, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods?’” (John 10:34). This quotation is from Psalm 82:6. Added to this, the book of Psalms is very much a Law book, in fact, the longest section of Scripture that actually praises God’s Law, is Psalm 119.
Not Inherently Sinful?
This is the argument that says, “Instrumental music in worship is not sinful in itself or God would have never authorized it in the Old Testament”.
· There are many things that are not inherently sinful, yet would be sinful if offered to God as a part of worship. For example, sprinkling water is not sinful but making it a religious ordinance is. Washing hands is not wrong within itself, but it would be sinful to make it an act of worship (Matthew 15:1-9). Thus a thing does not have to be inherently sinful to be rejected by God when offered as worship to Him (Leviticus 10:1-2). Honoring God means expressing our love to Him in the way He has asked, according to His preferences, not our own.
Instruments Mentioned In Revelation?
This is the argument that says that the “book of Revelation has many verses that speak of instrumental music in worship and praise to God and the Lamb. How can God accept the use of music, and therefore condone its usage, if it is sinful? Why does God condone worship in heaven accompanied by instrumental music if it is sinful on earth? Is that which is sinful on earth, not sinful in heaven?”
· Yet the book of Revelation equally talks about incense, the throne of God, and all sorts of things that are not on earth or part of the worship of the New Testament church. The book also mentions the censer and the altar (Revelation 8:5), and the tabernacle (15:5). In addition, the assumption that whatever is in heaven is authorized in congregational worship is not true. First, the Lord’s Supper does not exist in heaven (1 Corinthians 11:26), and neither does preaching the gospel to the lost. There are many things in heaven that do not exist in the church (Revelation 21:4), and there are many things in the local congregation that will not exist in heaven. For example, marriage is authorized on earth, but is not allowed in heaven (Matthew 22:30).
· In addition, it does not make any sense to argue that while flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven (1 Corinthians 15:50), physical musical instruments are present.
The Early Christians and the Temple?
It is argued that the early Christians still frequented the Temple for worship while instrumental music was part of the Temple worship, and therefore the early Christians worshiped with instrumental music.
· Yet this argument completely fails to see the distinctiveness of the early church from Judaism. From the very beginning, the early Christians worshiped in a way that was distinct from the worship in Judaism (Acts 2:42).
· They met in the Temple area, not because they were continuing to worship as Jews, but rather because it provided enough space for them to meet (Acts 2:46).
· The argue that since they frequented the Temple area, they must have been worshiping as adherents to Judaism, makes about as much sense as arguing that they continued to observe the Sabbath day or practice animal sacrifice.
· This equally ignores the fact, that there is no evidence of Christians using instrumental music in worship for some 600 years after Christ!
Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net/mdunagan@easystreet.com
