SOME HISTORICAL QUOTES ON MUSIC IN CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

By Nana Yaw Aidoo

Instrumental music in Christian worship is unauthorized by its conspicuous absence in the New Testament, which is the sole source of authority for Christians (2 Cor.3:6; Gal.5:4; Col.2:14; 2 John 9). Let he who submits to David's precepts in Psalms 150 remember that the Excellent Glory (2 Pet.1:17) commands that we Hear His Son and not David (Luke 9:35). Also, why not submit to David's precepts in Psalms 66:13-15 too?

Then there is the case of those who ask, "where is it explicitly condemned in Christian worship?" These would charge their children with disobedience, if their children brought them goat after specifying that their children buy chicken. But when God Almighty says "sing" (Eph.5:19; Col.3:16; James 5:13), they turn around and in effect tell God; "Yes Lord we know you said we should sing. But until you come again and tell us not to use mechanical instruments in worship, we won't do what you say we should do, which is sing. Rather, we would do what we want to do for you of our own will, which is play mechanical instruments in worship." Then guess what? With these instruments they say, "Ooooh how I love Jesus!". But has Jesus not said if you love Me keep My commandments (John 14:15)?

Also, it shows that some are unable to read the bible except through the lens of the modern day religious environment. You certainly would not expect the writers of the New Testament to speak against mechanical instruments, when there were no such intrusions in Christian worship would you? Why give a negative connotation to a non-existent practice?

It's however very interesting to read of quotes by some who lived closer to the 1st century and from major leaders in the denominational world. In this material, we shall look at some of these quotes.

First, the so-called "church fathers".

CHRYSOSTOM "David formerly sang songs, also today we sing hymns. He had a lyre with lifeless strings, the church has a lyre with living strings. Our tongues are the strings of the lyre with a different tone indeed but much more in accordance with piety. Here there is no need for the cithara, or for stretched strings, or for the plectrum, or for art, or for any instrument; but, if you like, you may yourself become a cithara, mortifying the members of the flesh and making a full harmony of mind and body. For when the flesh no longer lusts against the Spirit, but has submitted to its orders and has been led at length into the best and most admirable path, then will you create a spiritual melody." (Chrysostom, 347-407, Exposition of Psalms 41, (381-398 A.D.) Source Readings in Music History, ed. O. Strunk, W. W. Norton and Co.: New York, 1950, pg. 70.)

EUSEBIUS "Of old at the time those of the circumcision were worshipping with symbols and types it was not inappropriate to send up hymns to God with the psalterion and cithara and to do this on Sabbath days... We render our hymn with a living psalterion and a living cithara with spiritual songs. The unison voices of Christians would be more acceptable to God than any musical

instrument. Accordingly in all the churches of God, united in soul and attitude, with one mind and in agreement of faith and piety we send up a unison melody in the words of the Psalms." (commentary on Psalms 91:2-3).

Now, quotes from major leaders in denominations.

CALVIN "Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papists therefore, have foolishly borrowed, this, as well as many other things, from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostles is far more pleasing to him. Paul allows us to bless God in the public assembly of the saints, only in a known tongue (I Cor. 14:16) What shall we then say of chanting, which fills the ears with nothing but an empty sound?" (John Calvin, Commentary on Psalms 33).

CLARKE "But were it even evident, which it is not, either from this or any other place in the sacred writings, that instruments of music were prescribed by divine authority under the law, could this be adduced with any semblance of reason, that they ought to be used in Christian worship? No; the whole spirit, soul, and genius of the Christian religion are against this; and those who know the Church of God best, and what constitutes its genuine spiritual state, know that these things have been introduced as a substitute for the life and power of religion; and that where they prevail most, there is least of the power of Christianity. Away with such portentous baubles from the worship of that infinite Spirit who requires His followers to worship Him in spirit and truth, for to no such worship are these instruments friendly." (Adam Clarke (Methodist), Clarke's Commentary, Methodist, Vol. II, pp. 690-691.)

COLEMAN "The tendency of this (instrumental music) was to secularize the music of the church,

and to encourage singing by a choir. Such musical accompaniments were gradually introduced; but they can hardly be assigned to a period earlier than the fifth and sixth centuries. Organs were unknown in church until the eighth or ninth centuries. Previous to this, they had their place in the theater, rather than in the church. they were never regarded with favor in the Eastern church, and were vehemently opposed in many places in the West." (Lyman Coleman, a Presbyterian, Primitive Church, p. 376-377).

LUTHER "The organ in the worship Is the insignia of Baal… The Roman Catholic borrowed it from the Jews." (Martin Luther, Mcclintock & Strong's Encyclopedia Volume VI, page 762).

For want of space, we shall proceed no further. These men are in no way authoritative but their statements corroborate the bible's teaching on church music. We humbly plead with all to study what the bible teaches on this issue (Acts 17:11).