Instrumental Music and the Silence of God

The issue of instrumental music in worship seems to be somewhat of a hot topic of discussion these days in churches of Christ.  Historically, churches of Christ have refrained from using instrumental music in their public worship assemblies in the belief that the New Testament does not authorize its use (which belief was held by almost all denominations until the mid-1800s).  We are simply commanded to “speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to God”  (Eph 5.19; Col 3.16).  The New Testament is completely silent in regard to playing instruments in our collective worship.  However, more and more churches of Christ are introducing instruments to their services.  This issue goes deeper than whether we sing a cappella or not.  Respecting the silence of God has relevance in many areas.  While I do not pretend to be able to do justice to this topic in a short article such as this, perhaps I can simply offer you some food for thought.

First, let me point out a common misconception.  Proponents of worshipping with musical instruments (at least those who seek a Biblical warrant for it) often appeal to the Old Testament, assuming that instruments were freely used by the OT saints in the worship of God.  Of course, if we appeal to the Old Testament, we appeal to a covenant that has been made obsolete and inactive (Heb 8.13; Col 2.14-17).  But more significantly, to appeal to the OT is to fail to recognize that in the OT instrumental music was strictly part of the Levitical priesthood system added to the Law of Moses by David in accordance with God’s command: “He then stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with harps and with lyres, according to the command of David and of Gad the king's seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for the command was from the LORD through His prophets.” (2 Chron 29.25; cf.  1 Chron 6.31-49;  15.16-22; 16.24; 25.1-7; 2 Chron 7.6; 29.26; Neh 11.22-23).  Prior to this, the Law of Moses was similarly silent in regard to instrumental music in the public assemblies of God’s people.  Not until God commanded it was it used in the public worship.  But that Levitical system with all of its physical trappings was done away with along with the Old Covenant (Heb 8.13; 9.1f).  It makes perfect sense, therefore, that instrumental music in worship would go the way of the priesthood, sacrifices and temple system, since it was strictly part of that system.  The very specific command in the NT to “sing and make melody with your heart” is in keeping with the simple, spiritual emphasis of New Testament worship as opposed to the more ritualistic, physically-oriented emphasis of the Old.

But as I said, this issue of silence goes far beyond the question of our music in worship.  The Bible is silent on many issues of both a collective and individual relevance.  For example, it does not expressly forbid infant baptism, a clergy system, denominational hierarchies or even a pope.  God has specified his will in these general areas without expressly forbidding every invention man can add.  But if, while knowing that God has spoken on the kind of music he desires from us (i.e.  singing), we yet fail to respect his silence on other kinds of music (e.g.  instrumental), then on what basis should we respect his silence on anything?  The fact is that we just do not know God’s mind unless he reveals it (1 Cor 2.11).  Let us not presume to think we do.

© 2006 Randy Hohf