Why Won't They Change?
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Going straight to the Cross
Churches of Christ are rehashing an old issue. But
not an unimportant one.
Why Won't They Change?
by Phil Sanders
In the recent book, The Transforming of a
Tradition, Milton Jones compares the struggle over
the use of instruments of music in worship to the
Confederate flag. According to Jones those who
wish to remain a cappella are like those who wish
to keep the Confederate flag regardless of how it
hurts others. He argues:
"Why won't the ones who want a cappella music
change? It is more than heritage for many. It is
conviction. Even if nearly all of Christendom
doesn't agree, they must be faithful. To give up
the cause is to lose all for which they have been
fighting. They lose identity. How would they be
recognized? What would our ancestors think?" (pp.
76-77)
At the beginning of the twentieth century, members
of churches of Christ had pretty much divided from
their instrumental brethren. The a cappella group
numbered only 159,000, while the instrumental
group boasted of more than 600,000. The
instrumental brethren had their way and kept most
of the church buildings and almost all the
schools. A cappella groups were left to fend for
themselves, to build their own church buildings,
and to establish new schools. But according to
Jones, they were the aggressors who have beat up
on their brethren.
Jones suggests brethren have remained a cappella
because they fear losing all that they have been
fighting for, their identity. This is only
partially true. If Jones is suggesting that
churches of Christ have remained a cappella
because that is what distinguishes them as a
denomination, then I would object.
If Jones is suggesting that some have remained a
cappella merely because that is their tradition
and heritage, he is right. Some among us are so
complacent they do not see the need to stand
strong for Biblical truth. Indeed, many do not
know or do not believe the truth about the use of
the instrument in worship.
If, however, Jones is suggesting that true,
Biblical discipleship includes abiding in the
words of Jesus (John 8:31-32), then I could agree.
That is what I am fighting for, true Biblical
Christianity. There is no warrant in Scripture for
the use of musical instruments in worship; their
use is a human innovation that disrespects the
will of God. I have no desire to maintain a human
tradition or "our" heritage; but I have every
desire to please God and to do His will.
What "nearly all of Christendom" thinks is not the
issue. God does not take opinion polls to
determine truth. The New Testament church should
consult Scripture, not men, to determine what God
wills for their beliefs and practices.
What our ancestors think is not nearly as
important as what God thinks. We will not be
judged by our ancestors but by the words of Jesus
(John 12:48). While we may have much respect for
Campbell, Stone, McGarvey and Lipscomb, we have
only one Lord; and He alone is the head of the
church (Eph. 1:22-23).
Our identification as true disciples of Jesus
Christ includes a great deal more than merely
refusing to use instruments of music in worship.
Our identity is in living to do the will of God
(John 4:34), in abiding in the words of Jesus
(8:31-32), in keeping His commandments to show our
love for God (John 14:15), and in putting the Lord
first in every respect (Col. 1:10). Our identity
is derived from an overwhelming desire to please
and to serve Him by doing exactly what He asks of
us (John 14:31). We are His servants, saved by
grace, living by faith, and under His authority.
We belong to the Lord.
If the Lord had wanted us to use instruments, He
surely would have told us. For hundreds of years
early Christians understood that a cappella music
was the will of God a Divine tradition (1 Cor.
11:2; 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6). We are willing to
follow that tradition, not because men observed it
but because God delivered it.