Written by Bill Dillon, this originally appeared in the March 1986 edition of The Tennessee Valley Christian, edited by Charles E. Cobb.
Adam Clarke was one of the greatest Methodist scholars of history and while we would not agree with everything Mr. Clarke held as truth, yet on some matters his comments are worthy of notice:
"Did ever God ordain instruments of music to be used in His worship? Can they be used in Christian assemblies according to the spirit of Christianity? Has Jesus Christ or His apostles ever commanded or sanctioned the use of them? Were they ever used anywhere in the apostolic church? Does the use of them at present, in Christian congregations, ever increase the spirit of devotion? Does it ever appear that the hands of musicians, either in their collective or individual capacity, are more spiritual or as spiritual as the other parts of the church of Christ? Is there more pride, self-will, stubbornness, insubordination, lightness, and frivolity among such persons, than among the other professors of Christianity found in the same religious society?
Is it ever remarked or known that musicians, in the house of God, have ever attained to any depth of piety or superior soundness of understanding, in the things of God? Is it ever found that those churches and Christians societies which have and use instruments of music in divine worship, are more holy, or as holy as those societies which do not use them?
And is it always found that the ministers who affect and recommend them to be used in the worship of almighty God are the most spiritual men, and the most spiritual and useful preachers? Can mere sounds, no matter how melodious, where no word or sentiment is or can be uttered, be considered as giving praise to God? Is it possible that pipes or strings of any kind can give God praise? Can God be pleased with sounds which are emitted by no sentiment being, and have in themselves no meaning? If these questions cannot be answered in the affirmative, then is not the introduction of such instruments into the worship of God anti-christian, calculated to debase and ultimately ruin the spirit and influences of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And should not all who wish well to the spread and establishment of pure and undefiled religion life up their hand, their influence and their voice against them? The arguments from their use in the Jewish service is futile in the extreme when applied to Christianity.
...I have no doubt but the gross perversion of the simplicity of Christian worship, by the introduction of various instruments of music into churches and chapels, if not a species of idolatry, will at least rank with will-worship and superstitious rites and ceremonies. Where the Spirit and unction of God do not prevail in Christian assemblies, priests consent is to be supplied by imposing ceremonies, noise and show.
...the singing, as it is practiced several places, and the heathenish accompaniments of organs and musical instruments of various sorts, are as contrary to the simplicity of the gospel and the spirituality of that worship which God requires, as darkness is contrary to light."
(Quotations from Clarke's Theology, 1851, pp. 246-248
No comments:
Post a Comment