In a 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). Only Christ has nail scarred hands – not Campbell or any
other man. 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.
[Doug Post]