Part 7 (Mechanical instruments continued)

Let's look at some secular history on the subject...
The American Encyclopedia: "Pope Vitalian is related to have first introduced organs into some of the churches of Western Europe about 670AD, but the earliest trustworthy account is that of the one sent as a present by the Greek emperor Constantine Copronymus to Pepin, king of the Franks, in 755AD." VOL 12 p. 688.
Chambers Encyclopedia: "The organ is said to have been first introduced into church music by Pope Vitalian 1, in 666AD. In 757, a great organ was sent as a present to Pepin by the Byzantine emperor, Constantine Copronymus, and placed in the Church of St. Corneille at Compiegne. Soon after Charlemagne's time organs became common." VOL 7 p. 112.

Schaff Herzog Encyclopedia: "In the Greek Church the organ never came into use. But after the eighth century it became more and more common in the Latin Church (Roman Church); not however, without opposition from the side of the monks."

Joseph Bingham, the well know author of "Antiquities of the Christian Church" and said to be one of the most learned men the Church of England has ever produced, says: "Music (singing) in churches is as ancient as the apostles, but instrumental music not so." Works, VOL 3 p. 137.

Lyman Coleman, Presbyterian author says: "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 century. Previous to this they had their place in the theatre, rather than in the church. There were never regarded with favor in the Eastern church, and were vehemently opposed in many places in the West." Primitive Church, pp. 376-377.

John Spencer Curwen, member of the Royal Academy of Music and in 1880, President of a college in London, stated: "Men still living can remember the time when organs were very seldom found out of the church of England. The Methodists, Independents, and Baptists rarely had them, and by the Presbyterians they were stoutly opposed." Instrumental Music in the Worship by M.C. Kurfees, p. 146

Yes, it is true that the majority of denominations are not familiar with their very own history, and that nearly all of them at one time opposed mechanical instruments in worship.

John Calvin, who many credit as founder of the Presbyterian church, states in his commentary on Psalms 33, "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."

Martin Luther, founder of the Lutheran church, rejected the use of the organ saying, "The organ in the worship of God is an ensign of Baal."

Adam Clark, one of the most well known Methodist commentators who ever lived, states in his commentary on 2 Chronicles 29:25, "...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 in truth, for to no such worship are those instruments friendly."

Adam Clark, on his commentary on Amos 6:5, "And I further believe that the use of such instruments of music in the Christian Church is without the sanction and against the will of God; that they are subversive of the spirit of true devotion, and that they are sinful. I am an old man, and an old minister; and I declare that I never knew them productive of any good in the worship of God; and have reason to believe that they were productive of much evil. Music, as a science, I esteem and admire: but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor."

Even more astonishing... Adam Clarke wrote, "The late venerable and most eminent divine, the Rev. John Wesley, who was a lover of music, and an elegant poet, when asked his opinion of instruments of music being introduced into the chapels of the Methodists said, in his terse and powerful manner, 'I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither HEARD or SEEN.'"

Charles Spurgeon, reckoned to be one of the greatest Baptist preachers to ever live, a preacher for the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle in London England (a congregation of 10,000), wrote in his series The Treasury of David (commentary on Psalms 42), "We might as well pray by machinery as praise by it." Charles Spurgeon never allowed mechanical instruments at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle.

This from one of the greatest Baptist preachers to ever live. How many Baptist attendees know this tidbit of truth?
David Benedict, one of the greatest historians of Baptist churches, wrote in his book Fifty Years Among the Baptists, "Staunch old Baptists in former times would have as soon tolerated the Pope of Rome in their pulpits as an organ in their galleries. And yet the instrument has gradually found its way among them and their successors in church management, with nothing like the jars and difficulties which arose of old concerning the bass viol and smaller instruments of music."

Alexander Campbell, founder of the restoration movement, made this statement, "To all those whose animal nature flags under the oppression of church service, I should think instrumental music would not only be a desideratum but an essential prerequisite to fire up their souls to even animal devotion. But to all spiritually minded Christians such aids would be as a cowbell in a concert."

Instruments are an innovation introduced into the church by men and are simply not authorized by God.

We must worship according to the covenant under which we live. The Bible gives us clear instructions on worship under the new covenant and it never mentions instruments being used.

__________________
In Christ,
brother Sonnie

Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'