I've spent the last thirty minutes looking for the posts where we talked about instrumental music in and out of the church. A friend of mine here who goes to a "Christian Church" had a conversation where she was asked the difference between their church and a church of Christ. Someone she knew went to a "church of Christ" that played instruments. She and I talked about it and I did a so so job of explaining the how's and why's.
That night I broke out my Bibles and wrote up a two page explanation only using scripture as to why we don't include the banjo during service and praise only using our voices. I included the "law of exclusion" and idea of respecting the "silence of the scripture" to back things up.
The next day I saw her sitting at her computer checking my work. I told her I used the NASB from the exact website she was looking on so she could check me verbatim. I realized as she threw a few questions at me she was playing my part in a blog discussion we had! Anyway I thought it might be useful for her to hear me playing that part since she's never been able to completely stump me on any of our religious differences. It would level the playing field a bit and maybe help her to see that liberal doesn't always mean correct.
12 comments:
though it isnt scriptural to say this, I look at it this way...
in acts we can see how church went... back in those days and in that geographical area, there was TONS of theatre and music. It was the only entertainment they had...
so why do we not see any verse that says "As they broke bread, Paul whipped out his sitar."
Like I said, just because it doesnt SAY they didnt, doesnt mean they didnt do it right? But when I am dealing with my eternal soul, id like to stick to what I KNOW is right, not what I think feels good to me.
Amen...
I have a confession to make, though.
I LOVE playing and singing in our Bluegrass band. I've always loved doing gospel stuff during our big family "Music Makings" and this is no different.
But, when it comes down to it, I err on the side of caution which excludes mechanical instruments in worship...
You’re right on it. I conceded that there is as good a chance they did use instruments as much as they could have not used them. My point was that I wasn’t going to assume I knew what they were doing when the only references made were to sing and only sing.
I stated that Paul obviously knew about David’s time and how many times David talked about the musicians and their playing to praise God and still he only talked about singing.
Terry, the friend, make a comment about being able to assume that the culture used instruments so it seemed likely they might as well. I told her to go for it because she’s not assuming on the merit of my soul.
Still I wish I could find that blog string.
On a similar note, Terry’s husband, who also works here, cut together a video from a youth conference his church puts together every year called Tennessee Christians Teen Convention, TCTC.
It was a very impressive video full of skate boarding, Christian rock bands, puppets, speakers, lots of those big inflatable games at fairs and such and of course tons of kids laughing, singing, praising, and generally having a good time.
In light of that and having been to youth conferences in the past the church of Christ doesn’t have a lot to offer against other “full service” churches. Most people are going to walk in the door and give the facility, pizzazz and life style of the regulars before they look at the scriptural soundness and teachings.
PS good work on the awards. I blanked out and wasn’t thinking they were just nominees.
I just think it all speaks to the "here we are now, entertain us" mentality so many folks have.
But, you're right. It's hard to compete with all the flashy stuff. We can only hope that folks are looking for depth and a relationship with Christ and not a country or social club...
you can search blogs and you can search by specific blog.. poke around
Mulls, im waiting for your acceptance speech in the awards blog... you did win the big award ya know?
I'll hope right down there and get something worthwhile.
I wonder how many true converts they get at those big conventions. We get tons of people at church of christ day at six flags but a huge chunk of them dont do anythign else.
Man I remember going to summer camp in freaking Arkansas in the middle of August. It was hot, humid there wasn't enough hot water, there were snakes and mosquitos and for entertainment we played on rickety ping pong tables and shot misguided bb guns.
But I have amazingly fond memories of the place and gained a lot of faith.
When we spend our time giving kids video games instead of teaching them the word, how strong will they be as adults?
That's where I think we have to be strong, man.
We're told to write the word on our hearts and teach it to our children at every opportunity.
They have to learn to love the word as people learn to love each other and God.
Mullins, are you sure we had the music discussion on here? It may have been an email conversation.
I guess it could have been a tangent in another post, though.
Now that you mention it there is a good chance that it was an email string. I just remember it being really good and covering a lot of ground.
It must have been an email because it sure as the world isn’t on the blog is it.
Sipper I think that next time we have some sort of heavy discussion I’m going to ask you to be on the opposing side.
Cool! I'd like to play "Devil's Advocate". I have that Pacino thing going, don't I?
Post a Comment