The goal of this post is to discuss what the Bible says about this topic. This issue is not the complicated, confusing, divisive subject it has transformed into. It's more simple than we think. An overview of scriptures about instruments leads to a conclusion that promotes unity in the body of Christ and removes an unnecessary obstacle to the proclamation of the gospel.
Quick Survey of Instruments from Genesis to Revelation:
1. Instruments are tools of praise before the Law is given. Miriam takes a timbrel and the children of Israel worship, praise, and celebrate their salvation. They offer the Lord praise that is instrumental, emotional, and joyful.
2. Instruments are a tool used in religious festivals and worship. See Lev. 23:23, Numbers 10, for example.
3. As an example from the book of Psalms, Psalm 150 refers to all kinds of instruments as tools of praise. The word "psalm" means "pluck," as in the strings of a harp. David wrote many of the psalms and it is clear he used his musical gifts for the glory of the Lord.
4. In the the New Testament, there are two short passages in Ephesians and Colossians. They focus on the daily, moment-by-moment sanctification process as we live as the body of Christ in this life.
"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and
admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs
from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." Colossians 3:16
"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:18-20
5. Revelation 8 describes the throne room of Heaven. The angels use trumpets and other instruments.
So what are we to do with this? For the sake of argument I am going to shift gears and work from the premise that it is wrong to use instruments in worship, either corporate or individual.
If I believed instruments were wrong to use in worship, I would have to conclude:
1. Before the Law, instruments were fine.
2. Under the Law, instruments were fine.
3. In Heaven, instruments will be fine.
4. Under grace, instruments are wrong.
If instruments were wrong, God would have made this point clearly. God always makes clear what is sinful. Since instruments are not mentioned here specifically, the whole issue is best thought of as a judgment call.
Instruments are neither good or bad. They are tools. Like all tools they can be used for good or bad. But by themselves they are neutral. Praise comes from the heart. From Genesis to Revelation, it's not about the tools. It's about the heart.
To say more is to go beyond scripture. As a brother once said, "Where the Bible speaks, we speak, where it is silent, we tend to have a lot more to say."
Next time I plan to write about this judgment call in history. There was a period of time Christians laid their instruments down.
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