Are Churches Of Christ “Breaking With Tradition?”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesIn January 2004, reporter Craig Bird of the Associated Baptist Press, authored an article entitled, “Even in Churches of Christ, There’s No Sign of Ceasefire in Worship Wars.” He wrote:
“The raging debate over worship music has surfaced in a most unlikely place — within the Churches of Christ, which bear the historical distinction of shunning all musical instruments in worship. Over the past two years, at least five major congregations associated with the Churches of Christ have added instruments to some worship services, according to the Christian Chronicle, a 60-year-old Church of Christ newspaper. The highest-profile case involving the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio.”
He went on to state:
“No one is willing to predict whether these breaks from tradition signal the start of a sweeping change or are “isolated tragedies” — the description favored by Hardin University professor Flavil Yeakley.”
Let us focus on the above simple concept Mr. Bird’s article brings to our attention — the notion that churches of Christ who are adding instrumental music to their worship are “breaking with tradition.” While liberal thinkers in the Lord’s church characterize their actions in this way, they are incorrect — about this, and other points.
In reality, the opposite is true — instrumental digression is running toward tradition — not breaking with it. These folks are only hurling themselves toward the traditions of the churches of men — traditions that ignore the instruction and form (or pattern) of God’s word (Romans 6:17 – NKJV; 2 Timothy 1:13 – NKJV; Hebrews 8:5) in favor of the things that please carnal desires (1 Corinthians 3:1-4 – NKJV). They are taking up the universally common religious tradition which says, “Forget the Bible — if it seems right, do it” (cf. Judges 17:6; Judges 21:25). But the Scriptures plainly teach that what “seems right” to men often leads to death (cf. Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:25; Proverbs 30:12).
For the record, “tradition” has nothing to do with the reason faithful Christians in the Lord’s church use only vocal music in worship. There are only nine passages in the New Testament that refer to the activity of people worshiping God with music (cf. Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 16:25; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; Hebrews 13:15; James 5:13), and all nine passages share one commonality — each refers to singing only — none of the passages reference the playing of a mechanical instrument of any kind.
Just as we understand that Jesus’ specification of bread and “the fruit of the vine” for the memorial feast excludes any other items such as pizza and doughnuts (Matthew 26:26-29) — as fond of these as we may be — understanding that the New Testament’s specification of singing excludes all other forms of music-making,
Dear reader, in the New Testament, God is wonderfully clear in His communication to us and He expects us to obey that communication (John 15:10; John 15:14; 2 John 1:9). He expressly forbids any addition to His words (Proverbs 30:6; Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:32; Revelation 22:19). It’s indeed sad that people professing Christ can’t be content to worship Him according to His directions (John 4:24), instead of the vain traditions of men (Matthew 15:6-9).