Answers

No Way!!! Why?? Very simple. Due to their hermeneutic of "Silence forbids"....it would not end with the piano.

I say....we have dual services......the 10:00 service will feature acappella singing and the 11:00 service will feature instrumental singing.

Think they would go for it??

Nah!!!

-- Anonymous, September 07, 1999

Mr. Saffold.....

I assume from your post that you are one of the "acappella" brethren.

If that assumption is wrong....please correct me.

I must correct one thing. You said you were saddened that we could not worship together.

On my part, I have worshipped in "acappella" churches on a number of instances and am very comfortable with it. If I moved to a town where there was not a Christian church.....I could easily worship with my acappella brethren.

But....as far as my preference I choose to worship with the instrument if it is available.

I have a good friend of mine who was a preacher and a professor in the Christian Churches. He has since become a preacher in the acappela churches.

His reason as given to me are...."the politicking that goes on in the Christian Churches." (Which by the way.....he hit that nail right on the head.)

Interestingly, the acappella church never brought up the instrument issue....he did. He told them that he would never bring it up in his teachings nor would he ever push it. He did say that when questioned directly about it....he would answer honestly.

They hired him anyway and he is having a wonderful ministry there, because doctrinally speaking, you will find few people more "down the line" than he is.

I appreciate someone who appreciates getting straight to the point and cutting out all the "jellyfishness" in the middle. To be honest, few do appreciate this today. I seem to have more than my share of enemies.

Your brother,

-- Anonymous, September 09, 1999

Brother Dennis....

Be very careful what you say about our Bible colleges. It could be dangerous to your reputation.

A helpful hint from someone who has "been there....done that."

Your brother! Danny Gabbard, Sr.

PS: You are right!!!

-- Anonymous, September 19, 1999

Russ..

Great point!! You are exactly right!!! I wish I could tell you the number of "nons" that have transferred membership to churches where I have served and for not a one of them....was the instrument ever an issue.

They readily admitted that they still "preferred" "non" worship....but it really did not make a difference to them. The preaching was biblical (which surprised them....they had been told over and over that we "instrumental people" were "liberals").....and that is why they came.

I agree.....it will become less of an issue as time goes by.

It's about time we let go of what was not in place until the Civil War. That's right.....I still believe the Civil War, and not theology.....had to do with the split.

-- Anonymous, September 28, 1999

Yes, if that was all there was to it. Other questions loom tho. If it meant no one could use their musical Talents to glorify God then we have another problem.

-- Anonymous, September 08, 1999

The question is not just "giving up" on our part: it is "growing up" on the part of others.

For one of the very latest developments on the music question, the October issue of The Knowlesletter

P.O. Box 645
Joplin, MO 64802-0645

will carry a two-paragraph account of something that happened last month in an acappella church in Nashville, TN.

By the way, churches of Christ who do not use instrumental music in their corporate worship prefer to be called acappella rather than "non-instrumental."

-- Anonymous, September 08, 1999

My answer is "no" on both issues. We strive to achieve unity- but there is a bigger picture than the piano and that is interpretation of scripture. The accapella bretheren plead for a "blue print" mentality of interpretaion, where if it is not in scripture then leave it out. In my humble opinion that train of thought is silly! Did God ever say that we have to sit on church pews or that we have to have air conditioners within the building.... NO! Do the Church of Christ still have those things... YES!

As I look throughout the scripture, both New and Old Testaments, I see an overriding pattern... those who worship must be able to freely express themselves through reading, praying, instruments, clapping, dancing, shouting, and even stillness. If we say we cannot have a piano then we are in a sense putting God into a box to say that I will worship Him in one way and everyone who does not do it my way is wrong.

The piano for the sake of unity???? It is much much more than that. Will I unite with the accapella bretheren... yes and no. I will always strive to treat them in love and kindness, but until they stop being judgmental and take a different approach to scripture, then I can not totally unite.

-- Anonymous, September 08, 1999

Tried it in my last ministry, to a lessor scale. Tried having a combined evening service, and "for the sake of unity" gave up the instrument. Other problems arose, though. We had flags in the auditorium (American and Christian) and the Christian flag had a cross on the top of the pole. They were against that. Also, we had a greek cross on the top of communion trays ... no good there. Some C of C are against having crosses in the auditorium.

Just goes to show the piano is not the issue ... though it is used many times as an excuse against unity.

-- Anonymous, September 08, 1999

Brother Danny: I agree with you words that I quote below for they say much more that what is seen on the surface.

No Way!!! Why?? Very simple. Due to their hermeneutic of "Silence forbids"....it would not end with the piano. I say....we have dual services......the 10:00 service will feature acappella singing and the 11:00 service will feature instrumental singing. Think they would go for it?? Nah!!!

One of the things I like most about you is your keen ability to get straight to the heart of an issue at the very beginning. You are very correct in what you have said in this post and I appreciate your pointing it out at the beginning. It is the principle and not the piano that is the real issue. You are also correct in stating that the idea of accapella singing in the 10:00 am service and instrumental accompanied singing at the 11:00 am service would be unacceptable. I appreciate your candor and fairness in all of your discussions. I am confident that you and I could discuss the principles of hermeneutics concerning this issue with candor and love as brothers in Christ. I am saddened by the fact that we are unable to worship with each other because we cannot conscientiously agree with one another about the hermeneutics in this matter.

However, your comments point out clearly the difference between genuine unity based upon a reasoned acceptance of the same truth and this silly idea of unity in diversity which so many today think will work. If you tie the tails of two cats together and hang them across the same clothesline you have unity in diversity over a single issue but the results will not be pretty. The idea of unity at the sacrifice of those matters that one holds conscientiously to be the truth will never work. It would be better that we, because of Love for each other and a desire to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, continue to discuss this issue until it is resolved. Or until our Lord returns to settle it for us than to just ignore our conscience and what we believe to be the truth for some false, pretentious, hypocritical union that is nothing more than a sham.

I thank God for you, brother, because you stand for truth and honesty in our dealings with each other. You see no need for us to pretend and ignore our real differences and you are ever willing to be fair and impartial in your post. May our blessed Lord be with you in truth and bless you continually as you serve Him.

Your brother in Christ,

E. Lee Saffold

-- Anonymous, September 08, 1999

Brother Danny:

I appreciate your response and your assumption is correct that I do not worship with the use of instruments in worship. I also appreciate your correction. I did not mean by my comment that you could not and would not worship with us without the use of an instrument. I did not make it clear that I am the one who cannot conscientiously worship with an instrument of music. I should have said that I am saddened that I cannot worship with you unless the instrument is not being used. I do not ask that you sacrifice your principles just to satisfy me and my conscience. As I am sure you would not expect me to violate my conscience in this or any other matter relating to my obedience to God. I appreciate your honest assessment of the ground to be covered.

My main purpose was to point out that you are absolutely correct that the issue is not the "piano" but the "principle" or as you put it the hermeneutic that "silence forbids". This is correct though it might need more detailed explaination. Until we can come to agree on the principle, the piano would never be the only issue. Anything else that was thought to be without scriptural authority in the worship would be as much an obstacle as the piano.

I also wrote to support your contention because it demonstrates that such a proceedure would not bring true unity. And to show that the false "unity in diversity" concept is hypocritical.

I appreciate you, brother, and others of like mind in the Christian church who are standing strong for truth and I am thankful to God for your faith and your integrity. I am also thankful that I am allowed to join in these discussions with you in the Christian Church forum because I have found a place where I can fellowship with you in the defense of the truth of the Gospel of Our blessed Lord. For this fellowship I am thankful to our God and I enjoy it very much.

I pray that together we can work for our Lord though I cannot in good conscience worship with instrumental music. I know that you can and are willing to worship without it.

May our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit and strengthen you in all that is good.

YOur brother in Christ,

E. Lee Saffold

-- Anonymous, September 09, 1999

brothers: I have had numerous a cappella Christians ask me about giving up the piano for the sake of unity because, in their words, "it is divisive." However, who is making it a matter of division? They are! It is a curious inconsistency.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 1999

Friends:

I am sorry to say I have not had a lot of contact with my A cappella brothers. However, I would like to ask any of you a question: Is the use of the instrument (or lack of it) an essential to salvation? Can I still be saved if I use a piano in worship. Please no polite dodges. Answer straight out.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 1999

Back to the first question- I would not give up the instruments, however I could easily see an occasion for joining in fellowship without it, as I have in times past. I don't know what the answer is either, but I think we need a lot more dialogue than we have had. While on mission support and living in Canada I had a closer relationship with the accapalla folks than we do here in the South. Perhaps it was that some things were more important. There are a lot of things about the Christian Churches I don't care for and some things about the acc. brethren that I find very good. We could at least learn from each other on the good points. I like their ideas about the "Bible colleges" being in Churches rather than spending the millions of dollars on campus structures that we do. Do you all know that we have well over a 100 million dollars in physical property and some schools turn out about 15 preachers a year? There is something wrong with that dollar figure. I guess my time I spent in the business world doesn't like to see waste, and poor returns on the amount of the investment. I don't mean to divide us with 'theirs' and 'ours', that is just a figure of speech.

-- Anonymous, September 14, 1999

WELL, I HAVE READ ALL OF THE RESPONSES THAT HAVE COME BEFORE ON THIS ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE SOME THINGS THAT SOME MIGHT FIND WORTH THINKING ABOUT.

BEFORE I DO, I WOULD LIKE THE READERS TO KNOW I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING RAISED ATTENDING BOTH "INSTRUMENTAL AND NON-INSTRUMENTAL" CHURCHES. I GREW UP ATTENDING CHURCH CAMPS OF BOTH. I WAS BAPTIZED IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND RECEIVED MUCH OF MY SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION THERE. MY CONTACT WITH THE NON-INSTRUMENTAL CHURCH REMAINED FREQUENT AND I LATER SERVED AS THE ASSOCIATE MINISTER (EMPAHASIS YOUTH) IN THE NON-INSTRUMENTAL CHURCH FOR OVER THREE YEARS. I AM CURRENTLY AN ELDER IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. I HAVE ALSO BEEN ACTIVE ALL OF MY ADULT LIFE IN TRYING TO BRIDGE THE GAPS BETWEEN OUR BROTHERHOODS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. I AM CURRENTLY INVOLVED WITH A NON-INSTRUMENTAL YOUTH CAMP WHO ENCOURAGES THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION.

CAN YOU SEE WHAT I AM GETTING AT? IN REALITY THE IDEA OF THIS BEING A SALVATION ISSUE IS ABSURD WHEN WE CONSIDER CHRIST'S PRAYER THAT WE ALL BE ONE. IT GOES MUCH FURTHER THAN OUR PETTINESS AND WEAK INTERPREATIONS OF THE SCRIPTURES(OR LACK OF SCRIPTURES)REGARDING THIS ISSUE WHEN THERE ARE MANY SOULS WHO NEED TO HEAR ABOUT THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS. THERE IS NO BASIS FOR DISCORD, IN REALITY, BECAUSE THERE IS NO BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR OUR STANCES THAT WE PUT FORTH. EVEN COMMON SENSE CAN PREVAIL HERE.

BUT NO MATTER, WHAT YOU PROBABLY DO NOT SEE IS THAT COMING UP IN BOTH CHURCHES IS A WHOLE NEW GENERATION THAT DOES NOT EVEN SEE THIS ISSUE IN THE SAME WAY IT HAS BEEN VIEWED IN PAST. IT WILL DIE A DESERVING DEATH BECAUSE IT IS A NON-ISSUE IN SCOPE OF GOD'S PLAN FOR THE SAVING OF SOULS. MARK MY WORDS, WITHIN 25 YEARS THERE MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE A UNIFICATION OF THE CHURCHES, BUT THE MAINSTREAM CONGREGATIONS WILL BE LABORING TOGETHER AND FULLY ACCEPTING ONE ANOTHER AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS, NO(OR FEW) QUESTIONS ASKED. THAT IS A DAY I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO.

THERE IS NO NEED TO TRY AND CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE, JUST SIT BACK AND WATCH AND WE WILL LET GOD SHOW US WHAT HE HAS IN MIND. I NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE ABILITY OF MEN TO WORK AGAINST GOD'S DESIGN, YET TRUTH, LOVE AND UNITY WILL PREVAIL.

-- Anonymous, September 27, 1999

My answer is unapologeticly...no. Why? Because unity is not the goal of the church. Unity serves a higher purpose, and that is "that the world may know that you have sent me" (Jn. 17:23) Once again, unity serves the operational purpose of making disciples. Giving up the instrument(s) would mean removing our worship services further away from an experience that makes them relevant and attractive to unchurched people. Why would I want to cut my effectiveness in reaching the unchurched by elevating what is essentially a means to an end to an end in itself. Two years ago we called a full-time music minister, adopted a blended contemporary-tradition service, complete with a worship band, and have added 178 souls, split into two worship services. We still preach the same message- undiluted I might add, but were reaching many more simply because we have correctly identified our purpose for being.

Our music helps us reach people for Christ. That's the goal. Not simply unity for unity's sake.

-- Anonymous, September 29, 1999

Dan, You asked why I bring up the "salvation" question so much. The principle that Thomas Campbell announced was to be silent where the Scriptures are silent..." We tend to speak too much on things about which the Bible says nothing

-- Anonymous, October 05, 1999

I think it would be a noble concept, but one I don't think would happen. I agree with Russ Moore that this generation now is more of a generation that is questioning why the instrument is wrong and considered a salvation issue. We have had several families in the past year alone come to our church and place membership from the acapella church because they were tired of the legalism or even because they were shunned for other reasons such as divorce/re- marriage.

Legalism knows no bounds. It exceeds past the instrument into other areas. Playing a piano during worship is wrong to some, but then in the same breath it is ok to judge, to spend every waking moment proving other churches wrong instead of using their energy to reach the lost and disciple the members.

I myself left the non-instruemntal and was a preacher and now am a full-time youth minister in the christian church. I did not leave because of the instrument, though I never considered the instrument to be a sin nor did I ever preach or teach against it.

The more I study my bible and the more I pray and seek God's guidance the more I realize how silly this issue is and more than that how sad it is that Satan has used this device to cause division, strife, and heartache among people who should be working side by side and be calling each other brother.

The instrument is a choice, it can never go beyond that. The christian church will always say the scripture is silent, therefore we can use it, and the acapella churches will say the scripture is silent, therefore we will not use it, but the difference is we do not bind our preference upon others. So, until people in the acapella rise up and say that their singing is a preference and not a salvation issue, this issue will continue to be debated and satan will continue to sit back and smile as churches and brothers and sisters are divided and angered.

I love singing praises with or without depending on the style of worship I desire at the time, but I believe any praise from the heart to God is acceptable or their would be no need for Psalm 150.

I also believe people will continue leaving the acapella church or the new generation will try to grasp ahold of unity among the churches because legalism quenches your spirit and takes away from your reltionship to God.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 1999

In this Sodom and Gomorrah, flaunt your sins on every street corner, pagan world in which we live, I find it amazing that we are even entertaining the question, "Should we or should we not have a piano".

-- Anonymous, October 17, 1999

DJ, that is what I have been saying for years. it's a shame I even waste my time trying to defend a point that I think shouldn't even be debated, it's ok to do everything under the sun except worship god with the talents and means he has given us.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 1999

Cold chills ran over me when I read your statement, "Satan sits back and smiles". You made such good points. I wonder what else we are doing and saying that brings smiles to Satan?

-- Anonymous, October 19, 1999

DJ, I appreciate your comments, I think today's world really makes satan job easy. I mean look how this instrumental issue has been debated over and over and will continue to hurt people on both sides. It breaks my heart. I think Satan really uses us sometimes for his purpose and it's sad we let him. If all people, including myself would look at every issue as kingdom related(is or isn't it a) and start looking at individuals as either lost souls needs a savior or fellow brothers/sister's who have the right to serve God how they choose as long as they are reaching the lost and growing in their relationship with Him, our society would be alot better off and issues like the piano would be insignificant, like it should be in the first place. Piano or no piano, we all need to just worship God, reach the lost, and keep a frown on Satan's face. Cause he's in Hell and going to stay there and he doesn't need any company.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 1999

Accually, Satan is not in Hell- but is roaming the earth seeking whom he may devour. Perhaps, he is in our churches getting us to fight and bicker to each other over the pro- non issue.

-- Anonymous, November 02, 1999