Martin Luther on Worship: “The Organ… is a sign of Baal”
- Posted on July 11, 2007
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Martin Luther: “The organ in the worship service is a sign of Baal.” Realencyklopadie Fur Protestantische Theologie und Kirche, Bd, 14, s.433 cited in Instrumental Music and New Testament Worship, James D. Bales, p. 130. (HT: ChristianResearchNetwork.info.)
Thomas Aquinas, Catholic Theologian; 13th century: “Our church does not use musical instruments, as harps and psalteries, to praise God withal, that she may not seem to Judaize.” Bingham’s Antiquities, Vol. 2, p.483, London
John Calvin, Reformation Leader, Founder of Reformed & Presbyterian denominations: “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. “ Calvin, Commentary on Psalm 33, see also commentary on 1 Samuel 18:1-9
John Wesley, Founder of Methodist Denomination: “I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen.” Cited by Methodist commentator Adam Clarke; Clarke’s Commentary, Vol. 4, p.684
Catholic Encyclopedia: “Although Josephus tells of the wonderful effects produced in the Temple by the use of instruments, the first Christians were of too spiritual a fibre to substitute lifeless instruments for or to use them to accompany the human voice. Clement of Alexandria severely condemns the use of instruments even at Christian banquets.” Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 10, p. 652
Martin Luther, Reformation Leader: “The organ in the worship service is a sign of Baal.” Realencyklopadie Fur Protestantische Theologie und Kirche, Bd, 14, s.433 cited in Instrumental Music and New Testament Worship, James D. Bales, p. 130.
Charles Spurgeon, Baptist Author/Pastor: “We might as well pray by machinery as sing by it” and “Israel was at school, and used childish things to help her learn; but in these days when Jesus gives us spiritual food, one can make melody without strings and pipes… we do not need them. That would hinder rather than help our praise. Sing unto Him. This is the sweetest and best music. No instrument like the human voice.” Charles Spurgeon, Commentary on Psalm 42
I found some 'fun' quotes on worship that I thought everyone should enjoy. At the Buzz Conference recently, Craig Groeschel made the point that 'today's contemporary is tomorrow's traditional'. These quotes are good cases in point. Turns out that many of our traditional services may be more 'seeker' sensitive than what some would like to believe. When we forget how much of what we do in worship is not 'biblical' but rather 'cultural' we really start to look foolish. OK... on to some fun quotes...
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Heath Hiatt on Wed, July 11, 2007
Totally stinkin awesome! I’m using this stuff http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Peter Hamm on Wed, July 11, 2007
VERY nice! I think I’ll hang on to these.
MG on Wed, July 11, 2007
I guess those who are opposed to these thoughts would likewise be frustrated with the musicians and band leader EVERY TIME they kill the music and want a vocals only segment during a song? As a musician and former band leader I must admit some of the most heartfelt times of worship I’ve yet to experience were in an instrument free environment which was but a few times, but what happens when hearts in one accord and in unified worship to Almighty God sing out in unison to Him is B E A U - tiful, whereas even the best sounding band and singers in an environment that is crowded with the lost and a pulpit which dishonors the word of God regularly, well such a thing might be a fitting scenario to the passage where Jesus said, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ Mark 7:6,7
My point is simply this, if you find it is not possible for you to worship God in an environment without the trimmings of instruments, how then are you going to worship Him with your life, which is our reasonable or spiritual service of worship? Romans 12:1 which reads in whole:
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.If you cannot worship God in the absence of instruments how then would you lead musical worship in the mission field where you have no access to or ability to transport musical equipment? Food for thought…
Peter Hamm on Wed, July 11, 2007
MG,
Thanks for the thoughts, but I think the post is about how culture has changed, is changing, and will change. To turn it into a theological discussion on the merits (or not) of preaching in pulpits today… Let’s not go there, okay?
nora on Wed, July 11, 2007
I, for one, agree with Luther here. I always knew there was something evil about the organ.
“Sing unto Him. This is the sweetest and best music. No instrument like the human voice.” Yeah, well, Spurgeon hasn’t heard MY instrument. Trust me, if he heard me sing, he’d be running for the nearest electric guitar to help drown me out. :0)
Leonard on Wed, July 11, 2007
I am so glad the Didgeridoo did not make the list of bad instruments, that and my Harmonica are the main instruments in our band.
Randy Ehle on Wed, July 11, 2007
I’m going to put in a good word for organs here—and note that this is simply about the instrument, not its use in church contexts! As the son-in-law of a pipe organ builder, I’d have to heartily disagree with Luther! I’ve come to have a great respect—almost an awe—for the pipe organ (let’s not get into the pipe-vs-electric debate here!), even while recognizing that many (most?) of the under-40 crowd likely prefer a different musical style. If you’re ever in San Diego on a Sunday afternoon, check out the concert at Balboa Park’s outdoor pipe organ (Monday evenings, too, during the summer).
Kent on Thu, July 12, 2007
“the post is about how culture has changed, is changing, and will change”.
Thanks for clarifying Peter, don’t know how things would stay on track with out the reminders that theology has no place in these discussions. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Anyway, MG I very much appreciated your thoughts and how they apply to the changing culture of music and worship.
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Humble Servant on Fri, November 23, 2007
Yes, “the post is about how culture has changed, is changing, and will change”.
I too, notice this “cultural” change taking place in the churches today. Although I don’t see it so much as an “ethnic” cultural change so much as a “generational” cultural change.
But, nevertheless, as a child, I was taught to except cultural differences in the world around me. I was taught to “live and let live” so to speak.
The issue I see with these cultural changes taking place today, of all places, within God’s house, is that the older generation (culture) is being pushed out and being made to feel irrelevant. I’ve heard Youth Pastors giving testimonies about how “old fashioned” and “boring” some “traditional” churches are. I’ve heard the pulpit preaching on “traditions” as being something distasteful or being “stuck in a rut”.
Everywhere I look, I see the new culture attacking the old culture. In response, I see the old culture holding on to the Biblical principles of “taming the tongue” and not creating divisiveness. Yes, they grumble amongst themselves about the loud music and long for the still small voice of the Holy Spirit during their worship. Yes, they also complain that the new culture dresses better when going out for a night on the town (doing worldly things) than they do in God’s house.
But you will not hear testimonies about this.
Most of the old culture would not have any problem with with the ways of the new culture if the new would follow the same principles of “live and let live.”
I have children that I teach at home. Sometimes I show them old music videos or let them listen to old recordings and they used to laugh and say, “how could you listen to that junk?” I explain that if it wasn’t for that JUNK back then, they probably wouldn’t have the what they listen to today! It’s the same cultural difference, old vs new. I only add that there are many fond memories attached with that old JUNK and that they should be sensitive to that. The old culture in church today only want to see the same respect. Just imagine this; what great kingdom work could get done if the two cultures worked together towards bringing out the best in each culture instead of finding arguments, like the “fun quotes” above, to prove one side or the other?
Dave on Fri, November 23, 2007
Humble is right about some churches pushing away older folks. In our efforts to (at least this is how it began) reach out to Unchurched Harry and Saddleback Sam by creating a church culture that is stylistically familiar, we’ve had a tendency to leave the older folks without a stylistic familiarity. They need a church that feels like home too! And yes, there is a tendency to belittle traditional styles. At my former megachurch, the worship pastor once made what seems today like a terribly arrogant and ignorant remark - “In five years, there won’t be a church in America still singing hymns.” That was about 1995. Twelve years later, contemporary services are rediscovering the value of hymns.
But I disagree with Humble about the older folks transitioning or enduring with grace and dignity. Another former and very traditional, liturgical church brought me on staff to help start a contemporary service. The resulting worship wars split the church and drove the pastor out. The older folks can be every bit as rigid and divisive as younger folks.
Regarding preaching against “tradition,” dig through the New Testament. Every single use of tradition, at least in the sense we use the word, is negative. Remember the pharisees were the traditionalists.
But this is absolutely true, and a worthy goal - “imagine this; what great kingdom work could get done if the two cultures worked together towards bringing out the best in each culture.”
Dave
Jan on Sat, November 24, 2007
I agree Dave.
We were at a church for awhile that completely disprespected the seniors. It boggled my mind.
When they disagreed with something they were ridiculed behind their back by the staff.
One day when I mentioned that I thought we should be reaching them, not joking about them, that their needs were just as important as younger people’s, I was greeted with a blank stare.
I will never forget sitting between two pastors in the front row of the church, gettting ready to sing at the “traditional service”. These two pastors sat and joked back and forth about how the people in that service were so pathetic. I was fuming! I couldnt’ believe that these pastors were going to follow this with “ministry” to the idiots in the pews.
But on the flip side, my home church has been in WWIII over the most trivial issues, and it’s the older people who are inflexible and really honestly resistant to moving forward in any way shape or form. I honestly wonder if some of them have any faith at all, and am concerned about their salvation. It’s all about them, and never mind the lost, or people of another race!
I think we always need to be thinking of reaching all the people we can whatever their age.
In our church here, we have a predominately under 30 crowd. But the interesting thing is that we have seen several seniors come to Christ in the last few years. And they LOVE church. These are unchurched seniors who arent’ bound to traditional church.
It’s fun to see them inviting their friends and telling everyone they can they they need to come to our church.
I think what makes it work is that our young people try to connect with our older ones. They drop by their houses, rake their leaves, shovel snow, and befriend them.
Of course that is demonstrated by the leadership and the congregation is following.
Dave on Sun, November 25, 2007
Yeah, we need balance. In the early ‘80’s I attended a Calvary Chapel out here in California. Great church, but it bothered me that there was no one over 40 or so. Seems to me like we need the folks who have been walking with Jesus for 40, 50 or 60 years. That experience is priceless.
My 86 year old mother attends a church that is balanced both ethnically and ...hmmm…chronologically? You know, a wide age span, all in the same service. My mom doesn’t care for the contemporary/gospel music most of the time, but she loves the impact the church is having on the community and in the lives of so many people. And since my dad died last year, the younger people in the church have stepped up and are maiking a difference in her life, helping meet whatever needs that come up.
We can’t just write off the old folks, or ship them off to their own service. They are us, just a few years away. And I seem to be getting closer all the time!
Dave
Jan on Mon, November 26, 2007
And I am really tired of hearing that it is a waste of time to try to win seniors for Christ. My answer is that they have less time, so we’d better work harder.
These ladies I mentioned are all well over 70 and one into her 80’s. Both their husbands made decisions before their deaths and they came into relationship with Christ through active pursuit and love relationships. We loved them to Christ.
One woman we specifically were told, was a waste of our time, she wouldn’t ever come to church and was uninterested, even antagonistic. Now, she is there every Sunday, and invites anyone she meets. And she has a lot of influence in our community, because she is a long time resident.
Also, our service is in no way traditional.
deaubry on Tue, November 27, 2007
i have grand children and i like the music, sometimes i do not know what they are singing, but the beat will get down in your old bones, and clap your hands to the beat, but my favorite song is VICTORY IN JESUS.and my grand children likes some of the old songs, it seems the old songs is what gets them to the alter, and the new gets them on their feet, and the pastors that was talking about the elderly ,their momma should have taught them better, jan i think the pastors were pathetic that was doing the talking. well what can you say? i think it has all been said , just pray that god will replace the or change them.
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