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

HT: John W. Quinn

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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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
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Roger on Wed, March 16, 2011

Hi,

Wonderful, Great work.

I like musical instruments.

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The rain stick’s characteristic tinkling sound is made by hundreds of the tiny pieces of stone falling through a spiral of regular bamboo dividers inside the bamboo tube.

Thanks
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Roger on Thu, March 17, 2011

Hello,

Martin Luther was a really a very great leader.

Very nice information.

I like musical instrument.

Thanks
Roger Britt
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Peter Harris on Wed, June 08, 2011

I find it odd that this is even posted, as though one is a churl to rebutt the entirely spiritualized gloss from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment in indemnification of ALL doctrine of Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, Mather, Wesley, and Spurgeon. Come to GOD already! Some of these men were tyrants, though God “uses a man” Does that mean he is infallible in doctrine, or was ex cathedra a primary motive for the whole Reformation? Certainly:

I KNOW that each one was corrupt in some facet, and that Psalm 150 is crystal clear: The praise of God is bound in our life [namely, in Christ, Jesus] and the IMPERATIVE COMMAND of the Scripture is “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord”, and that is enjoined on lungs AND pipe organs. How silly. Even as David dealt with Michal, you can expect that there is an underlying severity to NOT breathing, and that is beyond any supposed “moral intent”: “Thou shalt surely die”, “if these remain silent, even the rocks should cry out?” It was quintessentially a synagogism during the Exile “there to hang our harps on the trees”, and to make a sign of such to which there is no basis in the Scripture of God. The shoe is on the other foot, to be assured.