DEBATE: ARE MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC BIBLICALLY CONDEMNED IN CHRISTIAN WORSHIP SERVICES? #1

"Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery & harp. Praise Him with the timbrel & dance: praise Him with stringed instruments & organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord." (Psalm 150)

Are mechanical instruments of music such as pianos, organs, guitars, violins, flutes, trumpets, etc of the devil? Will you & your church congregation go to hell if you employ the use of such mechanical instruments of music during the worship service? Does the Bible condemn such a practice? Hear both sides of this issue during this four night public debate between Bob L. Ross, author of several books including "Campbellites, Cowbells, Rosary Beads & Snake Handling (A Refutation of Anti-Instrumental Music in Worship)" & director of Pilgrim Publications (website: PILGRIMPUBLICATIONS COM), one of the world's leading publishers of the works of Charles Haddon Spurgeon versus "Church of Christ " minister Tom Bright of Houston, Texas (Fleetwood Church of Christ, Katy Freeway at the time of this debate) who argues that Christian worship should have no mechanical instruments of music at all. Larry Wessels, director of Christian Answers of Austin, Texas/ Christian Debater (YouTube channel: CANSWERSTV, websites: BIBLEQUERY ORG, HISTORYCART COM & MUSLIMHOPE COM) presents this debate for public review (naturally Larry takes Bob L. Ross' side in this debate). Mark McNeil of Pilgrim Publications is debate moderator for Bob L. Ross & David Brown of Southwest Church of Christ of Austin, Texas is debate moderator for Tom Bright.

Special Note: The "Church of Christ" debater in this video series, Tom Lee Bright, Sr., 71, of Dyersburg, Tennessee died Sunday, January 30, 2011 at Baptist Hospital in Memphis. He was an Evangelist and Director for Online Academy of Biblical Studies and member of Phillips Street Church of Christ.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND -
The last bastion of "unity" in the "Church of Christ" segment of the 19th century "Restoration Movement," which was originally a "reform" & "unity" endeavor launched by Thomas Campbell in 1809-1812, is the practice of "a capella" singing as the exclusive "music" in congregational worship.

The two broad "branches" of Campbell's "Restoration Movement" of the early 1800s developed after the introduction of "mechanical instruments of music" in the 1850s. The pro-instrument segment was primarily the northern churches while the anti's were dominant in the South. The controversy was a "family quarrel" in the early stages, each "side" viewing the other as "brethren." As the crevice widened, the consequences of "error" were perceived & pronounced to be of weighty significance - even salvation itself was "on the line" in the minds of many.

By the 1900s, the "lines" were distinctly drawn - two "parties" had crystallized: the "Christian Church" (or "Disciples of Christ") & the "Churches of Christ;" the former was the leading party of the northern states, & the latter was the scourge against musical instruments south of the Mason-Dixon line. Names such as McGarvey, Lipscomb, Kurfees, & Hardeman became veritable "legends" in "restoration" history relating to "the instrument question." There was no doctrine or practice which became more "symbolic" of "Church of Christ" unity than their "sing only" worship.

The "five-acts-of-worship" segment had no place for an organ or piano except for repeated condemnation. Next to Acts 2:38 on baptism, Ephesians 5:19 on music bacame a primary "foundational" block in "Church of Christ" nonmenclature. Since this clear-cut division of the pro-instrument & anti-instrument segments, the "Churches of Christ" have had several "splinterings" over many different "issues," but their unity in opposition to instrumental music remains rather constant. Only in recent times has there been any noticeable "digression" on this & even those cases apparently represent a very low percentage of congregations.

This is episode #1 in an 8 hour series.

Those wishing to see more presentations & debates against the "Church of Christ" & its doctrines can type either "LARRY WESSELS CHURCH OF CHRIST" or "LARRY WESSELS CAMPBELLISM" in the YOUTUBE search box.

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[forsythga1988]

actually to endorse musical instruments is legalism. because instruments are a remnant of the old testament law service. we are free to sing to the lord directly without dead instruments of the law. we use the living voice, as a living sacrifice.

[CAnswersTV]

@forsythga1988 Are you kidding me?! The words "musick," "musical," & "musician(s)" are used in the Bible 75 times, & 55 of these are "captions" to the Psalms.The word "musick" is used 15 times in the Old Testament & refers to instrumental music: 13 X literally, once allegorically (Ecc. 12:4) & once metaphorically (Lam. 3:63). "Musick" is used ONE time in the New Testament (Luke 15:25) where it translates the Greek word "symphonia." Thus "musick" is used of instrumental music ONLY. That's dead?

[makarov138]

Actually God likes and enjoys instrumental music when used in worshiping Him. Otherwise He would not have instructed David to use it. Nor would there be evidence of its use in Heaven in His very presence in Revelations.Since we are told at least twice in scripture that God does not change, then He likes then, now and forever the use of instruments in the worship service. It's highest calling. To not use instruments in the worship service is to deny God what He desires and enjoys!

[wonnthree]

my father debated against these people in the mid 80's and convinced many of them of how foolish this archaic doctrine is and how unbiblical it is