There seems to be a growing chasm among Evangelicals over the issue of defining what music is acceptable in the worship service. Even within Reformed circles one cannot find a general consensus as whether or not music is morally neutral. The very thought might sound a bit strange to the one who has never given serious reflection to this issue, but the reality is that music can—and has—divided many Christians. Regardless of which side one ultimately embraces several factors must be remembered.
The basis of authority. The Evangelical who affirms the God-breathed Scriptures as his ultimately authority in matters of faith, practice, and morals must always appeal directly to the Bible in order to remain consistent. That is to say, when issues arise involving matters of worship one must first look to God's Word to find a solution—and not rely on philosophical argumentation to support one's preconceived notions. All too often in this debate, I have seen people attempt to give a "biblical" answer without ever giving serious consideration to the text of Scripture. We must look to Scripture to find the answer and not have our preconceived notions read back into the Bible.
Music is given by God. We are told in Colossians 1:16 that all things created in heaven and on earth, both visible and invisible were created by God and for Him—and this inevitably includes music. When someone attempts to argue that certain notes, beats, and rhythms are intrinsically evil, one must be careful because the logical conclusion to this belief would result in one affirming that God created something evil. Furthermore, this line of reasoning would lead one into a form of the early second century heresy of Gnosticism—that is, the material world is inherently evil.
Do not throw the proverbial baby out with the bath water. The chief argument mustered against allowing certain genres of music in church (most notably, rap and rock ‘n’ roll) seems to be that music can elicit lascivious emotions. The argument follows a syllogism something like this:
- Music can express emotions;
- Some emotions are sinful;
- Therefore, some music in inherently evil.
The problem with this line of reasoning is that if fails to take into account the context of the emotion. We can all point out biblical examples of hatred, sexual desire, and melancholy that is both right and wrong—depending on the attitude and the context. Hatred towards a brother is wrong; hatred towards defiling God’s temple is laudable. Sexual desire towards another man’s wife is adultery; desires towards one’s own spouse is natural.
To think that God is more glorified by music created on a musical instrument in one’s own cultural context over against a different instrument in a different time is the beginning of hubris. God’s people around the world worship Him in their own way—and that might seem at open variance with the way someone in Middle America worships. However, God looks at the heart to determine if our motives are pure or no. We would all do well to remember the old axiom: In essential unity; in non-essentials liberty; but in all things charity. Do not put prohibitions on God’s people that He Himself does not mandate.
