Instrumental Music Outside of the Church Assembly
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 12:06 am
I believe I understand why instrumental music doesn't belong in the assembly of the church. In the former fellowship I attended, there was no instrumental music (other than piano music occasionally at a gospel meeting) and no one questioned it (that I know of). It seemed prudent to guard against turning a worship service into entertainment for ourselves.
I also understood while attending the former fellowship that we weren't supposed to listen to music outside of the assembly of the church -- neither worldly music nor gospel music. The rationale for the latter, I thought, was because gospel entertainers are rewarded financially for their music while the church frowned upon any financial gain from spreading the gospel. Also, their view of the gospel differed from the view of most Christians in the world, so gospel songs were worldly to them.
When I began attending the current assembly, there again was no instrumental music in the church but instrumental music outside of the church seemed more tolerated. People were even listening to gospel music on the radio. I began listening to gospel music on the radio, too; I did tune out whenever a song with the wrong message started playing, there was talk about award programs (praising the artist rather than God and His Son), or rewards for listeners were announced.
Recently, though, one church elder in another assembly claimed that praising God with instrumental music -- even outside of the church assembly -- is wrong. While it would make sense that God wants to wean us off of instrumental music because nothing man-made or earthly will be in Heaven, I am confused by so many different views about one topic. I guess I just got comfortable listening to gospel music and it's more difficult giving it up the second time. Some gospel songs do have a beautiful message. But, I am interested in the view others have on the topic.
I also understood while attending the former fellowship that we weren't supposed to listen to music outside of the assembly of the church -- neither worldly music nor gospel music. The rationale for the latter, I thought, was because gospel entertainers are rewarded financially for their music while the church frowned upon any financial gain from spreading the gospel. Also, their view of the gospel differed from the view of most Christians in the world, so gospel songs were worldly to them.
When I began attending the current assembly, there again was no instrumental music in the church but instrumental music outside of the church seemed more tolerated. People were even listening to gospel music on the radio. I began listening to gospel music on the radio, too; I did tune out whenever a song with the wrong message started playing, there was talk about award programs (praising the artist rather than God and His Son), or rewards for listeners were announced.
Recently, though, one church elder in another assembly claimed that praising God with instrumental music -- even outside of the church assembly -- is wrong. While it would make sense that God wants to wean us off of instrumental music because nothing man-made or earthly will be in Heaven, I am confused by so many different views about one topic. I guess I just got comfortable listening to gospel music and it's more difficult giving it up the second time. Some gospel songs do have a beautiful message. But, I am interested in the view others have on the topic.