consistency regarding your thinking on instrumental worship?
Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:47 pm
I have recently read the following material from your web site in the section titled "How to determine right from wrong when studying the Bible". It gives the example of trying to determine whether it is right or wrong to use musical instrumentation in worship today.
Though I found your line of thinking fairly sound, it doesn't really appear to be consistent, especially in light of other things that are said on your web site in regards to the thinking used to refute Calvinism.
On the one hand, you say that we should exclude musical instrumentation from New Testament Worship, because the referenced scripture does not mention it specifically.
As in interpreting all passages it is crucial that we do not read into the passage the meaning that we desire it to intend. This is best seen by observing what the passage does not say. Any ambiguity cannot be forced to support our conclusion, but rather it can only mean what is consistent with all of Scripture.
Caught YOU!!!!! You seem to speak out of both sides of you mouth at the same time!
I believe you are correct, we should not add anything to scripture that is not there. And that seems to be just what you are doing by adding the exclusion of musical instrumentation to the Ephesian 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 passages.
Perhaps I have missed something here, please let me know if I have missed the obvious. I am no scholar or theologian. I found your web site simply because, as a Christian, I am interested in deepening my understanding of scripture and the foundations of my faith. I am protestant, Arminian flavor.
Though I found your line of thinking fairly sound, it doesn't really appear to be consistent, especially in light of other things that are said on your web site in regards to the thinking used to refute Calvinism.
On the one hand, you say that we should exclude musical instrumentation from New Testament Worship, because the referenced scripture does not mention it specifically.
Then, in your peace on "Responses to Calvinism" you say that we should not read anything into scripture that isn't there.Paul wrote:"speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." Ephesians 5:19
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16
As in interpreting all passages it is crucial that we do not read into the passage the meaning that we desire it to intend. This is best seen by observing what the passage does not say. Any ambiguity cannot be forced to support our conclusion, but rather it can only mean what is consistent with all of Scripture.
Caught YOU!!!!! You seem to speak out of both sides of you mouth at the same time!
I believe you are correct, we should not add anything to scripture that is not there. And that seems to be just what you are doing by adding the exclusion of musical instrumentation to the Ephesian 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 passages.
Perhaps I have missed something here, please let me know if I have missed the obvious. I am no scholar or theologian. I found your web site simply because, as a Christian, I am interested in deepening my understanding of scripture and the foundations of my faith. I am protestant, Arminian flavor.