Sounds of Change
by Mark RobertsOur world is changing so fast. Did we ever think we would see the Berlin Wall torn down, be able to send instant e-mail, or have our vision corrected by lasers? The only constant today, it seems, is change. Changes in our world, in technology, in our homes, and even in our churches.
Did we ever think we would see instrumental music in churches of Christ? That is a change that would have been hard to forecast twenty years ago. But there can be no doubt it is happening and happening fast:
Farmer’s Branch church of Christ’s full-time music minister Steven Polk tells the Dallas Morning News that he has introduced instrumental music in the children’s programs and special events at the church. “God is blessing our ministry” he says. Another anonymous music minister is quoted as saying “The banning of musical instruments is more of a tradition than something based on Scripture.” (Dallas Morning News, June 3, 1995, G1).
The West Amarillo church of Christ has set up a Saturday night “praise service” where instruments (keyboards and guitars) are freely used. Singing with accompaniment is “not a problem for most of our people” according to preacher Tony Den.
In a survey conducted by Abilene Christian University only 27.8 percent of preachers in institutional churches of Christ agreed with the statement “Christians who use musical instruments in worship cannot go to heaven.” (Christian Chronicle, July 1996, page 16).
Lake Highlands church of Christ in the Dallas metroplex uses a keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, drums and os during worship services, and has done so for the last two years (Amarillo Globe-News, July 26, 1997).
Other data and circumstances could be cited. It is apparent that years and years of sowing disdain for Bible authority are finally coming to harvest. The continual call for change from the likes of Shelly, Atchley, Walling, Lucado and others is having a great effect. Note carefully that the churches already using instruments are not small, back-water churches that no one knows of or cares about. These are large, major city churches that have influence in their community and area. It has taken time, but Christians have been taught to be more and more accepting of instrumental music, and to be less and less interested in “book, chapter and verse.” The sowing has been done. Do you understand that this means the harvest must now come (Galatians 6:7)?
This issue of Abundant Life takes a hard look at the instrumental music question. It is an issue that is no longer a “given” among churches of Christ. We must prepare to answer questions from brethren about it. We must get ready to defeat rationalizations and justifications for instruments that will be made by well known preachers. Most importantly, we must teach our children the truth about how to worship God or know for certain they will join the obvious growing trend around us. Nine different writers contributed, looking at every aspect of this now pressing question. You will find their approaches fresh, insightful, and concise. We urge you to carefully study this material, for it is certain that an old problem has changed into a new and very hot issue.