Preface:
Recently, I had a study with an evangelist of the “Christian Church” and someone who values him as a spiritual guide. The discussion was about using mechanical instruments in worship, and more specifically, whether the entire Old Testament or just the “law of Moses” (Genesis-Deuteronomy) has been nailed to the cross. If the “law of Moses” was the only part of the Old Testament that Paul referred to in Romans 7:4, mechanical instruments in worship would be justified. After the discussion was getting nowhere, I challenged the man to a public discussion, but unfortunately, he was afraid to stand for what he believes to be the truth. Why do men courageously stand in their own pulpits and proclaim their beliefs, but back down when it comes to defending it? Paul would have something to say about that (Phil. 1:16). I pray this man will read this article and reconsider taking the challenge.
Nevertheless, since a public discussion is out of the picture, I thought it needful to write this article. I never heard anyone argue that only a part of the Old Testament has been nailed to the cross. I had been preparing for the argument just in case, but I was still caught off guard. My plan is to list the arguments he made to the best of my knowledge and address them. If I misrepresent anything he said, I hope he will reach out to me and correct me.
Argument 1: In Romans 7:4, Paul is referring only to the law of Moses.
When shown Romans 7:4, where Paul said we are dead to “the law”, the argument was that Paul was referring to “the law of Moses”. But did Paul say, “the law of Moses”? When Paul wants us to know he is specifically referring to “the law of Moses”, would he not let us know? He certainly did in other places (Acts 13:39; Rom. 5:14; 10:5, 19; 1 Cor. 9:9; 2 Cor. 3:15). And was it not Isaiah that Paul called “the law” in 1 Corinthians 14:21? Was it not the Psalms that Jesus called “the law” in John 10:34 and 15:25? Notice in John 10:35, Jesus said “the Scripture cannot be broken”, which explicitly means Psalm 82:6 was a binding law.
To these scriptures, the only response was that the “the law” is a synecdoche (part for the whole or whole for the part) in 1 Corinthians 14:21 and John 10:35. That may or may not be true, but either way, it is not sufficient evidence to prove that “the law” in Romans 7:4 is only referring to “the law of Moses”. The argument is weak and does not dismiss the fact that other books of the Old Testament are referred to as “the law”. There is more evidence, however, in light of Paul and Jesus’ use of the words “the law” in other places, for “the law” in Romans 7:4 to mean the entire Old Testament. Below is a logical and true syllogism:
If books of the Old Testament besides the law of Moses are called “the law”, then the entire Old Testaments has been nailed to the cross.
The books of the Old Testament besides the law of Moses are called “the law” (John 10:34; 15:25; 1 Cor. 14:21).
Therefore, the entire Old Testament has been nailed to the cross.
Waving this away with a scholarly word like “synecdoche” will not do.
Argument 2: Since God explicitly authorized mechanical instruments for worship in the Old Testament, they are implicitly authorized in the New.
Another objection was that since God explicitly authorized mechanical instruments for worship in the Old Testament, then it is implicitly authorized in the New Testament. Besides the fact that the New Testament only demands singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16-17), this argument has a major weakness. Some of the things that Moses explicitly forbade like murder, adultery, and homosexuality, are explicitly forbidden in the New Testament. This makes it clear that if God wants something from the Old Testament incorporated in the New Testament, He will tell us. If He did not tell us, then those things would logically be allowed. But for some reason, many people have invented an “exception clause” for the commandment to use mechanical instruments in worship (2 Chron. 29:25; Psa. 150), as if it did not have to be explicitly authorized like the other parts of the Old Testament. But who says? Certainly not the Bible.
The authorization of mechanical instruments in New Testament worship is only assumed. Making assumptions about God’s laws is a dangerous game. Maybe Nadab and Abihu assumed that God would accept their sacrifice even though He did not explicitly authorize it? (Lev. 10:1-2) Maybe David assumed that the first attempt of transporting the ark of the covenant was authorized by God? (2 Sam. 6). If assuming did not work for them, why do we think it will work for us? Should we not learn a lesson from these examples? (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 1:1-12).
Argument 3: There is no scripture that explicitly speaks against mechanical instruments in worship.
The last part of the discussion was spent on the argument of silence. In other words, it is believed that if there is no scripture in the New Testament that says, “Thou shall not add mechanical instruments to singing”, then it is allowed. Why does this rule only get applied to singing? Why does it not apply to everywhere else, such as the Lord’s Supper? Do Matthew and Paul tell us, “Thou shall add milkshakes, hamburgers, and hotdogs to the bread and fruit of the vine”? No. Would it be sinful to add those things to it? Some would say it is not. How disrespectful to the death of our Lord is that? But for those who would rightfully say it is sinful to add other foods and beverages to the Lord’s Supper, how then is it not sinful to add anything to the commandment to sing? The problem with their argument is that they will not be consistent. This made-up rule either applies to everything or nothing. There is no room for an excluded middle.
Closing Thoughts:
As you can see, the arguments given to support the use of mechanical instruments in worship “hold no water”. I do wish that the gentleman that I had the discussion would reconsider his position, because his soul and the souls of those he teaches are in danger. If you are a pastor reading this and you think these arguments are valid, then perhaps a public discussion would be ideal in order to bring unity as the Bible demands (1 Cor. 1:10). If you have questions, please email me at astudyintruth92@gmail.com. Be sure to check out my podcast if you want to hear more!
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