This subject came up on another thread.
So lets talk about it.
Should we only sing A cappella?
Does the Bible teach that using musical instruments is wrong or even sinful?
Do we consider that we are free to act unless the Bible forbids it
or
Do we consider that we should only act as the Bible allows?
Where in the Bible does it say that no musical instruments should be used in churches?
Some say, if the New Testament does not command something, it should not be done. But I see no command that men must wear clothes in church.
Long ago, I saw information about how when poor Reformed churches, with no budget, could not afford to buy a piano or organ, they decided to save face by denouncing musical instruments as worldly and sinful.
In fact many Reformed churches restricted or banned musical instruments in worship, favoring
a cappella (unaccompanied) singing of Psalms, based on the Regulative Principle of Worship, which requires explicit biblical authorization for elements of worship. While early reformers like Calvin, Zwingli, and later Puritans opposed musical instruments, the ban evolved to vary by denomination and local church.
- Historical Context: Following the Reformation, musical instruments were often removed from churches in the Netherlands, Scotland, and England, as they were viewed as unnecessary Old Testament ceremonies.
- Theological Basis: The primary reasoning was the absence of a direct command to use instruments in New Testament worship, with the focus placed on vocal praise and "singing in the heart".
- Reintroduction: The reintroduction of organs and instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries onward was often based on pragmatism or expediency, rather than a change in biblical interpretation.
The first recorded example of instruments in worship is the introduction of an organ into a Roman church by Pope Vitalianus in 670. The next example was in 812 when Charlemagne had a copy of a court organ made for a cathedral. They remained extremely uncommon for centuries.
Aquinas said in the 13th century:
"The Church does not use musical instruments such as the harp or lyre when praising God, in case she should seem to fall back into Judaism. ... For musical instruments usually move the soul more to pleasure than create inner moral goodness.
But in the Old Testament, they used instruments of this kind, both because the people were more coarse and carnal, so that they needed to be aroused by such instruments and with worldly promises, and also because these bodily instruments were symbolic of something."
It wasn't until the 14th and 15th centuries that the organ gained more widespread prominence, so at the time of the Reformation instruments were still, relatively speaking, novelties in the church.
But in Psalms, many different instruments are commanded to be played.
Instruments Mentioned in Psalms (primarily Psalm 150):
- Trumpet/Horn: Shofar (ram's horn) and Chatsotserah (silver trumpet).
- Strings: Kinnor (lyre/harp), Nevel (large harp), and general strings.
- Percussion: Toph (tambourine/timbrel/drum), Metsiltayim (cymbals), and bells.
- Wind: Halil (pipe/flute/reed pipe) and Ugav (shepherd’s pipe/flute).
