Can an Instrument be "Satanic"?

Well, since I was the one who made the comment I may as well go ahead and try to explain what I meant.

On my keyboard there are various drum beats. Such as New Age, rock and disco.

New Age: what is that? Is that from the Lord?
Disco: what is that? Is that from the Lord?
Rock music: what is that? Is that from the Lord?

My point was that in my opinion these forms of music are not from the Lord but the enemy.

Since you are a theologian you may be concerned that I did not use proper terminology. And maybe you are correct. But, I will stand by my original statements that I believe these forms of music are not from the Lord.

 

I think that certain forms of music can be satanic. I also feel that any musical instrument can be used to glorify the Lord. It's like anything else, it all depends on how we use it.

 

I have seen guitars painted with satanic logos, but the instrument, all by it'self, has no allegiance to satan.

So I will say no. Instruments aren't any more evil than knives, axes, guns, rope, paper, ink, candles, or fabric. Depends on how they are used. All can glorify God in the right hands.

 

Are certain FORMS of music Satanic? No.
Are certain forms of music poor? Yes.
Is "the beat" a bad thing? No. All music (except for those with the poorest of forms) has a rhythm.
Form can certainly eradicate the beauty of a song's lyrics (ever heard "Amazing Grace" to the tune of "Gilligan's Island"?), because the form / frame carries the message.
The message / lyrics must also be considered. Are certain lyrics Satanic? Certainly!
Are certain lyrics worldly? Certainly!

Most of the "gospel songs" found in our contemporary hymnals were at one time the "pop music" of the day. Many argued against them because of the "beat" and so forth. There is certainly nothing new under the sun.

 

I honestly believe an accordion is satanic.

 

I've done and heard others do Amazing Grace to the tune of "Peaceful Easy Feelin'" and "In My Room" and I thought it was very beautiful.

 

Yes, I swear the bagpipes are satanic.

HCL, is classical music (Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, ect.) from the Lord? Why or why not?

 

That was not the statement. The statement was:

And everyone knew what was meant (or should have known) because of the examples given:

Now that's a completely different statement than the one reported. No one said that a particular instrument was Satanic.

However I will again assert that the one instrument central and sacred to the art of Voodoo is the drum. Wherever Voodoo exists, in any form, the use of the drum is essential in its practice.

In contrast consider that the drum is noticeably absent from any description of the worship of Jehovah. And again consider that no one sought a drummer to relieve Saul of the evil spirit.

No instruments whatever are described in New Testament worship.

My question is, of what value at all are instruments in the worship of God?

 

Neither is the absence of instruments described in NT worship. Instruments ARE mentioned in the context of worship in the OT, and in a positive way. Why should the opposite be true later?

There are probably only subjective answers to this question. Mine are:

- they can help keep a song organized, instead of becoming chaotic
- they can be used as a way of thanking the Lord via a demonstration of the abilities and talents the Lord himself has given
- they provide a form of creativity, allowing us in some small way reflect we are made in the image of the Creator.
- music from instruments can simply be beautiful, enhancing the atmosphere of worship

 

Aaron asked:

My question is, of what value at all are instruments in the worship of God?

What does it matter? You've demonstrated pretty clearly that your objection is not this particular red herring, but contemporary music in any context.

 

I may object to drums in the sanctuary, but I would not label any instrument as satanic. My objection to drums is what they do to my hearing....yet, the tympany in Handel's Messiag=h is fabulous....so, I am a little wavy on this......I just dislike the drumming....maybe it is the drummers......pounding away in the service.

Love music. So happy we use it to also glorify the Lord in worship.

Cheers,

Jim

 

We spell it timpani down here.

I'm glad you brought that up. I was wanting to draw a contrast between the use of timpani in an orchestra and the steady, driving rhythms beaten out of the more common drum sets.

 

Aaron..I think you hit my problem on the head. I was in one church where they had a drum set, and it was barely noticeable....it complimented the rest of the band......What I object to is the complete dominance.

the kettle drum can be either timpani or tympani.....comes from Latin tympanus...you had me worried for a minute. Thought I had lost my English.

Cheers,

Jim

[ January 09, 2003, 09:17 PM: Message edited by: Jim1999 ]

 

I thought advertising was not allowed here. But I don't buy Jumbo Jacks anyway.

 

Of what value is the instrument of the human voice in the worship of God?

 

Thanks, Dr. Bob!! All through elementary school and junior high I tried to play the clarinet, and I never could figure out what was going on with it!

By the way, anyone know the true definition of a gentleman?

(pretend upside down type):
A man who can play the bagpipes but doesn't.

 

i've always considered accordians tools of the devil.

[ January 09, 2003, 11:27 PM: Message edited by: am ha'aretz ]

 

am ha'aretz asked:

what do you think?

Nice axe . . . but why is Gumby wearing a Pac-man mask?

 

Blast that Noah Webster! He changed a lot of the English spelling. Dropped the "u" out of honour, and reversed the r and e in theatre. I hope you don't think I was trying to correct your spelling. I was just having some fun with the differences between the English and us yanks.