Legalism: Limiting Worship to Truth Without Spirit
It's a funny thing. Legalism is (to my understanding) attempting to use the letter of the law to defeat the spirit of the law. For example I offer up this startling piece of legalism.
-> Musical Instruments in the Public Worship of God <-
Of course, legalism always fails when examined in the light of the law, at least God's Law.
It seems to me that the author (who claims that we should sing psalms only and those without musical accompaniment), fails to address Psalm 33:1-4
Or rather, if as the author claims, the use of musical instruments in worship ended with the death of Christ Jesus on the cross, then why does he contend that we should sing Psalms? What about the Psalms (that he claims the church should be singing) that mention praising God with musical instruments? There are 12 that mention the Harp, 8 that mention the Psaltery, 3 that mention an "instrument of ten strings", 3 that mention the trumpet, 2 that mention "players of instruments", 3 that mention the tembrel, 6 that mention a "new song", not to mention 3 that relate dance to the praising of God.
Finally consider that twice Paul told us we are to speak to and teach each other with "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" (Eph 5:19, Col 3:16). Does anyone really believe that Paul would use the phrase "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" to reference the book of psalms alone?
Anyway, any teaching, no matter how verbose and littered with scriptural references and man's traditions, which does not stand in light of the whole council of God (all of the Bible) is suspect. Everything should be tested against the scriptures.
God wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. These two things cannot be separated. If you try to worship in truth, but leave out the spirit, then you are actually failing to worship God. Most likely you are worshiping your own traditions (a god of your own making) instead. Likewise if your worship experience is all spirit and ignores or leaves out the truth, then it is not God that you are worshiping, at least not the God of the Bible. In this case you are likely worshiping the spirit of entertainment, of "feel good" (again a god of our own making).
So, should you sing psalms? Absolutely! Sing them with or without accompaniment. Shout to the Lord with joy! (or "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands." Psalm 100:1, my favorite!) And even applaud, clap your hands in joy to the Lord. And dare I say dance?
Tag(s):legalism
-> Musical Instruments in the Public Worship of God <-
Of course, legalism always fails when examined in the light of the law, at least God's Law.
It seems to me that the author (who claims that we should sing psalms only and those without musical accompaniment), fails to address Psalm 33:1-4
"Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth."Specifically, Psalm 33:3,
"Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise."(Boy does this apply to the service at the church I attend while at home!)
Or rather, if as the author claims, the use of musical instruments in worship ended with the death of Christ Jesus on the cross, then why does he contend that we should sing Psalms? What about the Psalms (that he claims the church should be singing) that mention praising God with musical instruments? There are 12 that mention the Harp, 8 that mention the Psaltery, 3 that mention an "instrument of ten strings", 3 that mention the trumpet, 2 that mention "players of instruments", 3 that mention the tembrel, 6 that mention a "new song", not to mention 3 that relate dance to the praising of God.
Finally consider that twice Paul told us we are to speak to and teach each other with "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" (Eph 5:19, Col 3:16). Does anyone really believe that Paul would use the phrase "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" to reference the book of psalms alone?
Anyway, any teaching, no matter how verbose and littered with scriptural references and man's traditions, which does not stand in light of the whole council of God (all of the Bible) is suspect. Everything should be tested against the scriptures.
God wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. These two things cannot be separated. If you try to worship in truth, but leave out the spirit, then you are actually failing to worship God. Most likely you are worshiping your own traditions (a god of your own making) instead. Likewise if your worship experience is all spirit and ignores or leaves out the truth, then it is not God that you are worshiping, at least not the God of the Bible. In this case you are likely worshiping the spirit of entertainment, of "feel good" (again a god of our own making).
So, should you sing psalms? Absolutely! Sing them with or without accompaniment. Shout to the Lord with joy! (or "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands." Psalm 100:1, my favorite!) And even applaud, clap your hands in joy to the Lord. And dare I say dance?
Psalms 98:1-9 KJV (A Psalm.) O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. 2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. 3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. 5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. 6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. 7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together 9 before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Tag(s):legalism
posted by Bryan at 9:08 AM
1 Comments:
totally agree with what u said! =D
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands!
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