Assuming one holds already to Exclusive Psalmody and No Instrumentations for worship and considers such as sins..... I would prefer this not to brake out in debate just wanted to know what those that already believe these doctrines think?

Which is the greater sin? Adding mans word to God's Perfect Psalter hence adding to scripture? or Playing Instruments in the worship of God hence bring back the types and shadows of Temple Worship?

If you had a choice between a church that Sang Hymns without instrumentation or a church that sang Psalms with a Piano instrument which would be the prefered choice?

I think in my mind the greater sin would be adding to God's word, but what would you say? How Sinful is it to return to types and shadows of the Old Covenant?

Michael

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Michael Daniels
Reformed, RPCNA
Denton, Maryland

[i][b]As For Me And My House, We Will Serve The Lord[/i][/b]

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I never post in these, because....well.....just don't....

But, as I ponder these debates, and I don't really keep up with them all, in my mind, it seems a lot clearer, that, with a whole book of songs, that we know are of God, to choose from, why add anything else (in Corporate worship...at home I'm constantly pouring out my own made up lyrics as prayers and confessions).....but the whole instrument thing, I just never see that as clear.....

So, don't convince me here, I know this is not that thread, but from someone still figuring it out, it would seem to me, I'd rather be in a Psalm only church with instruments, than a non-instrument church with man-created (and often man centered) lyrics.....

But, since I'm convinced of neither position yet, maybe my opinion doesn't count. At least it brought it to the top!

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WWW.SURFWRITERS.BLOGSPOT.COM
Trevor
Christian/Husband/Father/Writer/Teacher--
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Bethany Church
CALIFORNIA
God is my King
Love God--Live Large

I attended an Anglican church that sang both psalms and old "hymns" accompanied. Why? Because that was the best church I could get to

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Richard
CofE
UK

Thanks for your answer... I also believe that adding to God's word is a larger sin also.... Also thank you for not trying to turn it into a debate.... There is a time and a place for that, but I just wanted an easy short answer....

Just Pondering in my mind what would be worst because say that a church got convinced of EP but have never sung most of those tunes in a Psalter nor have ever sung without an aid of an instrument which for most Americans today is hard, so how great of a sin would it be to have an instrument in worship (Old Covenant Shadow) for a short duration while the congregation is preparing and learning how for themselves to sing without an aid to singing?

Anybody else?

Michael

In my still reforming mind, I think that would be the perfect church, singing Psalms only with a piano to keep me going and to block out my lousy voice.....

I would rather have accompanied Psalms than hymns accompanied or unaccompanied.

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Davidius
Husband of Emily
Member of All Saints Anglican Church - Chapel Hill (AMiA / Anglican Church of North America)
Student: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, German and Classics

If I had to make a choice like that I would rather have the Psalms with the music. When traveling or at a conference we have had to endure all sorts of situations. Our practise as a family is that if we are at a church where there are modern "hymns" we keep our head down and not sing. We certainly try not to draw attention to ourselves. If there is music accompanying a Psalm we will sing along. Rather difficult to find a EP church within Reformed Baptist circles.

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Mark Langley, Pastor
The Reformed Baptist Church of Topeka, KS
www.reformingworship.org

Just curious, is this one of the main reasons not to have instruments accompany the music?

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B.Howes
Framingham, MA

The Levites were the original "worship band/leaders."

One may sing Psalms while a musical instrument is played by someone else, but one may not sing uninspired hymns even if they are sung a cappella.

That's right. Musical accompaniment is a vestige of Jewish ceremonial worship which has been abolished. It was appointed (ie., regulated) as part of the Temple worship under the ceremonial law (2 Chron. 29.25-28), but not reaffirmed in the New Testament because it is not moral and abiding. We are instead commanded to make melody in our hearts (Eph. 5.19) which is characteristic of the spiritual worship that the Father seeks (John 4.23-24).

John Calvin, Commentary on the Psalms, Vol. 1, p. 539:

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Andrew

I am in a church that sings both psalms and hymns with accompaniment. I prefer to sing the Psalter only w/o instruments. We do not take part in hymn singing.

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~Beth Ellen Nagle~
Lakeside Church -Wales, WI (PCA)
Married to John
One wonderful daughter, Chaela Joelle


My work in digital art and photography: http://www.puritanboard.com/members/...ms-images.html

I agree in general with what has been said. We sing psalms at our church and abstain during hymns. Our worship is accompanied with piano and organ. We would prefer psalter only w/o instruments. I think it would be worse to not sing the psalter as commanded with music than to not sing them at all.

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Traci
Lynnwood OPC
"I have taken all my good deeds, and all my bad deeds, and cast them through each other in a heap before the Lord, and fled from both, and betaken myself to the Lord Jesus Christ, and in him I have sweet peace."--David Dickson

Pastor Langley,

It is an honor to meet you Sir... You are an inspiration to all of us Psalm Singing Reformed Baptist around the world...... I am aware of a few Reformed Baptist Churches around the country moving in a total EP position and many other Reformed Baptist Families following suit..... Your church stands at the top for inspiration. I had hope to meet you one day in person.....

Keep up the good fight..... May the Lord bless you and your family..

Coram Deo,
Michael

I would suggest that musical accompaniment was not instituted under the old economy as something morally neutral, but was given as a "carnal ordinance" for the purpose of accommodating the people's dulness and weakness. It is on this basis that the church has denounced musical accompaniment from the beginning up until the 19th century, insisting that such things are incongruent with the spiritual worship of the New Testament.

Chrysostom, on Ps. 149: "I would say this, that in olden times they were thus led by these instruments because of the dullness of their understanding and their recent deliverance from idols. Just as God allowed animal sacrifices, so also he let them have these instruments, condescending to help their weakness."

Theodoret on Psalm 150: "‘Praise him with psaltery and harp...’ He allowed these things to be done for the reason that he wished to free them from the deception of idols. For since some of them were fond of play and laughter, and all these things were done in the temples of idols, he allowed these things in order to entice them. He used the lesser evil in order to forbid the greater, and used what was imperfect to teach what was perfect."

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Yours sincerely,


"Illum oportet crescere me autem minui."

Thanks, Andrew.

Hi Michael,

Good to meet you as well and thank you for the encouragement and kind words. Really, no need to sir me. We praise God for his goodness and mercies. How long have you been of this persuasion? Do you know where these EP Reformed Baptists are? I haven't ran across any churches but know some brethren who have come to the position. I do know some who are no instruments in their worship - John Price in New York and David Simpson (now worshiping at Grace Baptist in Mt. Pleasant, TX.) I have heard there are some EPs but don't know them personally. Be interesting to run across them.

Well, you are certainly welcome to come and visit in Topeka - you would have a place to stay. Not much for excitement though. Spurgeon's library is located about an hour or so away, other than that nothing big.

As for the Psalm singing our church really loves it. The brethren have found great encouragement in singing them as a church and in their families.

Lord bless you. PM me if you would like to carry on. I am really interested in your present situation.