kevin.carroll
Puritan Board Junior
What distresses me in that question (not in you, necessarily) is the implicit idea that only sining is worship. The Church has bigger problems than music styles. She has lost her theology of worship.
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I realize we are not allowed to talk about this but how do pro-instrumental people, using the RPW, confine musical instrumentation to mere accompaniment? How, using the RPW, are instruments called to be "un-intrusive" upon the elements of worship? Are instruments really circumstances?
I realize we are not allowed to talk about this but how do pro-instrumental people, using the RPW, confine musical instrumentation to mere accompaniment? How, using the RPW, are instruments called to be "un-intrusive" upon the elements of worship? Are instruments really circumstances?
Let me answer a question with a question. Why must we sing the Psalms, but we cannot DO the Psalms (i.e. use instruments)? Makes no sense to me.
I realize we are not allowed to talk about this but how do pro-instrumental people, using the RPW, confine musical instrumentation to mere accompaniment? How, using the RPW, are instruments called to be "un-intrusive" upon the elements of worship? Are instruments really circumstances?
Let me answer a question with a question. Why must we sing the Psalms, but we cannot DO the Psalms (i.e. use instruments)? Makes no sense to me.
I agree that instruments are circumstances in much the same way that the version of the Scriptures that is read and preached is. I use the ESV, frankly avoiding the KJV, because the language of the ESV is an aid to hearing and understanding.
Should we sacrifice bulls in worship since the Psalms tell us to?
Ben, unless I have missed something somewhere along the line, the use of instruments as a circumstance is the one argument which RPW-adhering instrumentalists bring forth. Someone please correct me here if I am mistaken. Since the people may have a hard time singing together without aid, they provide an accompaniment to allow the element to be performed more smoothly. If an instrumentalist reading this take exception to my description of your position, please correct.
No, everyone knows the Israelites dragged a pipe-organ through the desert with them.Dont forget that all music was at one point ''contemporary''. I see no problem with it as we are singing ''psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs'' as commanded by Scripture.We are not given a genre to choose from. Hymns with poorly theological lyrics are no better (actually they are worse) than contemporary ones with solid lyrics.
Contemporary worship just isn't what it used to be.
Where exactly?Tian Long, where are you worshipping at?
I worship at a RB church that has traditional worship only - hymns etc.
Look, I realised I've opened quite a big can of worms - yikes! Yes I am talking about song and music in worship only. I do not espouse the "movies", the dramas and likewise seen in many modern churches today. Apologies for poorly defining what I meant.
What I am saying is that is it possible to so-call adopt newer styles of music, maybe even newer instruments without violating the Regulative principle. (If you don't believe in instruments then only the 1st part applies to you)
Lots of people have provided many useful posts, thanks a lot.
Personally, I believe that having "praise bands" is in violation of the RPW. I am not against contemporary songs (all hymns were contemporary at some point), as long as they are Scripturally correct. I think it is a shame that many churches have thrown out psalms and our beloved hymns altogether, and sing only modern choruses in an effort to fit into the modern world. One of the best "blended" services that I have ever attended was a large EPC church that had several thousand members. They sang mostly hymns but had a couple of contemporary choruses. The hymns were accompanied by the piano and the contemporary choruses were accompanied by an acoustic guitar. There was no "praise band". The focus was on worshipping God. The Christian Church has a heritage that needs to be understood not ignored or thrown out. Many young people love and cherish traditional worship, not only because of it's heritage but because of it's dignity and focus on God. I have a teenage son, as well as one in his early twenties. Neither of them have run from the church to embrace contemporary styles, probably because of their upbringing, as well as what they see in both.
Personally, I believe that having "praise bands" is in violation of the RPW. I am not against contemporary songs (all hymns were contemporary at some point), as long as they are Scripturally correct. I think it is a shame that many churches have thrown out psalms and our beloved hymns altogether, and sing only modern choruses in an effort to fit into the modern world. One of the best "blended" services that I have ever attended was a large EPC church that had several thousand members. They sang mostly hymns but had a couple of contemporary choruses. The hymns were accompanied by the piano and the contemporary choruses were accompanied by an acoustic guitar. There was no "praise band". The focus was on worshipping God. The Christian Church has a heritage that needs to be understood not ignored or thrown out. Many young people love and cherish traditional worship, not only because of it's heritage but because of it's dignity and focus on God. I have a teenage son, as well as one in his early twenties. Neither of them have run from the church to embrace contemporary styles, probably because of their upbringing, as well as what they see in both.
Are you saying people can't focus on God with a praise band? I don't think that's a fair generalization at all.
For the record, I'm a traditional hymn/psalm guy, but I've come to realize that if I don't focus on the Lord during worship, the fault is almost always mine, not the style of music or the size of the band.
Personally, I believe that having "praise bands" is in violation of the RPW. I am not against contemporary songs (all hymns were contemporary at some point), as long as they are Scripturally correct. I think it is a shame that many churches have thrown out psalms and our beloved hymns altogether, and sing only modern choruses in an effort to fit into the modern world. One of the best "blended" services that I have ever attended was a large EPC church that had several thousand members. They sang mostly hymns but had a couple of contemporary choruses. The hymns were accompanied by the piano and the contemporary choruses were accompanied by an acoustic guitar. There was no "praise band". The focus was on worshipping God. The Christian Church has a heritage that needs to be understood not ignored or thrown out. Many young people love and cherish traditional worship, not only because of it's heritage but because of it's dignity and focus on God. I have a teenage son, as well as one in his early twenties. Neither of them have run from the church to embrace contemporary styles, probably because of their upbringing, as well as what they see in both.
Are you saying people can't focus on God with a praise band? I don't think that's a fair generalization at all.
For the record, I'm a traditional hymn/psalm guy, but I've come to realize that if I don't focus on the Lord during worship, the fault is almost always mine, not the style of music or the size of the band.
[Can you define what a 'Praise Band' is?
[Can you define what a 'Praise Band' is?
I understand a praise band to be somewhat like a rock band, with electric guitars, bass, drums, keyboard. In a contemporary worship setting they put on a show and play contemporary Christian music.
[Can you define what a 'Praise Band' is?
I understand a praise band to be somewhat like a rock band, with electric guitars, bass, drums, keyboard. In a contemporary worship setting they put on a show and play contemporary Christian music.
That is the kind of situation that repulses me and drives me out the door. I do not feel comfortable in that kind of enviroment at all. I hope our church never goes that way.
I always wondered if these praise band folks would be as committed to their 'ministry' if they were forced to set up at the back of the assembly.I understand a praise band to be somewhat like a rock band, with electric guitars, bass, drums, keyboard. In a contemporary worship setting they put on a show and play contemporary Christian music.
That is the kind of situation that repulses me and drives me out the door. I do not feel comfortable in that kind of enviroment at all. I hope our church never goes that way.
I have pastored two churches like that. One was a United Methodist church and the other a General Baptist church. I did not like the music at all. At least the Methodist church had a traditional service with hymns. Believe me when I tell you that it was about "putting on a show". The Methodist church didn't even have a pulpit. I used a lecturn (which I purchased myself) on the floor. One time we were having several local churches come over for a seasonal gathering and I put the lecturn on "the stage" so I could more easily address a larger group. The leader of the praise band moved my lecturn back onto the floor before the service. I guess he didn't want me to be the center "stage" of attention.
I realize we are not allowed to talk about this but how do pro-instrumental people, using the RPW, confine musical instrumentation to mere accompaniment? How, using the RPW, are instruments called to be "un-intrusive" upon the elements of worship? Are instruments really circumstances?
Let me answer a question with a question. Why must we sing the Psalms, but we cannot DO the Psalms (i.e. use instruments)? Makes no sense to me.
I agree that instruments are circumstances in much the same way that the version of the Scriptures that is read and preached is. I use the ESV, frankly avoiding the KJV, because the language of the ESV is an aid to hearing and understanding.
No argument from me on praise bands.
[Can you define what a 'Praise Band' is?
I understand a praise band to be somewhat like a rock band, with electric guitars, bass, drums, keyboard. In a contemporary worship setting they put on a show and play contemporary Christian music.
That is the kind of situation that repulses me and drives me out the door. I do not feel comfortable in that kind of enviroment at all. I hope our church never goes that way.