Wilhelm Zepper on instrumental music and the ceremonial law

[Reformed Covenanter]

Instrumental music in the religious worship of the Jews, belonged to the ceremonial law, which is now abolished. It is evident that it is contrary to the precept and rule of Paul, who (1 Cor. xiv.) wills that in Christian assemblies everything should be done for edification, that others may understand and be reformed; so even that of speaking in unknown tongues should be banished from the church; much less should that jarring organic music, which produceth a gabbling of many voices, be allowed, with its pipes and trumpets and whistles, making our churches re-sound, nay, bellow and roar. …

In some of the Reformed churches these musical instruments are retained, but they are not played until the congregation is dismissed, all the parts of divine worship being finished. And they are then used for a political [civil] purpose, to gratify those who seek pleasure from sound and harmony.

For the reference, see:

Wilhelm Zepper on instrumental music and the ceremonial law

Instrumental music in the religious worship of the Jews, belonged to the ceremonial law, which is now abolished. It is evident that it is contrary to the precept and rule of Paul, who (1 Cor. xiv.)…

reformedcovenanter.wordpress.com

 

[Jake]

In some of the Reformed churches these musical instruments are retained, but they are not played until the congregation is dismissed, all the parts of divine worship being finished. And they are then used for a political [civil] purpose, to gratify those who seek pleasure from sound and harmony.

I've never heard of this practice. Anyone have more details about this?

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

I've never heard of this practice. Anyone have more details about this?

Me neither; it beats me.

 

[Poimen]

I've never heard of this practice. Anyone have more details about this?

Carl Bangs, Arminius: "The Sunday morning service was preceded and followed by an hour of organ music , although the earlier music had to end a half hour before the service began. Provincial and national synods in 1574 , 1578 , and 1581 had all condemned the use of organs for services, citing 1 Corinthians 14:19 and linking organ playing with papacy, Judaism, heathenism and superstition" (page 127). Earlier he writes in Amsterdam the "town fathers were not to be denied their music, however, and Jan Pieterz was employed not by the consistory but by the city government, and not for music at divine worship but for recitals on Sunday afternoon." (page 109)

 

[Jake]

Carl Bangs, Arminius: "The Sunday morning service was preceded and followed by an hour of organ music , although the earlier music had to end a half hour before the service began. Provincial and national synods in 1574 , 1578 , and 1581 had all condemned the use of organs for services, citing 1 Corinthians 14:19 and linking organ playing with papacy, Judaism, heathenism and superstition" (page 127). Earlier he writes in Amsterdam the "town fathers were not to be denied their music, however, and Jan Pieterz was employed not by the consistory but by the city government, and not for music at divine worship but for recitals on Sunday afternoon." (page 109)

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting. It seems to me that at that point it is an issue of sabbath observance rather than of purity of worship.

 

[Poimen]

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting. It seems to me that at that point it is an issue of sabbath observance rather than of purity of worship.

In part, but this as the author shows this led to the organ being brought back into the church after it had been removed. And it was reintroduced from pressure by the magistrate and custom, without regard to the Regulative Principle.