Historical Posts
What About Music at Weddings?
Though weddings are civil ceremonies, they are not occasions to go beyond the limits of the Law of Christ.
While the Bible has much to say about marriage, it has very little to say about marriage ceremonies and weddings. Yet, there are questions that frequently arise about whether the Bible does or does not authorize certain practices at weddings. In answering such questions, it is important to remember that marriage ceremonies are, in essence, civil ceremonies, rather than religious services. The objective of weddings is not to worship God, but to celebrate the commitment that is being made by the bride and groom. Therefore, there are certain things that would be permissible at weddings, which would not be permissible at worship services, and vice versa.
For example, the question of whether or not it is Scriptural to use mechanical instruments of music at weddings is one that arises with great frequency. Certainly, it is a violation of the teaching of the New Testament to use mechanical instruments of music in worship. Passages like Ephesians 5:19 make it abundantly clear that worshippers are to “sing,” with the Scriptures authorizing nothing more and nothing less than that. Note the reading of the passage: “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Even just this one verse makes it obvious that the Lord desires pure and unadulterated singing, as part of the worship we offer Him. The word, “speaking,” indicates that it is to be a verbal exercise. The phrase, “making melody in your heart,” indicates that whatever tune is being sung is to be kept in our bodies, and not on any kind of mechanical instrument, like an organ or a piano. When compared with other passages, like Colossians 3:16 and Hebrews 13:15, it is quite evident that God expects all of His saints to sing together, without anything to drown out the words of truth being sung, as part of the worship we present to Him (John 4:23-24).
But, as we have already pointed out, a wedding ceremony is not a worship service. The same standards do not apply in both cases. If a bride and groom wish to have music played on an instrument like an organ, or a piano, or a violin at their wedding, there is not any commandment in the Scriptures that would forbid it. There are, however, some obstacles that Christians couples may have to overcome, in order to have mechanical instruments of music at their wedding ceremony.
It may be the case that the church building in which they wish to be married has something called an “exclusion clause” in its deed. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when churches of Christ were dividing over the issue of instrumental music, some brethren had clauses written into the deeds of their church buildings, which forbade any mechanical instruments of music to be brought on the premises for any reason. It may be the case that, even if the leadership of the church agrees to allow an instrument to be brought into the church building for a wedding, it is impossible to do so for legal reasons.
Also, Christian couples must consider the example they are setting for their friends and family, who are not members of the Lord’s church. It may seem hypocritical for brethren to forbid the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship, but then allow them to be used at weddings. Since we are commanded to “abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22), it is wise to consider how guests at a wedding might perceive the use of such things.
I am persuaded that it is sinful for Christians to sing “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” with the accompaniment of mechanical instruments of music, under any circumstances. The Bible is silent on the matter, so it may not be argued that there is Scriptural authority for the practice (Colossians 3:17). As it has already been observed, Christians who sing praise to God with the accompaniment of mechanical instruments of music may be seen as hypocrites by people in the denominational world. Such confusion can poison a Christian’s influence and result in turning souls away from the truth (Matthew 5:13-16).
Anyone who is planning a wedding would do well to heed the words of Paul, in Ephesians 5:15, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.” Even though weddings are civil ceremonies, they are not occasions to go beyond the limits of the Law of Christ. A couple seeking to celebrate their union in holy matrimony ought to do so in accordance with their wishes, as long as they do not do so at the expense of compromising God’s will.
Content by Russell Kline
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The Music of the Church
The subject of church music is of great interest and importance. It should be apparent to all that music was an important part of the worship of the New Testament church. But, what kind of music was it?
If we are at all concerned with “biblical authority” for what we believe and practice, we will want to know what kind of music the Lord authorized for His church. There are essentially two kinds of music: vocal and instrumental. What constituted the music of the church? Was it vocal, instrumental, or a combination of the two? The answer is quite clear. The music of the early church was vocal, a cappella singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Matthew 26:30). Instrumental music came centuries after the birth of Christianity and was foreign to the word of God!
Two objections are usually voiced in this regard. It is argued that the instrument was a part of the worship of the Jews in the Old Testament. This we readily acknowledge. But, we must also point out that the burning of incense and the offering of animal sacrifices were also a part of their worship. Should these things also be included in the worship of the church? Surely no one would argue that they should. The real issue is not what was practiced under the Mosaic system, but what did Christ authorize for His church?
Some attempt to justify the instrument on the basis of the word “psallo” (psalms – Ephesians 5:19). The argument goes something like this. The word “psallo” from which the word “psalms” comes, means “to pluck the hair; to twang the bowstring; to twitch the carpenter’s line; to touch the chord of a musical instrument.” It is then argued that this word authorizes the use of the instrument. If the word was understood to mean that in the New Testament it would not only authorize the use of the instrument, but would demand it. However, the same authority says of the word “in the New Testament to sing a hymn, to celebrate the praises of God in song” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon, page 675). For centuries the New Testament was understood to authorize only singing as the music of the church.
Someone may ask, “What makes the difference? Does it really matter?” Nadab and Abihu might have asked the same questions moments before the fire of the Lord came down from heaven and consumed them (Leviticus 10:1-3). They were responsible for burning incense before the Lord. The account says that they used “strange” fire (unauthorized fire, NIV) which the Lord had not commanded. This “minor” deviation from what God had authorized cost them their lives. They may have thought it an insignificant change, but the Lord did not agree.
If it is important to obey God, and it is, then we must always seek to carry out His will as He has commanded. Even “minor” changes can have major consequences. In relationship to church music, God has authorized singing, and if we respect His authority, that is what we will do.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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