Instrumental Music Debate Thrasher - Weatherly

Back in 2012 Dr. Thomas Thrasher and I began to participate in a written debate on the subject of Instrumental Music in the Church. We were able to finish the first half of the debate. However, after my first affirmative speech, for personal reasons, Dr. Thrasher has been unable to continue participation in the debate. Maybe at a later date we can conclude our discussion. In the meantime, I will post our Q&A and speeches thus far in our discussion.

 

AGREEMENT FOR WRITTEN DEBATE

1. Jason Weatherly and Thomas Thrasher will participate in a written debate on the following propositions:

      Proposition I: "The Bible teaches that the use of mechanical instruments of music in New Testament worship is without Divine authority." (Thrasher affirms, Weatherly denies).

      Proposition II: "The Bible teaches that the use of mechanical instruments of music in New Testament worship is by Divine authority." (Weatherly affirms, Thrasher denies).

2. The participants will write three articles each on Proposition I, beginning with Thrasher's first affirmative and ending with Weatherly's third negative. The participants will then write three articles each on Proposition II, beginning with Weatherly's first affirmative and ending with Thrasher's third negative.

3. Each article will contain no more than 2000 words as counted by standard word processing software (e.g., MS Word).

4. The participants will conduct themselves as gentlemen and abide by standard rules of debate.

5. Either participant may distribute the debate in printed form as long as the debate is published in its entirety and no changes are made in the wording of the original articles, unless by mutual written consent.

 

Thomas Thrasher’s Questions for Jason Weatherly 5-22-12

 

1.  Would it be scriptural for people today to sing praise to God without using a mechanical instrument of music?

Answer: Yes, but it is unscriptural to teach that believers CANNOT sing praise to God with musical instruments.

2.  What instrument did the apostle Paul say was to be used to "make melody" (Ephesians 5:19)?

Answer: Paul did not specify an instrument, unless you mean to say that the preposition εν (en) is being used in the “instrumental case,” which I don’t believe you are.

3.  Are all acts that God approved for use in Old Testament worship also approved by God for New Testament worship?

Answer: No

4.  What elements are authorized for use in the Lord's supper? Please provide scripture for your answer.

Answer: Unleavened bread (Matt. 26:17, 26) and fruit of the vine (Matt. 26:27-29)

5. From your perspective, what is the strongest passage of scripture authorizing mechanical instruments of music in New Testament worship?

Answer: I don’t believe that there is any one passage that is stronger than the next. I believe Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19 as well as others authorize the use of musical instruments in Christian worship.

Questions for Tommy Thrasher (with answers in red)

May 22, 2012

1. In Exodus 15:20-21, by what authority did Miriam & the women sing to the LORD accompanied by musical instruments? (Be specific, book, chapter, verse)

So far as I am aware, no book, chapter, and verse reference provides a direct answer, since the Law was not yet a written document at the time of this event. I suppose the authority was of the same type as for their “dances.” After God revealed His written Law to the Israelites, the OT authority for the Israelites use of mechanical instruments in worship is indicated in passages such as Psalms 150:4. The fact that the Israelites offered animal sacrifices, observed the Sabbath day, circumcised their male children, and practiced a host of other things under the OT Law is not authority for NT worship (Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9).

2. Where did the Law of Moses prescribe or regulate the use of musical instruments in worship of God?

2 Chron. 29:25 is one passage.

3.  Is Ephesians 5:18-21 limited to, or dealing specifically with, the “worship service”?

The verses cited (Ephesians 5:18-21) describe actions that are not limited to a church assembly, if that’s what you mean by “worship service.” However, verse 19 describes action that is authorized in a church assembly in which those assembled are “speaking” to one another by “singing and making melody” in their hearts to the Lord.

4. Please show an example from the New Testament of a church assembly that consisted of the “five (5) acts of worship”.

We are not limited to “examples” as a means of establishing Divine authority for a practice. The Scriptures also authorize by command, statement, and necessary implication. Furthermore, we are not limited to a single passage to establish what is authorized; we should accept all that Jesus’ word teaches (Acts 3:22-23). Jesus directs us to worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Vain worship involves “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:7). The NT of Jesus Christ authorizes the following acts of worship in this age: the Lord’s supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34; 10:16; Acts 20:7), giving (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:7), prayer (Acts 12:5; 4:23-31; 2:42; 16:25), singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Acts 16:25), and preaching/teaching (Acts 20:7-9; 18:11; Colossians 4:16). The scriptures cited for these practices are representative of NT teaching, but not an exhaustive listing of passages.

5. In view of the fact that the Apostles did not command circumcision (Acts 15:24), when Paul circumcised Timothy (Acts 16:2), did this make Timothy a debtor to the whole law (Gal. 5:3)?

No. Paul viewed fleshly circumcision in Timothy’s situation as a matter of expediency (Acts 16:1-3), not scriptural necessity (Galatians 5:6, 15; Colossians 3:11).  Timothy was not circumcised as an act of worship to God or because of OT authority but to avoid a potential hindrance in Paul’s efforts to convert the Jews to Christ (1 Corinthians 9:20-22).