[Biblemat] A> Rewriting History

Fri Jan 26 16:48:42 CST 2007

Rewriting History

On January 20, 2007, the Indianapolis Star contained an article by Robert
King entitled Rewriting History, Finding Reconciliation. Representatives of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Independent Christian Churches,
and Churches of Christ convened recently at Christian Theological Seminary
in Indianapolis to discuss the idea of writing a new version of the history
of the restoration movement. The restoration movement occurred in the
nineteenth century when people from various denominational backgrounds
decided to unite on the Bible and cast away their manmade creeds. For the
first few decades, the movement was unified and grew throughout the young
nation. As the nineteenth century drew to a close, division loomed over the
usage of instrumental music in worship and the creation of missionary and
benevolent societies. 

            By 1906, the Christian Church and Churches of Christ were
officially recognized as two separate religious organizations by the Census
of the United States. Now, a century after the division, there are many
efforts being made from persons on both sides of the divide to heal the
division through unification. The scholars and historians who recently
attended the conference "hope a more balanced and rounded telling of their
history could heal misunderstandings and end the occasional animosity.". One
person said, "when our churches read their account, hopefully it will help
them, as it is helping us, to no longer demonize or discount or write off
the other party." To celebrate their newfound "unity," representatives at
the conference attended a worship service that featured both instrumental
and a cappella singing. The Lord's Supper was also offered. The scholars say
worshipping and working together have helped them see the folly of some of
the squabbles their groups have had.

            All of this sounds very good on the surface. What Christian
wouldn't want unity? What godly person would be satisfied with
misunderstandings? While we should desire unity, God does not call for unity
at the expense of doctrinal truth. Bible teaching on the doctrine of singing
in worship is not mere folly. God has been specific in His desire for the
kind of music He wants in worship. Speaking to one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the
Lord, Ephesians 5:19. This verse is very clear. Singing is the method that
we use to praise God and the instrument we use is the heart. After reading
this someone might argue that God did not specifically condemn instrumental
music in worship. That is correct. But, since God has explicitly told us how
He wants this part of worship to be conducted, He is not required to list
everything that is unacceptable. Let us be content with God's way and not be
presumptuous in assuming that instrumental music is a matter of indifference
with God.

While the newspaper article speaks of the optimism of the conference
participants at carving out unity between brethren, we can only guess how
those who stood up against instrumental music will be pictured in
revisionist history. The article gives us a good idea. The writer describes
those in Churches of Christ as a faction.of mostly Southern Churches.who
began to break away. This group was recognized as the Churches of Christ,
whose worship services are still devoid of instruments.  Read that language
again. "Faction." "Southern Churches." "Services devoid of instruments."
These are all negative connotations. Who is being blamed for the division?
It's obvious: a bunch of factious, backward and ignorant Southerners whose
services are bereft of any "normal" worship service. This is not unity. It
is a cover-up. It is a hatchet job on the truth. 

When you hear of the so-called unity movements between those who use the
instrument in worship and those who do not, remember this: Those who argued
against the instrument are being labeled as the ones who caused the
division. This is simply not true. Brethren who objected to the instrument
were often locked out of their facilities and left to pick up the pieces.
Some are now calling for those in Churches of Christ to approach those in
the Christian Church and apologize. Apologize for what? Maintaining
doctrinal integrity? Respecting the silence of Scripture?

Revisionist history will not change the truth of how this division happened.
More importantly, revisionist history will not change God's truth. God has
spoken. Habakkuk 2:20 says, the LORD is in His holy temple.  Let all the
earth be silent before Him. We have no right to question God or alter our
worship methods. The unity we all desire is possible. It can happen. True
unity will be accomplished when we humbly respect God's Word and seek to
unite by speaking where the Bible speaks and remaining silent where the
Bible is silent.

View the Indy Star Article at:
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070120/LIVING09/7012004
79/1007/CUSTOMPUB21

Matthew Allen
2100 S. Hornaday Rd., Brownsburg, IN 46112
office: (317) 852-4645 home/cell: (317) 797-5324 cell: (605) 786-4199
mhallen at gmail.com          list_mail at mhallen.com
www.brownsburgchurch.info       www.mhallen.com 

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