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Old Light on New Worship: Musical Instruments and the Worship of God, a Theological, Historical and Psychological Study

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As a recent convert who worships at a non-instrumental church of Christ (I speak of the fellowship which calls itself that) I have been struggling with the idea that instrumental worship was wrong, or even sinful. My feeling, in spite of the fact that I dislike contemporary "Christian" music, as a rule, and detest the idea that Rock and Roll, Pop, or Hip-Hop have anything in common with worship because most of it smacks of performance and entertainment, was that it was a matter of personal preference.

However, Dr.Price (a Presbyterian minister) argues that the only instruments in Old Testament worship were those authorized specifically for that purpose. We discover that Moses was instructed to include only trumpets, of a design unique to the Israelites, for use with Tabernacle worship. We also find that every instrument referred to in the Psalms was invented and created by David in accordance with God's instructions for temple worship. While David was not allowed to build God a permanent temple, Solomon's temple worship and all successive temple dedications and worship included ONLY those instruments invented by David. The fact that Jewish worship then, as now, centered primarily on the synagogue rather than the temple reinforces this since instrumental worship was unknown then and now within the synagogues. The Christian church naturally evolved from synagogue style worship, so it's understandable that instruments were simply not a factor in the early church.

While the author is somewhat redundant in his emphasizing of certain points, he makes good ones indeed. He adds the historical evidence of vehement disapproval of instruments being involved in worship by all the well known and documented church fathers with two lesser known exceptions (around 600 and 850 A.D., I believe). The Roman Catholic church didn't adopt the edifice organs into worship until it was deep into the "dark ages" of the church, around 1300 A.D. Before that they had already corrupted the congregational aspect of worship with sophisticated and unintelligible chorusing and Gregorian chants.

In fact, as the author points out, instrumental music was a rarity up through the very end of the 19th century, opposed by Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists alike and including such personalities as Charles Spurgeon, Charles Finney, John and Charles Wesley (themselves prolific hymn writers), and many others.

The author cites the many well known psychological effects of instrumental music. Music is soothing, mood setting and delightful, but it can be used to manipulate and coerce as well as detract from the very point of worship. The author makes clear that worship is for God, not us, and we are to do it to please Him, not ourselves.

All in all, a convincing treatise against all forms of human centered "worship".

I'm convinced.

As a bookseller, I like to give my customers as much information as possible. Not finding any other way to do this, I am pasting the book description here. Thanks!


OLD LIGHT ON NEW WORSHIP:
Musical Instruments and the Worship of God, A Theological, Historical and Psychological Study
by John Price

"About the author - John Price is a graduate of Trinity Ministerial Academy, Montville, New Jersey. He is currently the Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Rochester, New York, where he has served since 1995. Pastor Price and his wife, Mary Jo, have two children."

From the Foreword by Edward Donnelly
"The timeliness of this volume springs from the fact that we are living through a worship revolution. Evangelical worship has changed as much in the last twenty years as in the previous two hundred. The process has been swift, pervasive and controversial, leading to the tragic emergency of what have been called 'worship wars' in which brothers and sisters in Christ actually quarrel over how to worship their heavenly Father. These developments have not take place in a context of spiritual renewal. They seem, rather, to be partly the product and partly the cause of an increasing shallowness and worldliness among the professing people of God. Reformed churches are not proving immune to the clamour for change. So it is useful to have before us a calm, reasoned discussion of one of the issues."


"I enthusiastically recommend this book on congregational worship. It is a great relief to have access to a scholarly modern examination of the question, 'What musical instruments are and which are not permissible in the public worship of God?' For clarity and fullness of treatment, yet at the same time for courtesy and pastoral wisdom, this short study on an aspect of the regulative principle is first-class. I highly recommend it to church members as well as to ministers of the gospel. - Maurice Roberts, Minister of Inverness Free Church of Scotland (continuing)"


CONTENTS

Foreword
Preface
Introduction

I. The Regulative Principle Applied to Musical Instruments
Musical Instruments in the Old Testament
Musical Instruments in the New Testament
The Origins of the Old Testament Musical Instruments

II. The History of Musical Instruments in the Christian Church
The Origins of Christian Worship in the Jewish Synagogue
The Rejection of Musical Instruments by the Church Fathers
The Rise of Musical Instruments During the Dark Ages
The Protestant Reformation
The Puritan Era
The 18th and 19th Centuries
The 10th Century
Lessons from Church History

III. The Psychology of Music
A Brief History
The Struggle Between Words and Tunes
The Testimony of the Church Concerning This Struggle
Two Clarifications

IV. The True Glory of Gospel Worship

V. The Exalted Place of Singing in the Church

VI. Arguments in Favor of Instrumental Music Considered
The 1689 Baptist Confession and "Circumstances of Worship"
The Greek Verb "Psallo" and the Noun "Psalmos" in Ephesians 5:19
Other Arguments in Favor of Instrumental Music
Practical Considerations

VII. Conclusion

Appendix A An Exhortation to Unity

Appendix B Some Suggestions for Reformation

Appendix C How Shall We Sing?

Index of Names

Bibliography

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Quote from pages 132 and 133:

"As late as the 1880s, Charles Spurgeon continued to hold to the principles of the Reformers and Puritans and rejected the use of any musical instruments in worship, including the organ, which had become so prevalent in his day. In a sermon entitled 'The New Song and the Old Story,' Spurgeon states his opposition to musical instrumentation in worship:

"What a noble instrument the human voice is! . . . Is not our tongue the glory of our frame? Had I no conscientious objection to instrumental music in worship, I should still, I think, be compelled to admit that all the instruments that were ever devised by men, however sweetly attuned, are harsh and grating compared with the unparalleled sweetness of the human voice. When it is naturally melodious and skillfully trained. . . . there can be no music under heaven that can equal the combination of voices which belong to men, women, and children whose hearts really love the Savior. . . . If you want the sensual gratification of music's melting, mystic lay, let me commend to you the concert-room, there you will get the enchanting ravishment, but when ye come to the house of God, let it be to 'sing unto the Lord.'

"Spurgeon comments on Ps. 42:4,

"David appears to have had a peculiarly tender remembrance of the singing of the pilgrims, and assuredly it is the most delightful part of worship and that which comes nearest to the adoration of heaven. What a degradation to supplant the intelligent song of the whole congregation by the theatrical prettinesses of a quartette, the refined niceties of a choir, or the blowing off of wind from inanimate bellows and pipes! We might as well pray by machinery as praise by it."

I found this book to be extremely helpful in the realm of specific authority. Not only does Price teach on the instrumental music question, but he also gives principles by which all Scripture should be read and understood. If you are a leader in a church, this book will help clarify your strict adherance to God's revealed will.

I really was amazed reading this book. About 2 years ago I read a review in the Gospel Advocate and put it on my wishlist. Finally, I got to read it. The number of references the author uses is amazing! A lot of time was put into researching. It truely made me appreciate why our church does not use musical instruments and I wouldn't have it any other way. I applaud the chapters on keeping unity in the church when trying to steer churches to elimiating instruments in worship. Unity in the church is so important and I am grateful the author didn't leave this out. If you are wanting an awesome Bible study on instrumental musical in worship, this is for you. If your church currently uses instruments and you feel comfortable worshiping this way, read this book with an open mind. One of the best quiet time Bible studies I've had in a long time.

Wow! Great book! I've read others on the issue but this one takes the cake! Written with warmth and persuasion rather than with coldness and force like so many others I have come across on the topic of musical instruments and the worship of God. The theological study was brief yet insightful. The historical study brought out the issue where the rubber hits the road as it wrestled with through the centuries. The psychological study is very eye-opening and thought provoking. I don't think everyone will agree with the author but if it makes us stop and think, well, that's got to be a good thing. It's a topic that is way off the radar screen for many Christians but I hope this book will be given a fair hearing by many people, and, if the Lord is willing, a reformation of some sorts takes place in many churches regarding worship. One other thought...it may just reduce the frequency of "worship wars". Now wouldn't that glorify God!

This is a terrific book for guiding one around the idols that a large crowd of people receive into their musical worship today. This book provides a clear and thorough bible study on the subject of music in the church. It offers a clear historical lesson on how men have changed the church worship over time. There is some overkill regarding the writings and opinions of some historically religious men. The section explaining the arguments for instruments in Christian worship became argumentative and repetitive in its counterpoints. I also felt that the section on the psychology of worship was not necessary. There are large groups of Christians worshiping today using only a capella singing. The author failed to point this out which leaves the persuaded reader feeling a little lonely. I enjoyed this book as I found that I was keeping my Bible close as I turned to it frequently. This book may be a tough pill to swallow for most people, but this is nothing new regarding God's authority since the beginning of time. The "old light" of this book is basically that - God's authority.

Well-researched, well-documented and very well-written! John Price has put together what will doubtless become a classic on church music. He leaves no stone unturned and leaves no questions unanswered on the command for acappella singing in the New Testament church!

Anyone searching for just the facts about instrumental music in Worship should read this book. Information is presented systematically and accurately. The author has done his homework, cites many other works, and presents it in an easy to read style.

Just wanted to say this is a very good book on this subject and I think everyone in the church needs to read this.

Excellent! Well researched and backed by Biblical principles. The historical evidence that the original understanding of the church was that acappella music was the only acceptable form of music in worship is undeniable. However, I fail to understand why Price would allow one mechanical instrument as acceptable if any such instrument is contrary to God's will. He identified three groups (none, one, many) when his book concludes that there are only two--none and any.