Tag Archives: instrumental music

Church of Christ Music: What’s the Big Deal About a Piano Anyway?

Doctrine, Worship, ,

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boston_piano.jpg

(This article is available for download in pdf format. Please click here for Church of Christ Music.)

“Why don’t the churches of Christ use musical instruments?”

“The Church of Christ doesn’t have music. Why not?”

These are excellent and fair questions which deserve an answer. One of the things many people know about the churches of Christ is our insistence on Acapella music, that is, simple vocal music without a mechanical instrument. ((I am being very broad in describing what the churches of Christ do. I am well aware that some do in fact use the instrument. I disagree with them but am nonetheless aware of their thinking. While the churches of Christ do not have any earthly headquarters and there is no official book of doctrine other than the Bible, I do think I am making case that those within the “mainline” churches of Christ would agree.))

Now I know that some of you reading this will be surprised to learn that there is a church which does not use instruments in worship. You may be tempted to roll your eyes and think “that’s crazy.” Can I just ask for your open minded reading for a few minutes?

Continue reading Church of Christ Music: What’s the Big Deal About a Piano Anyway? →

Why Is A Pitch Pipe Acceptable When A Piano Is Not?

Baptist Answers, Doctrine,

As we continue our discussion of questions raised by a denominational preacher we next turn to a common question which concerns worship. Our questioner wonders why we demand Biblical authority for all we do in worship but seem to ignore that requirement when it comes to song books, pitch pipes, microphones. He wonders why the difference?

First, the questioner is correct. We do refuse the mechanical instrument in worship. He is further correct when he notes that we typically use songbooks, microphones and even pitch pipes. There is a huge difference which we will try to explain. Continue reading Why Is A Pitch Pipe Acceptable When A Piano Is Not? →