Churches Of Christ/instrumental music

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Expert: - 10/24/2006


Question
Who is credited with making the statement" I have no objection to an organ in the church building as long as it's neither seen nor heard."

Answer
Hi!

Ken, thank you for the chance to answer this question for you. I am far from a historian, but this is one specific subject where I am stronger than most. Here is the exact quote, followed by its author:

"I have no objection to the organ in our chapel, provided it is neither seen nor heard." - John Wesley

Wesley is not alone in his sentiments. Additionally, Luther, Calvin, Spugeon, and Zwingli were all opposed to the use of instruments. They all said it differently, but cited the same, two reasons for excluding it; a lack of Scriptural authority, and that it was not used in early church history.

For your further study of the history of instruments in worship, I offer the following web addresses in support of my declaration:

http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualNLs/instcalv.htm

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Brad_Haugaard/garfield.htm

http://www.qhcoc.org/q_and_a/music_01.html

Moreover, I have posted sermons in the past demonstrating the proper use of music in worship. They may be located at the following URL's:

http://www.geocities.com/braswellcoc1/archive2.html

http://www.geocities.com/braswellcoc1/archive25.html

Ken, I pray you find this information useful in your further studies of the proper way to worship the Almighty God. If I may be of further service, please do not hesitate to ask.

In His Service,
Marvin Howard
http://www.geocities.com/preacherman_1962
http://360.yahoo.com/preacherman_1962

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Marvin Howard

Expertise

I consider myself to be a "doctrine specialist" if there is such a thing. I offer scripture to support or refute (as needed) any doctrine practiced within what is commonly termed "Christianity" today. I am willing to try questions on prophecy and history, though they are weak points. I have learned a little, however. Also, as I am disabled, I have time to research many things. For example, I can find a congregation of the church within twenty miles of your ZIP Code if one exists. If traveling, I can locate a congregation for your visit. I am accountable in this ministry to a group of Christians. I will share my answers with them for review. If a question is private, I will redact the names for privacy.

Experience

I became a Christian on April 7, 1969. I have been a substitute, spur-of-the-moment preacher for thirty years. My last pulpit was with the congregation in Braswell, GA. My sermons have always contained at least fifty percent scripture. On occasion, I have preached in seven states, and four foreign nations. This is beside my online ministry. I am now, officially retired.

I hope to never mislead anyone saying I'm a member of one group, when I'm really in another as one here does. By his own admission, he isn't a member of the church, but of the "Christian Church" (sic) denomination. If I can be honest, I don't know why others would want to lie.

Education/Credentials
Having already acquired significant Bible education from self-study, I attended 1.5 years of Bible college through the church at Dyersburg, TN (before my health waned) in an attempt to get paper to say I know what I know.

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