Let me quote from a modern Jewish article on musical worship in the synagogue:
. . . Until the nineteenth century, the prevalent modality of Jewish worship through musical expression was through the cantor or hazzan—the prayer leader who would improvise elaborate musical lines within the context of the musical guidelines passed aurally from generation to generation. His voice (and it was only a male until this century) was unaccompanied by instrument or choir. Hence it was through florid melismatic singing that he could establish a sense of key. When the liberated Jewish composers of the nineteenth century were charged by their congregations to make the service more accessible to the Western ears of their congregants, they closely examined the role of the cantor and the expression and function of his music.
When reform was taking hold in the synagogues of Europe, Jewish congregations embraced the dominant culture’s mode of prayer—that of the Protestant Church: instruments and choirs were introduced. Hymns, a musical form foreign to the synagogue, were sung by the congregation, and the vernacular language was used in place of the traditional Hebrew. . .
I bring this to point out that the received Jewish understanding until the 19th century was that only the shofar was used in worship. No other mechanical instrument was used. But, this does not really fully answer the question does it? Huw posits:
While I know there are theological justifications for no instruments (and I rather like a capella worship) I think the reason is more earthly than theological:
1) Church worship largely comes from the synagogue and table-fellowship traditions of Judaism rather than table. There was vocal singing here, but no instruments.
2) As a persecuted minority, worshiping in secret – or quiet, anyway – the Church didn’t trumpet her presence to the neighbors.
3) As a *poor* minority also, see #2.
4) by the time the church went public all of the above had evolved theology to support it as well as the most ancient liturgical credo, “we’ve never done it that way before.”
The problem is quite simple. There is no doubt that musical instruments (limited) were used in Temple worship. There is no doubt that musical instruments were not used in Church worship. There are debates as to whether musical instruments were used in the first century synagogue, but there is no doubt that by the second century no musical instruments were used in the synagogue (save for the shofar). There is no doubt that musical instruments are used in the heavenly worship of the Book of Revelation.
We know that the reasons that not only the Church Fathers, but also later Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant theologians gave for no musical instruments are several. But, I would boil them down to a reluctance to stir up the earthly senses so that earthly excitement might not be mistaken for heavenly inspiration. This would actually tally rather well with the limitation that was placed on the instruments to be played in the temple. Notice that no percussive instruments are listed, but rather instruments that are of rather soft accompaniment. Remember that the cymbals and trumpets were used only for announcements rather than for musical reasons, according to the Old Testament and the Mishna.
And, I think that this is a principle that still applies to this day and is still valid. While I agree with Huw’s point 1, the problem with the other points is that it is all too easy to use “historical reasons” to posit away something with which we are not in full agreement. However, I think we could probably agree that too much of today’s contemporary worship is significantly over oriented towards precisely stirring up the earthly senses and creating a feeling that one has connected with God. And this gets back to the reason why the Orthodox do not tend to use musical instruments in worship (or have a very limited use of musical instruments in worship). We continue to have the feeling that if we are not careful we will end up trading our heritage for a mess of pottage. As has been pointed out, there is some limited use of musical instruments permitted nowadays among the Orthodox. But, the reticence remains.
However, this is one of the few times that I am leaving a post with a question unanswered. No, I cannot fully explain why the discrepancy between the Church’s attitude, during much of its history, towards musical instruments and the fact that both the temple and the heavenly worship use musical instruments.
This will not fully answer your question, but it may point in the right direction:
In the Traditional Latin Rite, there are six candles on the reredos, the structure behind the altar, upon which the tabernacle also stands.
Why six, the number of imperfection? Because all earthly worship, even that of the Eucharist, mandated by God, is necessarily imperfect. Now, even in the Liturgy, we see through a glass darkly, not face to face.
We need to avoid confusing our mythological/symbolical explanations with the actual historical reasons things get done *in the first place*. Why there is no music (or why liturgy evolved to include candles, etc) is a different issue than why we do it now.
The ritual requires certain things now in order to work, to make sense, to flow in our religion as we understand it now. But we made used stuff along the way from necessity (more light on Sundays to look more festive) or danger (don’t make too much noise) or even just cultural history (the Jews worshiped this way but the pagans at their idols did not).
It’s projecting our current understanding/symbolism/mythology backwards that bothers me. I’m not saying we need to reject any of it – just realise that some of it is about as recent as the 1930s.
Huw, you have a good point there. I know from reading them that both Dom Gregory Dix and Fr. Alexander Schmemann struggled with how to look at Early Church history and not read into it either their prejudices or their likes.
For instance, how many times have you read the explanation that the reason for the three bells at the consecration in the Mass is as a result of the inattention of the people who were wandering around the inside of the church with no concern for the Mass? Oddly enough, that explanation fits our modern superior attitude about those inattentive uneducated people from the Middle Ages. But, did my mention that the Mishna specifies that three trumpet blasts are blown at the exact time of the daily sacrifice change your perception of the three bells?
The historical explanation is an alternative (and I would argue better) explanation that does not demean the people in the Middle Ages and allow us to snicker at them. Rather, it is quite plausible that the Western Church, located in Rome which had a large Jewish community that knew the Temple worship, began to adopt parts of the temple worship into its worship. There are, after all, other examples of that happening.
And, when we have a modern explanation that contradicts a large chunk of Church history and conveniently supports what we are already doing, we must be doubly careful that we are not taking the attitude that we are more modern and know better than them.
Fr. Ernesto,
This is a very well written and intelligently organized discussion on the use of instruments in worship. This is a topic that still fascinates me. I was raised as member of the protestant Church of Christ which has a strong opposition even today to instruments being used in a worship service.
They are a denomination that uses a very particular type of logic that is based on inference. Speak where the bible speaks and be silent where the bible is silent. In the New Testament worship with instruments is nonexistent. Therefore to the COC instrumental music is not a pleasing form of worship to God. They have gone to great links to preserve their opinion including using Ephesians “Sing and make melody in your heart.” I know this is a curious view but the Greek word for “sing” is psalos which I take it to mean, church style. Which was in Paul’s time acappella. So it you want to maneuver the meaning of the verse you now have a command from the apostle Paul to worship God without instruments.
I think what you have laid out in these four sections is much more plausible. I really enjoyed the article and look forward to viewing more of your posts.
The answer to the question of why the first century church didn’t use instruments in worship is really very simple; There is no authority from God for their use! All people would be wise to realize and accept this very important truth from God….If it is not authorized by God, don’t be involved in it. This is what Moses said to Aaron in Leviticus 10 v-3. “I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified.”
Ahh, I couldn’t agree more – there’s no written authority for it so we don’t have it! Which is exactly why we don’t have microphones, pews, a podium or toilet paper at our place of worship, right?! This thought process ( speak where the bible speaks and silent where the bible is silent) is a poisonous snake reared by the pharisaical group of our days. This is where only small portions of Scripture are cherry-picked, taken completely out of context, and then used to devise a “true gospel” which all must adhere to. A thorough and single reading of Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia completely exposes this latter way of thinking to be “no gospel at all.” Musical instruments, much like other areas of our lives(occupation, marriages, children), can be used in sincere praise and honor to our LORD or may become an idol by which we bow down to.
I do not think you read my last paragraph where I said: “However, this is one of the few times that I am leaving a post with a question unanswered. No, I cannot fully explain why the discrepancy between the Church’s attitude, during much of its history, towards musical instruments and the fact that both the temple and the heavenly worship use musical instruments.”
If you notice in the previous paragraph I comment that some limited use of instruments has come in. But, I also comment that which you completely choose to ignore, which is that musical instruments are a rather late addition to both Christian and synagogue worship. I end up with a question, not an answer. But, you fail to answer history, other than to charge cherry-picking and pharisees at work.
Fr. Ernesto, my apologies if you thought I was replying to your comment. My intention was regarding the comment Mr Jim made – it is the same rhetoric I grew up hearing – which I am so thankful to be free from now! Mr Matt Denman can probably share my sentiments. Again, my comment was regarding Jim Carlsen’s comment and not yours, sorry for the confusion – first time on this website.
I have no problem believing that our Creator would be pleased to hear the beautiful sounds of an instrument played well in praise to God. I am the cantorial soloist for my congregation and am a public school band director by profession. For the Kol Nidre service, I always precede my chanting with a chorus of the melody on French horn. As an instrumentalist, my instrument IS one of my voices and I cannot believe that anyone could not see this as a valid form of worship. My opinion and I respect that of others!
You people need to read Amos chapters 5&6 where God told the Jewish he that the sounds of their musical instruments were an abomination to him and that He would no longer hear them.
Mildred, please read scripture in context – in 5:21 God also said He can’t stand their assemblies! Does this mean we should stop meeting together? Following your thought process, that’s exactly what should happen. He also said “away with the noise of your songs” – well that would mean no singing either. But I realize you will probably say singing was reinstituted bc of Ephesians 5:19 and instrumental music was not. To which I will say, though instrumental music was not commanded in the NT like it was in the OT, we have a freedom now and worship neither on this mountain or in this temple – we worship in spirit and in truth – Not a specified method or place. Our whole life is worship to God – we don’t compartmentalize and pick and choose when and where to glorify him.
Instead, if read in context, you could realize that God is so upset with them because they are only offering “lip service” to him – their hearts are not in it. They are simply doing what they’re doing because they’re “supposed to”. Something we can easily be guilty of if we don’t check our motives!