Can you mention arguments for mechanical music?
Introduction. Most denominations today have choirs, solos, vocal bands, and mechanical music in their worship services. Here are comment arguments used to justify their use.
"Mechanical music was used under the old law." This affirmation is correct (Ps. 150). There were trumpets, stringed instruments, organs, and harps as commanded by the Lord (2 Chron. 29:25). However, the specified instrument commanded by the Lord in the New Testament is the heart (Eph. 5: 19). In keeping with the type and antitype, the scriptures transverse from the physical (harp) to the spiritual (heart). We are not justified by the law (Hebrew scriptures), whether it be animal sacrifice, incense, circumcision, or mechanical music (Gal. 5: 1-4).
"Psallo means accompanied with mechanical instruments." Psallo is the Greek word translated "making melody" in Ephesians 5: 19. We find it strange that if psallo means to play on an instrument, why do not our reputable translations so render psallo? Two of the world's most used Greek authorities say of psallo: "...denotes, in the N.T., to sing a hymn, sing praise (W.E. Vine); "...a pious song, a psalm, Eph. 5: 19, Col. 3: 16" (Thayer's Greek - English Lexicon, pg. 675). If psallo means to play on an instrument such as an organ, etc., then each Christian would have to play on an instrument in view of the individual, reciprocal action taught in Eph. 5: 19 and Col. 3: 16. This reciprocal action also eliminates dedicated choirs and soloists singing to a passive audience.
"Mechanical music is just an aid to singing." Some who have more respect for Bible authority attempt to justify the instrument as being an aid to the authorized singing. However, an aid must not be of a different sort. A song book is an aid, but adding musical instruments with dedicated musicians is a different action.
Conclusion. Since God is the object of our worship, we should respect and honor how He wants to be worshipped. That includes using vocal music ("a capella") to praise God and encourage one another.
"Mechanical music was used under the old law." This affirmation is correct (Ps. 150). There were trumpets, stringed instruments, organs, and harps as commanded by the Lord (2 Chron. 29:25). However, the specified instrument commanded by the Lord in the New Testament is the heart (Eph. 5: 19). In keeping with the type and antitype, the scriptures transverse from the physical (harp) to the spiritual (heart). We are not justified by the law (Hebrew scriptures), whether it be animal sacrifice, incense, circumcision, or mechanical music (Gal. 5: 1-4).
"Psallo means accompanied with mechanical instruments." Psallo is the Greek word translated "making melody" in Ephesians 5: 19. We find it strange that if psallo means to play on an instrument, why do not our reputable translations so render psallo? Two of the world's most used Greek authorities say of psallo: "...denotes, in the N.T., to sing a hymn, sing praise (W.E. Vine); "...a pious song, a psalm, Eph. 5: 19, Col. 3: 16" (Thayer's Greek - English Lexicon, pg. 675). If psallo means to play on an instrument such as an organ, etc., then each Christian would have to play on an instrument in view of the individual, reciprocal action taught in Eph. 5: 19 and Col. 3: 16. This reciprocal action also eliminates dedicated choirs and soloists singing to a passive audience.
"Mechanical music is just an aid to singing." Some who have more respect for Bible authority attempt to justify the instrument as being an aid to the authorized singing. However, an aid must not be of a different sort. A song book is an aid, but adding musical instruments with dedicated musicians is a different action.
Conclusion. Since God is the object of our worship, we should respect and honor how He wants to be worshipped. That includes using vocal music ("a capella") to praise God and encourage one another.