Sunday, March 18, 2012

Biblical Guide to the Drums

With all the many references to musical instruments found in the bible, there is one instrument that is the most important; that is, the “drum.” Anyone who claims that drums were not mentioned or used in the bible, are absolutely clueless and their opinions should be taken with a grain of salt.

Unfortunately, you will not find the word “drum” in the bible but you will find a drum-like, percussion instrument called a “timbrel.” The best description of a timbrel (sometimes referred as tambour) is a hand-drum with miniature cymbals around the edges; it is covered on one side with parchment, cloth or animal skin. It’s held in one hand and “beat” (to smite) with the other hand to keep the tempo during praise and worship in the Old Testament. The word "drum" wasn't even a common word until after or about 1540 A.D. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=drum), the word "drum" was probably origin from the Germanic word "tromme."

"The drum (toph). Of this there were many varieties, some of them resembling modern drums. The Egyptians had a long drum, of wood or copper, 2½ feet long, resembling the tom-tom of India, and beaten by the hand. Another form was shaped like a cask with bulging centre, and was made of copper. It was of the same length as the other, but larger around, and was beaten with sticks. Another drum was more like our kettle-drum; and one of these, the rabbins say, was placed in the temple court to call the priests to prayer, and could be heard from Jerusalem to Jericho." ~ (William Smith; revised and edited by F.N. and M.A. Peloubet, Smith’s Bible dictionary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997.)

The reason that the word “drum” was not found in the bible is because the first modern-day version of the drum wasn’t common until around the 1540’s A.D.

About 4000 years ago, these instruments were not called “drums,” they had different names but had the same basic purpose and function. Just as dinosaurs in the bible were once called dragons, behemoth and Leviathan; nowadays, the timbrel, tabret and Toph (drum) are now called percussion, drum or tambourine.

To be more specific about this ancient percussion instrument, this hand-drum named timbrel (or tophet in Hebrew), we must remember that drums, just like any other musical instrument, started simple then evolved (for the lack of a better definition) into other complex instruments. It only makes common sense that as percussion instruments progress, so does the music that changes along with it. Furthermore, when electricity was finally discovered and commonly used, it opened new doors for new instruments, new sounds and techniques and new styles of music. Many pipe organs and pianos in churches use electricity as well. If anyone tells you that electricity is from the devil, they are ignorant because the bible says that God created all things; even electricity in the form of lightning.

"A percussion instrument that was carried and beaten by hand. Considered inappropriate for the Temple, it was probably played primarily by women (Ps. 68:25). The timbrel may have been excluded from the Temple instruments because of its great popularity with the Canaanite fertility cults. Among the Hebrew people, it was associated with merrymaking and processions (Gen. 31:27). Remnants of timbrels with pieces of bronze inserted in the rim have been uncovered by archaeologists. Thus, the instrument could be shaken as well as beaten." ~ (Youngblood, Ronald F., General Editor; F.F. Bruce and R.K. Harrison, Consulting Editors, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1995.)

"The timbrel, a form of tambourine, a narrow hoop covered with a tightened skin, and struck with the hand. On the Egyptian monuments are three kinds—the circular, the square, and another formed by two squares separated by a bar." ~ (William Smith; revised and edited by F.N. and M.A. Peloubet, Smith’s Bible dictionary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997.)

Thus, the Israelites (mostly women) used the timbrel to keep the tempo during celebrations; or as some would say to keep the “beat.” (From a personal perspective, anyone using the term “beat” in place of the proper musical term “tempo,” has little or absolutely no knowledge of musical insight and I wouldn’t trust anything they have to say about music anyway; it’s like taking marriage advice from a counselor who has been divorced three times.)

Are not the modern-day tambourine and the modern-day drum, a percussion instrument? They are both used to keep the tempo, both hit with hand or stick and both used to make music. Just because the Israelites started off with a few light-percussion instruments doesn’t mean that today’s Christians cannot use more complex and better-sounding percussion instruments. There is no Scripture to stop this from happening.

The modern “drum-set” is now the upgrade from the earliest hand-held timbrel. The modern-day drum-set is the contemporary version of the ancient timbrel and the drum-set is used in many musical praise and worship bands. Just as church members have moved forward from having small group church services in people’s homes in the 1st century to an off-site community church building in the 21st century, so has the percussion of the Old Testament moved from a small hand-held drum used by ancient Hebrews to the modern-day drum-sets of today’s church bands. There is nothing wrong with this!

Where does it specifically say in Scripture that music or drums are fleshly?
Where does it specifically say in Scripture that music or drums are evil?
Where does it specifically say in Scripture that music or drums are of the world?
Where does it specifically say in Scripture that music or drums are sinful?
Where does it specifically say in Scripture that music or drums from the devil?

It doesn’t, as we will see further on.

The timbrel was the one of the principle percussion instruments for the Israelites. It was very similar to the modern-day tambourine. Eventually, over thousands of years the timbrel has easily evolved into the modern-day tambourine. Even most modern English translations of the bible today have substituted the word timbrel as a “tambourine” even though the timbrel was entirely a different kind of percussion instrument.

The word timbrel is “used in the Old Testament in both singular and plural form, so as to suggest that the former referred to a hoop of wood or metal over which was stretched a parchment head; while the plural was perhaps used to designate the tambourine with bells or jangles fixed at intervals in hoops (wikipedia, timbrel).”

When David encouraged the Israelites to praise God, he said, “Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp (Psalm 149:3, KJV).” Why would anyone praise God with dancing, along with music, without keeping some sort of tempo? Being a drummer and percussionist myself, I can understand that the timbrel must have kept the time (tempo) in order for everyone to sing along and dance in unison. Have you ever tried to dance and sing without some sort of tempo or rhythm? It’s a musical train wreck, especially if there are hundreds of people and half of them lack musical talent or singing skills.

Evidently, the Psalmist (David) did not specify at what the tempo the psalm was to be played but I would assume that the God wanted us Christians to understand through His Word that the tempo was important but more relevant was the message in the song. I believe that’s why God allowed the lyrics of David’s Psalms to be written down as words and not as music notes. In other words, play all the music you want, but without words, the song is meaningless. Of course, it’s only meaningless unless there’s something else to accompany it, such as dancing before the Lord, expressing joy from your heart and in celebration and praise to God for the wonderful things He has done.

I believe that God made sure to include the timbrel in His Word because God is not the author of confusion; praise and worship music must be orderly and in sync. In the Old Testament, Israel praised the Lord with various stringed-instruments, dancing, singing, shouting and playing the timbrel and other percussion instruments. From the descriptions given of all these multiple instruments, it almost sounds as if there were large groups of musicians praising God; kind of like a Christian Rock band!

The world, from every nation, tribe and tongue has taken something beautiful, like music that comes from God, and put their own spin on it and has used it for evil, cultic rituals and for their own selfish benefits. Drums, in and of them, are not evil. Would you say that tents are evil without a reason to make them evil? How about tent-makers? Are tent-makers evil because they make “evil” tents to cover the witches who perform black Sabbaths in the desert?

The Apostle Paul was a tent-maker, is Paul and evil man or a righteous man declared by Christ? Obviously, Paul was a righteous man even though he made and crafted tents. Perhaps later on, an evil man with evil motives came into the local tent shop where Paul’s tent had been placed on consignment. Is the tent evil? Was Paul evil for making the tent?

No, tents are no more evil than drums are. Drums are merely a musical instrument that is used to keep the tempo of a song. What man decides to use drums for, is his business. However, for me and my family, I will use drums for the Lord just as the Israelites did when praising God. In the end it’s all a matter of the heart!

Every nation, culture, tribe and person has their own idea as to the history of and the origin of, the modern-day “drum.” Unfortunately, we cannot rely on the opinions, traditions and philosophies of men whether they are true or not; for Christians the Scriptures must be our standard and our guide for true biblical praise and worship music.

Colossians 2:8 - “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (KJV).”

True worship does not come from the “beat” or tempo, the rhythm, the sound or even from the words or lyrics; true worship comes from having the right attitude in your heart. Words can be empty and meaningless unless the right motive of the heart is involved. Music, along with drums, a catchy melody and a repeating rhythm with lyrics are merely a tool; or a vehicle that helps us to get there. Music is merely the means by which we are ushered into acceptable praise and worship.

When God looks at our worship, is He worried that we are worshipping Him with a tempo? When we are praising God, is He looking down saying, “Those worshippers are using drums to worship me with. I do not accept the worship from them.” Is God concerned that we are using a vehicle to accompany us in our heart-felt worship? If our praise and worship is from the heart with having the right attitude, does it really matter the tempo or “beat” (I really hate that word) in which our songs are kept?

John 4:23, 24 – “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth (NLT).”

Did you see that? “True worshippers” worship God in “spirit and truth,” not by the “beat” or tempo. In other words, the music, tempo, drums and the “beat” are irrelevant! Why? Because it is the heart (attitude, motive) of the worshipper that God sees; not the style, beat, rhythm, or tempo of the music. Again, the music is only a “vehicle” to help us get there. There are probably thousands of people who attempt to worship God every Sunday morning with pipe organs and pianos that do not have a heart for worship. Does God hear the music or “beat” over the hearts of worship? What God is looking for, is people who worship Him in spirit and truth; the drums along with the music are merely a means by which we are led into praise and worship.

Some people may say, “Since when does something become Christian by merely "Christianizing" the terminology and placing Christ’s name in front of it? How about the Roman cross that was used to kill the worst of criminals in Rome? It was a torture device now it’s a holy icon, seen in practically every church building in the world & hanging around millions of Christian necks as a sign of their faith. It was originally Roman (pagan, heathen) in its history, now it’s Christian.

How about baptism? Why did Jesus use baptism in his day? It’s because the people knew what it was. In some pagan rituals, people would be baptized in bull’s blood as a symbol of eternal life. Others used water as a symbol of purification. In Judaism, it was a familiar practice for new converts. It was pagan and heathen, now it’s Christian.

Since God can use the things of the world to honor Him, such as the Roman method of torture and baptismal pagan bull’s blood practice, why wouldn’t God want Christians to take back what was originally ours to glorify Him with? That is, music; which includes drums, stringed instruments, wonderful words and other various instruments!

Another percussion instrument that God chose the Israelites to use during praise and worship was the tabret. How do I know that the tabret was not just a tambourine and more of a drum-like instrument?

Nahum 2:6-7 “The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved. And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts (KJV).”

• Easton's Bible Dictionary says that tabering is like “playing on a small drum or tabret. In Nahum 2:7, where alone it occurs, it means beating on the breast, as players beat on the tabret.”
• In Smith's Bible Dictionary tabering “connects itself with toph, "a timbrel”…the "tabour" or "tabor" was a musical instrument of the drum type which with the pipe formed the band of a country village. To "tabour," accordingly, is to beat with loud strokes, as men beat upon such an instrument.”
• “In Nahum 2:7, where the word "tabering" occurs, it means beating on the breast, as drummers beat on the tabret.” – (Wikipedia, timbrel or tabret)

A “tabret” is a small version of the “Toph” or “Tof.” The term “Tof” implies the word “tophet,” which means to smite, which is how you play the Tof. It is very similar to the medieval tabor drum (or tabour), “which consists of a circular frame of two hoops fitting within one another in which a cloth or animal skin is stretched across to create a small, one-headed or two-sided drum. Since no records, pictures or drawings of tabrets have ever been found, some have come to believe that the tabret is an instrument that is between a tambourine and a modern-day drum.

Originally, the tabor was believed to be a two-sided drum with strings that were strung across one side on a head to create a loud snap. The tabor is believed to be the very first version of the modern-day snare drum. Because of the lack of precise information, in some versions of the Holy Bible, the word tambourine is used in place of tabret and timbrel (Hebrew; Tof), flip-flopped and vice versa.

The tabret was used for:
I. Celebrations
1 Samuel 18:6 – “And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick (KJV).”
II. Prophesying
1 Samuel 10:5 – “After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: (KJV)”
III. Praise
Psalm 150:4 – “Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs (KJV).”
IV. Worship
Jeremiah 31:4 - Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry (KJV).”
IV. Religious Services
2 Samuel 6:5 – “And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals (KJV).”
1 Chronicles 13:8 - And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets (KJV).
Psalm 68:25 – “The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.
Psalm 81:2 – “Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery (KJV).”
Psalm 149:3 – “Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp (KJV).”

All musical instruments that were available to the Israelites, were used to praise the Lord God: The Israelites were not limited to only two instruments, such as in many churches today that consist of a piano and pipe organ alone. If it was acceptable for the Israelites to have huge bands of people playing all kinds of “instruments of musick” during praise and worship, then it’s acceptable for us today’s Christians to do the same. To oppose this idea is legalistic and burdensome. The freedom we have inherited in Christ gives us release from all those rules and regulations of the Old Testament.

2 Chronicles 5:13 – “It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; (KJV)”

Let’s face it; music really has little to do with praise and worship. As I stated earlier, the musical instruments in a song are merely a means by which we move into our praise and worship. It’s really what comes from the heart that God loves the most. Your motives for praise and worship are worth more to God than having a drummer in the band or a “beat” in the song. Anyone who is worried about having drums in a Christian band or a “beat” to keep the tempo has gotten their priorities in the wrong places. They are more focused upon themselves and the flesh rather than upon the kind worship that pleases God.

Some legalistic and biblically ignorant Christians may say that having drums in a Christian song or Praise and Worship band “feeds” the flesh. The following are a couple of quotes by Christians who have absolutely no clue about using drums in Christian music or what the Scripture say about it:

• “It is the beat which either appeals to the flesh (Rock, Blues) Soul (Classical) or Spirit(Christian).”
• “The lyrics are irrelevant, when the beat is fleshly.”

Just as the word “drum” is not found in the King James Version of the Holy Bible, you will not find the phrase “music feeds the flesh” and you will not find the word “feed, drum, beat or music” associated with the flesh.

The bible says that there are “deeds” of the flesh but there is no mention of anything that “feeds” the flesh. These fleshly deeds are found in Galatians 5:19-23):
• Immorality
• Impurity
• Sensuality
• Idolatry
• Sorcery
• Enmities
• Strife
• Jealousy
• Outbursts of anger
• Disputes
• Dissensions
• Factions
• Envying
• Drunkenness
• Carousing

I have heard that some Christians have even gone as far as to say that Christian music that includes drums, appeal to the flesh. In other words, it is “fleshly.” What does God’s Word have to say about what is “fleshly?”

• 2 Corinthians 1:12 - For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward (KJV).”
• Colossians 2:18 – “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind (KJV).”
• 1 Peter 2:11 – “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul (KJV).”
• Ezekiel 16:26 - You also committed harlotry with the Egyptians, your very fleshly neighbors, and increased your acts of harlotry to provoke Me to anger (NKJV).
• Hebrews 7:16 - “…who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life (NKJV).”
• Hebrews 9:10 – “…concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation (NKJV).”

Summery:

1. fleshly wisdom
2. fleshly mind
3. fleshly lusts
4. fleshly neighbors
5. fleshly commandment
6. fleshly ordinances

There we have it; I didn’t see any mention of music, tempo, the “beat” or Rock music as being “fleshly.” As a matter of fact, there are no examples of music or drums “feeding” the flesh either.

As mentioned previously, I really don’t care where the supposed origin of drums came from; I am not using drums for that purpose. Just as God used a Roman cross to save us from our sins, Christian Contemporary Rock bands use drums to write music that glorifies God and it helps us to move into a heart of praise and worship.

Anyone who claims that Christian Rock music is “fleshly” because it includes drums or that Christian Rock music appeals to the flesh, it only expressing their useless opinion! To do do this...is fleshly! Sheesh, what a frigg'n hypocrite. What really happens is that the music moves and carries us into a spirit or attitude of praise and worship. Thus, when this happens we are actually walking and living in the spirit and worshipping God in spirit (attitude) and truth (knowing Christ). Music being fleshly is not found in the Holy Scriptures and making the claim that Christian Rock music that includes drums is fleshly, is unbiblical and a lie. It is man’s opinions alone, nothing more. Do not fear man, but fear God.

Nowadays, some Christians who are ignorant of music theory, biblical music history and what true worship is, would make the claim that Christian music should emphasize the melody, not the “beat.”

Does Christian music emphasize the melody if drums are involved? When you hear a Christian Contemporary/Rock song on the radio, do you remember what the drums did or what the melody is?

For example, when you hear the song “Jesus Saves” by Jeremy Camp, do you hear or remember “boom, pop,(rest) boom, pop, crash, (rest) boom, pop, (rest) boom, pop, crash?” Or, do you remember the chorus, “Sing it out, to let all the world know that Jesus saves. Raise a shout, to let all the world know, that Jesus saves?”

Do you know why you remember the chorus more than the drum beat or the words to the verses? First of all, most people aren’t professional drummers and second, it’s because the chorus is the melody! The melody is the focus in the song and that’s why the chorus is usually played louder than the verses, thus emphasizing the melody and not the “beat.” The drum beat is simply a rhythm that carries the song and keeps the tempo to get us to the melody. The melody is the focus; the “beat” is actually a “back-beat” that keeps the song moving in a forward direction, that always leads us back to the chorus.

One simple guideline for Christian music is that it’s okay to have drums.

28 comments:

  1. Keep writing this stuff, dude. This is amazing. :D

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  2. Thank you so much for this. But still I am confused. Both sides have proofs, and both are pretty convincing. Maybe whichever you prefer, so long as you know it yourself that you are doing it for the Lord, in spirit and in truth, then it's okay.

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  3. Although I enjoy drums, you lost me when you said "To do do this...is fleshly! Sheesh, what a frigg'n hypocrite. " You just showed your fleshly imaturity. Grow up and learn to speak correctly and let your words be "always with Grace, seasoned with salt." Col. 4:6

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    1. I cannot agree more with you. I came here to state exactly what you just did. Ditto. please examine your heart then edit your post.

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  4. Thank you for this educational input. I am a follower of Christ and I am also native american. And I use my hand drum to share with my testimony of how Christ lives in my life. And a lot of other religious people have said no to my singing. We only make things evil when we make it that way in not knowing. God has made everything. When I had cancer a few years back, I sang on my hand drum to Christ Jesus. He did not say that was too evil for Him. He loved it and blessed me with new hope of His life. People are confusing creatures. But God is not confusing.

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    1. WONDERFUL.....THANK YOU FO SHARING THIS..WEHAVE A HUGE DRUM CIRCLE..IN SOUTH AFRICA....PRAISING OUR YAHWEH ELOHIM...AND HIS LIVING WORD IN AND THROUGH THE LOVE OF YESHUA!

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  5. If you were to make an argument that the drum itself is amoral, I might listen to you for a short time; but to say that the beat of music is amoral, proves that you have never studied music and don't know what you are talking about.

    P.S. - Just because the Bible doesn't say that rock music is wrong doesn't make it right. The Bible also doesn't say anything about "don't do drugs" or "don't smoke", but we (true born again believers) know that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost.

    Do some studying of music culture, music history, and music in the Bible and you will find that Satan has always had counterfeits to God's true way (which includes music). Satan is transformed into an angel of light and his "ministers" (messengers) are transformed too.

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    1. Amein, amein! I was going to make this same comment but I see you have saved me the trouble.

      I wish people would open up the Word of G-d and really study it for themselves and stop being "sheeple".

      This poor lost soul has not only fallen into Israel's sin of assimiliation (which is why they were taken into captivity) but he has not even studied the very instrument he speaks of. The tof (drum) that was used in temple worship was not a tamborine (as is the case in a lot of your English "translations" that was a poor word choice made by the translators). There is no evidence that tamborines were invented until well after the roman period. So Miriam did not lead the woman in their celebration after the destruction of pharoah's army with a tamborine. The tof was however a small framed drum with no cymbols attached. http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/women-with-hand-drums-dancing-bible
      http://www.zoharfresco.com/?page_id=17
      http://www.bible-history.com/sketches/ancient/ancient-drums.html

      And to the fact that the beat of the music is anything but amoral let me cite these scientific studies....

      http://library.wcsu.edu/dspace/bitstream/0/35/1/tropeano.pdf

      With the internet we have a world of info at our fingertips and there is wealth of research and information on this very topic. If anybody cared enough to seek out the truth.

      Music is not amoral. G-d's Word teaches us that. Music speaks to the spirit world (satan and his demons) not just G-d. Take a guess as to what "beats" the demonic world prefers? http://www.biblicalresearchreports.com/ismusicamoral.php

      G-d says we are to guard our hearts (all things that come into it via books, tv, music, etc...) and we are to have His "peace" and be at peace. So why would we listen to music that does not promote peace in our spirits?

      Christians assimilating with the heathen cultures around them by mixing their profane music with "christian" lyrics is sinful. G-d warns us to not do it. We are not to mis the profane with the Holy and even ungodly people instinctually worry about their children listening to rock, rap, punk, and heavy metal music. So if we are to abstain from every appearance of evil why would we copy this kind of troublesome music? Slapping some Bible verses into its lyrics does not make something unholy, holy. Nor does it make it pleasing to G-d😪





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    2. No u are the one who is a poor soul that is dissolved in wrong understanding a rocky heart ur heart was seeking errors and not understanding coz this is something to understand only.....about timbrel chech exodus 5:19

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  6. I think your re right ,if you use your heart and sprit, worshiping comes correct.

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  7. I think your re right ,if you use your heart and sprit, worshiping comes correct.

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  8. I think your re right ,if you use your heart and spirit, worshiping becomes correct.

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  9. I think your re right ,if you use your heart and spirit, worshiping becomes correct.

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  10. Interesting to read all the comments...

    Love seeing, "Grow up and learn to speak correctly," in the same sentence as "Let your words be always with Grace..."

    Very subjective comments I gotta say...

    "Why would we listen to music that doesn't promote peace in our spirits?" Um, whose peace exactly? God's peace or a subjective liking of the music style? Where does Scripture teach us how to recognize this? Would folks in 3rd world tribes be at peace with our "Holy" classical masterpieces? Or, would they feel bored and anxious to escape the torture they've just been subjected to? This is a fine example of using extra biblical reasoning to develop doctrine. Nothing new in these debates. I have a hard time believing that Jesus grew up listing to "White People" music, especially living in the middle east.

    Just because certain "drums" (if you would) weren't used in the Temple doesn't necessarily exclude them from being used in a New Testament church service. There are a lot of things that believers under the new covenant don't do anymore that were done in the Temple. Are we following the Law or the Law of Christ here?

    I think the most important problem I see here is the understanding of Morality vs Holiness. The moralist adheres to a list of do's and don'ts. The Moralist also lives by his own definition of right and wrong and he loves to impose that definition upon other people. The Holy person allows the Word of God to direct his life and then anything BEYOND that, he guards the silences of the Bible, thereby honoring the differences that freedom allows among those who love the same Savior.

    Facts:

    The Scriptures teach believers today that NOTHING is UNCLEAN in and of itself. Jesus taught that what comes out of the heart is what defiles a man. If I'm holding a cigarette, I am not sinning according to the Bible. If I'm holding a cigarette with the intention of fueling my addiction, then the sin came about from my heart, not the object. If there were 85 naked people in the Garden of Eden, those 85 people having a naked body is not sin. Once Adam & Eve disobeyed God, the rest of us can't help but lust from our hearts now. What comes out of the heart is the key here.

    There are obvious things in Scripture that are specifically named as being wrong. Rejoicing to the Lord with a beat is not one of those things specifically mentioned. At the end of the day, we as believer must being honoring each other with our freedom in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit can do His job pretty well, and He doesn't need our help clarifying positions in His Word that he very well could have further defined, but chose not to.

    I must also point out that the verse talking about abstaining from all appearance of evil is within the context of Paul blasting false teaching. "Prove all things. Hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. (Kicker) And the very God of Peace sanctify you wholly." Do we get sanctified by our own works to avoid evil??? No. It is the Word of God that washes and sanctifies us, not our works or behaviors. This is what Paul is saying here. They were to accept the good doctrine and reject the evil teachings. Using that verse to mean that I must live my own life every day to avoid "appearing to someone else" that I'm doing evil means that I am living my life to please people (or a man-made system), not the Father.

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    1. I LOVE your answer here! Very wise perspective. I'll take notes from what you said, as I know a man who does not listen to music AT ALL because he laughably believes drum beats attract demons. At first he sent me a Babylon Bee article, about a demon manifesting during drum beats, and I had to gently tell him Babylon Bee is SATIRE. It was a JOKE. I tried to lead him to 2 Chron. 2:20, where God set ambushes for the Israelites enemies WHEN Jeshoshophat had his men SING, and I asked him "Are you more 'holy' than GOD?" I told him, "Then you'd better not marry, because SEX is evil. There's no end to your throwing out the baby with the bath water," which is exactly what this man has done by living in a world of silence. He claims drums were not mentioned in the OT, yet Timbrels WERE drums!

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  11. In response to Christian Metal, I personally think perhaps that God would like the message articulated a little bit clearer as opposed to a bunch of screaming. At the end of the day, all I can conclude is right is what I believe the Holy Spirit is leading me to personally listen in my song choices. The Bible tells me to be speaking to myself (using the intellect) with Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs (songs that have a spiritual message as opposed to an earthly or carnal message). If a song talks about my redemption, it is broadcasting a message that my spirit can tune into and rejoice with. Why on earth would I call that evil? That's a pretty serious charge! That's all I'm saying.

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  12. I find it amusing that you are a professional drummer and don't know that tempo and beat are two totally different things! Also, it is very possible to sing well without drums to keep the beat. I am a vocalist and I usually sing without any accompaniment! Finally, God is very specific about how he wants us to worship him. That is why the old testament is 2/3 of the Bible! And we are supposed to worship him in SPIRIT and TRUTH. I do agree with most of what I hear you saying, but I feel obligated to point out these discrepancies. Also, just a writer to writer note... try to keep your bias out of your writing, just present the facts!

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    1. It's fairly difficult for a BAND to play without a DRUM keeping the beat for them. Drums are not evil instruments.

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  13. Honestly I say stay away from it . I am a independant fundamental baptist I don't see anything wrong with the timbrel but drums these days?! I believe we should take the high road you always here heavy metal with those drums and I believe we need to be set apart from the world like it says in the bible. Every time I ask a guy that makes drums I ask him why he makes them and he says for (heavy metal of course) So just use a timbrel and the organ and stuff why even go near a modern drum set?! There is no need its safer to just stay with the old fashioned stuff because most CCM songs I have heard I just know they did not sing songs like that in thee old testament I mean lets be honest electric guitars and heavy metal drums that heavy metal groups use just stick with the high road.

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    1. So..... did you know that the word new describes the word song more than any other word combination in the Bible. Yep safer to stick with the old-fashioned stuff.

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    2. Why dont u stop using ghe new form of communication(phone or laptop and emails ) and start using the old form by hiring a messenger person or an hawk messenger ......my friend not all new is to be avoided ........if i want to buy a knife to kill a person u can stop me but not when i am buying a knife to kill a chicken

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  14. Aal-e-Imran 3:85

    وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ ٱلْإِسْلَٰمِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ

    And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.

    get Quran App:https://goo.gl/w6rESk

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  15. I am a counselor who has been divorced twice.. is two times acceptable? i mean i learned a lot. LOL

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  16. A tambourine [timbrel] and drum may both be percussion but they have different applications. The former isn't about keeping time or tempo but rather to elevate praise with an instrument of noise. Read the song of salvation in Exodus 15 do you hear percussion tempo coming out of those beautiful words of glorious praise. Or can you imagine going to worship at the modern church with a tambourine youd be kicked out for interfering with the drum patterns. Exodus 15 perfectly illustrates that people danced and rejoiced at Gods saving hand -in modern churches people dance to the beat not the Holy Spirit joy of praise.

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  17. The only reason I have difficulty with drums is when they are played so enthusiastically that my poor old ear drums get painful. I am a great grand mother and love it that those worshippers younger than I am are worshiping in their worship language even when it is different from my own worship language. Let’s be ready for heaven where all kinds of music will be celebrated.

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    1. Amen and amen. What a bunch of spoil sports. They should be glad people aren't "boogying" at a local nightclub, and are worshiping in church on Sunday morning. Period.

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  18. If Interested:
    Distraction Dilemma
    Shepherds Call
    Christian Berdahl
    Isaiah 55:11

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  19. Thank you for this. I just watched a 2 hr YouTube video that cursed the use of drums in church. He even said music should not move your feet which is ridiculous...said it's feeding the flesh...I'm a worship leader at my church and was in concert band through high school. I love beats and drum cadences, and to hear him say you can't worship God through drums hurt my feelings. I always try to play respectful and help others feel the rythem...he said the voices are the most important which I think is true to a point. But I can hear when someone is off pitch or Harmony is off...I would like to ask him if God gets angry at that, and a side not he mentioned drums are meant to be played loud where I play how the songs requires, And compared me to drums that are played long ago to drown out screams of sacrificed children. I don't see a direct correlation to that in today's time and I would never be apart of that. Drums brought me back to my church and now I have a purpose in life, for this guy to say those horrible things about drums made me seek out another opinion. I thank you for kind words. I'm sure this guy doesn't even play an instrument. I will try not to curse at him anymore on the TV, it was wrong of me but I think he is wrong on so many levels...thx again.

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