Jesus and the SICK
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spiritual songs of the Spirit of Christ? Seventh, the editor's argument for the use of musical instruments proves too much. Since the regulative principle also forbids the subtracting from worship of what God has commanded, would the editor be prepared to implement the entire scope required by Psalm 149:6 or More on Psalm-singing 150:6? Obviously, neither psalm is speak I write as a concerned brother to com ing of public worship alone. ment on the editor's response to Ren Assuredly, trusting in the finished work wick Adam's letter in the February issue of Christ, one would not use Psalm 51:19 of the Guardian. as a prooftext for sacrificing bulls ac First, the difference between "liberty" cording to the ceremonial law. So, why and "advocacy" in worship is clearly seen continue the use of instrumental music in the case of Nadab and Abihu, who felt of the ceremonial law? God instituted the that their "strange fire" was a matter of use of musical instruments by direct com "liberty"; but they died for lack of "ad mand in conjunction with the ceremonial vocacy," or God-given warrant. typological offerings (2 Chronicles 29: Second, concerning the regulative prin 25-30); God ended these same types and ciple: Of course it is not the sole posses shadows by the sending of his Son as a "This sion of those who sing the songs written sacrifice for sin. Why return to types and by God exclusively. These people, how shadows? is a rich ever, are the only ones who implement Rather (1) we ought to use the Spirit it consistently (and incidentally, in ac written psalms as warranted for New commentary... cord with the Westminster standards). Testament worship by precept in Colos Third, I find it strange that a Re sians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19, and by ex Dr. Hughes always has an formed Christian would try to make a ample (in connection with the first eye for the theological impli distinction between the Christ revealed Lord's Supper) in Matthew 26:30. (2) cations of the text (and) is by the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament We ought to use the only means of mak able to draw to a greater psalms and the Christ revealed in the extent than most com ing melody warranted by the New Testa mentators on his expert New Testament. Christ said the Scrip ment, "making melody with your heart" knowledge of the history of tures testify of him and the apostles used (Eph. 5:19), and "the fruit of our lips" interpretation of the epis the psalms in testifying of him. The (Heb. 13:15) . tle.. .In addition (he) reaches Psalms not only speak of the Savior as Among my prayers is the petition that his own eminently sane he lived and as he died (with a psalm all Christians may soon, in gladness, unite exegetical conclusions. on his lips) but also of his coming again. in using the only "catholic" Book of "All in all, this is a commen Fourth, Scripture nowhere warrants Praise - the Spirit-given psalms, as we tary which will be a standard the writing or singing of uninspired worship the Saivor, and that all may resource for students of He songs, nor does it promise the Spirit's glorify God with the perfect Book of brews and one which will aid in doing so, as it does with prayer. Praise, given by God, warranted by him definitely be used in my own Fifth, God never places the uninspired rather than the spotted Iambs of human course on this letter." writings of men on a par with Scripture invention that have so often replaced -Andrew T. Lincoln and it is inconceivable that the mere God's own Word. Gordon-Conwell writings of men could supersede the "How blessed are all those who take Theolo ical Seminary Scripture in Christian worship - yet this refuge in him" (Psalm 2: 12) . has happened in many churches. Robert A. Miller Sixth, if as Colossians 3:16 proclaims, Ref. Presbyterian Seminary we are to teach and admonish each other Pittsburgh, Penna. with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, how can anyone have human hymns re Point by point place the Scripture as the only rule of faith and practice? Does not 2 Timothy (I) The example of Nadab and Abihu 3: 16-17 say that it is Scripture that is not relevant. The General Assembly of teaches and admonishes to make a man the Orthodox Presbyterian Church felt complete, equipped for every good work? that Scripture gave it liberty in the choice How then do the psalms, hymns, and of hymns in public worship; Nadab and spiritual songs of uninspired men replace, Abihu made no such claim for their A Commentary or even augment, the psalms, hymns, and "strange fire." on theEpistle The Presbyterian Guardian is published eleven times each year, every month except for a combined to the Hebrews issue in July-August, by the Presbyterian Guardian Publishing Corporation, 7401 Old York Road. by Philip Edgcumbe Hughes Philadelphia. PA 19126. at the following rates, payable in advance, postage prepaid: $4.25 per 3495 Cloth 656 pages $14.95 year ($3.75 in clubs of ten or more; special rate for "every-family churches" on request). Second t your bookstore class mail privileges authorized at the Post Office, Philadelphia, Pa. 537 WM. B. EERDMANS _ PUBLISHING CO. 255 JEFFER$ONII\\:Ave SE . GRA~D RAPIDS, MICH 49502 Page 2 The Presbyterian Guardian (2) The editor's concern in this sub ject is that those persuaded of exclusive psalmody might recognize that some of NEWS BULL ETINS FROM TH E us sing hymns in a belief that this is fully warranted in Scripture and thus fully within the "regulative principle of o.P.C. GENERAL ASSEMBLY worship" as defined in the Westminster Confession. (3) Mr. Miller misses the point. I made no distinction between the Christ re vealed in the Old Testament and the The Forty-fourth General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Christ in the New. But surely there is a Church convened on Thursday evening, June 2, at Bethel O. P. great distinction between the fullness of Church in Oostburg, Wi sc, and was still in session on Friday, revelation about Christ in the two testa June 10, as this report was being prepared. ments. (4) Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19 The Rev. Wendell L. Rockey, .Ir., pastor of the Presbyterian Church of fully warrant the use of hymns based on Cape Cod, was elected moderator. His efficiency-and wit-helped the total revelation of Christ in both immensely in an often tense assembly. testaments. The parallel to "let the word A special offering sometime in 1978 for improvement of pensions of Christ dwell in you richly" is "be filled for retired ministers was authorized. A special committee on with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5: 18). And retirement housing needs was also erected. the context in both passages clearly in cludes prayer along with singing (Col. Despite voiced doubts, membership in the Reformed Ecumenical 3:17; Eph. 5:20). Synod was continued. The assembly, however, refused to adopt (5) Nobody here is saying that unin recommendations to urge the Presbyterian Church in America and spired writings are on a par with Scrip the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangel i cal Synod, to con sider ture. That some people do say this proves seeking RES membership. nothing for the question at issue. The greatest amount of time was expended on matters relating (6) Weare indeed to admonish one another. And not only in singing, but in to the Combined Budget and the Committee on Stewardship. A preaching the Word and even in prayer. proposal to employ a full-time general secretary was initially Neither of these acts of public worship rejected by a 3-2 vote. After a later reconsideration, and with are restricted to direct quotation of the urging of a special Committee to Review the Combined Scripture. But both are the Spirit-guided Budget, the proposal was adopted by a large majority. The expressions of fallible men, proclaiming concern of some to continue to study the biblical bases for a the Word of God truly but not infallibly. combined budget through another special committee was rejected. In what sense, or for what reason, is As adopted, and including provi sion for a general secretary for singing different? the Committee on Stewardship, the Combined Budget for 1978 is (7) Would the editor be prepared to Christian Education $170,600 implement Psalm 149:6? Yes, though his Foreign Missions 258,000 two-edged sword for today is the Word _~~~Q.o..9 of God (Ephesians 6: 17). I don't even Home Missions see what the problem might be in Psalm $652,600 150:6. Stewardship __~~~..9 Mr. Miller seems to believe that instru mental music in God's worship only be Total Combined Budget $685,000 gan with the ceremonial arrangements A judicial case, in which a minister found guilty of violating the for the temple. But if so, that is appli Fourth Commandment in practice and doctrine had appealed both cable also to many of the psalms. Should the verdict and the proposed censure of suspension from office, we omit them from Christian worship saw the assembly overwhelmingly uphold presbytery decisions. just because they were originally intended for temple use? I can see that a sacrificed A proposed new Form of Government, the product of twenty-nine bull is a type and symbol of Christ. But years of study and di scussion, was sent down to the presbyteries in what sense is a musical instrument a on a vote without audible dissent-much to the surprise of many.