In the early years of the church it is unlikely that uninspired songs were sung in public worship, although inspired Bible songs from outside of the Psalms may have been sung. But even if uninspired songs had been publicly used in worship during periods of decline and apostasy, that is not a good reason for people to consider such songs to be lawful and to write and sing them now.
This is not to mention that most (or possibly even all) of the modern uninspired hymns are unbalanced and full (to a greater or lesser degree) of heretical statements.
This situation is not surprising because the hymn writers often held to various heresies themselves. Wesley was an Arminian and Isaac Watts denied the doctrine of the Trinity. Many hymns were written by Roman Catholics, Universalists as well as various other heterodox persons.
When Isaac Watts was subverting Reformation exclusive Psalmody with his "Imitations of David's Psalms" his stated purpose was to make David a Christian. He also said that there are words in the Psalms which ought never to be found on the lips of a Christian (information on Watts gleaned from a letter by Jim Dodson).
While the Apostles and the Lord Himself (while He walked the earth) saw no need to add to God's already existing hymnal (i.e. the Psalter), modern hymn-mongers fear not to compose their own ditties for public worship.
Doesn't it seem remarkable that it is always the adherents of heterodox beliefs--Bardesanes (third century Syrian Gnostic), Arius (d. 336 A.D.), the Donatists (at the time of Augustine), the Anabaptists (during the Reformation), Wesley, Watts, and similar people of our day--who want to add to the songs God has provided?
What is the reason that explains why there was opposition to the introduction of uninspired hymns by these ecclesiastical authorities: the Council of Laodicea (about 360 A.D.), the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.), and the Calvinistic Reformers (and their creeds)?
Were the most orthodox defenders of the church *always* wrong on this question and the heretics and the compromised *always* right? (This article has been adapted from "Saul in the Cave of Adullam" by Reg Barrow.)
This is not to mention that most (or possibly even all) of the modern uninspired hymns are unbalanced and full (to a greater or lesser degree) of heretical statements.
This situation is not surprising because the hymn writers often held to various heresies themselves. Wesley was an Arminian and Isaac Watts denied the doctrine of the Trinity. Many hymns were written by Roman Catholics, Universalists as well as various other heterodox persons.
When Isaac Watts was subverting Reformation exclusive Psalmody with his "Imitations of David's Psalms" his stated purpose was to make David a Christian. He also said that there are words in the Psalms which ought never to be found on the lips of a Christian (information on Watts gleaned from a letter by Jim Dodson).
While the Apostles and the Lord Himself (while He walked the earth) saw no need to add to God's already existing hymnal (i.e. the Psalter), modern hymn-mongers fear not to compose their own ditties for public worship.
Doesn't it seem remarkable that it is always the adherents of heterodox beliefs--Bardesanes (third century Syrian Gnostic), Arius (d. 336 A.D.), the Donatists (at the time of Augustine), the Anabaptists (during the Reformation), Wesley, Watts, and similar people of our day--who want to add to the songs God has provided?
What is the reason that explains why there was opposition to the introduction of uninspired hymns by these ecclesiastical authorities: the Council of Laodicea (about 360 A.D.), the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.), and the Calvinistic Reformers (and their creeds)?
Were the most orthodox defenders of the church *always* wrong on this question and the heretics and the compromised *always* right? (This article has been adapted from "Saul in the Cave of Adullam" by Reg Barrow.)
About the Author:
For further information about Biblical worship (following the Regulative Principle of Worship), Christian history and the Reformation, please visit PuritanDownloads.com. There are many Reformation doctrine resources at that site.
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