Conscience One aspect of the instrumental music debate that is not often discussed has to do with what a conscientious objector should do in an instrumental congregation. Most people I have heard speak from the a cappella side have apparently assumed that such people are bound by their convictions and consciences to leave that church. I would like to explore that question just a bit.

A person's conscience, when properly trained about right and wrong, makes him aware of guilt when he violates that standard of right and wrong. Even an unbeliever has a conscience that functions like this (Rom 2:14-16). And even when our consciences are inaccurately trained, we are still under an obligation not to violate them. Likewise we are obligated not to tempt a brother to violate his conscience, even if he is misguided (1 Cor 8:9-13). However, it is not sufficient merely to avoid violating our consciences. We must also obey God (1 Cor 4:4)

However, I do not become guilty because of another person's actions. There is nothing that another person can do to make me guilty of sin. My guilt or innocence hangs entirely on things I personally do. So a third party cannot do anything that puts me in violation of my conscience. In these cases, my conscience is violated only if I respond in a way that violates my understanding of right and wrong.

Let's apply this to the instrumental music question. Suppose Brother X is convinced at this point in time that instrumental music in worship is sin. Therefore he cannot conscientiously play a musical instrument in a worship service. If he observes another brother playing an instrument in worship, does this make Brother X guilty of sin? I do not think so. As long as Brother X sings, based on his understanding of various passages, he is being obedient with respect to that teaching.

It might be appropriate for Brother X to approach the player of the instrument and attempt to persuade him to cease. Or it might be appropriate for him to bring his objection to the attention of the church leaders. But what should he do if they do not agree?

I believe he should keep his conviction between himself and God (Rom 14:21-23). He should continue to sing according to his conviction, and to abstain from playing an instrument in worship. If he does these things he is not guilty in any way with respect to his conviction about instrumental music. He may be saddened by what he perceives to be disobedience by his brothers. But God tells us to bear with the failings of the weak (Rom 15:1). We should not part ways because of things like this.

Even J. W. McGarvey, a strong opponent of instrumental music, wrote that this would be a viable option under some circumstances when he replied to a letter with the following advice (What Shall We Do About the Organ, page 9):

But as you are not a preacher and as those who stand with you are not able to organize a self-edifying church, I advise that you remain where you are, participate faithfully in all parts of the worship that are not perverted, and persevere, without growing weary, in earnest and prayerful efforts to secure the removal of the instrument. I advise this because it is the only course left open by which you can still observe such of the ordinances as are still observed according to the Scriptures. The alternative would be either to stay away from church altogether—which is a sinful course of life while there is a real church, even a partially corrupted one, within your reach—or to attend some church in which both the teaching and the worship are still farther removed from the divine order. Of course I am supposing that there is no congregation of the primitive order within reach of you to which you could transfer your membership. If there is, the path of duty is obvious.

I commented at greater length about the above article in a previous post. The relevant point for this discussion is that McGarvey did not consider it sinful for the person to remain if that were the only choice available. The presence of a nearby a cappella congregation has no bearing on whether or not singing in the presence of instrumental music is sin. It could be debated what is best in that situation, but that is a different question.

Now I acknowledge that Brother X may be confused on the subject of conscience. He may believe that he would be guilty by association if he were to be present at the instrumental worship service. In this case his conscience has been inaccurately trained. Yet he is obligated to follow his conscience, and therefore must not worship with the instruments. I believe this is the case with many if not all of those who hold the conviction that singing in worship must be a cappella. They will not attend an instrumental worship service as a matter of conscience. I hope and pray that these brothers will reexamine their understanding of conscience and guilt. Until they do so, their confusion about conscience may be causing unnecessary division in the body of Christ. At least that is how I see it.

In the meantime, Brother X could (must) still embrace the instrumental brothers and sisters in every context other than at their instrumental worship service. If God has adopted them as sons, along with Brother X, then they are all brothers, whether or not Brother X's convictions are correct.  ¶ 10:12 AM