AN OLD APOSTASY IN A NEW AGE-1

George Santanyana is attributed to having said the following: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." While Santanyana has been misquoted often on this socre, and much debate continues as to what he actually meant, the statement itself is true. As it applies to history, it has often been borne out to be so. This is even clearer in religion. Recently, a large congregation of chruches of Christ in Alabama announced its intent to introduce instrumental music in its Sunday morning worship. While the elders of that church are welcoming feedback from the congregation before it makes the final decision, the eldership affirmed that it believes instrumental music in worship to be acceptable to God. Thus, the debate in Alabama among churches of Christ over instrumental music in worship--once thought to be a long dead issue--has been rekindled. In the 19th century, churches of Christ and the Christian Church went through a major division, in part, over the instrument. Now, one hundred years later, the rumination of Santanyana rings true. A new generation clamors for the kind of music it has been exposed to in entertainment, and among its religious friends. "Why not have it? It will make our services more 'user-friendly' and 'exciting.'" While the question of "Why do this?" may be legitmately asked, such should not be the focus. Rather, the focus should be on the central issue: BIBLICAL AUTHORITY. If the New Testament is our authority for all matters of faith and practice, then where is the authority for the instrument in worship? Does it matter? (MORE TO FOLLOW)