I came across your web site and find it interesting that<\/p>\n
We are not to add to or take away from God\u2019s commandments.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
and<\/p>\n
God also sanctioned self-defense as we read of the young David slaying both lion and bear in defense of his flock in I Samuel 17. \u00a0In verse 37 David said it was the Lord who delivered him from the attacking beasts and he would likewise deliver him in battle against the Philistine (Goliath.) \u00a0Remember the apostle Paul killing the attacking viper in\u00a0<\/em>Acts 28:1-5<\/em><\/a>? \u00a0It must then be obvious that\u00a0<\/em>\u201cThou shalt not kill\u201d means \u201cYou shall not murder.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Is one permitted to interpret God’s commandments to bolster\u00a0one’s point of view?<\/p>\n
After all, the Bible doesn’t mention air conditioning and hymnals but I know Church of Christ members who have added these to their services while judging other church people who use\u00a0musical instruments in worship services.<\/p>\n
By the way, is there a “commandment” in the New Testament about musical instruments? I’m not aware of one. My Church of Christ acquaintances state the New Testament doesn’t have anything about the use of musical instruments in worship services so they “don’t add to God’s word.” When\u00a0I mention “make a joyful noise”, they respond that is Old Testament and they belong to a New Testament church.<\/p>\n
So somewhere between the Old Testament and the New Testament, God quit liking musical instruments in worship services!<\/p>\n
That same David that slew lions and bears also played a musical instrument (lyre) in worshiping God.<\/p>\n\t
Answer:<\/h2>\n
“Interpret” means “to make sense of, to assign a meaning to, to understand, to give an explanation of.” Since God said, “So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is<\/em>” (Ephesians 5:17), the answer is yes, we are to make sense of what God said, to understand it and to give an explanation of it. “Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence<\/em>” (I Peter 3:15).<\/p>\n
From your statement, I must assume that you believe “interpret” to mean “to assign arbitrary meaning to.” Such doesn’t match the definition of the word, nor is it what I do. “Interpret” does not mean “alter.” I carefully document what God says about matters. “Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen<\/em>” (I Peter 4:11). Thus, the definition of “murder” in Exodus 20:13 was proven by several means as not meaning “kill” in general. You seem to find it objectionable, but you present no evidence that I misguided anyone.<\/p>\n
In regards to instrumental music, it is clear you don’t know your history. The use of instrumental music was a recent innovation in worship among denominations. See “The Amazing History of Instrumental Music in Christian Worship<\/a>.”<\/p>\n
Your question has been addressed on this web site: “Where in the Bible is Instrumental Music Forbidden?<\/a>“<\/p>\n
In regards to air conditioning and hymnals, your argument is an empty one. First, since you have such in your worship, it is clear that you find authority for these things. The flaw is that you\u00a0assume<\/em>\u00a0the authority comes from men adding to God’s word despite God’s clear injunction against additions; additions which you find acceptable. Please see: “Finding Liberty in Silence<\/a>” to see why this line of argument is false and why hymnals and air condition is not additions to God’s commands. If you are going to present a counter-argument, you really ought to use something you believe in. Giving false arguments only makes your position look bad.<\/p>\n