It was one of those interesting coincidences. In the same week I received two correspondences dealing with separate issues, but both seeking to justify their beliefs in the same manner.<\/p>\n
The first was in an article. It contained a quote from Gary Mattingly, a preacher for the Christian Church who had written: \u201cFirst and foremost, we must see that there is a fundamental difference in the hermeneutics (this is the interpretation of Scripture) between the two groups. The non-instrumental brethren see the \u2018silence of the Scripture\u2019 to be prohibition. If the Scriptures do not have a \u2018thus saith the Lord\u2019 on a subject, then, to this group, we must not do it. They feel that the New Testament says nothing about instruments, therefore, they should be refused in worship. We, within the Christian Church \/ Church of Christ, use a hermeneutic that says, for the most part, if there is silence in Scripture, we can use liberty on the subject. If the Scripture does not say \u2018thou shalt use an instrument in worship,\u2019 we find this a liberty. We can use it or not use it. This is the underlying cause for our differences today in the instrumental issue. You must see this clearly before you can talk about this further. This is a must to see!\u201d<\/p>\n
The second was in a letter from James Johnson, a preacher on the north side of Omaha. He wrote: \u201cI have no problem with a church building having any or all of the above [a long list which included kitchens and dining halls – jwh]. You, however, believe that anything we put into practice must have a \u2018thus saith the Lord.\u2019 I say we are permitted to have all of the above because they have absolutely nothing to do regarding our salvation . . . My point is, God gives the leadership of the local church the latitude to decide or make decisions in discretionary or judgmental matters (Hebrews 13:17). It is fine for brethren to choose not to have a dining facility. It is, however, a false position when brethren, who do not have a dining facility, try to elevate their opinion to the level of law. Again, it is an opinion or judgment call because the Bible does not deal with having or not having dining facilities . . . \u201d [The preceding was lightly edited to correct a few spelling and grammatical errors.]<\/p>\n
I found a similar vein of reasoning within these two correspondences fascinating. Both men state that their position is not found in the Bible. Both complain that their opposition demand a \u2018thus saith the Lord,\u2019 which they both believe to be unnecessary. They both find the liberty to implement their practice in the silence of the Scriptures.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, their method of reasoning leaves the gate wide open for all sorts of innovations. The Scripture, for example, is silent about making Groundhog Day a religious holiday. Should we then find liberty in the Scripture\u2019s silence to add a holy day to our calendar? The Bible is just as silent about Easter and Christmas as it is about Groundhog Day, yet most denominations find the latitude to add these celebrations to their religious observances. These additions, in their minds, have absolutely nothing to do with salvation.<\/p>\n
Come to think of it, where can I find the Catholic practices of the papacy, the priesthood, the confessional booth, the burning of incense, lighting candles, the rosary, or infant baptism? Even the Catholic Catechism acknowledges that these practices did not exist during the time the Bible was written. They turn to their traditions to justify these additions to God\u2019s Word. Why do Mr. Mattingly and Mr. Johnson oppose these Catholic practices if the silence of the Scriptures gives liberty? Would they declare that their opposition to these practices is elevating an opinion to the level of law?<\/p>\n
Actually, Mr. Mattingly hedged his position. He said that the silence of the Scriptures gives liberty \u201cfor the most part.\u201d Even Mr. Mattingly realizes there must be a limit to the liberty he claims. The problem is that this limit is arbitrarily placed, depending on who is claiming the liberty. The things I want are liberty. The things you want are prohibited.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, we do not have to depend on the whims of men for determining what the silence of the Scriptures allows or prohibits. God is not silent about the meaning of silence in His Law. Jesus commanded his followers to teach all the things he had commanded them (Matthew 28:20). This would not leave any additional things to be taught, else they would have failed in their mission to teach all the things Christ had commanded.<\/p>\n
One of those things taught by the apostle Paul was the command to have the Lord\u2019s approval for whatever we do or say (Colossians 3:17). Despite the objections of Mr. Mattingly and Mr. Johnson, the Scripture is quite clear that we must have a \u2018thus saith the Lord\u2019 for everything that we practice and teach.<\/p>\n
The Bible is also quite clear about staying within the bounds of the things which were taught. Paul warned brethren to mark those who work contrary to the doctrine we learned (Romans 16:17). The word contrary<\/i> is from the Greek word para<\/i> which means, in this usage, going beyond the limits. What are the limits? The things we have learned from the apostles. A similar warning is given in I Corinthians 4:6, \u201cNow these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.<\/i>\u201d John also wrote concerning this matter in II John 9, \u201cAnyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.<\/i>\u201d The phrase \u201cgoes too far<\/i>\u201d is from the Greek work parabaino<\/i> which refers to going beyond the limits. The word \u201cabides<\/i>\u201d is from the Greek work meno<\/i> which refers to continuing, standing, or staying within the boundaries set. What is the limit John has in mind? The limit is the teaching or doctrine of Christ.<\/p>\n
We must restrict ourselves to the things taught by the apostles. \u201cSo then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.<\/i>\u201d (II Thessalonians 2:15). Such restriction is sensible. How can we presume to know what is pleasing to God, unless God has revealed it to us? No man knows the mind of God, but God himself (I Corinthians 2:9-11). If God has revealed a matter to us, then He was not silent about the matter. If God did not reveal a matter, then how could a mere man know if God would be happy with the addition? Robert Richardson once wrote, \u201cThe silence of the Bible is to be reverenced equally with its teachings, and that to intrude into things not seen and not revealed, evinces that vanity of a fleshly mind as much as to misinterpret and pervert the express statements of the Scriptures.\u201d When a man takes the opportunity to add to God\u2019s Word because God was silent on a matter, he alters the meaning of what God has said. This perversion of the teachings of God is man\u2019s desired goal to please himself (Galatians 1:6-10).<\/p>\n
Take a look at the Jewish Christians who went out teaching that the Old Law was still binding in Acts 15. A letter was sent by the church in Jerusalem which said in part, \u201cwe have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls<\/i>\u201d (Acts 15:24). Notice that these false teachers were not rebuked because the apostles and elders in Jerusalem told them not to teach about these matters. They were rebuked because they were given no such commandment. In other words, the apostles and other leaders in Jerusalem were silent about these matters and that silence was a prohibition against the teaching!<\/p>\n
Even though we are not under the Old Testament laws, we still can learn things about God from them (Romans 15:4). A notable feature of the Old Laws was God\u2019s expectation that when He gave a law, man was not allowed to alter them (Deuteronomy 4:2; 5:32-33; 12:32).<\/p>\n
Consider what a person does when he uses the silence of God to authorize a practice. He is adding new features to God\u2019s Law. If they did something God had told them not to do, then they would be breaking a commandment of God. In other words, they would be removing that particular commandment\u2019s authority. They would be subtracting from God\u2019s Word. The prohibition from adding to God\u2019s Word was a commandment to respect the silence of God. The prohibition from subtracting from God\u2019s Word was a command to respect the teachings of God. As the Proverb writer wrote, we must not add to God\u2019s word (Proverbs 30:6).<\/p>\n
When a person does not speak in accordance with God\u2019s teaching, it shows their lack of righteousness (Isaiah 8:20). Is it any wonder that Peter told us to speak as God spoke (I Peter 4:11)? How does a person speak like God? It would require the person to limit his words to only the things spoken by God. He cannot add things that God has not said, nor can he remove things that God has said.<\/p>\n
A person who justifies an action by the silence of God implies that God did not tell us everything we need to do to live righteously. Oh, the actions added to the Scriptures are called righteous, but they are not found between the covers of the New Testament. Hence, this person is saying there are righteous things to be found outside of the Bible.<\/p>\n
Yet, Paul said that the Scriptures contain everything to make a man completely equipped to do every good work (II Timothy 3:16-17). Peter said that God has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). If a matter is not found in the Scriptures, then 1) it is not related to godliness, 2) it does not pertain to a godly life, and 3) it is not a good work in the sight of God. This leads us to conclude that such matters are sinful.<\/p>\n
We can only make a choice in matters when God gives us a choice. We cannot claim the right to choose for ourselves. Long have brethren used the claim, \u201cWe will speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent.\u201d Let us, therefore, continue to respect the silence of God with our own silence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton It was one of those interesting coincidences. In the same week I received two correspondences dealing with separate issues, but both seeking to justify their beliefs in the same manner. The first was in an article. It contained a quote from Gary Mattingly, a preacher for the Christian Church who had…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[78],"class_list":["post-4185","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-authority"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":62453,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/finding-liberty-in-silence-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":4185,"position":0},"title":"Finding Liberty in Silence (Sermon)","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 22, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It was one of those interesting coincidences. I received two correspondences dealing with separate issues, but both seeking justification in the same manner. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In attempting to justify the use of instrumental music, Gary Mattingly, a preacher for the Christian Church wrote: \u201cFirst and foremost, we\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":45566,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-silence-argument\/","url_meta":{"origin":4185,"position":1},"title":"The Silence Argument","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 20, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"by Wayne Jackson One of the strongest arguments against the use of instrumental music in Christian worship is the \"silence\" principle. This is the concept that when God is silent about a matter, man is not at liberty to \"presume\", and so to act without divine authority. There is no\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":22098,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-must-the-christian-community-continue-to-try-to-prove-one-denomination-better-than-the-other\/","url_meta":{"origin":4185,"position":2},"title":"Why must the Christian community continue to try to prove one denomination better than the other?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 7, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Why must the Christian community continue to try to prove one denomination better than the other? This article is simply untrue in many of its claims. I would recommend further study and prayer before continuing to include it on your web site. Answer: Now, why would I want to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":85343,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-catholic-church-of-christ\/","url_meta":{"origin":4185,"position":3},"title":"The Catholic Church of Christ?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 5, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Perry Hall I was asked this question: \"Why is Catholicism wrong?\" Here is my short reply: \"One reason is it equates church tradition and inspiration. They are not equal in authority.\" In theory, most of us in \"churches of Christ\" would agree - in theory. In practice, are we\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":58211,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-silence-of-the-scriptures\/","url_meta":{"origin":4185,"position":4},"title":"The Silence of the Scriptures (Rogers)","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 21, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"by Heath Rogers Bible authority is established through direct statements, commands, approved examples, and necessary inferences. We understand what to do with the stated commands and prohibitions of Scripture, but what are we to do with the things God does not say? We know what to do with God's\u00a0voice, but\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":31932,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/where-is-the-scripture\/","url_meta":{"origin":4185,"position":5},"title":"Where Is the Scripture?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 12, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jefferson David Tant In discussions about the Bible and various practices and beliefs of members of churches of Christ, sometimes, the question is asked, \"Where does the Bible say that's wrong?\" Various practices prompt the question, with it often being asked concerning the use of instrumental music in our\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/scan0006_tif-251x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4185","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4185"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4185\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4185"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4185"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4185"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}