Journal: Reformation and Revival
Volume: RAR 07:3 (Summer 1998)
Article: Musical Idolatry: Non Nobis
Author: Charles D. King

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Musical Idolatry: Non Nobis

Charles D. King

A number of issues underlie the current discussion regarding worship styles and music in worship. I propose to look at this subject from the perspective of idolatry. My purpose is to offer some clear correctives that I hope will be useful to the church in a time when the spirit of the world threatens to overwhelm the spirit of truth.

As I write I am mindful of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown,” who witnessed every good person in his Puritan town participating in a black Sabbath—or did he? He was never quite sure whether it was a dream or not.

A stern, sad, darkly meditative, distrustful, if not desperate man did he become, from the night of that fearful dream. On the Sabbath day, when the congregation were singing a holy psalm, he could not listen, because an anthem of sin rushed loudly upon his ear, and drowned all the blessed strain .... And when he had lived long, and was borne to his grave, a hoary corpse ... they carved no hopeful verse upon his tomb-stone; for his dying hour was gloom.1

I will attempt to be serious, but not dour. I aim at being careful, but never pharisaical. My goal throughout is to be cautionary, definitely not incendiary.

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Thy name give

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glory because of Thy lovingkindness, because of Thy truth. Why should the nations say, ‘Where, now, is their God?’ But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases” (Ps. 115:1–3).

I suggest that all the discussions I hear
about “styles” betray a misorientation.
Typically they begin with the question
about how to satisfy the worshiper.
Cultural relevance is the primary value for
appraising style choices. The basis for
evaluating success, then, is either gross
numbers or the presence of the “target
audience.” Success is then ours.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Thy name give glory because of Thy lovingkindness.

The psalmist immediately orients us to the task. We are confronted with our motivations, and if honest we look into our hearts to ask, “Is this true?” Why do I stand in front of my choir week after week? What is my motivation as I lead worship? Whom am I trying to please? Whose glory do I really seek as I select music for the congregation to sing and to hear?

I suggest that all the discussions I hear about “styles”

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