Why do some Church of Christ members believe it is wrong to sing christian songs in a public venue?

Question

Doesn't the Bible tell us to spread God's word. Wouldn't this be a way to spread God's message to non-believers?

Answer 1

I am a member of the church of Christ and I do not believe it is wrong to sing a spiritual song in public venues that are not worship services.

As you have stated, however, some do hold this view, and while I do not totally agree with it, I do understand their point of view and I respect it.

Here is their line of thinking, if singing such songs are part of worship, then they should be sung in accordance with the way the New Testament authorizes worship. This includes singing and worshiping “in spirit and in truth”. Instruments would be excluded since they are not authorized in the New Testament for worship. (They are not in the Word of God addressed to the church, therefore they are not according to truth.)

(For more information on instrumental music, see my answer at this question: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ajw4YB8.LJzMTh.0ZcZw27_sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070907084253AAgLUWe&show=7#profile-info-644ad431b65402fc887dff3080c33ca1aa )

If however singing them in a public venue is not worshiping, then you are singing a song that uses God’s name and speaks of the things He has done, but you ascribe no meaning to these words. In other words, it is speaking the Lord’s name in vain; something that has always been condemned in God’s word! We should hold the Lord’s name in the highest esteem and never use it in a meaningless way.

While I can also see the point that one can, and should, speak and sing of the Lord in everyday life, not just in formal worship services; I can also see the objection that some would have to spiritual songs be used as mere entertainment. If I were in charge of entertainment at a public event (concert, ball game, etc.), I would probably not include religious songs as part of the "entertainment" because those songs have a much more important purpose and meaning, and I respect the views of those who wish to keep them in the realm of worship.

If I did include them, I would make sure that they were used in a way that would show respect to God, and not just to entertain the audience. (Perhaps a short introduction to the song that talks about the meaning of the words would be in order.) We are to sing these songs with both spirit AND understanding! (1 Corinthians 14:15)

Answer 2

Mormons have always believed that Jesus is God. Jesus is the person that the Israelites worshipped and called upon as Jehovah throughout the Old Testament. Jesus condescended to come down to earth and take upon him flesh and blood and live among us. He was born to a mortal woman, Mary. But long before that Jesus created the heaven and earth. Mormons believe that the Bible teaches that Jesus has a Father in Heaven, who is also God, and who is a separate person. The Holy Ghost is also God. Traditional Christians who accept the doctrine of the Trinity believe that in some mystical way Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Ghost are three separate persons, and yet at the same time are one person. How this can be is not explainable, though lame analogies are sometimes given. Mormons believe that the Oneness of Jesus Christ, The Father, and The Holy Ghost is also somewhat of a mystery. How can three personages be perfectly united in purpose, intent, understanding, love, perfection, and harmony? Why would the Son say nothing different from what the Father would say if asked the same question? How can they be so perfectly in agreement that they can be thought of as One? I don't think we have all the answers to these questions. Yet Mormons insist on maintaining one distinction between what they believe, and the error they believe crept into Christian teachings in the 3rd and 4th centuries after Christ. In a sense Christ is the Father and the Son (see the teachings of Abinadi - Mosiah 15:1-4), yet this is the handicap of language. The Father and the Son are distinct personages. The claim is sometimes made that Mormons are polytheistic. This claim is false. Polytheism is the sin of multiple gods who can be distinguished one from another by their power, influence, personality, attributes, proclivities, and jurisdiction. But you can't distinguish the Father and the Son in these ways. In polytheism to worship one god is different from worshipping another god because there are important differences. Not so with the Father and the Son. Can I praise the love and kindness of the Father and not be praising that same love and kindness of the Son? As a non-Mormon you may not understand the Oneness of the Father and the Son as Mormons do, but it seems no one claims to really understand the Oneness of the Father and the Son as accepted by the believers of the 4th century doctrine of the Trinity.

Answer 3

People can sing in public, but quietly to themself. As I can sing mentally or joyfully in my spirit whereever I am.

But if it is in the mall as is the purpose of the mall at Christmas time or for entertainment purposes, then it isn't wrong to sing Christian songs.

Or to have a christian song playing in your car, etc.

But the antichrists out there will raise a stink loudly. I know they hate Christian songs.

Answer 4

Sadly, the Church of Christ is very legalistic. In many ways, they still live under the Law, rather than in God's Grace.