Is there anything wrong with having Christians gather together for the purpose of listening to a group of young people (some baptized) sing spiritual songs for entertainment? ~ Jim Taylor
Singing of “spiritual songs” is regulated by chiefly the following two passages.
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).
Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs are relatively equal to each other and represent the type of music (vocal and intelligible) authorized in the New Testament for worshipping God. The contexts in which these passages appear do not treat a worship service but address a form of worship, irrespective of when and where it may occur. Only the communion among the acts of worship observed on the Lord’s Day is restricted to the Lord’s Day. Hence, whenever and wherever a Christian or Christians sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs they are singing songs that are intended for worshipping God.
Nowhere can one discern from the New Testament that the psalms, hymns and spiritual songs that Christians sing are designed for entertainment. As such, every act of worship, including psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, is primarily directed to God as the audience, whereas the participants in the worship are not receiving but giving the worship. Worship services are not intended by biblical proscription to be entertainment oriented and directed to the worshipper instead of the worshipped.
Notwithstanding, preaching and singing possess elements of edification that are intended for the worshippers besides the rendering of worship to God. In addition, many Christians find worship pleasant and enjoyable, especially singing. However, I would like to urge caution lest we (1) disregard the worshipful nature of “spiritual songs” as we dub them outside our assemblies as merely “entertainment; (2) transform “spiritual songs” with which we ordinarily worship God into performances to be viewed for entertainment. Personally, I cannot sing “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” as part of my worship and at other times and other places sing the same “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs,” which contain references to God and holy things, with disregard for the worshipful nature of those songs.
Hence, I am reluctant to appreciate performances intended for my entertainment in which a group smaller than the entire group gathered together sings worshipful songs. From a biblical perspective, I am more comfortable with singing worshipful songs, by which I not only worship my God, but find joy in singing those songs. Perhaps with these thoughts and additional study on your part, you will come to a conclusion with which you are satisfied is warranted by biblical considerations.
