Some Reflections on the 2011 Florida College Chorus Tour

Being a former student of Florida College and knowing a good number of people who have an affinity to the school, I thought it was important to pass along this article about the troubling practice of the Florida College Chorus performing religious songs.

The performance of these types of songs by the Chorus is nothing new. But the announcement for this year’s tour indicated that “songs, narrations, and scripture readings focusing on the death and resurrection of Jesus” would be included in the performance. During the two years I attended Florida College, I never attended a Chorus concert (even then, I was uncomfortable with these religious songs being performed as entertainment). Shortly after leaving the school, I reluctantly agreed to attend one of these performances when the Chorus came to town on their tour — perhaps I would see my concerns were unfounded (I learned they were not). But I do not remember “narrations and scripture readings” being part of the performance. This appears to be one more step away from the New Testament pattern and toward a pattern of denominational-styled worship experiences.

Below is an excerpt from the article:

Supporters say that the chorus performance does not constitute worship. I agree, provided that they are singing non-spiritual songs. However, songs focusing on the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus are indeed spiritual songs! Singing such songs for the purpose of entertainment [or commerce] constitutes a profaning of holy things, and takes God’s name in vain. By singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs one obligates himself to the rules that have been divinely attached to their use. The Hebrew writer said, “Through Him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that acknowledge His name” (Heb. 13:15). The fruit of the lips, offered either by spiritual song or gospel instruction, constitutes “praise to God,” and must not be practiced for other reasons. (Tim Haile, Bible Banner)

If you are one who is familiar with Florida College, I strongly encourage you to carefully consider the observations and teachings in this article. Even if you are unfamiliar with Florida College, or have no tie to the school or those associated with it, you will still find some valuable instruction in this article about Bible authority, worship, and the sacredness of the gospel.

Here is the link to the article: Some Reflections on the 2011 Florida College Chorus Tour (PDF).


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Comments

  1. Eva Sochor says

    Tim’s article is well-thought out and well-articulated. I have been uneasy about the “performance” of hymns and spiritual songs for some time. I guess I would take it a step further to being concerned with and emphasizing our enjoyment of elaborate or “different” musical renditions in worship. I sometimes wonder to what extent we “enjoy” hearing others sing — emphasis on what we enjoy and what we need for God to hear.

  2. Dan Dillon says

    “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” Mat7:13 I think it is time for the “Churches of Christ” to start to practice this verse! Churches of Christ of all the different sects [non-institutional; institutional; one-cup; no Sunday school and all the rest of them] DO NOT enter in at the NARROW GATE! They try to build the gate and construct the road! The CoC enter a broad gate and wide road [with dozens of forks in the road]with their members having to choose between forks on every conceivable doctrine and thought till they come to the last fork possible?? then their sect proclaims they are on the narrow road [if it was not such a serious matter I would LOL]! The Lord Jesus Christ said the NARROW GATE is already THERE just enter through it He did not say a word about building a GATE or ROAD! When you enter the NARROW GATE you enter Christ’s KINGDOM a spiritual Kingdom [not of this world] by faith accepting God’s grace [a spiritual act on our part]. PLEASE THINK ON THIS WHY WOULD GOD REQUIRE A BURIAL IN WATER OF THE PHYSICAL BODY [BAPTISM] IN ORDER FOR OUR SPIRIT TO ENTER A SPIRITUAL KINGDOM!!

  3. Dan, I agree with part of what you said. We cannot construct our own gate or pave our own road. We must follow the path that Christ has left for us. That path is not hidden, or indiscernible, but is clearly shown to us in the Scriptures. This is why Timothy was told, “Retain the standard of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13). To depart from this pattern is to follow the broad way, thus jeopardizing our souls. This is why we contend for the faith, even in matters in which our own brethren are in error.

    As to your question about baptism, the New Testament clearly teaches that baptism is necessary for salvation (Mark 16:16; John 3:3,5; Acts 2:38,41,47; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27). In fact, Peter very plainly states, “baptism now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21). I don’t question why God requires this or anything else, I simply accept His word by faith. I encourage you to do the same.

  4. I wonder who gets to decide what is entertainment vs worship, and what God would consider worship.

  5. Worship is that which is directed toward God. Entertainment is that which pleases the audience. The way God instructs us to sing spiritual songs, there shouldn’t even be an audience, because we are to speak to one another (Ephesians 5:19).

  6. In the article as well as the comments,we read the words uncomfortable,reluctantly agreed,and uneasy.If something violates your conscience Paul tells us not to do it.It could be alright in of itself but,if you think its wrong and participate,you sin(Rom.14:23).Sacred Selections is not going to be one of the books open on the last day.This is no different than playing a piano and at the same time singing “How Great Thou Art”at home.Notice the spelling..HOME…..CHURCH….Two different places.If it is “offered” as worship at home,on a stage with a chorus singing,then there is a problem.Worship has a start time and a finish time.Entertainment seems to go on all the time.

  7. Jeff, the differences in the spelling of ‘home’ and ‘church’ are noted. Now, which of those words appear in the following verses:

    “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).

    “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

    Where in those verses (or the surrounding verses) is there any mention of a church assembly? Neither the church nor the home are singled out. These verses address the singing of spiritual songs when two or more are together (“to one another”). This could be in a church assembly, in a home, or other places. These verses do not establish a rule based upon the PLACE where singing is done, but on the TYPE of songs being sung (psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs). Therefore, when we sing these types of songs, we are bound to the rules set forth in these verses.

  8. Andy, Good point.I noted the place for the purpose of distinction.We can do something at home that is like we do at the assembly but is not offered the same way.Pass the grape juice,please.I don’t think its the type of song that is the issue but how it is “offered”..Are they being “offered “as worship to God?Can we listen to someone else sing or play them for our own enjoyment?Can I sing them with or to my family for our own enjoyment? Are you saying that when these songs are sang they are automatically put in the”for God only and we have rules mode”?If “type” of songs being sung is the issue,we are going to need the list of songs that are out there that are bound by the rule.Need to be careful,some out there think everything we do is worship.

  9. Jeff, if a song fits in the category of “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,” then it is bound by the rule found in the above verses. I can find no Biblical exception to the rule for these types of songs when they are sung in a home, in a chorus performance, for our own enjoyment, etc.

    If we’re singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, we need to sing them the way the New Testament authorizes. If we want to perform in a chorus, sing along with instruments, or sing for our own enjoyment, we can sing non-religious songs.

  10. Carlos Raymer says

    I think that Colossians 3:17 would come in play here, we need authority on all that we do if we want to be pleasing to our God, Hebrews 11:6, if we sing praises to our Lord at home it better be the way we sing praises to Him in the assembly.
    Carlos Raymer

  11. I think you’re exactly right, Carlos.

  12. Excellent article and right at the heart of the matter. This is just one of many things pointing to the slippery slope that FC has been on for several years now. We are drifting…

  13. Are you serious? It surely sounds like you are indicating that we shouldn’t sing religious songs or listen to them anywhere but in the assembly? Do you consider that sinning? I would look again at Ephesians 5:19; “making melody with your heart”, and Colossians 3:16, “singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God”. What does that mean exactly? Are you judging how others make melody in their hearts? Am I sinning if I listen to Spiritual songs at home? Would it be better to listen to rap, or country or rock? Another thought; were they harmonizing in the new testament? Or was it chanting? You have to remember how the Bible has been interpreted from the original language. I’m very glad that The Lord will be my judge and not my fellow Christians.

  14. D. Ross, where did you get the idea that I believe religious songs should not be sung outside of the assembly? I pointed out in the above comments that Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 speak to a certain TYPE of songs (psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs), not a LOCATION (such as the assembly). Therefore, regardless of where we are, if we are singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, we are obligated to follow the pattern set forth in these verses. These verses authorize VOCAL music (which would include 4-part harmony or chanting), and we find no authority for NON-VOCAL music when singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

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