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When people do differ, surely that doesn't mean there is no right answer, or that both are equally legitimate, or that investigation is useless. On the contrary, a need for careful study and analysis is indicated, even if that means lining up verses to verify a legitimate understanding. Jesus had a habit of answering questions with "it is written..." I note that when Paul confronted controversy, he built a strong Biblical base to confirm what he taught. Discussing circumcision (faith, law, and promise) in Galatians 3 he quotes from 11 verses of the Law and the Prophets, and alludes to several others. In his discussion of the relationship of God to Jews and Gentiles in Romans 9-11 he quotes from more than 40 verses of the Old Testament. Stephen cited about 16 verses in his speech to the Sanhedrin, to answer their objections to his position and teaching, and alluded to several others (Acts 7) before they killed him. Of course Stephen was in that position in the first place because some men "began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by which he spoke." (Acts 6:9b-10) The facts of the scriptures, and the meaning (interpretation) of them were very much contested, but there was a right answer and wrong answers. We should never be the stone-throwers, but we should be ardent in examining the scriptures and contending for the truth that they teach. Very often specific topics such as "instrumental music" might not be seen as pivotal issues in themselves, but how they are handled, justified, or rejected are generally an indication not merely of a particular interpretation, but of an approach to scripture, to history, and to the nature and function of the church. In the example at hand, no one can build a case for instruments in the assemblies of the church from the New Testament, which offers no instruction or example or justification of it, but rather instructions that are in conflict with that practice. Nor can a case be made from history. The synagogues of the Jews had singing, but no instruments. The church for more than two centuries had singing but no instruments. The writers during that era were critical of pagan practices involving instrumental music. It takes a different approach than Biblical (New Testament pattern) historical to rationalize organs or orchestras for the church. Of course there is always some struggle involved in sorting out the difference between what "I" or "we" want and what "I" or "we" know, but God does want us to learn to operate on the basis of knowledge, particularly Biblical knowledge, without pride. 2 Tim 2:24-26 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. NIV By the way, the header on sm's post said "image," but I don't see one, was there an image that I don't see?
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