It depends on the congregation. In the EPMC churches they used to allow keyboard instruments but nothing with strings. Pilgrim still takes a similar stand. The Nationwide Fellowship doesn't allow instruments at all. In the Western Fellowship, which both RZehr and I are part of some do allow them on a personal level and some don't. All of these groups allow recorded music, but mostly take the same positions that they do with actually playing instruments. There have always been a few congregations who forbid the actual instruments, but allow them in recorded music.Valerie wrote: What is the issue regarding instruments? Why does it have to be acapella? Are there no instruments allowed in Mennonite churches (at least conservative)? How about personal use of instruments?
Philosophical and Theological Emphases - Songs
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Re: Philosophical and Theological Emphases - Songs
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Re: Philosophical and Theological Emphases - Songs
Thanks Lesterb, I see Amish playing guitars (not sure which order) but many don't allow any instruments. Was this from the beginning of the Reformation for some denominations? I'm thinking the ancient churches didn't have instruments either (Orthodox still do not, and I don't understand why). David, a man after God's own heart wrote this Psalm, and in light of that I truly do not understand the rules against instruments, or how/why these developed in some sects:lesterb wrote:It depends on the congregation. In the EPMC churches they used to allow keyboard instruments but nothing with strings. Pilgrim still takes a similar stand. The Nationwide Fellowship doesn't allow instruments at all. In the Western Fellowship, which both RZehr and I are part of some do allow them on a personal level and some don't. All of these groups allow recorded music, but mostly take the same positions that they do with actually playing instruments. There have always been a few congregations who forbid the actual instruments, but allow them in recorded music.Valerie wrote: What is the issue regarding instruments? Why does it have to be acapella? Are there no instruments allowed in Mennonite churches (at least conservative)? How about personal use of instruments?
Psalm 150King James Version (KJV)
150 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
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Re: Philosophical and Theological Emphases - Songs
I don't know of any Amish that would allow church members to play guitars. The Old Orders in my background played harmonicas, but nothing else. In a lot of cases, Mennonites won't allow instruments because of the kind of music they open the door to.Valerie wrote: Thanks Lesterb, I see Amish playing guitars (not sure which order) but many don't allow any instruments. Was this from the beginning of the Reformation for some denominations? I'm thinking the ancient churches didn't have instruments either (Orthodox still do not, and I don't understand why). David, a man after God's own heart wrote this Psalm, and in light of that I truly do not understand the rules against instruments, or how/why these developed in some sects:
Psalm 150King James Version (KJV)
150 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
I was trying to find that painting by Rembrandt of an Anabaptist family where they had an instrument hanging on a post, but I couldn't find it. Maybe it wasn't Rembrandt.
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Re: Philosophical and Theological Emphases - Songs
I suppose they don't really "allow" it, but here in Holmes County there are a number of Old Order Amish young people who play guitar and even electronic keyboards & "box drums" openly in public performances. I don't know for certain, but I think that some of these people are baptized members. I would say that this has become more common in the last 10 years or so.lesterb wrote: I don't know of any Amish that would allow church members to play guitars. The Old Orders in my background played harmonicas, but nothing else.
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Congregation: Gospel Haven Mennonite Fellowship, Benton, Ohio (Holmes Co.) a split from Beachy-Amish Mennonite.
Personal heritage & general theological viewpoint: conservative Mennonite Brethren.
Personal heritage & general theological viewpoint: conservative Mennonite Brethren.
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Re: Philosophical and Theological Emphases - Songs
Not sure how widespread that is- but yes, a former Amish friend used to drive an Amish teenager to his guitar lessons, his father (Amish) approved.Neto wrote:I suppose they don't really "allow" it, but here in Holmes County there are a number of Old Order Amish young people who play guitar and even electronic keyboards & "box drums" openly in public performances. I don't know for certain, but I think that some of these people are baptized members. I would say that this has become more common in the last 10 years or so.lesterb wrote: I don't know of any Amish that would allow church members to play guitars. The Old Orders in my background played harmonicas, but nothing else.
Enjoy:
These look like Pennsylvania Amish, not Holmes (by the headcovering)
Perhaps the 'stringed instruments' mentioned in Psalm 150 would have caused them to allow it?
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Re: Philosophical and Theological Emphases - Songs
Anabaptists singing "In Christ Alone"- (actually this song was written by an Irish couple who attended our present Church (Evangelical)Soloist wrote:There was a sermon from Finny Kuruvilla about the songs we sing and how carefully they selected the ones they use in worship. Same basic logic.
I used to love "In Christ alone" until I listened to the words. This is why I regard the Christian radio stations as so potentially dangerous.
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Re: Philosophical and Theological Emphases - Songs
+Valerie wrote:Anabaptists singing "In Christ Alone"- (actually this song was written by an Irish couple who attended our present Church (Evangelical)Soloist wrote:There was a sermon from Finny Kuruvilla about the songs we sing and how carefully they selected the ones they use in worship. Same basic logic.
I used to love "In Christ alone" until I listened to the words. This is why I regard the Christian radio stations as so potentially dangerous.
Beautiful !!! Thankyou for the link.
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