Why I AM Against Drums (Especially In Christian Music)

[Jerry]

**This is not an endorsement of everything said by Terry Watkins, but this was in my email and I wanted to pass it on:

The following information is excerpted from [i]Bible Guidelines for Music[/i] by Terry Watkins, http://www.av1611.org/cqguide.html --

Even the secular, satanic rockers the Rolling Stones admit rock is NOT music -- but NOISE!

[auburn_tiger]

Question Jerry,

Is the reason you don't like drums because it is not mentioned in the Bible or the origins of them?

[Jerry]

Mostly because of the origin of them - and this conclusion is not based on just one article, but on various ones that I had read.

[b]I also do find it significant that they are never mentioned in the Bible - yet all types of other instruments are.[/b] I believe the article I linked to also makes the point that drums were in Egypt and in other lands that those living in Bible times lived in - yet they are never mentioned in praise/worship to God. Why is that?

I do not condemn someone because they listen to music with drums - but I have made a choice not to (as previously discussed on various threads, I am not referring to orchestras, but general music - especially that played in church and in worship of God). Also, I do find it interesting that there are other IFB churches, including mine, that have taken the same stand in this area. There must be something to it. If I was the only one to arrive at this conclusion, I might have cause to seriously question it - but when I find those that I agree with wholeheartedly (in all or most other areas) taking the same stand regarding drums, it confirms and strengthens my decision.

[Guest Guest]

All major instrument groups are mentioned in Psalm 150, even percussion instruments. So how come it is ok for people to use a piano (a percussion instrument) if they are not allowed to use a drum (percussion instrument)? By the way, a cymbal is percussion.

Katy-Anne

[Chelle]

[quote]
By the way, a cymbal is percussion.
[/quote]

Indeed it is, and certainly cymbals are mentioned in the Bible in conjunction with praising God in music.

I think it's specific [b][i]types[/i][/b] of drums that were used in paganism, like the "bongo" drums, to which Jerry and the article he posted is referring. Am I on track or way off base, Jerry?

As far as instruments are concerned, it's not so much the instrument itself as how the instrument is used. Pianos were never mentioned in the Bible by name, nor were acoustic or electric guitars. Pianos were certainly used (and still are) to play worldly music.

[Jerry]

[quote="Chelle"]
I think it's specific [b][i]types[/i][/b] of drums that were used in paganism, like the "bongo" drums, to which Jerry and the article he posted is referring. Am I on track or way off base, Jerry?
[/quote]

Yes. I am not referring to percussion instruments in general, but drums in particular - like drum sets, bongo drums.

[Dale McNamee]

Hi All!

I've been following this thread and wanted to clarify some misconceptions regarding the drums and use in Christian music.

If you go to page 14 in the "Drums" thread and look up my name (posting was on 03/24) and read my extensive post regarding drums and drumming history.

To that information, I'd like to add some other references so as to hopefully provide even more information to dispell the mis-information out there.

Here are the links:

History of the Snare drum:(Vienna Symphony Library)

http://www.vsl.co.at/english/instrument ... istory.htm

History of the Drum Set:

http://www.appelzana.com/resources/drum_set.pdf

History of the Conga drum:

http://www.nolanwarden.com/Conga_Drum_History(Warden).pdf

http://artdrum.com/HISTORY_OF_CONGA_DRUMS.htm

History of the Bongo Drums:

http://www.bongomania.com/eng/articles/thebasics1.html#

History of the Bata Drums:

http://www.lafi.org/magazine/articles/batadrums.html

http://www.batadrums.com/

[b]The bata drums are what I believe that everyone is talking about regarding drums used to worship other gods,NOT the bongo drums.[/b]

Also,the drumset would not be found at a Santeria,
Voudou,etc. ceremonies since the drums used are consecrated to those deities and ceremonies as the drums are made. And,one has to be an initiate to the religion to even see,let alone hear the sacred drums.

http://www.batadrums.com/background/ana.htm

I don't think that any of us are,are we? :lol:

However,there are secular or profane bata drums called "aberínkula" that can be played by the non initiated. Makes for an interesting conundrum...

Something else to consider,the practioners of these religions also use their voices to chant,sing, and pray.

Should we then be silent since the voice is used for "evil" ? :o :roll: Of course not!

I have been playing the conga drum and other hand drums exclusively in the churches that I attended over the past 30 years and have been blessed by the Lord as I use the talent that He gave me to glorify Him! :D

And in glorifying Him,my fellow congregants are edified! :)

[Kubel]

Psalms 150 is a good chapter. But why does this email stop with verse 5?

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

[b]Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.[/b]

[Guest Guest]

The banjo has a common ancestory with that above, as it also came from african tribes.
How do you feel about the use of a banjo?
Personally, drums do not bother me.
but I hate bluegrass posing as gospel.

[perfectedge]

I honestly think you are making these comments because they are YOUR interpretations of the bible...You are walking a very thin line brother. Question your motives and take it to God because it sounds like you are creating an idea! The reason being, you actually did research on this by using worldly resources. And thats my heads up!!

[Guest Guest]

I like some drums in some Christian music, and nobody can say that its unbiblical to use drums in music because it is nowhere in the Bible.

Katy-Anne

[Guest Guest]

Agreed, though I have to say that most of the time when drums are used in Christian music, they're not used properly. I'm far more in sympathy with Jerry's position than I am with anyone who would bring a drum set into church, that's for sure.

[Guest Guest]

I am not sure I would bring a drum set to church, but I don't mind listening to some CD's of Christian music that have drums in them.

Katy-Anne

[pneu-engine]

I have a CD of John Philip Souza's patriotic marches that have very pronounced drums in them. Those marches would not sound right without them. :mrgreen: I just don't bring that music to church.

[bibletotingunslinger]

I do NOT have the answer, and find myself in a bad position to take a stand as I prefere not to listen to modern music, I enjoy classic Christian Hymns. I guess I am just over the hill.
:? :?:
Ps 150:4
Praise him with the timbrel and dance:

TIM'BREL, n. L. tympanum. An instrument of music; a kind of drum, tabor or tabret,which has been in use from the highest antiquity.