DRUM SET EVANGELISM: IS IT JUSTIFIED?                                                                                                                  A Study in Scripture In 1 Chronicles 19:6-7, the children of Ammon send a thousand talents of silver to the Syrians to hire 32,000 chariots and horsemen to fight against David and Israel. King David, being a good student of the Bible and history, remembered advice in Deuteronomy 17:14–16 that says that a king should not multiply horses to himself. He also remembered the battle at the Red Sea when God opened up the sea for His people. After that famous battle Moses wrote these words, “I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. … Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea” (Exodus 15:1, 4). Consequently, David relied on the Lord for strength during the battle with Ammon and Syria. When the battle was over, his enemies had suffered many casualties. Furthermore, the children of Ammon became the servants of Israel. In Psalm 20:7, 8, David writes these insightful words: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.” And in Isaiah 31:1–4, the prophet reiterated the counsel of Moses by warning Israel not to go down to Egypt to get help in their battle with the Assyrians. The lesson seems clear: We can only put our trust in God and His methods or deny Him in hiring chariots and horses. Those who place their trust in chariots and horses forfeit God’s help. In Joshua 11, the Bible records a predicament where all of the heathen nations came against Israel to destroy them; they were numbered as the sand on the seashore. The Lord’s instruction in this situation bears notice. He commands, “though shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire” (Joshua 11:6). Commenting on this situation, one commentator writes: “The chariots and horses that had been the pride and boast of the Canaanites were not to be appropriated by Israel. At the command of God the chariots were burned, and horses lamed, and thus rendered unfit for use in battle. The Israelites were not to put their trust in chariots or horses, but in the name of the Lord their God.” 38 Symbolism of the Horse and Chariot The horse and chariot were instruments of warfare in ancient times, primarily used by God’s enemies to conquer territory. They were very effective in battle and struck fear into many hearts. For instance, the Assyrian army was an incredible war machine. The charioteers were one of the most dreaded units of the Assyrian army, whose thunderous charge coward many opponents. 39 However, in Deuteronomy 20:1, God admonishes His people, “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots … be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee.”The mission given to literal Israel was to conquer nations to show God’s glory. They were
not free to devise their own plans to accomplish this mission. Indeed, the battle of Jericho and
Gideon’s battle against the Midianites demonstrates that God employs the most seemingly
unpromising methods. God did not want them to use chariots and horses to achieve His
objective, and there are two major reasons for this.
First, in using horses and chariots, they would trust more in the strength of human might
than of Divine power. This is demonstrated in Isaiah 31:1, which records, “Woe to them that go
down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and
in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel,
neither seek the Lord!”
Second, the horse and chariot were dedicated to the sun. One of the greatest reformations
in the Bible took place during the days of Josiah. When the book of the law was rediscovered
and read before the king, he wept and was determined to carry out the principles contained in
the law so that the nation might escape the coming judgments of God. As a result, many
reforms were implemented. In 2 Kings 23:11, the Bible says, “He removed from the entrance to
the temple of the Lord the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were
in the court near the room of an official named Nathan-Melech. Josiah then burned the chariots
dedicated to the sun” (NIV).
Whatever is dedicated to the sun will eventually lead to the worship of the sun. According to
the reforms enacted in Josiah’s day, the ends do not justify the means. The chariots and horses
could not be “christianized” and adopted into Israel’s army without seriously compromising the
message and mission of God’s people.
Today’s Horses and Chariots
Today the church no longer fights a physical war but a spiritual war.
40
Instead of conquering
nations, the church is to conquer hearts by preaching the gospel. In Revelation 6:2, the church
is pictured as a white horse, whose rider has a bow and goes to conquer. And Jesus, in His
charge of the great commission, said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of
the world” (Matthew 28:19, 20).
So what might the chariots and horses represent today? They could symbolize Babylonian-
style methods not sanctioned by God’s Words to attract members to the church. I firmly believe
that the use of the drum set in rock, jazz, and their hybrids constitute part of the modern war
horses and chariots that many churches are using today to conquer “new territory” for the Lord.
Time magazine has reported on “Funday schools,” or churches that use many so-called
innovative approaches to attract young people to church, such as explaining “the Gospel
according to Harry Potter and the Gospel according to the Simpsons.”
41 Some churches are
even hiring “Wacky World Studios, a set-design company in Tampa, Fla., that specializes in
Sunday-school makeovers, to turn a room … into a zany Toon Town where buzzers go off and
confetti rains down during celebrations like baptisms.”
42
One “Sunday school” session actually takes place on Thursday. A growing number of
ministers around the country aren’t letting details, like days of worship, get in the way of theiroutreach to young. Even churches that strive to keep God’s Sabbath have begun relying on
gospel clowns, gospel cafes, gospel magicians, and gospel rock in youth services. “You’ve got
to do whatever it takes to keep the kids’ attention focused on God.”
43
However, once entertainment and pragmatism become the principles on which outreach
decisions are made, it becomes easier and easier to compromise. Indeed, much of what is
called gospel and praise music is nothing more than rock or blues in different clothing. And
whenever there is rock music, there is the drum set.
This is something that Christian artists acknowledge. Brett Barry is recognized as “an
acoustic folk/rock artist.” Big Face Grace is described as “an eclectic folk rock-style CCM band
with an alternative vibe and a heart to share Christ with unsaved kids.” John Stoddard’s first
solo album is described as “a blend of rhythm and blues sounds accentuated by some serious
jazz stylings.”
44 The group Quintessence has a drummer, so their music is rock, jazz, or one of
their hybrids. The music of Nicholas & Veruschka is described as a mix of “folk, Latin, neo-
classic, gospel, jazz and inspirational.”
45 When anyone classifies their music as rock, blues, or
jazz, it means the drum set will fit perfectly into their music, even if they are not using a drum
set.
Of course, those advocating that churches use the drum set and rock music state to reach
more souls should take note that when the Israelites chose to accept variant interpretations of
God, salvation, worship, and ethics, the mission of the church suffered horribly. They failed to
conquer the Promised Land. God told them that incorporating the gods of foreign nations would
be a snare unto them (Judges 2:3).
The Drum Set in Sabbath-Keeping Churches
Even churches in which the commandments are kept stridently, the Law is kept literally, and
where the day of worship is essential are being surprisingly compromised when incorporating
the drum set in their services.
Several Sabbath-keeping congregations have adopted the church growth methods used by
the popular Willow Creek and other non-traditional churches. The results are undeniable.
“At its height it (the Colton Celebration Church) had more than a thousand members.
However, with the passing of time, some interesting developments took place. Its
leading pastor developed an independent spirit. This led to internal problems in the
congregation. This coupled with an unwillingness to take counsel from his conference
leadership led to him leaving the ministry. Today he has joined forces with those who are
most bitterly attacking the Adventist church and its fundamental doctrines. Buying into
the same spirit, one of his leading elders left the church and started his own Sunday
keeping church. … The two new pastors … were dismissed over doctrinal issues. …
Decline in attendance and membership followed. … This series of sorrows finally led the
group that was left to merge with another congregation.”
46
Amazingly, when these methods are introduced into Sabbath-keeping churches, they lead to
Sunday worship! Sabbath-keeping churches using today’s chariots and horses have discovered
that it’s impossible to keep drawing crowds on their day of worship. As a result, some churches
and pastors have left their Sabbath-keeping churches completely.
47 This amazing report lendseven more evidence that the drum set can ruin God’s churches.
“Five new contemporary churches which were ‘planted’ in the South Pacific Division
between 1985 and 1997 have experienced similar disasters and tragedies as those
reported of the celebration churches in the North American Division on which they were
patterned. Many members of these churches were lost and sometimes their pastors with
them. Only one of the five is still in the sisterhood of Seventh-day Adventist Churches.
Many [other] established churches also adopted contemporary worship styles … [but]
not one of these churches … experienced any significant church growth through
baptisms. “Financial reports … reveal their churches … have not returned faithful tithes
and offerings. One administrator lamented the huge amounts of money, which have been
lost on such church plants with poor returns.”
48
There has been an incredible loss of finances, churches, pastors, and worse, souls in
Sabbath-keeping churches when rock music and drum sets are used. This shouldn’t be a
surprise. In Judges 2:3, the Lord says, “Their gods shall be a snare unto you,” and this has
indeed happened to His modern Israel. The disastrous results in the Sabbath-keeping church
demonstrate that changing the forms of worship by introducing rock music and the drum set
does not bring souls into the church. In fact, it has been repeatedly shown to do the opposite.
Young people are still leaving even as churches vainly try to meet their worship “needs.”
Drums in the Bible
Since drums are mentioned in the Bible, we also need to tackle exactly to what they refer.
“The principal percussion instrument, the toph, is represented in English Versions of the
Bible by “tabret” and “timbre,” two words of different origin. “Tabret” is derived from
Arabic tanbur, the name of a sort of mandolin. “Timbre” comes from Latin-Greek
tympanum, through the French timbre, a small tambourine. The Arabs of today possess
an instrument called the duf, a name that corresponds to the Hebrew toph. The duf is a
circle of thin wood 11 inches in diameter and 2 inches in depth. Over this is tightly
stretched a piece of skim, and in the wood are 5 openings in which thin metal disks are
hung loosely; these jingle when the duf is struck by the hand. The toph probably
resembled the duf. Other drums are shown on the Egyptian and Assyrian monuments. In
the Kouyunjik bas-relief the second last performer beats with his hands a small, barrel-
like drum fixed at his waist. In the Old Testament the drum is used on festive occasions;
it is not mentioned in connection with Divine service. It was generally played by women,
and marked the time at dances or processions (Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34; 1 Samuel
18:6; Jerimiah 31:4; Psalms 150:4). At banquets (Isaiah 24:8; 30:32; Job 21:12) and at
marriages (1 Maccabees 9:39) it accompanied the kinnor and nebhel. In solemn
processions it was also occasionally played by men.”
49
Notice that the drum is used only on festive occasions in the Bible, and never in connection
with divine service or worship. They also were systematically excluded from the Jerusalem
temple and from the heavenly music found in the book of Revelation.Music formed an integral part of Israel’s culture, especially on special occasions like the
crossing of the Red Sea, victory over the Canaanites, and the ark’s return to Jerusalem. During
David’s time, the king organized all the musicians from the tribe of Levi, as well as the musical
instruments. In 1 Chronicles 23:5 and 2 Chronicles 7:6, King David is said to have actually
invented some of the instruments. In the temple worship service, only four different kinds of
instruments were set apart, namely: lyres, harps, trumpets, and cymbals (1 Chronicles
15:16,19; 16:4-5). The lyre and harp were basically string instruments that would provide
support to the choir. The cymbals were not played like a drummer in a jazz or rock band, they
were sounded.
“The cymbals were not used by the precantor to conduct the singing by beating out the
rhythm of the song or a stanza in the song, but rather to announce the beginning of the
song or a stanza in the song. Since they were used to introduce the song, they were
wielded by the head of choir on ordinary occasions (1 Chronicles 16:5) or by the three
heads of the guilds on extraordinary occasions (1 Chronicles 15:19). … Since the
trumpets and the cymbals were played together to announce the beginning of the song,
the players of both are called the ‘sounder’ in 1 Chronicles 16:42.”
50
Some argue that the use of rock music and the drum set in church is legitimized because
cymbals were used in ancient worship. However, this ignores the fact that cymbals were not
used to drive song rhythms, but merely to announce the beginning of a song or a stanza in the
song.
51 Simply put, how drums and cymbals are used in rock and jazz is very different from
how the cymbal was used in the temple.
The use of instruments in the temple service also reveals the biblical philosophy of music. It
shows the importance and priority of melody and harmony over rhythm. The lyre and harp are
designed to give support to the melody. However, in rock and jazz music, the primary
consideration is rhythm. Thus the philosophy behind rock music is diametrically opposed to the
philosophy of music in temple worship.
Similarly, in Revelation the only accompanying instrument is the harp, which supports
singing. Instruments associated with percussion are excluded from both the temple service and
the book of Revelation. Clearly, then, the drum set is not mentioned in the Bible. Since it is a
relatively recent invention, it cannot be linked to the Bible. It is also therefore wrong to assume
that the percussive instruments in the Bible would have been played the same way as the drum
set is today.
Rock rhythms are rampaging into every world culture, attempting to engulf the sounds of
different cultures into its rhythms to legitimize it and give it an honored place among other forms
of music. For instance, recently the violin has been incorporated into rock music, functioning like
an electric guitar. Yet we should not be deceived! Stringed instruments were never really
associated with rock rhythms. However, no music can incorporate the drum set without
automatically morphing it into a rock or jazz hybrid.
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38. E.G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets (Boise, Idaho: Pacific Press, 1958), 510.
39. J.A. Thompson, The Bible And Archaeology (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman’s, 1982), 119.
40. See, Eph 6:10-17; 1 Tim 1:18; 6:12; 2 Tim 2:3-4; 4:7; John 18:36; 1 Cor 9:26-27; 2 Cor 10:3-5
41. Time Magazine, “The New Funday School,” December 16, 2002, 60-62.
42. Ibid, 62.43. Ibid, 60.
44. Jeff Trubey, “Making Waves,” The Adventist Review, July 17, 1997, pgs. 10-13.
45. A. Monise Hamilton, “The Ministry of Music and the Power of Praise at Andrews University,” Lake Union Herald, March
2000, pgs. 8-9.
46. Jay Gallimore, “Can The Church Be Relevant and Survive?” (A paper passed out to Pastors/Conference Office Directors
and Associates of the Michigan Conference: September 2001) pgs 2-3.
47. See, William Johnson, “Where Are They Now?” The Adventist Review, Feb 17, 2000, pg. 5. The article states that several
congregations broke away after Richard Fredericks was fired. “In Denver, Grace Place is changing to a Sunday service
and trying to decide whether to retain a Saturday morning event.” Their pastor, Clay Peck has now left the Adventist
Church and is keeping Sunday. In Boise, Idaho, pastor Harry Krueger of the Church of the Crossroads (an Adventist
Church) was asked to resign and has since started another congregation with Sunday services.
48. E.B. Price, “Church Growth in Contemporary Churches In the South Pacific Division” (A paper passed out through the
Michigan Conference Mailgram: October 31, 2002) pg. 1.
49. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (emphasis supplied).
50. John W. Kleining, The Lord’s Song: The Basis, Function and Significance of Choral Music in Chronicles (Sheffield,
England, 1993) pg. 82-83.
51. Samuele Bacchiocchi, The Christian and Rock Music (Berrien Springs, MI: Biblical Perspectives, 2000) p. 206-209.