An odd debate

Or maybe I should say an old debate.

When 17th century Baptist Benjamin Keach tried to "repair a breach in the worship of God" -- to incite his non-singing brothers and sisters to experience the joy of song -- a rancorous debate insued. So much so that the Baptist association censured some of the individuals involved. 

For most modern Baptists, any debate about whether or not to sing is musty history. I've known a few preachers who seemed to merely endure the singing until they could have their time in the limelight. And while I've known some folks who abstained from singing in church, I've known none in modern times who advocated the end of all singing together in church.

Keach's chief opponent was Isaac Marlow. Keach believed congregational singing was commanded by God, an "ordinance" to be observed by His people. Marlow chaffed under such innovation -- and it was innovation, because the English Baptists had not been singing. Marlow's arguments may sound strange in the ears of singing Baptists today, but they resonated with many of his contemporary 17th century Baptists. 

Here is my attempt to explain Isaac Marlow's approach to singing. I hope it is accurate.

Eph. 5:19 does not command congregational singing; vocal singing not to be understood here; this is about singing in your hearts and making melody in your hearts. Heart-singing is done without the tongue.

Col. 3:16 does mean vocal singing, but this is not engaged in by all the church together, but rather by those in the ministerial office who use it for teaching and admonishing.

I Cor. 14:26-34 supports the Col. 3:16 conclusion, showing singing is to be done one by one -- one after the other -- and not by many people singing at once.

The Psalms were part of the ceremonial law, and limited in singing to the Levites. There is no New Testament evidence of anyone in the church singing David's Psalms.

Prayer and praise are spiritual exercises that cannot be contained in pre-composed or pre-limited forms. As one prays in the Spirit, choosing his own words, so one much sing in the Spirit and not recite words that were composed by someone else.

Women should keep silent in the church, including singing. 

A view like Marlow's would probably rise from an understanding of the regulative principle of worship, even though it is miles apart from even the next most stringent view, Exclusive Psalmody.