Dr. John T. Willis is an oft-honored professor of the Old Testament at Abilene Christian University, author of several books, and highly respected Bible scholar. I just learned that he has a blog. I’ve subscribed to his blog (via RSS), and I’m excited to have such a rich resource for Old Testament studies so easily available.
Among his recent posts is a brief discussion of the Old Testament roots of the phrase “sing and make melody” — so often quoted from Ephesians 5:19. Amazingly, it has zero comments. I guess the word hasn’t gotten out that one of the great Old Testament scholars among us is on the Internet.
Now, I hesitated to post this, because I really am tired of the whole instrumental music discussion. Yes, I brought it up, and I keep bringing it up, so it’s entirely my fault, and I know it, but still, what’s left to be said?
And you’ll notice that this is not part of the “Real Worship” series, because the point is very incidental to that discussion. Nonetheless, I was very interested to know what a genuine Old Testament scholar thinks of Paul’s expression — being, as it is, borrowed from the Old Testament. And I’d have felt remiss had I not shared this discovery.
But here’s my idea. Dr. Willis’s posts always end with a request for comments, and he receives none. Word hasn’t gotten out about it, I suppose. So if you have comments regarding his post, he’d likely prefer that you comment there and help generate some traffic at his web site. I’m sure many here will have comments regarding his opinions, and I’d be fascinated to see his replies.
I'm used up. I think if I read one more post on IM my head will explode. How that subject continues to be so interesting to so many people is beyond my ability to comprehend.
I love your blog Jay but I'm taking a break from IM. It's like the discussion on the role of women, it starts off OK and finally just gets to be silly. I'll continue to read posts that interest me and I do wish you the best.
Royce
I think you're just looking for more arrows in your quiver. I notice when you posted Everett Fergusons views you challenged those views rather than leaving it open for comments. What is there left to say Jay? Give it a rest. I find your blog interesting and thought provoking at times and other times I feel you are a man obsessed.
Just FYI, your first link to his blog is mis-formatted.
There is nothing new under the sun …
Alexander
Jay, how dare you be obsessed with the Truth…!! Thanks for posting the link. I don’t recall ever having that concept presented. it’s amazing how much we see when we open our eyes…or when we can figure out what you’re doing with the web site…LOL
Guys,
If you want to have a lot of resources about why churches of Christ are acapella? You'll find helpful this website http://www.foracapella.org/
When we get Worship right the instrument will become what it has always been. Not required by God for acceptable worship.
Neither is an assembly, a church building, the Lord's supper, taking up a collection or listening to a preacher or any other human.
It has stared us in the FACE for 2000 years and some are still blinded by their religious ritual and the binding of special days on one another's flesh, the same type that the Jews were burned with.
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
May God relive the men of their obsession of the self imposed worship of our flesh for our flesh to make our flesh perfect on Sunday.
NEVER are we or they commanded to assemble for WORSHIP!
They assembled daily to edify and encourage one another and break bread NOT WORSHIP GOD Physically as the Jews were required to do with physical requirements and physical restraint.
Here's worship
A Living Sacrifice
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
POSTED AT THE REQUEST OF A READER:
Thanks for “publicizing” Dr. Willis. I did not have him for a class when I was at ACC (class of ’75), but he came over to Minter Lane for several Wednesday nights in a row to teach a class on Amos. IT WAS FASCINATING! It came alive. His depth of knowledge of Old Testament, and Hebrew idiom, blew me away. It started a love affair with the book, which before to me had been one of the dusty minor prophets that I had to look in the table of contents to find.
I just wanted to share that. Dr. Willis is indeed a treasure.
Jay:
I will "chime" in to note that Dr. Willis misses Paul's use of the LXX in Ephesians 5:18-21 and how it links to the parallels in the text. I have talked with him before and am going to reopen conversation with him on this subject. And send him a copy of a published work. Thank you for noting his weblog and his essay.
In all of your publishing on the subject of worship, you seem to rarely talk about the power and purpose of congregational song.
In Christ,
Bruce Morton
Katy, Texas
I think I understand at least part of the reason that there are very few comments on Willis's blog. Apparently a Google account is required…
I have reviewed John T. Willis: So far I haven't found any translation which uses "melody" and the 4 or 5 listed are all negative. I am sorry but Jesus said that the doctors of the lawtake away the key to knowledge. Melody is a series of single tones defined in the 19th century and melody is not related to harmony. I have listed some well known evidence that cantillation is called prosody and the object was to make known God's Word.
Yes, Jay, I believe that you are TASKED but you are on the losing side. John's stuff probably is job security at ACU. You just COULDN'T be that misinformed: you may be an OLD spirit defined in Revelation 18.