Dr. Gentry on Exclusive Psalmody

A new series of audio lectures by Dr. Kenneth Gentry, Jr., has come out. In it he asks what about the psalms, hymns and spiritual songs in Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3? Are all three the same as the Exclusive Psalmody group suggest? Not the same he says.  The Psalms are a pattern for our worship, but not a limitation.  Gentry traces the use of the word spiritual which does not mean inspired. Furthermore, if they are all the same, he argues, why are they all mentioned in the Psalms in three different ways?  He notes that psalms are in the book of Psalms 67 times, hymns 6 times and songs 35 times. They do not all mean the same thing. In Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 we do not see "The Psalms".  Many songs are in Scripture outside the book of Psalms. Psalms really means "stringed instruments", not "The Book of Psalms". Gentry asks and answers:

Does the Regulative Principle demand Exclusive Psalmody? I think not.

This discussion is going on now with blogger/pastor Greenbaggins (Rev. Lane Kessler) and Heidelblog’s Dr. R. Scott Clark and others. I say that the whole point of worship is worship, not entertainment, and certainly not debate. In the Spirit of Romans 14 I would like to let each camp enjoy their worship more than their debate.

As for me, Dr. Gentry is most convincing and I urge listening to his tapes. Let’s let the Word of Christ dwell richly in us, more than the spirit of debate with our study of Scripture and Psalms along side of carefully chosen hymns.

I wrote earlier here about this subject.

From the back of the audio set

"The Greatness of the Great Commission" by Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

The Greatness of the Great Commission: The Christian Enterprise in a Fallen World

Download PDF File

"Save Souls, Not Cultures!"This has been the motto of twentieth-century evangelism. Having encountered heavy resistance to the prophet's message of comprehensive revival and restoration in history, modern evangelical Christianity has abandoned the prophets. Unlike Jonah, who grew weary of life in the belly of a whale, modern evangelicalism has not only grown accustomed to the Church's cultural irrelevance today, it has actually proclaimed this pathetic condition as God's plan for the "Church Age." But is it? Not according to Jesus' instructions to His Church: the discipline (putting under God's discipline) of all nations. "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 alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Paul makes it clear that the progressive expansion of Jesus' kingdom in history will continue until all things are under His dominion, on earth, before He returns physically to judge the world. "For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" (I Corinthians 15-25-26).

*

This was David's message, too: The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies (Psalm 110:1-2).

*
In The Greatness of the Great Commission, Rev. Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. presents a comprehensive biblical case for God's comprehensive salvation and restoration in history. Sin is comprehensive; God's healing grace is no less comprehensive. Whenever sin reigns today, there God speaks to sinful man and offers a way of escape. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (I Corinthians 10:13). To argue that the Great Commission does not include every aspect of today's cultures - all of Satan's kingdom - is to argue that there is no way of escape in many areas of life.

The war between God's kingdom (civilization) on earth and Satan's kingdom (civilization) on earth is total, encompassing every aspect of life. The Great Commission calls the Church (in this "Church Age") to make a full-scale attack on modern humanist civilization, but always in terms of a positive message and practical program: a better way of life in every area of life. This is the greatness of the Great Commission. It must not be narrowed to exclude culture from God's special grace.

"Go therefore and disciple all nations." the Great Commission states that all nations are to be discipled. Sadly, today's evangelicals have reduced Jesus' last command to mean only that individuals and families are to be discipled. Dr. Gentry takes a careful look at the biblical context and background of the Great Commission. His conclusion? That when God tells us to take over the world, He means it! Gentry shows the biblical methods of world conquest, which do not involve political takeovers but rather service and evangelism.