Doxological Evangelism

That's a fancy term for what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 14 - the passage to be preached this coming Sunday morning. Making his way to the end of his teaching on the spiritual gifts, Paul walks that discussion into the gathering that we call "worship." Here, he says, is what the exercise of gifts looks like on Sunday morning (as it were)!

"Doxological evangelism" is a phrase gaining broad use these days. It pretty much means that when believers engage in authentic gathered worship, and unbelievers see us at it, our worship has an evangelistic impact.\: from our praise (doxology) to their confession of faith (evangelism).

The passage walks the Corinthian church through the questions and issues related to speaking in tongues. Paul argues that plain words of proclamation (prophecy) have a greater impact on hearers, believers and unbelievers alike. We take this to mean, in our context, that our reading, praying, and preaching must be both faithful to the scripture and understandable to those who are not yet  believers.

How does this apply to music? Well, first we note that Paul uses musical examples throughout this chapter:
If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? (1 Cor. 14:7-8) And in the next paragraph: What am I to do? I will  pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. (v. 15) Now, these are just examples Paul gives, but note that with them he has introduced music into the discussion. And - this is an observation that begs further exploration - he does so in a way that explains his transitional verse, 14:26. For which, read on!

The "end game" of Paul's argument about understandability is this: But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. (vv. 24-25) That is "doxological evangelism." But, you say, the chapter is about prophecy versus tongues. How does music fit in?

1 Cor. 14:26-27: What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (emphasis added) In our worship, and in our worship's evangelistic potential, singing plays a part. The things brought into the gathering include "a hymn" - which is useful along with all the other gifts in this list, "for building up." This hymn, then, is also a feature of the total impact on the unbeliever in the assembly. It must meet the same criteria as the lesson, revelation, tongue/interpretation. It is to be, in other words, prophetic.

This is why we take such care with what we sing. It is also why we choose the ways we sing. We want all who assemble to be able to sing with clarity the words chosen to be sung. Great care, and much prayer, has to guide these choices so that the church is built even through our singing, and that those "looking in" will see God among us!

A fascinating connection, which I am just now seeing: In 1 Cor. 14:7, Paul mentions the flute and harp. In verse 26 he mentions hymns. The AV and NAS translate (transliterate?) the word driectly from Greek: psalm. The New Testament uses two words for the verb "to sing" - in effect "to psalm" which implies instrumental and vocal music together, and "to sing" which is never used in relation to instruments. So, for example, in Ephesians Eph. 5:19, we read: addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and psalming [making melody] to the Lord with all your heart ... Well, a little tidbit which I am beginning to think is not "trivia" but further insight into the Corinthian church. Were there instruments at use? It is entirely possible. And these, too, as in the Temple, may be a part of our doxological evangelism.

Sing on!