The Silence of the Scriptures

Considerable controversy has arisen over “silence of the Scriptures.” Some say silence allows; others say silence prohibits. Still others say the Bible is not a book of rules and so asking about “silence” is the wrong question. So, what about “silence?”
God gave humans the capacity for language. He revealed His will to us by guiding people to write in existing human languages so we could understand His message much as we would other communication. So, if “silence” is a factor in our ordinary understanding of language, God would expect us to use it in reading Scripture. To learn about “silence,” let’s imagine we have received an invitation to dinner: “The honor of your presence is requested on February 7, 2002, at 7 p.m. at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Smith.” Would the Smiths expect us to use silence in understanding this invitation?
Since one date is specified, we would understand all other dates are excluded. The Smiths don’t have to list all the dates not to come to the dinner and we would not call asking to come on February 9. By specifying one possibility out of the “date” category, silence about all other dates naturally excludes them. In the “time” category, 7 p.m. has been specified. Silence about all other times naturally eliminates them. In the “place” category, the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Smith has been specified. Silence about all other places naturally excludes them.
So, Silence Principle No. 1: If one or more options out of a category are specified, silence about all other options in that category excludes them.
That the Bible expects us to follow this use of silence, as in the ordinary use of language, is clear from many passages. When Saul, for example, offered a sacrifice without waiting for Samuel, Samuel told him, “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you” (1 Samuel 13:13). What command? Since Saul had asked that the animals for the sacrifice be brought to him, it appears he offered the sacrifice himself. But, where did God command Saul not to offer a sacrifice? In Leviticus 1:7, God had said “the sons of Aaron the priest” are to offer sacrifices. In the category of who offers sacrifices, then, God specified priests and His silence about anyone else was a “command” for no one else to do it. Hebrews 7:13-14, in a similar way, says Jesus could not be a priest under the Mosaic system because he was from the tribe of Judah. But where does the Bible say those from Judah cannot be priests. Hebrews explains, “In regard to that tribe [Judah] Moses said nothing about priests.” Thus, Hebrews says that since Moses said nothing (was silent) about Judah when specifying who should be priests, this silence excluded those out of Judah from being priests. Scores of other cases in the Bible show the exclusionary power of silence. When God told Moses to speak to the rock to get water, striking the rock was eliminated (Numbers 20:8). Moses didn’t offer as an excuse, “You didn’t say not to strike the rock.” When God specified where to get fire to burn incense, Nadab and Abihu suffered the consequences of getting “unauthorized fire” (Leviticus 10:1) because they got fire from a place other than the one specified. When David moved the ark by ox cart, Uzzah died because David did not transport the ark “in the prescribed way” (1 Chronicles 15:13). All ways not prescribed were eliminated. God told Naaman to dip in the Jordan, and that eliminated all other rivers. When God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, he didn’t have to list all the places he was not to go. When the Corinthians did not follow the directions Paul gave for taking the Lord’s Supper as Paul had “received from the Lord and passed on” to them, they were guilty of sinning against the Lord’s body and blood and were eating and drinking “judgment” on themselves (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).
From these and many other Bible cases, it is clear that when the Lord specifies one option out of a category, His silence about other options excludes them. He does not have to provide a list of all excluded actions. By specifying one option and being silent about others, He is excluding those not mentioned.
Here are some cases in which we may apply this principle. Because God specified bread and fruit of the vine for the Lord’s supper, other foods are excluded from this service. Because the Lord specified elders in each congregation as the form of approved leadership, a papal system is excluded. Because the Lord specified immersion as the method of baptism, sprinkling and pouring are excluded. Because the Lord specified vocal music as the option out of the music category, instruments are excluded. Because the Lord specified prayer in the name of Jesus, prayers offered in the name of anyone else are excluded.
So when one option out of a category is specified, other options in that category are excluded. That is how language operates. Pharmacists fill a prescription knowing that because the doctor specified one medicine, he prohibited using any others. Builders know that when the architect specifies doors of a particular size, they are prohibited from using other sizes. The cook knows that if a recipe specifies a certain oven heat, other heats are not intended. If language did not work this way, it would be practically useless.
Back to the dinner invitation. Did you notice a category about which there is total silence? Nothing in the invitation said anything about the category of “dress.” Total silence about that category leaves all options in that category open and so, in this case, silence allows. What I wear to the dinner, then, is my choice. If the invitation had said, “Formal Attire,” then one type out of the category of “dress” would have been specified and others would have been excluded. Since, however, the invitation was silent about “dress,” I am free to dress as I consider appropriate.
Scripture demonstrates this principle. This is, in fact, Paul’s very point in Romans 14 as he deals with a category about which God had not specified. On eating food in the Christian era, God has not specified particular items in the category of foods that we may eat or not eat. Silence on this matter allows us to eat what we wish. While Paul says I must consider how my eating choices might affect my own conscience and my influence on others, he says I have “freedom” in the matter of foods (1 Corinthians 8:9). Because God has not specified in the category of foods, silence allows us freedom to choose any of the options. Even here, however, my freedom must be tinted with consideration for others and by other principles such as good health and expense. But with no options specifically directed, I have freedom to choose.
So, Silence Principle No. 2. If a category is left open with nothing specified, we may choose any options in that category.
Thus, in the Lord’s supper, the day is specified, but the silence on the time of day allows us to observe it at any hour. From the music category, singing is specified, but the style of songs, and whether we sing in unison or with harmony is open. In the category of what to teach, we are limited to what Christ and those He inspired have revealed, but, since nothing is specified in the teaching methods category, this silence allows us to teach in whatever ways we choose. Christians are told to assemble, but the length of the service, the place of meeting, and the order in which they arrange what they do is unspecified. Silence about a category, then, allows us to choose among its options.
In ordinary language, then, silence prohibits using unspecified options when particular options in a category are specified. Silence allows, however, when no options in a category are specified. Since God has revealed His will in the ordinary language of the people, and since the Scriptures give us samples of both of these uses of silence, He expects us to exercise these same uses of silence in understanding His message. We should neither restrict when God has allowed freedom or presume to do something beyond what He has commanded. Thus, silence prohibits options in a category in which God has specified and it allows in categories where God has not specified.

--Stafford North

Ok. Then give scriptural references for all of the following: (I think they are evidence of the CofC DEFYING "silence of scripture", but YOU tell ME.

church buildings
separate classes
benevolence
kitchens, fellowship halls, etc.
paid staff (except for the preacher)
pews
amplified microphone systems
announcements
nurserys
youth groups
communion servers
communion plates
those little communion cups
song books
the alter call or "invitation song"
order of worship
2 prayers during communion (1 for cup and 1 for bread)
mailed bulletins
video taping or audio taping of sermons
fellowships at church building

You see where I am going? Don't make an argument for "silence of scripture" when the CofC has already violated it 1000 fold.

First of all, the "CofC", as you put it, is not a denomination and has no central decision making body that can "defy" anything. If individual congregations violate scriptural authority it does not affect the credibility of the Scriptures - only those who chose to disobey or ignore them.

For silence to be prohibitive, it must be intended to be prohibitive. We have Biblical command and precedence for such silence. Leviticus 10 tells the story of God killing Nadab and Abihu DURING THE VERY ACT OF WORSHIP, as they "offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them." Note that they did not violate a "thou shalt not" but what God had NOT commanded - in other words, they did something God was silent about. In another example, Hebrews 7:14 is part of an explanation concerning Christ as being a priest even though He wasn't a Levite. Note what the author says, "For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests". God restricted the Jewish priesthood to the tribe of Levi, did he explicitly omit the other 11 tribes? In I Corinthians 4:6, Paul explains his logic in this section of scripture so that they would "learn not to exceed what is written, in order that no one of you might become arrogant in behalf of one against the other". Here is an explicit command to respect the silence of God's Word and the reason why - to not become arrogant with one another. We see this very situation in the church today!

As for your list, I believe that you need to review these items as Christians are to be benevolent (Galatians 6:10, I Timothy 5:8-16, James 1:27, Galatians 2:10, Ephesians 4:28). Christ offered two prayers when He instituted the Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:26ff, Mark 14:22ff, Luke 22:17ff). Are the remaining items on your list INTENDED to be prohibited? Can we tell? God told Noah to build the ark out of Gopher wood, did He tell him what tools to use? Does sitting in a pew alter our worship? Would it be "proper and orderly" to pass a single cup among a congregation of 300 during communion? Sadly, there have been congregations that have split over this issue. Expediencies are options we have to carry out Biblical commands, which categorize most of your list. To be Scriptural, these must not violate Scripture, and must be profitable, edifying, and not offensive. Is owning a building Biblical? In most cases - yes, as it is profitable in carrying out the Biblical command to "gather together". It might not be profitable for a very small congregation to do so; therefore, they would be free to meet in a home or rent some other facility. These are all ways to carry out the same Scriptural command.

Until we can all follow Colossians 3:17 and "do all in the name of the Lord", there will be division. II John 9 says, "Anyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son". By the way, the phrase "goes on ahead" rendered from the Greek means "progress". I, for one, would think twice before considering myself to be "progressive" when it comes to selective obedience of God's Word.

Mark, one of the FACILITATORS of the new--but ancient--view that the Bible is not the authority for faith and practice has been the failure to preach and teach on the subject.

This allows UP-JUMPS to declare in what Scripture calls a 'WORKSHOP OF EVIL' where prophets steal words from one another, to PRONOUNCE anathema against PATTERNISM. They are so far gone that they want to replace the PATTERNS with PARADIGMS (left as an exercise for the slow ones of the slow group).

They scream with "authority" that there is no such concept as COMMANDS, EXAMPLES AND INFERENCES. That denies that God has ANY authority because THEY cannot transfer their AUTHORITY without "commands, examples or inferences.

The rest of the BAND OF MERRY MEN just laugh and applaud like people needing institutionalizing.

One of the clearest things in the Bible and church history is that God COMMANDS and EXAMPLES and sane people can INFER. I have listed some of the PROOFS they cannot find here:

http://www.piney.com/ComExamInfer.html

Furthermore, they fulfill the statement of Jesus that He speaks so that mysteries hidden from the foundaiton of the world are perfectly obvious to TRUTH LOVERS. But, Jesus refused to speak in clear speech to them.

For instance, they deny that Jesus said anything about Music in the New Testament. We have looked at some of the ADDED RITUALS, some from Babylon, which had been added. Jesus refuted the musical water drawing ceremony which pleaded for help by declaring that HE was the source of this Water of the Word. The Passover from Babylon was refuted by His institution of the Lord's Supper. He knew that Judas was prophesied to be the instigator of the MUSICAL mockers who were Levitical Warriors. He CAST OUT the Musical Worship Team (funerals, weddings, religious festivals) "more or less violently" using a word "Cast out LIKE DUNG." And More "hidden" is that THE MARK of anyone who denies that Jesus repudiated music for those who must worship IN SPIRIT.

Furthermore, Paul RULED OUT machines when He declared the ACT OF TEACHING using THAT WHICH WAS WRITTEN. The melody (speaking of grinding into bits) was IN THE HEART which is the SPIRIT as the ONLY place God looks for our worship.

The NEW APOSTLES have confessed to rejecting the EPISTLES. Using Postmodern Narrative Theology they give THEMSELVES authority to GO BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN. Music has always been the device of the spiritual PICKPOCKETS who can steal your purse and make you clap and dance.

Jesus SPOKE WITH AUTHORITY. The Apostles saw the miracles as VALIDATING their recording of authority. The writers down through history accept the BIBLE as the ONLY source of authority for faith and practice.

The BAPTISTS whom the new apostles cannot SEDUCE believe that the Bible is the supreme authority.

The DEFECTS from the church of Christ are part of a historically UNIQUE band who, like Shelly's CORE GOSPEL, declare that ALL of the Bible but 7 facts ABOUT Jesus have been SIFTED through philosophy and the Bible Writer's PERSONAL AGENDA as they wrote their OWN version of the teachings of Jesus. You will not find anyone pushing the NEW STYLE WORSHIP (From Babylon) who accepts the concept that the BIBLE is the only authority the church has for FAITH and PRACTICE.

Jesus was wiser than some of the whiners: He honored ME by not thinking that HE had to authorize ME to get in out of the rain and snow. He stood up to read and had the decencey to SIT DOWN and dialoge. Seems like that authorized SITTING DOWN. That also seems to AUTHORIZE standing up for the silly.

But, Paul said, in effect, "Fools love to be fooled."

THEY declare that the SPIRIT MIND OF GOD did not have the POWER to preserve the SPIRIT CONTENT of the Words of Christ. However, they declare: "But, I can reveal the AUTHENTIC WORDS OF CHRIST. But, For a price, always for a price."

The UNIVERSAL Biblical and mythological (ancient sermons) history PROVES that once you fall under the MUSICAL RITUAL (Imported by Lucifer) you simply have LOST CONNECTION with the HEAD Who speaks to TRUTH LOVERS through the WORD OF GOD.

Ken Sublett

"Among the scholars" one of the biggest jokes is to MOCK the idea of Biblical silence based on Nadab and Abihu.

http://www.piney.com/Nadab-Abihu.html

There are two major events where people IMPROVIZED OR INNOVATED which Paul speaks of in insisting that for those who refuse to come before God with REVERENCE and GODLY FEAR, God is till a CONSUMING FIRE.

The rising up to play in MUSICAL IDOLATRY at Mount Sinai interrupted and changed the nature of the Tabernacle. God broke the COVENANT OF GRACE and sent a FIREY LAW to legislate for the lawless. Nevertheless, the Law would keep people from trying to approach God as a musical prostitute (Ezek 33).

Shortly thereafter, the prescribed laws of sacrifice were carried out by Moses and Aaron. Nadab and Abihu then grasped STRANGE fire and went into the most holy place and burned incense. God's FIRE consumed them.

The next step was to impose more laws including the SCAPE GOAT. This was a smelly goat sent away to wander in the wilderness to remind the people that Azazel or the fallen angel had introduced STRANGE fire including the use of mixed-sex choirs and instrumental music along with all the ARTS to steal worship from God.

Also introduced was the DAY OF ATONEMENT when even the holy precincts had to be atoned for.

Paul uses both these events to warn people that God is still God and we are still mortals. If we do not approach God with REVERENCE AND GODLY FEAR, God is still a consuming fire. The ZOE group invites you to a restoration of a CONSUMING FIRE with Lucifer's (Zoe) performing arts to steal the glory from God.

Ken Sublett