Exclusive Psalmody (and inspired hymnody) provides a direct answer to those demanding Multiculturalism in the church. They say we need to Multiculturalism to bring us together, but it cannot. The result of Multiculturalism is division. What we need is a Christ centered culture.
The worldly answer is the promotion of Multiculturalism by the expression of various cultural forms and in the singing of the church. This finds no warrant in the Scriptures. Not only that but it doesn’t satisfy anyone seeking their own particular cultural expressions. If one is seeking their own particular cultural form to be expressed in the church, they will inevitably seek out a church that expresses their particular culture exclusively.
The Biblical answer to this is not Multiculturalism, but a thoroughly Bibliocentric worship including inspired hymnody with the emphasis of the congregational voice. This is a thing that is altogether “other” from any culture of man. It inculcates a separate and sacred culture.
In this way the church can have diversity in its membership with oneness in its worship of God. God has regulated His worship and would have us set aside the cultural expressions of this world and take up His sanctified worship forms.
Coming into the church, we lay aside rock and roll, hip hop, jazz, classical/instrumental focused music, and all other forms for the simplicity of congregational singing of the word of God.
In truly Biblical worship, the only thing that has the potential to divide is that of differing languages, but that is never the point for those who advocate “multiculturalism” in the church.
Jesus not only prayed that we be one, he also provided the instruction for the worship of God in the church that actually aids us in being one.
“Sing unto the LORD a new song”!
Nothing newer than the “New Creation Songbook: The Songs of those Redeemed and Made New”!
Hey pastor Truelove,
Can you elaborate a little bit on the differences between exclusive psalmody and inspired hymnody? How do you practice this at your local church? What resources do you recommend on this subject? Thank you for this post.