Just a few years ago no member of the church known to me would have contended that humming would be acceptable in Christian worship. Yet, some time ago I received a phone call from a preacher in another state; and during our conversation, he stated that he was disturbed that a well known song director had recently visited in his section of the country, and while there participated in a worship service, during which he sang a solo while the entire congregation hummed.
How long will it be before we hear of some song leader singing a solo while the congregation accompanies him with whistling? Can anyone show why humming is any more scriptural in New Testament worship than whistling? Would anyone like to try his hand on this matter? Humming and whistling are both vocal, are they not?
The Lord did not authorize merely vocal music, but rather He authorized a certain type of vocal music, that is, singing. The New Testament teaches that we are to “sing” (Heb. 2:12; I Cor. 14:15). In singing we engage in “speaking” and teaching” (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Humming and whistling do not meet these requirements! Doubtless many reasons could be produced to show that humming and whistling are unscriptural. However, the following will suffice: A man who had been summoned to appear in court did not make his appearance. The judge was understandably upset. He asked, “Does anyone know any reason as to why this man has failed to appear in my court?” A gentleman replied, “Yes, your Honor, I can give one thousand reasons.” The judge instructed him to state them. He said, “The first reason is that he is dead.” The judge replied, “You may dispense with the additional nine hundred and ninety-nine reasons. The one you have given is quite sufficient.”
In like fashion, regardless of the numerous reasons as to why humming and whistling are not to be used in Christian worship, one is quite sufficient. Namely, there is absolutely no New Testament authority for their use!
-Garland Elkins
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