Learn From Our Mistakes - Don't Repeat Them

A friend of mine asked me to consider an article written by a proponent of the “progressive” movement within the churches of Christ. That sounds great – “progressive”, moving forward, advancing, and all that – but, in my opinion it is a movement which progresses away from Scripture toward a more humanistic, man-centered approach to deciding what God expects from His people. All that being said, I read the article which primarily dealt with something called “The Regulative Principle.” This principle states anything not authorized in the New Testament in regard to worship practices is unacceptable to God. The article addressed the account of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10 and Uzzah’s sad account recorded in 1 Chronicles 13. My summary of the article’s premise would be this:

Nadab and Abihu made a “mistake” with their worship, not a sin. Uzzah too made a “mistake.” God, however, killed them for it. So, if we today choose to offer worship to God for which we have no evidence in the New Testament, or even in history, we can hope God considers it a “mistake” and won’t damn us for it. Therefore, whatever we choose to do, as long as it’s in “good faith”, it will be acceptable to God. If it is not authorized by God through Scripture, it’s simply a repeated “mistake”, even if there’s no support, evidence, command or example of it ever being used in New Testament worship or asked for by God.

            To quote the article: “First, we have to question any view that a particular sin damns. I mean, David wasn’t damned for adultery and murder — why would God damn for well-intentioned worship? To reach that conclusion, you must assume that God is more concerned with the ritual of worship than with day-to-day Christian living — which just isn’t so.” First of all, that’s a very broad statement. Of course David wasn’t damned for his sins. He confessed and repented and didn’t do it again. That has little to do with Nadab and Abihu. God took care of them. Do we know they went straight to Hell? No, we don’t. But, dare we risk God’s anger by repeating a “mistake”? I’d like to assume Nadab and Abihu also would’ve never repeated their error had God allowed them to live. We would hope they would repent and press forward in their service according to God’s will. Secondly, can we not just as easily assume God is equally concerned about proper worship as He is about day-to-day living? To say God is more concerned with one over the other displays an arrogance in assuming to know the mind of God beyond what He’s revealed.

            Another quote from the article: “Leviticus 10:9-11 strongly suggests that Nadab and Abihu were guilty of drunkenness…” and this was their sin – not the offering of unauthorized fire. This, again, is an assumption without much merit. Granted, God does discuss the subject of intoxicating drink in these passages. However, all we’re told in verses 1-2 is what they did was not honoring to God. They lost their lives for not holding God’s commands up as holy. See God’s statement in verse 3: “’By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified,’” (NKJV). The author quotes from Adam Clarke where Clarke says he is among those who have “…supposed from the introduction of this command here, that Aaron’s sons had sinned through excess of wine…” With all due respect, a supposition from the astute Mr. Clarke is still simply a supposition not found in the text. Even more confusing, the author of this article quotes another author who says, “…God is more gracious to those who make mistakes because they fear him than to those who carelessly and impudently enter his presence as Nadab and Abihu did.” Then our author goes on to add, “…God overlooks honest mistakes (among those in grace, of course) but does not overlook willful disobedience.” So which is it? Did Nadab and Abihu make a mistake or were they willfully disobedient? By killing them, we can hardly say God “overlooked” their unauthorized offering.

            Again from the article: “There’s a huge difference between using the wrong fire and acting where God has been entirely silent.” This is exactly the point! Certainly in regard to music offered to God in worship He has NOT been the least bit silent. ALL we see in the New Testament is vocal singing. Offering any other type of music is offering the “wrong fire.” In regard to the argument surrounding the matter of silence of Scripture, music used in worship just doesn’t apply. God is not silent. However, even if one attempts to say anything not prohibited is permitted, Scripture answers that as well.

                        “Hebrew 7:14 contains the very principle that is the focus of this discussion.

In this context, the sacred writer has noted that there has been a change in the priesthood. The Aaronic priesthood of the Old Testament regime has given way to the better priestly system of the New Testament economy. It is then suggested that Christ could not serve as a priest “after the order of Aaron” (cf. 8:4). Why not? Because Jesus was descended from the tribe of Judah, and, as to that tribe, Moses spake nothing (i.e., the law was silent; there was no authority) concerning the priesthood. The silence of the law was prohibitive! If God does not authorize a religious practice, it is forbidden. This principle absolutely must be respected. Underline, therefore, the terms “spake nothing” in Hebrews 7:14, and marginally observe: Silence is prohibitive” (Wayne Jackson, christiancourier.com; “Hebrews 7:14 – The Law of Silence”).

Moving along, let’s examine this quote from the author: “Christians need not fear damnation from trying to do right but accidentally making a mistake.” Perhaps we should have begun here. Merriam-Webster online defines “mistake” as follows: “to blunder in the choice of; to misunderstand the meaning or intention of.” This implies the mistake can be corrected – should be corrected. It is a point-in-time occurrence. Offering something to God on one’s own authority, once shown the New Testament form of doctrine is not a mistake or an accident. It’s continuing in something beyond God’s authorization. Certainly no Christian would want to continue in a “mistake.”

Then our author moves into a discussion of Uzzah. Uzzah died when he touched the Ark of the Covenant. The author’s argument is that David, in 1 Chron 15:11-13, explains he didn’t know how to move the ark and Uzzah died because of, again, an accident. However, that’s a spurious argument. David is incorrect in his statement to the priests. The instructions for moving the Ark are found in Numbers 4. David knew how to move the ark and chose to do something other than what God had commanded. Yet, since Uzzah touched the Ark, he died, not David. The author closes his Uzzah argument with this statement, “God is unhappy when we don’t even look into his word to follow his instructions. But it doesn’t mean that there’s no grace for mistakes made in worship.” I totally, completely, 100% concur. The New Testament mentions, no less than eight times, singing in celebration, in worship, and in relation to one another. The use of instruments is mentioned in Revelation; however, that’s in Heaven. We don’t live in Heaven, so that doesn’t apply. Nowhere in the New Testament are instruments authorized; and, since instrumental music is of the same nature as what is authorized – singing – using instruments along with or instead of singing is going beyond what God permits. It’s “strange fire.” Upon looking into His word, we can see His instructions and avoid making that particular mistake again in worship.

            In conclusion, why would we want to continue in any “mistake?” Once we see the New Testament authorizations for worship, why wouldn’t we just let God determine what He wants and follow His instructions? Continuing in the mistake of calling someone by the wrong name, or continuing in the mistake of driving the wrong direction are things we would not do. We have an adage for that – “we all learn from our mistakes.” We see the error and then correct it – no matter the context. So, it seems nonsensical to risk God’s wrath over a correctable “mistake.”