Hello all,

Tom, as an advocate of EP (non-Steelite) I would have to say that
those who sing uninspired hymns in worship are idolaters because
they do so without the warrant of Scripture. BUT only in a sense
similar to the way those who anger are murderers. Jesus Christ
revealed this hermeneutic to us:

"Mat 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou
shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the
judgment:
Mat 5:22 but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his
brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say
to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and
whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of
fire."

WLC Q99: 6. That under one sin or duty, all of the same kind are
forbidden or commanded; together with all the causes, means,
occasions, and appearances thereof, and provocations thereunto.[11]
11. Matt. 5:21-22, 27-28; 15:4-6; Heb. 10:24-25; I Thess. 5:22-23;
Gal. 5:26; Col. 3:21

Singing uninspired hymns is idolatry, but to a far lesser degree
than making a Golden Calf.

Q150: Are all transgressions of the law of God equally heinous in
themselves, and in the sight of God?
A150: All transgressions of the law of God are not equally
heinous; but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several
aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.[1]
1. John 19:11; Ezek. 8:6, 13, 15; I John 5:16; Psa. 78:17, 32, 56

To some extent I am an idolater, as even thinking about God in any
other way than He is most magnificently revealed in the Scriptures
is sin. Every time I think of Jesus' face I am committing idolatry.

WLC Q99: 2. That it is spiritual, and so reaches the understanding,
will, affections, and all other powers of the soul; as well as
words, works, and gestures.[2]
2. Rom. 7:14; Deut. 6:5; Matt. 5:21-22, 27-28, 33-34, 37-39, 43-44;
22:37-39

Idolatry is making an image of God. That is, conceiving God in
ANYWAY not prescribed by Himself. Hymn singing is idolatry but it
does not mean you are not a Christian or are not saved.

The 2nd Commandment, prohibits idolatry:
Q109: What are the sins forbidden in the second commandment?
A109: The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all
devising,[1] counseling,[2] commanding,[3] using,[4] and anywise
approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself;[5]
tolerating a false religion;[6] the making any representation of
God, of all or of any of the three persons, either inwardly in our
mind, or outwardly in any kind of image or likeness of any creature
whatsoever;[7] all worshiping of it,[8] or God in it or by it;[9]
the making of any representation of feigned deities,[10] and all
worship of them, or service belonging to them;[11] all superstitious
devices,[12] corrupting the worship of God,[13] adding to it, or
taking from it,[14] whether invented and taken up of ourselves,[15]
or received by tradition from others,[16] though under the title of
antiquity,[17] custom,[18] devotion,[19] good intent, or any other
pretense whatsoever;[20] simony;[21] sacrilege;[22] all neglect,[23]
contempt,[24] hindering,[25] and opposing the worship and ordinances
which God hath appointed.[26]

1. Num. 15:39
2. Deut. 13:6-8
3. Hosea 5:11; Micah 6:16
4. I Kings 11:33; 12:33
5. Deut. 12:30-32
6. Deut. 13:6-12; Zech. 13:2-3; Rev. 2:2, 14-15, 20, Rev. 17:12, 16-
17
7. Deut. 4:15-19; Acts 17:29; Rom. 1:21-23, 25
8. Dan. 3:18; Gal. 4:8
9. Exod. 32:5
10. Exod. 32:8
11. I Kings 18:26, 28; Isa. 65:11
12. Acts 17:22; Col. 2:21-23
13. Mal. 1:7-8, 14
14. Deut. 4:2
15. Psa. 106:39
16. Matt. 15:9
17. I Peter 1:18
18. Jer. 44:17
19. Isa. 65:3-5; Gal. 1:13-14
20. I Sam. 13:11-12; 15:21
21. Acts 8:18
22. Rom. 2:22; Mal. 3:8
23. Exod. 4:24-26
24. Matt. 22:5; Mal. 1:7, 13
25. Matt. 23:13
26. Acts 13:44-45; I Thess. 2:15-16

Peter

--- In reformeddoctrineforum@..., tom mitchell
<repentant_reformer@y...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I was just wondering what you all thought of the 'Steelite'
Covenanters and whether they are or should be considered a cult or
not.
>
> Had a few friends that are in that group, but to be honest, I am
not sure what to think. I know that they believe that they have the
only true forum of worship and have even gone so far as to say that
those who do not practice E.P (Exclusive Psalmody) are idolaters and
not true Christians. Does any one in here know any thing about that?
Just trying to sort through it all.
>
> Thanks & God bless.
>
>
>
>
>
> tom
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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