An Uncertain Sound or An Unhearing Ear
This article comes from the Baptist World Mission Messenger, we republish by permission.
In 1 Corinthians 14:8 the Apostle Paul, in challenging the church to have understanding relating to the exercise of apostolic gifts, employs an illustration that is both musical and militaristic, “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” Many preachers have rightly made application of this illustration in calling for clarity in communicating truth and in standing for Jesus Christ.
Let’s consider the illustration for a moment. In the musical realm “to be profitable for others the notes of a flute or harp or trumpet needed to be clear and intelligible; otherwise they amounted to no more than the venting of air with consequences which, besides being annoying (verse 7), might be devastating (verse 8).”1 “If a musical instrument does not give a clear and distinct sound, nobody will recognize the music being played. Everyone knows how uncomfortable one feels when a performer almost plays the right note because the instrument is defective or out of tune…If the bugler is not sure whether he is calling ‘Retreat!’ or ‘Charge!’ you can be sure none of the soldiers will know what to do either. Half of them will rush forward, while the other half will run back! The call must be a clear one if it is to be understood.”2
The goal which Paul presents by the illustration is articulate communication that facilitates accurate understanding and appropriate application – the crying need of Fundamentalism in this hour. While Baptist World Mission is not a perfect agency, our board and administration are committed to faithfulness to the Word of God and to Biblical separatism. By His grace we endeavor to communicate our positions and practices to prospective missionaries and churches. Our objective, like Paul’s, is to sound a clear trumpet so that those of like faith and practice can partner with us in the great work God is doing around the world.
Unfortunately, there are Christian institutions (mission agencies, colleges, etc.) that are confusing Biblical separatists concerning where they stand. Most often those institutions are either failing to produce a clear sound or are practicing a contradicting lifestyle. Yes, there are important theological and practical issues facing our Baptist churches – and every local congregation needs its pastor to be informed and to be sounding a clear note on the pulpit trumpet. Whether it involves personal or ecclesiastical separation, or theological fidelity to the Scriptures, the shepherd of the flock has a responsibility to be presenting the truth of God’s Word in such a way that God’s people can understand and make a faithful application.
Implied in Paul’s illustration, however, is the ability of the hearers to discern the certainty of the sound. When I was pastoring in South Bend, Indiana, I was often reminded that my music pastor had perfect pitch – the rare talent to identify or recreate a given musical note without the benefit of a reference tone. A note that sounded fine to me would grate upon his nerves, because it was not quite on target. I could not hear what he heard, because I was not gifted or trained to listen in the same way.
The Lord Jesus many times challenged believers, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” When individual church members have their spiritual ear properly tuned to the Word of God, reflecting a holy lifestyle and likeness to Jesus Christ, they are a great blessing to a pastor who seeks to blow a clear sound on the trumpet. When the people are dull of hearing, however, the faithful pastor may play the correct sound of warning, only to be tolerated at best or rebuked at worst.
Sometimes it is difficult to discern whether a local church’s failure is the result of an uncertain sound from the pulpit or an unhearing ear in the pew. May the Lord give Baptist Fundamentalism men who will stand before their people with clarion fidelity on the issues of the day, but also lay people who will have ears to hear and hearts to obey!
Bud Steadman is the Executive Director of Baptist World Mission.
Photo by: woodleywonderworks This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.