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Applause!

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by amity, Apr 8, 2007.

  1. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    Clapping is clapping, and the bible says to do it. How can it be worldy if God says do it? if you don't want to clap then don't do it, but don't try and twist scripture to your opinion. That is wrong and itself worldly.
     
  2. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Maybe someone should tell God that He didn't really mean "clap" when He said it in the Psalms, then...:D

    It's pretty straightforward. "Clap your hands, o you people."

    Any action that we do in giving praise to God, if done with incorrect motives, can become an action we use to recognize man, or to draw attention to ourselves.

    I get nervous ascribing motives of the heart to someone's actions in worship. Particularly if they are doing something that scripture condones...such as clapping.

    Could it be done for the wrong reason? Yep...just like those affected with the dreaded disease CITA...Chronically Inappropriately-Timed Amenitis. Or those men (why women never get this one I'll never know) who have DSD--Distracting Shouting Disorder.

    Then there was that deacon in the church I grew up in...he said, "glo-o-o-o-ry..." and for all the world he sounded like Mister Ed. But that's another debate thread altogether...
     
  3. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

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    Surely when God said the trees of the field would clap their hands when the mountains and hills sang - He wouldn't mind if I clapped when a believer sings.

    Isa 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

    When something touches my heart, I will clap and let God decide why I'm doing it...
     
  4. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    Good answer...
     
  5. amity

    amity New Member

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    If it is a song sung as a performance, i.e. for entertainment, then go right ahead and applaud. But this should not be what church is. Again this points up the difference between a stage/ theater and a church! And there should be a huge difference.

    BTW, to read "clap your hands" in the Bible and assume that means applause is a bit of a stretch.
     
    #65 amity, Apr 11, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 11, 2007
  6. Pipedude

    Pipedude Active Member

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    Applause is to a performer what gasoline is to a car engine.

    Find someone who has made his living on stage; not just an occasional performer, but one who actually had to go out there and do it, night after night, for years. Ask him about the importance of applause.

    One who ministers in Christ's name is not a performer. The praise and glory go to God, not the minister. In 95% of the cases in church music, though, it is the performer who is being applauded, and that fact is as plain as a jellyfish on the beach.

    When I was a child in the '60s, I was taught that, at a secular concert, we were to applaud at the end of each number except those which had a sacred theme. The singer might sing Handel's "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth" beautifully, but we were forbidden to applaud. The theory was that this song was sung to God's glory. And that was in the government schools.

    At our church, neither the adults nor the children are applauded when they minister. The kids know the drill ahead of time, so they aren't expecting it; but we are careful to speak to both the kids and the adults after the service to express our appreciation and testify to the blessing we've received from their ministry.
     
  7. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    seems some are confused about what clapping your hands means. Even my 22 month old granddaughter knows that.

    H8628
    taw-kah'
    A primitive root; to clatter, that is, slap (the hands together), clang (an
    instrument); by analogy to drive (a nail or tent pin, a dart, etc.); by implication to
    become bondsman (by handclasping):—blow ([a trumpet]), cast, clap, fasten,
    pitch [tent], smite, sound, strike, X suretiship, thrust.
     
  8. AF Guy N Paradise

    AF Guy N Paradise Active Member
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    I even remember on Hee Haw (a very corny show) that when the Gospel Quartet sang there was never applause. It was a very serious setting even though they shouted, yelled, and laughed through the rest of the show. I always found that interesting.
     
  9. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    The Bible also tells us to lift up and encourage one another...and not in specifice places or times. Applauding the song and someone using their gifts and talents the Lord gave them is not wrong. I see nothing condemning that in Scripture whatsoever.
     
  10. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    :confused:

    Of course. If you're applauding, then there's no way you're clapping. "Clap your hands" in the King James means to rub your tummy and pat your head at the same time. :rolleyes:

    I have an idea. Let's redefine "clapping" to fit our cultural preferences, instead of letting the Scripture speak for itself.
     
  11. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    HEY! Good idea.
     
  12. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

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    There is a fine difference toward applause and the literally clapping of one's hands. Applause is always given at the end of man's performance. It is always praise toward man, and not God. God doesn't need man's applause. It is profane.

    In the OT, as in many eastern cultures today, clapping is still used. But it is not used in the sense as applause at the end of a performance. It is used during the music to help keep the rhythm. The musical instruments in these countries are simple and few, and so are the tunes to the songs that they sing. I believe that the clapping in the OT refers to this. It does not refer to clapping at the end of a song or performance.
     
  13. AF Guy N Paradise

    AF Guy N Paradise Active Member
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    Does anyone even remember Hee Haw?
     
  14. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    I remember it. It was taped in Nashville where I lived for 31 years and I was always embarrassed to admit that show came out of my home town. :laugh: I never did like it!
     
  15. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Nope.

    We applaud when someone makes a profession of faith, or is baptized. (You also hear "amen's" and "praise God's")

    That is very much directed toward the Lord. We as a church family are praising Him for another soul saved.
     
  16. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

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    He doesn't need man's love either, but He desires it.
     
  17. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    I think it depends on the condition of the persons heart whether or not their applause is for God or man. And that dhk can not judge.


     
  18. bapmom

    bapmom New Member

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    Pss.47

    [1] O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.


    clapping is virtually a commanded form of joining in praising God. I don't think we should call it profane when God approves of it so obviously.
     
  19. ituttut

    ituttut New Member

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    I would say if George Beverly Shea sang at our church, or any other such as the late Tennessee Ernie Ford, Gomer Pyle, or Elvis, they would all get standing ovations. But I don't know think GBS would particularly appreciate it.

    When we applaud can any honestly say we are applauding and exalting God? We are applauding all that makes up the song, i.e. the writer of the music, the lyrics, and the singer, and perhaps musicians. Let's give them the credit for doing a good job of praising Him in song, and they have their reward, as none should expect to receive accolades.

    Many years ago I sang in the choir, and then a few years later some began the practice of "applauding", and even when I sang solo or in a quartet. I quit singing in the choir and the quartet (sang on radio) because from my view, I could see, as well as from comments, the applause was really for the singer/s. I know many in choirs do not care for the applause, but they use this "gift" from God, and that is "their calling". Just last week a man next to me said, "xxxx", you really have a good singing voice". So a "gift" can also be used in "congregational singing", for those that feel uncomfortable in receiving "applause or money" just because they received the gift to "praise Him song". And I don't try to drown out the others signing.

    I do believe however when all the gathering sing together such songs as "Jazz spiritual's" (Dear God let us get past the repetitive worship and praise songs) with lots of movement and a good beat, and maybe some "whooping and hollowing" of praise the Lord, this is acceptable for we can all join in this excitement to Him. But then we settle down and become serious as we approach the throne of grace. I see acceptance in "full participation" praising Him, and just a choir singing (all in an attitude of prayer) with no applause afterwards. Big difference from the choir singing and then the non-participants applauding the presentation, and all the work brought by man. Just let them sing, no one feeling they need to give their approval. The Pastor will normally do this for the congregation with a few words of approval.
     
  20. Karen

    Karen Active Member

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    You are right. However, I prefer to express my appreciation for the person and the skill at a different time, and in the worship service not be distracted from thinking about the words of the song, and what it says about God.
    If there are no times and places more appropriate than others, what about in the middle of the church service thanking the janitor for the great job on the floors that week or the ushers for how well they held the doors?
    Surely there needs to be appreciation, but surely there are some times more appropriate and less distracting to worship than others.

    Do you clap at the end of the sermon? If not, why not? Presumably many things are said there that are moving.
     
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