The Peace Drum
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Psalm 150:4
Drums are not evil. They are objects made of wood and steel and animals skins, all things that God created. There is no mention of anyone beating on a drum in the Bible, but there was a lot of beating of gold, grain, olive oil and of course, people. In fact, the Bible does not have the word drum in it, although there are plenty of references to worshipping God with a loud noise…with timbrels (tambourines) and brass cymbals.
Even though there is no biblical foundation for it, today there are Christian groups who believe that the drum is a symbol of peace. The strange thing about this is that they are not the only ones.
The following is from an article about drumming for peace:
Symbols of Peace
What comes to your mind when asked about peace symbols? There are many, and I have just in the last year discovered a new one. Native North Americans have a most powerful peace symbol, the peace drum. Its design was conceived by an Ojibway woman who received the directions for its construction in visions long before the coming of the white man to North America. In these dreamlike revelations she learned of the need for women to unite in drumming to bring peace to their warring tribes. In the visions she learned that women would have to take the initiative to bring peace. After building the drum, she invited friends and enemies alike to come and drum together and to make peace with each other.
Drumming Circles
There are many drumming circles in Manitoba and they are attended by people of all ethnic backgrounds. Most of them take place monthly. One of them is lead by a young man of Mennonite heritage who has collected various drums and other percussion instruments from around the world…
(from this weblink: http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/natural_health/27343)
What was that? A drumming circle led by a Mennonite? Maybe it’s time to take a closer look at this, but first, a word of caution. One must use discernment when searching the internet for information on drumming circles as so many of these sites are pagan or wiccan. For this reason, only a few sites will be provided here (for research purposes only) regarding the drum circle:
http://www.spirituallyfit.com/volume4/issue2/stories/sacred_beat.htm
http://www.ubdrumcircles.com/article_nextbeat.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_circle
If you clicked on the above links, you will have learned that there is nothing Christian about the spirituality of the drum circle, but some Christians, and even Mennonites, have recently joined the drumming band wagon.
Take for example one Mennonite belonging to the Mennonite Mission Network (who incidentally is also on the interfaith list of religious peace fellowships with the Buddhists, Muslims, Catholics, and Unitarians, right under Mennonite Church USA, here).
He is also the co-founder and co-director of Drumming for Peace, a Lancaster, Pa. based organization, who:
…teaches and witnesses publicly for peace through drumming, rhythm, storytelling and music. Having played drums for over 40 years, he has combined his passions for peace and drumming. Drumming for Peace is presently providing a program, called “Found Sounds,” to after-school programs in three inner city schools. It was featured in the September-October 2003 edition of Sojourners magazine. He has taught a credited course, entitled “Sacred Drumming: Drumming as a Spiritual Practice,” at Lancaster (Pa.)Theological Seminary, presented the Staley Lecture at Bethel College, North Newton, Kan., on Drumming for Peace, and will be making upcoming presentations at Goshen (Ind.) College and Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Va.
Source: http://www.mennonitemission.net/Resources/SpeakersGuide/Speaker.asp?ID=31
This Mennonite reverend teaches “peace and spirituality through rhythm, drumming and storytelling” (source here). You can read more about this on Mennolink, here.
Apparently, drumming for peace has been going on all over the place. With eastern Carolina District Mennonite Churches (click here), drumming a deconstructed hymn in San Jose (click here), and drumming with children for peace(click here). And if you want, you can drum for peace at an upcoming retreat in Maryland (PDF here: www.hyattsvillemennonite.org/about/cif_survey.pdf).
Peace is a good thing, and this Reverend is probably a very nice, musically talented man, but is the truth of the gospel spread through drumming, or by hearing the Word? Can we really drum up peace? According to this Sojourner’s article called A Different Drum, “polyrhythms” and chanting for world peace will keep highschool kids away from drugs. What about Jesus?
By the way, anyone can purchase their very own Peace Drum on mennolink.org (click here) or from Mennonite Church USA (click here).
Other Mennonites drumming for peace include the Pacific Northwest Regional Peace Gathering at Albany Mennonite Church in Oregon last fall (see here) and this drumming circle at Goshen College.
And if that’s not enough, there was a Spirituality Study at Waterloo a few years ago that involved some Mennonites and drumming circles:
In fall and winter 2003-04…10 two-hour workshops with nine volunteers: undergraduate and graduate students from psychology, drama, and speech communication. They came from Baptist, Mennonite, Catholic, Native, Muslim, and non-denominational backgrounds. The sessions were videotaped in the CCAT lab in the Modern Languages building. Each session included meditation, writing in journals, pairing off to share thoughts and perceptions, and group discussion of everything from “the Eucharist to Drumming Circles and Vision Quests, to reflections on our own inner experience.” Following the workshop series, Denton interviewed participants separately. (See here.)
As the result of this study there will be new courses developed to help people learn about and appreciate each other’s faith differences.
And that’s where the wide interfaith road always starts - with ‘learning’ from eachother’s spirituality - but acceptance leads to compromise.
Perhaps instead of drumming up peace, it’s time for these Mennonites to march on the narrow road, behind the Prince of Peace.
ROM Index: still booming
“The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.” Isaiah 59:8-9
For extra reading, this article may be of interest:
Drumming Up Jesus, by Roger Oakland
http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c61.shtml
Listen to Roger Oakland here:
Drumming for Jesus
http://www.understandthetimes.org/podcast/2348.mp3
More recommended reading:
DRUMMING UP DECEPTION
http://www.frbaptist.org/bin/view/PastorsPapers/PastorsPapersTopic20080221202638
I was interested to read your blog on drumming and spirituality with its reference to my program Drumming for Peace. I found it to reflect the rather narrow-minded spirituality that I grew up and taught for many years as a fundamentalist Christian. You say there is no mention of beating the drum in the Bible. The “tof” (Hebrew) is mentioned throughout the Bible. It was not a tambourine, (which is a drum!), but a frame drum (hoop and skin), the most ancient drum, which the Hebrews borrowed from the Cananite “orchestra” (Oooooooh, pagan assimilation). You refer to my program Drumming for Peace with little knowledge of what I do. My Christian version gives biblical background on drumming. I teach basic peace principles like cooperation, team building, accepting others who are different from us through rhythmic exercises and stories (like the Exodus story and Miriam and the women playing in celebration). You seem to think that having my name on an FOR list (which I had nothing to do with) with other religions is taboo. Why cannot drumming be a means through which the gospel (good news of Jesus Christ) is spread? I also use words with my drumming and put it in the context of worship, preaching , and evangelism. Like I said, this blog just seems to express the reactionary, narrow-minded, judgmental perspective that I lived with for a big portion of my life. I say, “Praise God on the tof (drum)! Psalm 150.
Hello Mr. H,
The Strong’s concordance says that the toph (referred to nine times in the Bible) which is made with a wooden circle, covered with membrane and furnished with brass bells, is beaten in the East by women when dancing. It was a handheld instrument, the primary sound coming from the jingles. (And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. Exodus 15:20) The timbrel used by the Israelites in worship to God was not a large drum (or an overturned plastic bucket) placed in a circle and beaten in a rhythmic exercise.
Where is the biblical support that the drum is a symbol of peace and reconciliation? On the contrary, rhythmic drumming in the Old Testament was associated with a terrible valley that God hated. This valley where the Canaanite god Molech was worshipped was called Tophet, (from Toph; the drum); a place of loathing, the valley of fire, where the drum rites would beat to drown out the sounds of the cries and shrieks of the babies who were burned alive on the arms of the idol Molech which was heated to red hot by intense fire. This also involved pagan sexual practices that accompanied the rhythmic drumming. This was something God absolutely detested. Pagan assimilation is not a light hearted matter to be mocked. Especially when we can see that so many interspiritualists, New Agers, shamans and wiccans also use rhythmic drumming circles as a tool today to bring harmony, unity and healing.
Regarding FOR: As Christianity claims to be the only way, isn’t it odd that FOR would have any Christian organization on their peace list with the Muslims and Buddhists? This is FOR’s Vision: We envision a world of justice, peace, and freedom. It is a revolutionary vision of a beloved community where differences are respected, conflicts are addressed nonviolently, oppressive structures are dismantled, and where people live in harmony with the earth, nurtured by diverse spiritual traditions that foster compassion, solidarity, and reconciliation.
Is this what the Bible teaches? Are we to be part of a community nurtured by diverse spiritual traditions, cooperating in interfaith unity…or are we to find unity and reconciliation in Christ alone? Isn’t the gospel about winning those who worship other gods to Christ?
You say the views of this blog are too narrow minded, but isn’t that what Jesus taught?
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7: 13,14 (NKJV)
The Peace Drum
If we look for peace that is permanent, we need to look into the Word of God. Peace found by any other means is temporal at best. Jesus said “peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” John 14:27. The peace that Jesus gives is:”peace with God” Romans 5:1, “peace from God” Romans 1:7, “peace of God” Phil.4:7 and “peace on earth” Is. 9:6-7. This is the kind of peace that the born again Christian should be proclaiming to the world. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. Only when mankind will submit to the Prince of Peace, will there be true personal and global peace. Man cannot make “peace” happen!
Strong’s concordance is not the most reliable scholarly source for background on biblical instruments. The “toph” was a frame drum without “jingles” and can be found in many ancient Meditteranean archaeological depictions. Some frame drums are rather large. Yet, even so, it was still a drum! used to praise God! (Ps. 150)
So, because drums were not used in the Bible as an “instrument for peace” or a teaching tool, we cannot do so today? That logic is rather lame. Do you have to find everything verbatim in the Bible for it to be something contemporary Christians can practice? Where do you find preaching the gospel on the radio or television in the Bible? Is Sunday School found in the Bible? Organs? Guitars?
And because drums are used by pagans and Wiccans means Chrustians cannot use drums in worship or teaching? Pagans also use books and microphones and televisions. Drums, like anything, can be used for good or ill.
Jesus said we should enter through the narrow gate, not that one needs a narrow mind to get through it!
By the way, the etymology of “Tophet” and “toph” are not connected. Check your Hebrew lexicon or a good book on instruments from Ancient Israel/Palestine. In other words, “Tophet” does not come from “toph.” The two Hebrew words come from different root words. “Toph” has a Ugaritic root that goes back to the 14th century BC. I’m not sure what source you got the story about the beating of the drums to drown out the screams at “Tophet.” Nevertheless, the “toph” or drum in the Bible was not primarily associated with “Tophet,” but as an instrument of praise to God (Exodus 15:20). Like it or not, the Hebrews borrowed the “toph” and other intruments from the pagan Canaanites and used them in worship of the one true God, Yahweh Elohim.
Dear LH,
The focus of this post is not on the instrument itself so much as on drumming circles, and their use in rhythmic mantric methods to bring people together in interfaith unity, which is becoming a common theme in the world today. We must be on guard for all ecumenical and interfaith ideas that are entering the church and challenging the truth of the gospel.
The only reason the valley of Tophet was brought up is because you spoke of pagan assimilation so lightly. Many well known Bible teachers have taught that drums were beaten at Tophet, but I never thought to question their sources, nor do I have access to a history book on the musical instruments of ancient Israel. There is only so much on the internet, much of which is not necessarily reliable or exhaustive. Perhaps this teaching came from this Milton quote (but then one must ask what Milton’s source was):
“First, Moloch, horrid King, besmeared with blood
Of human sacrifice, and parents’ tears;
Though, for the noise of drums and timbrels loud,
Their children’s cries unheard that passed through fire
To his grim idol. Him the Ammonite
Worshiped in Rabba and her watery plain,
In Argob and in Basan, to the stream
Of utmost Arnon. Nor content with such
Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart
Of Solomon he led by fraud to build
His temple right against the temple of God
On that opprobrious hill, and made his grove
The pleasant valley of Hinnom, Tophet thence
And black Gehenna called, the type of Hell.”
- Paradise Lost, 391-405
Perhaps there are more resources about the drumming at Tophet here, but I have not read this thoroughly:
http://www.crossroad.to/glossary/rpg/molech.htm
I’m glad you wrote back. I wanted to mention that the point of this post was not to attack you personally or upset you, and if you wish, your name can be removed from this blog. But please keep in mind, the concern here isn’t about
the drums or your motives…it’s the exercise…the spiritual practice of ‘sacred drumming’, polyrythms and chanting. There are so many contemplative methods being introduced in the church that are not biblical. Show us scripture that supports using sacred spiritual exercises of ANY kind to spread the gospel…world peace? What peace do we have apart from Christ?
I was wondering if you have a video on youtube or google that shows exactly what you do at a drum circle. This might be helpful in clearing things up. More likely you’ve had enough of this conversation.
By the way, found this interesting quote on a history site:
“Woman with Frame-Drum “Hand-held frame drums are among the oldest known musical instruments. They are hoop-shaped drums with a diameter that is much greater than the depth of their shell. In prehistoric times, their rhythms helped shamans and seers attain the sacred trance state necessary for healing and prophecy. The rituals of the earliest known religions evolved around the beat of frame drums.” -Layne Redmond, “When the Drummers Were Women: A Spiritual History of Rhythm,” (Three Rivers Press, NY, 1997).
Made me think of this one:
“When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations.” Deuteronomy 8:9
Drumming for peace? There have been many peace movements, but has there ever been peace? Even that well known one that is in the works right now ( the P.E.A.C.E. plan of Saddleback), will not bring true peace. Peace plans have been forerunners of some very dark days in our history.
“As the storm clouds of the Third Reich began to cast their shadow over Europe in the late 1930’s, the Nazis launched a massive “peace” campaign as part of their program of conquest.
As part of the program, it was essential that the Nazis get the churches involved in calling for disarmament and reductions in military spending. Thus various church officials began to call for “peace” at any price. They were convinced that if the Allies, and America in particular, dared to go to war against Hitler’s military might, the destruction would be so terrible that civilization itself would return to the Dark Ages. Pacifism became their only hope of survival.
As Hitler’s troops began to invade the nations lying on their borders, these leaders urged a policy of concession in which Hiltler would be allowed to grab one country at a time. They sincerely believed that the Nazis didn’t really want to conquer the world. They would stop after taking a few countries and Europe would remain safe.” –Robert A Morey
Today the church is entering into some dark days…we have been deceived into believing a false peace campaign. We are passively watching the worldly methods knock at our door and enter in. We are scared to speak out, lest we be called old fashioned fundamentalists. Satan is invading and taking territory one church at a time, through contemplative spirituality and ancient things borrowed from the east, or from Rome, or from different streams of spirituality.
There will be peace, but not this way, not yet. While we wait for the Prince of Peace, let us cling to our Lord and learn of Him, and know his Word, that has always been, and always will be, the dividing sword of truth and error.
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” Matthew 10:34
While they are saying, ” Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 1 Thess. 5:3
The MCC is into peace.
This is a note for LH, incase he stops by again:
Your name has been removed from this blog post lest it be conceived as a personal attack.
LH,
My concern in responding to this blog was not because it was a personal attack, but because it misrepresents what I do, as well as painting biblical background on drumming, drum circles, sacred drumming, polyrhythms, etc. with a very broad “pagan, New Age” brush and a very narrow Christian perspective.
There should be no question that drumming is used by God’s people in the Bible as a means of giving praise to God (Psalm 68:24-25, 150, Exodus 15:20, etc.) In that sense, it is “sacred drumming,” in that it serves a divine purpose.
Polyrhythms are simply multiple rhythms that combine to compose a common rhythm. Various cultures utilize polyrhythms in worship, even Christians across the world.
My questions are: Does everything that Christians do have to be spelled out in Scripture? If that is the case, we will have to drop many modern forms of communication, like this internet blog. Just because Scripture doesn’t literally say whether or not we can use drumming as a means of communicating and teaching Christian principles of peace, does that mean it is forbidden? Drumming was used in worship and praise to God in the Bible, and yes, “pagans” have also used drumming. Because something is utilized by “pagans” and “New Agers” for communication and education does that mean Christians should not use these means in every single case (Then, forget about using the internet and stop this blog business!).
And I have to comment on the blog about Hitler “making peace” and the church entering the “false peace camp.” What has this got to do with following Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who taught us to love our enemies and died on the cross rather than calling down an army of angels against the Roman Empire? The biblical text about “not peace, but a sword” is a metaphorical, not a literal statement. Other wise the Jesus who told Peter to “put away the sword,” would be a liar. This saying is about the division and conflict that will come when followers of Christ live at odds with the dominant culture and even families are divided (and should I add “when Christians are divided”?!) Christ followers are to live by his teachings on peace and nonviolence (Love your enemies- Matt 5)) here and now and not just hope for it in the age to come!
I’m not responding to personal attacks, but to distorted understandings.
Hi LH,
Question:
Does everything that Christians do have to be spelled out in Scripture?
Answer:
Understood. The point you are trying to make is not a new one.
It’s true that not everything is spelled out for us in the Bible. Does it say drumming is forbidden? No. But the Bible does contain all we need for life in Christ and godliness, and it does say we are to be separate, and not to walk in the ways of the world. So when the world recognizes our methods and likes what we do, and invites us to come along side with them (i.e. interfaith global organizations, interspiritual groups, etc.), does that show that we are being like Jesus, whom the world hated? ” If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” (John 15:1
Today as the church is being infiltrating with all sorts of postmodern man-centered methods (to attract the world) that have nothing to do with the gospel or edifying and equipping the saints, all the way from business to contemplative spirituality, Christians need to be increasingly cautious and discerning.
Here’s another question:
A ouija board is a piece of wood used by ‘pagans’ (for lack of a better word at the moment). The Bible does not forbid ouija boards. Does that mean Christians can use it as a means of communication and teaching Christian principles? So is it about the board, or the spiritual realm that the board opens us up to that is forbidden by God? Can we redeem the ouija board?
As for this conversation, we can continue to beat our drums in a repetitious semantic circle forever, but will probably not end up being in sync.
As far as your last question goes, perhaps Mr. Out of the Mist will emerge from out of the mist to answer that one.
In reply to L. Hartshorn’s question:
To begin with, what one calls ‘distorted understandings’, another might call ‘biblical discernment’.
Re your statement:
“Christ followers are to live by his teachings on peace and nonviolence (Love your enemies- Matt 5)) here and now and not just hope for it in the age to come!”
Jesus was definitely not the pacifist that many Christians perceive Him to be.
The Jesus who told Peter to put away the sword did so because God’s plan called for Christ to die, and rising up and fighting for Him would have interfered with God’s timing. Notice Jesus didn’t didn’t tell Peter to throw away his sword, but to put it back.
Regarding Matthew 5 and Jesus’ teaching on peace and nonviolence:
the reason Jesus referred to the right cheek being slapped (instead of the left) was because a slap on the right cheek by the back of the left hand was considered a personal insult and not an act of violence. Like being spit upon. Slapping on the right cheek was not a life-threatening attack, or an act of violence.
Same with “blessed are the meek” –meekness does not mean passiveness, but a quiet strength and resolution to overcome evil.
“Blessed are the peacemakers” – One of Caesar’s titles was the Greek word ‘peacemaker’, because he maintained peace by force. It means peace through strength.
There are many instances in the gospels where Jesus did not teach pacifism when it comes to justice in this world. If Jesus wished, He could have called down an entire army of angels to deliver him. In saying so, he indicated that He thought it would be perfectly just to do so. But since He came to fulfuill the OT prophecies of his death, he did not call on His disciples or the angels to fight for Him, , not because he was a peaceful pacifist, but because he had come to die for our sins.
He may have come the first time as a meek lamb but will return the second time as a the Lion of Judah.
So if it is this kind of peace we preach, found only in Jesus, who will save people from their sins and give them spiritual peace and strength, controlled by the Spirit, then it is a biblical Christ-like peace. This is the peace that passes understanding, even in the storms of war. If the kind of peace we preach is for global peace and unity with the world, and the spirituality that is aligned with the ruler of this world, then that is not the kind of peace Jesus taught. Because His kingdom is not of this world.
An excellent book to read about this subject is When is it Right to Fight by Robert A Morey, which I have referred to in my answer L. Hartshorn.
Question for oliveoil
Re: “Mr. Out of the Mist”
how do you know I’m a Mr. ?
Oops.
Mr. Out of the Mist,
Jesus’ telling Peter to put away the sword had more to do with his consistent teaching on nonviolence, rather than being about “God’s timing.” He told Peter that those who lived by the sword (violence) would die by the sword. He wasn’t talking about God’s timing for his death nor fulfilling the Old Testament as some kind of prediction of his death for our sins.
You are right to point out that the Sermon on the Mount does not teach “passive-ism.” Jesus was not a “pacifist” in this sense. He practiced active nonviolence (See Walter Wink).
The images of “lamb” and “lion” are metaphorical and not chronological. In Revelation Jesus returns as the “Lamb slain.”
A good book to read on the nonviolence is the Gospels.