Question:
Do you think it is wrong for women to sing solos in Church? I agree with you that women can sing in the choir and congregation. However I don’t think they should sing alone. Colossians 3:16 “teaching one another in psalms and hymns…” and In I Timothy “I do not permit a women to teach over a man…” Haven’t we all learned much from the songs in the hymnal? I have noticed that people learn more doctrine through songs than any thing else. What do you think…? I’m young and learning, and I would appreciate your input.
Answer:
Ezra 2:63-65 says, “And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim. The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them TWO HUNDRED SINGING MEN AND SINGING WOMEN.”
Nehemiah 7:66,67 says, “The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had TWO HUNDRED FORTY AND FIVE SINGING MEN AND SINGING WOMEN.”
Exodus 15:20,21 says, “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. And MIRIAM ANSWERED THEM, SING YE TO THE LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.”
As the above verses show, women did sing before the congregation, even in what we would call “solo” parts, like when Miriam answered the other women in certain parts of the song.
It is true that singing does teach and even admonish us. Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; TEACHING AND ADMONISHING ONE ANOTHER IN PSALMS AND HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
If it would be wrong to have a woman sing a solo, because hymns teach us, then it would also be wrong to have a choir of ladies sing, because it would still be women teaching men. And if those two things were wrong, it would also be wrong to have a choir of men and women singing to the congregation, because women would still have a part in teaching men sitting out in the congregation.
Liken the situation to one woman up front preaching. That would be wrong. Would it be any better if there were two women behind the pulpit preaching? Would that make it any more acceptable? No. How about if there were six ladies around the pulpit preaching? Would that be acceptable? No. Now take three men and three women behind the pulpit preaching. Would that be okay? No. It does not matter how many women are behind the pulpit, or who is with them up there. It is just not their place to preach the Word of God to men at all.
Even so it is with singing. If it is wrong for a woman to sing a solo in front of men, then it is wrong for a woman to ever sing in front of men, no matter how many men or women are up there with her.
God seems to place a distinction between preaching and singing, even though teaching is accomplished in both instances. Maybe it is because singing is more an aspect of worship. I do not have all of the answers, that is for sure. And I do know that the end time church is severely criticized for allowing women to teach and to seduce its people. Revelation 2:18-20 says, “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I HAVE A FEW THINGS AGAINST THEE, BECAUSE THOU SUFFEREST THAT WOMAN Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, TO TEACH AND TO SEDUCE MY SERVANTS to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.”
What happens all too often today when women get up to sing? How are they dressed? Low cut clothing? Slit skirts and dresses? How many men in the congregation are lusting after them while they are singing?
What about when the ladies hold their own microphones, and are not behind the pulpit? They are off to the side in full view, and are making their moves as they sing? They are in rhythm to a background tape that is being played? Their voices geared to the sensuous sounds of the world?
That is the all-too-common atmosphere today in churches for special music — and it is right out of the pit of hell. People are sitting in the pews sinning and lusting.
On the other hand, I have heard women “sing” when it sounded more like “preaching.” They were being very forceful in their words and delivery, to the point where the melody was either not heard, or not noticed, because of the way they were “talking” or “preaching” through the song, instead of singing a sweet melody.
As pastors, one of the hardest jobs we have today, is trying to keep the music right in the church. It is a constant battle. What makes it harder is that things change so subtly and gradually, that you are often “down the road” into problems before you realize it. Then, when you decide that changes have to be made, people get offended and mad at you. It is not an easy position in which to be!
I appreciate your sensitivity to the problem that can arise in solos. I just cannot say they are unscriptural, without saying that all singing of women in front of the congregation is unscriptural. And I cannot say that, because we see examples in the Bible where women are singing before the congregation.