LESSONS FROM RESTORATION HISTORY UNITY AND DIVISION AMONG AMERICAN PRIMITIVIST CHRISTIANS

LESSONS FROM RESTORATION HISTORY

LESSONS FROM RESTORATION HISTORY

UNITY AND DIVISION AMONG AMERICAN PRIMITIVIST

CHRISTIANS

UNITY AND DIVISION AMONG AMERICAN PRIMITIVIST

CHRISTIANS

The American Restoration Movement, 1800-2000

The American Restoration Movement, 1800-2000

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Restoration Principle: Antecedents• 1. The Idea of Restoration

– Often expressed in Christian history

– Simple Principle

2. Other Restoration and Primitivist Movements

Early churchReformationPuritanismEnglish SeparatismScottish Separatism

A New Testament ChurchA New Testament Church• 1. An organization—Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; I Tim. 3: 1ff; Titus

1:5ff.

• 3. Taught—Acts 20:7; I Cor. 14:15• 4. Prayed—Acts 12:5; I Cor. 14:19• 5. Sang—Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16• 6. Lord’s Supper on 1st Day—Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:20• 7. Gave on 1st Day—I Cor. 16:1,2; Acts 2:44-45• 8. Treasury—Acts 5:1-4• 9. Relieved Needy Saints—Acts 4:34-35; 11:29-30; I Cor. 16:1 • 10. Supported Preaching—II Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15-16• 11. Discipline Unruly Members—I Cor. 5:1-5

• 2. An Assembly—Heb. 10:25; I Cor. 11:18

• Restoration History Background The Churches of Christ in the Twentieth Century: Homer Hailey’s Personal Journey of Faith (2000)

Quest for a Christian America (1966)

The Social Sources of Division in the Disciples of Christ (1973)“The Sectional Origins of the Churches of Christ,” Journal of Southern History, August, 1964, pp. 261-277.

The Proliferation in Restoration HistoriographyWest, The Search for the Ancient Order (1949-1987)

Hooper, A Distinct People (1993)Foster, Will the Cycle Be Unbroken? (1994)Casey, Saddlebags, City Streets, and Cyberspace (1995)Garrett, The Stone-Campbell Movement (1997)Hughes, Reviving the Ancient Faith (1996)

Phase 1-1800-1865 Disciples of ChristChurches of Christ

Phase 2-1865-1950Churches

ofChrist

DisciplesOf Christ

IndependentChristianChurch

Phase 3-1900-1960 Churches of Christ

Phase 4-1960-2007Noninstitutional

Churches ofChrist

Institutional(Traditional) Churches of

Christ

ProgressiveChurches of

Christ

Phase 5-1960-2007

Five Phases of American Restoration History 1800-2000

• 1. Growth and Unity, 1800-1865• 2. 3-Way Division, 1865-1900/1950• 3. Growth and Unity, (Churches of Christ)

1900-1950• 4. 3-Way Division, 1950-2000• 5. Distinctive Histories and Growth

Patterns of Noninstitutional, Conservative, and Progressive Churches of Christ



ofChrist

DisciplesOf Christ




Churches ofChrist


Christ


Christ

Phase 5-1960-2007

PERIODS OF UNIFORMITY OF MIND AND HERMENEUTICAL

AGREEMENT



ofChrist

DisciplesOf Christ


Phase 3-1900-1960


Churches ofChrist


Christ


Christ

Phase 5-1960-2007

PHASE 1: GROWTH, UNITY AND TENSIONS

PHASE 1: GROWTH, UNITY AND TENSIONS

1. GROWTH WITHOUT ORGANIZATION

2. ABSENCE OF SOPHISTICATED MEMBERS

3. LACK OF WEALTH

4. CONVICTION AND COMMITMENT

PHASE 1: DIVISIONS AND TENSIONS

PHASE 1: DIVISIONS AND TENSIONS

DIVISIONS:PREMILLENIALISM (CHRISTADELPHIANS)MORMONISM

CULTURAL TENSIONS:SLAVERY AND CIVIL WAR

DOCTORAL TENSIONS:MISSIONARY SOCIETIES AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Types of Divisions in the Restoration Movement—

Phases 1, 3, 5

• Debate and Splintering Among Like-minded People– 1. Personality Divisions – 2. Doctrinal Disagreements– 3. Social and Cultural Tensions

PERIODS OF CONGREGATIONAL AUTONOMYDIVISIONS ARE CONGREGATIONAL



ofChrist

DisciplesOf Christ




Churches ofChrist


Christ


Christ

Phase 5-1960-2007

Phase 3: The Churches of Christ--1900-1950

• 1. Rapid Growth (from 125,000 to 1,500,000)

• 2. Reasons for Growth• Congregational Autonomy versus

Denominational Organization• Sense of World Separation• Migration from Christian Churches• Debating and Converting • Conviction versus Denominational

Loyalty



ofChrist

DisciplesOf Christ




Churches ofChrist


Christ


Christ

Phase 5-1960-2007

Phase 5: Conservative Churches of Christ, 1962-

2007• 1. Heirs of the historic restoration

tradition• 2. “Common Sense” and Sojourner

Mindsets• 3. Like-Minded Tensions• 4. Debate in a Wild Democracy• 5. Growth and Vitality • 6. Generational changes

Phase 5—Churches of Christ, 1960-

• 1. Period of consolidation and rebuilding in 1960s and 1970s

• 2. Rapid Growth in 1980s and 1990s

• 3. Expanded mission activity• 4. First generation elderships• 5. Working in a “Wild Democracy”



ofChrist

DisciplesOf Christ




Churches ofChrist


Christ


Christ

Phase 5-1960-2007

SEPARATING OF DIVIDED MINDS AND HERMENEUTICAL

DISSONANCE

Types of Divisions in the Restoration Movement—

Phases 2 and 4

•Separations of Divided Minds– 1. Seemingly deterministic divisions– 2. Broad sociological and intellectual

foundations– 3. Not caused by men or issues– 4. Generational in nature


1860: 250,0001906: 1,300,000

Phase 2-1865-1930

Churches of Christ1906:250,000

2000: 2,200,000

Independent Christian Churches

1950: 500,0002000: 1,500,000North American

Convention

Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)1965:

2.000,0002003:

770,000

Churches of Christ/Disciples of Christ Division--1906

• Doctrinal Issues– 1. Instrumental Music– 2. Missionary Society– 3. Pastor System

Dividing Minds (Apostolic Authority and Hermeneutics)

1. Biblical literalism versus liberalism 2. World Separatism versus denominationalism

Churches of Christ Division--1906


Doctrinal Issues– 1. Instrumental Music– 2. Missionary Society

ECCENTRIC ISSUES???

ISSUES INVENTED BY THE AMERICAN RESTORATION MOVEMENT???

Instrumental Music • THE VOICE OF VARIOUS RELIGIOUS SOURCES... • 1. CATHOLIC - "... the first Christians were of too spiritual a fibre to substitute lifeless

instruments for or to use them to accompany the human voice." -- CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA • 2. GREEK ORTHODOX - "The execution of Byzantine church music by instruments, or even the

accompaniment of sacred chanting by instruments was ruled out by the Eastern Fathers as being incompatible with the pure, solemn, spiritual character of the religion of Christ." -- Constantine Cavarnos, BYSANTINE SACRED MUSIC

• 3. PRESBYTERIAN - "Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things, from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more pleasing to Him." - JOHN CALVIN, Commentary on the Book of Psalms, Vol. I, p. 539

• 4. METHODIST - "I have no objection to instruments of music, in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen." - JOHN WESLEY (founder)

• 5. METHODIST - "Music as a science, I esteem and admire: but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor. This is the abuse of music; and here I register my protest against all such corruptions in the worship of the Author of Christianity." - ADAM CLARKE (commentator)

• 6. LUTHERAN - "Martin Luther called the organ an 'ensign of Baal'." - MCCLINTOCK & STRONG'S ENCYCLOPEDIA

• 7. BAPTIST - "I would as soon attempt to pray to God with machinery as to sing to Him with machinery." - CHARLES H. SPURGEON

THE SEVERING OF DIVIDED MINDS

Doctrinal Issues– 1. Instrumental Music– 2. Missionary Society

Dividing Minds (Hermeneutics, Mindsets, and Sociological Change)

1. Biblical literalism versus liberalism

2. Separatism versus denominationalism

Conservative

• “The only way to sustain Christianity and have union, is for all of us to say and believe that all God’s statements are facts and truths. . . . And that all his commandments are to be obeyed literally.”

• James L. Thornberry, “The American Congress of Churches,” Gospel Advocate, May 5, 1885, p. 49.

Moderate and Traditional• “The Bible contains but few specific details, but it does

contain every principle of action the human family will ever need. . . . It assumes the common sense of the race. . . . In regard to the methods employed for preaching the gospel to the world, and all benevolent ministrations of the church, . . . Christians have no positive specifications and they must be governed by general laws and principles applied according to their best judgement.”

• M. M Goode, Missouri Christian Lectures (Kansas City, 1886), pp. 101-102.

Liberal

• “A principle may set aside an apostolic precept. It may brush aside an apostolic decree. We do that constantly. We follow the apostolic example whenever we like it; when we do not, we depart from it.”

• George T. Smith, “No Man Wishes Women to Keep Silence in the Churches,” Christian Standard, October 7, 1893, p. 798.


– Sociological Issues (Sect to Denomination Process)

• 1. Economic Differences

• 2. North and South

• 3. Educational Differences

• 4. Urban versus Rural

Value of Church Buildings 1936

Churches of Christ

Disciples of Christ

Tenn $3,000 $14,000

Georgia $4,500 $12,000

Texas $3,500 $20,000

Indiana $2,300 $13,000

Poor and Alienated

• “As time advanced such of those churches as assembled in large towns and cities gradually became proud, or, at least, sufficiently worldly-minded to desire popularity, and in order to attain that unscriptural end they adopted certain popular arrangements such as the hired pastor, the church choir, instrumental music, man-made societies to advance the gospel. . . . In so doing they divided the brotherhood of disciples.”

• Daniel Sommer, “The Signs of the Times,” Octographic Times, October 5, 1897, p. 1.

Middle-Class Respectability• “We have enough ‘cheap’ churches. . . .

We ‘may’ be a great church. We ‘may never’ be, however, with dwarfed preachers and insignificant preachers.”

• H. C. Alleman, “Better Church Buildings,” BIC, January-March, 1897, p. 14.

The Educated Elite

• “There is a call today for more educated men in the pew, more thoroughly trained preachers, more profound thinkers, more cultured liberal editors, and more scholarly professors.”

• A. M. Hall, “Educational Board,” Christian Oracle, July 4, 1895, p. 420.

The Sociology of Religion

• 1. Sociological religious categories– Cult, Sect, Denomination, Church

• 2. Economic parameters of religious groups– Economic, educational and social

• 3. The nature of change in religious bodies– The “sect” to “denomination” process

Sect-to Denomination Process“The Emergence of the Church of Christ Denomination,” pp. 13-15

“From propertyless to property-owning membership.”

“From economic poverty to economic wealth, that is, value of church property, minister’s salary.”“From cultural periphery toward the cultural center of the community.”“From a community excluding ‘unworthy members’ to an institution embracing all who are socially compatible.”“From an unspecialized, unprofessional ministry to a professional ministry.”“From emphasis on evangelism to emphasis on religious education.”“From stress on future in the next world to primary interest in this world.”

Sect-to-Denomination Process

“From non-cooperation with other churches to cooperation.”

“From fervor in worship to restraint.”

“From a high degree of congregational participation to delegation of responsibility to a few.”

“From persecution to success and dominance psychology.”

TWO LAWS OF RELIGIOUS HISTORY

• 1. Every generation makes its own choices based on its own experiences

Dividing Minds—Judges 2Dividing Minds—Judges 2Judges 2:6And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went

every man unto his inheritance to possess the land. 7And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel. 8And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old. 9And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash. 10And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. 11And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: 12And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.

TWO LAWS OF RELIGIOUS HISTORY

• 1. Every generation makes its own choices based on its own experiences

• 2. The church of the New Testament was made up mostly of the meek and lowly

Looking at Our Calling• 1 Cor. 1:26For ye see your calling, brethren,

how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;



ofChrist

DisciplesOf Christ



Phase 4-1960-2000ConservativeChurches of

Christ


Christ


Christ

Phase 5-1960-2000

Phases 3 (1900-1950) and 4 (1950-2000)

Churches of ChristPhase 31900-1950

Phase 41950-2000

NoninstitutionalChurches of Christ1960

Mainstream Churches of Christ1990

ProgressiveChurches ofChrist1990

Churches of Christ

NoninstitutionalChurches of

Christ1960s

InstitutionalChurches of

Christ1980s

Progressive Churches of

Christ1980s

The Dilemma of Names

Institutional Division—1945-65

Doctrinal IssuesChurch Support of Institutions (colleges, orphan homes, hospitals)Sponsoring Church (Herald of Truth, Missions)Social Gospel (Fellowship) Issues (Kitchens and

Fellowship Halls)

Course of Controversy

Quarantine the “antis” (1954)

Debates and magazines

Institutional Division, 1962Sociological Dimensions

The Post-World War II Scenario

Changes in size, wealth, and self-image

“One of the ten top non-Catholic bodies in America” Meade,

Handbook of Denominations

Sources of Division

– Legalistic, Creedal Debates

– Denominational Pride (“On the March” booster mentality)

• Are We a Denomination? The Emergence of the Church of Christ Denomination (1962)

• Are We a Denomination? Voices of Concern (1966)

– The Search for Consistency

Institutional Division

• Sociological Characteristics– Economic and Educational Parameters of Divisions– Alienated in Noninstitutional Churches (Apocalyptic

—Sojourners)– Traditional and Denominational Mindset of

Conservatives (Established Sect)– The Cultural Church (Progressive Critique)– “The Emergence of the ‘Church of Christ

Denomination’”

Denominational Pride

• “That the church is passing through a transition in becoming adjusted to the complex, highly organized social age, is recognized by a number of educators. . . . Big things are proposed and performed, denominational ‘plans and successes’ are cited to inspire liberality. The simplicity of the church of the Lord is not a suitable instrument for entering upon a centralized undertaking of such magnitude. Great centralized associations are unknown to the ancient order of things.” W. W. Otey (1948)

Denominational Pride• “When brethren air their difficulties before

the world they are obscuring the greatness of the church because of their littleness. . . . We may not ever make such an impression on others as we would like, but the one thing within the reach of all is bigness.” Cleon Lyles (1953)

Denominational Pride

• “For years we watched out religious neighbors build fine church buildings. We saw them send their preachers by the score to foreign fields. We listened to their coast-to-coast broadcasts. Now we know that they are not the only ones who can do these things. We can, too. . . . An inferiority complex is a miserable thing. It seems that there was a time when the church had such a complex. But now we see that we have the ability, the resources, the faith and everything else necessary to do great things.” Joe K. Alley (1955)

Types of Divisions in the Restoration Movement

• Separations of Divided Minds– 1. There must needs be factions among you– 2. Broad sociological and intellectual

foundations– 3. Not caused by men or issues

DIVISION BASED ON DIFFERENT ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT AUTHORITY AND

HERMENEUTICS

Characteristics of 20th Century Divisions

• 1. Fluidity of Restoration divisions• Mixed loyalties• Irregular pace and regional differences

• 2. Individual and congregational choices are demanded by history

• 3. Choosing where to live (fellowship)• History is not judgment—it is fact• Not a conventional denominational separating• Fellowship is only personal and congregational

The Restoration Spirit

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Documents

LESSONS FROM RESTORATION HISTORY UNITY AND DIVISION AMONG AMERICAN PRIMITIVIST CHRISTIANS