DOCSLIB.ORG

Romans 14 and the Present Controversy by Jimmy Stevens

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Romans 14 and the Present Controversy by Jimmy Stevens Romans 14 and The Present Controversy By Jimmy Stevens INTRODUCTION Following an incident in Belen, New Mexico in 1987, a controversy began to brew among brethren over the use of Romans 14 in determining fellowship with those who teach a particular false doctrine on divorce and remarriage. This controversy continues to this day. Because a very well known, highly respected and widely influential gospel preacher was teaching this doctrine, a number of brethren believed saints needed to be publicly warned about him and his teaching. He was not to be considered worthy of fellowship. On the other hand, opposing brethren believed that fellowship could and should be recognized with this brother in spite of the fact that they disagreed with his teaching. They justified this position by applying the principles of Romans 14, which teach that brethren can maintain fellowship even though they disagree on certain matters. The primary question we will be studying in this series of lessons is, “Does Romans 14 justify recognizing continued fellowship with one who persists in teaching false doctrine?” I. Purpose for this study. A. Understand what Romans 14 does and does not teach. B. Understand the history and issue of the controversy. C. Show how an improper use of Romans 14 leads to spiritual apostasy. II. Topics of study. A. Topics not addressed. Many topics have been introduced into this controversy which are at best remotely related and some not related at all. The addition of these has often caused confusion and has diverted attention away from the real issue. For that reason discussions relating to “false teachers”, “headcovering”, “military service”, weak or immature Christians who sin, local church autonomy, etc., will not be the focus of our study. However, references to some of these may be made, because they have been introduced and have contributed to creating the controversy. B. Topics addressed. 1. Romans 14 in Context 2. Romans 14 Examined 3. Divorce, Remarriage and Conversion 4. History of The Controversy 5. Issue of The Controversy 6. Effects of Misusing Romans 14 CONCLUSION: It is my prayer that by becoming familiar with the facts of this controversy, we can dispel misunderstanding and be able to fairly examine the teachings of men to see whether or not they are from God. The apostle Peter instructed, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” 1 Pet 3:15. Romans 14 in Context INTRODUCTION: The immediate context of Romans 14 begins with verse 1 and can be extended to at least verse 7 of chapter 15. However, in order to appreciate the distinctive nature of the fourteenth chapter, a quick survey of the entire book and a few remote contexts is necessary. A. Written by Paul, 1:1. 1. During his third journey when he was on his way to Jerusalem to deliver benevolent aid to the needy saints in Jerusalem. 15:25-26; Acts 19:21; 20: 3, 16, 22; 24:17. 2. From Corinth, compare 16:23 with 1 Cor 1:14, Acts 19:22; 2 Tim 4:20. B. Written “To all who are at Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:” 1:1. 1. Strong faith known throughout the whole world. 1:8, 12; 16:19. 2. However, the church had its spiritual challenges to remain faithful. 2:1, 16:17. I. Chapters 1-5 God’s provision for man’s salvation. A. Gospel saves. 1:16. B. Gentiles turned from God, He gave them up. 1:18-28. C. Jews also turned away from God. 2:1-6. D. Both Jews and Gentiles under sin and need Christ. 3:9-12, 21-26. Romans 14 And The Present Controversy 2 E. Through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, not in human works or the Law of Moses, both Jews and Gentiles are justified before God. 4:9-17; 5:1-9. II. Chapters 6-11 Obligation to obey the gospel and remain faithful. A. Slaves of sin or of righteousness? 6:15-18. B. Old Law has “died”. Now, “marriage” to Christ saves. 7:4-6. C. Living in the “law of the Spirit” to become children of God. 8:1-2; 12-17. D. Grief at the rejection of the gospel by many Jews. 9:1-3; 10:1-3; 11:11-14. E. Gentiles enjoy salvation through Christ. 9:25-26; 30-32, 10:19-20; 11:11-12. III. Chapters 12-16 Principles of the gospel in daily life. A. Attitude toward self, brethren and non-Christians (enemies). 12:1-2, 9-21. B. Responsibilities toward government and fellowman. 13:1-3, 8-14. C. Exercise love and patience on matters of opinion and personal conscience related to authorized liberties in God’s word. 14:14-20; 15:1-7. D. Various personal matters related to Paul’s ministry. 15:20-25. E. Commendations, salutations, warnings and benedictions. 16:1-2, 3-4, 16, 17-18, 25-27. IV. Contrasting Romans 14:1-15:7, with Context. A. Immediate Context 1. Preceding passages, 13:11-14. a. "Cast off the works of darkness" v 12. b. "Walk properly…not in reveling...." v 13. c. "Make no provision for the flesh" v 14. d. Moral sin and strife is condemned. 2. Succeeding passages, 16:17-19. a. "Note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” v 17. b. "By...fair speech they beguile" v 18. c. Doctrinal sin condemned. B. Remote Context 1. Moral sin condemned. a. Gal 5:19-21, works of flesh. b. Col 3:5-11, "put to death" our earthly members. c. Eph 5:3-14, reprove unfruitful works of darkness. 2. Doctrinal sin condemned. a. 2 John 9-11, not go beyond doctrine of Christ. b. 1 Tim 1:3, not to teach another doctrine. c. Gal 1:6-9, not to teach another gospel. d. Tit 3:9-11, reject heretics. 3. No fellowship with sin allowed a. 2 Cor 6:14, it is an unequal yoking. b. Eph 5:11, have no fellowship, rather reprove. CONCLUSION: Romans 14 teaches that brethren should recognize fellowship with one another even when they sometimes disagree on spiritual matters. However, the contrasting “Contexts”, both immediate and remote, teach that we are not to have fellowship with those with whom we disagree. Why the difference? A. Romans 14 teaches that brethren should recognize fellowship with each other when disagreements are the result of differences of opinions or convictions determined by personal conscience and not by the violation of God’s law. B. The immediate and remote “Contexts” show that when disagreements are over moral or doctrinal violations, brethren must reject the violators as sinful and not worthy of fellowship with God and faithful brethren. C. Problems arise when disagreements over moral or doctrinal violations are included with differences of opinions or convictions, which are determined by personal conscience and are handled by the teaching of Romans 14. D. Using Romans 14 to justify continued fellowship with those teaching and practicing sin would be a violation of both biblical hermeneutics and the divine purpose God intended for this chapter. Romans 14 And The Present Controversy 3 Romans 14 Examined INTRODUCTION: Rom 14:1-15:7, sets the parameters of our liberties in Christ. A. It establishes a balance between the tendency to bind where God has not bound and giving license to sin. It advocates fellowship while respecting each brother's liberties. Without the truth of these verses, Christians will be hopelessly splintered in as many pieces as there are opinions, or else be invaded by sinful doctrine and practices. B. The sufficiency of God's revelation clearly defines what is required or forbidden. In these areas we have no choice but to obey, 2 John 1:9-11, Jude 3. C. Sufficient revelation also establishes the category of things allowed, also known as authorized liberties, options and expediencies, matters of indifference to God. In this, we may allow differences among brethren without compromising any principle of truth. The early preachers in America recognized this as they sought to restore pure religion in their generation. Their cry was, "In matters of faith, unity; in matters of opinion, liberty; in all things, charity." D. Texts: Rom 14:1-15:7, companion texts 1 Cor 8, 9:19-23, 10:23-11:1, cf. Gal 5:6, 6:15. I. Textual considerations. A. V 1, “disputes over doubtful things” (NKJ). "doubtful disputations" (KJV), 1. Decisions (ASV): diakrisis (Gk) - "A distinguishing, and so a decision..." "...in Rom. 14:1, `not to (doubtful) disputations' is more literally rendered in the margin `not for decisions (of doubts)'"1 2. Doubtful (Gk) - dialogismos, "the thinking of a man deliberating with himself; hence 1. a thought, inward reasoning"2 3. Thus, our "receiving" a brother into fellowship is not conditioned upon an agreement or forced decisions concerning all his internal doubts. Brethren may worship together even when they disagree in matters about which God is indifferent. 1 Cor 8:8. A weak brother may have personal, inward doubts about authorized liberties that a strong brother may practice, but fellowship is not restricted because of this disagreement. Obviously this "agreeing to disagree" does not involve sinful doctrines and practices but things inherently "good," "clean," and "pure." v 14, 16, 20. 4. "Disputes" are forbidden concerning these things. There must be no "contention," as is necessary with doctrinal matters, Jude 3.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Missionary Pictorial
    Abilene Christian University Digital Commons @ ACU Stone-Campbell Books Stone-Campbell Resources 1964 A Missionary Pictorial Charles R. Brewer Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/crs_books Part of the Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Missions and World Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Brewer, Charles R., "A Missionary Pictorial" (1964). Stone-Campbell Books. 286. https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/crs_books/286 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Stone-Campbell Resources at Digital Commons @ ACU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Stone-Campbell Books by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ ACU. ( A MISSIONARYPICTORIAL Biographical sketches and pictures of men and women who have gone from the United States as members of churches of Christ to carry the gospel to other lands. TOGETHER WITH Articles and poems written for the purpose of stirring churches and individuals to greater activity in the effort to preach the gospel to "every creature under ( heaven." • EDITOR CHARLES R. BREWER • P UB LISHED BY WORLD VISION PUBLISHING COMPANY 1033 BELVIDERE DRIVE NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 1964 ( Preface The divine char ge to take the word of the Lord to the whole world is laid upon all who wear the name of Christ, and God is ple ased with all who have a part, directly or indirectly in carry ing out th -:: great commission . But we feel th at in a special way his blessing descends on those who, forsaking th e ways of ga in and pleasure , give them selves wholly to th e preaching of the word.
    [Show full text]
  • Catalog 2021-22
    FLORIDA COLLEGE Catalog for the Academic Year 2021-2022 Florida College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, and the Associate in Arts degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Florida College. Florida College is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music to offer the Bachelor of Ar ts in Music and the Bachelor of Science in Music Education. Contact NASM at 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, Virginia 20190-5248, or call (703)437-0700. The Elementary Education and Music Education programs have been approved by the Florida Department of Education. Member of the Following Associations: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; Florida Association of Colleges and Universities; American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers; Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers; Florida Association of Collegiate Registr ar s and Admissions Officers; Academic Deans of the Southern States; Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. Florida College 119 N. Glen Arven Avenue Temple Terrace, Florida 33617-5578 813.988.5131 813.899.6772 Fax www.floridacollege.edu “A College wherein the arts, sciences, and languages shall be taught and . (wherein shall be provided) opportunity for young men and young women to study the Bible as the revealed will of God to man and as the only and sufficient rule of faith and practice, while they are educated in the Liberal Arts.” — from the Charter of Incorporation The announcements, information, policies, rules, regulations, and procedures set forth in this Catalog are for information only and are subject to continual review and change without notice.
    [Show full text]
  • 0718 Pdf.Pdf
    Volume 75 Oklahoma City, July 2018 Number 7 With unbridled enthusiasm, By ERIK TRYGGESTAD Olan Hicks launched into the Thumbing through the first issue first front-page news story in The of The Christian Chronicle, it’s “Greetings to the readers Christian Chronicle, a brand- hard to tell that America was of the first issue of Christian new publication for Churches of fighting a massive war in Europe Chronicle. I am happy to Christ dated June 2, 1943. and the Pacific. assume the job of editor and “The most intensive campaign Nearly a year before the publisher of the paper you now ever staged by members of the D-Day landings in France, the hold in your hand. Not that it is church is planned for the summer pages of the brand-new peri- an easy task, by any means, for in Salt Lake City and Ogden, odical are filled with news of it is one of the most arduous and Utah, bailiwick of the Mormon gospel meetings and brimming thankless tasks in all the world.” church,” Hicks wrote. with optimism about the future Those brutally honest words The preacher-turned-newspaper- that awaits Churches of Christ. from Olan Hicks graced the founder highlighted the upcoming “There are hopeful indica- front page of the Chronicle’s debate between Otis Gatewood, a tions that we are now in the first first issue 75 years ago. But the renowned missionary in the fellow- stages of growth unparalleled in paper’s founder and first editor ship, and Kenneth E. Farnsworth, the history of the church since quickly added that “I am happy a member of a Quorum of the the Apostles turned the world to tackle the job because I think Seventy in the Mormon church.
    [Show full text]
  • Vain Religion
    VOLUME XI NOVEMBER, 1961 NUMBER 1 IN THIS ISSUE EDITORIAL, THE SECOND DECADE, TRAINING FOR OBEDIENCE, Stanley J. Lovett Page 2 Irene Sowell Foy Page 7 KEEPING FAITH: THE HOME, THEOLOGY, CHURCH AND STATE, Earle H. West Page 3 INSTITUTIONALISE! (4), ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF George P. Estes Page 8 THE CHURCH, A BRIEF STUDY OF CALVIN AND Robert P. Turner Page 4 AUGUSTINE (5), MILITANCE AND VIGOR, Arvid K. McGuire Page 9 Harry Pickup, Jr Page 5 "LEST WE DRIFT," HITHER .... THITHER .... YON, Eugene Crawley Page 6 Jim McDonald Page 10 VAIN RELIGION Dean Bullock "If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while and attention, the church would be in much better con­ he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this dition today. Many professed Christians are not brid­ man's religion is vain." (James 1:26) ling the "organ of speech." Consequently, congrega­ tions are hindered in their mission. Slander, misrepre­ The matter of controlling the tongue is of grave im­ sentation, abusive language, backbiting, falsehood, portance, but stressed very little. Yet, James makes scandal, gossip, blasphemy, perjury, profaneness and it clear that one may think himself pious and devout in obscenity are some of the sins of the tongue "named" God's service and at the same time have an empty, among church members. worthless and unavailing religion. Failure to curb and restrain the "little member" makes rites and cere­ The tongue "boasteth great things." It makes great monies useless and futile. One cannot be too careful claims. It is small, but indeed powerful. Uncontrolled concerning his utterances.
    [Show full text]
  • Large Crowds at 44Th Pepperdine Lectureship
    Pacific Church News A NEWS JOURNAL FOR CHURCHES OF CHRIST ON THE WEST COAST Volume VI Summer 1987 Number 2 Large Crowds at 44th Pepperdine Lectureship The 44th Annual Pepperdine University Bible Lectureship was held on campus April 21-24. In the photo above, more than 4,500 crowded into Firestone Fieldhouse to hear the opening night lecture. This year's theme was "Triumph of the Good Neivs: The Book of Acts for the Twenty-first Century." Theme lecturers included Jerry Rushford, Agoura Hills, California; Bill Love, Houston, Texas; Mike Cope, Searcy, Arkansas; Phil Ware, Austin, Texas; Jim Woodroof, Burlington, Massachusetts; Rubel Shelly, Nashville, Tennessee; and Lynn Anderson, Abilene, Texas. This year's lectureship was characterized by excellent teachers, enthusiastic crowds, and beautiful weather. The dates for the 45th Annual Bible Lectureship are April 19-22, 1988. PACIFIC CHURCH NEWS World Bible School Workshop Held The First Annual World Bible School Teacher's Workshop was held at the Pepperdine University Celebrates its Torrance Church of Christ May 2, 1987. 50th Birthday on September 21, 1987 Over 170 people were in attendance to hear about the work of World Bible School around the world. You are invited to a 50th Anniversary Weekend Attendees came from 57 different congregations and represented a of exciting events for the whole family combined student caseload in excess of 60,000. Teachers responding to a questionnaire at the meeting estimated A special university church service their combined efforts had resulted at Firestone Fieldhouse in the baptism of over 2,500 people. Speakers included Reuel Lemmons Sunday, September 20th and Tex Williams from World Bible School in Austin, Texas; Jake 10:30 a.m.
    [Show full text]
  • Catalog 2018-19
    CATALOG FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 201819 Florida College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, and the Associate in Arts degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of Florida College. Florida College is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music to offer the Bachelor of Arts in Music and the Bachelor of Science in Music Education. Contact NASM at 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, Virginia 20190-5248 or call 703.437.0700. Te Elementary Education and Music Education program have been approved by the Florida Department of Education. MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING ASSOCIATIONS: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; Florida Association of Colleges and Universities; American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers; Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers; Florida Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers; Academic Deans of the Southern States; Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. FLORIDA COLLEGE 119 N. Glen Arven Ave. • Temple Terrace, Florida 33617-5578 813.988.5131 • Fax: 813.899.6772 • floridacollege.edu “A College wherein the arts, sciences, and languages shall be taught and . (wherein shall be provided) opportunity for young men and young women to study the Bible as the revealed will of God to man and as the only and sufficient rule of faith and practice, while they are educated in the Liberal Arts.” — from the Charter of Incorporation The announcements, information, policies, rules, regulations, and procedures set forth in this Catalog are for information only and are subject to continual review and change without notice.
    [Show full text]
  • The Harvest Field
    Abilene Christian University Digital Commons @ ACU Stone-Campbell Books Stone-Campbell Resources 1942 The Harvest Field Howard L. Schug Don H. Morris Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/crs_books Part of the African American Studies Commons, African History Commons, Appalachian Studies Commons, Asian History Commons, Australian Studies Commons, Canadian History Commons, Chinese Studies Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, Dutch Studies Commons, Ethnic Studies Commons, European History Commons, Hawaiian Studies Commons, Indigenous Studies Commons, Islamic Studies Commons, Japanese Studies Commons, Jewish Studies Commons, Korean Studies Commons, Latin American History Commons, Latina/o Studies Commons, Melanesian Studies Commons, Micronesian Studies Commons, Missions and World Christianity Commons, Polynesian Studies Commons, Scandinavian Studies Commons, and the United States History Commons Recommended Citation Schug, Howard L. and Morris, Don H., "The Harvest Field" (1942). Stone-Campbell Books. 122. https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/crs_books/122 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Stone-Campbell Resources at Digital Commons @ ACU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Stone-Campbell Books by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ ACU. EDITED BY HOWARD L. SCHUG and DON H. MORRIS The Harvest Field An Account of Evangelistic Work of Churches of Ghrist Throughout The World By A Group of Students of ABILENE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE -0- Edited By-
    [Show full text]
  • Show Us How You Do It: Marshall Keeble and the Rise of Black
    Show Us How You Do It RELIGION AND AMERICAN CULTURE Series Editors David Edwin Harrell Jr. Wayne Flynt Edith L. Blumhofer Show Us How You Do It Marshall Keeble and the Rise of Black Churches of Christ in the United States, 1914–1968 EDWARD J. ROBINSON THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA PRESS Tuscaloosa Copyright © 2008 The University of Alabama Press Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0380 All rights reserved Manufactured in the United States of America Typeface: AGaramond ∞ The paper on which this book is printed meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences- Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Ma- terials, ANSI Z39.48-1984. Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data Robinson, Edward J., 1967– Show us how you do it : Marshall Keeble and the rise of Black Churches of Christ in the United States, 1914–1968 / Edward J. Robinson. p. cm. — (Religion and American culture) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8173-1612-9 (cloth : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-8173-8060-1 (electronic) 1. Keeble, Marshall, 1878–1968. 2. Churches of Christ— Biography. 3. Churches of Christ— History. 4. African Americans— Religion. I. Title. BX7077.Z8K45 2008 286.6092—dc22 [B] 2007038382 For “my three little girls”—Clarice, Ashley, and Erika— spiritual descendents of Marshall Keeble Contents Acknowledgments ix Introduction 1 PART I: THE MAKING OF A BLACK EVANGELIST 1. “I Had Rather Rely on God’s Plan Than Man’s”: Marshall Keeble and the Missionary Society Controversy 11 2. “The Greatest Missionary in the Church To- day”: The Philanthropy of A. M. Burton 22 3.
    [Show full text]
  • David Edwin Harrell, Jr. Papers, 1923-2017
    Abilene Christian University Digital Commons @ ACU Center for Restoration Studies Archives, Manuscripts and Personal Papers Finding Aids Finding Aids 9-13-2019 David Edwin Harrell, Jr. Papers, 1923-2017 David Edwin Harrell Jr Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/findingaids Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, Comparative Methodologies and Theories Commons, Ethics in Religion Commons, Higher Education Commons, History of Christianity Commons, Missions and World Christianity Commons, Practical Theology Commons, Religious Education Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Preferred Citation [Identification of item], [file or folder name], vidDa Edwin Harrell, Jr. Papers, 1923-2017. Center for Restoration Studies MS #467. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX. This Finding Aid is brought to you for free and open access by the Finding Aids at Digital Commons @ ACU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Center for Restoration Studies Archives, Manuscripts and Personal Papers Finding Aids by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ ACU. David Edwin Harrell, Jr. Papers, (1923-2017) Center for Restoration Studies Manuscripts #467 Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives Brown Library Abilene Christian University Abilene, TX 79699-9208 13 September 2019 About this collection Title: David Edwin Harrell, Jr. Papers, (1923-2017) Creator: David Edwin Harrell, Jr. Identifier/Call Number: Center for Restoration Studies Manuscripts #467 Physical Description: 15.25 linear feet (32 boxes) Dates (Inclusive): 1923-2017 Dates (Bulk): 1964-2004 Location: Center for Restoration Studies Language of Materials: English, Hindi Scope and Content Note: This collection includes correspondence, presentations, research, and reviews from Harrell’s academic career.
    [Show full text]
  • 'The Churches of Christ in the Twentieth Century: Homer Hailey's Personal Journey of Faith'
    H-AmRel Bains on Harrell, 'The Churches of Christ in the Twentieth Century: Homer Hailey's Personal Journey of Faith' Review published on Thursday, June 1, 2000 David Edwin Harrell, Jr. The Churches of Christ in the Twentieth Century: Homer Hailey's Personal Journey of Faith. Tuscaloosa and London: University of Alabama Press, 2000. xx + 472 pp. $34.95 (cloth), ISBN 978-0-8173-1008-0. Reviewed by David R. Bains (Department of Religion and Philosophy, Samford University) Published on H-AmRel (June, 2000) Schism and Faithfulness in the Churches of Christ In the "religious revival" that followed World War II, the churches of Christ were faced with a new dilemma.[1] Growing in members, respectability, and aspiration, this conservative branch of the restoration movement began to confront the issue of "institutionalism." Institutionalism entailed the support by individual churches of hospitals, orphanages, colleges, and of missions and broadcast ministries sponsored by other individual churches. An earlier controversy had made the rejection of mission societies a distinguishing mark of the churches of Christ. Now the movement divided between those who felt that these new institutions were necessary for the advancement of the churches of Christ in the modern world and those who believed that they were not permitted by the New Testament. Beginning in the early 1950s, B.C. Goodpasture, the powerful editor of theGospel Advocate, enforced a "quarantine" of all those who opposed institutionalism, a group derisively known as "antis." Preachers, such as Homer Hailey, who could not support institutionalism, found familiar pulpits closed to them and another schism within the Restoration movement was accomplished.
    [Show full text]
  • Relations Between African-American Churches of Christ and African-American Disciples of Christ, 1902-1950
    "We Got the Building, Elders and AU": Relations between African-American Churches of Christ and African-American Disciples of Christ, 1902-1950 Edward Robinson* In the late nineteenth century, the Stone-Campbell Movement divided into two distinct groups,'loyals" (usually called Churches of Christ whoopposedworstópmgwithinstiume missionary societies) and "digressives" or "progressives" (referred to as the Disciples of Christ who endorsed worshiping with instrumental music and evangelizingthroughmissionary societies).1 A regional aspect also marked this dichotomy since Churches of Christ predominated in the South while the Disciples group held general sway in northern states. Theological and sociological tensionbetween the Disciples of Christ and the Churches of Christ lingered well beyond the rupture's formalizationin 1906.2 This paper contends thattherelationshipbetweenblacks in thetwo fellowships was, like that of their white compatriots, both ambivalent and belligerent. Black preachers in Churches of Christ, on the one hand, cordially and consistently welcomedblackmembers from the Disciples of Christ without re-baptism. Those same ministers, on the other hand, often disturbed, disrupted, and urged the disbanding of black Disciples congregations by demanding that they renounce the error of their ways by forsaking instrumental music in worship as well as their endorsement of missionary societies. In some instances, zealous black evangelists of Churches ofChristtransformed Disciples congregations from "digressive" to "loyal" churches. The year 1902 proved to be pivotal for African Americans in the Stone-Campbell Movement. In that year George Philip Bowser ( 1874- 1950) launched the Christian Echo, ajournai designed to encourage, instruct, and unite blacks in Churches of Christ. Of all the papers startedby "loyal" African-American leaders, only Bowser's journal remains in publication.3 Bowser's journalistic endeavor helped, in some ways, draw alineofdemarcationbetweenblackChurchesofChristandblackDisciples of Christ.
    [Show full text]
  • Apostolictimes
    The Apostolic Times DEVOTED TO THE PROPAGATION OF PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANITY Vol. 15, No. 1 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, SEPTEMBER, 1945 50 Cents a Year JAMES A. ALLEN Editor and Publisher world should come, unto him would the great salvation be offered. W. A. ETHRIDGE Field Editor “HE THAT BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED G. E. WOODS Nashville, Tenn. SHALL BE SAVED.” Now for the first time Christ gives the conditions of His salvation. This was not the badge HOMER A. DANIEL Paducah, Ky. of any party, no ceremony of any sect, but these were the J. B. GAITHER Springfield, Tenn. conditions, and only these, which they were to preach to sinners by which they might be saved. Subsequent New THE APOSTOLIC TIMES Testament history shows how faithfully this particular in­ struction was adhered to. “Believeth and is baptized” is 117 Fifth Avenue, North Nashville 3 Tenn. the watchword of New Testament teaching, and it was the order and the practice of every Christian, conversion re­ Entered at the Post Office at Nashville, Tenn., as corded in the Bible. Second Class Matter, Published Monthly. Every one of the twelve apostles, with the exception of John, eventually died a martyr to the faith and have gone We hope those to whom this paper comes will give serious to their enteral reward, and every Christian on earth to­ and thoughtful attention to the articles presented. Human day enjoys whatever of faith and hope he may possess as happiness and destiny is predicated upon rightfully deciding these matters. Our aim is to present the teaching of the the fruits of this great commission.
    [Show full text]