DOCSLIB.ORG

An Appraisal of Selected Doctrine

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
An Appraisal of Selected Doctrine AN APPRAISAL OF SELECTED TEACHINGS AND PRACTICES OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA By OWOLABI, Sunday Abiodun B. A. Hons (LASU), M. A. (Memphis), M. A. (Ibadan) Matric. No: 139543 A Thesis in the Department of Religious Studies, Submitted to the Faculty of Arts In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY CERTIFICATION I certify that this thesis was carried out by Sunday Abiodun OWOLABI, under my direct supervision in the Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, in partial fulfillment for the award of Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies. ________________________ SUPERVISOR Rev. Dr. Samson A. Fatokun B. A. Special Hons. (Ife), M. A. (Ibadan), Ph.D. (Ibadan). UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY ii DEDICATION This study is dedicated to the one who made it possible: God Almighty and To Christ and His Church UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted to Dr. S. A. Fatokun for the success of this study. I count it an honour and a privilege to have carried out this work under your supervision. You have deeply enriched my life. You have encouraged and supported my scholarship, you have stimulated my thinking; you have provided counsel and guidance, and you have given me opportunities for deep theological conversation and historical reflection. I am eternally grateful for your penchant for excellence and for driving me so hard, which made this work to be completed in a record time. I also appreciate the contributions of our indefatigable Acting Head, Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan, Dr. J. K. Ayantayo, the Sub Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr. S. A. Odebunmi and other faculty members, particularly Dr. Kunle Dada, Dr. Kumbi Labeodan and Dr. O. O. Familusi. The staffers of the Department of Religious Studies have been wonderful allies in making my task endurable. I also appreciate the concern and encouragement of Mr. Charles of the Faculty of Arts office. S. K. Fabunmi has been a jolly good fellow in the process of accomplishing this task. I cannot but honour the memory of Dr. Dorcas Akintude, the former Acting Head, Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan. Aunty Banke, you were a veritable gem violently uprooted at your prime. We are consoled by the quality of life you lived and your legacies. Continue to rest in the bosom of your Creator. My appreciation also goes to the African Christian Schools Foundation, Nashville, Tennessee, USA and James and Ileta Beckloff for providing the needed platform to fulfill my ministry and for facilitating the trips to the United States and United Kingdom in 2010 to retrieve important information for this study. I am equally thankful to the Dean and Vice President of my Alma Mater, Harding School of Theology, Memphis, Tennessee, USA, Dr. Evertt Huffard, for the access to American Theological Library Database (ATLA Serials) whose reservoir of about 170 scholarly journals on religion exceedinglyUNIVERSITY enriched this study. OF IBADAN LIBRARY To my children: Alice, Allen, Michael and Aaron, I am beholden for their sacrifice and for the ‘neglect’ they suffered when what mattered to me was to get this research task behind me. Most of all, I am indebted to my wife, Oluremi, without whose encouragement, sacrifice and love, this study would never have seen the light of the day. iv ABSTRACT The Church of Christ (COC), established in South-western Nigeria in 1959 as an offshoot of the 19th century sectarian American Restoration Movement, claims to be the only true church to restore primitive Christianity in both teachings and practices. Contrariwise, evidence from Early Church history contradicts this claim, which necessitates an investigation into the true position; existing studies having focused on the history of the church and the biographies of its leaders to the neglect of the appraisal of the claims of the church in terms of conformity with the teachings and practices of the Early Church. This study, therefore, makes a comparative appraisal of selected tenets of COC in South-western Nigeria against the backdrop of the Early Church with a view to examining the validity of its claims. The study adopted the descriptive research design. In-depth interviews were conducted with purposively selected clergy (36; six from each state of South-western Nigeria) and laity (36; six from each state). Church records were consulted in six (one from each state) congregations of the church to complement the interviews. Published Early Church records were also consulted. Data were subjected to historical and comparative analyses. There were three teachings of COC: exclusive claim to being the true church; the belief in theology, but non-celebration of Christmas and Easter which were believed to be absent in the Early Church era; and non-belief in miracles after the apostolic age. Three practices were also distinguished: non-use of musical instruments in worship, absolute congregational autonomy and alienation from other Christian denominations. Attestations from Early Church writings revealed that COC has no antecedent in post-apostolic Christianity; but archival sources showed that the church emerged from the 19th century religious aftermath of American independence premised on democratic theology. The COC’s teachings on non-celebration of Christmas and Easter were nullified by evidence from Early Church writings confirming Easter as the oldest Christian festival and that Christmas celebration had its origin in the Early Church. The teaching that miracles ceased with the apostolic age was negated by evidence from the Didache (A.D. 110) and testimony of St. Augustine (A. D. 354-430). Conversely, COC’s A cappella practice was confirmed from the writings of Justin Martyr (A.D. 100-165) and Tertullian (A.D. 160-220) that musical instruments were seen as corruptive influence of the Roman culture. On absolute congregational autonomy, Ignatius (A.D. 50-110) and Eusebius confirmed that Episcopacy was in practice from the second century. Contrary to its anti-ecumenical disposition, Early Church records confirmed that ecumenical councils were convened starting from Nicea (A.D. 325) to define the substance of the Christian faith and defend it against heresy. All the teachings of the Church of Christ are at variance with those of the Early Church; one out of the three practices aligned with that of the Early Church. Thus, there is a wide disparity between the tenets of the two churches, which invalidates the church’s exclusive historical connectionUNIVERSITY with the Early Church. OF Therefore, IBADAN the church needs LIBRARY to own up to history and reappraise her hermeneutical presuppositions. Key words: Church of Christ, Early Church, Christian Teachings and Practices, South- western Nigeria. Word count: 499 v List of Abbreviations ACOC Apostolic Church of Christ ACSF African Christian Schools Foundation APCON Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria BOT Board of Trustees COC Church of Christ NBC National Broadcasting Commission OAU Obafemi Awolowo University PAWM Pentecostal Assemblies of World Missions SBS School of Biblical Studies SWSE Southwest School of Evangelism UI University of Ibadan WBS World Bible School WNBC Western Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation WNCC West Nigeria Christian College UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY vi List of Tables Table 1: Age Distribution of Questionnaire Respondents Table 2: Gender Distribution of Questionnaire Respondents Table 3: Marital Status Distribution of Questionnaire Respondents Table 4: Duration in the Church Distribution of Questionnaire Respondents Table 5: Academic Qualifications Distribution of Questionnaire Respondents Table 6: Status in the Church Distribution of Questionnaire Respondents Table 7: Respondents’ Reaction to Question 1 Table 8: Respondents’ Reaction to Question 2 Table 9: Respondents’ Reaction to Question 3 Table 10: Respondents’ Reaction to Question 4 Table 11: Respondents’ Reaction to Question 5 Table 12: Respondents’ Reaction to Question 6 Table 13: Respondents’ Reaction to Question 7 Table 14: Respondents’ Reaction to Question 8 Table 15: Respondents’ Reaction to Question 9 Table 16: Respondents’ Reaction to Question 10 Table 17: Respondents’ Reaction to Question 11 Table18: Respondents’ Reaction to Question 12 UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY vii TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGES Title Page i Certification ii Dedication iii Acknowledgments iv Abstract v List of Abbreviations vi List of Tables vii Table of Contents viii CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem 6 1.3 Purpose of the Study 8 1.4 Scope of the Study 8 1.5 Significance of the Study 9 1.6 Research Methodology 9 1.7 Organization of the Study 12 1.8 Clarification of Operational Terms 13 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 IntroductionUNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY 18 2.1 History of the Church of Christ 18 2.2 Biographies of the Church of Christ Leaders 47 viii 2.3 Christian Doctrines and Practices 52 2.4 Conclusion 70 CHAPTER THREE: THE CHURCH OF CHRIST: A BACKGROUND STUDY 3.0 Introduction 71 3.1 American Origin of the Church of Christ 72 3.2 Historical Scenery of the Church of Christ in Nigeria 90 3.3 Origin and Growth of the Church of Christ in South-Western Nigeria 104 3.4 Conclusion 130 CHAPTER FOUR: SELECTED TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST 4.0 Introduction 132 4.1 Church of Christ as the only true Church 133 4.2 Belief in the Theology but Non-Celebration Christmas and Easter 138 4.3 Belief in the Seal of Miracles 146 4.4 Conclusion 151 CHAPTER FIVE: SELECTED PRACTICES OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST 5.0 Introduction 152 5.1 Aversion for Use of Musical Instruments in Worship 152 5.2 Absolute Congregational Autonomy under Plurality of Elders 158 5.3 Pharisaical Exclusivism towards other Christian Denominations 168 5.4 Conclusion 177 UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY ix CHAPTER SIX: STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE SELECTED TEACHINGS AND PRACTICES OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST 6.0 Introduction 178 6.1 Strengths 178 6.1.1 Insistence on Doing Bible Things the Bible Way 179 6.1.2 Effectiveness of Bible Correspondence Course as a means of Disseminating the Message of the Church 184 6.2.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • From Segregation to Independence: African Americans in Churches of Christ
    FROM SEGREGATION TO INDEPENDENCE: AFRICAN AMERICANS IN CHURCHES OF CHRIST By Theodore Wesley Crawford Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Vanderbilt University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Religion August, 2008 Nashville, Tennessee Approved: Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson Dr. Kathleen Flake Dr. John S. McClure Dr. Lucius Outlaw To my father, who helped make this possible but did not live to see its completion and To my wife, Kim, whose support is responsible for this project ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page DEDICATION……………………………………………………………………. ii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS…………………………………………………….. v INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………… vii Chapter I. UNDERSTANDING CHUCHES OF CHRIST……………..……………. 1 Denominational Organization…………………………………………. 1 Churches of Christ Journals………………………………………….... 7 Churches of Christ Schools………………………………………...….. 21 Churches of Christ Lectureships………………………………………. 34 Conclusion……………………………………………………………... 38 II. SEGREGATION…………………………………………………………... 40 White-Imposed Segregation…………………………...……………… 41 The Life and Ministry of Marshall Keeble…………...……………….. 61 Conclusion…………………………………………………………….. 83 III. INDEPENDENCE………………………………………………………… 84 The Foundation of Independence..……….…………………………… 85 African American Independence……………………………………… 98 White Responses to the Civil Rights Movement……………………… 117 A United Effort: The Race Relations Workshops…………………….. 128 Conclusion…………………………………………………………….. 134 iii IV. THE CLOSING OF NASHVILLE CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE…………… 137
    [Show full text]
  • Like Fire in Dry Stubble - the Ts One Movement 1804-1832 (Part 2) R
    Restoration Quarterly Volume 8 | Number 1 Article 1 1-1-1965 Like Fire in Dry Stubble - The tS one Movement 1804-1832 (Part 2) R. L. Roberts J W. Roberts Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/restorationquarterly Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, Comparative Methodologies and Theories Commons, History of Christianity Commons, Liturgy and Worship Commons, Missions and World Christianity Commons, Practical Theology Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Roberts, R. L. and Roberts, J W. (1965) "Like Fire in Dry Stubble - The tS one Movement 1804-1832 (Part 2)," Restoration Quarterly: Vol. 8 : No. 1 , Article 1. Available at: https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/restorationquarterly/vol8/iss1/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ ACU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Restoration Quarterly by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ ACU. RESTORATION QUARTERLY CONTENTS The Biblical Doct r ine of the People of God-Richard Bat ey.......... 2 Introduction to Sept uagintal Studies ( continued ) -George Howard . .................................. ................. .............. ..... 10 Like Fire in Dry Stubb le- Th e Stone Movement 1804-1832 (Part 11)-R. L. and J. W. Roberts . .................... .................. 26 The Typology of Baptism in the Early Church -Everett F erguso n ... .............................. .......................... 41 Matthew 10:23 and Eschato logy (11)-Ro yce Clark ......... ........... .. 53 A Note on the "Double Portion" of Deuteronomy 21 :17 and II Kings 2:9-Pa ul Watson ............................. .......... 70 Book Reviews . .................... .. ················· .... 76 STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN SCHOLARSHIP VOL. 8. NO. 1 FIRST QUARTER, 1965 Like Fire in Dry Stubble....
    [Show full text]
  • Christian Connexion and Unitarian Relations 1800-1844 Thomas H
    Restoration Quarterly Volume 9 | Number 3 Article 1 7-1-1966 Christian Connexion and Unitarian Relations 1800-1844 Thomas H. Olbricht Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/restorationquarterly Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, Comparative Methodologies and Theories Commons, Liturgy and Worship Commons, Missions and World Christianity Commons, Practical Theology Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Olbricht, Thomas H. (1966) "Christian Connexion and Unitarian Relations 1800-1844," Restoration Quarterly: Vol. 9 : No. 3 , Article 1. Available at: https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/restorationquarterly/vol9/iss3/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ ACU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Restoration Quarterly by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ ACU. RESTORATION QUARTERLY CONTENTS Alexander Campbell and the Churches of Christ - David Stewa rt ... .. .. ................................................. ..... .......... 133 Faith and Reason in Augustin e -John M. Barton ............... ............................................................ 142 An Exegesis of Isaiah 51 :9-11 -William C. Martin ...................................................................... 151 Christian Connexion and Unitarian Relations 1800-1844 -Thomas H. Olbrichit ................... ................................................ 160 Book Reviews ............
    [Show full text]
  • “Benjamin Taylor (1786-1848) a Jones/Smith Preacher In
    Benjamin Taylor (1786-1848) a Jones/Smith Preacher in Antebellum Michigan Thomas H. Olbricht Pepperdine University My remarks focus on Benjamin Taylor (1786-1846) who was one of the early 1 Michigan restorationists. I don’t know how to relate his efforts to later restorationist churches in the state, but some continuity is almost guaranteed. This earliest Michigan restorationist history—most of the decade of the 1830s—remains to be explored. Identifying ties with later Stone-Campbell Michigan churches is possible, I am convinced, because of the several journals published by the leaders of the Abner Jones/Elias Smith movement of which Taylor was a part and by leaders of the Stone- Campbell movement. Taylor was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, twenty miles northeast of Boston into 2 a family of Baptists. Somewhat later they moved to New Hampshire and then to Salem, Massachusetts, where they became members of the Christian church founded just a few years before. Abner Jones preached for the Salem congregation at that time. Taylor responded to the Christian call in 1802 at a Freewill Baptist revival but did not become a 3 member of that church. He went to sea at least twice making his last voyage to France. After a narrow escape he became more interested in religion and in 1809 became a member of the Salem church. Taylor preached at various places in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In the spring of 1831 he made a short trip to Illinois and Michigan. His family, now with 6 children, moved that fall to the St.
    [Show full text]
  • Periodicals and Institutions of the RM
    11/7/18 Periodicals and The pen is mighty Institutions • Religious journals, books and pamphlets during the early stages of the Restoration Movement had a tremendous • Class 9 influence. • Mike Baker • Editors did much of the writing and usually had strong • Concord Street Church of Christ positions on issues of the day. • 2018 • Positive: General religious information, devotional articles, reports from efforts, exposure of error. • Negative: Some were intolerant and dogmatic, jealousy and envy arose, factions and party-ism. No shortage of publications Periodicals – Pre Civil War • Harding Graduate School of Religion has a database with 113 journals published in the early restoration and the churches • The Herald of Gospel Liberty (1808-1815) of Christ today. • The Christian Baptist (1823-1830) • Alexander Campbell lamented the fact that so many • The Christian Messenger (1826-1845) unqualified men rushed into publishing. • Millennial Harbinger (1830-1870) • Many early journals ceased due to financial difficulties. • The Christian Review (1844-1853) • Formats ranged from weekly, monthly and quarterly, but • The American Christian Review (1856-) weekly was the most popular. • Gospel Advocate (1855-) • Evangelist (1832-1842) Periodicals – The Herald of Gospel Liberty Post Civil War (1808-1815) • Christian Standard (1866-) • Published by Elias Smith • The Christian or The Christian • His autobiography said it was “the Evangelist (1882-) world’s first religious newspaper.” • Lard’s Quarterly (1864-1868) • Purpose: reporting news of revivals, • Apostolic Times promoting religious liberty. • Firm Foundation (1884-2010) • Christian Quarterly 1 11/7/18 The Christian Baptist The Christian Baptist (1823-1830) (1823-1830) • Alexander Campbell’s first paper, • 32 articles from 1825-1829 on “The published on his own press at his home.
    [Show full text]
  • CHURCH and STATE in the THOUGHT of ALEXANDER Campbell
    /CHURCH AND STATE IN THE THOUGHT OF ALEXANDER CAMPBELl/ by MARK STEPHEN JOY B. A., Central Christian College, 1976 M. A., Eastern New Mexico University, 1983 A MASTER'S THESIS submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree MASTER OF ARTS Department of History KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 1985 Approved by: LD A11205 1,41354 JV HfS %, CONTENTS c . INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER ONE: CHURCH- STATE RELATIONS IN AMERICA TO THE EVE OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY 10 CHAPTER TWO: ALEXANDER CAMPBELL AND THE RESTORATION MOVEMENT 37 CHAPTER THREE: ALEXANDER CAMPBELL'S VIEWS ON CHURCH- STATE ISSUES 69 CHAPTER FOUR: THE SOURCES OF ALEXANDER CAMPBELL'S THOUGHT ON CHURCH-STATE ISSUES Ill CONCLUSION 133 BIBLIOGRAPHY 140 INTRODUCTION The establishment of constitutional provisions prohibiting the establishment of religion, and guaranteeing the free exercise thereof, was one of the most significant developments in early American history. These first amendment provisions also imply a concept which was, in the eighteenth century, a uniquely American contribution to political theory: the separation of church and state. The incorporation of these principles into the Constitution was not an overnight accomplishment, nor did the passage of the First Amendment mean that the controversies over matters of religious liberty and the relationship of church and state were over. But these developments, coupled with the pluralism that has been a character- istic of American life from the very beginning of colonization, have contributed greatly to the creation of a distinctively American religious tradition. Many scholars have noted that two currents of thought were influential in bringing about the separation of church and state in America.
    [Show full text]
  • A Basic Chronology of the Stone-Campbell Movement
    A Basic Chronology of the Stone-Campbell Movement1 The Stone-Campbell movement is today comprised of three distinct bodies: The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Churches of Christ, and Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. Congregations of the movement throughout the 19th century are known as Disciples, Christian Churches or Churches of Christ and individuals preferred to be known as Christians or Disciples. The term “Campbellite” is often found in polemical contexts, but is never a preferred term used by members of the movement. As division became a settled reality in the first and second decades of the 20th century the terminology crystallized. Those congregations who do not worship with instrumental music or conduct missionary work through organized societies come to be known by the early 20th century as Churches of Christ. Congregations in the North using instruments and cooperating with societies may be called Christian Churches or Churches of Christ. In 1968 the liberal wing of the Christian Churches, through a decade-long process called Restructure, formed a denomination: The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Those not wishing to be indentified with that denomination are often called Independents. This is sometimes, but not always, used in a polemical and derogatory sense. Independents usually refer to themselves as Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. American Precursors and Parallels to the Stone-Campbell Movement 1780’s-1790’s – Vermont Baptist minister Abner Jones rejects Calvinism and commences ministering as an unencumbered Christian. His small New England movement is known as the Christian Connection (also spelled Christian Connexion). He is joined in 1803 by Elias Smith.
    [Show full text]
  • The Restoration Movement's Attitude Toward Slavery
    THE RESTORATION MOVEMENT'S ATTITUDE TOWARD SLAVERY A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School Morehead State University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts by Warren Ray Kelley May, 1971+ - .. Accepted by the faculty of the School of Social Science , Morehead State University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts in History degree . ?JJ;..irectorof~ Thesis.6i~ " Master' s Committee: 1fh Uri <t/]~airman ~~ k'11~ 0 M J. v 2 . Jt/7'1- 7 (date{) The Restoration Movement's Attitude Toward Slavery I. The Background and Principles of the Restoration Movement. 1 II. Slavery and the Restoration Movement 7 III. Is Colonization the Answer?. 33 IV. Missions and Slavery. 43 V. Education and Slavery. 57 VI. Politics and the Restoration Movement. 63 VII. The Bible and Slavery. 82 VIII. Conclusion ,106 Bibliography ... .110 ii CHAPTER ONE THE BACKGROUND AND PRINCIPLE_S OF THE RESTORATION' MOVEMENT The ~e~toratio~ Movement is 'a term used' -'tc,' describe a religious movement of the early nineteenth century. This movement was concentrat~d in the. Ohio Valley from Pennsyl~ania to Kentucky and Illinois, with some congregations scattered throughout the rest of the United States. During the early development of this movement, the congregations used three names: Disciples of Christ, Christian ' 1 Church, and Churci). of Christ. These groups had little conflict over the various names, which were generally used interchangeably. The Background of the Restoration Movement Although the Restoration Movement can trace its history as far back as.the Reformation, it is sufficient for the purposes of this study to state that four groups emerged to make up the backbone 2 of the Restoration Movement.
    [Show full text]
  • The Christians of New England
    The Christians Of New England By James Gardner Introduction The military conflict of the American Revolution came to an end in March, 1783, when news reached America of a preliminary peace treaty and armistice signed in Paris. Although six years of political quarrels ensued before ratification of the constitution brought the United States officially into being, few doubted that the end of the war assured not only the birth of a great nation, but a new era in the life of man. Both its leaders and their European friends and admirers viewed the revolution not as a petty struggle to determine which masters should rule America but as a glorious attempt to establish the people as their own masters and light a beacon of liberty to the world. The greatest experiment of freedom in political history had begun. The experiment in religious freedom which this book partially describes, while bravely endeavoring to sink down roots to the eternal springs of unchanging truth, was profoundly influenced by the soil in which it grew: the new American republic and the character of its people. The most obvious encouragement to the rise of new religious movements in America came from the declaration of absolute religious freedom contained in the first amendment to the federal constitution and similar expressions in various state constitutions. Although some states, such as Massachusetts, continued for a time to support particular denominations, freedom of worship was almost universally secured, and the last links between church and state soon dissolved. European governments had often grudgingly suffered the existence of religious splinter groups and sometimes used their colonies, as Great Britain did America, as giant quarantines where they might usefully employ unwanted fanatics; but Americans raised religious toleration to the level of religious celebration, cheerfully proving themselves to be wise by allowing their neighbors to be mistaken.
    [Show full text]
  • Christianity
    BACK TO THE FOUNTAIN-HEAD STUDIES ON THE RESTORATION OF NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY JOHN WADDEY Gospel Light Publishing Co. 431 E Antioch Street P.O. Box 38 Delight, Arkansas 71940 (870) 379-2412 DEDICATION To Earl I. West and J. Marvin Powell, men who sought out and recorded the thrilling history of our back to the Bible movement, this book is dedicated. Their work blessed my life and my work in the kingdom of Christ. Copyright 2010 by Gospel Light Publishing Company Additional copies may be ordered from the publisher or from the author. John Waddey 12630 W. Foxfire Dr. Sun City West, AZ 85375 CONTENTS Preface 7 Introduction 9 I. WHAT IT MEANS TO RESTORE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY 1. Church History, A Rewarding Study 11 2. Back to the Fountain-Head 13 3. Restoring a Thing of Value 15 4. What Do We Mean by the Restoration of Christianity? 16 5. To Restore Original Christianity 17 6. The Church: Her Apostasy, Reformation and Restoration 21 7. The Thrilling Story of Our Origins in America 27 8. John Wesley's Contributions to Our Restoration Movement 29 9. The Restoration Plea 32 10. Another Look at Our Plea 35 11. Purposes of Our Restoration Efforts 37 12. The Goal of Our Restoration Movement 39 13. Premises For Restoration 40 14. Necessary Steps to Restoring New Testament Christianity 44 15. Foundation Pillars of Our Restoration Plea 47 16. Great Slogans of our Restoration Movement 49 17. The Greatness of the Movement to Restoration New Testament Christianity 52 18. The Success of the Restoration Movement 57 19.
    [Show full text]
  • Gospel Advocate 100Th Anniversary Issue, Vol. 97, No. 28, July 14, 1955 B
    Abilene Christian University Digital Commons @ ACU ACU Archives Stone-Campbell Journals Stone-Campbell Archival Journals 7-14-1955 Gospel Advocate 100th Anniversary Issue, Vol. 97, No. 28, July 14, 1955 B. C. Goodpasture Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.acu.edu/sc_arc_journals Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, Comparative Methodologies and Theories Commons, Ethics in Religion Commons, History of Christianity Commons, History of Religions of Western Origin Commons, Missions and World Christianity Commons, Practical Theology Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Goodpasture, B. C., "Gospel Advocate 100th Anniversary Issue, Vol. 97, No. 28, July 14, 1955" (1955). ACU Archives Stone-Campbell Journals. Paper 24. http://digitalcommons.acu.edu/sc_arc_journals/24 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Stone-Campbell Archival Journals at Digital Commons @ ACU. It has been accepted for inclusion in ACU Archives Stone-Campbell Journals by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ ACU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 100th ANNIVERSARY ISSUE Published weekly at ll O Seventh Avenue, No n h, Na shville , Tenn. ESTABLISHED 1855 Entered at post office at Nashville , Tenn ., as second-class matter . VOLUME XCVII, No. 28 NASHVILLE,TENNESSEE , JULY14 , 1955 $3.00 PER YEAR, IN ADVANCE C9neUundred Years Xgo and now The first issue of the GosPEL ADvocATE appeared in July, 1855. It has been one round century since the natal day of the "Old Reliable. " During that time, according to one authority, more than four hundre d religious papers have been started and failed , among those who have sought to "restore the ancient order of things.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 3 ORIGINS of the CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION in NEW ENGLAND Elizabeth C
    Chapter 3 ORIGINS OF THE CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION IN NEW ENGLAND Elizabeth C. Nordbeck Elizabeth C. Nordbeck is Associate Professor of Church History at Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. THE PIONEERS OF New England’s Christian Connexion, asserted the Rev. Austin Craig before a ministerial gathering in 1850, certainly “did not purpose the formation of a new sect.” Never- theless, he admitted, “moral affinities presently consociated them,” while misunderstanding and opposition from other religious groups gradually pushed them toward a more theologically and structurally defined position.(1) Some Christians [Hereafter this chapter will follow the Christian Connexion’s own most common usage: the word Christian, upper case, will refer to the Connexion itself; “christian,” lower case, will refer to the generic body of believers.] had begun to call their movement a denomination as early as the mid-1820s. As a whole, however, the group adamantly rejected such labels, advocating instead a broad and fun- damental christian inclusivity and eschewing all “party names.” Austin Craig’s address, deliv- ered on the eve of a historic convention at Marion, Ohio, effectively united the three distinct re- gional movements that “carried the name of Christ only,” and was thus especially notable for its attempt to summarize the several “principles” generally held among them. Resolutely biblical, privatistic, antidogmatic, and revivalistic, most of the Christians - especially in New England - had steadfastly resisted attempts to systematize or codify what they believed or how they ordered themselves. On both pragmatic and theological grounds they insisted on a believer’s right to pri- vate judgment and on the concomitant necessity for tolerance and cooperation among believers whose private judgments might differ.
    [Show full text]