David Lipscomb: a Balance Wheel
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by Brandon Renfroe David Lipscomb: A Balance Wheel If a latter-day epitaph were appended to Lipscomb’s grave, one would be hard pressed to find a more appropriate description than “a balance wheel, endeavoring to adhere always to the rational mean.” ust outside downtown Nash- in his own right, the elder Lipscomb’s would care to know of the details. This ville, in picturesque Mt. Olivet marker bears a simple inscription: “A minimalism is in perfect keeping with cemetery, repose the earthly Christian Gentleman.” one who shunned ostentation, both in remains of David Lipscomb. No epitaph, however, is to be found appearance and (especially) in religion. JBuried beside him is his older on David Lipscomb’s marker. Only Although such modesty was typical brother William who, along with Tol- the barest of information is given: the of Lipscomb, it belies his tremendous bert Fanning, helped launch the Gos- year of his birth (1831) and the year of impact on the movement to restore pel Advocate in 1855. A leading figure his departure (1917) – as though none New Testament Christianity. In fact, it 32 Gospel advocate • July 2010 can be argued that no one – not even imagine what Lipscomb would think most would agree with every position Alexander Campbell – has become of some modern writers who castigate advanced by this brilliant pioneer. more identified with a specific geo- every soul not falling immediately into Did Lipscomb entertain any graphic locale. If Abraham Lincoln, step with their latest whim. doctrinal errors? If not, he would be as Edwin Stanton reportedly said, Lipscomb never grew weary of rail- quite the anomaly. (Indeed, although “belongs to the ages,” then Lipscomb ing against the factious mindset. Writ- most will admit the possibility of must belong to the South. ing about a distorted notion of what their own fallibility, who can ascer- Almost a century after his death, it means to “contend for the faith,” he tain precisely where it lies?) Still, Lipscomb remains an iconic figure. cautioned, “He may cultivate the spirit any errors of Lipscomb were those of He is studied by theologians of var- of objecting until he thinks to object a man nevertheless committed to the ied perspectives and revered by those is to be sound in the faith” (Hooper Bible as the verbally inspired, final across brotherhood boundaries. What 298). Lipscomb also did not care standard of divine authority – not the an ironic departure from his own much for preaching that focused solely presumptuous proclamations of those day, when Lipscomb was assailed by on the negative. He warned, “This determined to be “master of their fate those on all sides! party zeal opposing and exposing the and captain of their soul.” How may we account for this inter- errors of others becomes a substitute est? That is, how can those who agree for love of truth and the practices of Still a Balance Wheel on little else find an element of common godliness” (239). It is difficult to say whether Lip- ground in this farmer-turned-editor? scomb would be amused or aghast The answer, in part, lies in James A. Not an Elitist at the modern-day interest that his Allen’s depiction of the great pioneer. Although he was quick to oppose legacy generates. Some on the right Writing in 1909, Allen portrayed Lip- the slightest sectarian tendency, this are eager to make use of the cachet his scomb as “a balance wheel, endeavoring is far from suggesting that Lipscomb name still provides but would be un- to adhere always to the rational mean” was a leftist. In truth, Lipscomb held likely to fellowship the great preacher (Hooper 209). If a latter-day epitaph no quarter for those who would foist were he alive. Others on the left were appended to Lipscomb’s grave, one innovations upon the work and wor- seem more interested in quoting from would be hard pressed to find a more ship of the church. The acid test for Lipscomb than from God. Lipscomb appropriate description. Lipscomb was the same as that of the is once again the center between apostle: “[W]hat does the Scripture extremes – perhaps things have not Not an Extremist say?” (Romans 4:3 nkjv). changed so much after all. Lipscomb’s day was one of Thus, when brethren clamored for In the classic book To Kill a Mock- controversy, the two biggest issues the instrument in worship, Lipscomb ingbird, Harper Lee has Miss Maudie confronting the church being the mis- was not impressed by the contention say to Jem, “I simply want to tell you sionary society and the instrument. that its use was not condemned. “Our that there are some men in this world Unlike the venerable J.W. McGarvey, worship to God is regulated by the who were born to do our unpleasant who favored the society but opposed laws of God,” he insisted. “We have jobs for us. Your father’s one of them” the instrument, Lipscomb stood no knowledge of what is well-pleasing (245). To be certain, Atticus Finch staunchly against both innovations. to God, in worship, save as God has was not David Lipscomb, and David Although it was an unpopular stance, revealed to us” (Hooper 168). His Lipscomb was not Jesus Christ. Still, Lipscomb was not deterred: “Our observations cut to the quick, leaving it remains possible that this was the wish,” he said, “is to stand squarely no doubt as to his opinion of would- niche God intended for the pioneer upon the truth of God, as far from be innovators: “The hearts of those to occupy – a balance wheel between error as possible” (Hooper 167). who add human innovations are not extremes, a gentle voice of reason in a Standing between extremes earned right in the sight of God” (Lipscomb tempest of confusion. o Lipscomb criticism from all quarters. 299). Again: “To introduce anything As in our own day, a host of “side into the service of God not required Brandon Renfroe preaches for the church issues” served to divert attention away in the Bible is to introduce division of Christ in Ashville, Ala. He can be from weightier matters, causing some and strife” (329). How sage and sadly reached at [email protected]. to focus on (if not foment) those of prophetic his words have proven. lesser importance. Of special interest Given his unequivocal opposition in Lipscomb’s day were the “schools” to any changes in God’s order, it is Works Cited Hooper, Robert. Crying in the Wilder- (such as the Nashville Bible School puzzling to read of those today who ness. Nashville, Tenn: McQuiddy Print- that Lipscomb founded) and the use of would pirate Lipscomb’s writings in ing, 1979. “uninspired literature” in Bible classes. the self-serving attempt to gain a sem- Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. This never-ending spirit of contention blance of credence for their own loose New York: Harper Collins, 2006. finally caused Lipscomb to remark views. Lipscomb was not infallible Lipscomb, David. Salvation From Sin. to one hobby-riding editor, “You turn and would have been the last person Indianapolis, Ind.: Faith and Facts Press, me off” (Hooper 315). One can only to so claim. As such, it is unlikely that no date. July 2010 • Gospel advocate 33.