A couple with roots in the Churches of Christ write that, while they love that fellowship, they no longer fit and feel compelled to go elsewhere. This thought makes them both sad and fearful, and they ask if I can offer any advice. * * * I empathize with your struggle and your search. Remember that before there were Protestants or Catholics, there were disciples of Jesus. Before there were any modern denominations, there were New Testament churches, built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. How would we identify such disciples? From the beginning, they are people who believe in the one … [Read more...]
KICKING THE WALLS
A composite of comments from several gracEmail subscribers says: "I think you are a bit far-out to be a representative of the Churches of Christ. You seem always to be kicking the walls of what is generally accepted within the brotherhood. Might you simply be overreacting to some legalistic and sectarian extremes you have encountered in the past? Do you really think some other group has the truth? If so, why don't you join it and leave us alone?" * * * Some people feel the need to psychoanalyze others whose thinking does not fit what they expect, and you are welcome to join the crowd. … [Read more...]
THE IDENTITY THAT MATTERS
In this increasingly post-denominational age, historic Christian groups often struggle to maintain their distinctive identities within the broader Christian church. I observe that general phenomenon as a teacher and elder within the Churches of Christ, among whom God has assigned me a home base. This fervor to perpetuate institutional identity is particularly ironic in my context, however, since the Churches of Christ spring from a movement that ostensibly rejects denominationalism, opposes human creeds and champions both the freedom of individual conscience and the autonomy of local … [Read more...]
FUZZY-HEADED EVANGELICALISM
Someone recently lamented that many in the Churches of Christ were turning to "fuzzy-headed evangelicalism," suggesting by this label that such a transformation might be less than desirable. In response, please allow this personal confession. * * * The term "evangelicalism" refers to a religious faith and spiritual life centered on and growing out of the gospel of Jesus Christ -- the good news that God loves sinners and that in Jesus of Nazareth he has reconciled us to himself. More specifically, an evangelical is anyone who professes a personal relationship with God through the crucified … [Read more...]
ARE CHURCHES OF CHRIST EVANGELICAL?
A subscriber asks whether Churches of Christ are classified among "evangelical" Christians. He quotes a Churches of Christ seminary professor who says they are not, because evangelicals believe in "full assurance of salvation, coming not by any work of human merit, but through faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross" and deny that salvation is dependent on any "sacrament" (such as baptism). * * * I would argue that some Church of Christ people are evangelicals and some are not. The non-instrumental Churches of Christ, like the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the … [Read more...]
WHY SERVE AMONG CHURCHES OF CHRIST?
Various gracEmail subscribers ask why I am connected with the Churches of Christ instead of some other Christian tribe or movement. They ask for different reasons, depending on their own experience and perspective. * * * My home base is with the Churches of Christ because that is where God has placed me for now. If I ever sense that God is leading me to a different subdivision on the Christian map, I will not hesitate to move. The truth is that I am at home wherever believers worship God, proclaim Jesus Christ, teach the Bible, live in the Spirit and love each other. The spiritual address is … [Read more...]
THE SAME CHURCH OF CHRIST?
A Baptist sister writes, "I was married to a member of the Church of Christ and these gracEmails don't sound like the same denomination -- or has the Church of Christ changed? * * * God is also at work among Churches of Christ and a new face is emerging which often resembles that of the Savior. Some say the Churches of Christ are beginning to live up to their name -- truly churches "of Christ." However one might describe the change, it is from God and he is due all the glory! This has not yet happened everywhere, and the old legalistic and sectarian attitudes are still found here and … [Read more...]
THOSE CHURCH OF CHRIST LIBERALS
Bob writes from New York, stating that he belongs to a congregation that "many have left their denominational roots" to join, "to be part of the Lord's church, to preach Jesus and the way of salvation stated in the New Testament." He hears that "many brethren" in the Churches of Christ "are very 'legalistic' and others have gone towards the 'liberal' side, namly Max Lucado, Shelly Rubel [sic]." He wants to know where I stand "in terms of the Gospel plan of Salvation, who are the saved, is denominational baptism valid, and denominational fellowshipping among the Lord's church." He closes with … [Read more...]
IS ‘CHURCH OF CHRIST’ A DENOMINATION?
A correspondent asks, "What is a denomination?" and "Is the church of Christ one?" * * * It all depends on what you mean by "church of Christ." Are you talking about the world-wide body of all Christ's people -- or a local congregation somewhere -- or something smaller than the first but larger than the second? The body of Christ. The universal "church of Christ" or "church of God" is equal in scope to the "body of Christ," and it includes every person who knows Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Its exact constituency is known fully to God alone, and it likely includes people in all … [Read more...]
THE CRUX OF THE MATTER (Book Review)
Time was when the Churches of Christ (CoC), the vocal music wing of the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement, were a uniform body with a clear sense of identity. That time has now passed. Today this fellowship which began as a unity movement among Christians, but which generally came to regard itself as the exclusive "true church" of Christ on earth, stands at an historical crossroads, with competing voices echoing from many would-be guides. A bold new publication titled The Crux of the Matter: Crisis, Tradition and the Future of Churches of Christ (ACU Press, 2000, paper, 267 pages) urges … [Read more...]