A gracEmail subscriber in the northeastern U.S. says that he belongs to a church which 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 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." * * * I encourage you not to confuse "the Lord's church" with some particular historical religious movement of which we happen to be a part. God's program is worldwide … [Read more...]
ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD
One of Jesus' most poignant teachings, to my mind, is his discourse to the apostles shortly before his death concerning himself as the Good Shepherd. Here the Savior opens his heart, expressing his devotion to the Father's will, his tender love for those whom the Father has given him (also described as those who hear his voice and follow him--Jesus can affirm divine sovereignty and human responsibility at the same time) and his passion for the spiritual oneness between the Father, himself and all his people that is at least one goal of all the above. In the course of these reflections, the … [Read more...]
A TOUGH CHOICE
A gracEmail subscriber inquires, "Is it better to be in Church 'A,' which has zeal, involvement in each other's life and a focus on mission -- but which also has exclusivistic assumptions that they are the only 'true' Christians, or in Church 'B,' which is less exclusivistic but which is dead evangelistically and which accepts lukewarmness in general?" * * * Is the active, outreaching but exclusivistic church open to the Word? Many of us began with sectarian or legalistic understandings but with hungry hearts and God gently (or roughly!) led us to a different place. If you choose to connect … [Read more...]
THE CHURCH ‘FOR WHICH JESUS DIED
A Texas subscriber writes that he left the Baptist church many years ago for the Church of Christ, "to follow Jesus more closely." Most of what he reads in gracEmail is "contrary" to what he believes "about the church the Lord died for," he says. As for preaching a "plan," he refers me "to The Ephesians letter where you will find that God did indeed have a plan for the salvation of man before the foundation of the world. I love my Lord Jesus," he affirms, "and his church, the church of Christ! There is only one church and those who have refused to be buried with the Lord in baptism to wash … [Read more...]
BACK TO THE FUTURE
When I began writing this gracEmail, I thought it might interest only subscribers who share my own spiritual heritage in the Churches of Christ ("CoCs"). These are an association of autonomous congregations who, lacking any sort of institutional superstructure, accomplish a great deal of good nonetheless. One of three major tribes who descended from the 19th-century "Restoration Movement" ("RM") led by Barton W. Stone and the Campbells (father and son Thomas and Alexander), the CoCs traditionally tended toward isolationism and sometimes even aloofness. I used to participate in such conduct, … [Read more...]
THE ANGLICANS
1. The Christian Church began in England: a. About 200 years after the apostles died; b. During the Norman Conquest of William the Conqueror; c. In the reign of Henry VIII; d. With American missionaries after World War II. 2. The Archbishop of Canterbury preaches in: a. Canterbury Church of England; b. Cathedral Anglican Church; c. Canterbury British Cathedral; d. Cathedral Church of Christ, Canterbury. 3. John Wycliffe of Oxford was: a. a reformer 200 years before Martin Luther; b. a great fan of Martin Luther; c. a notable opponent of Martin Luther; d. a Fulbright scholar … [Read more...]
CONVERTED TO THE CHURCH?
A gracEmail subscriber heard someone say, "I don't think you can be converted to Jesus without being converted to his church," by which the speaker mean the particular religious movement of which he was a part. The subscriber wants to know if the statement is true. * * * It is true that everyone who belongs to Jesus is also a part of his ekklesia or church (literally, congregation or assembly). This Greek word which Jesus uses in Matthew 16:18 is the same word used throughout the Greek Old Testament for the gathered people of God. Today, God's congregation finds its identity through the … [Read more...]
THE CHURCH OF THE FUTURE
The Christian church in America is rapidly changing in form, style and culture. A gracEmail subscriber asks what the future might hold for the church during this 21st century. * * * God's kingdom will endure but church structures that do not serve his purposes will gradually disappear (Heb. 12:26-28). I believe we will see a new Church emerge alongside the old -- indeed, it already is in process of being born. The renewed Church of Jesus Christ will consistently worship God as alive and sovereign, proclaim Jesus as Savior, and serve by the Spirit of the Risen Christ as its … [Read more...]
THE FULLNESS OF THE CHURCH
It is easy to become nearsighted in our vision of the Church, focused only on our own congregation or denomination, or the Church in our own country or in the present year or decade or century. God has been at work in his worldwide Church throughout Christian history, I am persuaded, including parts from which we might imagine we have nothing good to learn. The Church in its fullness will incorporate contributions from believers in all times and places, and we can begin even now to appreciate and to share in the diversity of that rich heritage. All Christians can profit, for example, from … [Read more...]
THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL
"What should we think of the different Christian denominations and movements or families? Is one of them 'right' and the others 'wrong?'" * * * Christ's universal church has lived through many centuries, utilizing different cultures, forms and styles in pursuit of its mission and goals. The church also consists of sinful humans, and its progress has been tainted with human weakness and sin. Church history includes the admirable and the abominable, but the head of the Church does not forsake his own, and the Church continues despite its adversaries and its afflictions. In time, I believe, … [Read more...]