A Restoration Plea

The nineteenth century Restoration Movement contained enormous diversity. Yet, the main idea that determined the direction of the movement was a pledge to restore the teaching and practice of the New Testament even if it required rejecting their former beliefs and associations. Zwingli, a sixteenth reformer held this view in theory, although he chose to ignore many sensitive issues for fear of loosing his influence along with many reforms for which he successfully fought and won. One of controversies between he and Luther involved a basic approach to Scripture. Luther believed that they should keep in the church all that is not contradicted by Scripture. Zwingli held that they should put out of the church all that is not taught in Scripture. Luther’s view prevailed in Protestantism and it still plagues the religious world today.

The churches of Christ have traditionally espoused the view that we must do only those things for which we have authority. However, a growing number of people have rejected the restoration spirit of “speaking where the Bible speaks, and being silent where it is silent.” When this approach to study is abandoned, it leads to the alternative, using the Scriptures as a proof text. Most religious bodies use the Bible to validate their beliefs and practices. Remember, even Satan used the Bible (Matthew 4:6). The same religions that appeal to Scripture are so diverse that one of two possibilities is true. Either the Bible cannot be understood alike (a popular view among the religious) or we cannot see past our own prejudices. I believe the latter is true because we have a tendency to start with our own opinions and traditions and then attempt to find the passage that supports it. The result of this approach is taking passages out of context just as the Devil did when tempting Jesus.

Many examples could be cited that indicate a need to return to bible language and principles (1 Peter 4:11). For example, many think of themselves as “Church of Christers” (whatever that is) or if asked what they are religiously, they will say, “I’m Church of Christ.” What does this mean? Surely, no one is the church of Christ. Such language conveys the mistaken idea of the church being just another denomination of which we are a part. Are we concerned about contending for the church with all our traditions as Luther did or are we interested in contending for the “faith” (Jude 3)? Does our language reveal our interest for the Lord to be glorified by the things his saints do in his name or does it convey our interest in the church receiving the glory? Words are vehicles of thought and such thinking illustrated above is a sectarian spirit that differs little from denominationalism. In fact, it is my fear that many churches of Christ have made themselves like the other nations around them. They have become a denomination.

This paper is designed to remind God’s people that we must never loose the spirit of restoration. We must continue to seek for the “old paths” and compare it to our practices. I am not advocating that we recreate first century culture and discard all modern advances as the Amish and Mennonite communities. Rather, we must be committed to restoring the non-sectarian restoration spirit that is willing to leave old associates in order to follow Christ (Matthew 10:34-38). The appeal of Jesus in making disciples is to leave all behind, take up the cross, and follow him. The leaders of the Restoration Movement made that commitment. They left family, friends, and churches because they swore loyalty to God. I beg of you to reevaluate your loyalties. Is your loyalty to God greater than personal ambition, family, friends, or financial reward? The honest answer to this question may cause you to doubt your commitment. We may never be called upon to make such a decision to abandon the comforts of family, friends, and a good job. Yet, for some of us, the fact that we have not made such painful changes may only mean that we have already taken the test of loyalty and have decided that these are more important than doing God’s will.

The paper’s format will contain four sections, an article per section, dealing with the question of authority and how we may have God’s approval in the things we do. Another section will deal with the nature of the church, another on the work of the church. Still, another will deal with attitudes that destroy unity among God’s people.

In contrast to this, Paul’s plea to the Philippians, and to all of us, was and is, “that I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel.”

In the midst of a world that is fast becoming spiritually bankrupt, and heading for moral decay, consider what a force we would be if united in heart and soul to meet this great leviathan of our age. Moreover, it is not too late: “Arise thou that sleepest, and Christ shall shine upon thee,” is the promise of our God. I am persuaded that it is later than we think, but not too late.

Seeing the direction that our ultraliberal brethren are going and the flood that threatens to engulf us, e.g., confusion on the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, denial of verbal inspiration, a tendency to justify certain morally dangerous trends, — will you not as one say, “hitherto shall thou come, but no further; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed”? Digression, apostasy, a plunge into the stream of “another denomination” can be halted if each will determine that as one he will not support that which has caused such havoc, but that he will take a stand against such, and diligently strive for unity in the love and cause of Christ.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”