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Observing Controversy
Among "Mainstream Churches of Christ" from Afar
Many known "mainstream churches of Christ" have become entangled in controversies about instrumental music in worship, the role of women in leadership positions, the nature of the church and other issues. Modern online technology gives a fascinating window into the controversy with its blogs and web pages in addition to the traditional sources of information, books and periodicals.
Both sides are right in some areas
A vibrant group of preachers and writers, many associated with Leafwood Publishing in Abilene, Texas and New Wineskins Magazine are rightly challenging the secularism and some of the sectarianism that led to the institutionalism of the 1950’s and 1960’s. A few quotes from the progressives show that they are correct in some areas:
* "Though mainstream churches of Christ time and again characterized those who opposed institutionalism as unfaithful to the heritage, the truth is that these dissenters stood squarely in one set of footprints of the 19th century… It was the mainstream—not the dissenters—that had removed itself almost entirely from its nineteenth century roots." (Richard Hughes, "Reviving the Ancient Faith," p. 14)
* "We see evidence of secularization when we hear church leaders seriously defend the construction of exercise facilities and basketball courts as absolutely essential to evangelism. We see evidence of secularization when we hear ministers… contend that the church cannot reach the lost in the modern age through serious Bible study, but only through ‘meeting needs.’" (C Leonard Allen, "The Secular Church")
* "The church is not an organization like Standard Oil that will simply disappear when the board ceases to operate. The church of God is not reduced to organization in the New Testament."(Bobby Valentine, blog)
Though the progressives correctly question the worldly approach to evangelism and lack of emphasis on God’s mercy in many traditional mainstream churches, they throw out the baby (a common sense approach to Bible authority) with the bath water (the bickering sectarianism). Many are willing to compromise with feminism, coming up with complicated explanations of passages like 1 Timothy 2:11,12 to make the text appear to say the opposite of what it actually says about different roles for women. Some are introducing instrumental music, clapping and other trends of entertainment-oriented worship into the services. Though correctly lamenting some denominational concepts of their more traditional brethren, they would probably be aghast at the idea that their favorite schools of the "Church of Christ denomination" such as Abilene and Pepperdine shouldn’t receive support from churches.
Those in the mainstream who are more traditional are often very sectarian. However, they are correct in pointing out that the rejection of common-sense scriptural authority leaves the progressives with only subjective conjecture as they try to determine what is and what isn’t acceptable worship and that they are watering down back-to-basic biblical principles that are necessary for true restoration. Books such as Piloting the Straits by Dave Miller, though sometimes sectarian in terminology and overreaching in some areas, correctly point out dangers of emotionalism, subjectivism and entertainment-oriented worship.
The principle that both sides miss
Both sides in the controversy seem to miss the point that concern about staying within New Testament parameters and emphasis on grace and nonsectarian services of the Lord are not mutually exclusive but rather inseparable companions.
The progressives seem to think that if grace is emphasized and carnal wrangling is to be reigned in, there must be a corresponding de-emphasis on a common-sense approach to biblical authority.
Those institutional brethren who are more traditional fear that if due emphasis is given to God’s mercy and a corresponding non-sectarian view of God’s church, that such will inevitably lead brethren into convictionless liberalism such as that seen in the Disciples of Christ denomination. They have a difficult time seeing God’s church as simply saved individuals known in the mind of God (Heb. 12;23), but rather as a collection of local churches.
The truth is that the New Testament teaches both mercy and common-sense application of scriptural authority. New Testament Christians are admonished to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, not go beyond the doctrine of Christ and correct others with a spirit of meekness (Col. 3:17; 2 John 9; Galatians 6:1). They are also told to be merciful, support the weak and leave final judgment up to God. (Matthew 5:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 1 Corinthians 4:5). Jesus was patient with the disciples in spite of their many misconceptions (John 17:6) and gave churches with serious problems time to repent (Rev. 2,3).
The way of Christ is to emphasize a careful approach to Biblical authority even as we trust in God’s mercy and pray that it will be extended to others who have not yet come to see basic truths, though they are searching (2 Chronicles 30:18-20). With such a spirit we will never consider God’s church as synonymous with a collection of local congregations found in certain directories that should support cherished institutions, but rather as individuals with an obedient and submissive spirit to whom God chooses to extend His mercy.
The Danger of Reaction Instead of Obedience
It is enlightening to observe controversy from afar, with no "horses in the race" or personalities to defend. Though the current controversy among "mainstream churches of Christ" certainly involves sectarianism on one hand and compromise on the other, much of the heat is generated simply by frustration and reaction. In this controversy like so many others, attention is so easily focused on rebuttals to silence "the enemy" and not on Christ. In such an atmosphere it is so easy to see the error of the "other side" while being completely oblivious to one’s own misconceptions.
May God help us to simply be His people and humbly submit to His will!
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