When Martin Luther
visited Rome in the fall of 1510, he was appalled by the spiritual
laxity he observed—even in the priesthood. His dissatisfaction with
the Catholic Church would eventually lead to his challenge of that
system, which was culminated when he nailed his Ninety-five Theses
to the door of the cathedral in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31,
1517. But Luther simply wanted to reform the church of his day; he
had no vision of leaving it.
Professor Harold O. J. Brown
has written:
Although it was not Luther’s
intention to found a new church, but simply to purify the old one, from the
time of the Reformation there were new churches—first the Lutheran, then the
Reformed, and finally the Anglican. From its beginning, the Reformation
created new churches as no other movement had suceeded in doing (1998, 311).
The church of the Middle
Ages, however, was far too corrupt to yield to any “band-aid” reformatory
process. Though men like Luther, Calvin, Wesley, and others were perhaps
moved by noble motives, they erred by thinking they bettered religious
conditions by establishing new religious movements. These movements carried
much of Rome’s theological baggage.
Happily, however, by-and-by
men would arise—both in Europe and in America—who would grasp the concept of
restoring Christianity to its primitive status, free from
the stifling encumbrances of sectarianism. The ideal was to start
afresh. Honest souls, in humble fashion, would embrace nothing but
the pure gospel of Christ, unveneered by human tradition, and follow the New
Testament as their only rule of faith and practice. What a breathtaking
concept it was—indeed still is at this very hour!
The “Restoration” Ideal
There are two basic attitudes
regarding the Christian religion.
(1) One disposition affirms
that Jehovah, across several millennia of history, meticulously prepared for
the initial advent of Christ and the spiritual system—Christianity—that he
would inaugurate. This ideology argues that the divine format of the
Christian system—as such existed in the first century under the guidance of
inspired teachers—was exactly what God intended it to be.
Moreover, this view asserts
that this sacred plan, as designed by the eternal and omniscient Creator,
would be perpetually relevant, thus age-lasting (cf. Daniel 2:44).
Those who advocate this concept maintain that if the world is ever to be
saved, it must conform to the mold of primitive Christianity—and that the
reverse should never prevail (cf. Romans 12:2).
(2) On the other hand, there
is the adverse theory which alleges that the Christian religion was not
designed to be static. Proponents of this credo argue that aside from a few
“core” components (e.g., the fact that Jesus is the Son of God and that he
died for the sins of humanity), the advocates of “Christianity” are free to
alter its forms and rites, fashioning them anew as cultural
peculiarities fluctuate. Supposedly, the Christian movement is free to
experience an “evolutionary” development. It is thus suggested that the
“Christianity” of today may be vastly different from that of the first
century—yet still enjoy Heaven’s approval.
Which of these concepts is
valid?
Anyone with more than a
smattering knowledge of Scripture should know that the first view is the
correct one. And yet, amazingly, the second proposition is being advocated
by an increasing number of people—even a growing number within the church of
the Lord.
It is not at all surprising
that society finds the “new Christianity” appealing. We have been
brainwashed to believe that anything new is also improved. The marketplace
is flooded with “new and improved” products. And so, many reason, why
doesn’t the same principle apply in religion?
The world of sectarianism has
long operated on the premise that Christianity may “change” as circumstances
demand. Catholicism employed this rationale as the basis upon which it
adopted many pagan practices (e.g., the use of the Rosary and the worship of
the Virgin Mary) in order to attract heathen converts (Mosheim 1959, 105).
Allegedly, this made the pagan feel more comfortable in his new “Christian”
environment. The Roman Church makes no apology for the fact that she can
modify her doctrine as the times or culture changes. Many can remember when
it was considered sinful for Catholics to eat meat on Friday. Today, it is
not even a matter of conversational interest among many.
The Protestant sects, in
actual practice, subscribe to a similar “evolutionary” approach to
Christianity. For example, a popular creed book states:
It is most likely that in the
Apostolic age when there was but “one Lord, one faith, and one baptism,” and
no differing denominations existed, the baptism of a convert by that very
act constituted him a member of the church, and at once endowed him with all
the rights and privileges of full membership. In that sense, “baptism was
the door into the church.” Now, it is different (Hiscox
1890, 22; emphasis added).
Why is it different? Who made
it so? Certainly not God. Rather, arrogant men have assumed they have the
right and the wisdom to renovate the divine scheme of redemption. The very
attitude is an atrocity.
Not only has mainstream
denominationalism contended that it is permissible to change the original
forms and ceremonies of New Testament doctrine, it has even radically
altered its concept of morality. Several decades ago there could not be
found a solitary religious body, remotely professing Christian principles,
that would endorse homosexuality. Now, the defenders of sodomy are
disgustingly numerous.
If Christianity may be
re-designed with reference to its religious dogma, why not re-write its
moral code as well? The very idea is absurd.
Problems within Churches of Christ
The brotherhood of churches
of Christ has become sorely afflicted with the “change” mentality over the
past several decades. More than a third of a century ago, Carl Ketcherside
and Leroy Garrett were creating a stir in many Christian congregations with
radical notions of ecumenism, as advocated in their journals, Mission
Messenger and Restoration Review. At that time, however, these
gentlemen were considered to be a fringe-element aberration. Eventually,
though, along came Integrity, Image (now defunct), and
finally, Wineskins. These journals, in concert with several
“Christian Scholars Conferences” on campuses like Abilene Christian
University and Pepperdine University, flung the doors wide open to radical
changes within the fellowship of God’s people.
The drift has been gradual.
At first, the concept of the “restoration plea” was merely questioned—under
the guise of honest investigation. Then it was overtly challenged. Finally,
in the waning days of this century, it is shamelessly ridiculed by those who
have thrown off all attempts to disguise their ambitions. Some of our
digressive brothers take unusual delight in mocking the church, while their
sectarian audiences roar with laughter and applaud the barbs that wound the
body of Christ.
Rubel Shelly, of Nashville,
Tennessee has been one of the most vociferous critics of the restoration
movement in recent years. His speeches at the Christ Church Pentecostal
denomination in Nashville (April 13, 1994), at the 1995 Tulsa Workshop, and
at the Florence (Alabama) Spiritual Renewal Conference (April 19, 1996) are
but a sampling of this misguided brother’s hostile mood. (Note: For further
discussion see Jackson 1991, 40-44.)
The Biblical Platform
The fact is, the Bible
teaches that when the Creator establishes a system of religion, its
obligations are to remain intact until God himself provides evidence that it
no longer is operative. No one is to presume to modify the divine
arrangement. The Old Testament emphasizes this principle repeatedly.
Surely no clearer example of
this concept can be found than that of the sad case of Jeroboam I, the
premier king of northern Israel. His apostasy from the Mosaic pattern is
carefully documented in 1 Kings 13. Note the following:
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He
changed the object of worship from the invisible God to
golden calves, which were to represent the Lord.
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The
monarch switched the sacred center of devotion from
Jerusalem to Bethel and Dan.
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Priests could be selected from tribes other than Levi.
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A
new feast was inaugurated to rival the feast of the
tabernacles.
Modern “Jeroboams” doubtless
would endorse these alterations as quite refreshing; after all, we can’t be
stifled by “traditionalism.” Jehovah’s attitude, however, was radically
different. In approximately twenty-one passages the Old Testament refers to
Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who “made Israel to sin” (cf. 1 Kings 14:16).
Innovation is transgression!
“Restoration” Defined
When one speaks of a
“restoration” plea, several things are implied. First, there is the
suggestion that there is a divine pattern for human
conduct. Second, God expects conformity to that pattern.
Third, in the nature of things, rebellious and frail men will
digress from that heavenly way. Fourth, it is the responsibility of
those who revere the Lord’s will to restore the primitive
order and call their fellows back to the “old paths” (cf. Jeremiah 6:16).
There are numerous New
Testament passages which stress these truths. Let us consider a few:
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The
early church is clearly a model for us in that it “continued steadfastly
in the apostles’ teaching” (Acts 2:42). Why was that an important
point for Luke to make if the pattern of the “apostles’ teaching” is
irrelevant? Moreover, the multitude of believers “were of one heart and
soul” (4:32), suggesting a unity of practice in their Christian
decorum.
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Paul
reminded the saints in Rome that they had been made free from sin due to
the fact that they had been obedient to a certain “form” (pattern) of
teaching (Romans 6:17, 18). Can such a passage yield any sense if
there is no pattern?
-
The
Christians in Rome were admonished to “mark” (be on the lookout for) and
turn away from those who were causing divisions “contrary to the
teaching” which they had learned (Romans 16:17). If there is no
pattern of New Testament doctrine, how could one ever be required to
“turn away” from those who do not conform to it?
-
The
inspired Paul instructed the brethren in Corinth not to go “beyond the
things which are written” (1 Corinthians 4:6 ASV).
This clearly demonstrates that spiritual activity is regulated by the
Scriptures.
-
The
primitive Christians were warned repeatedly about “falling away” from
“the faith” (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1ff; 2 Timothy
4:1ff). The expression “the faith” has to do with a body of
doctrinal truth. If there is no doctrinal pattern, how could one ever
“fall away” from the faith? Note also that identifying marks of apostasy
went beyond so-called “core” matters, such as the deity of Christ. They
concerned things like the forbidding of marriage and prohibiting of
certain foods (1 Timothy 4:1ff).
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Paul
spoke of the “pattern of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13) which the
early Christians were being taught and in which they were to “abide”
(3:14). These truths were to be passed on to others (2:2),
and men were to be charged not to teach a “different doctrine” (1
Timothy 1:3). How in the name of common sense can men read these
passages and not know that there is a body of sacred truth with which we
must not tamper?
-
The
writer of Hebrews affirmed that Moses, in constructing the tabernacle,
was warned by God that he must “make all things according to the
pattern,” which was shown to him at Horeb (Hebrews 8:5). Do we,
as recipients of the “better covenant” (Hebrews 7:22; 8:6),
sustain a lesser responsibility as we minister to God in his church—of
which the tabernacle was but an inferior type? (cf. 9:1-10). It is
unbelievable that anyone would dare to argue such.
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John
unequivocally states that those who go beyond the “teaching of Christ”
have no fellowship with God (2 John 9).
Conclusion
All of these passages—and
numerous others—forcefully reveal that there is a divine standard to which
men are accountable. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of
God, with its inscribed obligations, abides (cf. 1 Peter 1:24-25).
In physics there is a law
known as the Second Law of Thermodynamics. It suggests that things proceed
toward a state of degeneration. It might also be argued that there is sort
of a Second Law in the spiritual realm as well. Men tend to drift; the pure
frequently becomes contaminated. Such was never more clearly indicated than
in the current status of the church of God.
This is not the time to relax
the call for a restoration to the ancient order of Christianity. We are
truly at the crossroads!
Sources/Footnotes
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Attwater, Donald, ed. 1961. A Catholic Dictionary. New York,
NY: The Macmillan Co. Pg. 363.
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Brown,
Harold O. J. 1998. Heresies. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.
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Hiscox, Edward T. 1890. The Standard Manual For Baptist Churches.
Philadelphia, PA: The American Baptist Publication Society.
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Jackson, Wayne. 1991. Contemporary Attacks on the Restoration Principle.
The Spiritual Sword, Vol. 23, No. 1.
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Mosheim, John Lawrence. 1959. Ecclesiastical History. Vol. 1.
Rosemead, CA: Old Paths Book Club.