OUR CHANGING WORLD

 

Letters to the editor published in The Disciple, official journal of Disciples of Christ, often reflect a call for change in that denomination. A recent letter told the editor: “It breaks my heart to see that a brotherhood which produced so many great pulpit giants has degenerated to such a low view of preaching.” The writer, a former state secretary, went on to say: “No one ever became a great pianist just by taking a three-hour course. It takes a lifetime of study and practice to become a real communicator of Christ’s message to the world.” He also wrote: “I hope and pray that something will happen soon to give us some prophets rather than sending out pallbearers for dead churches.” This cry for change may apply to all the churches of the Stone-Campbell heritage as well as to the Disciples.

Troy Warren of Arlington, Tx. reports on a story told by a missionary who smuggles Bibles into Russia. Several Russian soldiers with guns in hand interrupted a clandestine Christian service. “We do not want to arrest anyone who is here by accident,” the soldiers told them, “so if you did not intend to be here you can leave now.” After a few left the soldiers laid down their guns and said, “Now that the unbelievers have left we can all worship together.” The missionary also told Troy’s church of instances where the Russians break ice in order to immerse those who turn to the Lord. The Christian faith is very much alive in Russia, the missionary assured them.

We reported in the November issue of this journal as a news item from the Burke Rd. Church of Christ in Houston that their former minister, Wes Reagan, had not only left that church (where he stayed for a time while in business after serving as minister) and was now attending a Methodist church but that he no longer believed the basics of the Christian faith and had embraced humanism. Further reports from Burke Rd. indicate that this is not the case, and this is confirmed by a personal call to Wes. While he is meeting with the Methodists, he still believes in the lordship of Christ and has not embraced humanism. We are sorry that we gave wrong information, and we rejoice that Wes still loves the Christ he has preached and served for so long. As we said when we first announced Wes’s departure: one does not necessarily leave Jesus when he leaves the Church of Christ. We are of course thankful that this is the case with Wes Reagan, and we wish him well wherever he may serve.

Another brother named Reagan, David Reagan this time, issues the Lamplighter (write Box 527, Plano, Tx. 75074 for a sample copy) in which he recently wrote of “The Forgotten Promises of Christmas.” Drawing on Lk. 1:31-33, he points to the three promises that he says are ignored by most churches these days: Jesus will be given the throne of David; he will reign over the house of Jacob; there will be no end to his kingdom. David said that at Christmas he would be thankful that Christ came to die for his sins, and that he would pray that God will soon send his Son to fulfill “the forgotten promises.” All those interested in the millennium will be pleased to learn that this journal is to publish three installments by Robert Shank on “The Biblical and Historical Foundations of Premillennialism,” beginning in our next issue.

Restoration or Reformation?

I am impressed but not surprised by the negative reaction to my rejection of our heritage as a “Restoration Movement” in my book The Stone-Campbell Movement. Because of my refusal to milk this old sacred cow some teachers refuse to use my book, even when conceding it to be the best history yet written! The way our people have manipulated history is seen in a recent article in the Firm Foundation that describes the efforts of our pioneers as “A Restoration, Not Reformation.” I am prepared to show that this is wrong.

I will begin with Barton W. Stone himself, who, if we name but one, is the founder of our Movement. I have yet to find in his writings even one (not even one!) reference to restoration, though he often referred to his efforts as “The Reformation of the 19th Century,” the title of one series he wrote. And when he conceded that Alexander Campbell was “the greatest promoter” of the effort he referred to it as “this reformation.” If it was “the Restoration Movement” as we call it (and we never call it anything else!), why didn’t Stone call it that? Did he not know what it was that he had started?

As for Campbell, he sometimes used the term restoration, especially in his earlier years, but not in the “pattern-blueprint” kind of way we do. To the contrary, he chose to call his work the “New Reformation” and his people “Reformers.” More-over there are scores, if not hundreds, of references from the rank and file who wrote to the various editors of the progress of “this reformation” in their area.

But woe to him who would seek to corral this holy cow! It is something like taking Mormon from the Latter-Day Saints.

But I am not really attempting to discard the concept of restoration. It all depends on what the term is made to mean. After all, this journal bears the name, though I admit that if I had it to do over I would call it something else. --- the Editor

 

You may do a service to your friends by sending them this journal during 1983. In clubs of four or more you can send it for only 3.00 per name, and we will do the mailing. If you want a bundle of ten or more sent to you each month, the cost is 20 cents per copy. If you want a bound volume of this journal for 1981-82, two years in one, reserve your copy by sending us your name. The bound volumes still available are: Principles of Unity and Fellowship (1977), 5.50; The Ancient Order (1978), 5.50; Blessed Are the Peacemakers and With All the Mind (1979-80), 8.50. Prices include postage.