The Intimidation of Denominational Variety

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I just visited Scott Sheridan's websited at cccflorida.org. I found this under "Articles" by the late Roger Chambers, and the article is entitled "Restoring Movement to the Restoration Movement." One of the ways to do this, he writes, is to "Throw off the intimidation of denominational variety." Hear him:

It's tough, this business of standing on the authority of Scripture and holding for the Ancient Order when so many dynamic believers express their faith in so many antiscriptural religious systems. The nineteenth-century restorationists faced the old mainline protestant denominations and a few cults; twentieth-century restorationists face those, plus a thousand more sects and subdivisions of sects; we're in a cult-of-the-month club these days; then there's the radio and TV prophets and the multiplication of electronic churches. And every time we open our mail we find a new parachurch outfit setting up shop on the outskirts of the Kingdom (under the direct mandate of the Spirit, of course).

If we do not think clearly, the mere number of alternatives to New Testament Christianity will subtly drain away our confidence. The spectacle of so many denominations, sects, and cults intimidates the popular mind--religious and secular--in one of two directions: (1) Unlimited variation is taken as proof that none of it is true, or (2) the spiritual vitality of the sects persuades many that all of them are, in some way at least, the work of God. Restoration Movement people often are embarrassed to insist on a biblical model for the church when so many sincere believers vote for something else.

At the Leipzig Debate (July 1519) the Roman Catholic scholar Eck disturbed Martin Luther with the question, "Except for you is all the Church in error?" Eck operated from the medieval assumption that it was impossible for one man to be right if he rejected the tradition of the Church, i.e., that which had been believed for so long by so many. Luther had to think it over. Before he could decide that his theology was the right one, he had to convince himself that it was possible for it to be so.

Many in the Movement have succumbed to a kind of medieval intellectual pressure. Brotherhood leaders raise the questions: "Who do we think we are? Do we alone teach God's plan of salvation? Look at that body of believers over there; see how they love Jesus! How can we be so arrogant to say that they must submit to what we call the New Testament Order!" Humble folk are often stampeded into a apologizing for the Restoration Plea, unconsciously assuming along with the questioner that the mere breadth of denominational variety makes it impossible that the Restoration Movement, outnumbered as it is, could represent apostolic Christianity to this generation. Like Luther, we must first decide whether it is possible for us to be right in the face of multiplied alternatives. If the Church stands on the apostolic-prophetic word and on nothing else, then the plea of the Restoration Movement is possible and reasonable. If the Church stands on modern human testimony of immediate Spirit-guidance, then our position is indefensible--the Plea could not be true.

At the Diet of Worms (April 1521) Luther again faced the issue. Eck announced that Luther could not say that the Church, speaking through traditions and councils, was wrong and this one man right. He then called upon Luther to repudiate his writings. Luther replied that he could not recant unless convicted by Scripture and plain reason. He had the right of it, and there we must stand. If we surrender any part of the Restoration Plea, let it be because it has been disproved by Scripture and plain reason, not because so many believe otherwise. Doctrine stands on hermeneutics, not on mathematics. If I'm wrong and narrow and legalistic and divisive, show me in Scripture; don't tell me how many spiritual people disagree with me.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2000

Answers

Duane.....

Thanks for the "breath of fresh air."

And coming from you...that is rare!!! (Need I remind you of one "mighty rushing wind???"

Seriously....thanks!!

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2000


The church needs more people willing to break wind, instead of just passing gas <grin>

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2000

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