Teaching Disciple History these past few weeks in the licensed lay minister’s school has reminded me all over again of the value of the Campbell\Stone movement of which the Disciples of Christ are a part. Each Christian denomination in history has unique perspectives and doctrines that are peculiar to that denomination. These unique perspectives are how each denomination understands itself as making a contribution to the Body of Christ at large.
For the heirs of Campbell and Stone, we have historically been known for “the Plea.” WE had pled for the church to be modeled solely on the basis of the New Testament. This plea is much more radical that what it first appears to be. Although every denomination wants to be apostolic and biblical, virtually all other denominations incorporate non-biblical traditions into their church practices or beliefs.
For example, we believe the New Testament custom was weekly communion and baptism by immersion. How many denominations do you know that do BOTH. Are you scratching your head yet? The issue of the New Testament as a norm for the church is not limited to merely church practices but it also includes doctrines and beliefs. For example, many denominations have strict policies against gambling, drinking and dancing, but the only thing the New Testament says about any of those issues is not to get drunk. Those denominations have gone beyond the scope of the Bible in their teachings, and such is the case for many churches.
The genius of the Christian churches is that we seek to “speak where the scriptures speak, and to be silent where the scriptures are silent.” This way of understanding the Bible allows the MAXIMUM human freedom within Biblical limits, and the “thou shalt nots” are reduced to a minimum. I am always glad to be part of the Christian churches\Disciples of Christ when I see the heavy religious loads that many other Christians have to carry. I feel sorry for people who are commanded to obey non-biblical rules, because after all, obedience to Christ is hard enough.
In this article, I have sounded as if the Christian Churches are perfect. I am sure that we are not. All denominations have blind spots and weaknesses, including ours. Yet we believe that our “Bible only” approach to doing church is a valuable contribution to the whole of Christianity. Until such a time as someone demonstrates a more excellent way of being the Church, I believe that I will remain part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) just a little bit longer.


In Christ, Bro. Greg