History of the Institutional Controversy

1
History of the Institutional Controversy

• A brief review of the previous
  lesson

2
Division has occurred over the last 50-60 years

• This division in many respects mirrored the
  division in that took place 1890-1900
• Sadly, bitterness and wild charges often
  accompany division
• Conservative brethren were often called antis
  and orphan haters
• Those who believe Christians could visit the
  fatherless and widows by taking them in your
  home have taken the narrow, crooked pig-path of
  radicalism. (The words of a Christian College
  professor)

3
The Bible and Apostasy

• The Old Testament Period was full of apostasy
• Prophecies of apostasy made even before they
  entered the promised land (Deut. 3119-21)
• The New Testament history presents similar
  warnings
• Pauls charge to the Ephesian elders (Acts
  2028-30)
• Pauls warning to Timothy (I Tim. 41-4)
• The warning in Hebrews 312
• Within the 2nd Cent. we see the beginnings of the
  system that eventually led to complete apostasy

4
The 19th Cent.the beginning of Restoration

• The 16th Century saw efforts by Luther, Zwingle,
  Calvin and others to reform the corruption in the
  Roman Catholic Church
• Rather than restoring N.T Christianity, this
  movement led to the formation of multitudes of
  Protestant denominations

5

• Beginning around 1800, serious efforts are made
  to restore the ancient order of things
• Thomas Alexander Campbell, along with Barton W.
  Stone and several others began the plea for a
  return to
  simple,
  undenominational
  Christianity

6
The spread of the Christians Only
plea1830-1849

• Through publishing and preaching, the growth of
  this movement grew to around 200,000 by 1839
• But dark clouds of division were on the horizon
• Some were not content with the simple plan of
  evangelism as practiced by the early church
• They wanted another organization besides the
  church

7
The beginning of the end--1849

• In 1849 we have the formation of a human
  organization to do the work of the churchthe
  Missionary Society
• This was formed over strenuous objections
• Then about 1860 there came a change in worship,
  as mechanical instruments of music were
  introduced
• By 1900, the lines of division were pretty well
  drawn, and three groups emerged
• Churches of Christ, The Christian Church, and the
  Disciples of Christ

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History of the Institutional Controversy

• The 20th Century--Growth and
• New Division

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VI. The First Half of the 20th Century

• As the dust settled, the conservative churches
  were few and small
• Perhaps 12 full-time preachers in 1900
• Despite these numbers, these days were thrilling
  days for conservative churches
• Foy E. Wallace, Jr., N. B. Hardeman, G. C.
  Brewer, J. D. Tant, Joe Warlick, H. Leo Boles

10
H. Leo Boles
Foy E. Wallace, Jr.
J. D. Tant
N. B. Hardeman
G. C. Brewer
11

12
The First Half of the 20th Century

• During this time, various para-church
  organizations were also growing
• Nashville Bible SchoolDavid Lipscomb College
• Abilene Christian College
• Harding College
• Pepperdine College
• Tennessee Orphan Home 1909
• Potter Orphan Home 1914
• Boles Home 1927
• Tipton Orphan Home 1928

13
The First Half of the 20th Century

• There was a spirit of unity
• There was a time when Churches of Christ were
  known as a people of the Book. All who knew us
  knew that we hungered above all for the word of
  God. They knew that we immersed in its truths and
  sacrificed dearly to share the gospel with those
  who had never heard. These were our most
  fundamental commitments. We knew, and others knew
  it (Leonard Allen).

14
The First Half of the 20th Century

• I dont think they see the glory of the church,
  unencumbered by denominationalism, as I did when
  I was growing upI dont think members of the
  church think the church is different from
  Protestantism. When I started preaching members
  of the church believed Protestants needed to be
  saved.
  Weve lost a lot of that. It goes
  back to an understanding
  of the
  distinctiveness of the church. At
  an earlier time they
  really felt the
  gospel was a lot better than
  Protestantism (Willard Collins).

15
The First Half of the 20th Century

• Most of the baptisms were from the
  denomina-tions. In those days denominational
  people would come to our meetingsDenominational
  people do not come these days to
  our meetings and if they
  did they
  would not, in
  most places, hear anything
  that would lead them out
  of false doctrine
  
  (G. K. Wallace)

16
The First Half of the 20th Century

• larger and more expensive buildings, the more
  affluent middle-class membership, the number of
  full-time ministers, the increasing emphasis on
  Bible schools and Christian education, and
  missionary outreach all reflect a gradual but
  impressive growth
  After W.W. II the church enjoyed
  a remarkable growth in
  urban
  areas. As its members climbed the
  economic and educational ladder,
  the church
  moved across the
  tracks (Bill Humble).

17
Words of caution from Guy N. Woods

• The ship of Zion has floundered more than once
  on the sandbar of institutionalism. The tendency
  to organize is a characteristic of the age. On
  the theory that the end justifies the means,
  brethren have now scrupled to form organizations
  in the church to do the work the church itself
  was designed to do. All such organizations usurp
  the work of the church, and are unnecessary and
  sinful.

18

• It should be noted that there was no elaborate
  organization for the discharge of these
  charitable functions. The contributions were sent
  directly to the elders by the churches who raised
  the offering. This is the New Testament method of
  functioning. We should be highly suspicious
  of any scheme that
  requires the
  setting up of an organization
  independent of the church in
  order to accomplish
  its work.

19
A word of caution by Guy N. Woods
20
VII. World War II

• The period of time around W.W. II marked a
  definite change in the church
• Attitudes toward the war itself produced some
  controversy and change

21
VIII. The Post W.W. II Era

• With the return of GIs from the war, fervor for
  evangelism grew
• In time some brethren began to have second
  thoughts about such cooperative efforts that
  involved something larger than the local church

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• Roy Cogdill, Luther Blackmon,
  Foy E. Wallace, Yater Tant and
  others were forced by conscience
  to withdraw their
  support

Roy E. Cogdill
Foy E. Wallace, Jr.
Yater Tant
Luther Blackmon
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25

• Preceptor
• Searching the Scriptures
• Truth Magazine

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IX. What Were the Issues?

• The proliferation of human institutions and
  sponsoring churches arrangements, all clamoring
  for church support
• The Herald of Truth was looked upon as the
  voice of the churches of Christ
• Clamoring for support were homes for unwed
  mothers, homes for the aged, orphan asylums,
  publishing ventures, Cows for Korea, etc.

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What Were the Issues?

• Opposition began to appear in some of the
  religious journals
• Foy Wallace in Gospel
  Guardian, May, 1949

28
What Were the Issues?

• Opposition began to appear in some of the
  religious journals
• Glenn Wallace in Gospel
  Guardian, Dec., 1953

29

• The Gospel Advocate and the Firm Foundation were
  the main organs supporting the innovations

Reuel Lemmons Firm Foundation
B. C. Goodpasture Gospel Advocate
30

• Eventually there were several debates

31
Holt-Totty, Indianapolis, 1954
32
Harper-Tant, Lufkin and Abilene Texas, 1955
33
Woods-Porter, Indianapolis, 1956
34
Cogdill-Woods, Birmingham, 1957
35
Wallace-Holt, Florence, AL 1959
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X. The Arguments Advanced by Non-institutional
Brethren

• A. That God has revealed in Scripture patterns to
  be followed in the work and worship of the church
• (Heb. 84-5) Now if he were on earth, he would
  not be a priest at all, seeing there are those
  who offer the gifts according to the law who
  serve that which is a copy and shadow of the
  heavenly things, even as Moses is warned of God
  when he is about to make the taberna-cle for,
  See, says he, that you make all things according
  to the pattern that was shown you in the mount.

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X. The Arguments Advanced by Non-institutional
Brethren

• A. That God has revealed in Scripture patterns to
  be followed in the work and worship of the church
• (Heb. 84-5) Now if he were on earth, he would
  not be a priest at all, seeing there are those
  who offer the gifts according to the law who
  serve that which is a copy and shadow of the
  heavenly things, even as Moses is warned of God
  when he is about to make the taberna-cle for,
  See, says he, that you make all things according
  to the pattern that was shown you in the mount.

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• B. That authoritative patterns are expressed in
  terms of
• Generic or specific statements or commands
• Approved examples for churches to follow
• Necessary conclusions or implications (Acts 15)
• C. That the generic statements or commands allow
  expedient ways of obeying, while the specific
  directions are more restrictive and do not allow
  changes

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• D. That the differences between general and
  specific instructions can be distinguished by
  common sense principles of interpretation.
• E. That there is a difference in individual and
  church responsibilities, in carrying out their
  respective roles in glorifying God.
• F. That the churchs treasury is to be used for
  the purposes of the edification and education of
  its members, assisting saints who are in need,
  and supporting preachers in their proclamation of
  the gospel.

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• G. That there is no authority in Scripture for
  human organizations or super-church arrangements
  through which local churches may do their work
  (II Cor. 118-9 Phil. 415-18).
• H. That the church Jesus died to purchase is a
  spiritual institution, and was not intended to
  provide for the recreational or social needs of
  its members, nor to be a world-wide benevolence
  organization.

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• I. That human societies or organizations
  (hospitals, publishing houses, colleges, etc.)
  may provide services on a fee-for-service basis,
  but the Scriptures do not allow for these to
  become permanent appendages to the church.
• J. That individual churches do not compose the
  universal church as in a denominational
  structure, but that it is individuals who are the
  universal church.

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• The universal church is not composed of
  individual, local churches. That is a
  denominational concept.

43

• The universal church is not composed of
  individual, local churches. That is a
  denominational concept.
• The universal church is composed of
  individuals, who share a relationship.

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• K. That there is no provision in Scripture for
  the universal church to function, for it is a
  relationship of people rather than a structured
  organization.
• The human race exists, but has no organizational
  structure
• The human race lives and functions in nations,
  which have organizational structure
• The universal church exists, but has no
  organizational structure
• Its members function in local churches, which
  have organizational structure

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The human race exists but has no organizational
structure

46
The human race lives in nations, which have
organizational structure
The human race exists but has no organizational
structure

47
The human race lives in nations, which have
organizational structure
The human race exists but has no organizational
structure

Individual states comprise the United States
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The universal church exists but has no
organizational structure

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Christians function in local churches which
have organizational structure
The universal church exists but has no
organizational structure

50
Christians function in local churches which
have organizational structure
The universal church exists but has no
organizational structure

But local churches do not comprise The Church
of Christ
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XI. The Yellow Tag of Quarantine

• The lines of fellowship were further strained by
  the policies of the Gospel Advocate.

WARNING! QUARANTINE AREA DO NOT ENTER
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The Yellow Tag of Quarantine

• The lines of fellowship
  further strained by the
  Gospel Advocate.
• Florida College a target

Hailey
Cope
Puckett
Payne
Pickup
Hamilton
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The Yellow Tag of Quarantine

• The ugliness of a partisan spirit was manifested
  in many ways
• Ads for preachers No anti need apply
• In short, by the 1960s the clear message was sent
  to the minority antisGo away, you bother me.

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• Tants group uses slander and libel,
  (And knows nothing much about Bible).
  Theyll find at the end,
  After judgment theyll spend
  Eternity down with le diable
• (The last two words used give this a fine
  continental flavor, and would let intelligent
  people know that you have at least one
  contributor who has traveled, has an education,
  and is above the general troglodyte level of your
  usual trash. No charge.) Regus P.

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• We contend that the homes perform a service more
  effective than the average private home in
  developing habits of work and industryWe contend
  that the homes do a more effective work teaching
  good, moral behavior than the home We contend
  that the homes are more successful than the
  average private home in making Christians of the
  young peopleThis statement is no indictment of
  the private home. It is the best organization in
  the world. (Said by defender of Central Kentucky
  Orphan Home).

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• We contend that the homes perform a service more
  effective than the average private home in
  developing habits of work and industryWe contend
  that the homes do a more effective work teaching
  good, moral behavior than the home We contend
  that the homes are more successful than the
  average private home in making Christians of the
  young peopleThis statement is no indictment of
  the private home. It is the best organization in
  the world. (Said by defender of Central Kentucky
  Orphan Home).

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• The average institutional church member gave 7
  per week for the care of orphan children.

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The Yellow Tag of Quarantine

• What is abundantly clear is that the majority of
  the men and institutions that were centers of
  influence were with the institutional majority