Churches of Christ Divided Churches of Christ Divided In mid 1800sIn mid 1800s

Issues:Issues: Missionary Society (1849)Missionary Society (1849) Instrumental Music (1859)Instrumental Music (1859)

Result:Result: Formation of Christian Church (1900)Formation of Christian Church (1900) Later: Disciples of Christ (liberal)Later: Disciples of Christ (liberal)

Churches of Christ Divided Churches of Christ Divided In mid 1900sIn mid 1900s

Issues:Issues: Sponsoring Church (Herald of Truth)Sponsoring Church (Herald of Truth) Orphan HomesOrphan Homes Colleges in Church BudgetColleges in Church Budget Social Gospel (Recreation)Social Gospel (Recreation)

Result:Result: Split among churches 1955-1965Split among churches 1955-1965 Institutional churches of Christ Institutional churches of Christ

Divisions WithinThe Church of

Christ1. Missionary Society (1849)2. Instrumental Music (1859)3. Colleges in Church Budget (1938)4. Orphan Homes (1950’s)5. Sponsoring Church (1950’s)6. Social Gospel (1960’s)

DivisionsDivisionsWithinWithin

The Church of The Church of ChristChrist

The Social GospelThe Social Gospel

The Social Gospel The Social Gospel DefinedDefined

The Social Gospel The Social Gospel DefinedDefined• A great shift (Spiritual to Social)

• Purpose of Gospel Message – improve social circumstance of man

• Includes Churches involved in: Colleges Schools / Day care Fellowship halls Bus Ministry Gyms – ball teams “Gimmicks” to draw crowd

The Social GospelThe Social Gospel

A.A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’sBorn into Denominational Circles in late 1800’s1.1. Problems of society following the Industrial Problems of society following the Industrial

RevolutionRevolutiona.a. CrimeCrimeb.b. PovertyPovertyc.c. InequalityInequalityd.d. DrunkennessDrunkennesse.e. Etc.Etc.

2.2. Many churches sought to fix the social ills Many churches sought to fix the social ills

“In the 1870’s and 1880’s the leaders of American society suddenly realized that they were faced with overwhelming social problems. The industrial revolution in this country raised problems in business and political ethics, employer-employee relationships, economic competition, and the nature of poverty and its remedy which shocked many American social philosophers out of a well-worn complacency. No less serious were the social maladjustments connected with the unparalleled rise of high cities. Slums, drunkenness, prostitution, organized crime, juvenile delinquency, abject poverty, and all other problems sprawling, filthy cities were convincing realities that demanded that something be done.”

Dr. David Harrell, FCC Lectures, March 23, 1960

“Out if this setting came the social gospel movement. Religious leaders were not the first to delve into these social evils but in the late 1870’s and in the 1880’s increasing numbers of them from almost every denomination began to offer suggestions for the solution of the new America’s social dilemma.”

Dr. David Harrell, FCC Lectures, March 23, 1960

A.A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’sBorn into Denominational Circles in late 1800’sB.B. Crept into the Restoration MovementCrept into the Restoration Movement

“Conservative” Denominations Got Involved In Social Gospel

“By the 1880’s social gospelism had invaded the restoration movement. Leaders of the Disciples of Christ, still Biblically conservative at this junction, such as Isaac Errett, Richard M. Bishop of Cincinnati, and Frederick Power of Washington D.C. participated in the earliest organized efforts of the social gospel leaders in the United States.”

- Dr. David Harrell, FCC Lectures, March 23, 1960

A.A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’sBorn into Denominational Circles in late 1800’sB.B. Crept into the Restoration MovementCrept into the Restoration MovementC.C. Issues of 1950’s /1960’s Made Two ShiftsIssues of 1950’s /1960’s Made Two Shifts

Spiritual Social

Individual Church

The Mirror of a MovementThe Mirror of a MovementChurches of Christ as seen through the Abilene Christian College LectureshipChurches of Christ as seen through the Abilene Christian College Lectureship

19651965

“Although not directly involved with the social gospel tensions in the mainstream of national thought, some of the basic questions of the larger debate were essentially the ones at stake in the Abilene tributary: What is the extent of the church’s social responsibility? How can efforts at social betterment be related to the problems of individual salvation? Will the church forsake its spiritual purposes by becoming inordinately encumbered with social services? Among churches of Christ, these infectious questions gathered, festered, and erupted into one bitter, benevolent issue: In what way can the church scripturally provide for the needs of widows and orphans?”

(pp. 330-331)

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William S. Banowsky, Ph.d.William S. Banowsky, Ph.d.

The Mirror of a MovementThe Mirror of a MovementChurches of Christ as seen through the Abilene Christian College LectureshipChurches of Christ as seen through the Abilene Christian College Lectureship

19651965

“The benevolent battle among churches of Christ, then, was very definitely, if indirectly, related to the social gospel war being waged in contemporary protestant ism.”

(p. 328)

“The overtones of the social gospel movement endowed the more sequestered conflict with a flavor of national relevancy. There is ample evidence that the Lectureship was the brotherhood’s most forceful and continuing voice urging a broader conception of the churches social responsibility.”

(pp. 341-342)

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William S. Banowsky, Ph.d.William S. Banowsky, Ph.d.

A.A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’sBorn into Denominational Circles in late 1800’sB.B. Crept into the Restoration MovementCrept into the Restoration MovementC.C. Issues of 1950’s /1960’s Made Two ShiftsIssues of 1950’s /1960’s Made Two ShiftsD.D. Started with Food & FunStarted with Food & Fun

1.1. Fellowship HallsFellowship Halls2.2. Church KitchensChurch Kitchens3.3. Bus MinistryBus Ministry4.4. ““Gimmicks” to bring crowdsGimmicks” to bring crowds5.5. Fun daysFun days

Ridgedale Church of ChristRidgedale Church of ChristChattanooga, TNChattanooga, TN

10-01-97

A.A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’sBorn into Denominational Circles in late 1800’sB.B. Crept into the Restoration MovementCrept into the Restoration MovementC.C. Issues of 1950’s /1960’s Made Two ShiftsIssues of 1950’s /1960’s Made Two ShiftsD.D. Started with Food & FunStarted with Food & FunE.E. How Far it has GoneHow Far it has Gone

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Southwest Central ChurchSouthwest Central Church(Houston, TX)(Houston, TX)

Issues that Separate Us Now

26

27

Issues that Separate Us Now

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Issues that Separate Us Now

29

Issues that Separate Us Now

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Fourth AveFranklin, TN

The Differences NowThe Differences Now

Were:Were:

Orphan HomeOrphan Home

Sponsoring ChurchSponsoring Church

CollegesColleges

Are:Are:

Orphan HomeOrphan HomeSponsoring ChurchSponsoring Church

CollegesColleges

Fellowship HallsFellowship HallsSocial ProgramsSocial ProgramsInvolvement in… Involvement in…

The Social GospelThe Social Gospel

A.A. No authorityNo authority

Command / StatementCommand / Statement

Approved ExampleApproved Example

Necessary InferenceNecessary Inference

Acts 15

VV. 13-21 – James appealed to direct statement from Amos 9

V. 12 – Paul & Barnabas appealed to example of their work & miracles

VV. 7-11 – Peter appealed to events at Cornelius’ house – infers…

How Authority Is EstablishedHow Authority Is Established

Command / StatementCommand / Statement

Approved ExampleApproved Example

Necessary InferenceNecessary Inference

Church Involvement in Social,Church Involvement in Social,Recreation & EntertainmentRecreation & Entertainment

NoneNone

NoneNone

NoneNone

A.A. No authorityNo authorityB.B. Not a social message or missionNot a social message or mission

The Church Is NotA Social Order

Rom. 14:17John 18:361 Pet. 2:5

The Gospel Is NotA Social Gospel

John 6:26-27Rom. 1:16-17

1 Cor. 1:18, 21;2:2-5

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A.A. No authorityNo authorityB.B. Not a social message or missionNot a social message or missionC.C. Fails to distinguish the individual and churchFails to distinguish the individual and church

IndividualIndividual

Church

WorkRole

MoneyLiberties

Distinction in Individual & Distinction in Individual & ChurchChurch

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1 Tim. 5:16

A Difference In TheIndividual & The Church

If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

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“Christian”

Acts 11:26

1 Pet. 4:16

Church of Christ

Rom. 16:16

Own

Widows

1 Tim. 5:16

Widows

Indeed

1 Tim. 5:16

Buy & Sell

Jas 4:13

Free will offering

1 Cor. 16:1-2

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A.A. No authorityNo authorityB.B. Not a social message or missionNot a social message or missionC.C. Fails to distinguish the individual and churchFails to distinguish the individual and churchD.D. Adds to the work of the churchAdds to the work of the church

Threefold WorkThreefold Work

1.1. ““Equipping of the saintsEquipping of the saints””a.a. Means: repair, put into order – make completeMeans: repair, put into order – make completeb.b. Eph. 4:16 – edify itselfEph. 4:16 – edify itself

2.2. ““Work of ministryWork of ministry””a.a. Means: serve; used of benevolence (Acts 6; 2 Cor. 8-9)Means: serve; used of benevolence (Acts 6; 2 Cor. 8-9)b.b. Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:16Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:16

3.3. ““Edifying of the bodyEdifying of the body””a.a. Means: build up (ASV) – increase by teachingMeans: build up (ASV) – increase by teachingb.b. 1 Tim. 3:151 Tim. 3:15

Edification

Benevolence

Evangelism

The Social GospelThe Social Gospel

A.A. The issueThe issue

The Use of The Use of aa

ChurchChurch

KitchenKitchen

Not Talking About:

• A place to prepare LS• Place to wash LS trays• A place for taking care

of needy saints

Are Talking About:

Church providing aplace for meals for

Social & recreationalPurposes.

Fellowship halls Family Life Centers Muti-Purpose Blds

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Eating In The BuildingEating In The BuildingThe Issue:

Was Not:

Is the bld sacred?

Can one eat insidethe Building?

Can one eat onchurch property?

Was & Is:

Can the churchhave a commonmeal for social

and recreationalpurposes?

51

A.A. The issueThe issueB.B. Common meals are individual mattersCommon meals are individual matters

Common Meals – Individual Matters

20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.is not to eat the Lord's supper.

21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.this? I praise you not.

1 Cor. 111 Cor. 11

More than an abuse of the Lord’s Supper!

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A.A. The issueThe issueB.B. Common meals are individual mattersCommon meals are individual mattersC.C. No authority for church – social & recreationNo authority for church – social & recreation

There Is NoThere Is No

CommandCommand

ExampleExample

NecessaryNecessaryInferenceInference

} To authorize the church to arrange / support a common meal for social and

recreational purposes

To authorize the church to arrange / support a common meal for social and

recreational purposes

If there is, where is the passage?If there is, where is the passage?

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CommandCommand AidAid

Eat Bread – 1 Cor. 11Eat Bread – 1 Cor. 11 Table, plates Table, plates ……

Baptize – Matt. 28:19Baptize – Matt. 28:19 Baptistry, Baptistry, heaterheater

Build an ark – Gen. Build an ark – Gen. 6:146:14 Tool, AnimalTool, Animal

Sing – Eph. 5:19Sing – Eph. 5:19 Books, TunerBooks, Tuner

Contribute – 1 Cor. 16Contribute – 1 Cor. 16 Basket, Basket, AccountAccount

Meals for social & rec.Meals for social & rec.

purposes (???)purposes (???)

Kitchen,Kitchen,

Fellowship Fellowship HallHall

Aids Are Authorized Within The CommandAids Are Authorized Within The Command

Question:

Where is the

Authority?

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A.A. The issueThe issueB.B. Common meals are individual mattersCommon meals are individual mattersC.C. No authority for church – social & recreationNo authority for church – social & recreationD.D. Not the work of the churchNot the work of the church

Work of the Local ChurchWork of the Local Church

Evangelism Evangelism (1 Tim. 3:15)(1 Tim. 3:15)

Edification Edification (Eph. 4:16)(Eph. 4:16)

Benevolence Benevolence (1 Tim. 5:16)(1 Tim. 5:16)

Social / RecreationSocial / Recreation (?? Where is the passage ??)(?? Where is the passage ??)

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A Church KitchenA Church Kitchen

Is not the work of Evangelism

Is Not the work of Edification

Is Not the work of Benevolence

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A.A. The issueThe issueB.B. Common meals are individual mattersCommon meals are individual mattersC.C. No authority for church – social & recreationNo authority for church – social & recreationD.D. Not the work of the churchNot the work of the churchE.E. Difference in incidentals and plannedDifference in incidentals and planned

Incidental MattersIncidental MattersWhile At BuildingWhile At Building

Planned & SponsoredPlanned & SponsoredBy the ChurchBy the Church

Talk about politics

Sell / deliver a sold item

Seek medical advice

Eating on property

Political rally

Church in business

Church hospital / clinic

Church kitchen / dinner

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The Social GospelThe Social Gospel