29 March, 2024

Have We Restored New Testament Christianity?

by | 28 February, 2019 | 0 comments

In his editorial of February 20, 1954 — 65 years ago — Christian Standard editor Burris Butler shared a rather harsh assessment with readers.

_ _ _

This Is News

(an editorial)
February 20, 1954

When members of a local church recently pledged themselves to practice the Golden Rule for one month, the story was carried in newspapers across the land. Why? What was the “man bites dog” factor that made this experiment in Christian living noteworthy? The Golden Rule is only a small part of the teaching of Jesus. It is just a fraction of the Sermon on the Mount. And a church, any church, is presumably made up of people who are committed to Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and who have undertaken to live by His rule of life. But the truth of the matter is that the church seldom takes Jesus Christ seriously. And when it does, even for a month at a time, that is news.

Herein lies the heart of this whole business of restoring New Testament Christianity. The church of the New Testament took Jesus Christ seriously. The life of each individual Christian was wholly committed to Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Because He had risen from the dead, He was acknowledged to be the Son of God with all authority in heaven and on earth. His spiritual kingdom was entered by a transformation of life so complete that the change was spoken of as being born again. The one so born again was “a new creature [or creation] in Christ Jesus.” Each one so lived according to the rule of Christ and His apostles that he looked forward with joyous anticipation to that day when he should see Him face to face.

We have dabbled around the edges of restoring New Testament Christianity. We, or Walter Scott, have restored the conversion formula of Acts, in words at least. We have restored the ordinances, in form. We have made a few feeble efforts in the direction of New Testament church polity. We have paid lip service to the lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of the sacred Scriptures. But have we to any great extent restored New Testament Christianity?

A big eloquent silence is the kindest answer we can give to this question. Here and there a life thoroughly committed to the Son of God has shone out like a bright light in the darkness. Now and then a local congregation has given a hint of its spiritual potentialities. But on the whole the Restoration movement is about where it was one hundred and fifty years ago. It is a wonderful idea, new and untried.

_ _ _

I wonder what people back then thought of Butler’s blunt appraisal of the Restoration Movement. I wonder what people think of it today. Have we changed course? Has it gotten better, worse, or stayed the same?

I confess to having but a limited knowledge of Walter Scott, so when I saw his name mentioned in the editorial, I immediately concluded Butler was referring to Scott’s famous five-finger exercise. Upon reading more about Scott—a tremendous article from 1945 that I’ll share next week—I concluded I likely was missing the big picture.

Be that as it may, and to whet your appetite for next week, I’ll share Scott’s unique invention—a simple illustration for the gospel plan of salvation, based on Acts 2:38, that he devised in the late 1820s.

As an evangelist, Scott would enter a town near the end of the day, head to the schoolyard, and gather a crowd of children. He would point to the fingers on his hand, working from thumb to pinkie, and say: “Faith, repentance, baptism, remission of sins, gift of the Holy Spirit.” He would repeat this a few times, and then have the children repeat it back to him. 

When the children had learned it, he would instruct them to share it with their parents, and also to tell them he would be speaking that night at the schoolhouse. The evening gatherings typically were quite large.

Scott’s approach was unique and his preaching was direct, powerful, and effective. (More about Scott next week.)

Jim Nieman, managing editor, Christian Standard

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: Impact Christian Church (Moon Township, Pa.) is seeking an executive pastor. The Christian Campus Foundation (CCF) at the University of Illinois is seeking a full-time director of campus ministry. New Brighton (Minn.) Christian Church needs a new senior minister. Summit Christian College (Gering, Neb.) is accepting applications for the position of academic dean. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Easter Church Attendance’ (1949)

“This Lord’s Day will find nearly all the churches having the largest crowds of the year,” editor Burris Butler wrote in 1949. “It has become almost proverbial that many people attend church on Easter Sunday who never come at any other time” . . .

News Briefs for March 27

Ozark Christian College has updated their logo. Also, briefs from Harlan (Ky.) Christian Church, Summit Christian College, and the Common Grounds Unity Podcast.

The Best Sermon I Never Heard

“Can I tell you about the best sermon I never heard?” Matt Proctor asked the crowd at ICOM last November. “If I could time travel just once . . . I would go back to Luke 24. On that very first Easter Sunday . . . the resurrected Jesus is walking on the road to Emmaus, talking with two travelers. . . .”

KCU Announces Agreements with LBC, NEOBC

Kentucky Christian University has announced separate agreements to enable those who have earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisville Bible College or Northeast Ohio Bible College to seamlessly transition into the graduate programs offered by KCU’s Keeran School of Bible and Ministry. . . .

Follow Us