Restoration Movement History

Restoration Movement History explores the people, ideas, and events that shaped the Stone-Campbell/Restoration Movement and its ongoing influence on the church today. Discover articles on key moments, core convictions, significant leaders, documents, and the movement’s theological and cultural development. You’ll find historical context, biographies, and thoughtful reflections that help readers understand where the movement came from and how its story continues to inform ministry and discipleship. This hub is for anyone who wants a deeper grasp of Restoration Movement roots and legacy.

June 13, 2011

Christian Standard

What About Christian Churches?

We asked former contributing editor Robert Wetzel to get answers from scholars to a question we have considered in several different ways in recent months: What is the future of our movement of churches? By C. Robert Wetzel ________ The future always grows out of the past, of course, so this week we decided to put the question before three historians: Paul Blowers, Dean E. Walker professor of church history at Emmanuel Christian Seminary, Johnson City, Tennessee. Doug Foster, professor of church history; director, Center for Restoration Studies, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. Newell Williams, president and professor of modern

May 30, 2011

Christian Standard

Alexander Christian Foundation

By Tom Scott The Alexander Christian Foundation seeks to partner with the churches of Indiana to provide scholarships for those preparing for ministry. “Now is the time of God”s favor, now is the day of salvation.” Paul wrote those words to spur on the Corinthians. He wanted them to realize it was their moment to reach people for Christ. There is a real sense of passion in these words from the great evangelist in 2 Corinthians 6:2. He believed at any moment Christ was going to return. That same message applies to our generation today. With all the unrest around

May 29, 2011

Christian Standard

The Brush Run Church

By Calvin Warpula In 1809 when Thomas Campbell wrote the Declaration and Address of the Christian Association of Washington [Pennsylvania], he had no plan to start a separate church. He strongly opposed sectarianism and all human creeds and promoted unity among all believers in Christ on the basis of the Scriptures only. His son, Alexander, who arrived from Ireland later that year, agreed with and supported his father”s views. On Saturday, May 4, 1811, at its semiannual meeting, the Christian Association decided to transform itself into a local church because its calls for unity based on Scripture had been rejected

March 17, 2011

Christian Standard

Reggie Thomas: A “˜Fisher of Men” for 65 Years

By Victor Knowles Reggie Thomas is one of the national treasures of the Christian churches and churches of Christ. Few men in this fellowship have preached as long or enjoyed such results to their preaching as Reggie Thomas. December 5, 2010, marked the 65th anniversary of his first sermon. Only a select few have ever reached this milestone. Early Influences Reggie was born to A. R. and Florence Thomas on January 8, 1929, in Joplin, Missouri. When he was 8, he made the Good Confession and was baptized into Christ at South Joplin Christian Church. In 1943, during the middle

March 12, 2011

Christian Standard

Interview with Douglas Foster

By Brad Dupray Douglas Foster is director of The Center for Restoration Studies at Abilene (Texas) Christian University, where he also serves as professor of church history. ACU is primarily affiliated with the a cappella churches of Christ, but Foster brings a broad knowledge of the Restoration Movement as a co-editor of The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement and of the forthcoming World History of the Stone-Campbell Movement (due from Chalice Press in 2012). He completed an undergraduate degree at David Lipscomb University and earned a PhD in church history at Vanderbilt University, both in Nashville, Tennessee. Foster has taught

January 16, 2011

Christian Standard

Worth Discussing

By Mark A. Taylor One quote stands out among several in a news release posted some time ago on our Web site*. An impassioned member of the Stone-Campbell Dialogue reflected on the words of Christ whose prayer for unity is recorded in John 17: Apparently Christ thought the unity of his followers was the single most important evidence that he truly came from the Father, that he was divine. And this makes unity compelling””an absolutely compelling thing””not a backburner issue. Unity is at the heart of what the whole gospel is about. Unity is at the heart of the annual

December 29, 2010

Christian Standard

Family Resemblance

Teresa Schantz Williams At first, joining an a cappella church of Christ was like attending a family reunion of second cousins on your father”s side. Sure, we had kin in common; we definitely shared ancestral roots. The potluck spreads were every bit as good””that lovely “table” where everyone can find a seat. Still, we were enough different to feel awkward around our rediscovered family. Raised in independent Christian churches that do use musical instruments, I”d nevertheless been taught that churches of Christ shared the same vision of the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement. In college, and in the years before marriage, I

October 5, 2010

Christian Standard

“Nondenominational” Wins the Day!

By Mark A. Taylor “We in the Christian churches are radicals,” Marshall Leggett told a group gathered for the daylong Congress of Elders hosted at Central Christian Church, Carmel, Indiana, October 2. “We are radically congregationally governed.” In his closing session message, he expounded on a long list of answers to the question, “What”s RIGHT with us?” The freedom enjoyed by independent congregations in our nondenominational family was one of them. Leggett said, “I don”t know anyone who wants to change that.” Indeed, it would seem that churches from many different backgrounds are walking away from denominational labels, if not

August 11, 2010

Christian Standard

Myth Busting

By Terry O”Casey I have a pedigree. It”s not quite as good as our yellow Lab”s. Still, it”s a great starting point for this article prior to my stoning. My greatest mentor, my father, John Casey, was mentored in the 1940s by Cincinnati (Ohio) Bible Seminary”s R.C. Foster, who was mentored by Robert Milligan, who was mentored by Alexander Campbell. Therefore, I am “AKC-certified” with near apostolic succession. (Of course, Paul had something to say about my boasting in 2 Corinthians 11:17.) Near my home sits a congregation and her forlorn building beside a bustling interstate. The church advertises its

June 13, 2010

LeRoy Lawson

Restoration Movement

Two Views About the Future of the Restoration Movement: Let’s Keep Moving!

Why the Restoration Movement Still Matters LeRoy Lawson reflects on whether the Restoration Movement should continue as a distinct movement or dissolve into the broader church. He argues that the movement still has a vital role to play through nondenominational connectedness, unity, New Testament authority, spiritual gifts, and shared mission. The article asks whether the Restoration Movement still needs to exist. Lawson argues that institutions do not define the movement; the church’s mission does. He identifies 10 values the Restoration Movement can still offer to the larger Christian enterprise. By Leroy Lawson This January, Standard Publishing’s Publishing Committee, CHRISTIAN STANDARD’s

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