Church HistoryChurch History

John Oakes, PhDJohn Oakes, PhD

Apologetics Research SocietyApologetics Research Society

Why Study Church Why Study Church History?History? Learn the Mistakes of History → Learn the Mistakes of History →

Avoid them? Avoid them? Those who cannot learn from Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.history are doomed to repeat it.

Discover our own roots (Restoration Discover our own roots (Restoration Movement, Campus Ministry, ICOC)Movement, Campus Ministry, ICOC)

Avoid swinging the pendulum Avoid swinging the pendulum Grace ↔ Legalism Grace ↔ Legalism Doctrine ↔ Zeal, Doctrine ↔ Zeal, Emotion, Heart Emotion, Heart Asceticism ↔Asceticism ↔ FreedomFreedom

How is True How is True Christianity Lost?Christianity Lost? Growth of splinter, heretical groups with Growth of splinter, heretical groups with

false teachings.false teachings.

Gradual drift of the “true church” from Gradual drift of the “true church” from biblical practice for good and sincere biblical practice for good and sincere reasons.reasons.

Early Schisms and HeresiesEarly Schisms and Heresies

Judaizers legalism Gal 1:8Judaizers legalism Gal 1:8 Ebionites Denied deity of JesusEbionites Denied deity of Jesus Gnostics Deny humanity of Jesus, deep knowledgeGnostics Deny humanity of Jesus, deep knowledge Docetism Jesus not a physical personDocetism Jesus not a physical person Marcionites Jehovah an evil god. Established canon.Marcionites Jehovah an evil god. Established canon. Montanists Charismatics, modern-day revelationMontanists Charismatics, modern-day revelation Novatianists Division over purity of the churchNovatianists Division over purity of the church Arians Denied deity of JesusArians Denied deity of Jesus

Gnosticism: The Gospel of Judas

“But you [ie. Judas] will exceed all of them. For you will sacrifice the man that clothes me.”

Another way to lose it: The Church Another way to lose it: The Church DriftsDrifts Orthodoxy vs OrthopraxyOrthodoxy vs Orthopraxy Heterodoxy vs HeteropraxyHeterodoxy vs Heteropraxy

Theme: Almost all these examples of drift from Theme: Almost all these examples of drift from Orthopraxy started out as a reasonable and seemingly Orthopraxy started out as a reasonable and seemingly wise response to a real problem (heresy) at the time!wise response to a real problem (heresy) at the time!

Irenaeus: Defended against heresy using “Church Irenaeus: Defended against heresy using “Church tradition”, The rule of faith, and the authority of apostolic tradition”, The rule of faith, and the authority of apostolic succession.succession.

The Apostolic Church Drifts…The Apostolic Church Drifts…

Leadership/Church OrganizationLeadership/Church Organization Doctrine of BaptismDoctrine of Baptism Asceticism, MonasticismAsceticism, Monasticism CreedsCreeds Sacerdotalism/Priesthood clergy and laitySacerdotalism/Priesthood clergy and laity

Lord’s Supper becomes a sacrificeLord’s Supper becomes a sacrifice

Sacramentalism: Liturgy, Church CalendarSacramentalism: Liturgy, Church Calendar Veneration of “Saints”Veneration of “Saints”

HermeneuticsHermeneutics Allegorizing of Scripture vs Historical/Analytical approachAllegorizing of Scripture vs Historical/Analytical approach

Lessons Learned From Lessons Learned From the Early Churchthe Early Church Avoid convenient but unscriptural organizational Avoid convenient but unscriptural organizational

structure.structure. Resist the trend toward ritualism in our worship.Resist the trend toward ritualism in our worship. Do not overreact to false doctrines.Do not overreact to false doctrines. Avoid relying on creeds to defend truth.Avoid relying on creeds to defend truth. Do not overemphasize the importance of physical Do not overemphasize the importance of physical

sacrifice, prayer or any other good spiritual activitysacrifice, prayer or any other good spiritual activity Watch for tendency to develop a clergy/laity divisionWatch for tendency to develop a clergy/laity division Stress good methods of Bible exegesisStress good methods of Bible exegesis

Highlights in 3Highlights in 3 rdrd and 4 and 4 thth Centuries Centuries

PersecutionsPersecutions Decius 249-251 Valerian 253-260Decius 249-251 Valerian 253-260 Diocletian 303-304 Galerain, LiciniusDiocletian 303-304 Galerain, Licinius

Edict of Milan 313 Toleration of ChristianityEdict of Milan 313 Toleration of Christianity

Constantine, Emperor of all Rome 323Constantine, Emperor of all Rome 323 Beginning of “Christendom”Beginning of “Christendom”

Council of NicaeaCouncil of Nicaea ArianismArianism Nicene CreedNicene Creed

Julian the ApostateJulian the Apostate

Augustine (354-430) The Sovereignty of Augustine (354-430) The Sovereignty of GodGod

Laid groundwork for Christendom, Medieval Christianity and Laid groundwork for Christendom, Medieval Christianity and Reformation theologyReformation theology

The City of God, Christendom, Church and StateThe City of God, Christendom, Church and State Original Sin: Mankind totally depravedOriginal Sin: Mankind totally depraved PredestinationPredestination Sacramentalism Baptism, Ordination etc Sacramentalism Baptism, Ordination etc ex opere operoex opere opero TransubstantiationTransubstantiation Immaculate ConceptionImmaculate Conception Reacted against DonatistsReacted against Donatists Reacted against Pelagius, PelagianismReacted against Pelagius, Pelagianism

True Christianity in the Middle True Christianity in the Middle Ages?Ages?

Paulicians 650-900’s Asia MinorPaulicians 650-900’s Asia Minor Albigenses, Cathars 1000’s-1200’s Southern FranceAlbigenses, Cathars 1000’s-1200’s Southern France Henry the Monk 1100Henry the Monk 1100 Arnold of Brescia 1155 ItalyArnold of Brescia 1155 Italy Peter of Bruys 1140 Northern ItalyPeter of Bruys 1140 Northern Italy Waldensians 1175-1500’s Peter Waldo, SwitzerlandWaldensians 1175-1500’s Peter Waldo, Switzerland

The ReformationThe Reformation

John Wyclif England, 1324-1384John Wyclif England, 1324-1384 John Huss Bohemia, 1374-1415John Huss Bohemia, 1374-1415 Martin Luther Germany, 1483-1546Martin Luther Germany, 1483-1546 Ulrich Zwingli Switzerland, 1484-1531Ulrich Zwingli Switzerland, 1484-1531 William Tyndale England, 1494-1536William Tyndale England, 1494-1536 John Calvin France, 1509-1564John Calvin France, 1509-1564 John Knox Scotland, 1505-1572John Knox Scotland, 1505-1572

John Wyclif 1324-1384

Translated Vulgate into English

Opposed

indulgences, idols, priesthood

The Pope is the antichrist

Followers

known as Lollards

Declared heretics 1401

John Huss 1374-1415 Bohemia

Influenced by Wyclif

Bible the only authority

Only God can forgive

sin Burned

at the stake

Hussites virtually wiped out by the

Inquisition Brethren and

Moravian Churches

John Huss Burned at the stake, 1415

Martin Luther 1483-1546

Augustinian Monk

95 Theses in Wittenburg 1517

Studied Romans

Grace Through Faith Only

Scripture Only

Predestination

Book of James a “book of straw.”

Kept much of Catholic worship practices

Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531)

Swiss Reformer

More radical than Luther

Rejected almost all Catholic forms of worship. “Four bare walls and a sermon.”

Differed on the Lord’s Supper

Lord’s Supper and Baptism are “symbolic ceremonies.”

His influence led to the Anabaptists

Principle influence on John Calvin

Died as a soldier fighting a Catholic Swiss canons.

The Anabaptist Movement (1530’s and later)

The Radical Reformation

Menno Simmons 1496-1561

Martyrdom of Anabaptists

The Anabaptist Movement The Anabaptist Movement (cont.)(cont.)

Baptism by immersion of adults after Baptism by immersion of adults after confession of faith for salvation.confession of faith for salvation.

Bible the only authority.Bible the only authority. Separation of church and state.Separation of church and state. Emphasized both life and doctrineEmphasized both life and doctrine Pacifists (usually)Pacifists (usually) Many martyrsMany martyrs Began evangelistic, but became exclusive and Began evangelistic, but became exclusive and

withdrawn. (Mennonites, Amish, Hutterites)withdrawn. (Mennonites, Amish, Hutterites) Tended to be very schismaticTended to be very schismatic

John Calvin 1509-1564John Calvin 1509-1564

Followed ZwingliFollowed Zwingli Most influential theologian of the ReformationMost influential theologian of the Reformation Emphasized Historical/Covenantal TheologyEmphasized Historical/Covenantal Theology Wrote Wrote Institutes of Christian ReligionInstitutes of Christian Religion Established an autocratic theocracy in GenevaEstablished an autocratic theocracy in Geneva Best known for his strong emphasis on Best known for his strong emphasis on

predestination/monergism.predestination/monergism. God has two wills: his revealed will (1 Tim 2:3-4) God has two wills: his revealed will (1 Tim 2:3-4)

and his secret will: foreordination of soulsand his secret will: foreordination of souls Calvinist denominations: Presbyterian, Dutch Calvinist denominations: Presbyterian, Dutch

Reformed, Puritan, Baptist, Anglican(?)Reformed, Puritan, Baptist, Anglican(?)

TULIPTULIP

TTotal depravity of mankindotal depravity of mankind

UUnconditional electionnconditional election

LLimited atonementimited atonement

IIrresistible gracerresistible grace

final final PPreservation of the saintsreservation of the saints

John Calvin

Pietist and Revivalist MovementsPietist and Revivalist Movements

John (1703-1791) and Charles (1707-1788) WesleyJohn (1703-1791) and Charles (1707-1788) Wesley Stressed holiness, piety, personal relationship with GodStressed holiness, piety, personal relationship with God Arminian theologyArminian theology Reformer of AnglicanismReformer of Anglicanism Strong organizer: “Methodism”Strong organizer: “Methodism”

George Whitehead Revivalist PreacherGeorge Whitehead Revivalist Preacher Friend of Wesley, but differed on Calvinism.Friend of Wesley, but differed on Calvinism.

Jonathan Edwards and the Great Awakening (1730s and 40s)Jonathan Edwards and the Great Awakening (1730s and 40s) ““A sinner in the hands of an angry God.”A sinner in the hands of an angry God.” Sought an outward sign of God’s grace.Sought an outward sign of God’s grace.

The The Stone/CampbellStone/Campbell MovementMovementRestoration or Reformation?Restoration or Reformation?

James O’Kelly

We are “Christians simply”

Rice Haggard 1769-1819Rice Haggard 1769-1819

“One thing I know, that whenever non-essentials are made terms of communion, it will never fail to have a tendency to disunite

and scatter the church of Christ.”

Barton W. Stone 1772-1844Barton W. Stone 1772-1844The heart of the movementThe heart of the movement

The Cane Ridge Revival

The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery

“Let Christian Unity be our Polar Star.”

“I do, so far as I see it consistent with the word of God.”

The Presbytery of Springfield, sitting at Cane Ridge, in the county of Bourbon, being, through a gracious Providence, in more than ordinary bodily health, growing in strength and size daily; and in perfect soundness and composure of mind; but knowing what it is appointed for all delegated bodies once to die: and considering that the life of every such body is very uncertain, do take, and ordain this our Last Will and Testament, in manner and following,….

And with that the Springfield Presbytery no longer existed and the Stone movement began.

Thomas Campbell 1763-1851Thomas Campbell 1763-1851

Emigrated to Pennsylvania 1807

Suspended by Presbyterian Church

The Declaration and Address 1809

Principles for unity of Christians.

Alexander Campbell 1788-1866Alexander Campbell 1788-1866The mind of the movementThe mind of the movement

Joined Thomas from Scotland 1809

Believers only baptism 1812

Campbell/Walker Debate 1820

The Millennial Harbinger 1830

Bethany College 1840

Walter Scott (1796-1861)Walter Scott (1796-1861)

First evangelist in the movement

“Restored the gospel” in 1827

The five step “plan” of salvation

Scott’s: faith, repentance, baptism, remission of sins, Holy Spirit

CoC today: hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized

The crowning event of the early The crowning event of the early years:years:

1824 Stone and Campbell met for the first time

1831 Decided to form a unified movement

Problems:

1. Christian (Stonites) or Disciple (Campbellites)

2. Emotional vs intellectual movements (preachers vs teachers)

3. Teaching on baptism

4. Ordination of ministers

5. Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

Hermeneutics of the MovementHermeneutics of the Movement

“Command, Example and Necessary Demonstrations.”

“Where the Bible speaks, we speak, where the Bible is silent, we are silent”

Sought Bible “facts.” Weak on principles. Tended toward legalism.

The Turning Point: The Turning Point:

Were they a unity movement (a reformation) or a restoration movement?

Stone and Campbell favored reformation (example; the Christadelphians)

Walter Scott, Benjamin Franklin, Tolbert Fanning, David Lipscomb and others moved toward restoration. Sought “the perfect pattern.”

The Dominating Influences in the The Dominating Influences in the MovementMovement

The Colleges (Bethany College, David Lipscomb The Colleges (Bethany College, David Lipscomb College, etc.)College, etc.)

The Periodicals (editor/bishops) (The Millennial The Periodicals (editor/bishops) (The Millennial Harbinger, The American Christian Review, The Harbinger, The American Christian Review, The Gospel Advocate, Firm Foundation, etc.)Gospel Advocate, Firm Foundation, etc.)

These were forces for unity and for divisionThese were forces for unity and for division

Points of disunity/divisionPoints of disunity/division

Evangelism and inter-church organization (the Missionary Society)Evangelism and inter-church organization (the Missionary Society)

The Civil War: pacifism, slavery, etc. (The Missionary Society The Civil War: pacifism, slavery, etc. (The Missionary Society supported the North)supported the North)

The “instrument.” Moses Lard: “No preacher should enter a The “instrument.” Moses Lard: “No preacher should enter a church where an organ stands.”church where an organ stands.”

Daniel Sommer and David Lipscomb.Daniel Sommer and David Lipscomb.

1906 US Census acknowledged two separate groups: The 1906 US Census acknowledged two separate groups: The Church of Christ and the Christian Church/Disciples of Christ.Church of Christ and the Christian Church/Disciples of Christ.

David Lipscomb (1831-1917)

“Father” of the Church of Christ

Founder of Lipscomb University

Editor of the Gospel Advocate 1866-1917

Daniel Sommer

“Watchdog” for the brotherhood.

“Daniel Sommer was a militant who left a legacy of legalistic wrangling and divided

congregations.”

Other ControversiesOther Controversies

One cup, Sunday School, “anti” churchesOne cup, Sunday School, “anti” churches

PremillennialismPremillennialism

For the Christian Church/Disciples of Christ; The Ecumenical For the Christian Church/Disciples of Christ; The Ecumenical Movement. Open Membership.Movement. Open Membership.

UCMS (United Christian Missionary Society) vs. NACC (North UCMS (United Christian Missionary Society) vs. NACC (North American Christian Convention)American Christian Convention)

Two denominations by about 1950Two denominations by about 1950

Lessons to be learnedLessons to be learned Unity is extremely difficult to maintain without strong hierarchical Unity is extremely difficult to maintain without strong hierarchical

structurestructure..

Separating essential matters from the non-essential is harder than Separating essential matters from the non-essential is harder than we think.we think.

A movement without a strong hierarchical structure needs A movement without a strong hierarchical structure needs instruments to maintain unity.instruments to maintain unity.

Careful thinking about theology, church structure and history are Careful thinking about theology, church structure and history are required for long term growth and unity.required for long term growth and unity.

It is extremely difficult to avoid overreacting to groups with whom we It is extremely difficult to avoid overreacting to groups with whom we disagree.disagree.

Book Recommendations:

Reviving the Ancient Faith (Hughes)

The Stone Campbell Movement (Garrett)

Into All Nations (Foster Stanback)

The Search for the Ancient Order (West)

Crossroads/Boston/ICOC Crossroads/Boston/ICOC MovementMovement 1960’s “College Chairs” Within CoC1960’s “College Chairs” Within CoC 1967 Chuck Lucas 141967 Chuck Lucas 14 thth Street CoC (Crossroads CoC) Street CoC (Crossroads CoC)

Soul talksSoul talks Prayer partnersPrayer partners Emphasis on evangelismEmphasis on evangelism

After 1975 “campus ministries”After 1975 “campus ministries” Tom Brown, Andy Lindo, Kip McKean, etc…Tom Brown, Andy Lindo, Kip McKean, etc… Many church splits resultedMany church splits resulted

1979 Kip McKean, Lexington/Boston CoC1979 Kip McKean, Lexington/Boston CoC ““sold out” disciples only in the churchsold out” disciples only in the church Amazing growthAmazing growth Emphasis on world evangelismEmphasis on world evangelism Vertical discipling trees, uniformity and simplicity of methodologyVertical discipling trees, uniformity and simplicity of methodology

Boston/LA/ICOC movement Boston/LA/ICOC movement (cont.)(cont.) Chuck Lucas resigns at Crossroads CoC 1985Chuck Lucas resigns at Crossroads CoC 1985 Official split with CoC 1986Official split with CoC 1986

Who’s fault was it?Who’s fault was it?

Church Reconstructions 1988Church Reconstructions 1988 You are in or you are outYou are in or you are out

Evangelization Proclamation 1994Evangelization Proclamation 1994 Kip McKean removed as world evangelist/head of the Kip McKean removed as world evangelist/head of the

movement November, 2001movement November, 2001 Kreite letter/ICOC structure falls apart Feb 2003Kreite letter/ICOC structure falls apart Feb 2003 Attempts at para-church organization, the “unity letter”Attempts at para-church organization, the “unity letter”

Hermeneutics of CoC and ICOCHermeneutics of CoC and ICOC

Alexander Campbell: “Where the Bible speaks, we Alexander Campbell: “Where the Bible speaks, we speak, where the Bible is silent, we are silent.”speak, where the Bible is silent, we are silent.”

Kip McKean: Where the Bible speaks, we are silent, Kip McKean: Where the Bible speaks, we are silent, where the Bible is silent, we speak.”where the Bible is silent, we speak.”

CoC: Strong emphasis on Bible Study, Bible collegesCoC: Strong emphasis on Bible Study, Bible colleges

Kip McKean: Anti-intellectual tendency and skeptical of Kip McKean: Anti-intellectual tendency and skeptical of theological training.theological training.

Where Should We Go From Where Should We Go From Here?Here? Balance of autonomy and cooperationBalance of autonomy and cooperation

Finding a healthy model for “discipling”/implementing one another Finding a healthy model for “discipling”/implementing one another passagespassages

Meeting the needs of mature disciples without losing our simple Meeting the needs of mature disciples without losing our simple evangelistic plea—continuing to raise up young leadersevangelistic plea—continuing to raise up young leaders

Appointing and finding the best role for elders and a balance with Appointing and finding the best role for elders and a balance with the role of evangelists (and teachers as well)the role of evangelists (and teachers as well)

Our formal and informal relationship with mainline CoC and other Our formal and informal relationship with mainline CoC and other groups.groups.

AIM/www.douglasjacoby.com

www.evidenceforchristianity.org

(sign up for our newsletter)

Apologetics Research Society (ARS)

The crowning event of the early The crowning event of the early years:years:

1824 Stone and Campbell met for the first time

1831 Decided to form a unified movement

Problems:

1. Christian (Stonites) or Disciple (Campbellites)

2. Emotional vs intellectual movements (preachers vs teachers)

3. Teaching on baptism

4. Ordination of ministers

5. Doctrine of the Holy Spirit