‘That The World Might Believe’ Evangelism in the Stone- Campbell Movement Warmbrunn Address May 31, 2009 Warmbrunn Address May 31, 2009

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 We will that this body die, be dissolved, and sink into union with the body of Christ at large; for there is but one body and one Spirit, (Stone, LW&T, 1804)

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 The Church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one... Division among Christians is a horrid evil filled with many evils.... It is anti-natural, as it excites Christians to condemn, to hate and oppose one another, who are bound by the highest and most endearing obligations to love each other, even as Christ has loved them

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 What gratification, what utility... can our divisions afford either to ministers or people? Should they be perpetuated, 'till the day of judgment, would they convert one sinner from the error of his ways, or save a soul from death? Thomas Campbell, Declaration and Address (St. Louis, MO: Mission Messenger, 1975) 40.

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 Alexander Campbell

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 Next to our personal salvation, two objects constituted the summum bonum, the supreme good, worthy of the sacrifice of all temporalities. The first was the union, peace, purity, and harmonious co-operation of Christians— guided by an understanding enlightened by the Holy Scriptures; the other, the conversion of sinners to God. Alexander Campbell, The Christian System (1835; reprint ed., 1989) xiv.

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 We cannot give up “the cry of Christian union,” and in its place preach up missions to heathen lands as our brethren wish. We view both as good doctrine; but we view the one, i.e., Christian union, as indispensably necessary to the other—missions to the heathens.... We by sending missionaries to the pagans, are transplanting our sectarianism, our anti-Christianity, in heathen lands. Barton W. Stone, “Friendly Hints,” Christian Messenger 13 (January 1844):

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 Thomas Magarey

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 If one church becomes heretical, or fifty churches become heretical, they are to be repudiated. But this is no division of the body of Christ, but the creation of a faction. This faction is condemned in the New Testament, and is no part of the church. It is not a division in our ranks, but an apostasy from them. The case, therefore, presents no difficulties. Moses E. Lard, “Can We Divide?” Lard’s Quarterly 3 (April 1866):333.

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 We seek to reform... by seeking to restore; in other words, Reformation by Restoration is our plea.... the faith, and order, and practice of the primitive age we can restore, if we will; and therefore we ought, for the simple reason that no one is warranted to depart from them. "In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Mark vii.7) British Millennial Harbinger, 1857

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 The scriptures will never keep together in union and fellowship members not in the spirit of the scriptures, which spirit is love, peace, unity, forbearance, and cheerful obedience. I blush for my fellows,... who plead for union of all Christians; yet refuse fellowship with such as dissent from their notions. Vain men! Their zeal is not according to knowledge, nor is their spirit that of Christ.

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 Such antisectarian-sectarians are doing more mischief to the cause, and advancement of truth, the unity of Christians, and the salvation of the world than all the skeptics in the world. In fact, they create skeptics. Barton W. Stone, "Remarks," Christian Messenger 9 (August 1835):180.

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 In opposition to the creation of the American Christian Missionary Society “We consider the Church of Jesus Christ, in virtue of the commission given her by our blessed Lord, the only scriptural organization on earth for the conversion of sinners and sanctification of believers.” “We consider the introduction of all such societies as a dangerous precedent—a departure from the principles for which we have always contended...”

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 Tolbert Fanning

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 Touching institutions not recognized in the Scriptures, as agencies to carry forward the good work of saving the world, many of us have staggered, and still entertain serious doubts as to the expediency of taking any part in them… Our plan of laboring, as churches, without the aid of a Missionary Society... has succeeded to our satisfaction.... [Yet] I am happy to say, that from what I have heard on this floor, we are one people. With us all there is one faith, one God, one body and one spirit. Tolbert Fanning, Gospel Advocate, Jan. 1860

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 T. B. Larimore Shall I now renounce and disfellowship all those who who do not understand these things exactly as I understand them? They may refuse to recognize or fellowship or affiliate with me, but I will never refuse to recognize or fellowship or affiliate with them. NEVER.

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 There is nothing inherently divisive in a group of Christians following the natural sociological process of ‘denominating’ itself. Diversity is not division when the spirit of relating to those beyond the group is kept alive. Diversity is one thing, while a spirit of division is quite another. Every Christian has a legacy in every other Christian. We experience that legacy only as we receive each other and relate to one another. James North and Barry Callen, Coming Together in Christ, 1997.

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 The union of Christians is the will of God, the prayer of Jesus, and the means of bringing the world to believe in Jesus, therefore it must be right. That [person] is then engaged in a righteous work, who labors to promote this union, by removing every obstruction to it;... But the [one] who acts a contrary part must be wrong, and engaged in a work in opposition to the will of God, the prayer of Jesus, and the salvation of the world. Barton W. Stone, “To the Editors of the Baptist Recorder,” Christian Messenger 1 (August 25, 1827):

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 Charles Clayton Morrison

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 Methodists down 56% Presbyterians down 60% Anglicans down 51% Disciples down 79% Congregationalists down 66% Roger Fincke and Rodney Stark, The Churching of America , p. 246.

Created by Doug Foster for the Warmbrunn Address, May 31, 2009 Questions for You 1.What ideas from the Lecture have been part of your own experience as a Christian in the Stone-Campbell Movement? 2.What would you question or add to from what you heard in the Lecture? 3.What are you familiar with in Australian Churches of Christ or in your own congregation that reflects the prayer of Jesus for the unity of his followers for the sake of the world--that is, how have you experienced the connection between visible Christian unity and evangelism?