1 Answering the Errors of Liberalism Exposing liberalism among churches of Christ

2 Ready to Give an Answer “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15)

3 Bible Authority: Acts 15 Approved example, 15:6-11 Necessary inference, 15:12 (14:3) Direct statement, 15:13-19 At one time Christians generally agreed with each other on how to establish Bible authority

4 Guy N. Woods, 1957 “With much of brother Cogdill’s speech I am in complete agreement … No one calls in question these matters which he discussed regarding the authority of the scriptures, the all-sufficiency of the church of our Lord in the matter of performing the work which God gave the church to do.” (Cogdill-Woods Debate, p. 26)

5 Liberalism “Not restricted to the literal meaning; free and unconfined” Going beyond / changing God’s word (2 Jno. 9; Rev. 22:18-19) We continue to need Bible authority! Colossians 3:17

6 A New Way to Interpret Scripture has been Accepted Has changed the way many churches of Christ view and apply Bible authority

7 A New Way to Interpret the Bible? “But there is no infallible method for interpreting Scripture. There is no heaven-given system of Bible study.” (Rubel Shelly & Randall J. Harris, The Second Incarnation, p. 19)

8 A New Way to Interpret the Bible? “Thus we reject a rigid ‘pattern theology’ that simply proposes to transplant religious-cultural forms from the Bible to the 20th or 21st century.” (Ibid., p. 31)

9 The Results Fewer & fewer try to defend their practices by using Bible patterns, 2 Tim. 4:3-4 (3:13) The “silence of the Scriptures” will increasingly be used to approve practices Unity in doctrinal & moral diversity will increase & become the norm

10 Are You an “Anti”? “Opposed to a given proposal, policy, etc.” The charge: We are opposed to church cooperation

11 No Binding Patterns?! “So, it becomes necessary to raise the question: is there an exclusive pattern of church cooperation taught in the Bible? My answer. No.” (Guy N. Woods, Cogdill-Woods Debate, 196)

12 No Binding Patterns?! “The Bible does not provide an exclusive pattern for evangelism.” (Jackie M. Stearsman, “Church Cooperation and Evangelism,” The Harvester, Feb. 1997)

13 Cooperation Among Churches Preach Gospel C C $ $ $ EVANGELISM C Preacher Preacher Acts 13:1-3; Phil. 4: Cor. 11:8 13

14 Cooperation Among Churches PreachGospel C C $ $ $ EVANGELISM C Preacher Preacher Missionary MissionarySociety;SponsoringChurch Society;SponsoringChurch $ 14 Scripture Please!

15 Cooperation Among Churches Relieve Need C C $ $ $ BENEVOLENCE C Needy Saints Needy Saints Acts 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-3 2 Cor. 8:1-4, 13-15; 9:1, Rom. 15:25-27 $ 15

16 Cooperation Among Churches RelieveNeed C C $ $ $ BENEVOLENCE C Need Need SPONSORINGCHURCH;INSTITUTIONSPONSORINGCHURCH;INSTITUTION $$ 16 Scripture Please!

17 Scripture Please! Local church building, supporting & operating human organizations to do its work? A “Sponsoring Church” that oversees benevolence & evangelism for many churches? One church asking other churches to support its work?

18 Liberalism Says… There is no binding pattern for the work of the local church… “Whatever love for God and man dictates, is the law of God for the church.” (Cogdell, The Cogdell-Turner Discussion, 90)

19 Bible Says… “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13)

20 New Testament Pattern: The Work of the Local Church Preach the gospel, 1 Ths. 1:8; Acts 11:22; Phil. 1:5-7 Edify the saints, 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 4:11-12; Acts 11:22f; 13:1-2 Relieve needy saints, Acts 6:1-6; 1 Cor. 16:1; 2 Cor. 8-9; 1 Tim. 5:16

21 Local Church is Enough The local church, under the oversight of its own elders, is fully-equipped to accomplish its God-given work (Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2)

22 The Issue: Evangelism May churches of Christ build & maintain missionary societies to do the work God gave the local church to do?

23 The Pattern: Evangelism Local Church Select areas Select preachers Provide place, support Facilities 1 Ths. 1:9

24 The Pattern: Evangelism Local Church Select areas Men Provide place Support, Facilities MissionarySociety(President,Board,Treasury)

25 The Issue: Edification May churches of Christ build & maintain colleges to do the work God gave the local church to do?

26 The Pattern: Edification Local Church Select curriculum Select teachers Provides place Provides support, Facilities 1 Cor. 14:26

27 The Pattern: Edification Local Church Select subjects Select teachers Provides place, Facilities College(President,Board,Treasury)

28 The Issue: Benevolence May churches of Christ build & maintain benevolent societies to do the work God gave the local church to do?

29 Local Church Sees need, Acts 6 Appoints men, Acts 6 Provides place, support Care, facilities The Pattern: Benevolence Acts 6:1-6

30 Church Sees need Appoints men Provides place, Support, care, etc. BenevolentSociety(President,Board,Treasury) The Pattern: Benevolence

31 Benevolence: Saints ONLY SINGING Eph. 5:19 Col. 3:16 1 Cor. 14:15 Matt. 26:30 Jas. 5:13 Acts 16:25 Heb. 2:12 SAINTS Acts 2:44-45 Acts 6:1-6 Acts 11:29-30 Rom. 15: Cor. 16:1 2 Cor. 8-9

32 Liberalism Says… “Whatever the individual Christian can do the local church can do.”

33 Fails to Distinguish Individual Action & Church Action Galatians 6:10: Misapplied to approve “general” benevolence James 1:27: Misapplied to approve local church support of human organizations - Mark 14:7 -

34 Churches or Individuals? Jno. 15:1-6 Gal. 6:1-10 Jas. 1: branch 1 - man, you 18 - us, we 3 - you (pl.) 2 - you, one breth., man 4 - you 3 - anyone, 21 - your souls 5 - you,he,him himself, he himself, he 22 - yourselves 6 - anyone, he each one 23 - anyone, man, he him, man 24 - he, himself man 8 - he, his 25 - he who, one 9 - us, we 26 - anyone, he 10 - we, us 27 - oneself

35 Scriptural Distinction Matt. 18:15-17: One, one or two more, then the church 1 Tim. 5:16: Let not the church be charged; but the individual family member is charged Acts 11:22: The local church acted, and so did an individual

36 Liberalism Says… “The local church should provide benevolent relief to all men regardless of their faith (to both saints and sinners).”

37 The Liberal Argument: “Jesus’ compassionate miracles allow the local church to relieve the needs of saints & sinners alike.” Matthew 4:23; 25:35-40 Matthew 4:23; 25:35-40

38 The Liberal Argument: “Jesus not only releases but compels the modern church to find incrementally more effective ways to feed the hungry, cloth the needy, minister to the outcasts, and provide homes for the homeless…

39 The Liberal Argument: “…Literacy programs, soup kitchens, drug dependency programs, and prison outreaches need no other justification than that, in such activities, the church takes on both the heart and demeanor of the one she calls Lord and Master.” (Shelly/Harris, 29)

40 Answering the Error Our inability to work miracles does not mean we are not compassionate! Purpose of miracles, Jno. 5:36; 10:38 Purpose of miracles, Jno. 5:36; 10:38 Not every sick person was healed in the New Testament, 2 Tim. 4:20 Individuals stand before Christ on the day of judgment (2 Cor. 5:10)

41 The Liberal Argument: 2 Cor. 9:13: ALL MEN “We are told that local churches relieved the needs of all men” “We are told that local churches relieved the needs of all men” “We are told that local churches sent funds to relieve all men in Jerusalem, not just needy saints” “We are told that local churches sent funds to relieve all men in Jerusalem, not just needy saints”

42 Answering the Error Translation of “men” supplied by translators of KJV & NKJV pantas: “all of a like kind, everything” pantas: “all of a like kind, everything” Humanity does not adhere to the word (context determines “all” of what) Humanity does not adhere to the word (context determines “all” of what)

43 The Context: Saints (Jerusalem & all others) 2 Cor. 8:4 – to the saints 2 Cor. 8:4 – to the saints 2 Cor. 9:1 – to the saints 2 Cor. 9:1 – to the saints 2 Cor. 9:12 – needs of saints 2 Cor. 9:12 – needs of saints 2 Cor. 9:13 (Rom. 15:27) – Sharing (fellowship) (Eph. 5:11; 2 Jno ) 2 Cor. 9:13 (Rom. 15:27) – Sharing (fellowship) (Eph. 5:11; 2 Jno ) 2 Cor. 9:14 – Recipients prayed for sending churches 2 Cor. 9:14 – Recipients prayed for sending churches

44 2 Corinthians 9:13 Money RAISED for saints, 1 Cor. 16:1; Rom. 15:26 Money SENT to saints, Rom. 15:25 Money RECEIVED by saints, Rom. 15:31 Money SUPPLIED NEEDS of saints, 2 Cor. 9:12 DID PAUL MISUSE THESE FUNDS?!

45 Liberalism Says… “The local church may build and/or support human organizations to do its benevolent and evangelistic work.”

46 The Liberal Argument: Church-supported benevolent organizations: “The end justifies the means” “The end justifies the means” “The church has a primary mission to perform and work to do - saving souls and keeping them saved. But any activity that will contribute to that end which is not of itself sinful, is permissible for the church to engage in, as long as it is done with that end in view…

47 The Liberal Argument: “The end justifies the means” “Furthermore, the church can use any means and methods that it sees fit to accomplish this end so long as those means and methods are not in and of themselves sinful.” (Gaston Cogdell, p )

48 Answering the Error The end does not justify the means, Rom. 3:8 The “end” of helping the needy is met by doing God’s will in God’s way, Heb. 13:21 The “end” of helping the needy is met by doing God’s will in God’s way, Heb. 13:21 God’s word (not good intentions) tells us what is “good” in His sight, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 God’s word (not good intentions) tells us what is “good” in His sight, 2 Tim. 3:16-17

49 The Liberal Argument: Church-supported benevolent organizations “No instructions to local church” “No instructions to local church” “There are no instructions in the scriptures as to how the church is to carry on its work of evangelization and benevolence.” (Gaston Cogdell, p. 95)

50 The Liberal Argument: Church-supported benevolent organizations “No instructions to the church” “No instructions to the church” “Helping the needy is a matter of faith; the how to do this work is in the realm of human judgment.” (Perry B. Cotham, Anti-ism, The 18 th Annual Mid-West Lectures, 2000)

51 Answering the Error Issue is what organization; not how! A method (how; an aid) must first be approved in Scripture, 1 Cor. 10:23 Local church is the organization authorized to help meet benevolent needs among the saints Local church is the organization authorized to help meet benevolent needs among the saints Bible is silent about another organization to be built, funded and/or operated by the local church! Bible is silent about another organization to be built, funded and/or operated by the local church!

52 The Liberal Argument: Church-supported benevolent organizations: James 1:27 “Pure religion allows a church to build, fund &/or maintain organizations (orphan’s homes, etc.) as method of benevolence” “Pure religion allows a church to build, fund &/or maintain organizations (orphan’s homes, etc.) as method of benevolence”

53 Answering the Error Context of James 1:27 Individual Christian, not the collective action of a local church Individual Christian, not the collective action of a local church Remember, the individual & the local church are not the same thing! Remember, the individual & the local church are not the same thing!

54 James 1:26-27 “Visit” Fatherless and widows Bridle tongueBridle tongue Not deceive himselfNot deceive himself Keep himself unspottedKeep himself unspotted The Same Person 54

55 The Liberal Argument: Sponsoring Church Arrangement in Evangelism “Philippi was sponsoring church in Macedonia (Phil. 4:15-16)” “Philippi was sponsoring church in Macedonia (Phil. 4:15-16)”  Acts 18:5 - Historical setting  2 Cor. 11:8 - Wages from churches  “Philippi the ‘accounting’ church for other churches”

56 Answering the Error Contradicts Paul, Phil. 4:15-16 “No church…you only…you sent…” “No church…you only…you sent…” Destroys independence & autonomy Destroys independence & autonomy  Whose work is it: The giving church? The sponsoring church?  Who exercises oversight: The giving church? The sponsoring church?

57 The Liberal Argument: Sponsoring Church Arrangement in Benevolence “ Jerusalem was a sponsoring church (Acts 11:27-30)” “ Jerusalem was a sponsoring church (Acts 11:27-30)”  Relief to brethren in Judea (11:29)  Sent to the elders (11:30; Acts 12:25)  They conclude funds were sent to the Jerusalem elders, who distributed the relief throughout all of Judea

58 Answering the Error Paul was unknown to brethren in Judea before relief of Acts 11 – Gal. 1:18-24 (v. 22) Acts 26:20 – Paul preached “throughout all the region of Judea” before going to the Gentiles. When? Acts 26:20 – Paul preached “throughout all the region of Judea” before going to the Gentiles. When?  This relief trip…to elders in Judea!  Last stop: Jerusalem – Acts 12:25

59 Church-Sponsored Social and Recreational Activities: “For the church to turn aside from its divine work to furnish amusement and recreation is to pervert its mission. It is to degrade its mission. Amusement and recreation should stem from the home rather than the church. The church, like Nehemiah, has a great work to do; and it should not come down on the plains of Ono to amuse and entertain.” (B.C. Goodpasture, Gospel Advocate, May 20, 1948)

60 Church-Sponsored Social and Recreational Activities: “Building recreation rooms and providing and supervising recreational activities at the expense of the church is a departure from the simple gospel plan as revealed in the New Testament.” (Gospel Advocate Annual Commentary, 1951, p. 229)

61 The Liberal Argument: Church-Sponsored Social Activities and Acts 2:42-46 “Early Christians ate together” “Early Christians ate together”  “Therefore, the local church can arrange & provide such social gatherings today.”

62 Answering the Error Acts 2:42 - Lord’s Supper, not a meal to satisfy hunger Acts 2:46 – The church met in the temple to worship & learn Acts 2:46 – The church met in the temple to worship & learn Acts 2:46 – Meals “from house to house” – Not a “fellowship hall” Acts 2:46 – Meals “from house to house” – Not a “fellowship hall” Homes & church-provided facilities are two different things!

63 The Liberal Argument: Church-Sponsored Social Activities and 1 Cor. 11:17-22 “Paul was rebuking abuse of Lord’s Supper, not banning church-provided social activities.” “Paul was rebuking abuse of Lord’s Supper, not banning church-provided social activities.”

64 Answering the Error 11:20 – Purpose of coming together: Eat Lord’s Supper 11:22 – Perversion rebuked 11:34 – Solution: Remove meals from your meetings! (11:22, 34) Churches have assumed works the Lord did not authorize!

65 Liberalism Takes one away from the word of God & thus, away from God (2 John 9) Bible patterns for the work and organization of the church are revealed & settled in Scripture, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (1:13)

66 God’s Word is Truth “Buy the truth and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23) (Proverbs 23:23)

67 Bible Authority “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)