The Story Continues The Future of Restorationism “Where Do We Go From Here?” May 7, 2014

The Continuing Story By 1830s, American Restoration Movement was launched Continued to grow through the 19 th century 1837, belief that schools would help the ARM grow – Other religious groups had schools, few public schools – Schools had an evangelistic purposeBa Bacon College, Georgetown, KY, Thornton Johnson Franklin College, Nashville, TN, Tolbert Fanning Bethany College, Bethany, WV, Alexander Campbell

Problems with Organization Georgetown (KY), desire of churches to pool resources for evangelism, 1843 Question of fellowship, how hold together? – Area meetings – Eventually to state level, 1839 meeting in Indianapolis 1849, cooperation, Christian school,  Butler Univ. “Without oversight or compulsion” Early 1840s, much exuberance, optimism, growth Pre-Civil War era: ambition, cooperation, evangelism

Problems with Organization 1845, idea of national meeting , Alexander Campbell had paved the way with series of articles in Millennial Harbinger – Justified by beginning with “universal church” – Local churches are below the universal church – Must keep organization separate – Local limitations balance universal need – Recognized local autonomy, but “who will do the work that belongs to all of us?”

Problems with Organization Campbell wanted national convention to vote and support projects D.S. Burnet wanted American Christian Missionary Society By 1847, push to start missionary society First call convention to vote; convention met in Cincinnati in 1849 along with society.

Close of an Era Deaths of leaders – Barton W. Stone, Nov. 9, – Thomas Campbell, January 4, – Walter Scott, April 23, – Alexander Campbell, March 4, 1866.

What does the future hold? Where do we go from here? We must learn to think theologically – God – Bible – Human creation – Sin, Salvation, Christ – Holy Spirit – Last Things – Church

Summary of Troublesome Questions The possibility of an absolute, objective value system not based on the ability to think, observe, or experience The relationship between church and state The separation or integration of the spiritual (including the Bible) and the secular (including humanistic elements) The nature of the authority of the Bible (must it be mediated? through the church, or through human thought and analysis?) The alliance or conflict between philosophy and theology The church was slow to study itself and develop an ecclesiology The capacity or incapacity of humankind, and the related question of whether or to what extent human being participate or cooperate in salvation.

Where do we go from here? Understanding God (nature, purpose) What is the nature of truth? – “Head” vs. “heart,” understanding vs. experience, cognitive vs. mystical – Authority of Scripture, what the Bible says matters What is the nature of the church? – What is the nature of fellowship – Church and state What is the nature of humanity? – Salvation, divine/human relationship, human/human relationships

Where do we go from here? What are our commitments? – Unity of believers – Bible as our guide – Individual faith, each can read/understand Bible for self What doctrines are “core”? Which are opinion? – “Essential” vs. “non-essential” What is the practical nature of Christian fellowship? – Who must be excluded?