Churches of Christ Divided In mid 1800s  Issues: Missionary Society (1849) Missionary Society (1849) Instrumental Music (1859) Instrumental Music (1859)  Result: Formation of Christian Church (1900) Formation of Christian Church (1900) Later: Disciples of Christ (liberal) Later: Disciples of Christ (liberal)

Churches of Christ Divided In mid 1900s  Issues: Sponsoring Church (Herald of Truth) Sponsoring Church (Herald of Truth) Orphan Homes Orphan Homes Colleges in Church Budget Colleges in Church Budget Social Gospel (Recreation) Social Gospel (Recreation)  Result: Split among churches Split among churches Institutional churches of Christ Institutional churches of Christ

Divisions Within The Church of Christ 1.Missionary Society (1849) 2.Instrumental Music (1859) 3.Colleges in Church Budget (1938) 4.Orphan Homes (1950’s) 5.Sponsoring Church (1950’s) 6.Social Gospel (1960’s)

Divisions Within The Church of Christ The Social Gospel

The Social Gospel Defined

A great shift (Spiritual to Social) Purpose of Gospel Message – improve social circumstance of man Includes Churches involved in: Colleges Schools / Day care Fellowship halls Bus Ministry Gyms – ball teams “Gimmicks” to draw crowd

The Social Gospel I.History Behind It

A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’s 1.Problems of society following the Industrial Revolution a.Crime b.Poverty c.Inequality d.Drunkenness e.Etc. 2.Many churches sought to fix the social ills

“In the 1870’s and 1880’s the leaders of American society suddenly realized that they were faced with overwhelming social problems. The industrial revolution in this country raised problems in business and political ethics, employer-employee relationships, economic competition, and the nature of poverty and its remedy which shocked many American social philosophers out of a well-worn complacency. No less serious were the social maladjustments connected with the unparalleled rise of high cities. Slums, drunkenness, prostitution, organized crime, juvenile delinquency, abject poverty, and all other problems sprawling, filthy cities were convincing realities that demanded that something be done.” Dr. David Harrell, FCC Lectures, March 23, 1960

“Out if this setting came the social gospel movement. Religious leaders were not the first to delve into these social evils but in the late 1870’s and in the 1880’s increasing numbers of them from almost every denomination began to offer suggestions for the solution of the new America’s social dilemma.” Dr. David Harrell, FCC Lectures, March 23, 1960

I.History Behind It A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’s B. Crept into the Restoration Movement

“Conservative” Denominations Got Involved In Social Gospel “By the 1880’s social gospelism had invaded the restoration movement. Leaders of the Disciples of Christ, still Biblically conservative at this junction, such as Isaac Errett, Richard M. Bishop of Cincinnati, and Frederick Power of Washington D.C. participated in the earliest organized efforts of the social gospel leaders in the United States.” - Dr. David Harrell, FCC Lectures, March 23, 1960

I.History Behind It A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’s B. Crept into the Restoration Movement C. Issues of 1950’s /1960’s Made Two Shifts Spiritual Social Individual Church

The Mirror of a Movement Churches of Christ as seen through the Abilene Christian College Lectureship 1965 “Although not directly involved with the social gospel tensions in the mainstream of national thought, some of the basic questions of the larger debate were essentially the ones at stake in the Abilene tributary: What is the extent of the church’s social responsibility? How can efforts at social betterment be related to the problems of individual salvation? Will the church forsake its spiritual purposes by becoming inordinately encumbered with social services? Among churches of Christ, these infectious questions gathered, festered, and erupted into one bitter, benevolent issue: In what way can the church scripturally provide for the needs of widows and orphans?” (pp ) 15 William S. Banowsky, Ph.d.

The Mirror of a Movement Churches of Christ as seen through the Abilene Christian College Lectureship 1965 “The benevolent battle among churches of Christ, then, was very definitely, if indirectly, related to the social gospel war being waged in contemporary protestant ism.” (p. 328) “The overtones of the social gospel movement endowed the more sequestered conflict with a flavor of national relevancy. There is ample evidence that the Lectureship was the brotherhood’s most forceful and continuing voice urging a broader conception of the churches social responsibility.” (pp ) 16 William S. Banowsky, Ph.d.

I.History Behind It A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’s B. Crept into the Restoration Movement C. Issues of 1950’s /1960’s Made Two Shifts D. Started with Food & Fun 1.Fellowship Halls 2.Church Kitchens 3.Bus Ministry 4.“Gimmicks” to bring crowds 5. Fun days

Ridgedale Church of Christ Chattanooga, TN

I.History Behind It A. Born into Denominational Circles in late 1800’s B. Crept into the Restoration Movement C. Issues of 1950’s /1960’s Made Two Shifts D. Started with Food & Fun E. How Far it has Gone

25 Southwest Central Church (Houston, TX)

Issues that Separate Us Now 26

27

Issues that Separate Us Now 28

Issues that Separate Us Now 29

Issues that Separate Us Now 30

Fourth Ave Franklin, TN

The Differences Now Were: Orphan Home Sponsoring Church Colleges Are: Orphan Home Sponsoring Church Colleges Fellowship Halls Social Programs Involvement in…

The Social Gospel I.History Behind It II.Problems With Social Gospel

A. No authority

Command / Statement Approved Example Necessary Inference Acts 15 VV – James appealed to direct statement from Amos 9 V. 12 – Paul & Barnabas appealed to example of their work & miracles VV – Peter appealed to events at Cornelius’ house – infers… How Authority Is Established

Command / Statement Approved Example Necessary Inference Church Involvement in Social, Recreation & Entertainment None None None

II.Problems With Social Gospel A. No authority B. Not a social message or mission

The Church Is Not A Social Order Rom. 14:17 John 18:36 1 Pet. 2:5 The Church Is Not A Social Order Rom. 14:17 John 18:36 1 Pet. 2:5 The Gospel Is Not A Social Gospel John 6:26-27 Rom. 1: Cor. 1:18, 21; 2:2-5 The Gospel Is Not A Social Gospel John 6:26-27 Rom. 1: Cor. 1:18, 21; 2:2-5 41

II.Problems With Social Gospel A. No authority B. Not a social message or mission C. Fails to distinguish the individual and church

Individual Church Work Role Money Liberties Distinction in Individual & Church 43

1 Tim. 5:16 A Difference In The Individual & The Church If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. 44

“Christian” Acts 11:26 1 Pet. 4:16 Church of Christ Rom. 16:16 Own Widows 1 Tim. 5:16 Widows Indeed 1 Tim. 5:16 Buy & Sell Jas 4:13 Free will offering 1 Cor. 16:1-2 45

II.Problems With Social Gospel A. No authority B. Not a social message or mission C. Fails to distinguish the individual and church D. Adds to the work of the church

Threefold Work 1.“Equipping of the saints” a.Means: repair, put into order – make complete b.Eph. 4:16 – edify itself 2.“Work of ministry” a.Means: serve; used of benevolence (Acts 6; 2 Cor. 8-9) b.Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:16 3.“Edifying of the body” a.Means: build up (ASV) – increase by teaching b.1 Tim. 3:15 Edification Benevolence Evangelism

The Social Gospel I.History Behind It II.Problems With Social Gospel III.Kitchens, Fellowship Halls & Eating in Bld.

A. The issue

The Use of a ChurchKitchen Not Talking About: A place to prepare LS Place to wash LS trays A place for taking care of needy saints Are Talking About: Church providing a place for meals for Social & recreational Purposes. Fellowship halls Family Life Centers Muti-Purpose Blds 50

Eating In The Building The Issue: Was Not: Is the bld sacred? Can one eat inside the Building? Can one eat on church property? Was & Is: Can the church have a common meal for social and recreational purposes? 51

III.Kitchens, Fellowship Halls & Eating in Bld. A. The issue B. Common meals are individual matters

Common Meals – Individual Matters 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 1 Cor. 11 More than an abuse of the Lord’s Supper! 53

III.Kitchens, Fellowship Halls & Eating in Bld. A. The issue B. Common meals are individual matters C. No authority for church – social & recreation

There Is No Command Example NecessaryInference } To authorize the church to arrange / support a common meal for social and recreational purposes If there is, where is the passage? 55

CommandAid Eat Bread – 1 Cor. 11 Table, plates … Baptize – Matt. 28:19 Baptistry, heater Build an ark – Gen. 6:14 Tool, Animal Sing – Eph. 5:19 Books, Tuner Contribute – 1 Cor. 16 Basket, Account Meals for social & rec. purposes (???) Kitchen, Fellowship Hall Aids Are Authorized Within The Command Question: Where is the Authority? Question: Where is the Authority? 56

III.Kitchens, Fellowship Halls & Eating in Bld. A. The issue B. Common meals are individual matters C. No authority for church – social & recreation D. Not the work of the church

Work of the Local Church Evangelism (1 Tim. 3:15) Edification (Eph. 4:16) Benevolence (1 Tim. 5:16) Social / Recreation (?? Where is the passage ??) 58

A Church Kitchen Is not the work of Evangelism Is Not the work of Edification Is Not the work of Benevolence 59

III.Kitchens, Fellowship Halls & Eating in Bld. A. The issue B. Common meals are individual matters C. No authority for church – social & recreation D. Not the work of the church E. Difference in incidentals and planned

Incidental Matters While At Building Planned & Sponsored By the Church Talk about politics Sell / deliver a sold item Seek medical advice Eating on property Political rally Church in business Church hospital / clinic Church kitchen / dinner 61

The Social Gospel I.History Behind It II.Problems With Social Gospel III.Kitchens, Fellowship Halls & Eating in Bld.