Denominationalism—Its Causes, Contradictions, Consequences, and Cures

Visits: 83[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts page.] Introduction The Apple Online Dictionary defines the religious connotation of denomination as “a recognized autonomous branch of the Christian Church.” The honest and perceptive student of Scripture realizes that Christianity in the…

History Repeats

Visits: 16[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] A century and a half ago, a few brethren who were determined to have what pleased them in religion were willing to sacrifice respect for both the statement and the…

Burger King and God

Visits: 14[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.]             The Burger King fast food chain has long used the catchy slogan, “Have it your way”—build it like you want it. BK may have come up with the slogan, but…

“Big-Tent” Religion

Visits: 13[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] Members of both major political parties talk about “big-tent” policies. By big-tent they mean inclusion of those who hold views diverse from and/or contradictory to core party principles—if they will…

Just Call Me a “Change Agent”

Visits: 14[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Longer Articles page.] Introduction All right, I admit it: I am a “change agent”! Unquestionably, there are some things about and in the Lord’s church that need to be changed, and I want to…

Will God “Understand”?

Visits: 29[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 3 page.] In God’s inspired Word, the Bible, He has revealed everything anyone can know about His mind and will. Either He means what He says in His Word, or He doesn’t. If…

Rule of Law or of Men?

Visits: 14 Only two kinds of civil government exist: The rule of law or the rule of men. When law prevails (even bad law), all are treated equally because law is objective and plays no favorites. Each citizen can plan his life predictably by the…

“Movement in Transition”

Visits: 21[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Longer Articles page.] Some time ago an announcement in the bulletin of a large (1,000+ member) West Texas “Church of Christ” caught my eye. The church had planned a special summer series of Wednesday night…

Musings on “The Journalism of Hate”

Visits: 21[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Longer Articles  page.] The Gospel Journal (TGJ, henceforth) was not begun primarily to engage in direct confrontation with either periodicals or persons. However, it certainly does not contradict our published editorial aims to be…

Denominatioalism or the Church?

Visits: 34            Thoughtful Bible students realize that denominational “churchianity” bears no resemblance to New Testament Christianity. It is not only fundamentally undenominational; it is anti-denominational. Men have so long lived with the abnormality of denominationalism that they almost universally accept…