The Restoration Movement Critique

The Restoration Movement : 

Attitudes and consequences A Critique! The Restoration Movement

Points to Ponder : 

Points to Ponder Was the movement only an anomaly of its time? What were the major “successes” of the movement? What were the pitfalls/failures of the movement? Is it possible to replicate the Movement? Should we replicate the Movement? What baggage has the Movement saddled us with? Where do we go from here?

The Movement: A Product of its Time? : 

The Movement: A Product of its Time? No person or movement can divorce itself from its own historical context. Pure Iconoclasm is impossible. Tabula Rasa (blank slate) is unachievable “No man is an island entire of himself . . .” John Donne, Meditation XVIIEnglish clergyman & poet (1572 - 1631) “No movement is a wave without a shore.”

The Movement: A Product of its Time? : 

The Movement: A Product of its Time? The movement erupted when America was “new” and attempting to throw off her historical past. The Enlightenment postulated that things could be restored to their rightful natural order if “reason” was applied. The cry for “primitivism” and a cry to “restore” the ancient order with the assumption that such could be attained via “reason” was no doubt a part of the cultural milieu. Just because something is a product of culture does not make it illegitimate. However there are dangers . . . God can use cultural movements for His purpose!

The Movement: A Product of its Time? : 

The Movement: A Product of its Time? The danger of ignoring our roots: It arrogantly assumes that the way things are is the way things have always been. It can lead to hypocrisy as we pretend that we are superior to the movements and persons on whom our own history is built. Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it! The water that buoys us up is no more important than the water in the rest of the sea!

Major Successes of the Movement : 

Major Successes of the Movement It emphasized the Bible. It deemphasized Protestant traditions and creeds. It deemphasized Calvinism. It emphasized “free will” in accepting the gospel. It deemphasized the “clergy/laity” system. It distinguished between the Old and New Covenant. It emphasized “Pattern Theology.” “ . . . for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” Heb 8:5

Major Pitfalls of the Movement : 

Major Pitfalls of the Movement As with any movement its greatest strengths often turn out to be its greatest weaknesses. Some of the very things that made the Restoration Movement vibrant and valid also led to the problems it later encountered. By very definition “movement” indicates fluidity and change. Ironically the very attitude that brought about “change” produced “division.”

Major Pitfalls of the Movement : 

Major Pitfalls of the Movement Primitivism leading to an hyper-simplicity regarding doctrine. Issues such as the hair issue, modesty, cup issue, class issue sometimes take precedent to the working out of consistent theologies in areas such as eschatology and soterology. Hence we often do not know what we believe about many issues. Primitivism leading to a bias against history. The movement has, among the Churches of Christ at least, deemphasized the historical impact that the greater world of Protestantism has had on Christianity. History is seen as a matter of corruption and decline. Ironically the “restoration” mindset has led us to believe that the “church has arrived” and thus needs no further restoration.

Major Pitfalls of the Movement : 

Major Pitfalls of the Movement De-emphasis of clergy resulting in hyper emphasis on unqualified laity. Along with the American emphasis on individualism came the de-emphasis on corporate authority and hierarchal religious structure. This has played out in the movement in that every man is encouraged to “lead” whether qualified or not. Mutual Edification (ex: Ketcherside) Arrogance Restoration groups such as the Church of Christ are sometimes arrogant in their claims of exclusivity. This has led some to try to disassociate themselves from the name Church of Christ and the traditional baggage the movement carries.

Major Pitfalls of the Movement : 

Major Pitfalls of the Movement De-emphasis and suspicion of education While in its early years the movement was filled with men who were classically trained and highly proficient in Greek, Latin, Logic etc., its emphasis on “the bible alone” led some to view with suspicion higher education especially when it came to religion. This mentality has also produced in our own brotherhood the view that any male can preach with little or no training. Today our brotherhood highlights and extols “kid preachers” who have neither the age, wisdom, or training to know what preaching is all about. Our infatuation with “young speakers meetings” are a symptom of a deeper problem --- an intolerance for mature exegetical preaching.

Is it Possible to Replicate the Movement? : 

Is it Possible to Replicate the Movement? It is probably impossible to replicate the movement as it was in the beginning. Religious America is different! No “Great Awakenings” of the same type have occurred in recent years. Our denominational counterparts are no longer willing to meet us on the polemic level via debates etc. There has been a deep polarization of the various factions of the movement which was unknown in its early years.

Should We Replicate the Movement? : 

Should We Replicate the Movement? The concept of “Restoration” is valid . . . . A return to the bible and an emphasis on scripture is always valid! We should adopt the “restoration” spirit but with the realization that restoration is an ongoing process. One never “arrives” in the process of restoration. There will always be work to be done. If the concept of restoration is not valid then there seems to be little point in worrying about the directives of the New Testament. If we cannot “return to the ancient order” then why does the scripture encourage so heartily the keeping of the “traditions” (1 Cor 11:2).

What Baggage are we Saddled With? : 

What Baggage are we Saddled With? Over time every movement develops bad habits and stereotypes. The Church of Christ is seen as “closed minded” The Church of Christ is seen as overly scrupulous. Preachers in the movement sometimes display arrogance. The name “Church of Christ” has been sectarianized. It no longer is typically used simply as a “descriptive term.” We have sometimes developed glib answers to questions. We have sometimes focused on externals to the exclusion of the heart.

Where do we go from here? : 

Where do we go from here? Back to the Future: The concept of “restoration” is valid as long as we carefully consider our own biases and cultural influences. Restoration will forever be necessary. As long as time flow’s forward there will be a danger of drifting backward from Christ’s initial purpose. When we are satisfied that all aspects of our public/corporate worship are “restored” there will always be private matters that need to be revisited. The heart is in constant need of a return to Christ.

Areas that Still Need Restoration : 

Areas that Still Need Restoration Congregational Leadership Recognized teachers who are qualified (2 Tim 2:2, Acts 13:1-2) Evangelists with authority to set things in order (Titus 1:5) Qualified Elders and Deacons (1 Tim 3, Titus 1) Abandonment of a democratic mentality in decision making. Congregational Purity Discipline where discipline is needed (1 Cor 5) Holiness and Godly living in our personal lives. Congregational Maturity Bible knowledge Attendance of services Living in harmony with each other.

Areas that Still Need Restoration : 

Areas that Still Need Restoration A Scriptural Way to Train Preachers Congregations inviting young men in to train under a preacher. Abandonment of “travel circuit” training Perhaps it is time to review the methods of the 1st century. Brotherhood Issues Peacefully Settled A fuller discussion about the role of preachers in settling disputes. A more concerted attempt to build bridges without compromising the truth.