Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 19
September 21, 1967
NUMBER 20, PAGE 4-5a

Is It Too Late?

Editorial

We are having cause in recent months to go back and give a great deal of serious study to the whole question of division and alienation which has characterized the churches of Christ through the past fifteen years. We think it is time for many of us to take a "second look" at what has happened, and is happening.

Most of the conservatives (and this editor for one has certainly accepted the general thesis) have long since been convinced that the split as between "conservative" and "liberal" segments in the church was irrevocable and unbridgeable. It would not be too difficult to lay hand on a score or more of editorials in which we have sounded that note and have warned the brethren not to hope for any conciliation, but to start all over again (just as in the digression of a century ago) re-building the cause of Christ in town after town, city after city, where the liberals have taken over.

But now we are having some second thoughts on this subject. Oh, we are still convinced beyond all peradventure of doubt that the vast chasm between the conservatives and the liberals is permanent, and will continue to widen. But the plunge into denominationalism is now tobogganing at such an accelerated pace, the liberal churches are becoming so wildly liberal (what with tongue-speaking, miraculous healings, socialized, institutionalized sectarianism) that we are beginning to hear considerable evidence of a "revolt" against such from among many of the older and more stable elements of what we have thought of as the "liberal" segment among us. A chance meeting with E. R. Harper at Cleburne, Texas last month pointed up to us the enormous unease and apprehension which is pervading a great number of the "liberals." Brother Harper is certain that a "split" is coming among the ranks of his co-workers — a split which, in his words, "will make our fight over the orphan homes and Herald of Truth look like a Sunday School picnic !" He is worried and concerned — as well he might be!

The article on the front page of this issue ("The Mission of MISSION") gives further information as to what is developing among our "institutionalized" brethren. An aggressive and articulate group of younger men is rapidly taking over; they have been trained, for the most part, in modernistic seminaries and universities. Their thinking and attitudes toward denominational status for the Churches of Christ have developed far, far beyond anything Brother Harper, or even Brother Goodpasture would ever have thought possible fifteen or twenty years ago when the real "institutional trend" got under way. The dangers which thoughtful brethren pointed out then, the inevitable and inexorable fruition of the "we don't need Bible authority for this" and the "there is no pattern" philosophy the certain and inescapable consequence of this kind of teaching is now coming home with a vengeance!! and great numbers of good brethren who have been enthusiastic supporters of Herald of Truth and the "sponsoring church" cooperatives are now beginning to be sick at heart as they see liberalism and modernism (far more extreme than they ever dreamed possible) taking over.

And what about the "conservatives" - those two or three thousands of congregations and perhaps two or three hundred thousands of faithful Christians who have not been involved in the plunge into denominationalism? Let it be said emphatically that this is no time for "I told you so" or for recriminations or accusations - the damage has been done; an entire generation has been "conditioned" to accept denominational status for the Churches of Christ. And those who have remained true to the old paths will simply look on with infinite regret and sorrow - and will do everything humanly possible to salvage and rescue all they can possibly reach!

It might be well to begin at home - taking a long, careful look at our own attitudes and spirit. Are we as guiltless as we have supposed in the debacle that has overtaken us all? Is it not possible that many of our own conservative brethren because of their extreme and absurd declarations must carry a considerable responsibility for the division? When we have blindly lashed out against "orphan homes" without adequate explanation of what we are opposing; when we have condemned "cooperative radio programs" without defining what we meant; when propositions have been debated that place all conservatives in the ridiculous position that "any congregation which gives a dime to feed a starving orphan child is going to hell!" well, who can blame thoughtful and sincere Christians for reacting with disgust to any such position?

Is it too late for any sort of rapprochement or fellowship between the pro-Herald of Truth and the anti-Herald of Truth brethren? Up until the last few months our answer would have been an unhesitating affirmative; we felt that the virus of denominational thinking had already done its deadly work so effectively that there was no hope for any turning back. We still believe this to be true of the great majority of our liberal brethren. They are "on the march" - to full-fledged denominationalism. But we believe the very haste and urgency with which some are urging and promoting denominationalism may serve to bring a reaction among the more sober-minded (and perhaps older) segment of the pro-Herald of Truth group. Perhaps, even at this late hour, there may be some hope of having meaningful and productive meetings with many of these brethren. It is not impossible that even at this eleventh hour there still are entire congregations, and many thousands of individuals who may yet be saved from the engulfing waves of the liberalism now taking over so many churches.

In any event, let every child of God be always alert and ready to respond to any kind of evidence at all that any congregation, or any individual, hitherto involved in the liberalistic promotions may be harboring some misgivings as to the course being followed.

Maybe, after all, it is NOT "too late!" for some.

F. Y. T.