Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 9
December 19, 1957
NUMBER 33, PAGE 4

"Fifty Years Of Attack And Controversy" -- (II.)

F. Y. T.

We carried last week a few comments on the book bearing the above title, which was written by Stephen J. Corey, long-time Foreign Secretary of the United Christian Missionary Society, and one time President of the organization.

The book is one we could not lay down. It is a gripping, breathtaking story of the absolutely inevitable division toward' which the Disciples of Christ committed their denomination from the very day of its birth.

And for a member of the Church of Christ who has any insight at all or even a rudimentary understanding of history, the book is frightening and chilling! For its pages depict a terrible, awesome parallel between the break within the Disciples and the cleavage that is right now in process of developing among the Churches of Christ.

In each instance the break comes about between the "liberals" and the "conservatives." In each instance the "liberals" claim to be true to the spirit of their movement, while insisting that they have the liberty to add to, adjust, improvise, and formulate works because "there is no pattern" in the New Testament governing the church.

One of the grimly humorous aspects of the book was the way in which Corey (and all the liberals) tried to "smear" all the Christian Standard crowd with the tag of "non-cooperation." As this epithet came up over and over again on the pages of the book, in reports of State Secretaries, International Convention speeches, etc., we couldn't repress a chuckle at the blindly partisan way in which the "liberals" tried to hang the "anti-cooperation" title on the Christian Standard people because the latter refused to endorse and support the United Christian Missionary Society; and we recalled the wildly hysterical way in which seventy years ago the Christian Standard had tried to "smear" all those who opposed the Missionary Societies with the same odorous title of "anti-cooperation" — and did everything within her power to promote a "quarantine" against those who preferred to cooperate along New Testament lines, without additional societies and organizations.

And now they are eating some of their own quinine! The State Secretary of Oklahoma, for instance, reported in his annual report in 1948:

"The spirit of co-operation is growing among our Oklahoma churches. Many so-called 'independent' and non - cooperative preachers (he means the Christian Standard men — F. Y. T.) have resigned, and more and more our churches are definitely stating, 'We want a pastor who will co-operate with the brotherhood.' This, we believe, is a wholesome attitude which is being expressed by the churches and tends to contribute to unity and progress."

How does that sound? The Christian Standard was the very journal which had vigorously promoted a "quarantine campaign" against faithful men back in the 1880's and 1890's. And now she is getting the same treatment from the liberals in her own camp.

There was something sinister and chilling, however, as we noted the startling parallel between the campaign of the "liberals" in the Disciples church and the "liberals" among Churches of Christ. Who is it that has been shouting "anti-cooperation" among Churches of Christ? And who is it that has suggested a "quarantine" against all those whom she brands as "anti?" And who is it that has tried to pressure churches everywhere not to use those men who do not support the "institutions" among us?

Yes, there is a "deadly parallel" between the efforts of the liberals in the Christian Church and the liberals among the Lord's people. Both groups are more interested in promoting their "institutions" than they are in advocating peace and unity among brethren; both groups try to stimulate a "quarantine" against those who oppose them; both groups shout "anti-cooperation" against all who do not support their organizations.

The liberal element among the Disciples put great emphasis on "Christian liberty;" they promoted interdenominational fellowship, practiced open membership, joined in ecumenical movements for federation with denominational churches. They insist that "there is no pattern, no blueprint" in the New Testament, and that we must simply be governed by "the spirit of good-will," and recognize all who have that spirit as being true followers of Christ, whether they be Baptists, Catholics, Unitarians, or baptized believers. The conservative element fiercely battled this concept, and insisted that "there IS a pattern!" and that ONLY those who submit to the pattern are true followers of Christ.

Yes, it is an interesting book. And we don't believe any liberal pro-Institutional brother among us can read the book objectively and with an open mind without being shocked to his very foundations. For he will see his arguments, his positions, his techniques, his quarantine and smear campaigns, his basic positions all being occupied and used effectively by the liberals in the Disciples' group — to the final irrevocable split in that denomination.

There is a lesson to be learned here — but the man who needs it most will probably be the last person ever to accept it!