The Christian Church — Fruitage Of An Attitude
The Christian Church has grown out of an attitude toward God's word—the attitude being one of placing emphasis on what the Bible does not say rather than on what it does say. Anything not expressly forbidden has been accepted as permissible and right. The consequences have been tragic beyond all description.
Has Destroyed Sacrificial Giving
Because of this attitude the Christian Church has deserted God's plan for financing the church. Instead of following the clearly set forth plan of the Lord, (I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 9:7) the Christian Church has supported itself by dinners served at a price, plays, pageants and amusements for which admission is charged. In some states, in spite of the anti-gambling laws, they have resorted to raffles and other lottery schemes for raising money.
It would seem that Christian Churches say to the world, "Our members do not love the Lord enough to support us. If you will make a donation, we will amuse, entertain and feed you. Or, perhaps you can win the grand prize in one of our raffles or lotteries." This is a direct appeal to the flesh. It is also unfair competition to legitimate businesses. The restaurant and the theatre pay taxes and buy licenses to operate. The Christian church is exempt from taxes and buys no license. Such is manifestly unfair.
Has Brought "Theatrical" Services
This attitude has turned the church into a playhouse. It is little more than a clubhouse. Consider, for example, this quotation from a Kansas City (Missouri) daily paper, "The chancel of the Community Church here last night was converted into a dais for a jazz orchestra, and the pulpit made way for the antics of tap dancers and crooners. The crowd swayed to the lilting refrain of `heat waves' and joined the head crooner in singing, 'I Love To Tell The Story'. The coronets and saxophones, fiddles and drums shrieked loud and long and the congregation applauded vociferously as a young man and young woman demonstrated the latest dance step."
This so-called "Community Church" is a Christian Church; her minister is one of the outstanding pastors of that denomination. In spite of this, Christian Church preachers have the effrontery to declare, "There is no difference between the Christian Church and the churches of Christ except the music!" We resent the slander.
Consider the following clipping from the "Christian Evangelist", official church paper of the Christian Church, "Before a blue backdrop, solemn-faced and nervous, fifteen barefooted girls of Christian College, Columbia, Missouri, presented dancing interpretations of familiar hymns like, 'My Faith Looks Up To Thee' and 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing'. Asked not to applaud were 300 people who attended. Garbed in draped silk and plain silk tunics and trousers, under the direction of Mrs. Eleanor Minton Rhynsburger, the dancers went through ensembles, formations symbolizing supplication, humility and prayer. The interpretations sent the audience away apparently pleased. Prior to the dancing, Pastor C. E. Lemmons chortled, 'We will not include dances as a regular part of our services until I have had opportunity to observe the character and attitude of the girls who dance."'
Please note the standard which is to govern the services. Is it the New Testament? is it the word of Peter, Paul, Christ, or John? No, indeed! "Wait," says Pastor: Lemmons, "until I have observed! I will decide; I will determine what to do; my will shall prevail in the matter!' This is the attitude that built the Christian Church
Some Members Unhappy
That these theatrical, worldly, fleshly antics are displeasing to many of the older and more sober member is pretty apparent. One such member wrote this letter to the "Open Forum" of the "Christian Standard", an official publication of the church:
"Brethren, The Christian Church is a mess. Unless we clean up and straighten up, and keep to the apostolic' pattern revealed in God's word, we shall fall under the same condemnation that is the part of all false sect. To begin with, we wear an unscriptural name; we minimize the preached word, we fraternize with all our religious neighbors until the world cannot tell the difference between us and any other denomination. Our people sit in pews and listen to addresses, witty stories, pep talks and boostings for some auxiliary of the church, while those who love the Lord are starving for his word. Too many of our preachers are pussyfooting around with Ministerial Alliances (of unbelievers); they are lending their outward support to denominational meetings in their communities; they are preaching "easy" to hold the worldly crowd and its money. Instead of preaching the word they are busy devising plans, programs, stunts, chalk talks, special music, contests, banquets, socials, etc. We are soon engulfed in the machinery of organization; our plea is forgotten, and we have no excuse for our existence since we are just like other churches.
We are getting too far away from the Lord and his way. Preachers, if you love him, then give your folk some gospel for a change, and quit giving your time and your talents to trivial matters; the word is what saves The Gospel is the 'power of God unto salvation', and not all the schemes, plans, and programs that man can invent. Can't we do something about it?" Signed G. B. A
Yes, we can do something about it. All of that denominational machinery can be unloaded. Men can get back to the Bible, back to the ways of God, back to the old paths from which the Christian Church has long since wandered far, far away. We beseech you in the word of the weeping prophet, who stood long ago among divided people and pleaded for a return to God. Here are his words, "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the way: and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.' (Jeremiah 6:16)