"The Prognosis Seems Hopeful"
(Editor's note: This article appeared in the Christian Times of February 23, 1970. Lewis Hale is preacher for the Southwest Church of Christ in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and will be remembered by Gospel Guardian readers as the defender of the institutional orphan homes and the Herald of Truth evangelistic cooperative in his debate with Dudley Ross Spears some four years ago. See editorial, this issue.)
"The prognosis seems hopeful for authentically nonsectarian Christianity." These words would seem to forecast good things for the cause of Christ in the 70's — until you hear the context in which they were spoken, which actually tells what is predicted.
On Tuesday, January 27, 1970, at 10:00 a.m., several hundred of us assembled in Hardeman Auditorium, Oklahoma Christian College, to hear one of the seven major addresses of OCC's Twentieth Annual Bible Lectureship. Wes Reagan was speaking on "The Status of Organized Religion in the 70's."
Wes Reagan is a very effective speaker. He communicates marvelously. He is devout. He is sincere. He says much which needs to be said. He mentioned several things which he thinks will communicate well in the 70's, and several things which he thinks will not do well in the 70's. He then gave four specifics as to what we can expect in the 70's.
At the conclusion of the lecture, several private discussions took place at once. Several were of the opinion that the speaker predicted a crossing of denominational lines and fellowship with those in other bodies (churches), but without either approval or disapproval on the part of the speaker. Some thought the whole tenor of the speech implied approval. Some of us thought that specific number four not only gave approval but actually advocated crossing of denominational lines and fellowship with those in other churches.
Listening is a difficult art, more difficult than reading, which is difficult enough. The exact text of specifics three and four is given for your careful study.
"NUMBER THREE: It seems to me that at least in these terms, the liberal-conservative clash will fade and will go the way of the modernist-fundamentalist clash of a previous generation. The people in the 70's are more likely to think in terms of the Renewalist and the Traditionalist, and the Renewalist will emphasize outreach, relationship, willingness to listen, mobility, and he will think the Traditionalist irrelevant. The Traditionalist, on the other hand, will emphasize orthodoxy, apostasy, and will think the Renewalist unsound.
NUMBER FOUR: Renewal will cross denominational lines so that there will be more unity and more mutual feeling of brotherhood and fellowship with others who are also concerned about renewal in another body than there will be with the Traditionalist in the body of which you are a part.
There will be increased splintering and fear among those who are trying to shore up a nineteenth century structure.
So the prognosis seems hopeful for authentically non-sectarian Christianity.
I am afraid that churches of Christ have been more traditional, more sectarian, less open, and less Biblically centered than we have realized.
The Lord and His church will survive. Whether we do or not depends on our willingness to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him."
This plainly says there will be better fellowship with renewalists in other bodies (churches) than with traditionalists in the body (church) of which you are a part. This leaves no doubt as to the forecast. The only question left is: Did Wes Reagan approve or disapprove?
Listen to his evaluation in his own words: "So the prognosis seems hopeful for authentically non-sectarian Christianity." What a strange view of non-sectarian Christianity! How could we possibly become non-sectarian by crossing denominational lines and joining hands with those who are sectarian and denominational?
If brother Reagan is correct in his forecast, the prognosis does NOT seem hopeful for authentically nonsectarian Christianity.