Examining Familiar Things
It is human nature to take for granted things with which we are familiar, always did, or always had. Because of this we many times accept and do things, which if we examined with an unbiased mind, in the light of all the evidence we could gather, we would give up and reject. This is true in every phase of life. It is no less true in religion.
Does it not seem right to the heathen mothers to sacrifice their babies when they believe their God to be angry? Certainly so! And why? Because it seems to them that such has always been done. They were reared and trained to do such. The same could be said of the Buddhists who bow down before their idols.
Does it not seem right to some denominations to sprinkle instead of immerse; to baptize babies instead of confessed repentant believers? Why certainly! But why? Because they have always seen it done. Their fathers and mothers did it. They have always been taught by their religious leaders that such is right and scriptural. Thus, they believe it, and, sometimes, become very angry if you dare question it.
I fear that many times members of the Lord's Church fall victim of this same kind of reasoning and action. Something is questioned, or a change for one reason or another is desired, and they bitterly oppose it. Why? Because as far back as they can remember, it has always been done that way. Some of our greatest teachers, preachers, and writers have put their stamp of approval upon it. To illustrate: I remember when, instead of passing a contribution basket or plate, many congregations permitted all who wished to contribute to come forward, pick up the cloth over the communion table, lay their donation on the table, and then be seated. In the section of Florida where I was born and reared, when this custom was changed for the more orderly one of passing the contribution basket, it sometimes caused quite an uproar. I was told of one old lady who, said, "Now listen brethren, let's do just as the Bible says, and go up to the table, and put our money under that cloth." This reminds me of how some brethren today "hit the ceiling" when you dare question some of their pet projects or practices.
Many times members of the church today will be able to offer no better authority for the things which they believe and do than that Brethren Lipscomb, Hardeman, Sewell, Campbell, or some other outstanding brother, living or dead, approved the thing questioned. Is not this getting dangerously close to the practice of the denominations, who can appeal only to their creeds, which their great men have devised, for the things which they teach and practice?
Sometime ago, while preaching in Florida, I came across a group who objected to some of the songs found in our Christian Hymnals published by the Gospel Advocate. Perhaps some of their objections were valid, others I did not agree with. However, a prominent preacher in that section of the country said to me something on this order. "Brother Denison, they should not object to these songs. Why some of our best preachers and singers in the brotherhood picked them out and approved them. Who are we to say that they were wrong?" These are probably not his exact words, but are as near as I remember them. What this preached failed to realize was, that any denominationalist could make that claim anytime you dared question what he practiced and taught. In fact, a friend of mine, who is now a preacher, once told me of an incident which happened in his early manhood. He was talking with an old-timer of his community, who happened to be a member of a denomination, about some point of doctrine upon which they disagreed. The old-timer said something on this wise: "Now listen to me, I'm older than you, and have been around much longer. I've read the Bible through many times, and know what I'm talking about. You ought to heed what I say." Had he done what many of my brethren today seem in essence to be doing, he would not be a gospel preacher, but would have followed this man's advice and perhaps be preaching a false doctrine.
Yes, brethren and friends, let us be careful. Let us never accept something just because the great leaders of the brotherhood recommend it. Let us remain free men in Christ Jesus. Let us constantly question and investigate what we teach and practice. We are human, our great brotherhood is human, and as such we are liable to err. Let us not be contentious and cantankerous just for contention's sake. Let us not be found in the objective case and the kickative mood. But when with open heart, mind, eyes, and ears, we have investigated something and thus found it to be unscriptural, let us have the courage which the great men of the Bible had, to stand against it with all our might, though we stand alone. But we will not be entirely alone; God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit will be with us. And after all, if God be for us, who then can be, or stand, against us?