Institutionalism
Introduction

"When that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel. Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals; and they forsook the LORD God of their fathers..." (Judges 2:10-12a). From this passage we can learn that it takes ONLY ONE GENERATION of failing to teach the ways of God, to produce a generation headed for apostacy. An untaught generation will have more in common with the world than with God. Because they lack proper appreciation for the ways of God they find it easier to reach accommodation with the people around them, adopting their ways, and forsaking the ways of God.

With the above thoughts in mind I accepted bro. Glenn Melton's request that I write this series of articles on INSTITUTIONALISM. It certainly is not a DEAD ISSUE today. It may be true that many have already heard and read the things I will be writing about, but we must never forget that a new generation is here, many of whom were not old enough to remember the battles fought during the last 5 decades over Institutionalism. And, they certainly need to know what the truth is, or they will soon forsake the "God of their fathers" and drift into apostacy. If we don't tell them, who will?

Many today do not know why Institutionalism is wrong. This series of articles is intended to point out why it is wrong. It can help some who are misinformed and ignorant, if they want to see. It may help some who do know, but do not know how to state the reasons clearly, or do not understand what the real issues are. It is my intention to write clearly enough to be easily understood.

I remember, as a boy-preacher in the early 1950's, that I was completely ignorant of the reasons for the division that was then occuring in the Lord's church in various places. I had no understanding of what was wrong with such things as the "Herald of Truth" and "Orphan Homes", and in fact, at first embraced them, since they were being promoted in the name of "the Church of Christ." Even though I had been taught that no organization larger than, smaller than, or other than, the local church, had a scriptural right to exist. I didn't connect that with these human institutions, for, after all, they were being promoted by brethren I trusted. But, there was one other principle that had been drilled into my mind through the years. Every religious belief and practice must be established on the basis of God's word. Without book, chapter and verse, nothing should be believed or practiced. So, upon a closer examination, and after much study, I finally realized why they were wrong. They violated God's divine pattern of doing things. (Phil.4:9). They existed without scriptural authority, thus without God's approval. (Col.3:17). Finally, in 1960, I began preaching against such organizations. Sadly, many of my generation (some untaught, some misinformed, some prejudiced) went along with them, including my family. Even the preacher, and the church where I grew up, and most of the churches where I first learned to preach, were carried away by institutional-minded preachers more concerned with being accepted by the denominations and the world, than following divine wisdom. "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians.2:8).