Following World War II, returning soldiers who were members of the church of Christ brought back to the states a deep concern for the needs of humanity. They had observed firsthand the ravages of war, and the spiritual poverty of the teeming millions in Europe and Asia. They longed to do something for these people physically and spiritually. Feeling something needed to be done, but not fully understanding how to do this within the confines of Scripture, they began to think "We need some type of organization (institution) to accomplish this. Remember the seeds had already been planted in the previous decades.

At the same time, the churches in America were now enjoying a tremendous growth, especially in the urban areas. Prosperity was increasing and times were changing. Brethren were moving "across the tracks" into newer, even more fancy buildings. This prosperity, coupled with the compassion felt by the returning soldiers for the destitute and needy in other parts of the world helped to raise the social consciousness of brethren with the need to give attention to the spiritual and/or social needs of others.

The increase in prosperity and feeling of compassion brought about an increase in human institutions. For example, The first "orphan home" supported by churches of Christ was founded in 1909. By 1940 there were 7 "homes" in existence. By 1950 the number had increased to 10. But, by 1960 there were 27. The seeds of apostasy had been planted, and a newer generation of preachers and members arose. They had not experienced the sacrifices and toil of the previous generations who had opposed the formation and support of any human institution. They knew there were differences between "us" and "them" but had no understanding of why the differences. So, the newer generation, with a concern for the lost and needy, noticing the activities of other churches, and an ambitious breed of men who wanted to "do something big," shifted emphasis from the divine pattern to the human. To change their direction they first had to change their thinking. They would no longer appeal to the Bible for authorization to act, but rationalized, motivated by emotionalism and humanitarianism, "I think I can improve on God's plan." In doing this they abandoned the foundation principles of "speaking as the oracles of God" (1.Pet.4:11), "not going beyond what is written" (1.Cor.4:6), the New Testament is our pattern" (1.Tim.1:13; Heb.8:5), and asking for a "thus saith the Lord" (Col.3:17; 1.Cor.2:13) for all matters religious. They showed no respect for the silence of the scriptures by saying, "The Bible doesn't say we can't do it this way." They made the same basic assumption of the proponents of the UCMS, and the other institutions that followed. They assumed that the brotherhood was free, unshackled by apostolic authority, to form human arrangements to provide for the evangelism of the world, and the physical welfare of the suffering masses of humanity. So, the stage was set for the digression that has followed.

This failure to recognize the authority and all-sufficiency of the scriptures, plus a lack of respect for the silence of the scriptures, (Note - silence DOES NOT give consent or authorize anything, it prohibits), has opened the floodgates for digressions of every kind. The last half of the 20th century has shown that what began as a trickle in the late 1940's and 50's has now become a raging torrent. I will not attempt in this limited space to name the various institutions that have arisen in the last 50 years, but NONE OF THEM exist by God's authority or approval. May God have mercy on those who go beyond.

I close this series with this thought. How can brethren, claiming to honor God do such things? Several things are involved but a very important one to notice is the tendency to transfer authority from the Book to the church. This is institutional thinking.

1. The church of Christ is the Lord's church. (True).

2. The church of Christ has the truth (sounds pretty good).

3. Therefore, whatever is taught and practiced by the church of Christ must be right. (This is wrong, wrong, wrong!).