Ultra-Liberalism In Churches of Christ
Some Examples of Ultra-liberalism
This month we want to look at some examples of Ultra-liberalism in churches of Christ. By the early 1990s the change agents had come to Waco, Texas. Several institutional churches were affected by their false teaching. The Robinson church of Christ, in suburban Waco, was one of the churches most affected.
On April 23, 1995 the elders of the Robinson church of Christ published "Leadership Conclusions To Worship Study." This paper discussed the changes the elders considered, the conclusions they drew and the changes they made in the services at the Robinson church. According to the paper the elders rejected suggestions of instrumental music in worship, speaking in tongues, revelations, healings, exorcisms, women preachers and women in leadership roles in the assembly. While the elders are to be commended for rejecting these false ideas, the very fact they had to discuss them shows how far some members had gone into ultra-liberalism. They did agree to changes in the Lord's Supper by taking the bread and the fruit of the vine in unison. They also agreed to having a song between the bread and the fruit of the vine and sometimes to sing a song while the Lord's Supper was being served. They agreed to "Occasionally have members read the scriptures in unison or have responsive readings where the public reader calls for a unison response from the whole congregation." After the worship assembly and announcements, "Clapping as applause is welcome. This might be spontaneous or requested by the leader." Hand clapping after a baptism was approved, but hand clapping during songs would not be encouraged. After the Sunday evening worship an evening devotional would be held. At the devotional "There might be an occasional quartet or special group...Members can raise hands during song or prayer." Even though the elders rejected speaking in tongues, revelations, healings, exorcisms, and women preachers, they seem to be well on their way to becoming a Pentecostal group ruled by emotions rather than Scripture.
In 1995 Dub McClish wrote a two part article titled "Emotionalism Versus Proper Emotions". The articles appeared in the July and August (Vol. XXIV, No. 7 & 8) issues of the "Defender" published by the Bellview church of Christ in Pensacola, FL. (For those with Internet access the articles can be seen at www.bellviewcoc.com/defender.htm). According to McClish, "Since at least the late 1960s, some brethren have been aping the sects in their religious emotionalism, bringing these into congregations where they were allowed to do so. The imbibing of false doctrines concerning the direct operation of the Holy Spirit was behind much of this...Sheer emotionalism (rather than spirituality or the Scriptures) led them to such things as dimming the lights, lighting candles, burning crosses, humming during the Lord's Supper, have "responsive readings," "testifying," changing the order of worship every week, and doing away with a Gospel sermon in the assembly in favor of an insipid panel discussion." McClish also documents how the change agents ridicule the worship service, as usually conducted in churches of Christ, as being "tired" and "uninspiring" "The church is always supposed to be a party," they say.
From all corners of the United States we are hearing of similar things taking place in liberal/institutional churches. An elder in Dallas calls upon women to lead prayer in a mixed assembly. An elder in the church at Minot, ND believes instrumental music in worship is permissible. Ultra-liberalism and "unity in diversity" go hand in hand. Where you find one, you will soon find the other. "Unity in diversity" has found it's way into conservative churches and if we don't stop it, ultra-liberalism will surely follow. Let us "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" Jude 3.
Next month we will discuss: Ultra-liberalism and the Grace of God.- Richard Sims