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 In
the Dec. 16' 69 Firm Foundation. Johnny Ramsey wrote, “it is
altogether possible that some men are considered heretics just
because they have the quiet, reserved courage to buck the tide
of apostasy while those leading us into apostasy are being
praised for their sense of timing in public relations! A man
is not a heretic when he differs with “the mainstream of the
restoration movement.” He is a heretic if he opposes New
Testament Christianity.” (emph, rt)
Then,
in a Jan. 6,’70 editorial, bro. Lemmons says, “The
Restoration movement is still in adolescense, but it is showing
some signs of maturity. We have all confidence in the sound
and Biblical stance the mainstream of the movement has assumed
and we believe that its very growth and developing influence is
a lesson to elements both to the right and to the left worth
consideration.” (emph, rt)
The
“mainstream of the movement” needs quotes, in
bro. Ramsey’s judgement, and is a standard for nothing. Bro.
Lemmons thinks it is maturing (with a Biblical “stance”),
and that its size and influence should be a “lesson” to
those who are not in the mainstream. I vote for Johnny! And I
like my “lessons” from the word of God, before they are
filtered through the majority opinion of a “movement”.
There
is no surer sign of sectarianism than an appeal to the faith and
practice of “a majority of the Churches of Christ in Texas”
or “the mainstream of the movement” — and I am keeping in
mind the fact that bro. Lemmons has “confidence” in its
sound and Biblical “stance”. Trouble is, the “mainstream
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of the movement” is the {one}
or more steps removed from the true basis of authority.
This
is the “open Sesame” to partyism; and when “mainstream”
churches begin to function collectively, it is the grist of
denominationalism. It narrows N.T. brotherhood to “party
fellowship”, and soon its followers begin to think that TRUTH
flows in the channel cut by this “mainstream”. The fact is,
TRUTH cuts its own channel and IS the mainstream which all
faithful Christians follow.
God
is the source of truth, and by this standard we are constantly
challenged to climb upward. But “mainstreams” of ANY
movement (majority opinion, or “bulk” of adherents) have a
human source. The “movement” begins with zeal, dedication
and strong conviction — but always with something less than
the perfect truth of God’s word. AND — the testimony of
history is that it almost invariably degenerates —
majorities tend to accept less and less truth as a sufficient
standard. Of course, differing with the “mainstream” doesn’t
prove one right. Why go to either majority or minority for “lessons”
when God’s word is available? (2 Cor. 10:12-f)
I
have written, and will continue to write against the
iconoclastic spirit that delights in attacking old “established”
positions — ego that feeds itself on novelty — but this is
not to enthrone “mainstream” creeds. Genuine truth seekers
are uninhibited — allowing neither “our” nor “their”
doctrine to replace the truth of God.
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