"Behold, A “Campbellite” Indeed, In Whom Is No Consistency!"

by Jackie M. Stearsman

In the early 1960s when I first became a Christian, the faction leaders of the denominational world would often refer to faithful preachers and teachers as “Campbellites.” They did this trying to create the position that what faithful brethren were was nothing more than what Alexander Campbell and those associated with him thought or taught. This created little difficulty to sincere students of the Bible because Campbell and many of his associates were only calling for men to evaluate their position by the teaching of the Bible, and to let the Bible be used in making religions decisions and doctrines. The plea that they made was not always followed consistently by them. The same principles set forth in the following passages written by the apostle Paul are clear and decisive, but not all follow them consistently.

For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. (2 Cor. 10:12, ASV)

For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. (2 Cor. 10:18)

(For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (2 Cor. 10:4-5)

Campbellites Today

There are many among us, some teaching in universities and schools associated with the churches of Christ, that are indeed Campbellites. They can hardly write anything or speak anywhere without citing Campbell or Stone for their authority. In fact, they would try to convince even the elect of God to think of themselves as a faction of the “Stone-Campbell Movement.” They have no denominational headquarters, but they do have dedicated groups who sing the same tune and have the same source of authority—“thus saith Campbell”!

It Is Very Difficult To Be An Inconsistent Campbellite—One Can “Prove” Most Anything By Campbell

When we listen to or read the published “scholarly” missives, and if we know something of the true history of Campbell and some of his associates, we know that we can prove contradictory items by citing Campbell. For example, one may take the position as a Presbyterian and have the support of a Campbell citing. One may be at home as a member of the Baptist faith and cite Campbell as justification. In fact, one may justify most any religious person by quoting Campbell, for many can be included in the category of whoever “obeys him in all things according to his measure of knowledge of his will.” The following position was advocated by Campbell in the “Lunnenberg Letter”:

But who is a Christian? I answer, Every one that believes in his heart that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God, repents of his sins, and obeys him in all things according to his measure of knowledge of his will. (cited in Foster, et al. 60)

Is it any wonder then that a host of skeptical brethren take pride in citing Campbell as their authority in religions matters? However, we cannot harmonize the teaching of the New Testament with the varied positions occupied by Campbell. Neither may one harmonize the teaching of the Bible with the contradictory teachings of the contemporary “Campbellites” in their “Stone-Campbell Movement.”

How is the “Stone-Campbell Fellowship” any different in principle that the Lutheran, Calvinist, Methodist, or any other faction? Are we not told by all of them that “one fellowship is a good an another”? Has the “Stone-Campbell Fellowship” become a “big, sick, denomination”? Behold, a “Campbellite” indeed in whom is no consistency!

Works Cited

Foster, Douglas A., Paul M. Blowers, Anthony L. Dunnavant, D. Newell Williams. The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004.

The Stuart Church of Christ Honored at Annual “Booster Banquet”

On October 15, the school will honor those congregations and individuals who have financially supported the school over the years. As is our custom, we give special honor to a significant supporter. This year that supporter is the Stuart church of Christ. The congregation in Stuart began in 1957, when a few Christians began meeting in one of their homes. From these humble beginnings, this congregation has grown to an average Sunday morning attendance of around 180 and in need of a bigger building. The Stuart church has held a special place in the editor’s heart since 1982, before he ever heard of the Florida School of Preaching. This was the congregation with whom his wife was reared. In fact, her dad, Jim Davis, was one of the elders at the time, along with Okey Tracy and Earnest Varvil. One of the editor’s most treasured possessions is a quilt in which most of the 1984 Stuart church members’ signatures and notes of encouragement are stitched. It was presented as a wedding gift. The Stuart church of Christ has been an environment for solid spiritual growth for a number of years. Their history of appreciating sound preaching is attested by their having the late Guy N. Woods conduct Gospel meetings every January. We are thankful for the Stuart church of Christ and their years of service to the Lord and His church. May God raise more churches like the Stuart church of Christ!

WE CAN'T TAKE IT WITH US ... Paul reminds us that “we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7). Yet, humans throughout history have constantly tried to take their worldly possessions from this life into the next. Think, for example, of all the wealth that has been found in Egyptian tombs! Certainly, Job verbalizes this profound realization by stating, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither” (Job 1:21). Since “We can’t take it with us when we go,” what then can we do with the material wealth with which God has blessed us in this life? As we might expect, Jesus provides the answer, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Mt. 6:19-21). Not only are the treasures we deposit in heaven 100% secure, but perhaps even more importantly, they reveal the kind of heart we have, for “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt. 6:21).

Though many of us do not like to think of our “time of departure” (2 Tim. 4:6), it is a reality that we all must face (Heb. 9:27). Since we know it will happen to us one day, we need to make plans now concerning our earthly treasures. Proper stewardship would demand that we have a will. “Parents [laying up] for the children” is definitely proper (2 Cor. 12:14), but would not proper stewardship also include providing the means by which the Gospel can continue to be preached, even after our voices are no longer heard? One way to do that is to include the Florida School of Preaching in our estate planning and wills. The school’s financial support is somewhat unique. The gifts we receive from individuals are over and above the first day of the week contributions they make to their local churches, which is the way it should be (cf. 1 Cor. 16:1-2). However, in hard economic times, many have less funds. If it were not for those in the past who “laid up treasures in heaven” by leaving the school in their wills, we would not be continuing as we are. These gifts, though, are limited. Why not include the school in your will? Please call us for more information. After all, “WE CAN'T TAKE IT WITH US WHEN WE GO.”