One Hundred Years Later

It is common knowledge among us that in 1906 a distinction was made and recognized that the Church of Christ (a cappella) and the Christian Church (instrumental) were two distinct religious entities. By in large members of the various congregations of Christ suffered tremendously inasmuch that many lost their buildings and had to find new locations where they could worship according to the dictates of their consciences based on the teachings of the New Testament of Jesus Christ. The division among members of the church of Christ had arisen years before 1906. The innovations of the Missionary Society and the use of instrumental music in the worship, along with other false doctrines and practices, were the basic reasons for the division in the body of Christ. It has been generally believed among us that the use of the instrument in our worship has been considered an addition to our singing (worship) and therefore unscriptural. However over the years attitudes have changed regarding the method of our interpretation of the Bible and that has caused many brethren to reconsider their rejection of instrumental music in our worship to God. This has not happened in a short span of time; rather, this change of attitude has occurred over at least 40 or more years. Influential teachers, authors, university presidents, professors and preachers have influenced scores of Christians to accept the instrument; or, to consider the use of instrumental music in our assemblies as being a “non salvation” issue. Furthermore several congregations of Christ and the independent Christian Church have been cooperating together in foreign mission work in recent years. There has been a call for reconciliation among the two branches of the Restoration Movement that began in the 1800s in America.

One brother/preacher/educator writes, “During this special year-100 years since the official split between Churches of Christ and Christian Churches-some of our best historians (on both sides of the keyboard) are helping us understand the reasons why it (the division, RE) happened.” He further states, “There’s not much need, for example, for us to continue talking about instrumental music. Most of the a cappella churches are going to remain a cappella-though most of us don’t think instrumental music is wrong (Emphasis mine, RE). And most of the instrumental churches aren’t going to become a cappella-though I doubt if you think it’s improper.” In this brother’s thinking, we can have unity and diversity of doctrines and practices.
During the dates of June 27-30 of this year, members of the Christian Church met in Louisville, Kentucky for their annual North American Christian Convention. Another one of our preachers mentioned in his writing that he and his family were going to attend this convention at which time he declares that the meeting will “end 100 years of division” that has existed between the Church of Christ and the Christian Church. He wonders within himself, “How could I have thought that instrumental music was a salvation issue? I feel like I brain washed myself. One hundred years of division over a piano or a guitar. It just seems so strange to me now.” He also writes that he is “happy that most of our denomination is together again” but he “regrets that we split in the first place. It should have never happen.” Furthermore he states, “This convention is the right thing to do and I want to be there to celebrate at this reunion.” “However I dream that we will move beyond our denomination and acknowledge everyone who follows Jesus Christ. I pray for the unity of all Christians.”

In the latest issue of The Christian Chronicle (on-line) Bobby Ross Jr. presented an overview of the NACC that was held in Louisville during the dates of June 27-30. He writes, “In an emotional display of love and acceptance, several prominent leaders of a cappella Churches of Christ and instrumental Christian Churches exchanged personal Bibles at the North American Christian Convention on Thursday night.” “Among a cappella church members who participated in the Bible exchange were ministers Marvin Phillips and Jerry Taylor as well as Abilene Christian University President Royce Money and Rochester College President Mike Westerfield.” “Also exchanging Bibles were the praise teams from the Richland Hills Church of Christ and the Southside Christian Church.” “Keynote speaker was Jeff Walling, pulpit minister of the Providence Road Church of Christ in Charlotte, N.C., challenged the roughly 7,000 people who packed the Kentucky International Convention Center to go home and do the same.” It was estimated that of this number, 1,000 members of the a cappella congregations “stood and accepted the challenge.” “Thursday night’s session mixed instrumental and a cappella hymns as praise teams from the Richland Hills Church of Christ in North Richland Hills, Texas, and the Southside Christian Church in Orlando, Fl, performed together.” “Keith Lancaster from the group Acappella led a non-instrumental rendition of “Awesome God,” followed by both praise teams singing a modern-day “Rock of Ages,” accompanied by a piano, drums, electric guitars, a trombone, a trumpet and tambourines.”

“In a message titled “Together in God’s Grace,” Walling said that he, too, once believed that a cappella singing was the only way to worship. But he said God helped him grow to understand that grace, not perfect doctrine, saves Christians. Members of both fellowships have suffered, he said, from “we’ve got it right” disease and legalism deep in our veins.”

Thus you can see that a certain segment of our brotherhood is now committed to accepting the Christian Church into their fellowship and that the use of instrumental music in worship is no longer considered a barrier between the two groups. You will also observe in the writings mentioned previously that many brethren consider the church as being a denomination and that we should “acknowledge everyone who follows Jesus Christ.” That diversity in doctrine and practice should not keep us all from being united as one body of believers. The fact is, there are other differences between the church and the Christian Church but undoubtedly they are being overlooked. And it must be admitted that some our congregations are so liberal that they are more like the Christian Church in many ways. It is worthy to note that in the infinite wisdom of God, the congregations of Christ are autonomous and that no one group of Christians can speak for the whole body of Christ.

In the midst of all the trouble that the church is now facing, it is very encouraging to know that some brethren are re-affirming their convictions based upon the teachings of the New Testament. For example, David B. Burks, President of Harding University, has written an article that has been printed in some of our brotherhood publications, entitled “Re-examining Our Core Beliefs.” This article was re-printed in the May, 2006 issue of the Firm Foundation. Brother Burks is to be commended for his convictions. It is also encouraging to know that the president of this Christian university has taken a stand in these troublesome times. Let us not forget to “Love the brotherhood” (I Peter 2:17). We should also keep in mind the exhortation given by the apostle Paul: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (II Timothy 4:2-4). May we always be “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).