Actually, being in seminary has really made me critically look at the restoration movement. I think that I have critically thought within the stream, but I have not critically looked at it from a bird's eye view. I find it is quite narrow in it's Bible only perspective and I don't necessarily agree with that. While academia might not adhere to this perspective completely, the rural church in the Midwest sure elevates it.
I actually have a lot to say about it. I am pretty tired of the independent church being the right church because they are independent. I am tired of Christian church ministers being treated so badly that they are given over to sin. I am tired women servants of the church doing everything but of course serve communion and preach, I am tired of hearing...'those are men's opinions, we just do what the bible says.
So, yea. I am kind of weary of this kind of restoration movement.
Well, I can certainly appreciate you being tired of those issues. The Church historian in me wants to remind you that the views expressed by autonomous independent Christian churches are not necessarily those of the Restoration Movement.
Sure, women in ministry wasn't much better then than now in some churches, though plenty of Independents are fine with women preaching. Jefferson Street Christian church here in Lincoln has had Karen Diefendorf and Dinelle Franklin preach. Also, this isn't just a problem in the RM. The only groups I know of who do allow it are the Methodists, some other high church group and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) which is a Restoration Movement denomination.
As for the Bible only stuff, that's just something you'll have to fight those out on a case by case basis. Being in the Church can simply be tiring, but there is still hope. I can't say I have complete solidarity with you since I'm not a woman and I attend a church that isn't as you describe, but I know this must be hard.
Also, I feel I should point out that originally the Bible only perspective meant that the Bible was the only thing we could require people to believe before they could become a Christian, as opposed to having to sign some confessional statement like the Westminster Confession or the Philadelphia Confession of Faith. Nevertheless, I understand that that is not how many churches, particularly rural churches, had understood that principle of the movement.
I've said a lot and quite unconnectedly. All of this is to say that the Church is broken no matter which stream you belong to and that we are called to love, serve and be her regardless. I hope this helped.
3 comments:
Well, what brought this up?
Actually, being in seminary has really made me critically look at the restoration movement. I think that I have critically thought within the stream, but I have not critically looked at it from a bird's eye view. I find it is quite narrow in it's Bible only perspective and I don't necessarily agree with that. While academia might not adhere to this perspective completely, the rural church in the Midwest sure elevates it.
I actually have a lot to say about it. I am pretty tired of the independent church being the right church because they are independent. I am tired of Christian church ministers being treated so badly that they are given over to sin. I am tired women servants of the church doing everything but of course serve communion and preach, I am tired of hearing...'those are men's opinions, we just do what the bible says.
So, yea. I am kind of weary of this kind of restoration movement.
Well, I can certainly appreciate you being tired of those issues. The Church historian in me wants to remind you that the views expressed by autonomous independent Christian churches are not necessarily those of the Restoration Movement.
Sure, women in ministry wasn't much better then than now in some churches, though plenty of Independents are fine with women preaching. Jefferson Street Christian church here in Lincoln has had Karen Diefendorf and Dinelle Franklin preach. Also, this isn't just a problem in the RM. The only groups I know of who do allow it are the Methodists, some other high church group and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) which is a Restoration Movement denomination.
As for the Bible only stuff, that's just something you'll have to fight those out on a case by case basis. Being in the Church can simply be tiring, but there is still hope. I can't say I have complete solidarity with you since I'm not a woman and I attend a church that isn't as you describe, but I know this must be hard.
Also, I feel I should point out that originally the Bible only perspective meant that the Bible was the only thing we could require people to believe before they could become a Christian, as opposed to having to sign some confessional statement like the Westminster Confession or the Philadelphia Confession of Faith. Nevertheless, I understand that that is not how many churches, particularly rural churches, had understood that principle of the movement.
I've said a lot and quite unconnectedly. All of this is to say that the Church is broken no matter which stream you belong to and that we are called to love, serve and be her regardless. I hope this helped.
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