The Truth in Print Vol. 21 Issue 10, Nov. 2015

A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,

2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)

 

Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com

 

Patterns of Apostasy Outline

 

   The following brief outline is used in our congregation for a “special class” when needed. The outline of itself presents a quick view of patterns repeating themselves through the years of even our own lives. 

 

 

The Need to Understand “Patterns of

Apostasy” – Apostasies Repeat Themselves

 

 

Both “Individual” and “Church” Supported Societies Built by Brethren

 

 

I. General date for the Restoration Movement – 1800. The truth was taught and restoration preachers rejected all human creeds and dissolved their “associations” they’d formed. They did that understanding that the local church was God’s divine organization to convert the world; neither individuals or churches had scriptural authority to organize and support evangelistic institutions that were separate and apart from the local church to do the work of evangelism.

 

II. The 1840s had both “individual” and “church” support of evangelistic societies. Within some 40 years of the dissolution of “associations” brethren are engaged in evangelistic societies again!

 

A. In 1845 J.T. Johnson’s evangelistic plan – in Danville, Kentucky - was for an “individual, not a congregational association.” Efforts to co-operate by churches had failed. This one is often overlooked when preaching or teaching on apostasy.

 

 

B. 1849 the American Christian Missionary Society supported by the churches; two very distinct groups appeared – those who opposed and maintained the New Testament pattern and those who endorsed the society. Blatant apostasy in just 40 years! *The hypocrisy of the first President is clearly seen.

 

1. The methods promoting one apostasy will be used for another. In this same period the apostasy of Instrumental Music in worship: (1) As early as 1851 in Kentucky – “We are far in the rear of Protestants on the subject of church music”; (2) L.L. Pinkerton of Midway Ky. In 1860 – can pinpoint the suggestions and arguments “for”; (3) Back again 1864 W.K. Pendleton admits no N.T. usage but argues on basis of “silence of the scriptures” and “expediency” – it was an expedient like the church building.

 

Apostasies Repeat Themselves:

 

C. 1942 Planning began for Florida Christian College, Informal meetings of large groups until 1944, June 1944 State wide meeting – board of directors appointed, Dec. 1944 “Florida Christian College” chosen as name, Sept. 1946 first students received. This was not church supported but tactics were similar to earlier apostasies. * Preacher training — James R. Cope, President-Elect, Florida Christian College  “Our students will be taught the issues and how to meet them.”

 

D. 1948 Akin Foundation -- was an organization for the support of churches of Christ. Our brethren had it thrown in their face at The Arlington Meeting (Jan. 1968). A non-issue for it was to be viewed as just individual Christians working together. Roy Cogdill proposed both churches and individuals send money to a legal defense fund to help save it — based upon what one local church may do to ensure its right to work and worship; Fanning Yater Tant  in defense of Cogdill’s plea said “it is the collective property of conservative churches.” 

 

E. 1950s – The Gospel Press was organized initially to be supported entirely by individuals – then started soliciting from churches.

 

F. 1950s The church support of Human Societies – Orphan Homes, the College, etc.. The Sponsoring Church movement: The Herald of Truth, Feb. 10, 1952 the Highland Church of Christ, Abilene, TX.  – was not the same false pattern as the American Christian Missionary Society.

 

G. 1970s 80s Talk about our brethren building human societies for evangelistic purposes. As with other apostasies we can pinpoint the beginnings - 1973 the Cogdill Foundation appealed for contributions (donations) to send free tracts to the Philippines; they were asked if they could send the writers of the tracts also and dropped the appeal; late 1970s Mike Willis, the Guardian of Truth Foundation – discussions with Gene Frost, etc..

 

H. 2004  -- The first Guardian of Truth Foundation Lectureship (have added children’s classes since then). In just some 30 years again a major apostasy!

 

I. Today we see a most “institutional” non-institutional brethren. To list a few through the years:

 

1. Florida College -- an organization that provides worship and evangelism. It was presented to our brotherhood as a supposed non-issue for it is not supported by the churches.

 

2. Guardian of Truth Foundation -- an organization that has the G.O.T.F. Lectures providing evangelism and worship. Again a supposed  non-issue for it is just letting the local church be the local church.

 

3. Camps – F.C. Camps and now many others — some brazenly seek donations all the while proclaiming that they engage in edification and worship; some have been said to have served the Lord’s Supper.

 

4. The Barnabas Ministry -- an organization at work in the Philippines in evangelism, benevolence.

 

5. WOW -- Women Worthy of Worthiness -- an organization for Edification.

 

6. Bread Upon The Waters -- an organization for Evangelism & Benevolence. It references James 1:27 sixty years after it was falsely used to justify institutional apostasies in the 40s-60s by the transfer of individual duty to an organization; References “Let the Church be the Church” by Ron Halbrook for justification.

 

7. 1213 -- an organization for benevolence; pleads for the recall of Gal. 6:10 sixty years after it was used to justify institutional apostasies in the 40s-60s; presented as “a new non-profit working to meet the needs encountered by servants like you. I believe it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.”

 

 

Note: Most always their self-identity is accompanied by a disclaimer saying that one must not misunderstand their intentions; they in no way wish to supersede the local church or take over the work of the local church for their organization is supported by individual contributions only.

 

 

By Bob Lovelace

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