Ebook
Barton Stone, Thomas Campbell, and Alexander Campbell organized a nineteenth-century Christian renewal movement that later coalesced into three distinct church bodies in the United States: Churches of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. What is less known is that from these humble origins, the Stone-Campbell Movement has grown globally, now with churches in more than 199 countries. This book tells the story from the movement's beginnings all the way to its international expansion into Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Complete with a study guide and personal reflection questions, this book is ideal for longtime members, new members, and those unfamiliar with the Stone-Campbell heritage.
“The answer lies in the distinction between ‘tradition’ and ‘traditionalism.’ Historian Jaroslav Pelikan has defined tradition as ‘the living faith of the dead,’ and traditionalism as ‘the dead faith of the living.’” (source)
“When Campbell spoke of ‘being silent where the Bible is silent,’ he allowed for strong opinions on what that silence meant. Some might think silence permits; others might be sure it forbids. The ‘silence’ Campbell called for was the refusal to make those opinions divisive matters of faith.” (source)
“The people should read the Bible and think for themselves, not trust the clergy to do their thinking for them.” (source)
“Studying church history also helps us experience how faithful Christians in the past struggled to follow God in their own context.” (source)
“this rejection of traditional religious authorities gave power to another elite— religious demagogues” (source)