Crisis and Controversy

Posted by on May 11, 2008 under Sermons

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Growth 1906-1946

  • 1906 – 159,658
  • 1916 – 317,937
  • 1926 – 435,714
  • 1936 – 309,551
  • 1946 – 682,172

Aftermath of 1906

  • Debate
      – Controversy was the only way to reach consensus without creeds or conventions
  • Dissension
      – Congregational division over various issues was common before 1930’s
  • Disempowerment
      – Afraid to do anything for fear of doing something wrong

Trivia or Truth?

  • Baptistery or Running River?
  • A plate for the bread or not?
  • Extend an invitation or wait for the question?
  • Elders or no elders?
  • Any song or just those addresses to the Lord?

The Sunday School Issue

  • Opposition to Sunday Schools
      – Unauthorized [silence of Scripture]
      – Biblical pattern instructed parents to teach children
  • 1925 – Directory of Non-Class churches assembled
  • The Apostolic Way listed the faithful preachers and churches.

The Cup Question

  • In the 1920’s multiple containers for the communion became common
  • At issue was the pattern of the Lord’s Supper prescribed in Scripture
      – Multiple cups were unauthorized
      – The one cup was an element of the communion pattern
  • The faithful were listed in the Old Paths Advocate.

Millennial Controversy

  • R. H. Boll – 1915 Gospel Advocate articles
  • Believed the prophetic sections of Scripture should be examined
  • Was told to quit writing. He then started a new journal, Word and Work.

  • H. Leo Boles, Pres. Nashville Bible School
  • 1927 Boll-Boles debate in Gospel Advocate (May-November)
  • After debate Boles invited Boll to speak at NBS Chapel service

  • 1933 Neal-Wallace debate; Wallace suggested the issue threatened fellowship.
  • Wallace not only condemned Boll, but also those he considered sympathetic with Boll.

  • Criticism of Wallace’s crusade
  • J. N. Armstrong:
      – Premillennialism was a personal conviction
      – Minority view should be treated graciously

Dynamics of Division

  • Focus on observable practice.
  • List of “the faithful”
  • No fellowship with error
  • Methodology more important that theology
  • One side opposes divergence from the pattern, the other is indifferent.
      – Silence of Scripture

“Accept the Right, Reject the Left”