Category Archives: The Future of the Churches of Christ

Some takeaways — * Cultural Christianity is dying. Only about to 20 to 25% of Americans are committed Protestant Christians in the sense of going to church on Sunday and actually allowing Christianity to shape how they live. The rest are increasingly … Continue reading →

The news has been filled with reports regarding the decline of Christianity in the U.S. A recent study by the Pew Research Center shows a 7.8% decline in Americans who self-identify as “Christian.” Looking more closely at the numbers, we … Continue reading →

[I apologize for the length of these posts, but I’ve decided it’s best to lay out the entirety of the argument at once.] A couple of readers have written extensive, thoughtful comments regarding my last few posts. I’ve addressed many of … Continue reading →

Let’s start with the obvious. The church is called by Jesus and God to be united. Moreover, this unity is part of our testimony to the truth of the gospel. Disunity is sin. (John 17:20–21 ESV) 20 “I do not … Continue reading →

I posted two posts the same day yesterday by accident. That gives me the day off. And that leaves time for some of the greatest music of all time — Bach composed for a limited ensemble of instruments. The piano had … Continue reading →

(Jer 29:1-7 ESV) These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile … Continue reading →

Back in 1804, the churches that made up the Springfield (Illinois) Presbytery decided to leave behind the then-sectarianism of the Presbyterian Church. Among their leaders was Barton W. Stone. The events at the Cane Ridge Revival had persuaded him that salvation … Continue reading →

Regarding my post on April 1, reader RJ commented, In 1 John chapter 3:20-21, the Greek word kataginosko is used in a non-damning way. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think this is the term to use for an Apostate. … Continue reading →

However, I don’t think race or socio-economic status is the biggest unity challenge among Churches of Christ. Our big problem is overcoming our sectarian past. We may no longer think that the Baptists and Catholics are going to hell, but … Continue reading →

I graduated from law school in 1978 and immediately began my career of teaching Bible classes. And early on, around 1980, I taught a Wednesday night class about the Restoration Movement — which is when I began my Restoration Movement … Continue reading →