The reason many Christians struggle with doubt and confusion is because they have failed to learn the Word, test the Word, and compare the Word to the claims of others. Every generation must experience the Word and must experience the need for Christ. Every generation must experience restoration.
Some generations have it easier than others because they learn from prior generations. But many Christians of the present generation seem intent on entombing themselves in materialism and distancing themselves from Christ, rather than trying to become Christ-like.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)
This is true or it is not. Assuming for the moment that objective and verifiable proof supports the conclusion that the Scriptures are true and reliable, it stands to reason that Christians should be able to build their lives upon the Scriptures. But parallel to that, and what should be no surprise to Christians, is that the Scriptures should mold our outlook and lives. In other words, when the Bible speaks, we speak, when the Bible is silent, we are silent.
One of the founding intellects of the Restoration Movement, Thomas Campbell, in 1809 is reported as asserting that:
All denominations held in common the essential core of faith (“Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah), the Son of the Living God”), and differed only by the separate traditions accumulated through eighteen centuries – “the rubbish of the ages.” [The Plea at 14.]
His son, Alexander Campbell, stated in 1812,
Everything was to be cut away from the faith that was not authorized by Christ and His apostles. No tradition could be binding without New Testament sanction. [The Plea at 14.]
Thomas Campbell stated the logical conclusion:
Where the Lord “has not enjoined” a command, no “human authority” can “impose new commands.” [The Plea at 30, FN26.]
Eugene Johnson, Esq., in 1975, stated:
It meant that Campbell had faith in Christians to act democratically in the spirit of Christ on matters where no command was given, yet where a duty was indicated. [The Plea at 30.]
In other words, the Scriptures should moderate us as much as they encourage us and justify us. The Scriptures indict us more than they indict those who do not believe, while freeing us as well. Restoration Movement Christians who miss the simple truth that we speak only when the Bible speaks and not otherwise as to matters spiritual have lost our second greatest treasure.
